Frankie Weiss and Her Magic

The Examination

Not wishing to cause any hard feelings, I purposely omit the Doctor’s name from this writing. We arrived at the Hospital and were taken into the examination room. I positively told the doctor that I had fed some spicy chicken and sliced turkey to Frankie and it did not agree with her system and she could not keep any other food down, after partaking she’d disgorge it shortly after.

After examining Frankie, the doctor suggested taking some X-rays to see if an obstruction was present that would not permit her keeping food down in a normal manner. For this purpose, I had to leave her overnight, fine. The X-rays were negative, this doctor suggested again taking other X-rays, I had no choice; I wanted my Frankie healthy and happy. The estimate was $237 to the high end of $307. Again I had to leave her overnight. This was on a Wednesday. The next day I called, still negative, now the doctor suggested exploratory surgery. I refused and told her do nothing. (They may have tried to give her some shots in the meantime. The final bill reflected no oral medicine.)

My mind was racing in a whirlwind; looking for possible answers or help I went to the Internet. I found a 38-page treatise on Cat Vomiting. Printing it out, I read it twice. I called Marlton, telling them I wanted to take Frankie home for the weekend; they tried to dissuade me. No! If Frankie was going to suffer that entire weekend, I wanted her in my arms where she at least would get all the love due her. Friday morning arriving at Marlton, the bill had risen to $401 and change. Frankie’s entire facial expression changed when I entered the cage room to take her home. Her tale was wagging furiously, a sign of happiness and I’m sure, to see the face she loved. I do not know to this day if she ate anything before my arrival. I do know a few hours later Frankie went to her food bowl, ate, and she was fine ever since. The point I wish to make, please be sure the doctor examining your pet has heard the words you expressed in giving her the food that caused the upset. It’s entirely possible they may just go on their past experiences in such matters (if they had any) and your food explanation fell upon dead ears and went for naught.     

Sometimes a second opinion though costly, could be a valuable tool. We learn from our human values a second opinion could be extremely important. And save you much money, worry, and possibly a beloved life. The pet you regard as a family member deserves no less. Neither does your troubled mind. Please keep this chapter of Frankie’s experience with spicy food tucked away in your memory banks.