Six

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!