Between 18th November 2023 and 23rd February 2024, I took my beloved cat, Oscar, to Rutland House…read more22 times. That's right. Twenty two separate times - desperate for help.
He was suffering from hypersalivation, constipation, severe lethargy, and his mouth smelled unmistakably of rotting flesh.
Each visit, I was told it was a 'gastro issue' though no one could ever tell me exactly what kind.
He was repeatedly given anti-sickness medication, antacids, and several enemas but nothing improved.
Despite my constant concern, I was made to feel like an over-anxious owner.
I was literally told by one vet that I was 'stressing him out by bringing him into the vets repeatedly and un necessarily' and even advised not to return for 3-4 weeks, despite clear signs he was deteriorating.
I begged them to check his teeth, but I was told every time that they were fine.
Only after I booked a routine scale and polish suggested by a sympathetic receptionist who could see how desperate I was did anyone finally look properly.
During that procedure, five teeth were removed along with what they described as a root abscess.
The wound, however, would not heal afterwards.
They booked him in to have the wound re-stitched, but before the operation could take place, a visiting vet called Erica intervened (thank god).
She phoned me personally and said she had stopped the procedure because, in her professional opinion, there was clearly something far more serious going on than a simple dental abscess.
Following her advice, I took Oscar to a different, specialist veterinary centre, as by that point I had completely lost trust in Rutland House to continue his care.
It was there, after proper investigation, that Oscar was finally diagnosed with an extremely aggressive squamous cell carcinoma - a cancer that had been missed for months.
By that stage, he had already endured two general anaesthetics, three sets of blood tests, an ultrasound, endless misdiagnoses, and over £5,700 in costs.
He had also suffered months of unnecessary pain that could have been eased far sooner if anyone had truly listened.
Unfortunately, Oscar had gotten to such a bad state, I had to put my beautiful boy to sleep, and it destroyed me.
To be told that I was making my cat ill from stress after everything I had done to get him help was devastating.
Oscar was my world. Gentle, intelligent, and trusting. He deserved care, not dismissal.
Appointments were often delayed or missing entirely.
Once, I arrived with a written appointment card only to be told my appointment hadn't been put on the system, and we then had to see a nurse instead of a vet.
It has taken me nearly two years to write this because of how traumatic it was to lose him this way.
But after today, I couldnt stay silent any longer.
I called Rutland House today desperate for help for my other cat, who recently had a leg amputated and was in visible distress.
I was told they wouldn't see him because he is registered with another vet.
Even after I explained and asked for any advice at all to help him, they refused to help and simply deflected responsibility.
This pattern shows a disturbing trend: profit and procedure appear to take priority over the welfare of the animals.
There seems to be little willingness or interest in actually helping pets in genuine distress, and empathy is notably absent.
For a practice that calls itself a hospital, their lack of accountability, compassion, and duty of care is shocking.
I expected at the very least a formal apology for the neglect Oscar endured. Because it was NEGLECT.
Instead, I have been met with silence and now, further indifference when another animal needed urgent help.
High prices do not equate to quality care here.
Please, think very carefully before trusting this practice with your pets life.
