Spca

Beware - Epidemic of Feline URI & Incompetence of Staff. I adopted a cat (5yr old declawed stray) from EC SPCA on 12/9/11. As soon as I brought him home he had severe diarrhea. I took him to my Vet 0n 12/12/11 - She advised me to take him back, not only pertaining to diarrhea, he also had other concerning medical issues. (2/6 heart murmur - pale gums - lumps on kidney - dehydrated - possible URI) - I took him back the same day, and they told me they would check him out. (Blood work, urine test, etc) and let me know the results. I got a call the next day that his tests were ok so far. They had him on fluids, antibiotics, and special diet for diarrhea. A few days later they called and said he was doing good, he had normal poop, and I could pick him up on 12/17.

Brought him home, still on med, and special food. (He still has peristant diarrhea.) Had an appointment for recheck on 12/21 (I Told them he still had the diarrhea) -

This time they determined he must have a food allergy, and gave me different food, fiber and med.

*INTERESTING NOTE - Now his age was determined to be 10 yrs old.

The new food & med did absolutely nothing. The poor cat had chronic diarrhea.

I took him back again on 12/27, and left him there, again. Told them I would take him back when he was cured. Several days later when I called to find out how he was doing, I was told one of the Vets felt a mass in his abdomen and was going to do exploritory surgery.

I got a call on 1/5/12, that nothing was found, he did not have diarrhea for 3 days and I could pick him up on 1/7/12. (They gave him to me in a totally filthy carrier, that I did not bring into my home until I sanitized it and scrubbed with a brush - The front grate was caked with poop OR vomit OR BOTH)

Brought him home, again, still had persistant diarrhea, but this time he also was sneezing & running nose.

Called and left message on 1/9/12 - Got call back on 1/10/12 to bring him back at scheduled recheck on 1/11/12.

By this time I was very frustrated, tired, and overwhelmed, by their incompetence. I left him there again, and said to call me when he's cured.

**** I have 2 other cats that I have hada for many years, and are a big part of my life.

3 days later, (1/14/12) one of my cats (10yrs old), was sneezing & running nose. They next day he would not, could not eat, and was severelyly ill. Did whatever I could do for him until Monday, I took him to my Vet. (Also on Monday my there 13 yr old diabetic cat was sneezing)

My 10 yr old was in isolation at Vet for 3 days & nights on IV fluids, antibiotics, anti viral med.

I got med for my 13 yr old right away and fortunely he did not get as sick. They have both been on me for 3 weeks, and the 10 yr old is still sneezing, because the infection was so severe. He is still on antibiotics for another 2 weeks.

This has been a very stressful horrible, costly experience. (Over $1.000) - I am a senior citizen on a fixed income.

This happened because I wanted to take in a poor helpless cat, and give him a forever home.

It is the fault of the ERIE COUNTY SPCA, they did not take the proper time and care to make sure this cat was a healthy animal before they put him up for adoption.

I must assume that there are many like this, because I accidently met 2 other people that recently adopted from this SPCA, and those cats had the URI, also.

I am proposing that there be an investigation into this facility, for unsanitay conditions and incompetence of medical staff.

If there are others out there that have had similar experiences, you I urge you to also voice your situation.…