Open letter to the guy who told me I was "letting his cat die over $40"

Dear Guy who told me I was "letting his cat die over $40"

We had a really crappy conversation in the lobby because you did not believe the receptionist that I would not dispense antibiotics for a cat that I have never examined. You were a nice, clean cut looking guy, dressed in your work uniform like you were on you way home or to a late lunch. Our conversation went something like this.

Guy: I need some antibiotics for my cat.

Me: I'm sorry, but I cannot dispense antibiotics for a cat that I have not seen.

Guy: I used to work for a veterinarian. I know what I'm talking about. She just needs antibiotics because she has an upper respiratory infection.

Me: I'm sorry, but it is state law that I cannot send a prescription medication for a pet that I have not examined.

Guy: The vet I used to work for did it all the time. She gave antibiotics to anyone who needed them.

Me: It's illegal to send prescription medications for pets that have not been seen in the past year.

Guy pulls out his phone: Here's a picture of her, now you've seen her.

Me: That's not the way it works.

Guy: I don't have $40 for an exam. I just need the antibiotics.

Me: Is there anyone you can borrow $40 from for the exam?

Guy: So you're going to let my cat die over $40?

Me: You can also contact the local humane society. They sometimes have funds available to help in situations like this.

Guy: I can't believe you're letting my cat die over $40!

He stomped out and attempted to slam the lobby door behind him.

I have several problems with out conversation that I did not feel comfortable discussing with you in your agitated state.

1) I'm not letting your cat die, you are.

2) If you really "know what you're talking about" then you should know that otherwise healthy, adult cats do not die from upper respiratory infections anymore than healthy adult people die from the common cold and 2b) Just like the common cold, most upper respiratory infections in cats are viral. So the antibiotics you want so bad might do a whole lot of nothing to help your cat. - But I can't determine any of this WITHOUT AN EXAM!

3) I don't give a damn what the vet you worked for did. If she was so free with prescription drugs, call her.  I happen to like having a license to practice veterinary medicine and I'm not going to risk it over something stupid, like a $20 antibiotic.

4) I have a hard time believing that you *can't* come up with $40 for an exam. You were dressed in a work uniform - so you have an income. You drove a car to the clinic (we watched you drive away in it) - so you have enough disposable income to put gas in it. I'm pretty sure that was a smart phone that  you flashed your cat's picture on - so you have enough disposable income to cover a cell phone bill.

5) You don't *want* to come up for $40 for an exam because you would rather come into my clinic and use emotional blackmail to get things for FREE. Paying for an exam and actually getting veterinary care for your cat might mean that you would (gasp!) have to go without internet on your phone for a month.

Thank you for your time. Now go take care of your cat.