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MissSassyPickles
06-03-2013, 09:39 AM
Thanks Whirlerz! I should know more in 2 days or so, will update. She's getting a little better as of right now but I'm still not sure what is wrong and her stomach is still swollen so I'm getting a second opinion from a different vet.

MissSassyPickles
06-04-2013, 11:02 AM
I am getting a second opinion from the new vet in 2 hours.. will update...

Djoser
06-04-2013, 11:03 AM
I hope she is OK!

MissSassyPickles
06-04-2013, 02:14 PM
Oh my god.

Oh my fucking god.

I can't believe it.

My cat is pregnant AGAIN. Like this is a joke.

They didn't fix her at the shelter, I think because they saw a scar she had from something else and assumed she was fixed. I found this out when she got pregnant the first time. After she had the kittens and stopped producing milk I got her fixed at a clinic place. They are fucking thieves and didn't fix her either. I CALLED them the day of the surgery saying I didn't think they fixed her because I didn't see a new incision, just the old scar. They reassured me they did.

I am taking them to small claims court if they don't cover my vet bills and a proper spaying.

She is having 5 kittens in 1-2 weeks according to the X-ray they did.

I'm kind of having a panic attack at the moment.

At least she is healthy... oh my god...

slowpoke
06-04-2013, 02:22 PM
Congratulations, you are a Grandma!

lynn2009
06-04-2013, 02:26 PM
That is unbelievable!!!!! They totally owe you. So sorry you were so worried about her, glad she's ok though. Hopefully the clinic will be reasonable about working with you. Just wow though.

tuesdaymarie
06-04-2013, 02:30 PM
Wow. Just so you know, your state will a have a board of veterinarian medicine that can revoke the license of the vet who did this or otherwise address the issue.

simone87
06-04-2013, 02:33 PM
yes, definitely take those F*ckers to court! what the hell were they thinking?? just wow, omg..in the meantime, omg kittens!! the cutest lil things on earth!

MissSassyPickles
06-04-2013, 02:36 PM
Wow. Just so you know, your state will a have a board of veterinarian medicine that can revoke the license of the vet who did this or otherwise address the issue.

Thank you so much for the info Tuesday! Do you think that is a better place to start than small claims court if they don't cover the bill? Or both? I'm kind of at a loss about what to do at the moment. It's not even about the money so much as the principle that they basically stole money from me and lied about it. I'm also not a legal resident of the state I'm in right now, not sure if that makes a difference.

Aurora_Sunset
06-04-2013, 02:39 PM
Wow! What assholes! Please keep us updated on their compliance or the legal proceedings if they don't own up and fix their fuck-up.

But on the bright side, I'm so glad Sassy is ok! At least she is healthy. :)

chloemay
06-04-2013, 02:45 PM
I'm glad that is the reason for her stomach swelling and that you didn't have to spend $1500 to find out. On the other hand, holy shit! That is so messed up as far as the 'spaying' goes. I wish I knew about legal stuff to help you in that regard. Reading this thread over the past few minutes has been dramatic to say the least. I'm sending revenge vibes your way.

Tsepmet1
06-04-2013, 02:46 PM
Yay, kittens!!!

tuesdaymarie
06-04-2013, 03:19 PM
Thank you so much for the info Tuesday! Do you think that is a better place to start than small claims court if they don't cover the bill? Or both? I'm kind of at a loss about what to do at the moment. It's not even about the money so much as the principle that they basically stole money from me and lied about it. I'm also not a legal resident of the state I'm in right now, not sure if that makes a difference.

I'm not sure the board can make the clinic/vet reimburse you, but it is very easy to file a complaint online, after which it will be investigated and the vet can be fined, put on probation, or have his/her license revoked. However, if you have the paperwork saying the cat was supposedly spayed and you have paperwork showing she wasn't, plus records of your bills involved, small claims court sounds like it would be easy to win, plus it's cheap to file. I would definitely think about trying to tack on expected expenses for care of the kittens to your claim as well, including any checkups (find a reputable clinic and ask them about kitten exams and the first rounds of shots, and if they will, ask them to give you an official estimate that you can show the court), costs associated with food, etc.

Nocturnelle
06-04-2013, 03:40 PM
I think considering the situation this is a fantastic outcome. Kittens are assholes but they're just so darn cute.

Selina M
06-04-2013, 03:49 PM
I would go to small claims court first, just to make sure you get your money covered. THEN file a complaint. That is such BS.

But hey, at least this is kind of a happy ending and she's not sick! :)

charlie61
06-04-2013, 09:08 PM
OMG. I can't believe that! Who does that???

