Do not trust vets blindly!

Last week I experienced one of the most heart-breaking moments in my whole life. This feeling has been coupled with anger at a person's cold-blooded action. A vet told me that my kitten died "of lack of oxygen". Let me tell you my story.

I had decided to adopt a kitten. Being aware that Manoel Island - home to many stray cats - will soon be undergoing major development, I thought it was a good idea to pick one from there.

It took me days and endless patience to potty-train my new housemate, which I named Joi. To add insult to injury, Joi initially also tried to attack me when I went too close. It took the poor fellow lots of backbone to start trusting me.

Initially Joi was understandably terrified of humans as it was born in a family made up exclusively of cats. Eventually, however, we managed to gain each other's confidence. Joi began to purr even at the sound of my voice being addressed to it. The loving feeling that this creature gave as it looked up at you with such intensity just brought tears to your eyes and made you fall in love with it.

Unfortunately, Joi developed what seemed to be an eye infection, so my boyfriend and I instantly thought of visiting a vet. According to the vet there was nothing serious, but just a slight cat flu. He prescribed an ointment and then told us that the kitten would be given an injection to cure the flu.

Seconds after being given the injection, Joi was pulling out his tongue, making strange facial movements and panicking like never before; however the vet said it was a normal reaction to the treatment. Five minutes later, our feline friend collapsed and lost consciousness. We rushed back into the clinic to get some help. The vet coolly checked the helpless corpse and confirmed that Joi was dead. He told me that my kitten died "of lack of oxygen".

I am no expert, however it was obvious that though the kitten might have died due to an oxygen problem, the condition was provoked by the injection. The vet stated it was a penicillin injection. If it really was penicillin, shouldn't he have checked if the poor creature was allergic to the antibiotic or at least told me that it was risky? On the other hand, could the vet have given the cat an overdose and thus unwittingly killed it?

I was brought up thinking that vets were lovely people who loved animals so much that they decided to dedicate their life to caring for and saving animal's lives. Going through such a shocking ordeal has prompted me to write this letter. Animals cannot explain pain, verify symptoms or react to diagnosis and medication.

I appeal to all animal lovers not to trust vets blindly as my boyfriend and I have done to our great regret. Lastly, I address all vets. Your patients cannot talk and speak up for themselves, but pet carers can! We shall be 'watching' you - very closely.