The Vet Office Experience!

Monday morning started super early for me and the pets.  It was to be a big day for Piper.  De-clawing and spaying were on the agenda.  However, she was clueless concerning the agenda! Cody and Simon assumed I had lost all sense of time along with my mind as I awakened two very sleepy pugs to leash them up for their walk.  A walk that took place before breakfast!  Unheard of in both pugs opinions!  Oh the insanity!

It wasn't long before all major pet chores were done and I whisked Piper off to the vet. Once arriving at the vet I was told to wait that a supervisor wanted to talk to me.  Now does that sound strange to anyone?  I've taken pets in for surgery before, typical procedure is to be shown to an exam room where a nurse explains procedure and you sign for your pet to be treated. Never been told to wait for a supervisor. A strange vibe was in the air! I soon met with the supervisor, whom wanted to discuss a new drug they are wanting to try out and they need a volunteer kitty!  In exchange for us volunteering Piper they will give us all procedures FREE.  I actually made the supervisor explain things twice because the first time he ran through things it was so sugarcoated I didn't know what to think.  After hearing how much the charges would be if we didn't participate in the drug study it was a bit tempting.  In the end I said no to the drug study.  As I don't want my cat-daughter being their guinea pig!

Immediately after leaving Piper I texted Brad to tell him about the drug study offer and the charges we were about to incur for Piper. Him and I soon chatted about things, the charges seemed high to both of us, especially to Brad.  As he has been down the road of cat ownership....and I of course have not.  We quickly made the decision that I would go pick up Piper and forget it.  We will find a different vet. Was it embarrassing to call the vet and tell them to stop all procedures on our kitty then go pick her up?  Yes, slightly!  But you have to do what you have to do!  If you suddenly have a change of heart and feel you are about to get ripped off then by all means go through the slight embarrassment to get out of the situation.  After calling the vet to tell them to stop all procedures and that I'd soon come pick up Piper, I called another vet to get their pricey. 

We have decided to switch all three "kids" over to a vet office that we actually took Storm to a few times. I have been very reluctant to switch vets for the boys, because they are aging.  Then again we found this vet for Storm back when she was in her advanced years so that worry should be null and void!  The new vet is much closer, more convenient, and at first glance the pricing appears to be better. Not to mention the philosophy of pet care seems more in line with ours. The new vet has quoted us at $300 less than the old vet for Piper's 2 procedures. 

I took Piper and Cody to the new vet yesterday.  Cody needed his shots and Piper needed to get her "new patient" visit done, which would clear the way for us to schedule her procedures.  She is now scheduled to have surgery on May 21st.  I was hoping it could be done sooner but I was being a bit picky with the doctor I wanted.  I want the pets to all go to the same doctor for each visit.  I don't like getting a random doctor each time I take them.  I want our pets to get familiar with one particular doctor and I want the doctor to get familiar with our pets! 

Oh man, they both were so good at the vet office! I was a proud mommie.  Piper did amazing.  Lots of cats hiss and bite at the vet, she didn't do either.  She was golden!  Cody is always good at the vet.  When we first arrived I sat Piper in her carrier on the bench then told Cody to sit next to her on the bench which he promptly did. I then walked across the room a little ways away to check in and sign new pet paperwork.  A few nurses in the office were quite amazed that my pets, especially Cody had no problem hanging out by his sister and not running around the vet office. Most dogs want to jump down and run around or at least walkabout but Cody follows my commands rather well.  Once inside the exam room I held Piper in my arms as Cody sat down next to us. Both were calm the entire time. Cody's biggest objection was having his ears messed with.  

The experience of yesterday was a first for me, I've never tried taking 2 pets to the vet at the same time.  It went well.  It wasn't overly chaotic!  Big sigh of relief!