I guess I'd go to the vet directly and threaten to sue them in small claims unless they give you your money back. Make sure to gather all of the documentation you have to "prove" your case and show them that you've kept those papers (receipts from the vet, pictures of your kitty with the scar before her pregnancy and with no additional scars after the "procedure," documentation from the other vet saying that Sassy is pregnant, etc.). If you don't have the paperwork yet, then get it from the vet before you threaten them (i.e. ask them to print a copy of a receipt, maybe even ask if you can get any papers from Sassy's file, etc.)

I'd then report them to the Better Business Bureau.

If they give you your money back, I wouldn't take them to small claims (report them to the BBB instead).

My concern with actually going to small claims is that it costs a decent amount of money to sue someone - you have to pay the sheriff to serve papers, potentially pay a lawyer, pay a filing fee...not to mention driving to the courthouse, plus the inconvenience of having to deal with the broken bureaucratic system that is our government ::eyeroll::. So many papers, and yet so little gets done...

MissSassyPickles
06-04-2013, 09:12 PM
Good news is that I told the new vet about my situation and she is totally awesome and said that she will talk to the clinic if they give me a hard time. She also gave me a CD with the x-ray picture showing the kittens. Hopefully that helps. Much better than the first vet! Good idea about the BBB. They are a non-profit which makes the whole thing even more ridiculous! Geez...

charlie61
06-04-2013, 09:18 PM
^Good for you! Make sure you name the specific vet if you report them to BBB. Maybe the non-profit is a solid business and just has an immoral vet working there.

LAChloe
06-04-2013, 09:22 PM
That is crazy! Please keep us updated!

MissSassyPickles
06-04-2013, 09:23 PM
^Good for you! Make sure you name the specific vet if you report them to BBB. Maybe the non-profit is a solid business and just has an immoral vet working there.

Really good point I didn't think about actually. I wouldn't want to punish an organization that is good as a whole but just has a rotten apple. (is that the expression? lol)

ChefKitty
06-04-2013, 09:34 PM
So happy your baby is ok!!! If you're anywhere near ca our nv pm me and I'll take one of the kittens when they're ready.

Nikki_Fox
06-05-2013, 10:11 AM
I still think they need to be reported - the welfare of other animals is at stake and obviously they are irresponsible in their medical practice - that is inexcusable for both places - the medical board can fine them - put them on probation - suspend or revoke their license to practice - i think it is only 25.00 to file in small claims court


but woot woot for kitty not being ill - there will just be more to love :)

charlie61
06-05-2013, 10:15 AM
I still think they need to be reported - the welfare of other animals is at stake and obviously they are irresponsible in their medical practice - that is inexcusable for both places - the medical board can fine them - put them on probation - suspend or revoke their license to practice - i think it is only 25.00 to file in small claims court

Maybe it depends on the state? When I sued someone (to whom I loaned $1500, and he was refusing to pay it back), it was much more costly than $25 - and I didn't consult a lawyer. The filing fee may have been around $25, but I then had to pay a Sheriff to serve him with papers ($75), and there were other expenses on top of that. It can get messy quickly!

I knew MSP mentioned that finances were a bit tight right now, so even if a couple hundred bones doesn't seem like much, it just depends on how "worth it" to her all of this is.

After getting your money back from the clinic and reporting them to the BBB, I'd definitely write a letter to the clinic letting them know more formally that they have a hack on their staff. That'll put the power in their hands as far as what they want to do about the situation.

slowpoke
06-05-2013, 10:19 AM
You can plead for court costs, and your state may have some kind of deceptive trade practice law that would permit additional recovery.

MissSassyPickles
06-05-2013, 01:05 PM
Thank you for all the great advice! I've been working on a letter which is basically a timeline of everything that happened. I forgot I sent an email saying I didn't think they fixed her with pics attached a few days after the "surgery" so I am printing that out and bringing it with me, as well as records of the phone calls I made and paperwork from the 2 vets I've seen. The clinic is going to be open tomorrow they are closed on Wednesdays for some reason.

And yes I know what you mean about small claims court. It really isn't worth the opportunity cost of a few hundred dollars. However either way it is more important to me that they are reported to the veterinarian board, BBB, charity watch, etc. then the actual money. So I will try to get money back but if not I probably won't end up going to small claims. I was supposed to move in one week (hence being tight on $$) and it is not worth it to stay here just because of this. But I will make sure that I get justice.

CourtneyRaine
06-05-2013, 06:14 PM
Gah, so much to say but I have a writing assignment due in a few hours so I must keep this short but I just wanted to share:

1. SO HAPPY Sassy is not sick and that she's actually doing great all thing considering! Nate and I have been talking about her and meowing about her for the past few days, it's good to know she's not in any immediate danger and now we can talk and meow about the kittens!

