On monday 2/19 they found out that he could have renal kidney failure.. his kidney couldnt get rid of toxins in his body..etc.. and due to that it made him dehydrated. They ran some tests on his blood cound and completed an ultrasound. they said that his kidney is normal size but he's still dehydrated.he's been there since then.I had to leave him there on Monday. and before I left I paid 719.00.. they said it could be higher so today they called me and sd he's still dehydrated and they want to get fluids in him.. etc I cant afford to pay anymore... I dont know if hospitals have strategies for keeping pets there than they have to be so we can pay more? They're still running some more tests to get his blood count down.. I just feel that they may just say that to get more money out of me. I do care for my cat but if i can have him home and care for him i would rather than paying more... what should i do?
2007-02-21 08:56:55 · 13 answers · asked by im_a_goofy_chick 2 in Pets ➔ Cats
I LOVE MY CAT ! I WANT THE BEST FOR HIM>>BUT SOMETIMES I FEEL THAT IM GETTING RIPPED OFF>
2007-02-21 09:14:13 · update #1
I would call another vet's office and see if you can talk to a vet and get a 2nd opinion on whether they would think it was neccesary
2007-02-21 09:00:31 · answer #1 · answered by allyalexmch 6 · 2⤊ 0⤋
This is always a tough situation - finances vs. a pet's life. If you view your pet as a child, then of course, you'll find the $$. However, if your cat is just that - a cat - then you have a tough decision to make. Can you afford more? Is the quality of life for him with these ailments worthwhile?
My advice is to NOT put him down until you know the problem. It's not fair to end this cat's life just because you don't have money.
However, you do have to be upfront with the hospital and tell them much of what you wrote. State that while you were able to pay the first rather large bill (and they should recognize that $719 is a LOT of money for most), that you cannot afford more. They may be able to work out a payment plan. You can also caution them against doing excessive testing simply because you can't afford it. Right now, they may proceed thinking you've given them the right to do what is necessary to get him well. Clearly, this is not the case. But I do not think any vet hospital will run tests just to make $$. They know you are paying for this and most likely are not wealthy. But do recognize that medical expenses for animals are just as expensive as they are for humans. A night in a hospital can run you thousand and thousands of dollars (depending on what is needed)!
I wish your cat the best. Keep us updated!
2007-02-21 09:05:22 · answer #2 · answered by doctoru2 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Kidney problems are tough and life threatening. Usually there isn't much they can do so you will end up taking the cat home anyhow. You will need to learn to give the cat IV fluids which they should show you how to do. Don't panic, it seems scary but after a few times it is easy. If the cat is real sick it probably won't even notice if you poke it wrong. If there is an infection they will probably put an antibiotic in the fluid as well. Do not depend on having your cat drink enough water by itself. A cat with kidney problems will probably vomit and not want to drink or eat. Remember that the more fluids you get in, the more diluted the toxins will be.
My cat was 10 when she was diagnosed with unexplained kidney failure one week after a having a perfect check up and routine vaccination. Two vets said she had to be put down as there was nothing they could do.
On recommendation of an animal shelter I ordered Homeopathic Care for Cats and Dogs http://www.amazon.com/Homeopathic-Care-Cats-Dogs-Animals/dp/155643295X/sr=1-1/qid=1172170819/ref=sr_1_1/104-8483050-1274346?ie=UTF8&s=books and used a regiment of supplements and homeopathic solutions. That was 6 years ago. April is still doing great today at 16.
Here are some quick tips. Once a cat vomits they don't want to eat the same food or drink the same water. Keep lots of water around in different types of bowls. Have bottled water in some. Pedialite works great too. Try food in different bowls also.
Canned fish in water is great for mixing in supplements. The cat won't even taste them and their size is tiny anyhow. Boiled chicken will also work.
I used Arsicium to stop my cat from vomiting. What you should use will depend on the symptoms and diagnosis. Once the cat can keep food and water down you will see dramatic progress.
You will need to switch to a high quality natural cat food and probably a feline multi-vitamin also.
It took about 6 months to get April back to where she was acting normal and gaining weight. She has been in excellent health ever since.
I wish you luck. Feel free to e-mail if I can provide you with more information.
2007-02-22 06:25:10 · answer #3 · answered by aGhost2u 5 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Your kitty sounds pretty sick, and I bet he really does need the fluids, especially if he truly has kidney failure. Contrary to popular thought around Yahoo answers, vets do not keep patients longer than they have to just to get money out of you - they are truly trying to do what they feel is the best for your pet. You should discuss this situation with the doctor, and tell him/her exactly what you posted here, and maybe try to come to arrangements about the bill. Also have them explain to you why the treatments are necessary. They will have good reasons. You could even ask if they participate in Care Credit (a 3rd party credit program).
