cats first vet check, How much will it cost and what needs to be done???

Question

I have had a "homeless" female cat on my porch for about 6 months now. When she was dropped off, she was real skinny, and very malnurished. i started feeding her, I know, now she won't go away. But I don't mind that at all. Now she is at a healthy weight, and I really want to take her in. I have to talk to my boyfriend, because he says she is fine on the porch. but i want her to be an indoor cat, like the other 2 cats i have. My question is, what should be done during her first vet check, and roughly how much will it cost? I know I need her to be de-wormed, and flea dipped, and frontline, probably shots as well. I am not sure if she has been spayed or not, I think she has been, because she hasn't had kittens yet and it's been 6 months. i would just like an estimation for what it would cost, so i can discuss it with my boyfriend, before winter really hits. I don't want her out there in the freezing cold. Thanks for your help.

Answer 1

Here is what should be done for her first visit:
-Physical
-Fecal Sample (if you can collect one for testing)
-Checked for fleas & treated
-De-wormed
-Vaccinated for Rabies, Distemper, and Feline Leukemia

The vet may or may not reccommend other tests, such as bloodwork. As for costs... the vaccines will probably run anywhere from $50-$100 for the 3 of them, Frontline is about $45 for a 6 month supply (if she's in-doors and you don't use Frontline on your other cats, you may just want to have her flea-dipped and not use Frontline), the physical is usually around $30, a flea dip will probably be like $10. So you could be looking at a pricey first visit- anywhere from $100-$300, depending on exactly what she needs- but the good news is, most vets offer 3 year cat vaccines now, which means she won't need to go back for up to 3 years if all goes well.

Your boyfriend should be more understanding, cats are NOT designed to survive snowy winters even with a little help, and it's cruel to even think of leaving her outside. If your bf won't let you spend the money, consider bringing her to a no-kill shelter- at least she'll have a warm bed to sleep in through the winter.

Answer 2

I just brought in a 14 yr old rescue cat into my home. The vet drew blood to rule out possible FIV or feline leukemia which you would want to do before bringing the sweet gal in with your other cats. I think you are right - if she hasn't had kittens in the last six months she has probably been spayed. You have to do the blood panel to screen for the diseases so it will tell you a lot about her general health though she is probably too young to have any serious cat diseases or failings that older cats can have. It will give you a baseline if something comes up in the future.

A general vet exam (office call) around here is now $44. The blood panel is $100. If she will stay inside only she won't need any shots except those you would give your other cats.

Good luck with her. You are so kind to give her a wonderful, protected and loving home.

Answer 3

Make some calls and don't stop after the first one. Your local shelter may be helpful and have low cost services, or they may know of a vet who does it.

My vet has a secret practice going on the side. Those of us who can, pay the full freight. He also has a low cost spay/neuter service he does for people who call and ask. He does not publicize this, because he would be overwhelmed.

When someone calls and expresses limited means, wanting to take in an additional cat from the streets, he will do spay/neuter, first shots, leukemia test and stool analysis for $105.00. He has a soft spot for cats. The cat wormer is really cheap and that is the only extra you would encounter.

Frontline Plus is available at some pet stores, and, if you applied that, you wouldn't need to worry about dipping.

Let your fingers do the walking on the phone in your area. You might be surprised at what you find.

Answer 4

Aw kudos for taking care of a homeless (well, not anymore!) kitty. You definitely want to take her in to the vet before you bring her in with your own cats.

I would put aside 250-300$ for this. The consultation itself will cost 50-70$, plus a few vaccines at 10-30$ each, a dose of wormer, a microchip maybe, a flea bath, etc. It may not cost as much as that, but better to overshoot than to undershoot.

I agree, the fact that she has not had kittens in six months probably means that she was spayed in her former home. However, do keep in mind that the operation could cost 150-300$

If money is tight, discuss it with your vet. Most vets are happy to arrange for payment plans, or for discounted surgery (or he may be able to direct you to a discount surgery clinic.)

Good luck!

Answer 5

Call the Vet they would give you an estimate but usually like 100-150 dollars

Answer 6

Thank you for taking in the cat. :O) Your vet would be able to give you a better estimate.I would concentrate on the most important things first.Deworming & fleas.A cbc (complete blood count) can tell you the cats basic health & if there is any serious illness.

Answer 7

Call the clinic that you take your other cats to and ask for an estimate for all the things you mentions plus a feline leukemia test.

Answer 8

Call first and ask who ever is in charge what the cost will be.