At 02:41 PM 8/19/2002 -0400, you wrote:
Sherry,
How absolutely frustruating and disappointing that must have been. I don't get that "refuse to treat" business. You aren't having him put down regardless, and the chemo certainly can't hurt him at this point, so if you are willing to pay for it then why not?! All it does is put money in their pocket no matter the outcome of the treatment.
My vet in Georgia tested Andy for Hemobartinella, only at my insistence, and kept telling me how that "probably wasn't what he had" and "the test is pretty expensive," and "you normally have to do more than one test," here he reitereated the "expensive" part. I was like, ok dude, I'm paying for it and I heard ya the first time. Now test him! And he was positive. Had I listened to him, I would have lost Andy in August 1999. He's still here fat and sassy! Actually, had I listened to the first vet who tested him for Felv I would have had him pts in May of 1999. They are so quick to write off our Felv cats at the first sign of illness and it just pisses me off.
I say go with your gut, balls to the wall (pardon the expression) and do what you have to do. It is clear to me that you are one of those people who will be tormented by this forever if you don't explore all options.
If you decide to pts, we understand and will support you 100%. I'm just saying that as your messages continue, I can tell that you will need to be able to tell yourself that you did indeed do everything in your power and then some to save him. I think we all need to have that feeling to have closure and we all have a different idea of what "everything in our power" means. Whatever that is for each of us, it means that the "what ifs" after we lose them (IF we lose them) are diminished as much as possible.
Good luck and I hope you find someone to try the Chemo. You make me want to fly up there and kick the crap out of all those vets! I would go "redneck" on them in a heartbeat! :)
Jamie
