At the end of December, my cat Oliver became sick and was diagnosed with a gallstone that was partially obstructing his bile duct. After this diagnosis, he was put on a medication to dissolve the stone and antibiotics.

It has been 1 month since this issue first started and Oliver has been off the antibiotics for 2 weeks, but he is still doing great. Yesterday, we had a follow-up ultrasound and the vet who performed the ultrasound said the stone has shrunk greatly which is a good sign. She said she would pass this information and a full report to my primary vet.

I was suprised to recieve a phone call from my primary vet today saying that despite the improvements they want to put him back on antibiotics and have him go on perscription diet. I was confused about their reasoning for this so I asked for a copy of the ultrasound report. Based on the findings in the report, I don't see the need for antibiotics or a perscription diet. The vet who performed the ultrasound even said it is unclear whether or not these things would help.

I have asked multiple times if food caused his gallstones the answer has always been no so why should I start using an expensive perscription diet? Additionally, why should he go back on antibiotics when he is doing ok without them?

Of course, if Oliver worsened I would happily put him on antibiotics and try a perscription diet, but I have already spent close to $2,500 and given how well he is doing I don't want to spend hundreds of dollars on something that may or may not help. I feel like my vet was trying to up-charge me and perscribe things that aren't necessary or even beneficial. I am planning on continuing the medication we were pescribed that breaks up the stone, but this experience has left a sour taste in my mouth.

Am I rational in my thinking he doesn't need antibioitics or a perscription diet? Is it a valid reason to switch vets?

So if it were me in your situation, what I would do is do your own research. Find out what causes the galstones, which I believe it can be caused by food because of mineral build up. I have a cat that is very prone to UTIs so instead of getting an expensive perscription diet, I did research and found that magnesium is one thing that can cause them. So I kept with the same brand food, but I found one that was a different flavor which had little to no magnesium. He has been fine every since. Long story short, if you find there is an ingredient that can increase the chances of getting them, maybe try to find a food without that in it.

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As for the antibiotics, if he doesn't need them then I wouldn't put him on them. Everyone knows how bad it is to overuse antibiotics when not needed. It could end up causing stomach issues or other things due to killing the good bacteria also. So I would keep him off of them and if he ends up needing them again because the galstones come back, then I would use them again and keep him on them for preventative.

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Sorry for the long reply but I hope this helps! If you need any help with any research on these things pm me and I will be happy to help. I love researching stuff like this! <3

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Edit:

You can always go to another vet for a second opinion also. It never hurts!

I second getting another opinion from another vet if you can.

It wouldn't hurt and in the long run cost you less than his life/health, or spending an unnecessary extra hundreds of dollars.

I would definitely take him for a second opinion. I had a dog, we spent $800+ on to remove her spleen because it had ruptured. 3 months later I had her euthanized for lung cancer. That vet should have never operated on her :(

That being said, the only reason I can see the vet wanting to continue antibiotics is because there is a gallbladder infection or bile duct infection.

Trust your instincts, all the best my friend ♡