I know its long but please read it all the way through and let me know what you think I should do... I went and adopted another kitten this past Sunday. I took the kitty to my vet and found out a few things and here are the emails that I sent to the Rescue Shelter..

Hello,

My name is James and this past Sunday (Feb 1, 2004) I adopted an eight-week old kitten from the Petsmart at Arundel Mills. Cat ID# 12108. The volunteer did not have any information regarding the kitten. I first took the kitten to my veterinarian yesterday Monday (Feb 2, 2004) I mentioned to him that the kitten was not really eating and had vomited what little food he had taken in. He said it could be attributed to nerves, anxiety, or the fact that he had just been neutered on 1/29/04 and given medication. He said that if the vomiting continued to bring the kitten in for observation The vomiting continued and I took him back to the vet. The vet observed him all day and noticed the vomiting and the forcefulness of it and thought that it might be caused by some sort of obstruction. He then proceeded to do an X-ray. He found that there was a lot of gas in the intestines and he wanted to do some sort of barium type mixture to try and trace it through the digestive system and then take another X-ray. He has done the second set of X-rays and confirmed that there is an bstruction and now the kitten needs surgery. He informed me that the kitten should not have been adopted out in the condition that it is in right now. Whoever was acting as caretaker should have noticed the symptoms (not eating, vomiting, etc)I will not even mention the ear mites that kitten had. Which was not mentioned nor treated, which should have been done when the kitten was neutered 3 days prior, or at least notification should have some with the kitten. He estimates the surgery is going cost somewhere around $500. I have left two messages on your voice mail number (***) ***-**** regarding this kitten and have still received no reply. While I do not mind helping out with the surgery I do feel that your adoption agency should assist in this matter. My vet mentioned that you probably have some sort of agreement with your vet for reduced prices and what not. Unfortunately, no one has called me back and for the health of the kitten I am going to tell my vet to go ahead with the procedure. I would appreciate some response from your organization letting me know your feelings on this matter. It would truly be sad for this situation to mar the reputation of an organization that I have heard nothing but good things about. I would appreciate your assistance in this matter and I look forward to your timely reply.
I heard back from the Shelter the next day and they wanted to know what was going on. My vet had given him some laxatives and some stool softener and the kitten seemed to be doing better, but then he took a turn for the worse.. Therefore, I tried to call the Shelter again but no response, so I sent another email..

I spoke with a Ms. Aninew (sp?) this morning about the kitten and it appeared that he was doing better and had a small bowel movement. Unfortunately, I just received a call from my vet saying that he had vomited again and that the food he ate this morning was not passing through and there are no alternatives to the surgery, to remove the obstruction, at this point. He also left me with the impression that this needs to be done ASAP. I believe Ms. Aninew wanted to use the Lucky Ones vet so I would appreciate it if someone could please contact me soonest so we can get this kitten some medical attention.

Thanks,
James
So Tina from the shelter called me back and said that she had contacted her vet and he was willing to come back in and do the procedure. She came and picked up the kitten and the X-rays from my vet proceded to her Animal Hospital. After waiting several hours and not hearing anything I paged the Shelter's Vet. He calls me back and says that the X-rays he saw plus the X-rays that he took are inconclusive and they do not demand immediate surgery. I explain to him what has been happening and what he thinks the problem is and he says, "I don't know, but I don't think surgery is the best thing for this kitten right now". We (his office) hasn't seen the kitten throw up and he wants to find out if the kitten can be treated without surgery. I don't know what to do. My vet says surgery... theirs wants to do more observation... *sigh* I am so frustrated right now.. And all I want is my Dusty back happy and healthy...