Male kitten spayed by mistake

[blessings20900]

Hi, I am new to the boards and I have a question. First, a little backround. I volunteer with a rescue agency...I take the really tiny kittens without Moms. I bottle-feed them, love them, and send them out for adoption. My latest batch of feral kittens are gorgeous. There are 5...all very lovable. My 3 girls went out to get spayed on Wednesday, and are doing fine. My 2 boys went in this morning, to a different vet. I called to see how they were doing, and I was told all was fine. I told the office I would be picking them up, since they were neutered and a lot less sickly than the girls. So, I pick them up, and when I get home, Jake bounds out of the box, but Rocky can't move. I gently reach in to get him out, and he starts crying. When I take a good look at him, I notice the stitches up the front of his belly. He can't even lift his head up! I run and call the vet...demanding to know what happened. She informed me that the vet thought he was a girl...nothing more. Come back in two weeks to get his stitches removed. This kitten is WAY sicker than his sisters were when they came home, and I had to bring them home the same day. If this vet had told me what happened, I would have let them keep Rocky overnight. I am so sorry if I am rambling and incoherent, but I have had these kittens since they were a week and a half old and am very upset. Finally, my question. One, what can I do for this little guy? He is currently on a bed...not expecting this or I would have left him in his carrier. I am concerned because he keeps swallowing, like he has too much saliva in his mouth. He is barely 2 lbs. And, I guess, am I over-reacting? Thanks for any input...I appreciate it!

[Lizzie]

Does your rescue agency cover the fees for an emergency vet visit? It might make you feel better if you can take him to one tonight. Just slide him onto the car seat on the blanket he's on now to prevent jolting him.

He may be swallowing a lot because they intubated him and his throat is sore. Since spay takes longer, I think they give an anethestic shot and then intubate, whereas for a quick neuter, they can just use gas in a face mask - someone correct me if I am wrong here. Or he could be swallowing because he's nauseated, and that can cause a cat to produce a lot of saliva.

What a horrible experience for you both. No, you are not over-reacting, I'd be very concerned also.

I'm going to put a new thread in Cats General telling people to check out this one and give responses. That forum is read far more often than this one and I don't want you to miss out on help from our very experienced posters.

[Prairie Purrs]

Welcome to PT!

I'd have another vet check the poor little guy over ASAP, like tomorrow. It could be that he's just groggy from the anesthetic, but I'd want to find out just what the idiot vet did to him. Cryptorchid males whose testicles haven't descended require more extensive surgery, so maybe that's what happened--but the vet and staff should have told you if that was the case.

I hope little Rocky gets better soon!

[kitimom]

sending songs and prayers out for little Rocky to better very soon!!!!!

[blessings20900]

Thanks everyone for your support. I just got back from the vet...supposedly this was a "top notch" vet clinic and pet resort. So, I gave him a call...there were 4 other vets in there today. He was horrified when I told him what happened (this is the vet who started the clinic...he lives onsite). He had me to bring Rocky right in...and he is keeping him for a few days. His back legs are barely moving, and his body is shuddering. The vet asked if I was given any antibiotics, and, again was horrified when I explained no one had told me that this mistake was made. So, Rocky is getting IV fluids and antibiotics, plus he is bleeding from his incision. I am not reimbursed for emergency care, but I am fine with paying for this on my own. When I was given this litter, the director told me she spent the night with a foster mom who had lost a kitten due to the HS not paying for the care. So, I decided to adopt Rocky myself and incure the cost. What the hell, right now I have a teenager, a toddler, a dog, Harley, and my kids...Star, Journey, Mike, Gabby, Lily, and now Rocky, plus my bottle-fed fosters Olivia, Gina, Maggie, Charlotte and Jake. There is always room for one more. Once again, thank you so much for all your support and care!!!!!

[Lizzie]

I'm very relieved that he is with a vet who knows what he is doing and started urgent care on Rocky. You must feel better knowing that he is getting the care he desperately needs. How wonderful that you are adopting Rocky and are willing to cover his fees; I know those emergency fees can be very high. Please keep us updated, we will want to know what happens.

