Treating eye infections from URI

[Catlady711]

The vet did not examine them, I just picked up the cream. The vet isnt very technical and I cant afford to go to a real, normal vet who will charge me. Mostly you just pay for the meds and not for looking at them where I go. How often do you normally use the cream also? He didnt tell me.

Honestly I don't know what kind of "vet" you are going to but I would SERIOUSLY doubt about his practice if he's dispensing meds without seeing the animal without even telling you how to use the medicine properly!! Doesn't matter whether he's 'cheap' or not, it doens't sound like good business to me! Is this "vet" even licensed??? Does he have an actual building or is he doing this out of his home???

If I'm not much mistaken isn't this the same "vet" that gave fluids to a kitten that had a urinary blockage and you said he didn't even look the kitten over very much before hand????

According to what I found in Michigan Veterinary law...

RECOMMENDED MINIMUM STANDARDS FOR COMPANION ANIMAL VETERINARY PRACTICES
APPROVED BY MVMA BOARD OF DIRECTORS ON 12/1/04

III. REQUIREMENTS FOR USING ANIMAL HEALTH PRODUCTS

A. Labeling

(1) Health products dispensed in the manufacturer’s original container shall be accompanied by the original instructions or labeling and must be affixed with a label that includes all of the following information:

(a) Date the drug was dispensed.
(b) Name of the patient.
(c) Name of the client.
(d) Complete instructions for use of the drug.
(e) Name of the drug.
(f) Strength for unit dose.
(g) Quantity dispensed.
(h) Expiration date of the drug, when appropriate.
(i) Veterinarian’s name or clinic’s name, telephone number, and any appropriate precautionary statements, such as “keep out of reach of children.”
(j) Withholding time or other needed warnings.

(2) Health products dispensed in other than the manufacturer’s original container shall be:

(a) Equipped with a child-safe lock mechanism, if appropriate.
(b) Affixed with the veterinarian's label that includes all information under (1).

(3) Over-the-counter drugs, that are dispensed to be used in an extra-label manner, shall be subject to all requirements in A1.

B. PRESCRIBING AND DISPENSING

(1) Prescription drugs or over-the-counter drugs to be used in an extra-label manner shall not be prescribed or dispensed unless a valid veterinarian-client-patient relationship exists.

(2) Veterinarians must honor a client’s request for a written prescription in lieu of dispensing.

(3) The prescribing of over-the-counter drugs to be used in an extra-label manner for the temporary alleviation of symptoms until a veterinarian-client-patient relationship can be established shall not be considered a violation of (B1).

(4) For these sections, a veterinarian-client-patient relationship for a companion animal shall exist only if the veterinarian has examined the companion animal within the previous twelve months. Some medical conditions and/or drug uses may require more frequent examinations and/or patient monitoring.

[emilysgk]

First off, for Catlady... Yes he is a real vet, no he dont do this from his home. His clinic is small, and its considered just that, not a full hospital. He does all various routine and diseases that are easily treatable and some surgery, he does spay/neuter, minor broken bone repairs, c-sections ect.. anything major he will refer you to another vet. I have seen this many times that someone has a problem that he simply dont handle at his clinic. His practice is a bit unconenventional and old fashioned, he does house calls for farm situations also. He has maybe a dozen cats that live in his clinic also, all rescued with a various reasons. I have seen him save a lot of animals, several personaly. We put a young CKCS with cancer into remission for about 9 months, when I got the dog, he had little time left, a puppy hand raised got parv followed by distemper, all before 12 weeks of age, another dog with severe neurologic disorder/spinal damage... there are many. Im not defending and saying that if I had the money I would not go to a normal vet, but he does pretty well. I probably would not have any babies left otherwise, I could not go to someone else now. Our financial situation is very bad right now.

On to the babies... I did some research last night and everything seems in order actually. Since the eye infection is from the URI (these two barely got any nasal symptoms, it went to the eye) its viral, probably herpes, and you cannot expect the eye cream to clear it right up, only lessen anything secondary.

Then to update, I do have some good news. The last two applications the eyes have stayed open! The reddness has let up a little and some swelling has gone down also. It makes sense since its probably been around a week since they first developed eye symptoms. Hopefully this trend continues and it stays away. I know reinfection is quite common when fighting this off.

Thank you everyone.

[Medusa]

Yay! Glad to hear that they're no longer cyclops! You're doing a great job!

Blessings,
Mary

[emilysgk]

Yay! Glad to hear that they're no longer cyclops! You're doing a great job!

Blessings,
Mary

So funny you wrote this! My husband says Cowgirl is an alien... Between the toes and the one eye, sure is full of characer. But she is SO sweet, she will curl up in your hand and look into your face, paw at you a little and drift off the sleep. Mamas girl is more fiesty and she bites a lot, but more than anything im sure that just the teething... hopefully. lol So far they still have eyes today! Im so happy and excited that an end may be in sight.

[Medusa]

I'm so glad you're feeling better about all of this. They sure are cuties and it's a good thing I don't live nearby or I'd be at your house, pestering you every day.

Blessings,
Mary

[Catlady711]

First off, for Catlady... Yes he is a real vet, no he dont do this from his home. His clinic is small, and its considered just that, not a full hospital. He does all various routine and diseases that are easily treatable and some surgery, he does spay/neuter, minor broken bone repairs, c-sections ect.. anything major he will refer you to another vet. I have seen this many times that someone has a problem that he simply dont handle at his clinic. His practice is a bit unconenventional and old fashioned, he does house calls for farm situations also. He has maybe a dozen cats that live in his clinic also, all rescued with a various reasons. I have seen him save a lot of animals, several personaly. We put a young CKCS with cancer into remission for about 9 months, when I got the dog, he had little time left, a puppy hand raised got parv followed by distemper, all before 12 weeks of age, another dog with severe neurologic disorder/spinal damage... there are many. Im not defending and saying that if I had the money I would not go to a normal vet, but he does pretty well. I probably would not have any babies left otherwise, I could not go to someone else now. Our financial situation is very bad right now.

What I was questioning was based on several things...

1) You said that he did not really examine the kitten closely that had the bladder problem before giving it fluids.

2) He gave you medication without seeing the other kittens.

3) The eye medication apparently did not have any kind of dispensing instructions on it.

I'm not saying that he can't be a good vet just because he's a small rural one. I'm just saying that ANY vet (even from a big fancy hospital) that is doing those things just isn't cool. Even a small town, old fashioned vet should be able to do those 3 things correctly.

I suppose if you're happy with your results for the price that's your option and more power to you, but for myself personally, I couldn't trust a vet that didn't do a thorough exam, and dispensed meds without instructions on them.