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Cat General => General Cat Chat => Topic started by: COSMIC CREEPERS on September 13, 2007, 19:31:51 PM

Title: mango's at the specialist
Post by: COSMIC CREEPERS on September 13, 2007, 19:31:51 PM
well we went today and the round trip took nearly 9 hours  :tired:
we went all the way there as our vet said that although there was one nearer that it would be a little cheaper
RUBBISH !!!!!!!!!!!!
mango was ill today so they saw how bad she gets luckily
they have said that they will repeat all the test our vet did 2 month ago . i dont agree with this and told them so as we only have max 3000 to spend
she is going to have blood test. lung wash and xrays and fecal sample to check for tumers growths infection this is all going to cost 1900 plus vat  :doh: and she has already had this done to no avail !!!!!
the specialist agreed that she does need a nose job to open nostrils and she will have to have this after they have made sure there is no other probs (  fair enough but i think they should just do the face and tracha xray as im sure it is her face and this has not yet been done

i told them that we only have 3000 untill march and she looked at me like i was been unreasonable  >:(
i love mango very much and have traveled far to get help for her and feel i have left her the other side of the country and felt there attitude was very rude

the specialist is going to ring me tomorrow after all her tests to inform me of what they have found , although if they have found something it doesnt leave lot for treatment and we will not beable to afford the nose job untill march now
the thing that has annoyed me is that all these test at the vets came to about 500 so why are they 18000 plus vat there ?

I do hope we get some answers from these investigations but i cant see how we will
i feel so depleated and tird
Title: Re: mango's at the specialist
Post by: lucy on September 13, 2007, 19:35:15 PM
What an exhausting and stressful day. I do hope they can find an answer for her.
Title: Re: mango's at the specialist
Post by: Mark on September 13, 2007, 19:41:09 PM
Hopefully you can get it (or some of it) on the insurance?

I don't know the ins & outs but it doesn't sound right expecting you to pay all that money to repeat tests.
Title: Re: mango's at the specialist
Post by: CurlyCatz on September 13, 2007, 19:42:14 PM
Oh sasha i would put my foot down and say NO to the repeated tests, esp the lung wash and faeces sample.  Mangos symtoms arent like a cancer type problem and from all your descriptions and previous vets visits.  I totally understand the need for ruling out EVERYTHING before any invasive treatment or surgery but i just wouldnt be giving them 2k for that tests if they have already been done.  Things like repeat xrays i feel are totally understandable but it sounds like they are just gonna run up all your money before they even start to fix the problem.
Title: Re: mango's at the specialist
Post by: Susanne (urbantigers) on September 13, 2007, 19:48:10 PM
I agree with Lynn.  If tests have already been done I don't see the need to repeat them.  Have they done the tests yet?  When are they scheduled for?  Can you speak to them on the phone and get them to go through every test and explain why they need to repeat that test and can't just look at the results from the tests that your vet did?  Tbh they don't sound terribly caring.  Did your vet recommend these specialists?  I can understand them wanting to do tests to exclude various possibilities before they go ahead and do the nose op but it sounds like they're going over the top with them.   Even with insurance, there's not a bottomless pit of money.
Title: Re: mango's at the specialist
Post by: Michelle (furbabystar) on September 13, 2007, 19:49:18 PM
That doesnt make sense !!
Why repeat everything that has been done ?
and why £1900 ?
When Issey had her Op at the specialist it actually cost LESS than the Op she had done at my vets !!!! (i hassen to add i dont use that vet anymore - money grabbing  :censored:)

Well fingers crossed that Mango's problem gets sorted -
Let us know the outcome

Big kiss to Mango XX
Title: Re: mango's at the specialist
Post by: COSMIC CREEPERS on September 13, 2007, 19:50:55 PM
lynn i said no but they wouldnt have it , mango was struggling to breath  :'( and there was 2 of them and they were very insistant about repeating the tests and not kind with it . They mentioned it could be a form of cancer but said it was unlikely as she has been like this from been young

i told them that at 1600 plus vat that we will have no money to fix prob and that then we will have to wait untill march when the policy renews at 4000 for the nose job
she said that we cant leave her till march so i said dont repeate test then but she said theyhad to

Title: Re: mango's at the specialist
Post by: CurlyCatz on September 13, 2007, 19:51:27 PM
Is mango insured ? or why are you having to pay 3k sasha ?
Title: Re: mango's at the specialist
Post by: Susanne (urbantigers) on September 13, 2007, 19:53:22 PM
Is mango insured ? or why are you having to pay 3k sasha ?

Lynn - I think it's becaue the insurance has already paid out a lot for Mango's problems so there's not a lot left in the pot for further treatment until the policy renews.  Is that right, Sasha?
Title: Re: mango's at the specialist
Post by: CurlyCatz on September 13, 2007, 19:54:19 PM
crap sash, were they done today or are being done tomorrow ?  They really have to reach a comprimise with the owners and you MUST be happy with what you have agreed to.  

Are you sure the insurance wont exclude the illness after this year is up ??

I really am not sitting happy with this to be honest.

