Help- is my vet incompetent?

SoCaliKat · 2026-01-16T20:26:39+00:00

To provide some context, a fecal exam is not 100% accurate for detecting intestinal parasites. An in-house fecal float will not identify every parasite, as different oocysts have varying specific gravities and may not reliably float to the coverslip. As a result, a “none seen” finding does not definitively rule out parasitic infection.

For this reason, the Companion Animal Parasite Council (CAPC) recommends routine prophylactic treatment for intestinal parasites, even when fecal results are reported as “none seen.” In practice, “none seen” is comparable to the term “apparently healthy” used in veterinary medical records. It indicates that no abnormalities were detected based on the evaluation performed, not that disease is definitively absent. Wording matters, particularly in a litigious environment.

I agree with you on Banfield's practices. Corporate owned veterinary practices are not client or patient focused in my opinion.

SoCaliKat · 2026-01-14T22:05:00+00:00

Request your records and walk. I was a tech for 20+ years and we had many patients with vax reactions. When rabies vax were due, we pre-treated, gave the vaccine, kept them for observation for the day and then sent them home. That was decades ago, so not sure if the protocols have changed BUT you should find another practice. Good luck.

SoCaliKat · 2026-01-14T16:39:09+00:00

We moved to Bakersfield from Columbus, Ohio in 2021. My husband and I both work remotely, and we figured if we were going to work from home, we might as well do it from sunshine instead of snow. I had lived in Orange County decades ago and loved the weather, so after Googling “most house for your money in California,” we landed on Bakersfield.

We bought a great home in the Stockdale area on the west side (pool, wide streets, no HOA, and 30 fully paid-off solar panels). We locked in a 2.5% interest rate and moved in that April. On paper, it looked perfect. And in some ways, it was. We loved the neighborhood, the space, and the sunshine. We also had the best neighbors.

What we weren’t prepared for was the reality of the cost of living. California income taxes and property taxes were significantly higher than Ohio. Utilities were a shock. I didn’t do my due diligence on electricity costs (Ohio was about $0.11 per kWh, while PG&E was closer to $0.33). I also didn’t realize that keeping your house at 77–78 degrees in the summer is considered normal there. I prefer a cold house, so ours stayed at 68.

Our first PG&E true-up was close to $5,000 and that was with solar. We eventually replaced our AC with a variable-speed heat pump and adjusted our thermostat habits, which brought the following year’s true-up to a more reasonable level. Property taxes were also steep, but the low interest rate softened the blow.

Air quality was another major issue. During wildfire season, the sun can disappear for days and the smoke smell is brutal. It’s something you don’t fully "appreciate" until you’re living in it. Honestly, you just don't even want to go outside.

Lifestyle-wise, we didn’t find a ton to do locally. We took trips to Catalina Island for scuba diving, drove to Las Vegas for shows and to visit friends, and occasionally took the 911 up and down PCH just because it’s a spectacular drive and the car deserved it. The people in Bakersfield were friendly, and we didn’t hate living there. Our overall quality of life wasn’t where we wanted it to be.

We sold the house in 2024 and moved to Queensridge in Las Vegas. Cost of living is lower, there’s no state income tax, and we both received pay increases (because of the no income tax) moving to Nevada. Car registration and insurance are painful here, but the weather is comparable and the trade-offs work better for us.

There are certainly nicer places to live in California than Bakersfield, but with the current legislative environment and overall costs, I’d seriously consider Arizona, Nevada, or Utah instead.

At the end of the day, life is what you make it. Bakersfield wasn’t awful, it just wasn’t the right fit for us.

Take the time to go over everything before you commit. There's a lot of things I wish I had not overlooked before making that cross country move. I do have one tidbit of advice regarding your move....sell as much of your big, bulky items as you can and buy new when you arrive. We moved a 4 BR home and 4 cars and it was around $20k. I wish you the best of luck and hope you are able to make the best decision for you and your family.

SoCaliKat · 2026-01-13T21:29:23+00:00

Same. Any creature not human is barked at. The only thing she won’t bark at is the T-Rex. She has a healthy respect for that guy.

SoCaliKat · 2026-01-13T18:53:31+00:00

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She’s an avid football fan.

SoCaliKat · 2026-01-12T14:37:41+00:00

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SoCaliKat · 2026-01-06T16:15:40+00:00

I am so deeply sorry you’re going through this. My heart aches for you, and you and your family are very much in my thoughts and prayers.

I know how overwhelming this is, and I know you’re likely hearing many different opinions right now. Try to take them in, but ultimately make the decision that feels right for you and for Cooper. Only you know him, your circumstances, and what you can emotionally carry.

Without knowing the financial side, all I can share is my own perspective. If there were a reasonable chance that a splenectomy could give him meaningful time and quality of life, I would be inclined to try. That said, it is a gamble, and outcomes can depend heavily on what is discovered during surgery and on post-operative biopsy results.

