Some of you may remember that about a year ago, my kitty had to have two teeth removed. And that the vet didn't give me any painkillers for her. Which, apparently that vet doesn't do unless the painkillers are requested. Because it's not obvious that having two teeth (one a molar) yanked would cause pain. I quote "We didn't know she was in pain." Me: "When I have teeth out, I'm in pain. Of course the cat would be in pain."
This conversation happened again last week when I asked them to send Lily's records to a new vet. I asked them why they didn't automatically give painkillers when a pet has surgery. "No vet ever does that." Oh really? Cause when I spoke to my new vet office and asked them the hypothetical question of a cat having two teeth out and what medication would be sent home, I was told antibiotics and painkillers. Automatically. I also know quite a few people, in quite a few states, who don't have to ask for painkillers if their animal's been through surgery. It's automatic, because most people seem to understand that if an animal has surgery, it WILL be in pain. No brainer, right? Yeah, thought so.
So we went to the new vet Saturday. It's a bit farther away and Lily HATES going anywhere in the car. She seems to still be traumatized by being left at a shelter. She's always fine on the way home, but going anywhere, she cries so pitifully. She stares through the carrier at me, sticks her paws out to grab me. It's sad. Oh, and she doesn't seem to like "Battle of Evermore" because when it came on the radio her cries were much louder.
So not only is the new vet's office much nicer (the old one hasn't been remodeled since about 1965, which isn't a big deal, but it always seemed a little dingy), but the vet I saw is sooo much better than any of the vets I saw at the old place. Instead of just holding her on the table and examining her, he took the time to talk to her, try to calm her down. It was obvious he likes animals, that it isn't just a job, if you know what I mean.
And he found out what's wrong with her ear. For about a year and a half, Lily's left ear has been oversensitive. I noticed it when her scratching was causing some bleeding. She's always had sensitive ears, and they've always been dirty. Some cats have waxier ears. But her left one started producing a LOT of wax. The first vet checked for mites (none) and said she had a bacterial and yeast infections. Antibiotics. It seemed better for a while and then was bothering her again. Took her back. Stronger antibiotics. Better for a while and back to bothering her. I tried a few home remedies which seemed to work a little, but she didn't like at all. (The vinegar and water one made her cry pitifully. That wasn't used again.) So I would just clean it every few days and she was fine. Sometimes lots of ick, sometimes not. Naturally I mentioned it to this vet. Guess what? No infections. Poor little thing has a polyp in her ear. That's why it's sensitive. Seems this isn't all that uncommon and they can grow one of two ways. Hers is growing up, which is the harder one to remove. So he said that he didn't recommend surgery unless it becomes severely painful for her. It's also a very delicate surgery, so there's no reason to take the risk at this point. And we have drops to use when her ear starts bothering her. She hates drops and my god does she try to fly out of my hands, but in a few minutes she's not twitching her ear anymore.
Other cool things: vet's accent. Office has a "pet portal"--if you give them your e-mail, you can check your pet's health status online!
So if you're looking for a vet near Old Bridge, NJ, I'll let you know who to go to and who not to.
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