Yes i understand that now susanne, i didnt think she was insured to start with and the 3k was sasha savings.  This is a really bad situation imo, I can see the money running out before treatment and will mango survive till march as shes getting so bad ?  Sasha i would be considering phoning the vets tonight or as soon as they are open to discuss this further.
Title: Re: mango's at the specialist
Post by: COSMIC CREEPERS on September 13, 2007, 19:56:58 PM
she is insured lynn we are with pet plan and she is on life long which meens she can have 4000 a yr renewed every march , the vet has spenta grand on tests and steriods and antibiotics from march to now and thats why we have 3000 left till next march
we have paid the excess again today and it will cost 100 in petrol

we havnt got any savings to put to any treatment

 :sick: they just looked at me like i was a piece of poo when i said we couldnt afford anymore that 3000 on insurance

thats why we got insurance cause we havnt any spare money and to cover the 3 cats is 30 quid a month and i only feed them good food and worm and flea every month
Title: Re: mango's at the specialist
Post by: CurlyCatz on September 13, 2007, 19:58:58 PM
Hey sasha dont feel bad about not having savings, your have a young family for f sake, we'd be in exactly the same situation as you guys and thats the honest truth.

Do you think your hubby would phone them for you ?
Title: Re: mango's at the specialist
Post by: Susanne (urbantigers) on September 13, 2007, 20:00:29 PM
Regardless of the cost, it sounds like they have been very condescending towards you.  Too late now I guess after all the hassle you've been through to get this far, but I'd have recommended you take your custom elsewhere.  You have a right to have everything explained to you properly and for them to treat you with more respect than that.  It's often a compromise between what they'd like to do and what we can afford, but when tests have already been run I'd have thought they'd see the sense in not repeating them.  I don't have savings either so would be in the same position as you if the situation arose, as I imagine would most people.
Title: Re: mango's at the specialist
Post by: COSMIC CREEPERS on September 13, 2007, 20:08:20 PM
 :'( :'( :'(
they agreed that mango needs a nose job as she has no nostrils and i showed them that if you pull down undernearth her nostrils that she can breath

they said that they could not do operation untill they had done the tests

she said that my vet had not sent her the results of test and he promised me that he would fax them that morn

i really cant see the point in any tests if we cant afford the treatment but then they might actually find something

i asked if they could just do the face xray but she said it might be asthma or broncitus and they need to do the lung wash as it might not have shown up on the last one they were doing the blood tests today and then the other things in the morn

do you think i should ring and say do the xray of face first and then if it shows polips or mass in trahea that it has saved on some money

i feel unreasonable

also i love mango very much but we do have a young family . ian works all hours in the week and i work nights at weekend and we have no extra money
Title: Re: mango's at the specialist
Post by: Michelle (furbabystar) on September 13, 2007, 20:11:40 PM
Do you know what i would do ?

Go ahead with everything they want to do (all the tests plus nose job) and if the bill is more than you have left on the insurance THEN TOUGH !! The treatment would have already been done - what can they do ??!!
Then pay the rest of in instalments
Title: Re: mango's at the specialist
Post by: Susanne (urbantigers) on September 13, 2007, 20:15:09 PM
do you think i should ring and say do the xray of face first and then if it shows polips or mass in trahea that it has saved on some money

That sound like a good idea.  It sounds like you need to have a chat with someone before they go ahead and do all the tests.  Like you say, there's not a lot of point in them doing all the tests and then you not being able to afford the operation.   I'd ask them to do the face stuff first and say you want to discuss the results of those tests with them before they proceed further.
Title: Re: mango's at the specialist
Post by: COSMIC CREEPERS on September 13, 2007, 20:20:09 PM
they tell you what they want to do then they make you sighn summat to say you have agreed for them to do it and spend up to 1900 plus vat - whats that anyway
so i cant do that  :evillaugh:

i have been crying for the last 2 hours , i v have a headach all day , took anna to school and dropped phebe off at the mother in laws who picked anna up from school then went to get them on way home and anna was awful to me , she always is when ians mums there she plays me off against her cause ians mum lets her get away with it and now ian and i have had a row about it as he never sticks up for me

i am so upset and tird today , i was looking forward to getting mango sorted and its all gone wrong
Title: Re: mango's at the specialist
Post by: Tiggy's Mum on September 13, 2007, 20:23:35 PM
 :hug: Sasha  :hug:

What an awful situation to be in, if I were you I would ring your current vets first thing tomorrow and ask if there is any value in repeating the tests that they have already done.  If they think not I would then speak to the specialists, explain that as much as you love Mango to bits you simply don't have the finances to fund any treatment outside the Insurance claim. It's not a case of not wanting to, you simply can't afford to.  I can imagine that you must be feeling very intimidated by them but think of it this way, they are not your friends - you won't have to see them ever again after Mango's treatment and it doesn't matter what they think of you.  Try to be firm and ask them to do what YOU want (obviously be guided by your regular vet too), regardless of where the money is coming from you are the customer and you will be paying their bill at the end of the treatment.

