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Very sick cat and Hope Vet--worth it? — Brooklynian

Very sick cat and Hope Vet--worth it?

pammys
pammys
edited November -1 in Brooklyn Pets
I apologize because this will be long.

We just moved here from out of state, do not know anyone, and when my cat stoped eating I thought it was from stress. And he would have good and bad days, but I decided to take him to the vet when the weight loss was too great. Someone at the pet store recommended Hope Vet so we went. Long story short my cat has cancer. And of course I am devasted and concerned. And I just am wondering, for the following reasons, if Hope Vet really cares about their patients and are slightly incompetent, or are they just flippant about their patients.

1) We waited an hour, which I guess is standard but I do not know why people accept this. I understand there was an emergency, but I was told while waiting they are always backed up. Since I was new, I put up a fuss and was told I could go to an emergency hospital (which are always the worst) and I wanted to establish a new vet. If they were truly interested in my cat and having my business I would not expect that this would be their answer.

2) I missed the vets call--which was my fault. But when I called the next day (Monday) to schedule the ultra sound the receptionist asked what kind. I said I did not know could she check Moo's chart, and she said she could not. Only the doctor could check. So I would have to wait until the Dr. came in the next day to schedule an appt. I can't understand why there was not more of an effort to help me figure out what my cat needed. I, like most people, are very busy (in graduate school) and do not have time to call back for what works for them. And cats do not fall under hippa violations so anyone can read their chart.

3) This is where I loose it and just want to switch drs. but do not know where to go. We had our ultra sound scheduled for Saturday (today). The dr. who does it had to cancel. Fine I get that. They recommended a specialty place in the city (at 6 pm Friday night--as if I could get an appt) or I can wait. I would prefer not to drag my sick cat to Manhattan cause I don't believe that is best for them. Plus dealing with another vet and another set of oppinions is stressing me out. I would do it if my dr. said we should not wait another day.But what they did not do was ask my dr. if I should go right away or wait until next week. And she won't be in until Tuesday. So I am in yet another a holding pattern. And no another dr. won't look at my cat's chart.

So while I hear the care is wonderful, the business abilites are so frustrating. Are they worth it? I do not have the energy to go through this with another vet in the area if the poor treatment will be the same. Has anyone else had this expirence with them? Is there a way to get through to them--should I pack up and leave and find another vet? And if yes who would you recommend.
Thank you. Me and my poor kitty appreciate your help.

Comments

  • laura b
    laura b
    Hi and welcome to Brooklyn! I'm sorry you have to go through this. I have 4 cats of my own and have done a lot of cat rescue, so here is my 2 cents:

    The long wait at Hope is pretty standard. They are nice folks but I don't feel the level of care warrants that long of a wait. I take all my cats to Animal Kind (http://www.animalkind.com/). I have always had good experiences there, for the following reasons:

    - Unlike most area vets they are an animal *hospital* and so can do a lot of the labwork and things like ultrasounds and surgery in house instead of having to send elsewhere.

    - They are open until midnight, and there is always a vet there who will call you back, so you will never run into the issue you've experienced w/Hope.

    Animal Kind is a large operation, though, and a lot of vets work there, which I think can cause inconsistency in service. Some people are not crazy about AK (if you do a search of this site, you can find discussions of that and other local vet services). If you decide to go there, I would highly recommend specifically requesting one of the following doctors: Mateyak, Spiegel, or Werner.

    Good luck and I hope your kitty recovers soon.
  • jf22561
    jf22561
    I used Hope Vet once in an emergency and found them very rigid (i.e. my dog had a tumor on her anus and they insisted on taking a temp - not once but twice). Needless to say, I never used them again. In an emergency or for a specialized procedure I would also use Animal Kind. They're very expensive, so they wouldn't be my first choice for routine care. Good luck with your kitty.
  • veets
    veets
    I also agree that Animal Kind is the way to go. If you called this morning you could get an appointment today and they will run any tests necessary right there. Yes there are many vets working there and though you will have a primary doctor if that doctor is not working on a specific day and you have a question another vet will call you back..but they WILL call back in a reasonable time frame.

