CPR performed on 15 yr. old

Question
Hi Lisa,
5 days ago I rushed my cat to the vet because of bad diarrhea.  He gave her fluids and sent her home with me with an antibiotic I was to give 1x day. He also sold me a low-residue food to start her on the following day.  Well, the next day she wasn't any better.  I called the vet and was told improvement wouldn't be seen until 24-48hrs later. The day after that I called and insisted she be seen.  Upon examination, the Dr. immediately started continuous fluids and said she should stay overnight, and that we'd take it day by day. Each day I called to check on her progress, and each day I was told she was improving...although they still hadn't been able to get her to eat...but that she looked good, & might be able to come home soon.  The next morning I got a phone call saying they ran into trouble and her heart stopped & that at the moment they are performing CPR.  I instructed them to stop. (I never would have authorized this) Obviously, she didn't make it.  Something about this whole thing just doesn't feel right to me.  I have decided to take my business elsewhere, but I am having a moral dilemma about having to pay $70 for CPR when I never even had a chance to discuss my wishes about it.  They led me to believe that she would be fine! A tech even told me "she'll be fine." The entire bill came to $780 and I find it really distasteful and tacky for them to be charging me for CPR. I would think they could at least waive the CPR fee, especially for those animals who end up dying in their care. This is so heartbreaking for me.  AM I OVER-REACTING?  I would welcome your thoughts.  Thanks so much.

Dana


Answer
No i dont think you are over reacting.
First of all i want to tell you how sorry i am  you lost a loved one. even though the world calls them pets, we call them family and it is still a traumatic loss, and i am very sorry you had to go through such an ordeal.

CPR is a lifesaving proceedure and should not be charged for. However, if i were you i would deduct the price for the cpr, pay the bill and never go there again. If they persist in trying to get the money for the cpr, bluff them with a story about how you consulted a lawyer. I simply would refuse to pay that for something they did b4 asking you about it.

again im so sorry you had to go through this.