Do I have a case of veterinary malpractice?

[achimelech51]

My cat has had a hard, hard year. First, he was diagnosed with hyperthyroidism. Then he was diagnosed with diabetes. His medicine was always administered like it should. When he was diagnosed with diabetes, his blood sugar was astronomical. It started leveling out after a few months, and then ended up getting really low. It was in the mid-50s for nearly two months. I think he started to feel the effects of that, because my cat ended up getting sick last Wednesday with a urinary tract infection. We took him to the vet on Thursday. The vet gave him a shot and sent him on his way since he was able to pee a little on his own. On Friday, we took him back. He could still pee on his own a little, but he was clearly in a bit more pain and seemed to have more difficulty going to the litter box. Saturday and Sunday, they were closed. He was still having problems, despite the fact that they gave him a long-lasting antibiotic shot. We took him back to the vet on Monday morning, and they finally took him in and put a catheter in. They took it out the next day, and when he didn't urinate on his own, they put it back in. They then took it out, and then put it back in once more. By this time, it was Friday, so there was no way that we'd be able to get him due to the long weekend. Today when my mother and I went to see him, he looked absolutely awful. He'd lost about two pounds, and he was really wobbly and stiff. They took his catheter back out, and then about 3 hours later they said that he was good to go home because he urinated on his own. We get him home, and we realize how horrible he is. He is skin and bones. He's lost so much weight, it's really sort of scary. He's limping really badly. He's gone into the litter box a couple of times, but despite the fact that he's been home since 12 PM, and it is 11 PM now, he has not actually used the pan a single time. He seems really weak and out of sorts. He can't even stand up for long periods of time. I feel like they sent us home a dying cat, and they charged us 1,000 dollars for it. What in the world do I do?

[said99]

Animals are property. Unless he was a pedigreed pet with breeding or show potential, he was probably worth about $35.00. It is not worth suing over $35.00 unless you are willing to spend a couple thousand in legal fees "for the principle of the thing." To prepare for trial you'll also need to spend whatever it takes for an autopsy with an expert vet who will testify as to the other vets' malpractice.

[aldric13]

No.

It sounds as though you should have put the cat down in a humane manner six months ago. You've known for some time that your cat is extremely ill and suffering. You brought home a dying cat when he was diagnosed with diabetes. Despite this, you keep taking him to the vet and instructing the vet to treat him. The vet is doing what you have asked the vet to do - and you are responsible to pay for the services the vet provides.

I understand you love this cat. But hyperthyroidism and diabetes are bad enough. The UTI diagnosis should have been the catalyst to let him go. He is sick. He's in pain. And he's suffering. Let him go. Devote your love, time and attention to a healthy cat from your local animal shelter that is about to be put down.