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Originally Posted by pilot  I've recently noticed something with my vet that seems suspiciously like a scam.
It all started when I took one of my cats to the vet back in January. They were pushing to have all these additional tests done for "senior" cats. The problem is not only that these tests are very expensive, not only are they extremely intrusive to your cat (you have to leave the cat alone at the vet's office, where presumably they are poked and prodded for hours), but they also define as "senior", any cat that is six years or older.
But that's not all.
A few months later I took another cat to the same vet. The vet flagged him as being "overweight". Now, I know kitty could probably stand to lose a few pounds (can't we all!), but he is not grossly overweight. He's a little chunky. But not only have I been pressured to put him on a diet, but they keep wanting me to bring him in for "follow-up" appointments. Of course, these additional appointments cost money.
I want to do my best for the cats, but is all this really necessary? Or is this just the latest scam to "guilt-trip" pet owners into spending more money?
Also, how serious a problem is it if your cat is slightly overweight? What is the reduction in life expectancy? A few months? A few years? Kitties' lives are so much shorter than ours are, anyway. |
This is no different than taking your car to any service facility; ie Jiffy Lube. They tell you that you need this and that, but in reality all you really need is an oil change, which is why we primarily bring our cars there. Its just plain buisness.
Maybe the vet is planning the annual trip to Cancun? Maybe one of their kids got married, and needs an extra 100K for wedding expenses? It might also be the family Beamer is two years old and getting ready to get traded in? Who knows?
I am sure Fuffy will be fine if you just watch her diet.