[Craftlady]

So sorry to read this about the kitten.
I would make the vet clinic absorb the emergency costs, it was after all on their vet's faults.

[Catty1]

I agree with Craftlady...since this one vet has been so great, maybe you could phrase it something like this: "What is the clinic's policy on prices for mistakes that the clinic apparently made?"

This way, it doesn't mention a PERSON - it just asks about the CLINIC.

Good luck with that.

Glad little Rocky is getting proper care.

Catty1

[jazzcat]

Wow, what a horrible mistake to try to sweep under the rug. They should have told you! I'm so glad you were able to talk to an understanding vet who is now treating Rocky. I totally agree with the others that the clinic should not charge you for any of this extra care. It's there fault to begin with!

Prayers and positive thoughts for little Rocky. Having a Rocky myself I feel especially touched by this. I would hate for my little guy to have to suffer so.

Welcome to PT and please keep us posted on Rocky's condition.

[blessings20900]

Great news! I spoke to the clinic this morning, and the vet got on the phone with me. Rocky is doing well...he was given IV fluids, antibiotics, proteins and vitamins. Also some painkillers and a halo (which he promptly took off) He told me we could either take him home today with antibiotics and pain meds, or leave him another night. I opted for today, and he let me know that he does many Humane Society cats, and this would be no charge. The disturbing part is that he is one of only a few vets that will spay and neuter at a young age, and, this has happened before. How does a vet not know the sex of a cat??? Is it really that much of a factory? We tried to adopt without the spay/neuter with a free voucher given to the adopted parents to have it done at a later date, but some pet owners are just too darn lazy to go have it done. What's wrong with people? When he comes home, I'll grab a pic of him and post it. He's a long hair tabby, with the face of an angel. I thought he was a girl, too, until he got old enough and I, ah, LOOKED! It just blows my mind that a vet couldn't tell...gotta let that go and know I would NEVER use him for my personal animals. The kicker is, this clinic is an extremely UPSCALE and EXPENSIVE place...the resort section looks better than my kids day care! I just wish they'd use the same care on the rescue kitties... Thanks for all your prayers and advice!

[Catty1]

Good news that Rocky is on the mend and coming home!

If you have a Chamber of Commerce or a Better Business Bureau in your town, you might check this pet place to see if there have been any other problems with the same vet.

Then the vet's medical association might be informed...I'd hate this to happen to any other kitty.

Actually - even WITHOUT a C of C or BBB, calling the vet's board might be an idea. Might not be the first time they have heard of this happening...


Looking forward to pics!

hugs
Catty1

[Prairie Purrs]

So glad to hear that little Rocky is doing better!

They've done the same thing before? I'd call the state vet's board in a heartbeat. To make a mistake like this is beyond inexcusable.

[kuhio98]

Blessings ~ So glad to hear that Rocky is doing better. How wonderful of the vet not to charge for the emergency care. I sure wish we had more like him.

[sasvermont]

I used a clinic for ferals in my area and I know for a fact that the person doing the surgery was not a vet. There was a vet on call, but there was not a vet at the site. I wonder if reduced rates mean not the "A team"..... Even human surgery is done by understudies, with full surgeons "supervising"..... so why wouldn't a tech know how to spay/neuter, after watching the vet do it for years on end.

I would ask that not only you not be charged, but that you get care covered for this dear kitten for some time. A credit at another vet's would work for me! Gosh. Such a screw up.

I am glad little Rocky is going to be ok. Keep us posted.

((((((((((((((((Rocky)))))))))))))))))))

[blessings20900]

I found out today that this HAS happened many times brfore. In fact, they had done a spay only to find out after she was in heat that she was opened, but the spay was never completed. I was then told that the techs do all the "charity" work. Nice to know, since they still charge...just a reduced rate.

Anyway, my little man is home and happy, and I have gone online and rated the animal hospital and pet resort...took their A+++ rating notch or two!

Pictures are forthcoming...thanks again everyone!