Damn veterinarian...
Long rant to follow...
A few months ago we needed to board Felicity for a week. Boarding a cat here costs about $200 USD per week, so we though we'd try a newer facility We chose a huge new ultra modern pet clinic nearby. The clinic told us we'd need to have Felicity examined before they would allow her to stay, and as she was ready for vaccinations anyway, we decided to let them do it all...
'All' included a blood test, from which they told us that she was now suffering from ordinary older feline kidney problems and we needed to change her diet... to the one that they sold... for a lot of money. $35 for 2kg. They told us that they would supply it for us as it was difficult to find in Japan.
I was pretty sure that I had seen it around. I found a pet shop that sold the same brand and type for $25, and as the cat seemed to actually prefer it over the Purina she grew up on and had been eating for the past 8 years, I figured why not. No problem. Reliable company ('Royal Canine' - Feline Renal Diet.)
The vet also prescribed some medicine. Here in Japan, doctors dispense medicines instead of getting prescriptions filled at drug stores- both human and animal. Usually you are getting generic drugs but paying high prices. In this case the medicine was in powder form, packaged in single doses by the clinic. Cost: $30 per week.
When I asked what the name of the medicine was, they were somewhat reluctant to tell me, (which for a Japanese means never dare ask again!) Being a crazy foreigner I asked and asked until they told me it was called (sounded like) "Ahdeepee." I went back to the computer and couldn't find anything with that name that I could purchase online, and figured it was a Japanese-made medicine... but it still nagged at me... But the vet said she needed it so we shelled out the $30 a week for her. For a couple of months...
I knew that older cats often suffered from kidney problems, but when searching the net couldn't find any medicines being regularly used to treat the condition. So I was still trying to figure out Ahdeepee. Then it hit me... Adenosine triphosphate... ATP. Something to provide a bit of energy. Not a medicine at all. And nothing that would benifit a cat's kidneys, especially at $30 a week.
We were running out of the new cat food, so yesterday we went to a large pet shop where I had found it before. I figured we'd keep feeding that one as she seemed to like it for her dried kibble dish. (She also gets a bit of wet food every evening too, but only in the evening. The kibble is available all day.) While we were in the shop, my wife happened to ask what Vet they recommend. We went there today...
Small clinic. Nothing fancy. One Vet and two assistants. We asked for a full exam. They took blood, ran it though the machine, and sat down with us and discussed every single result. Blood test... not a damn thing wrong with her kidneys (or any other problem.) EVERY result was withing normal range.
But to be sure, the Vet suggested an Ultrasound. Did you know you can actually see the kidneys pumping?!?
And in Felicity's case, pumping perfectly clear and wide open!
That other Vet clinic was scamming us every step of the way. There oughta be a law!
Stitchawl