    This facility runs like a hospital. All the vets on site "round" (I belive 2 times a day) for animals who are hospitalized. The vets working there do communicate and consult with each other to the benifit of your animal's care.

    Not everyone will report a great experience with Ak but in the sitation with your cat at this time I highly recommend that you call AK.
  • urbancowgirl
    urbancowgirl
    Hi, I'm so sorry for what you're going through. I lost one of my dogs to blastomycosis in February, and the vets I dealt with were amazing. It was my first time visiting all of them as I'm also from out of state. My primary vet is Dr. Ackner at the Brooklyn Veterinary Hospital. She is kind and caring and continued to call to check Daisy's status even after we had to take her to the emergency hospital for more intense, overnight care. Her office staff is also very considerate. Dr. Ackner gives you a quote before any tests are done, and the practice was very honest even taking time to deduct the portions of my quote that they were unable to perform. Also, I keep foster dogs occassionally and Dr. Ackner never fails to return my call when I have a general health question about one of them even though she will never see them or profit from it.

    My other experience was with the Veterinary Emergency Referral Group, and it was just as good. They provided a quote up front, and we all did everything we could to save my dog. They even had to source the medication and have it specially prepared for use in pets. Even after she passed away, they sent condolence letters and called me. Daisy had contracted a severe fungal infection that Southern dogs sometimes get, and VERG was very open to working with my vet in TN since this was the first case of Blasto that they'd treated.

    A little too much info, but obviously I highly recommend either place. Good luck to you and Moo.
  • pammys
    pammys
    Thank you very much everyone. I am going to call AK this morning and see how they can help us. Keep your fingers crossed. I am sad/happy to see that I am not the only one who has had trouble with Hope. Thank you.
  • underhill_mt
    underhill_mt
    AK is great with my pooch, but be prepared - they are pricey. Quite pricey. Not as pricey as the chi-chi dermatologist we had to take our dog to in the city, but we've dropped a couple grand at AK in the past trying to clear up an infection that was related to a food allergy all along. That particular food eliminated = infection eradicated.

    I really hope they can help your meow-meow. Good luck with everything and let us know how it all turns out. ((hug))
  • carnivore
    carnivore
    Animal Kind is great. You get what you pay for.

    If your pet has cancer, there's also a veterinary cancer hospital in Manhattan in Hell's Kitchen. Here's the link to their website:
    http://www.nyc-vs.com/
  • alafairnadia
    alafairnadia
    I am 100% anti-animal kind and pro-hope. one of my babies, Alafair, had many teeth removed from Animal Kind. despite the fact that I was charged for ultrasounds, x-rays, meds etc for each surgery (I dropped like $3k in that joint, btw) they never "saw" the bibi's in her face. it turned out that her missing eye was due to a bibi gun spray before I rescued her (or she rescued me - she jumped into my car in houston, texas). each tooth extraction caused a systemic reaction which ultimately lead to a bibi lodged in her face moving which, from what several vets have told me, is a common cause of cancer. which is what she had. I blame AK 100% for not finding the bibi's and explaining the risks of tooth-removal v. cancer risk. I saw multiple doctors there - there's never the same person available ever so whatever. I will say, to their credit, that their post-trauma care unit area is perfect. of course, I bawled looking at my baby in a tiny IV but still - they were paying attention and had staff all night.

    I shifted to Hope, however, because I got sick of AK's waiting times and infinite confusion. also, many folks on this board rec'd it. Hope does have a waiting time, especially on weekends. however, they almost immediately diagnosed the issues with my kitty, and called me several times to follow up with whether or not I'd take her to an oncologist. I ultimately did not (it's horrible for humans to go to chemo - why do it to your cat, especially when the outlook is hopeless) and was very grateful for the method in which they put Alafair to sleep. I was allowed to sit with her the whole time, hold her until she died, and they had a social worker willing to talk to me asap.

    further, I found recently that the warren st animal hospital is amazing for emergency care. they were immediate (as in grabbed the cat from my hands when I walked in) and didn't charge me a penny for what was really just a pissed off cat I was kitty-sitting. also, the vets and techs were just as ready to slam AK as I was - they know the place is sketchy.

