Darwin's first vet appointment

[wondergeorge]

I took Darwin to the vet yesterday for the first time. It was quite the experience. They were very busy and I had to wait a while to see the vet. The entire time Darwin was without his pants so he was leaking all over the exam table. I don't think the vet's assistant realized the issue with fecal incontinence. After a while the nurse came in to take Darwin's info since it was his first visit. When she was finished she went in the back to call and gather Darwin's medical history from the vets he has been to before. Long story short, I was there for 2 1/2 hours, most of that time waiting.

My vet, Dr. M, finally spoke to another who had treated Darwin. The vet she spoke to made a comment about how nice it was that the shelter had found a Good Samaritan to foster him. When Dr. M explained that I had adopted him the vet got upset. He said that he had advised the shelter to put Darwin down and that he would never have a good life. Dr. M came back in to the exam room somber and serious. She told me of her conversation with the other vet and told me no one could fault me for choosing to put Darwin down. I told her that as long as we can manage his issue and give him a good life I would not do that. I don't know f I wasn't clear when I first came in, but my goal for the visit was a consultation on managing Darwin's daily treatment, not to see if he could be "fixed". Dr. M seemed elated as she called in her staff to brief them on Darwin's case. She wanted to make sure everyone knew about him and that if I called with an issue pertaining to him I needed to be transferred to her immediately, even on her days off. Part of the reason I knew I could take on Darwin was my vet. They have always been wonderful with Silas and George so I knew they would be the same with Darwin. I wouldn't trust anyone else with his care.

At the end of the visit I had a topical medicated cream to treat a staph infection he has on his rear end, a probiotic to mix with his food, a medication for his digestive system, a medication to use when he has diarrhea, and a sample of raw food that will be his new diet. Darwin is definitely a high needs baby, but he is so good about letting me do whatever I need to do I feel this will be no problem.

Darwin now needs daily baths and weekly trimming of his fur on his rear. He already seems to feel better from the topical ointment. The xrays taken by a previous vet will be coming soon and I am eager to see them. The vet that saw them said he is missing his 7th lumbar vertebrae, his sacral vertebrae, and of course the coccygeal vertebrae (tail). Since the pelvis attaches to the sacral vertebrae we are all wondering where his pelvis is attached.

Today I am so thankful for wonderful and dedicated vets and loving and patient cats!

[CarolC]

Dr. M seemed elated as she called in her staff to brief them on Darwin's case. She wanted to make sure everyone knew about him and that if I called with an issue pertaining to him I needed to be transferred to her immediately, even on her days off. Part of the reason I knew I could take on Darwin was my vet. They have always been wonderful with Silas and George so I knew they would be the same with Darwin.

Wow! Can you imagine that? She is the best! Maybe there's some chance the *other* vet will see these pets can have a quality life if someone loves them and is willing to provide intelligent care. Good for you! You must have been exhausted after all that waiting, all that suspense wondering when you'd finally be seen, the stress of having him undiapered when you wanted to make a good impression...then hearing what that other vet said. I'm glad it all turned out to be worth it!

The xrays taken by a previous vet will be coming soon and I am eager to see them. The vet that saw them said he is missing his 7th lumbar vertebrae, his sacral vertebrae, and of course the coccygeal vertebrae (tail). Since the pelvis attaches to the sacral vertebrae we are all wondering where his pelvis is attached.

Eeek! I see what you mean. Do they think this could actually cause any kind of problems for him?

[critters]

GREAT that one of the vets is so good! I'd do what I could, though, to stay away from the other one until he/she has an attitude shift.

[wondergeorge]

The other vet was the one the shelter works with. I have no intention of going to see him ever. Although he is supposed to be a specialist in internal medicine for animals and a very good doctor (according to Dr. M), I do not like his attitude. Silas was also recommended to be put to sleep when he was born because of his cerebellar hypoplasia, but there are some amazing shelters out there that disagree that only healthy animals can find homes.

I'm not sure if his anatomy will cause issues for him. We will see what Dr. M says, but thinking about it, I can see there being a possibility of joint issues in his future, especially in his hips. It would make sense if they aren't attached the way they are supposed to be.

And yes, it was the most draining and exhausting vet appointment ever! Especially not having him in a diaper. He was so messy and making a mess in the exam room. Poor baby has no sense about it so I was trying to keep him on the towel I had brought, but he's a kitten so he didn't want to stay still. He made such a mess on the towel and when Dr. M came in she seemed irritated that no one told her the extent of Darwin's issue. She immediately had someone rinse off the towel for me and put it in a plastic bag. I felt so embarrassed when she came in to see him because I had cleaned him up before we left, but there is no avoiding a mess with an incontinent kitty without his diapers!