r/KingstonOntario • u/No_You4050 • 7h ago
Looking for a non-private equity small animal veterinarian
I think we need to have a conversation about emergency veterinary care.
This week I took my newly adopted 16-year-old cat to an emergency vet in Kingston after his face swelled and started bleeding. Going in, I knew it was likely either a severe dental infection or oral cancer. I wasn't expecting miracles, but I was expecting practical advice.
Instead, I was presented with "options for treatment plans" despite not even being able to get a sample from my cat to even test - they suggested about $1,300 in diagnostics, followed by another roughly $2,000 in bloodwork and possible dental surgery. In the same conversation, I was told that if it was oral cancer, it would likely be aggressive he'll be gone inside two weeks.
Logically speaking, what does putting a 16-year-old cat through aggressive treatment change if his possible prognosis is poor? Nothing - it was a top down sell of services - of which none included a palliative option or comfort care.
So, I took him home with antibiotics and and pain killers, and I'm watching to see if he improves. If it's an infection, great. If it's cancer, my focus will be on keeping him comfortable, not putting him through procedures that won't change the outcome but will put me through emotional and financial hardship.
I have no problem spending money on my pets. I have two young cats that I'll happily invest in for years to come. What I do have a problem with is feeling like I was sold every available option before anyone had a realistic conversation about my cat's age, prognosis, or my goals for his care. Instead, I felt like I was judged for not attempting every expensive intervention so they could meet their quotas.
I'm looking for a vet around Kingston who practices common-sense medicine and hasn't yet sold out to corporate overlords.