    I do know there are several good vets at AK and I don't begrudge them that. however, I just can't get past their total failure with my cat and refuse to take anyone's cat there, ever.
  • carnivore
    carnivore
    Laura B and Leozoeypiper are probably the most knowledgeable people on this board about cats. Both of them are heavily involved in the Slope Street Cats organization. One of them has weighed in with an opinion so far. If I were you, pammys, I'd PM Leozoeypiper to ask for her opinion too.
  • pammys
    pammys
    Hi All,

    Thank you very much for the posts. We did see Dr. Gibson today (as he was the only one who would do the ultra sounds at AK) and unfortunately it does not look good for Moo. His cancer is large and we are devasted. I appreciate everyone's help and well wishes. We will look into chemo--but I do not think Moo is the cat to hold up to it. We do have an appt. with Dr. Wen in LI on Saturday for his holistic care. Perhaps he can give us something to make Moo pain free for the time we have left with him. We love our cuddler and plan to cuddle and spoil him for as long as we are allowed. I will probably be back for more advice. Thank you.
  • parkersloper1
    parkersloper1
    Poor Moo. I'm sorry he's so sick. Give him a kiss for me
  • leozoeypiper
    leozoeypiper
    I am really sorry to hear about your cat. Such devastating news. Cats for the most part don't do particularly well with chemotherapy. Dogs do great with it but cats ... not so much. I think that the most important thing to do is to keep your cat comfortable and enjoy the rest of your time with him - each day is precious. Definitely look into holistic options and see if there are things to make him more comfortable during this time. Unfortunately I don't know much about holistic treatment but I would definitely look into it. My thoughts are with you during this difficult time.
  • pammys
    pammys
    Since everyone has been so wonderful I took the time to put up a picture of Moo up for everyone to see my very handsome boy. (My mom had him dressed fancy for pictures to put on my table at our wedding). Don't worry-- no cat was harmed in the making of those pictures!! (She did the same to my other boy and girl---silly grandma). But Moo and I both thank everyone for the well wishes. I will let everyone know if Dr. Wen was able to work any magic.
  • bergenstreetblues
    bergenstreetblues
    Moo is so handsome (even without the fancy clothes). Why did you name him moo? because he's black and white or some other reason?
  • leozoeypiper
    leozoeypiper
    Absolutely love the photo - hugs to Moo from all of us on the board :)
  • pammys
    pammys
    Flexichick,

    You can't see them, but Moo is spotted like a cow on his back and neck. And once upon a time he was a bigger boy (when I first adopted him he was too heavy) so he was very much like a little cow. I just had a sad realization. While Moo is 8, I have only got to love him for 6.5 years. Not long enough.
  • veneziahm
    veneziahm
    My guy on the right I sometimes call "cowboy" because his marking make him look like a little cow to me.

    I only had my Phantom for 8 years (she died 3 years and I still miss her every single day....although Ms. Stella Marie has definitely eased the pain).

    My cats are sitting with me in the yard as I type this. I gave them extra kisses last night in honor of Moo (ok, I don't need much of an excuse to give them extras)
  • underhill_mt
    underhill_mt
    Oh, Moo! I hope he can get some comfort. My fingers are crossed for him and for you.
  • pammys
    pammys
    Thank you everyone. I have been sad and not up for being on the internet. In my quest to make Moo happy...he has stopped eating chicken and seems to like only the liver of the chicken liver can food. Does any one know of a cat food just of liver? Or can I feed a cat liver? Moo does not usually like people food (I tried fresh chicken but he was not into it). And how do you make liver. I am a vegetarian.....

    Also Flexichick--I am sorry about Phantom. I am trying to hold my other two tighter (although my girl hates me.. you know, I feed her house her and buy her all the toys there are). But my question is...what did you do for Phantom for the pain near the end. We think Moo has a few more weeks and I want him to be pain free. The vet wants to wait on anything but I just can't stand watching him not find a comfortable position.