Hugs to both you and Mango  :hug:
Title: Re: mango's at the specialist
Post by: Susanne (urbantigers) on September 13, 2007, 20:26:47 PM
Presumably if they do all the tests now and come to the conclusion that what is needed is the nose op, they would do the op next March without repeating all the tests?  Although obviously the problem there is that it's 6 months away and you don't want poor Mango to have to suffer another 6 months.  I do think you need to talk to them again though.  Was there any particular vet, nurse that seemed nicer and more understanding than the others?  Someone you could ask to speak to specifically?  I'd explain that money is an issue given the treatment and tests Mango has already had.  Tell them that you only have a certain amount of money left to spend and that you don't think you can afford the tests they recommended plus the operation, so what coure of action do they recommend?  Tbh, if they can't be a bit more sympathetic and discuss this with you in a more reasonable manner (instead of treating you like a naughty schoolkid) I would be tempted to tell them not to do anything at all and that you will collect Mango asap and take her to another specialist.  My vets are a referral practice and I can't imagine any of them treating me like you've been treated today.

edited to add - I agree with Helen that maybe speaking to your regular vet might be a good idea.  Would your regular vet be prepared to discuss it with the specialists esp re the tests they're repeating? 
Title: Re: mango's at the specialist
Post by: Ralph's mum (angie) on September 13, 2007, 20:27:20 PM
 :hug: Aww CC what a horrible day you have had  :hug:

If the specialists seen the dates on the paperwork of the previous tests do you think they would still insist on redoing them.

Can you not get copies of these from your vets and fax them over to the specialists

Will insurance payout for same tests to be  done again

Hope it all works out, poor Mango  :hug:
Title: Re: mango's at the specialist
Post by: CurlyCatz on September 13, 2007, 20:27:58 PM
I do think the chances of polyps etc are extremely unlikely.  They should have taken on board the financial situation of it all, had this been 300 we were talking about fair enough but not 3 grand.  Sasha i know you and hubby work hard to get by and the cost of bringing up a family is really expensive and as much as you love mango the girls and roof over your head obviously has to be a main priority.

I would defo phone and discuss with them at 8.30 or whenever they open in the morning and say there must be a comprimise in what is going to be tested and which order they do it (ie do the xray first as you say)  

I would then take it from there as regards michelles suggestion, perhaps also be careful how you word things tomorrow incase they then ask for money up front before doing the nasal surgery.

also cant bloody well believe your own vet after the length of time this app has been made couldnt even ensure they had forwarded on all the relevant test results - i'd be complaining about that one !!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Title: Re: mango's at the specialist
Post by: COSMIC CREEPERS on September 13, 2007, 20:29:48 PM
i dont want to ring my vets , i feel he has let me down by not sending the test results as promised and i feel i am always ringing him and he doesnt have any answers for me and mango and thats why he has sent me there  :'(

i am going to ring the specialists in the morn they will already have dont the bloods and i am going to ask them to do the xray but i know what they will say
they will want to do it all while she is under anesthetic and they also want her to come home on sat cause it is very expensive to stay there and she said if they keep her for a few days it will go over the buget

i wish we had just gone somewere closer to home cause they couldnt have been more expensive than this place . i dont know what our vet was thinking
Title: Re: mango's at the specialist
Post by: CurlyCatz on September 13, 2007, 20:30:15 PM
Jeepers bobsmum thats a hell of a good point, will the ins pay out for exact same tests that were done weeks ago ??
Title: Re: mango's at the specialist
Post by: Susanne (urbantigers) on September 13, 2007, 20:30:49 PM
Where do you live, Sasha?  Is there really nowhere closer?
Title: Re: mango's at the specialist
Post by: CurlyCatz on September 13, 2007, 20:31:47 PM
There is i think susanne but her regular vet said this one was cheaper i think  :-:
Title: Re: mango's at the specialist
Post by: Michelle (furbabystar) on September 13, 2007, 20:34:29 PM

I would then take it from there as regards michelles suggestion, perhaps also be careful how you word things tomorrow incase they then ask for money up front before doing the nasal surgery.

I wouldnt have mentioned how much i had to spend in the first place - dishonest i know but - i would have just got them to do what was needed and waited for the bill (ok Stone me now)
Title: Re: mango's at the specialist
Post by: COSMIC CREEPERS on September 13, 2007, 20:36:09 PM
i rang the insurance and they said they would prob pay out for same test as she had been refered and i also asked specialist and she said the same that as she was refered cause vet cant help and a lot can change in 2 month that they will pay out

although the scary thing is that they also make you sighn summat to say tht if the insurance wont pay within 90 days we wll pay it but they did say they have never had this situation
Title: Re: mango's at the specialist
Post by: COSMIC CREEPERS on September 13, 2007, 20:38:16 PM
you cant do that micheele caus ehtey make you sighn estimate of costs

they said they would do the tests at 1900 and then look at treatment and nose job , they must have noticed our jaws drop so we had to say no we only have max 3000
Title: Re: mango's at the specialist
Post by: CurlyCatz on September 13, 2007, 20:40:39 PM
Petplan are pretty good to be honest sasha so thats a relief.

Re not paying, i know what michelle is getting at but then the last thing sasha and hubby need is ccj thingys being put to the courts against them for not paying.
Title: Re: mango's at the specialist
Post by: Susanne (urbantigers) on September 13, 2007, 20:40:51 PM
There is i think susanne but her regular vet said this one was cheaper i think  :-:

Doesn't sound like it's working out that way though, lol!

