Duchess non-update

[cjsmith]

My vet hasn't been answering the phone all day.

(The regular vet and the desk person / vet tech are both away for two weeks. I was told a different vet would be there. Apparently it wasn't worth getting a substitute for the desk person.)

I had hoped to switch vets with blood work numbers and a vet recommendation in hand, but apparently I'm switching right this instant without either one.

Comments

[platypus]

Blah. How hard is it to have somebody answering the phone??

When I needed Moly's health certificate, because I was moving across the country, I called my vet and found out she was on maternity leave. (She was a lovely person -- made a housecall when I was concerned after Moly was spayed, and (eight months pregnant) got on the floor and pulled her out from under my bed to check her incision and administer meds. No charge.) They had a substitute... but he wasn't taking appointments. I went to another vet; got a clear bill of health, but that vet refused to vouch on the certificate for the fact that Moly had had her vaccinations, since she hadn't been the one to administer them. I had to go back to the first vet's office and beg for documentation of the rabies shot. I hate bureaucratic bullshit.

It's a pity there's no easy way to get a drop of blood from a cat for home glucose testing. It would be so useful, but probably no fun for the cat.

[cjsmith.livejournal.com]

I've heard there is a way, though it's not easy. People use (apparently the human kind of) blood glucose test meters and strips. They take the droplet either from the ear or from a paw-pad, with the ear preferred for cleanliness.

This is all stuff I've read -- I obviously haven't tried it yet! :-/

[ladycelia.livejournal.com]

Where are you planning on taking her? I've had good luck with Hemingway Cat Hospital in Saratoga. Not cheap, but they know what they're doing.

[cjsmith.livejournal.com]

Nobody's cheap any more, but "know what they're doing" is worth it. I'm hoping for something very close to my house. I can't afford the extra time for a long trip, not for a cat who's likely to go in frequently. (As it is I'm going to cancel the Y membership. I can't swim in the morning AND dose a cat AND hold a job.)

[ambar.livejournal.com]

Adobe Animal Hospital. I recommend Dr. Jane Johnson, but honestly, most of the docs there are good with cats.

[cjsmith.livejournal.com]

Oo, that's not far. Thanks.

[mactavish.livejournal.com]

I really love our vet, but . . . well, Fremont.

[sunnydale47.livejournal.com]

If there's supposed to be someone in the office, is it possible to stop by and ask in person for a copy of Duchess's records?

[cjsmith.livejournal.com]

If there IS someone in the office, then yes; if not, then no. What with this deadline at work, I'm not going to do a 1-hour round trip until I think there's someone in the office. :-(

[therobbergirl.livejournal.com]

Ah jeez. I'm very glad that Duchess has you. None of this wimpy Oh gee, I wouldn't want my vet to hate me. Switch! Switch! You are so wise.

[cjsmith.livejournal.com]

At this point I almost don't care if my vet hates me. I'm usually wimpy about such things, but if I can't even FIND the guy it's hard for me to care that he doesn't like me!

Vet woes

[fyellin.livejournal.com]

It definitely sounds like it's time for a new vet.

I'm very happy with mine, Dr. Charles Cortesi at Peninsual Pet Hospital in Menlo Park. All my pets have been going there for the last 23 years. And he always has another vet working there when he's away.

Re: Vet woes

[cjsmith.livejournal.com]

No kidding. Man, every time I get almost comfortable with this place I'm sucker-punched by something.

Re: Vet woes

[kimatha.livejournal.com]

I'd call that an excellent reason to switch.

Re: Vet woes

[cjsmith.livejournal.com]

Absolutely. I was thinking I'd switch as soon as she was declared clear of the UTI, so as not to change in the middle of treating something. Now I'm not going to put it off any longer.

[joedecker.livejournal.com]

The folks at "The Cat Hospital" in Campbell on Hamilton Ave. a few b blocks W of 17 are very, very good. (I know it's a long way for you.)

[cjsmith.livejournal.com]

Yeah, I need to check out the two that are on El Camino close to Mary, three miles from my house and roughly along my commute.

[firecat]

Seconded, although the last time I went there was a long time ago.

[hnybny.livejournal.com]

We almost dumped our after the tail fiasco. Hopefully your vet will step up their attention to business matters

[cjsmith.livejournal.com]

I suspect the problem is self-sustaining: they're a small office and simply can't afford to have staff. But I'm not going to keep giving them my money in the hopes that they will become more successful and get someone on the phone.

[wooddragon.livejournal.com]

Jeez, you have definitely made the right choice to switch. These animals are family, for goodness sake.

[cjsmith.livejournal.com]

I dropped by Sunnyvale Veterinary Clinic on my way to the dentist this morning. They were friendly AND informative. BO-NUS! They are getting three new patients Real Soon Now!

Finally did get a return call from the current/old vet's office at 8am this morning. They have the results but there's no doctor around "to discuss them with" me, and there won't be one there until Wednesday. Okaaaaay. I hope they can just put those papers in an envelope marked Sunnyvale Vet Clinic.

[wooddragon.livejournal.com]

Oh, that is so not acceptable. More positive feedback for switching being a good decision. On the other hand, yay for the new place being friendly and informative. Good, good luck!

[cjsmith.livejournal.com]

Thanks! Fingers crossed for timely records transfer - it's the last remaining hurdle. My appointment with the new place is tomorrow at 430.

[wooddragon.livejournal.com]

Fingers and toes crossed.