New Member

Posts: 5
From:San Antonio
Registered: Nov 2003

posted 11-19-2003 06:47 AM         

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Just a question, my cat Gary had an absess on his back, well... kinda, more on his left side above the rib cage. I spoke with the vet and she recomended that he be brought in so that she could drain it. I made an appointment for this morning. Well, when I got home last night I noticed that Gary had taken it upon himself to drain it. It ran for several hours we cleaned it up. This morning, no absess,and no discharge, just a small scab where he had punctured it. He probably could have been okay with out the visit to the vet but I thought that just having her look at it couldn't hurt. $140 dollars later... I'm thinking I was being a little too catious. Is it justifiable to charge that much to look at something and maybe prescribe some antibiotics? I want to question the charge but want someone else's opinion first. I will accept it if its necessary but I just don't see how that could be. Thanks for your input...

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Member

Posts: 13
From:Ontario Canada
Registered: Nov 2003

posted 11-19-2003 07:20 AM         

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My cat had the identical experience a few weeks ago, we discovered an abscess from a bite that was infected and burst open when we touched it. You definitely were right in taking him to the vet as the antibiotics are very important for infected wounds. I took my girl to the vet and it cost $93 CDN (about $70 US) for her to shave the area, clean and dress the wound and give her a fast-acting shot of antibiotics plus a 10-day pill supply. Sounds like $140 might be a bit high.

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Posts: 13
From:Ontario Canada
Registered: Nov 2003

posted 11-19-2003 07:23 AM         

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...to clarify, the vet sprayed the wound with disinfectant and left it uncovered and we squeezed it daily for a few days after to make sure all the infection was out. According to our vet, the worst thing to do for an abcess that's infected is to cover it up.

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New Member

Posts: 5
From:San Antonio
Registered: Nov 2003

posted 11-19-2003 08:48 AM         

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My husband just picked Gary up from the vet. Total cost was $110. Probably still a little high but at least its done. I appreciate your input. I feel better now knowing that he's better off instead of just letting it heal on its own. Thanks again.

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Posts: 501
From:
Registered: Sep 2003

posted 11-19-2003 09:42 AM         

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How did the charges break down? Probably $50 for the office visit alone. Maybe the meds were expensive?

I like to get an itemized list from my vet so I can see what was done and what each part cost.

Jamiya

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New Member

Posts: 5
From:San Antonio
Registered: Nov 2003

posted 11-19-2003 10:26 AM         

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The office visit was 35... I know that there was a shot, his "take-home" meds and a flea treatment. (Which he just had about 3 weeks ago but its their policy to give them a treatment if they see ANY fleas.) I know that was at least 15. Gary is home now and my husband says that its draining again (which had stopped before the vet visit) but he will start his anibiotics tonight. Hopefully that will stop it.

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Member

Posts: 13
From:Ontario Canada
Registered: Nov 2003

posted 11-19-2003 12:53 PM         

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Draining is actually good, you want to make sure all the infection comes out. Our vet even told us to pick off any scab that formed in the first few days so that we could drain it further by squeezing on both sides of the wound and blotting. Fortunately, the cat kept licking the wound herself and kept it from scabbing so that we could squeeze out any remaining infection...not a fun task but worth it as the wound has healed beautifully. I also applied a warm salt water compress to it 2-3x a day to help draw out any infection, and always cleaned it with hydrogen peroxide afterwards.

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Posts: 473
From:sheridan, wy
Registered: Aug 2003

posted 11-19-2003 02:24 PM         

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I also have a cat named Gary! I thought I was one of the only ones, you don't met a lot of cats named Gary.

I think the price sounds a bit high. Check the itemized bill to see what they charged you for.

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