Sasha - I think you're between a rock and a hard place and I don't know what to suggest  :hug:  


Title: Re: mango's at the specialist
Post by: COSMIC CREEPERS on September 13, 2007, 20:41:07 PM
guys i,m gonna look a right mess in the morn wi mi puffy eyes  :-[ i have to work in the bar in town tomorr anall
Title: Re: mango's at the specialist
Post by: Mark on September 13, 2007, 20:41:59 PM
I'm sure the tests are unneccessary and she needs a simple opening of the nasal passage. I had exactly the same a similar  thing done. I found an American site. It would be cheaper for you to take her to Florida and get it sorted!

$250.00 for the surgery and out same day!


http://www.showcatsonline.com/x/enlarging_small_nostrils_on_a_persian_cat.htm
Title: Re: mango's at the specialist
Post by: Susanne (urbantigers) on September 13, 2007, 20:42:55 PM
Of course it often ends up costing less than the estimate as they tend to budget for every possibility when drawing up that.  Mosi's op the other week was estimated at £550 plus vat but the total bill in the end was £433.
Title: Re: mango's at the specialist
Post by: CurlyCatz on September 13, 2007, 20:46:06 PM
Well if this goes the the worst direction and extra funds are needed as the op really has to be done before march, the only thing i can suggest is taking out a bank loan to cover it sasha.
Title: Re: mango's at the specialist
Post by: COSMIC CREEPERS on September 13, 2007, 20:47:34 PM
mark i have seen this report before  and took it to my vet and mangos nose is actually smaller , she is my cat and i know she needs this surgery
Title: Re: mango's at the specialist
Post by: COSMIC CREEPERS on September 13, 2007, 20:53:52 PM
thanks for talking , i aways get the pooey end of the stick , i need to learn to be more assertive starting with the mother in law  :evillaugh:
im going to ring her for a chat tomorr if she thinks its a must to do these test and they dont find anything then we may have to keep er on the steriods untill march to help her breath and then find a surgen that will do it for under 4000
if they find also something eles i hope it doesnt comt to more than 500 for treatment
i think thats the only way to go now and least we have rulled out everything

she did say though that she may have to ring and ask permission to do other tests -just pray that they dont have to do this  :scared:

i hope my little baby is not too scared at the other end f the country . night sweety lunas missing you x
Title: Re: mango's at the specialist
Post by: Mark on September 13, 2007, 20:55:02 PM
I found a vets in Switzerland that do it.

http://www.lakegenevaanimalhospital.com/Techniques/surgery_techniques.htm
Title: Re: mango's at the specialist
Post by: COSMIC CREEPERS on September 13, 2007, 21:21:03 PM
one good bit of news is that cause iv been crying for so long the headach that iv had all day has gone   ;D
Title: Re: mango's at the specialist
Post by: COSMIC CREEPERS on September 13, 2007, 21:32:24 PM
susanne what op did mosse have ? Was it at a specialist
Title: Re: mango's at the specialist
Post by: Susanne (urbantigers) on September 13, 2007, 21:50:34 PM
susanne what op did mosse have ? Was it at a specialist


No - it wasn't a specialist, although my vets are a referral centre with some general practice too.  He had an emergency laparotomy after swallowing some string!
Title: Re: mango's at the specialist
Post by: Gill (sneakiefeline) on September 13, 2007, 22:17:20 PM
Have only just come on comp tonight and seen the sdtory of this horrible day.

Sasha I am  so sorry that these people are jerking you around and the money is horrific. I wish I knew something to suggest but the others have covered it all.

Its hard to be assertive when you are dealing with people who are supposed to be experts but go for it tomorrow......good luck  :hug: :hug:
Title: Re: mango's at the specialist
Post by: Gillian Harvey on September 13, 2007, 23:29:33 PM
Sorry your'e having such a horrible time Sacha, hope you can sort it all out  :hug:
Title: Re: mango's at the specialist
Post by: Hippykitty on September 14, 2007, 00:53:44 AM
Go with your gut instinct, not with their determination to follow 'proceedure' (if I hadn't gone with my instinct, Polly would have been pts unnecessarily). A well-informed, loving owner knows their cat better than any vet. If you don't think the tests are necessary, don't have them done.
I wouldn't blame your own vet for 'not sending the test results' - he probably has, but this specialist has mislaid them, or is ignoring them. They don't seem to realise that 3000 is a lot of money, even when you're insured. Maybe because they are specialists, they do expensive tests all the time, and think nothing of it.

It does sound like Mango's problem is with his nose, especially as you say he's had the problem from birth - that suggests a congenital defect, rather than something like cancer, which he wouldn't have been born with.

Don't be intimidated by these people, it's YOUR cat and YOUR insurance, and ultimately YOUR decision, not theirs. Tell them, then tell them again, (don't be diverted by their arguments or attitude) just tell them again what YOU want them to do. (I did an assertiveness course years ago, and this is one of the tricks). Stay calm, but don't let them digress, just say "no, I would like you to...." until they get the message, regardless of how many "no thanks, I want this done ...." you have to say.

Don't blame your own vet, it seems like any screw-up has happened with these so-called specialists.

