Posted on 06/28/2006 9:00:54 PM PDT by Huntress
Dear FReeper animal lovers:
I have a dilemma regarding my cat and could use some advice. I have had Norman the cat for six years and he is a very beloved pet and companion. He got sick this morning, and my vet says he must have surgery or he will die. Here is the problem: the vet quoted me a price of $1800 (yes, $1800) for Norman's treatment; this includes what he has already done in an attempt to cure the cat without surgery, the surgery itself, and care after the surgery. $1800 is a tremendous amount of money but still within the bounds of what I can afford (barely). If I pay for the surgery, it is going to hurt financially. If I have the vet put Norman down, I think I will feel guilty about it forever.
My parents and many of my friends think I'm out of my mind for even considering spending this much money on a cat. What would you do if you were me?
Well I keep cans of the special AD around for my girl who nearly died. But its a treat, not her main diet. My other cats smell it and try to bury it! LOL.
I spent well over a thousand dollars trying to save my bird dog Josephine. I don't regret the lost money at all.
Hello fellow diabetic owner! I have been with the FDMB since Dec. Couldn't agree with you more about dry food. Dry Food companies should be sued for the problems they cause cats (wishful thinking).
Please listen to RSteyn. All Dry is bad.
God Bless you, God Bless your cat. If the cat passes away, it will be out of it's pain, and you'll see it when you pass. Geez, what $1800 could do for a few kids that might need some food, clothing etc. I guess I'm a complete nutcase because to me it looks like the world is upside down!!! And no, I'm not an animal hater, I had my beloved Georgie 8 years, a beautiful cat, but I'd never spend that kind of money on an animal. Save it and give some kids a surprise visit with food and clothes or whatever! Your cat will be smiling down on you.
>Hello fellow diabetic owner! I have been with the FDMB since Dec. Couldn't agree with you more about dry food. Dry Food companies should be sued for the problems they cause cats (wishful thinking).<
It's obscene.
I tell anyone who really seems to care enough about their cat to learn something new about the FD site and the newer feline nutrition information. I even give them canned Fancy Fest chicken (non-gravy!) cans with bows stuck on top as a present for their cats HINT HINT HINT.
I've fed Iams, Eukanuba, and prescription dry food. I would not feed any of them to my cats now if I could get them FREE.
You didn't say what the problem was. If it's a GI obstruction, there are numerous things that can be tried that can be successful. It depends on the condition of Norman. If kidney function is severely compromised already, you may not have time to try anything else. if the obstruction has not caused any major problems yet, then you should try some alternatives to see if they work. If it is an obstruction, I would suggest getting him on antibiotics (something easy on kidney & liver function) now even if the blood tests do not show signs of an infection yet.
FF with a bow! Great idea! I tell people in the grocery store sometimes when they see me picking through the FF. LOL
>>but I love living debt free even more.<
"Back in the late 1940s before I existed my father and his mother discussed whether or not to pay for the surgery to treat my (future) mother's breast cancer, or to just let the condition be... "
That's just ridiculous and you know it. Get a grip.<
I didn't make it up. It's true. My father was extremely old-fashioned--he didn't want me reading, driving a car, or going to college because he didn't believe women should do these things. Really.
I have quite a grip. I read a lot, I did go to college, and I've logged many, many more miles driving (quite safely; I have the insurance rates to prove it) than my father ever approached.
Norman has a urinary tract obstruction. The vet has tried twice to dislodge it without surgery and is going to try one more time in the morning before doing surgery to remove the obstruction and widen the urethra. Poor kitty.
>I tell people in the grocery store sometimes when they see me picking through the FF.<
I've referred complete strangers to the FD site.
Americans are trained to be brand-loyal, and in cat foods that doesn't work--you have to read the labels, and put that cat food composition table to work. I carry a copy of it in my car so I can take it into stores to check out the composition of unfamiliar brands.
[I really do not like canned cat food. Ugh. But I cannot handle the alternative at all.]
It's like blank optical media--brand names don't mean much there, either--you have to track back to find how who manufactured the disks and where. One brand may cycle through 4 manufacturers and you would never know from the labels.
I wish I had identified Norman's problem and talked to you a couple of weeks ago. I think it's too late to avoid surgery now. Norman is so badly blocked that he can't urinate at all. After two attempts to unblock him, the vet thinks a third is a long shot but is going to try again before doing surgery.
BTW, what kind of kitty is in your picture? It's beautiful.
Neat chair. Even keweler cat.
If Norman is not able to urinate because of the blockage, you may have to bring him to the vets to have the urine taken out during treatment. But the vitamin C works pretty fast, usually in about 2 days you will see significant improvement, sometimes sooner.
If Norman is not eating, there is injectible vitamin C available but it is for IV use so you will have to have it given at the vets unless you have experience doing so.
That is the most beautiful cat I've ever seen! And, I'm glad you are here to give good, knowledgeable advice - because all I can do is suggest to spend the $ on kids that need it (I don't mean in the bleeding heart, ego massaging, publicity seeking Brangelina way! We all have relatives, friends, neighbors, etc. that may have needs in real life, and I just place children above pets). But, we each have to respond to what touches our heart the most. Thanks for your posts and info!
Well, maybe I can help out. The reason cats don't appear in the Chinese Zodiac (seen on restaurant placemats) is that they're not edible (ducking).
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