Advice about my cat - The Water Bucket

Six · 10-09-2009, 02:34 PM

I adopted my cat, The Bub, from a local shelter. He's awesome. I call him my satellite- he follows me all over the house and is never too far away.
A few weeks ago he was feeling sick and not eating. He was drinking and using the litter box, so I thought he just ate something or felt bad. 4 days later he was obviously really sick so I took him to the vet. Turns out he had a bad UTI and his kidneys started to shut down. I was horrified. $1500 later and a weeks stay at the vet he is back home. 5 different pills once or twice a day, 2 liquid supplements and 300mL injections (daily) of fluid and we're playing vets at home. Today was his check up. $200 and 40 minutes later I am absolutely at a loss. In 2 weeks I have to pay that much again for a check up- just to keep my cat alive. I am taking 20 credit hours of class this quarter, cannot work a lot because of it, and recently broke my collarbone. I am soo screwed with money right now. I can't afford to go back to this vet.

Should I try to change vets mid way through the treatments?
What if I can't pay for his treatments at all? Is there a place that will take him and try to help him? I feel bad, I know a cat is a responsibility but I have to apply to grad schools this month, take the GRE, and do so on very limited money. My parents wont help me and all I can do is use credit. I don't want to give him up and I certainly don't want to euthanize him because I can't afford the treatments. This is breaking my heart. Anyone have any advice?

The vet I've been going to charged me $98 for bloodwork, $35 for the visit, $22 for the blood pressure check, and $16 PER BAG OF SALINE FLUID. Then she suggested acupuncture!

WhiteDevil · 10-09-2009, 03:14 PM

accupuncture for a kidney/UTI?

I think you are getting hosed. You can change vets, most the time its for the better.

Petco has low cost vaccines, see if they can refer you to a low cost vet, some vets will do the work pro-bono you just have to find the right one.

Tex Gal · 10-09-2009, 03:14 PM

I would call around. There can be quite a difference in vet prices. You might also try neighboring smaller towns. I wouldn't worry about changing vets as they can always call and talk to the other vet. I would also ask some serious questions

1. What is his prognosis? Can he get well?
2. How long will healing take and what continued care will he need?
3. What is the projected cost?
4. Will there be any lasting illness and costs associated with these?

Once you know the answers to these questions then you can decide what to do. I would not mortage my future or risk my education for a pet.

There may be some cat rescue organizations that may be able to help you with costs. I wish you a good outcome.

niko · 10-09-2009, 04:38 PM

Just joking but... Have you thought of studying to become a veterinarian?

Hope the cat gets better!

--Nikolay

Travis.808 · 10-09-2009, 05:07 PM

A vet tried to extort us in a similar fashion DEF get a second opinion. The prey on your love for your helpless pets. Good luck with your situation and I hope the cat gets better.

Six · 10-10-2009, 01:47 PM

Looking into another vet.Thank you for all the kind replies. The situation just plain sucks.

Nevermore · 10-10-2009, 03:12 PM

A site that I discovered recently is http://www.catforum.com. They seem to have a lot of knowledgeable people posting on there. However, I have been trying to register on there so I can post and I never received a confirmatory e-mail to allow me to post. I have e-mailed the administrator and never hear back. Maybe you'd have better luck. You can at least read the posts and do searches which might answer help.

I'm curious, how old is the cat?

JPKeenan · 10-17-2009, 08:57 AM

As funny as it sounds there are places that sell pet insurance. Some of them reputable, actually check your car insurance place (I know Geigco and Progressive offer renters' insurance and I think that pet insurance).

What have you been feeding the cat? Seems like a no brainer but feeding lot of dry food you need to set out more water for the kitty. Supplement with canned food every other day or so. Look around the web and look for the link between cat food and UTIs. I forget if it is the ash content or other stuff in the food that can spawn the UTI.

You can also get the meds a bit cheaper from a place like petmeds.com and Docs Foster & Smith.

Nevermore · 10-20-2009, 09:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JPKeenan

As funny as it sounds there are places that sell pet insurance. Some of them reputable, actually check your car insurance place (I know Geigco and Progressive offer renters' insurance and I think that pet insurance).

What have you been feeding the cat? Seems like a no brainer but feeding lot of dry food you need to set out more water for the kitty. Supplement with canned food every other day or so. Look around the web and look for the link between cat food and UTIs. I forget if it is the ash content or other stuff in the food that can spawn the UTI.

You can also get the meds a bit cheaper from a place like petmeds.com and Docs Foster & Smith.

Re: dry food I've been reading a lot about this and apparently cats should not be given dry food. They don't get enough water. Cats are designed to get their fluid primarily from the prey they catch as they are notoriously poor drinkers. Canned food (or raw) will supply this. Dry food also has too many carbohydrates. Even the grain-free ones.

An even better group to check out is the yahoo cat FLUTD group. My cat has had 2 bladder stones and I'm learning a lot there.

I hope your cat is doing much better.

Tex Gal · 10-21-2009, 07:24 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nevermore

Re: dry food I've been reading a lot about this and apparently cats should not be given dry food. They don't get enough water. Cats are designed to get their fluid primarily from the prey they catch as they are notoriously poor drinkers. Canned food (or raw) will supply this. Dry food also has too many carbohydrates. Even the grain-free ones.

An even better group to check out is the yahoo cat FLUTD group. My cat has had 2 bladder stones and I'm learning a lot there.

I hope your cat is doing much better.

I wonder about your statement. I have fed my cats dry food for years. One lived to be 17. The other died of cancer at 12. They never had stones or kidney infections or anything. I've never given them wet food. I do make sure it's very high quality dry food, (actually it's been Science Diet brand).