Teppy, I am going to bookmark that stretch for later.

I have started my day with an anxiety attack. This was not part of my plan for today. IbetterN, TCG is taking tomorrow off, so we're going to finally try to see The Avengers tomorrow!

Called the vet, explained the sitution. They told me I needed to bring him in right away. Told them that wasn't possible, could I please drop him off tomorrow for an appointment.

I was told this is an emergency and 1)I shouldn't wait until tomorrow and 2) even if they thought it could wait they would not let me just drop him off to be seen. I would have to be there. Or I could have somenoe bring him in and be there during the appointment.

So I called ER vet, they said - yes bring him after hours (visit cost $100), he may have to have surgery, depending. So that's what I'll do. Explained to the receptionist at the ER vet the situation, asked it if was typical. She acted like she never heard of a person not being able to be at the appt with their pet and that requring an owner to be there seems to be standard.

So, I'm scared Dean is going to die, that it will be my fault, and also feel like everyone is saying I'm being unreasonable for not being able to drop everything and physically be at the appointment.

So, I'm scared Dean is going to die, that it will be my fault, and also feel like everyone is saying I'm being unreasonable for not being able to drop everything and physically be at the appointment.

It is some other universe than mine where people have only one responsibility at a time. Work, pets, kids, family, self. If we only had one obligation at a time it would be dandy but it doesn't work that way. Please don't beat yourself up, askye. You are doing the best you can with limited resources. Only so many hours in the day or money in the bank, or energy for that matter.

askye,

all we can do is the best we can. seriously. you are doing that. don't beat yourself up. You aren't neglectful.

askye, what they said. I don't think you're being unreasonable at all. You're doing your best.

So, I'm scared Dean is going to die, that it will be my fault, and also feel like everyone is saying I'm being unreasonable for not being able to drop everything and physically be at the appointment.

Dean is not going to die. It is painful - but liveable - and you know what to watch for if it becomes a true emergency. That operation? That the ER vet clinic mentions it is the Rule of the Tool. They've got a hammer, and suddenly everything is coming up nails. While it is a possibility, the greater possibility is that he will be just fine with medication. Considering how many times I have had to leave Harvey at the vet's so they could collect a urine sample from him... Is there any way you could get permission to be late for work then get an appointment at the butt-crack of dawn (or the very beginning of office hours) - so that you can be with Dean for the initial consultation then if he needs to stay for sample collection purposes, board him there for the day? I'm sure you have already tried that, I'm just grasping at straws for suggestions to help.

askye, what Laura said. You do what you can.

And what WindSparrow said -- though I'd add the ass-end of the day as an option along with the butt-crack of dawn.

I may call the ER vet and see if I could just do that first thing in the morning. My current vet is not going to be my current vet anymore. I don't want to deal with them again. I like the vet but every time there seems to be some issue with front desk staff.

Ugh askye, I don't know why the vet is being so defensive. I've dropped off my cats for the vet numerous times, in fact it's usually been standard that the drop off is done w/o consult, and the consultation came at the end of the day when I came to pick my cat up, after tests had been run.

I would look for a new vet near your workplace. Most of us do have to work for a living!