Good luck to you and Mango.  :hug:

Title: Re: mango's at the specialist
Post by: COSMIC CREEPERS on September 14, 2007, 06:53:50 AM
i didnt sleep much , i am going to ring them at 8.30 then have to take anna to school and will try again at 9.10
i am going to ask em to do the xrays first and have a look at them
i think they will say though that they have to do everything while she is under the anasthetic but ill try to be assertive

i am a pushover and it is a massive posh place and they speek very posh  and that was intimidating especially when i am from barnsley in yorkshire  :evillaugh:
but your wright gillian - i know mangos probs better than anyone including specialist
wish us luck
Title: Re: mango's at the specialist
Post by: Mark on September 14, 2007, 07:35:48 AM
Just because they talk posh doesn't make them any better thany ou Sasha - you and people like you are paying their wages just remember that - you are paying for this, they aren't doing you a favour. Good luck with it. It does seem like they are pushing you around. They probably play on thefact that they know you are desperate to get Mango well. To repeat tests already done just doesn't seem right. Ihope Mango gets sorted quickly.
Title: Re: mango's at the specialist
Post by: Ela on September 14, 2007, 07:53:48 AM
Quote
am a pushover and it is a massive posh place and they speek very posh  and that was intimidating especially when i am from barnsley in yorkshire


My neighbours house is very nice inside and she speaks the Queens English, yet she is low life, and a thief, I even caught her in my house with £30 in her hand and  what made me even more mad is that I had already lent her £50.

Just because a person speaks ‘posh’ it does not make them a better person than you.
Title: Re: mango's at the specialist
Post by: Dawn F on September 14, 2007, 08:52:22 AM
can't your own vet help you out here?  and nobody is better than you no matter how they speak
Title: Re: mango's at the specialist
Post by: Susanne (urbantigers) on September 14, 2007, 10:47:48 AM
Have you been able to speak to anyone yet?
Title: Re: mango's at the specialist
Post by: Dawn F on September 14, 2007, 15:21:57 PM
any news on poor Mango?
Title: Re: mango's at the specialist
Post by: clarenmax on September 14, 2007, 15:26:45 PM
I hope you manage to get this sorted out  :hug:
Title: Re: mango's at the specialist
Post by: COSMIC CREEPERS on September 14, 2007, 16:38:46 PM
hi guys i had a wors this morn
they have done the blood tests and some otheres and found no infection they have done xrays of face a throat and there is nothing wrong
she said to me that the only thing they could find was the fact that mango has a server tiny nostrils the worse they had seen and that they think what is happening is

she has problems breathing in and out - this after a while causes a infection in her lung - this causes her breathing to get worse - steriods improve lung and then it all starts again

i was right all along  :tired:

so they didnt do the lung wash or bone tests and they are recommending she has sergery asap on her nostrils - she said she will never be good but it will improve a lot

they have spent only 500 plus vat so we have a little over 2 grand for the op

she is going to get a price as they have a surgeon come once a week so i am also going to shop round somewere nearer so any help would be much appreciated in this i am also going to ask the vet
we live in barnsley south yorkshire

we can go for her in the morn we are setting off at 6am to get there for 10.30 and then will be home for 3pm ish im working till 3am this morn so i might send ian  :evillaugh:


i was right when i said nobody knows a cat like its owner







Title: Re: mango's at the specialist
Post by: Bazsmum on September 14, 2007, 16:39:39 PM
Hope all is okay with Mango at the vets.......Sending you some Assertive vibes for strength ~~~~~~  :hug: :hug:
Title: Re: mango's at the specialist
Post by: Mark on September 14, 2007, 16:43:48 PM
Well done for standing up to them Sasha. Apart from the moneyside, they would have put poor Mango throughall that for nothing. Just the news you needed after yesterday  :hug:

Shame they can't do laser here. Might be worth taking mango to the clinic in Geneva as they do laser. All you need is a pet passport. Might be worth emailing them to find out cost etc as laser would probably be better than surgery.
Title: Re: mango's at the specialist
Post by: Team Svartalfheims on September 14, 2007, 16:46:20 PM
All you need is a pet passport.

That would take months though Mark. They have to have a rabies vacciantion, a month later have a blood test to confirm that the vaccination has worked and if it has then they have to wait for 6 months after the date of the blood test before they can enter the UK.
Title: Re: mango's at the specialist
Post by: Team Svartalfheims on September 14, 2007, 16:47:50 PM
That's brilliant news Sasha that there isn't anything wrong except her nostrils (I know that's still a big thing but at least it can be helped with surgery and there's nothing really nasty going on with her)

Bet you can't wait to get her back home  ;D
Title: Re: mango's at the specialist
Post by: Ralph's mum (angie) on September 14, 2007, 16:51:36 PM
they have spent only 500 plus vat so we have a little over 2 grand for the op
 

Thats good hopefully you will have enough for mangos op
i was right when i said nobody knows a cat like its owner

As they say mother knows best, glad you are having a better day
Title: Re: mango's at the specialist
Post by: Mark on September 14, 2007, 16:58:03 PM
All you need is a pet passport.

That would take months though Mark. They have to have a rabies vacciantion, a month later have a blood test to confirm that the vaccination has worked and if it has then they have to wait for 6 months after the date of the blood test before they can enter the UK.

