Vanity: I have a dilemma regarding my cat

self | 6/28/06 | Huntress

[pbmaltzman]

He is a dear, and drools messily when especially content.

Ah, one of the happy drooler brigade! The fellow I put to sleep a few years back would drool on me when I would either pet him or brush him. Messy but sweet. ;)

[Fawn]

I would definetly spend the money...the guilt is going to stay with you your whole life. I have experienced it both ways ...believe me.

[Fawn]

I guess I was late. I'm so glad you had the surgery....you will never feel guilty about it now. Please be careful about his food. My one cat is on special prescrip food too.....she's worth the extra dollars.

[Huntress]

The thread about the lady who spent $15,000 on surgery for her cat reminded me of this thread. It's been two years, and Norman's doing great. I've long since paid off his vet bill, and I've never regretted spending the money. It was worth it.

Slings, would you mind pinging the Kitty List?

Here's a recent picture:

[Slings and Arrows]

Transexual cat follow-up ping! See post #224!

[BunnySlippers]

[mysterio]

Glad that your kitty is doing well.

[Slings and Arrows]

P.S. Congratulations on your feline overlord’s recovery!

[Fawn]

I wouldn’t hesitate to spend the money. The guilt would kill me forever...believe me...

[Fawn]

Find a needy family give them $100 or more.. (as a gift)..

HUH? LOL

[9YearLurker]

Looks like a loving and appreciative guy—congrats!

[Fawn]

No one should let their emotions get them into debt over a pet.

HA! Easy to say......living with it is another thing if you have a conscience. Life isn't all about money.....

[Daffynition]

Hooray!

[RepoGirl]

Hey Huntress,

As an animal lover who has spent at least 8K on my rottie (a good chunk of this money was for an osteo surgery when she was a pup) I would say spend the money.

However, finances are not an issue for me.

Norman is six years old. That's pretty young and spry for a cat. If there's anyway you can swing it, I'd say go ahead and spend the $1800. It would be worth it.

However, you're the best judge of your finances. If you really can't swing it -- euthenasia may be the best option. Although -- can you maybe look into any pet rescues that may help you with this?

Please keep us posted on the situation, and freepmail if you need to talk this over more. take care.

[mupcat]

Oh good heavens I was JUST getting ready to write a "by all means save Norman" type of message! Now I've actually looked at when this was first written, that along with that wonderful picture of him.....well, I'm so happy he's as well as he appears! Congratulations, and thanks so much for this "good news" update.

[pabianice]

Speaking as someone who owns a $10,000 cat, my answer would be obvious.

[PA Engineer]

My two cents. We have a cat that became acutely ill after a return from one of our vacations. The cat was a 10 year old grey tabby and one of three cats we had at the time. We took him to a well known 24hour animal hospital where he crashed upon arrival. The entire thing took us by surprise and of all the cats we ever had this one was special in every way.

The emergency vet took the cat back and began emergency support treatment and we had an initial diagnosis within the hour of feline ARDs. We did not know at the time what the prognosis usually was. Had we known we may have opted for putting him to sleep.

The emergency treatment included and oxygen cage, diagnostic tests and further support treatment. The costs were very high and we decided to go day by day. During the second day the attending vet suggested that we put our pet down, however we felt we would give one more day of supportive care.

When I arrived on the third day I went back to visit and handle the cat through the cage with gloves as we had previously, but found the cage empty. I almost fell over before one of the techs pointed to an adjacent room with open cages where our cat was. The fluid build up, inflammation and respiratory distress had subsided enough for the cat to breath without support.

Within 24 hours we took the cat home where we could now provide better care including a feeding tube. The poor thing had rounded the corner, but would still require a great deal of attention over the next month.

Today he is fine and active and we all agree that it was the right decision and worth it to us. We know now that only 3% survive this illness. Had we known then we may have made a different decision. We have no regrets and sometimes I rationalize that we helped the emergency vets refine their treatment options for the next time feline ARDs cases occur.

Honestly, had it been one of the other cats I would probably of put it down. What I am trying to say is that you should spend what you think is right and not what someone else says. In our case we are very happy with the decision that cost more than the $1800 you may spend.

This is my two cents and I hope it helps.

[devane617]

If the vet can assure you the cat will be cured, then it may be a consideration I would think about. However, if there is only a chance it will help, then please do the humane thing. I love my two kitties, but we must live in the real world.

[PA Engineer]

Posted before I read the entire thread. My post I think remains the same.

[supercat]

The thread about the lady who spent $15,000 on surgery for her cat reminded me of this thread. It's been two years, and Norman's doing great. I've long since paid off his vet bill, and I've never regretted spending the money. It was worth it.

I have at times declined expensive care for my cat, figuring that I'd be happier knowing I gave him lots of TLC in what I expected to be his last days(*) than knowing I'd not only spent over a thousand dollars on a dead cat but denied myself some quality time I could have had.

I recognize that you've done the surgery and it worked out well, and I'm happy for you. My advice, retrospectively, might have been to explore other home-care options like the injectable vitamin C, etc. Such things aren't exactly cheap either, but I like the feeling of doing more for my cat than getting out the checkbook.

(*) I didn't think this guy would last through the end of March, but he's doing fine.