Veterinary House Calls

Jennifer Schemke

I found Dr. Theisen's phone manner to be very brusk but overlooked it because her website resume sounded so good and her fees were so affordable; I was upfront about my location and she agreed to travel to my home providing I was willing to pay extra to which I readily agreed. When I started to explain my cats condition she cut me off and said she didn't need to know the details and confirmed the appointment was for euthanasia of my cat. When she arrived, her manner was almost resentful, like she really did not want to be there. She was mostly concerned about whether we had covid and when I began to say I wanted to sit with my cat without a facemask while she was falling asleep (most vets will step out to allow owners this time with their pet) she cut me off and got almost confrontational and threatened to leave immediately if I refused to wear a mask (which isnt what I had attempted to communicate) and she wanted the windows opened. Honestly I almost asked her to leave right then but instead took a deep breath and continued. Dr. Theisen then wanted payment upfront and asked for cash or check only--this was not discussed on the phone but luckily another family member had a check book (I'm all electronic!). The worst was yet to come...when I started to tell her about my cats recent history with current medications--in particular the heavy dose of steroids in case it made a difference to type/quantity of drugs she would be using to sedate my cat but she again cut me off saying she didn't need to know. Dr. Theisen gave my cat a sedative and left the house to sit outside so I could sit with my cat without a mask. My cat lost her balance after a few minutes but after 15-minutes her ears were still perked and reacting to all sounds and was still trying to get off the bed (although slowly). Dr. Theisen evaluated and said she was "out of it enough" to move on. Although instinctively I disagreed and felt she should have been further sedated I said nothing (I will have to live with that regret for the rest of my life) and Dr. Theisen proceeded to blow out the vein in the first leg while I had to hold my growling crying cat down, then she couldn't get the needle in the vein on the second leg, so finally jabbed my cat in the rear thigh and said it would take longer but it should work. After about 10 minutes my little cat did finally lose consciousness to whatever extent but she was still breathing quite normally. After about 20 minutes total Dr. Theisen evaluated again and said she could give her another dose or leave and let [nature take its course]. I asked for another dose as I didn't want my poor little cats body still alive hours later (honestly, why was this an option??). Her cold and distant manner was very off putting. Throughout this experience Dr. Theisen kept saying my cat didn't feel anything and that the experience was worse for me like that was supposed to make me feel better or assuage her guilt in knowing she missed the mark on what should have been a gentle passing. My growling crying struggling cat might disagree with you Dr. Theisen, as do I! In summary this was the worst, most stressful euthinization experience I've ever had and I would not recommend this vet to anyone. I'm still crying over my sweet little cat's last hour and a half on this earth. I'm so, so sorry Tiny Cat!

Oct 7, 2020