The first suggestion was a good one as well - you have the right to request a second opinion from another vet. If you wish, you may request that second opinion to be with a board certified specialist in internal medicine. Ask the doctor if there is one available nearby - in large cities there usually is. If you live in a smaller city, you may have to drive some distance to reach a boarded specialist.
I have been in this situation before - the vet probably really is not just trying to squeeze money out of you. I'm sure he/she is just trying to do what is best for your pet.
2007-02-21 09:08:36 · answer #4 · answered by mochalatteinacup 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Since you are a new cat owner you should know that the emergency vet is the most expensive way to go in helping your cat (and bless them for being there when you need them). If your cat must go to the emergency vet you pick him up the next day and get him to the regular vet's office. Emergency vets charge almost twice as much for diagnostic procedures and things like giving fluids so unless the cat is in a true crisis you use the regular vet.
It sounds like most of the kidney function was OK and you should be able to manage it through your vet or at home under his instructions. You can even learn to give fluids at home should it turn out to be a chronic condition.
The emergency vets here operate in the evenings and on weekends when regular vets are not in the office. They fax the findings to your regular vet and you take the cat there for further treatment.
2007-02-21 12:06:23 · answer #5 · answered by old cat lady 7 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Wow, that's a pretty high vet bill even for an emergency clinic. As long as the current vet can tell you your cat's life is not in danger by taking him home, I would do that and go to another vet for a second opinion right away. You already paid for several tests and have the results so the original clinic has to give you that information/paperwork if you want to give it to another vet to look over. Good for you for being a responsible pet owner and doing everything you can to help your cat.
2007-02-21 14:13:18 · answer #6 · answered by HobbesMom 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I know that feeling. My cat had 2 surgeries for the same thing!!! And use to take him to the vet every week bc they didn't know what it was. It was eye lid problem so is not as serious as Kidney problem. I was able to do payment arrangements so I use to pay month but if you feel like you cant afford it then there are organizations that take them in pays it and then put them in adoption, found those organizations in your state. Also some vets take them in for care for them and after they are fine they put them on adoption. Good luck but dont leave him alone try to be there until you can find someone else to take her for the cat.
2007-02-21 09:47:08 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Call your vet and ask them what the outlook on his recovering from this illness and if he is suffering. Sometimes vets will try alot and it cost you alot and you still loose your pet. You need to ask what can be done and what the outcome may be. They usually ask you for a down payment so that they can look at your cat and study it's behavior. Ask your vet if all the money you have given him as a deposit has run out yet and explain to him you love your cat but you also want what is best and don't want your pet to suffer. If he is suffering I would recommend Euthinazia so that he isn't suffering anymore. Just be honest to your vet and to your self. Good Luck and sorry about your cat.
2007-02-21 09:08:06 · answer #8 · answered by stacy g 4 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Its such a hard decision, all i can suggest is either ring animal helplines - tell them your situation and they should be able to tell you if the treatment the vets are giving him is all necessary, and then you can make a decision from there.
Another thing i can say is that there is many pet charities where you can tak your cat to one of their vets and tell them your situation - these charities are run especially for people who can't afford the treatment that the pet needs - the work they do is free but you can give donations - which is what keep the charities running.
2007-02-21 09:15:57 · answer #9 · answered by xevanescencerockx 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It sounds as if your cat is in very grave condition and it might not be wise to bring him home. In addition to consulting with another vet, you might ask the hospital if they can instruct you in how to give him sub Q fluids at home. I once had a cat who required this. They let me take her home while we were waiting for the test results to come back. This was a very large and well respected facility that my primary vet referred me to. I don't believe that they were trying to gouge me by extending treatment time, although I wasn't happy about the $1000 that it cost me. Unfortunately, Pepper died before the results came back. I hope you have better luck with your guy.
2007-02-21 09:18:02 · answer #10 · answered by pessimoptimist 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
talk to the vet.. get to know the exact situation your pet is in.. ask to speak to the doctor.. not a vet tech...
some hospitals will offer things like lower payments and you can pay over time.. discuss your situation with the doctor....
and when you do get the cat home... consider geting one of those electric water bowls that circulate and filter the water in the cats bowl... its much better for them.. and the running water will make him drink more often... they have been proven to reduce kidney problems in cats and dogs
2007-02-21 09:05:25 · answer #11 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