[Ditter]

You are getting advice to spend the money and try and save the cat and advice to put it down. All I have to say is, it is not cruel to put a sick animal down, it is a kindness. Some things to consider, is the surgery guaranteed to fix the problem and save the cat? Will spending the money on the cat hurt you financially? how will you feel if you spend the money and the cat doesn't recover?

[kitkat]

When faced with this dilelmma, I've always had to remind myself of several things.

1. I gave my pet a good life and made him happy
2. If I hadn't adopted him, he may have faced euthanasia as a tiny kitten, or puppy.
3. If you elect to have him put down, you'll be able to give another pet a good life. Somewhere out there is another kitty who is hoping for adoption.

(And I water up just thinking about putting one of my pets down, but sometimes you just have to.)

[paulat]

I would like to know the diagnosis before delivering an opinion.

[counterpunch]

As the voluntary owner of your cat, you are obligated to tend to his well being to the best of your ability. It is both a moral and ethical imperative. You chose to have a cat, in good times and bad, and you are the sole custodian with ful responsibility.

Only a Democrat would "cut and run" when the going gets tough or the bill comes due. That kitty is depending on you, don't let him down.

[Mercat]

so is this the cat who attacks anyone who walks in the door? I like the advice about the really good bottle of wine and the great new kitty. I'll even buy you the bottle of wine. L, MERCAT

[hispanarepublicana]

I don't know how to put this, but.....is he a "special" cat? What I mean is that I've had several cats throughout my life, and most of them were "run of the mill" cats with not necessarily special or unique personalities. But one or two have been very unique and seemed more "distinctive".
My brother and his wife have had as many as 5 cats at once (they have a big farm-type place), and I remember just one of them actually having a "personality". On that cat, I'd have spent the $1,800. The other 4? Not really.

[Joann37]

I'm so glad he's recovering! I'll keep you both in my prayers. And please keep us updated on his progress.

[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.

[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:

[Fawn]

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

[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.

[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.

[meanie monster]

I spent a but-load of money on my cat when he got hit by a car and lost his back leg. I do not regret it. It was 2 years ago and he still has a pretty normal life. Here he is after his surgery. My friends said I was nuts too, but he is my little buddy. Good luck to your kitty.

[MarkL]

You have to decide for yourself what your cat means to you, versus the amount of money you’ll have to spend.

Some people will say that much money is insane to spend on any animal, but the simple fact is that it’s your money. You can decide what the best thing to do with that money is.

Look carefully at your priorities. Will you be neglecting anything? Do you normally give to charity, and will this cut into that giving? What about family responsibilities.

This really isn’t any different than the firestorm that erupted when the press came out with the reports that Bob Bennett had spent large amounts of money gambling. It was HIS money, spent on perfectly legal passtimes, and it didn’t cause any financial problems for himself or his family. But of course, people whose only interest was in damaging him weighed in, trashing him. You’ll find people telling you that it’s immoral, and that YOU should be donating that money to people or institutions that THEY determine are worthy. Ignore them. You should do what you know is right for yourself.

This is completely YOUR decision. If it were my decision, and I could afford it, even if it meant cutting back on myself for 6 months or a year, if I knew it would save a beloved pet, I would do it. Provided that it didn’t impact others in my family, or those that depended on me.

Mark

[Hot Tabasco]

the vet quoted me a price of $1800

My cat broke her hind leg. First vet cost me about $650 and did a horrible job. Second vet which did surgery and inserted a rod cost me about $1,100.

Cat is doing fine, I'm still paying off the credit card but I feel good about what I did and the cat still doesn't really appreciate me until dinner time.......

Thats the bottom line isn't it?

[FocusNexus]

You already have so many responses, that presumably someone else already suggested the obvious, though I didn’t see it in the first 20 or so posts.

GET A SECOND OPINION.

A visit to another or even a couple of other vets shouldn’t cost more than a hundred or a couple of hundred dollars.

You clearly need more information and more confidence in the accuracy of the information.

One of the key questions is what is the probability of success of the surgery — is it 80-90% that it will be successful? And if it’s successful, what will that really mean — will your cat live comfortably for several more years or does it just postpone the inevitable for a few months, during which the cat will suffer, while recovering from the surgery?

Once you get this info from at least another two vets, it will make the right decision more obvious. Making a decision without the additional information and informed opinions of another two vets may leave you regretting your decision, whichever decision you make.

Good luck.

[Biggirl]

What is the medical issue in question? =^..^=

Like human medical issues, please do get a second, third opinion. This difficult vet medical issue shows a very loving and anxious human compainion friend. =^..^=

God Bless you and your dear cat. =^..^=