    Thanks for all the internet hugs and kisses for Moo.
  • makeville
    makeville
    Pammys -

    I know nothing of liver, but I think it's so sweet that as a vegetarian you'd make liver for your MooMoo. That's love. Love I totally "get". I despise liver and I'd cook it for any of my kitties if I had to.

    In a way I am lucky. Phanny got sick very quickly and after taking her to the vet several times over 2 weeks she got so bad one night that I took her to the emergency vet (the one who has an office on Warren - they were FABULOUS). I thought I was leaving her overnight, but they called me in the morning and told me she had died overnight. I was a mess (and "might be" crying a little bit even writing this (I see you people mocking me....ha), and totally shock.

    I don't know if I would have been strong enough to have to make those decisions, but if I had to, I'd try to really be fair to my kitty rather than just doing it for my sake. I wouldn't want to create a franken-kitty just because I wasn't ready to let go.

    I saw somebody with a really sickly looking dog who had a limb cut off and was trying to walk it in the heat. Poor dog was really struggling and he told me he knew the dog wasn't going to live but his kids weren't ready to let go. I thought how sad it was for the dog and that I didn't think it was teaching kids a good lesson (disclaimer: I am not an expert on parenting....and not trying to offend owners of franken-kitties or missing limb animals),.

    Trust that you'll figure out the right way to help Moo....even if that means helping him go in peace before he's in too much pain.
  • pammys
    pammys
    I agree with you . That is why we decided not to do chemo--that is not fair to Moo. We were offered the option of a steroid that will just stop the progression of the tumors, not cure them, but they will not start them until after we visit the oncologist (even though we do not really want to go that route). But I guess Dr. Gibson (who discouraged chemo) just wants to make sure we have all the facts.

    On an up note. Moo has always responded to "Moo come cuddle it is time for bed." And last night he complied. I did not move all night, but he stayed for the most part and I was pleased.

    Oh and I do not make the chicken for my husband. He was hurt that I made it for Moo and not him. But I told him he has hands, he can do it himself (which he does).
  • greeneism
    greeneism
    I've heard stories about chemo working for both cats and dogs, but other stories where it didn't work. If you feel comfortable with the vet and their advice, than that's enough. Each person and each animal and each situation is different.

    I like your answer to your husband. I wouldn't cook liver for a husband....if I had a husband....and this might help explain why I'm single :-)
  • sweet tea
    sweet tea
    i've had great experiences with hope (and one enh experience, but the cat still got good care, i just felt not so awesome), but i must say that their receptionists are almost without exception awful. vets and vet techs have been great, but i seriously don't know who hires and trains the people at the desk.

    of course you may want to have no more to do with hope, but i did think you might want to know that they specialize in hospice care.
  • pammys
    pammys
    Sadly Moo's cancer spread over the last week and now it is in his kidneys. I can't believe it. And while the Oncologist was very nice and helpful we decided not to do chemo. We also went to Dr. Wen. And while he did not give us a time line (we have been told we have as little as 2 weeks with Moo) we have started on the herbs (and can add in steroids later with him if we want). I have to say while the drive to the Hamptons was a pain, the office there is wonderful. All the ladies were wonderful. I would even consider taking my other two out there for there yearly exams. Dr. Wen gave me something for Moo's pain without me having to even ask (an herb or whatnot). I understand that Moo will not be with us as long as I would like, but this is the first glimpse I have had that he might be comfortable. The conventional vet could only offer us a morphine derrivative (which is not what I want for Moo for the remaining time). So keep your fingers crossed. I will update after our next visit next week.
  • lisa gutkin
    lisa gutkin
    Oh, poor Moo. Thanks for the update, Pammys. I'm glad you liked the vet and I hope Moo stays happy and comfortable until the end.
  • underhill_mt
    underhill_mt
    (((hugs))) Everyone here feels for you.
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