Thats a shame  :(
Title: Re: mango's at the specialist
Post by: Tiggy's Mum on September 14, 2007, 17:04:56 PM
Well done for being assertive, hope Mango can have the op ASAP and that she gets a new lease of life  :hug:
Title: Re: mango's at the specialist
Post by: COSMIC CREEPERS on September 14, 2007, 17:53:35 PM
i have reserched the op a little while ago and know that the laser would be better as there isnt as much bleeding but i have asked around and i think they only do this in america
i have to shop around now and try to get it at the right cost

i cant wait till shes home . the specialist said everyone loves her she is so placid and only struggles to breath when they are examining her and stressing her out , iv told them to let her rest or she will have a attack ( she struggles to get air in and out and when she panics she gets in a little state like a asthma attack  ) they did confirm she hasnt got asthma or owt like that

i want her home

luna slept on my shoulder all night , im working in the bar tonight till 3am so she will be wating for me when i get in , mi eyes are still puffy , ian took me to meadowhall and tret me to some mac makeup  :evillaugh:
Title: Re: mango's at the specialist
Post by: COSMIC CREEPERS on September 14, 2007, 17:55:07 PM
thankyou all i know your all on mi puta but i do feel your friends and always help when its needed  :thanks: :hug:
Title: Re: mango's at the specialist
Post by: lucy on September 14, 2007, 19:35:53 PM
I do hope you can get it sorted - what a horrible time you are having!
Title: Re: mango's at the specialist
Post by: Gill (sneakiefeline) on September 14, 2007, 19:48:09 PM
I am very pleased that they havent spent all the money and that what you thought was the problem is, so now its finding somewhere to get the op done.

Where did you take her to see the specialist and whats the op called?

I am sure the united forces on Purrs can suck the internet dry if we have the info  ;D

Hope she is relaxed when you get her back and her breathing is not too bad.  :hug: :hug:

Dont worry how peeps speak, posh accents dont mean a thing and they can be cultivated :rofl: :rofl:
Title: Re: mango's at the specialist
Post by: Christine (Blip) on September 14, 2007, 19:53:39 PM
iit is a massive posh place and they speek very posh  and that was intimidating

Who pays the piper calls the tune.  Never be intimidated if you are the customer - well, never be intimidated anyway, but especially not if you are the one who is paying for something.

 :hug:
Title: Re: mango's at the specialist
Post by: Michelle (furbabystar) on September 14, 2007, 19:57:15 PM
Where do you live ?

The hospital that Issey went to was excellent
Title: Re: mango's at the specialist
Post by: Susanne (urbantigers) on September 14, 2007, 19:58:17 PM
That's great news that it only came to £500.  Lets hope that having the op will help her.

As to recommendations for specialists.  I use these people.  They have a branch in Manchester and a branch in Yorkshire.

http://www.amcreferrals.com/0-intro.html

Obviously I can't recommend the individual specialists as I've had no contact with them, and I don't know whether they'd even do the op (or whether they'd want to redo all the tests again!!).  I don't know how competitively priced they are either.

I use the Mcr practice obviously, they do general practice too which is carried out by a series of interns.  One of the owners used to see me when I first went but they've developed the referral side of things since then so I always see the interns unless it's an emergency (when Magpie died the practice owner - Pip Boydell - came out to see him and was very nice to me the next day when I took his body back for cremation).

They opened a branch in Yorkshire a few years ago so it might be worth looking into.  

Title: Re: mango's at the specialist
Post by: Gill (sneakiefeline) on September 14, 2007, 20:00:02 PM
Just thought of something................do you have copies of the test results and repoert from the specialist? If not demand them as for £500 you should have copies.  ;D
Title: Re: mango's at the specialist
Post by: CurlyCatz on September 14, 2007, 21:17:20 PM
great news sasha (well sort of, you know what i mean)

Re the referral, personally i'd be trying to get her into a university to do it and not dealing with these places that have the surgeons coming in once per week  :-:   Im my mind a proper referall practice is one where the vet works there all the time.

As regards the laser and pet passport, personally i wouldnt transport a cat abroad to have a surgery anyway.
Title: Re: mango's at the specialist
Post by: blackcat on September 14, 2007, 21:20:20 PM
As regards the laser and pet passport, personally i wouldnt transport a cat abroad to have a surgery anyway.

specially when it is a breathing prob as the flight will/may cause more difficulties.
Title: Re: mango's at the specialist
Post by: Susanne (urbantigers) on September 14, 2007, 21:20:47 PM
Re the referral, personally i'd be trying to get her into a university to do it and not dealing with these places that have the surgeons coming in once per week  :-:   Im my mind a proper referall practice is one where the vet works there all the time.

