What's going on?
March 7, 2007 10:51 AM Subscribe
Why won't the vet office tell me my cat's lab results?
Background: 6yr male, otherwise healthy cat is taken to the vet for swollen joint / limping on front paw. Xrays show nothing abnormal. A round of NSAIDs given, and the swelling subsided. A week later, we were back to the swollen/limping thing.
A sample of the fluid around the swollen area was taken and sent out to a cyto lab two days ago. When my vet called to tell me the results, she had to leave a message b/c I wasn't there. In her message, she stated that she would like to discuss my cat's tests results. I called back the next day. My vet was out of the office and another vet called me back. She stated that it would be better if I called back tomorrow and speak to Dr X directly.
Now I am freaking out. My brain immediately jumps to, "Holy crap he has cancer and they don't want to leave that on a message." If it was normal, wouldn't they just say so? Or, is this simply an issue of continuity of care, and keeping me in contact with the same person? Any vets in the house?
Background: 6yr male, otherwise healthy cat is taken to the vet for swollen joint / limping on front paw. Xrays show nothing abnormal. A round of NSAIDs given, and the swelling subsided. A week later, we were back to the swollen/limping thing.
A sample of the fluid around the swollen area was taken and sent out to a cyto lab two days ago. When my vet called to tell me the results, she had to leave a message b/c I wasn't there. In her message, she stated that she would like to discuss my cat's tests results. I called back the next day. My vet was out of the office and another vet called me back. She stated that it would be better if I called back tomorrow and speak to Dr X directly.
Now I am freaking out. My brain immediately jumps to, "Holy crap he has cancer and they don't want to leave that on a message." If it was normal, wouldn't they just say so? Or, is this simply an issue of continuity of care, and keeping me in contact with the same person? Any vets in the house?
My-ex-was-a-vet-filter:
A lot of pet owners treat their pets as people/children, so to be compliant with human standards of ethics and privacy, a lot of veterinarians won't discuss the pet's results with anyone but the pet's 'parent' or another authorized party.
And a vet that isn't your own vet shouldn't be talking about your cat's results according to ethics codes because she hasn't examined your cat.
You should be happy with your vet, not frustrated because you don't know. Trust me, they would've made it a point to tell you to bring your cat in right away if it was something extremely urgent.
posted by SpecialK at 12:24 PM on March 7, 2007
A lot of pet owners treat their pets as people/children, so to be compliant with human standards of ethics and privacy, a lot of veterinarians won't discuss the pet's results with anyone but the pet's 'parent' or another authorized party.
And a vet that isn't your own vet shouldn't be talking about your cat's results according to ethics codes because she hasn't examined your cat.
You should be happy with your vet, not frustrated because you don't know. Trust me, they would've made it a point to tell you to bring your cat in right away if it was something extremely urgent.
posted by SpecialK at 12:24 PM on March 7, 2007
Response by poster: specialK : thanks, guess i had never looked at it that way. it's hard to think rationally when the little furry friends are involved.
posted by engling at 12:39 PM on March 7, 2007
posted by engling at 12:39 PM on March 7, 2007
engling: Which is exactly why those policies are in place. ;)
posted by SpecialK at 1:23 PM on March 7, 2007
posted by SpecialK at 1:23 PM on March 7, 2007
My wife is a Vet Tech (animal nurse). She says that lab work is interpreted based on the initial physical exam, so the attending vet is uniquely suited to answer questions once the diagnosis is given.
She feels that the second vet doesn't want to give you the test results because they wouldn't be able to answer any follow-up questions.
posted by SlyBevel at 6:18 PM on March 7, 2007
She feels that the second vet doesn't want to give you the test results because they wouldn't be able to answer any follow-up questions.
posted by SlyBevel at 6:18 PM on March 7, 2007
I had a similar freakout over some recent (human) test results. Got a message on voicemail to call regarding results. Got a nurse. She pulled my record up, and then said I had to speak with the doctor. Freakout ensued. The next day the doctor told me my test results were completely normal, and explained that it is just standard policy that all results, even routine negative ("negative" as in there is nothing wrong) results, must come directly from the doctor. This is Kaiser, which is a pretty big outfit.
I personally think this is a little bit of overkill. I don't see the problem with someone other than the doctor giving negative results where no followup is required. But I can see the sense behind the policy.
I wanted to add that the results don't necessarily have to be either/or, good or bad. The tests could be inconclusive, and the vet might need more information from you, or want to suggest additional tests.
Signed,
Spent 1K on blood tests and Xrays for cat last month, with upcoming 1K bone marrow biopsy slated for later this month, and still no answers
posted by ereshkigal45 at 8:43 PM on March 7, 2007
I personally think this is a little bit of overkill. I don't see the problem with someone other than the doctor giving negative results where no followup is required. But I can see the sense behind the policy.
I wanted to add that the results don't necessarily have to be either/or, good or bad. The tests could be inconclusive, and the vet might need more information from you, or want to suggest additional tests.
Signed,
Spent 1K on blood tests and Xrays for cat last month, with upcoming 1K bone marrow biopsy slated for later this month, and still no answers
posted by ereshkigal45 at 8:43 PM on March 7, 2007
I always look at it this way (for humans and pets): if they were to always release negative/"good" results over the phone, then if you ever called and they didn't give you the results, you'd definitely know something was wrong, but not what. Worse, you wouldn't have the support of the doctor/vet while working through the (as yet unspecified) bad news, imagining all sorts of terrifying outcomes. For me that would be much worse than just not knowing either way until you saw the practitioner in person.
posted by snap, crackle and pop at 3:29 PM on March 8, 2007
posted by snap, crackle and pop at 3:29 PM on March 8, 2007
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I'm guessing you're right that it's a continuity-of-care issue, but I can't say for sure. But I did want you to know that there's precedent for everything turning out perfectly fine in your situation.
posted by somanyamys at 12:22 PM on March 7, 2007