Job_Hunting
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What is the name of your state? IL
My cat was recently hospitalized for severe dehydration, suspected of resulting from either diabetes or pancreatitis. The doctors were unsure of the root cause because either problem can affect the other.
I pulled the cat out (she was not discharged) after 6 days because they did not know the root cause yet, and the bill was becoming too high. I followed up immediately on an outpatient basis with a regular vet. At the time I pulled her out she was significantly improved.
48 hours later we had our second follow up with the vet. Her lab tests were nearly normal, though her glucose a little high, but much lower than previously. Her apppearance and behavior were all nearly normal.
At that time he stated he was pleased with her progress, sent me home with insulin and syringes and said to give her one injection "just to be sure" and follow up 3 days later. (due to the holiday). He did not send me home with a medical note or instructions on the insulin, but told me 20 cc's. When we loaded the syringe, the 20 mark looked like more insulin than he had demonstrated, so we cut it down to 10. The syringes he gave me were for U100 insulin, the insulin we had was U40.
To make a long story short, we gave her the insulin and she died an ugly death in my arms 5 hours later.
After researching on the web, we now believe the insulin was either too high of a dose, or she didn't need it at all, resulting in shock or coma, then death.
The vet never told me anything but "give her a dose just to be sure". He didn't state that a wrong dose could be lethal, to watch her, or anything that would have made me think something could go wrong. Nor did he give me a medical note stating any precautions, etc.
My cat died because I did what he told me to do. I don't wish to sue him necessarily, but I need to know if he was negligent in some way in order to properly follow up with him.
Legal perspective would be helpful. Thank You.
My cat was recently hospitalized for severe dehydration, suspected of resulting from either diabetes or pancreatitis. The doctors were unsure of the root cause because either problem can affect the other.
I pulled the cat out (she was not discharged) after 6 days because they did not know the root cause yet, and the bill was becoming too high. I followed up immediately on an outpatient basis with a regular vet. At the time I pulled her out she was significantly improved.
48 hours later we had our second follow up with the vet. Her lab tests were nearly normal, though her glucose a little high, but much lower than previously. Her apppearance and behavior were all nearly normal.
At that time he stated he was pleased with her progress, sent me home with insulin and syringes and said to give her one injection "just to be sure" and follow up 3 days later. (due to the holiday). He did not send me home with a medical note or instructions on the insulin, but told me 20 cc's. When we loaded the syringe, the 20 mark looked like more insulin than he had demonstrated, so we cut it down to 10. The syringes he gave me were for U100 insulin, the insulin we had was U40.
To make a long story short, we gave her the insulin and she died an ugly death in my arms 5 hours later.
After researching on the web, we now believe the insulin was either too high of a dose, or she didn't need it at all, resulting in shock or coma, then death.
The vet never told me anything but "give her a dose just to be sure". He didn't state that a wrong dose could be lethal, to watch her, or anything that would have made me think something could go wrong. Nor did he give me a medical note stating any precautions, etc.
My cat died because I did what he told me to do. I don't wish to sue him necessarily, but I need to know if he was negligent in some way in order to properly follow up with him.
Legal perspective would be helpful. Thank You.