2. What the hell? I love how the place that "spayed" her guaranteed her uterus was removed but- surprise! Not so much. Um.... Okay I am not a veterinarian but I really thought a female of any animal species has to carry her young in her UTERUS for the entirety of the gestation? So... yes I would SUE their asses! I'm so glad she's not facing a related illness but bringing another litter of unplanned for kitties into the world and putting her body through the stress of giving birth so soon after her last litter is obviously what you were trying to avoid here. To think that doing the right thing as a pet owner and having it not even matter must be pretty aggravating and not to mention a complete scam. Sue!

3. Are you planning on keeping the kittens? Obviously I am so sorry you are in this position, I know you kept the last couple and had Sassy taken care of so y'all wouldn't be in this predicament again but sure enough, even as a responsible pet owner y'all still got screwed and here you are. It makes me so angry to know that these crooks are not providing the medical procedures they are getting paid for! Kittens can be so tough, man. Last year I took in a kitten that a stray I had been taking care of gave birth to, but I had to re-home the little rascal after a month because he would incessantly torment my adult cat (who is truly a pussy). My adult boy was just too passive and skittish, the kitten used to attack him and beat him up and my boy simply did not know how to cope with rough play, he became so depressed and withdrawn and was utterly miserable until kitten got a new home and he was once again the only cat of the house. Kittens are incredibly adorable but certainly not for everyone, especially when you have older pets who are set in their ways and don't have the patience to deal with hyperactive kittens. I hope you figure out a situation that is good for all the munchkins involved.

Aaaaand my deadline is fast approaching. Write you soon. Please post pictures!

MissSassyPickles
06-07-2013, 12:12 PM
Well, Sassy gave birth to 6 kittens today! The vet saw 5 on the X-Ray I guess one was hiding? This was the least of my surprises this last week though lol. I'm going to be posting pics once she's done a little more grooming because right now they look like little wet rats hehe.

I also was finally able to reach someone at the clinic. They are going to call me back after speaking with the doctor who "supposedly" performed the surgery.

whirlerz
06-07-2013, 12:18 PM
Hope all's well, thanks for this update

MissSassyPickles
06-07-2013, 01:48 PM
I am so fucking pissed.

They are saying that it is my fault that I didn't tell them she hadn't been spay before and that the scar they saw was from something else. They are willing to refund my surgery cost but not my veterinarian bills. I told them I would see them in small claims court. Whether or not that will actually happen idk but either way I am reporting the SHIT out of them to every organization I can and they will lose all of their funding and close. I am LIVID.

charlie61
06-07-2013, 01:57 PM
I am so fucking pissed.

They are saying that it is my fault that I didn't tell them she hadn't been spay before and that the scar they saw was from something else. They are willing to refund my surgery cost but not my veterinarian bills. I told them I would see them in small claims court. Whether or not that will actually happen idk but either way I am reporting the SHIT out of them to every organization I can and they will lose all of their funding and close. I am LIVID.

What the fuck?! Your cat had babies and yet they expected you to tell them that your cat hadn't been spayed before? That makes no sense.

MissSassyPickles
06-07-2013, 02:00 PM
She had a previous scar (I'm not sure what for, it wasn't spaying but it was in the general area, maybe some kind of surgery) which is why the shelter hadn't spayed her I believe the 1st time when I got her. I told them that she just had kittens two months ago I didn't feel like I had to actually say what the old scar was from?! Then she said that the veterinarian was doing the right thing because the wrong thing to do would have been to perform surgery on a cat that didn't need it. I said why didn't you just call me and ask me? Even so, how come no one told me no surgery was performed when I brought this up?! She admitted that there was a communication error but that I was "equally negligent" for not informing them. I am fuming.

whirlerz
06-07-2013, 02:01 PM
Jerks, yes I'd sure take them to court! So sorry about this!

Nikki_Fox
06-07-2013, 02:03 PM
i would go get whatever they are offering - it might be all you get - then pursue your other options - it is their responsibility to ask questions

Aurora_Sunset
06-07-2013, 08:33 PM
What!? Fuck that! Even if their story is true - "oh we didn't want to perform surgery on a cat that we thought already had it" - then, um, why the fuck did they take the amount of money from you for that surgery?? Even if you can't get them to refund your vet bills based on their error, yeah, I would try to get them closed the fuck down based on lying and theft.

MissSassyPickles
06-07-2013, 09:01 PM
Here is a pic. Sorry it was hard to take a good one since the kittens are in their little cave and Sassy only left for a few seconds. Will try to take some better ones tomorrow :)

33841

CFMNH44
06-07-2013, 09:05 PM
Nocturnelle, I am so stealing this for a signiture!

MissSP, Glad kitty is OK, (al your kitties, actually!) hope you get some reimbursement from the clinic.