I agree - and the one I linked to has specialists working there full time.  It's also a postgraduate training centre.  Obviously it might not work out or be the right place but I would definitely look into it
Title: Re: mango's at the specialist
Post by: Desley (booktigger) on September 14, 2007, 21:25:57 PM
Am glad you have got an answer, just a shame there was so much hassle attached to it. Fingers crossed you can find someone to do the surgery at a good price, and not too far for you all to travel, and that it helps lots.
Title: Re: mango's at the specialist
Post by: COSMIC CREEPERS on September 15, 2007, 02:37:05 AM
we have been to the animal health trust in newmarket - i think they train as well but its a massive place and mango went to small animal studies and the feline unit
i cant understand why a place like that doesnt have surgens it seems mad

they are going to ring with a price to go back for cosultation next wk

i have spoke to my vet and explained i would like to go somewere nearer as tomorrow ian is picking her up and it is nearly a 9 hour round trip
he said he will give me a cople of numbers but for 2 grand he doesnt think we will get it done anywere  :(

im not giving up hope and am going to have a good ring round
i have no intention of travelling abroad its bad enough taking her and leaving her in newmarket

Title: Re: mango's at the specialist
Post by: Sabrina (Auferstehen) on September 15, 2007, 08:04:18 AM
Hey CC,

Hope you're able to find somewhere closer, I'm in Leeds but only know three vets ;(

I know a specialist in the US but that's no help, we almost took Little Girl their when her liver was going. Didn't have the help of insurance on her and ended up taking out a £1,000 loan and runing up the credit cards so I know the feeling when it comes to money, you do everything you can but you still have to eat.

 :hug:
Title: Re: mango's at the specialist
Post by: Hippykitty on September 15, 2007, 10:24:00 AM
CC please tell us your location and the name of the op so that we can get googling for you.
Title: Re: mango's at the specialist
Post by: Ralph's mum (angie) on September 15, 2007, 10:34:27 AM
Hi CC

Hope you managed to get some sleep, hope all is well today, do you get Mango home today xx
Title: Re: mango's at the specialist
Post by: CurlyCatz on September 15, 2007, 11:53:15 AM
I would also be reluctant to take poor mango on 9 hour round trips just for a consultation aswell, sorry the place where she has just been should have thought about this for a start and had you go in initially when that surgeon was gonna be around  >:(

I dont know what this operation entails but i would be hazzarding a guess that it is soft tissue surgery only, albeit very delicate.  I am struggling to see why an earth 2k would not cover the op  :-:
Title: Re: mango's at the specialist
Post by: COSMIC CREEPERS on September 15, 2007, 13:18:55 PM
lynn i am also angry that they madepoor mango travel this far and that there was no surgeon , we would have to go back down to see him then make appoint for the surgery and that means 18 hours and my dad wont let ian have any more time off

i am also  :censored: off cause mango has come home in a right state . her eyes where all messed up they had not even bothered to clean them while she was there and they know that cause she has breathing probs her eyes run more cause she asked me  >:(
i have cleaned her up . fed her and she has got inside the cat tree and is snoring away poor thing  :'(

i am taking the girls swimming so she can have some piece , although she is used to a active house  :evillaugh: i thnk the rest will do her good and then later before work ill takle her coat . i didnt expect them to groom her in 2 days andshe int knotty she just looks bedraggled with half the fur missing off her legs and shes licked herself wet through . but i did expect them to bath her eyes thats not too much to ask is it
Title: Re: mango's at the specialist
Post by: Ralph's mum (angie) on September 15, 2007, 15:11:07 PM
 :Luv: Aww poor Mango, cheesy blobs on the menu meomy me thinks, so happy she home now
Title: Re: mango's at the specialist
Post by: Gill (sneakiefeline) on September 15, 2007, 21:49:17 PM
Ok you have been to Newmarket and I think you live Barnsley way..........whats the name of the operation that she needs?

Our ace googler is ready and waiting to surf the net for you , if you will just give us the info  ;D ;D 

Some can find stuff out there that mere mortals cant, and surely anything will help if we could find it  ;D
Title: Re: mango's at the specialist
Post by: COSMIC CREEPERS on September 16, 2007, 21:44:15 PM
thanks gill but they didnt tell me the name of the operation she needs , they just said making her nostrils bigger , there doesnt seem to be anything wrong with her bones she just needs her nostrils making bigger

they are going to ring me this wk ti see what the surgen has said and i can find out then

i have a number for a place nearer but my vet ses its expensive but ill ring anyway
he is also looking into it for me
but did say that is 2 grand int enough then he ses its ok to leave her on the steriods untill march and then we will have 4 grand for op

she has had to go back to the vets today  :( she has eye infection in both eyes which im a bit mad about cause in the 2 yrs i have had her she has never had a eye infection , shes on cream for it so hopefully it will clear up soon
Title: Re: mango's at the specialist
Post by: Pinkbear (Julie) on September 16, 2007, 22:16:34 PM
I suppose you've looked into the vet college route? Maybe they might think she's a good teaching case and do it cheaper?  :-:
Title: Re: mango's at the specialist
Post by: Susanne (urbantigers) on September 16, 2007, 22:19:40 PM
i have a number for a place nearer but my vet ses its expensive but ill ring anyway
he is also looking into it for me

It may be that you are better off going somewhere that's a bit more expensive but provides a better quality care and has a better attitude towards owners than the place Mango had her tests.
Title: Re: mango's at the specialist
Post by: blackcat on September 16, 2007, 22:31:10 PM
and you also need to factor in other costs, like the petrol and wear and tear on your car when you are doing a price comparison
Title: Re: mango's at the specialist
Post by: Millys Mum on September 17, 2007, 10:43:13 AM
Quote
but did say that is 2 grand int enough then he ses its ok to leave her on the steriods untill march and then we will have 4 grand for op

