you should of thought of the cost of a pet before you got it?

Question

i really didnt think of the cost to get socks i got him from the streets i thought he needed a home it bothered me someone on here had the nerve to say you should of thought about the cost!
i admit i dont have alot of money but that dont change the love i have for him!!!! he is going to get treatment but i just ask a simple question on here i didnt want to be judged for asking a question about dewormer at home since vet visit are expensive!i just wanted some advice on what to use not comments like you should of thought about the cost of him before you got him!!!!!

macloed
you suggested start a saving account
good idea i will do that thanks for the advice!

Answer 1

I agree, there will be those people who will give those kinds of answers. But I agree that you're coming from a good place--you're certainly giving that cat more love and attention and care (even if you only CAN get the OTC meds to worm him) than he would get if he was living on the street. But these guys are right--it is faster and easier to get a shot from a vet to clear up worms, and if you can find a low-cost vet clinic near where you live, you should be able to get the care you need there. Keep in mind, you can get roundworm meds for relatively cheap, but if you've got tapeworm, the pills are a good $20 OTC.

One thing I WILL say, though, is if you don't take your cat in to the vet for other things (and while you don't have to do so immediately, do it when you can), PLEASE take him in to get fixed. Once again, find a low-cost clinic, or call your local animal shelter and ask where the closest one is, and take him in.

Answer 2

Go to your nearby Co-op and ask them what to give. They have liquid and gel caps. Give the first dose as soon as you get home and treat again 2 weeks later. Then once every month. If your cat is outside then it will have recurring worms due to the mice they eat. Fleas also have worm eggs in their bodies and when a cat bites the fleas they are also likely to get worms.
The co-op has basically the same medication your vet would have so it is better than over the counter stuff and cheaper than a vet. Your cat will need to be seen by a vet at least 1 time per year just to make sure it does not have feline leukemia ( feral cats are very susceptible ) and since you picked it up from the streets you definitely need to get it a rabies shot.
Call the vet and ask how much the services are for a first visit and all necc shots then start saving for that first visit. Try not to wait more than 3 months before having your cat vet checked.
AND PLEASE HAVE YOUR CAT SPAYED OR NEUTERED. There are too many unwanted pets on the streets already- don't let this one you saved be the parent of another litter.

If your cat has wiry fur due to the worms and being on the streets you can add cod liver oil or sardines in oil to the food 1 time per week. It takes little time for their hair to fluff back up with the extra oils. Be careful for the first few times as this can cause diarhea if the cat has a hard time digesting the extra oil. I would start with maybe a teaspoon of oil over teh food to see how the cat handles it.

Good luck and THANK YOU for taking a cat off the streets and giving it a good home.

Answer 3

I just buy the dewormer from my vet and give it to my cat myself to save on cost. My vet sells me a dewormer called Drontal. It is the best dewormer out, from what I've been told. Anyways, I pay $12.00 a pill. Also, I had to purchase a pill popper ($6.00) for one of my stuborn cats which makes it alot easier. My other cat will simply eat the pill when I put it in his food. I am one of those people who feel that once you adopt a pet, you take full responsiblity for it. However, I recognize that everyone who has a pet can't afford if something unpredictable were to happen. The main thing that concerns me about pet responsibility is getting them fixed. I have seen over and over innocent cats put to sleep simply because there are too many of them. They say that one cat can produce up to 46,000 offspring throughout its life, granted it lives a full life.
Don't take to heart the harshness of these posters. Some people really have good intentions. It is just alot of animal lovers are passionate when it come to their pets. Animial lovers see too often pets being abused and not taken care of. Good Luck & God Bless!

Answer 4

not sure what kind of worms your cat has....tapeworms? Look like tiny grains of rice (this is just a small segment of a much longer worm)? You can get OTC Drontal or Droncit (which is the EXACT medication the vet uses) for much cheaper at the Drs. Foster and Smith website. Do a search. If you are unsure which type of worms your cat has however, if it looks different than a tapeworm, you would have to bring in a stool sampe or the worm itself to the vet to get a proper diagnoses so you do not waste your money on the wrong meds and then have to spend more money correcting it.

Answer 5

I know what you mean - luckily I have the means to take care of all my creatures (can you say credit card debt? I have waaaay too much because of my furries!). Spike, my adorable Siamese cat, would have gone to a home where he would have been neglected if I hadn't taken him. Turnes out he had some bad infections and has cost me over $1000 at this point and is on a specialty food. I completely understand that most people just can't afford things like this - technically I can't either, but I'm not afraid of a little debt... Not necissarily a good thing!

Answer 6

You're going to get those answers no matter what.

But just consider taking him to the vet to be wormed. OTC (over-the-counter) worming medications aren't very effective, and they can cause great discomfort to your cat. The medications vets give ARE effective, and aren't as hard on your pet.

My vet charged me $20 for a shot of Prazyquantal for my queen when I discovered she had a tapeworm. He didn't charge me for the visit.....so call different vets to see how much it would cost you to just bring him in for worming medication.

It may end up being less expensive in the long-run....especially since you'll know your cat was treated properly.

OK, Smarty Pants *rolling eyes*....I think the screen name is a bit ironic considering you seem to know nothing about the differences between OTC medications and those administered by a vet. I feel bad for your animals.

Answer 7

I think a lot of people just open their mouths and say stuff they shouldn't without knowing the entire story. Don't pay any attention to them. There are a lot of people on here that do offer really good advice and that's why I keep coming back. Yes, the savings account is a good idea for other things as well as for kitty.

Answer 8

People buy themselves things they don't need all the time. Whether it's a six pack of beer, a new blouse, whatever we think we need. When a life needs your financial intelligence, as your cat, you have to put the cost of life first. People get really upset if anyone sways on that belief. Don't take it personally, it's just prioritizing ones life and ability to give unconditionally, meaning, your cat gets expensive dewormer, you go without Starbucks for a week. All the love your kitty gives you in return is priceless.

Answer 9

You don't need to see a vet for worming. All kittens and puppies are born with worms, they get them from their mother, and you can get dewormer at the grocery store or Wal Mart for not too much money. Also, here in Calif. you can go to the Humane Society for little or no cost for some veterinary services, like shots and spay/neuter. Some people are so self-righteous.

Answer 10

start a little savings account for your cat's vet bills put maybe $5 a month in it and then when something comes up that you weren't expecting an illness or injury you can have the money to take your cat to the vet and not have to worry.

Just an idea.