I feel ripped off

julshk

My cat started losing fur, went to the vet explained what flea treatment he was on.  They didn't examine him and instead said obviously not fleas try metacalm in case it's pain.  £150.

He continued to lose fur.  Called 10 days later and they suddenly tell me the flea treatment I give him (frontline plus) doesn't work after all and they prescribed flea treatment for him and his brother.  Another £120.

Today, 4 weeks later and at their annual inspection and jabs I mentioned it was still getting worse.  They ooed and aaed.  

I had to ask them to weigh him.  The examination consisted of a jab and a feel.  No temp, forgot to weigh, no real exam.

Anyway he's lost half a kilo in 4 weeks.  At this point they recommend blood tests.

Another £150.  Blood test clear.

So almost £500, no answers and I've had to force them to do the basics.
 I feel very angry that they changed their tune re his flea treatment being effective.

Two appointments at £300 and both I was given entirely opposite information.  I feel like one of those should be refunded in full.  Either frontline works and they shouldn't have given him the additional treatment.  Or frontline doesn't work and he should have been given flea treatment at his first appointment instead of being dismissed.

This vet previously did poor job of diagnosing a broken tail and left me with a very sick cat and a weekend emergency bill of £500 on top of the £120 they had charged to say nothing was wrong.

I complained then and heard nothing.

I want to write to them and demand they recompense me for their poor service and opposing advice.

I'd appreciate others thoughts before I do

LippyDoodle

I'd go and find myself another vet and quick! It's stessful for your cat and for you too.  

They can be allergic to flea bites. Can you see any red spots on the bold patches. These can be either raised or like one of my cats they would look as if a spot has broken and got infected. Have you seen any fleas or better still and flea poo on your cat close to the skin? This looks like tiny black bits.

It could be an allergy from something else. Where are the bold patches? Some cats who are stressed can over groom resulting in boldness. I had a cat who was in pain down her spine and when grooming would pull the fur out in that area. 

Regarding your complaint, depends how strongly you feel about it. You are within your rights to complain and if you don't get any satifaction look to see what the next step is. There could be a time limit in which you can make a complaint so look for that too. 

julshk

yes it's down his spine - i doubt it was pain as the metacalm didn't stop it at.  No fleas or eggs and I combed him every day carefully.  It seems to me they were throwing the easiest options out to make money with the minimum of effort - rather than trying to examine, diagnose and treat.  

And yes running to a different vet.  It's a shame as our family have gone here for three generations however it just feels like they're more interested in reaping insurance money than helping animals (I don't have insurance which they know)

Sooo much money for no effect and very little effort.

sheramber

I very much doubt that it s the same vets over three generations.  May be the same name but not the same vets practicing or setting prices.

I would moved vets after a  poor diagnosis  of a broken tail unless there was a very good reason for  it.

Now, I would get a second opinion and it would depend on the findings of that vet wha action I would take concerning the first vet.

if the second vet does not give a diagnosis then you cannot complain the the first vet didn't find one.

TBagpuss

I agree with the recommendation to change vets. I also think it is reasonable to make a complaint - set out in your letter what, specifically, you want them to do - I would make sure to include the fact that you had told them at the first visit what treatment you were giving him, and that they did not suggest that that wasn't effective nor did they examine him to identify any other cause, and that on the second occasion you were give contradictory information and failed despite being specifically asked to do so, to weigh him or consider reasons for his weight loss and hair loss. 

Be clear that you feel that due to the contradictory advice given, you had two appointments where it should only have required one, so you would like them to refund one of the 2 fees, and that you feel that standard of care fell below what you would expect, e.g. with them not giving him a proper examination, taking his temperature or weighing him. 

Are they part of a larger group? Does the group have any formal complaints process?

If you don't get a response you could try https://www.vetmediation.co.uk/ although as far as I can see  it is a voluntary process