Prolonged Suffering Caused by Refusal of Humane End-of-Life Care
My experience with Banfield Pet Hospital was deeply distressing and resulted in unnecessary suffering for my cat.
My cat had a documented history of chronic gastrointestinal disease, pica, and repeated linear foreign body ingestion, including a prior emergency abdominal surgery. During this visit, Banfield confirmed she once again had a linear foreign body in her intestines, elevated white blood cell count, and active inflammation. This was not a simple or first-time issue; it was a recurring, chronic medical condition.
The veterinarian informed me that my cat would need another emergency surgery, followed by lifelong medications, with no assurance that this behavior or condition would stop.
Given her tiny size, weight loss, her prior surgery, her ongoing illness, and her declining quality of life, I expressed my for humane euthanasia to prevent further suffering.
Instead of respecting this medically reasonable decision, the Banfield vet emotionally pressured me to continue treatment I could not afford and did not feel was in my cat’s best interest. I was made to feel guilty for wanting to prevent her pain, despite the veterinarian acknowledging her chronic disease and need for repeated surgeries.
Banfield sent my cat home without any pain medication, anti-nausea medication, anti-inflammatory medication, or palliative care, despite knowing she had an active intestinal foreign body and significant inflammation. I was given a short handwritten list of rescues, none of whom were accepting animals, particularly during a holiday week. No meaningful effort was made to coordinate care, contact these organizations, or ensure my cat’s comfort or safety.
As a result, my cat continued to deteriorate at home for several days while I desperately tried to find help. She experienced prolonged suffering that could have been prevented if Banfield had either honored my end-of-life decision or provided appropriate comfort care when discharging her.
This was was about quality of life, medical reality, and mercy. The emotional manipulation, refusal to provide humane end-of-life care, and abandonment of a suffering patient was devastating.
I would strongly caution others to consider alternative veterinary care, especially when facing complex medical conditions or end-of-life decisions.