I've mentioned before that I don't think my vet is the best. Please don't shoot me...I went to Banfield!! I didn't know any better...and a friend who used to be a vet tech at a Banfield highly recommended them. But everyone else I've talked to (after I went there!) says they're horrible. I will say that the Banfield vet has been incredibly supportive about Slinky's felv+ status...and was very positive from the beginning. He said right out that he doesn't recommend euthanizing just because of a pos test and that he has at least a 50% chance of never having any symptoms (25% chance of throwing off, 25% chance of being a "carrier"), and a 25% chance of living at least several years before getting any symptoms. He always tells me he looks healthy and happy...and that's good. He does, though, say that there's "nothing you can do to help him stay healthy", that "diet
doesn't matter...Purina is as good as anything," and that "supplements won't help, but they probably won't hurt either."
So at least he's been positive. But other people's opinions of Banfield in general have not given me much confidence in the quality of Slinky's care. To make matters worse, I got sucked into buying their wellness care plan (or whatever it's called)...so now I can't really afford to go anywhere else, at least for a while. I figured when I bought it that even if I just went there for the vaccines and neutering, it was cheaper to pay the plan over the course of a year than to pay at the time of visit for everything.
I've continued to go there for his
vaccines and he seems to be fine and they're pretty attentive. But my natural pet food store owner (I know, I reference her a lot...she's my local resource for everything!), is concerned about me getting Slinky neutered at Banfield since his felv+ status could complicate the surgery. And the vet wants to wait at least 6 months to retest, so he'd have to be neutered before we confirm his status. I found out that the humane society will give me a coupon for neutering and it will only cost about $40...but there's a select few vets I can go to...and how do I know they're any better than Banfield??
The store owner did recommend one vet who's actually closer than the nearest Banfield (not holistic, but she said she's open to holisitic options) and I've thought of calling her...if I can afford her! But if I
do start calling around, should I just ask what their philosophy is in treating felv+ cats? Should I expect to speak directly to the vet or are they like human doctors...impossible to actually talk to? Are there any other questions I should be asking or clues I should be looking for to indicate their qualifications/attitudes?
Do you all think it would be a mistake to go to Banfield for his neutering? Is it really all that complicated? Or is it basic enough to let them handle it? So far I've not seen anything to make me concerned. I'm just going off of other people's feedback and opinions.
HELP! I know I have all these questions...but I'm feeling a
bit lost. Thanks again for all your support and knowledge!!!
MJ
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