Posted on 06/28/2006 9:00:54 PM PDT by Huntress
I'm truly sorry about your sick kitty.
First, get a second opinion and quote.
Second, quit equating your pet's life with human life. If you've got money to throw around on wild acts of charity, send it a charity in the business of saving human life.
JMO.
I would say goodbye to my cat and adopt a kitten from the animal shelter..
Never regreted it. If I was in that position today I would either borrow or put it on my charge card.
True. I should say, however, I have very little faith in humanity.
Give it time.
My former roommate kept her beloved cat alive with daily injections and a lot of Vet care for 2 years after the poor thing should should have been released from a painful and difficult life.
Dear Pukin Dog,
Well, we had two dogs. Both died. Oh well.
The second dog, she got cancer. The vet told us, oh, it'll cost a coupla hundred to do the exploratory, and just a coupla hundred to get rid of the cancer. Four hundred smackers? Keep the wife and kids happy? No big deal.
So, I get the bill. Well, it wasn't quite $400. It was actually around $900. From the vet. And then a bunch for the hospital. And a bunch more for a doggie anaesthesiologist. Cost over two grand. Yikes! I told the doctor, hey, if you'da said two grand, I'da put the dog down. He looked at me cross-eyed.
Then she just started getting generally old and worn out. Couldn't hold her urine and bowels any longer. Yech!! Would walk across the floor and just fall on her stomach. Ouch!! It'd take her a few minutes to get back up. Sometimes, she didn't bother.
The (new) vet started telling me how cheaply we could treat all these different things. A prescription here, a prescription there. Only a coupla hundred bucks.
A month.
Hey, she lived a long life, and she didn't suffer.
sitetest
I have a cat that I adore and have no idea what I'd do if I were in your position. All I can say is my prayers are with you and your cat. I wish you the best
Oh and if you feed your cat dry food....throw it out! it's a horrible diet for a carnivore.
I do feed dry food. I hope I didn't cause Norman's problem by doing so.
What's the prognosis after surgery? In other words, how long can he be expected to live afterward... the average for cats in his condition? Make the vet tell you these numbers. If he doesn't know, find another vet.
If it's not very long, or if you'll have to spend lots of money on meds after surgery... Well, all of us have our limits; no one's going to mortgage their house, no matter how much we love the animal.
OTOH, if he can be expected to live a normal kitty's life afterward, I think I'd just take a deep breath and go ahead with the surgery. But that's just me. This is a decision only you can make.
One other suggestion: Is there a school of veterinary medicine nearby? You may be able to get a better diagnosis (one you can have more faith in) and not have to spend as much. I hope everything works out for you and Norman.
I can't say what I would do if I were you, but if I were me, and my cat was in that postition, then it would be time to be thinking about a new cat.
I've got two cats now, and have had as many as 8 at one time, and am crazy about them. The vet said Norman will die without the surgury. Here's the bad news: He will die anyway, maybe later, maybe sooner even with the surgury.
You do not buy eternity with the $1800. You don't even get a 90-day guarantee. A new cat, spayed or neutered and with shots from the pound is about $50. A gucci one from a pet store is a couple hundred. Get the $50 alley cat from the pound. They are sweet, tough, durable, and very happy for you to save them from euthanasia, and generally have a better long term outlook than poor Norman, bless his heart.
Don't worry about it. I know I caused my cats diabetes with the dry and also the surgery for the other cat. Vets don't tell us what problems dry food causes. Wet is much better for them. But I'll bet if you switch to Fancy Feast or the Wal Mart brand you won't have any more problems (after surgery).
NO NO NO!!!!!
C'mon Pukin Dog, sue her..
She ASKED you to.
I will only ask for HALF... of the award!
Put the cat to sleep... The cat will only have the same problem happen again to him! I had a male cat that had the same problem, even paid to have the problem taken care of (it was a lot cheaper than $1800) but the cat was never the same after that. We also had to make a choice with one of my dogs a few years ago (full blooded rare breed). $1500 to save his life or put him to sleep (his stomach rolled over on him and the choice had to made quickly) we elected to have him put to sleep, it hurts like hell but we know we made the right choice.
Your kitty will be on the other side waiting for you, in the meantime adopt another kitty.
I think your doubts about paying $1800 are a clear sign not to do it.
"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."
I don't know how much of the $1,800 you've already incurred, so I'm not sure how much the additional surgery and follow up would cost.
But I would definitely spend the $. I have two cats that are older (17 yrs. and 14 yrs.). They basically still act like kittens at times (being very playful), and are extremely affectionate. They act as a welcoming committee to anyone who comes over to visit us. Cats live a long time; much longer than dogs, it seems, so hopefully the $ will be well spent for Norman to be a healthy pet and companion for many years.
You sound very attached to Norman and hopefully you'll make up the $1,800 soon. I will certainly keep you both in my prayers!
That sounds like something the kitty will recover from just fine. Can you use promotional rates on credit cards for a while to payoff the bill? I understand it's though, but if the prognosis is as it seems I'd have to provide the care for my cat...but I'm very attached to my cats. I say follow your heart and find a way.
In a heart beat.
And certainly heed the advice of the other FReepers to get a second opinion. Maybe another vet could provide either different and/or cheaper methods of treatment.
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