... Kittens are assholes but they're just so darn cute.

simone87
06-07-2013, 09:05 PM
oh..my..GOD!!!4 little guys?? sooo cute! i think i need to go to the ER, cuteness overload!!

MissSassyPickles
06-07-2013, 09:07 PM
oh..my..GOD!!!4 little guys?? sooo cute! i think i need to go to the ER, cuteness overload!!

There are 6!!! The other 2 are buried underneath in their little cuddle pile I think lol.

lynn2009
06-08-2013, 02:13 AM
I know this isn't real legal advice but the guy I'm seeing is a lawyer and I asked him about this. he said if you file in small claims court you should be able to get the surgery cost AND the vet bills reimbursed. personally I would definetly file, he has told me about some dumbass cases that go through small claims court and I think you'd be like a breath of fresh air to the court employees. he said you may or may not get money to take care of the kittens as the court may say you could drop them off at a shelter (bc courts are dumb). best of luck with everything! I can't believe they are trying to lay ANY blame on you much less an equal amount. While you are filing with the BBB and etc don't forget the power of social media! yelp review? :) just a thought. I can't see the pic on my droid but looking forward to it for tomorrow.

whirlerz
06-08-2013, 02:32 AM
awww, wittle snuggies!

MissSassyPickles
06-08-2013, 06:51 PM
Thanks for talking to your bf about this Lynn. I've been kind of thinking about this on and off the last 2 days. I mean, I got so so angry at this lady over the phone. It really ruined my whole day and I'm still mad today. I don't like being an angry person. I don't like yelling at people over the phone and feeling so pissed the whole rest of the day. I guess I'm trying to figure out what is "worth it" to me and what isn't.

Sure I could take them to court and get costs covered, sure I could make it a personal vendetta to destroy their organization if I really wanted to, and I probably could. But is that really what I want to do with my time/energy? I mean I do want justice but I don't want to be a negative angry person so in general I try not to let that side of me come out. It came out the other day when I was talking to them and I didn't like it at all.

I mean, my cat isn't dying and just had kittens! I should be happy, not angry.


I guess I'm just kind of thinking out loud right now...

MissSassyPickles
06-08-2013, 09:02 PM
All the kittens & mama cat in their new little area I set up (the other older kittens were bothering her) :heartbeat

33850

charlie61
06-08-2013, 09:31 PM
Dying of cute overload... >_<

lynn2009
06-09-2013, 09:59 AM
Thanks for talking to your bf about this Lynn. I've been kind of thinking about this on and off the last 2 days. I mean, I got so so angry at this lady over the phone. It really ruined my whole day and I'm still mad today. I don't like being an angry person. I don't like yelling at people over the phone and feeling so pissed the whole rest of the day. I guess I'm trying to figure out what is "worth it" to me and what isn't.

Sure I could take them to court and get costs covered, sure I could make it a personal vendetta to destroy their organization if I really wanted to, and I probably could. But is that really what I want to do with my time/energy? I mean I do want justice but I don't want to be a negative angry person so in general I try not to let that side of me come out. It came out the other day when I was talking to them and I didn't like it at all.

I mean, my cat isn't dying and just had kittens! I should be happy, not angry.


I guess I'm just kind of thinking out loud right now...

That's all very understandable. Good luck with whatever you do...I'm finally on my iPad so I can see the pictures! Very sweet.

MissSassyPickles
06-10-2013, 06:31 PM
Sorry for the bad cell phone pic but OMG look at this kitten sleeping! Had to share :)

33908

Addison
06-10-2013, 09:14 PM
^^ OoooOOoo.. How cute!! :heartbeat I WANT ONE!

Nocturnelle
06-10-2013, 09:19 PM
Awwww. <3 And hey, glad to make it in a signature, hehe!

zivlet
06-11-2013, 06:14 AM
I'm in the UK so can't give any legal advice as everything is different here, however I will say
a)Yay that she's pregnant, it's much betterthan being ill!
b) That 'vet'needs consequences for this-Nikki Fox has it, this could happen to another pet, and if they've neglected this situation, what else are they doing wrong?What else could happen-I would see it as my duty to ensure that the person responsible for this is dealt with accordingly, it's disgraceful.

Good luck with it all, hope she has a really easy pregnancy and all the kittens are healthy and find good homes.

It's luck that she's yours, and you're a responsible, loving owner!It could easy happen to somebody else whose kitty and her babies are not so fortunatexx

threlayer
06-12-2013, 06:47 AM
Relieved your kitty is OK. Infected, spayed, but had kittens -- WTH???

I tear up every time I hear about a cat in trouble, especially since I lost mine a year and a half ago. We loved each other so much and I failed him.

whirlerz
07-14-2013, 06:50 AM
Aww TL, I'm sure you did the best you could..
MissS, I'm glad you're kitty's doing better