Will the insurance agree with the waiting? As it would mean them paying more it wouldnt surprise me if they dispute it.   :-:
Title: Re: mango's at the specialist
Post by: COSMIC CREEPERS on September 17, 2007, 19:55:26 PM
they wont nessiselery know , we just carry on with meds untill march and then when the policy is renewed then we can say we have been advised to go for the op

i rang a number my vet gave me for a specialist today in yorkshire , they said they cant help untill my vet refers me that means we have to pay te consultation again  >:( its a fluffy nightmare and i have to ring the vets back to refer me and i get the feeling hes sick of us but wev been left in limbo , mangos ok at the mo but the prob is they will not operate when he lung is infected

Title: Re: mango's at the specialist
Post by: Gill (sneakiefeline) on September 17, 2007, 20:01:25 PM
Your vet sounds ummmmmmm a bit dodgy, if there is one so much closer wht didnt he tell you about them before?
Title: Re: mango's at the specialist
Post by: COSMIC CREEPERS on September 17, 2007, 20:49:27 PM
well he said he was sending us to newmarket cause we would get a better service there , and it was a little cheaper i asked if there was anyone closer he said no not as good
then ian took mango to the vets a few days before we went and said he had to have 2 days off , vet said then that there was a specialist 20 mins away from our house  >:( but they were spending yearly budgets in a week and he knew we only had 3000
we have been messed around at animal health trust , i am waiting for them to ring with cost and possible appointment for mango to see the surgeon , if we were getting a better service then i would have expected to see a surgeon

i wish we had gone to the one nearer home cause animal health trust doesnt sound any cheaper

i dont want to bt im going to have to ring vet , cause he ant rang me yet , ill give him untill wed
Title: Re: mango's at the specialist
Post by: Gill (sneakiefeline) on September 17, 2007, 20:56:32 PM
This is all so sad, poor Mango and you and all the worry  :hug: :hug:
Title: Re: mango's at the specialist
Post by: Millys Mum on September 18, 2007, 16:55:09 PM
Quote
they wont nessiselery know , we just carry on with meds untill march and then when the policy is renewed then we can say we have been advised to go for the op

Aslong as your vets give the same story.  :shify:

All the big hospitals need a referal, i thought it strange you were just given the numbers to ring  :-:  keep on at your vet or he'll 'forget' about you
Title: Re: mango's at the specialist
Post by: Desley (booktigger) on September 18, 2007, 17:08:36 PM
Sorry to hear you are having so many issues with her, fingers crossed you can get somewhere soon.
Title: Re: mango's at the specialist
Post by: COSMIC CREEPERS on September 18, 2007, 19:01:17 PM
the surgeon from newmarket rang today and said that the op should be 1500 quid so we have enough although we have to travel a little further than newmarket to have it done at anouther surgery  >:(
although the price is good i explained it would be a lot for us to go for consult wi surgeon then back then back again to drop her off back home then back to pick her up and home thats 45 hours min drivivng

he agreed it is mad so he as also advised me to look around
i rang the vet again today and he wasnt there but is supposed to be ringin me tomorrow to tell me wether he has sorted summat out to see surgeon in yorks
Title: Re: mango's at the specialist
Post by: Ellie on September 18, 2007, 20:17:42 PM
Just caught up with this thread and I hope the vet does ring you back this time  >:(

I have everything crossed that a solution can be found  :hug:

How is the gorgeous Mango today?
Title: Re: mango's at the specialist
Post by: Dawn F on September 19, 2007, 09:12:45 AM
you wouldn't think it would be so hard would you, is it a rare operation and sorry if you have already told people but I haven't followed this from the start, is the operation needed because her face is just too flat or has she had an accident?  Hope you find someone a bit nearer and can just get on with it!
Title: Re: mango's at the specialist
Post by: Susanne (urbantigers) on September 19, 2007, 09:20:06 AM
Can your vet not do the ringing around to try and find somewhere nearer that can do it at a price you can afford?  I've never been referred to a specialist before but as my vets are also specialists I'd just be referred to the relevant specialist there, so I'm not entirely sure how it works.  But I would assume that most vets will have particular specialists they usually refer to but will know of others, and since they will have to formally refer you I'd have thought it would make more sense for them to find somewhere suitable than for you to ring around asking.  Everywhere is going to tell you that you need a referral and I wonder whether they will be able to tell you the cost without looking at Mango (or at least her medical records) and seeing exactly what needs to be done anyway.  They may even be unwilling to discuss it directly with you.  Your vet, however, could discuss Mango's condition with the specialists and explain what has already been done and that she needs this particular op.
Title: Re: mango's at the specialist
Post by: swampmaxmum on September 19, 2007, 10:06:41 AM
just looked at this thread. Wonder is there nowhere in Scotland (you're in Yorkshire?). I had to choose between AHT and Davies in Hertfordshire and the latter were imho far better. However that's just as far for you.  Bit confused as to why your vet isn't helping more with finding a good specialist nearer you? How is Mango today?