END-OF-LIFE CARE, GO ELSEWHERE
END-OF-LIFE CARE, GO ELSEWHERE! My cat returned home from his appointment stressed, drooling, shaking, hiding, crying, and not eating.
I brought my cat to here to discuss his end-of-life care. My cat was dehydrated, but happy, affectionate, walking, purring and eating. After my cat’s exam, the doctor and I discussed he only had a short time left. He wanted to give my cat subcutaneous fluids in the office as well as give me fluids to administer at home. I had done this procedure before, but it had been a while and the doctor said it would be demonstrated for me so I would know what do to. He left, and several minutes later a veterinary staff member entered.
The staff member started to explain the procedure, but it quickly became apparent she had little to no experience and was incompetent performing this task let alone demonstrate it. The fluid bag was not correctly placed or elevated and she didn’t explain the flow /release device and only remembered to open it as an afterthought. She did explain how to put the needle on the bag and where to put it on the cat, but when she did so, she did it incorrectly. Water leaked everywhere. At this point, I should have grabbed my pet and run. She stated she needed “extra hands”. I stated I would hold the cat firmly, which I did. She changed the needle and tried and once again, did it incorrectly again, and water went everywhere again. Nervously, she wiped the table, then my cat with the same gauze pad. She then proceeded to get another veterinary staff member to assist her, who held the cat in an entirely different manner while she administered fluid. She never explained any kind of technique to hold the cat. The other staff member basically “took charge” of the situation. I was furious that my 19-year-old cat had to be poked with needles three times at a “quality of life” appointment.
I spoke with this staff member, who stated she had not attended any vet tech school and she had taken “online” courses.
After returning home, my cat was hiding, drooling, stressed, not purring. He had a good appetite before and suddenly stopped eating. I understand any level of stress can influence an older cat’s condition, and he was dying, but before he was happy, content, now he was a mess. He spent the last week of his life in this abominable condition. No apologies will ever make up for this miserable experience and memory.