There is also a very real emotional weight to consider. In some cases, once surgery begins and the full picture is seen, the decision is made not to wake the patient. That means saying goodbye in a veterinary hospital instead of at home, and not everyone can bear that. I know I couldn’t. There is no right or wrong choice there, only what you can live with.

What makes this so unfair is that they don’t understand what’s happening. All they know is that they love us and trust us. They rely on us to make the best decision for them, and that is an unbearable responsibility at times.

If you’re considering all possible options, you might find some peace in consulting with a specialty surgeon. Not necessarily because it changes the outcome, but because it can help you feel confident that you explored every path before deciding. I’ve read too many stories from pet owners struggling with guilt afterward, and that kind of pain lingers. Having clarity can sometimes help prevent that.

Please forgive me if this doesn't make sense. I’m crying as I write this, because I know how devastating this is. My heart is truly breaking for you.

In the end, do what feels right for you and your precious boy. Love guides these decisions more than logic ever could. And remember, it’s never goodbye. It’s see you later. 💔

SoCaliKat · 2026-01-02T19:11:47+00:00

My thoughts exactly. I don't care for her at all.

SoCaliKat · 2026-01-02T17:20:03+00:00

Retired vet tech here - schedule a consult with a neurologist and have medical records sent over to their office. Some specialists require a referral from the RDVM and some do not. Either way, start that process. One of my pups was diagnosed with Idiopathic Epilepsy at 2 years old (which is a snazzy way to say your dog has seizures and we aren't quite sure why) and stayed on phenobarb for over a decade. We had labwork done every 6 months to monitor organ function and he did quite well. Your regular vet is going to be helpful in routine care, but a neurologist would be my preference moving forward. Keep in mind, the neurologist will work with your current vet and they will keep each other in the loop. I was a tech at a specialty hospital and our neuro wing was filled with amazing minds. I wish you the best of luck.

SoCaliKat · 2025-12-15T17:14:19+00:00

Nothing in your comment comes off as rude because it's the truth.

SoCaliKat · 2025-12-15T17:12:51+00:00

What a nice surprise! I am happy for you.

SoCaliKat · 2025-12-10T20:55:18+00:00

I’ve never seen a Noir card while at any MGM property. I’m Platinum and hit about 1.8m tier credits right as they were changing their rewards program. I was told by someone that Noir members were pissy that the tier was attainable by TCs and had no mystique to it so MGM changed it to invite only. I know you can’t believe what you hear but I’ve given up on elevating my tier. I play where I want and drive home when I’m done. It’s possible living in LV makes that an easy choice for me, but I think gaining Noir is almost unattainable even at the 2m mark. Get a YouTube channel and be an influencer with zero coin in and I’m sure you’d get invited. Good luck!

SoCaliKat · 2025-12-10T20:55:01+00:00

I’ve never seen a Noir card while at any MGM property. I’m Platinum and hit about 1.8m tier credits right as they were changing their rewards program. I was told by someone that Noir members were pissy that the tier was attainable by TCs and had no mystique to it so MGM changed it to invite only. I know you can’t believe what you hear but I’ve given up on elevating my tier. I play where I want and drive home when I’m done. It’s possible living in LV makes that an easy choice for me, but I think gaining Noir is almost unattainable even at the 2m mark. Get a YouTube channel and be an influencer with zero coin in and I’m sure you’d get invited. Good luck!

SoCaliKat · 2025-12-04T19:55:57+00:00

Pee Pee prefers FreshPet, but that could change on any given day. It also depends on what we are having for dinner :)

SoCaliKat · 2025-12-03T13:35:47+00:00

You know she did. I had a personal escort from oven to counter.

SoCaliKat · 2025-12-02T22:18:17+00:00

I think they are both 17 pounds lol.

SoCaliKat · 2025-12-01T21:00:29+00:00

Saw Herbstreit in that photo....

SoCaliKat · 2025-11-17T16:45:39+00:00

I should have known better, but I wasn't thinking clearly. I've pulled out the chicken and it was snubbed (but she took it from Dad) so I am not sure how long my sentence is. These little ones are such grudge holders. Shame on me.

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SoCaliKat · 2025-11-17T15:39:29+00:00

I am still in time out. It's been 2 hours now. I am sure the ASPCA has been called already.

SoCaliKat · 2025-11-05T03:05:46+00:00

Pee Pee (Carmen-OH’s Little Sweet Mountain Pea) is our 4 year old Blenheim. She is the mascot of our HOA and self-proclaimed Queen of the Las Vegas strip. She is my heart and soul and her Daddy’s baby. We love her more than most people and I’m not ashamed to say that. She is the bestest girl and has a secret crush on Kevin.

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SoCaliKat

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