what should i do if i can't afford to take my cat to the vet?

Question

my cat tigger who is about a year old has two open wounds i suspect came from one of my dogs or my aggressive ottside male cat. a huge chunck of skin is missing. its all meat and flesh. i don't want him to get an infection but i can't afford to take him to the vet? is it a good idea to just clean it with peroxide or rubbing alcohol and a triple antibiotic. i have watched a lot of animal vet shows on t.v. and am wondering if shaving off the surrounding hair is a good idea so i can keep it bandaged up as not to cause an infection? and what is a good medication to give him for pain? i am using about a quarter of a quick dissolving childrens pain reliever (age 2-6). which is about 20 mg. of acetaminophen . . . is that a good idea? i also have these antibiotic pills i got from the hospital they are clindamycin should i give him a little bit once a day? i love my cat and my finaces parents gave him to me for my birthday and i don't want anything to happen to him . . . please help me!

Answer 1

acetaminophen is toxic to cats

This is one of the reasons your cat needs to see a vet. Because they know these things and you don't.
clindamycin can be used in cats, but you can't get an acurate dosage from a pill. Vets use liquid. If you insist though- please ignore the idiots who are guessing at the dosage ... for a cat it's only 5-15 mg/lb every 24 hrs for up to 14 days.... if you mess up and give too much you'll destroy his kidneys and liver... and if you can't afford this, you're sure as heck not going to be able to afford the vet care for *that*... and if you give too little, you'll only help the bacteria build up a resistance to it so that if/when you do finally take it to the vet, their meds may not work.

Infections are nothing to mess around with... I notice you mention going to the hospital... aren't you glad you didn't have to depend on someone's whim for your health care?

You borrow money, take something to the pawn shop... shoot- you do whatever you need to, but you don't just play doctor with your kitty when you have no idea what you're doing...you're willing to risk your cat's life to save some cash?! seriously?? would you let someone work on your open wounds just because they said they watched a lot of ER? Its ridiculous.

And honestly- if you can't afford care when your kitty needs it, then you need to give it to someone who can. I mean- you say you love the cat right?? or do you just love having the cat? because there's a big difference... with one you do what's in the cat's best intrest... the other's when you do what's in yours... I'll let you guess which goes with which.

Contact your local vets to see if any of them can do a payment arangement or give you a discount... if not, call the humane society or spca... sometimes they have funds set aside to help in these situations or they may know someone who's willing to help you pay or loan you the money.
Not getting your cat the care it needs would be neglect. Pure and simple.

Answer 2

DO NOT GIVE HIM ANY HUMAN MEDICATIONS. They are toxic. You can use Neosporin if it is in areas that are not near the eyes, ears, mouth, or genitals. My cats have had some wounds like that before. My vet left them open because the gauze will only keep bacteria in. If the wound is really large though, (my vet says at least the size of a half-dollar) you can cover it up. You will have to change the dressing a couple of times a day because the cat goes into a litter box. You should change it even more often if you let your cat outside. I would recommend that you keep him inside for a couple of days.

I would not try to trim the hair or shave it. The hairs can become stuck in the wound and cause a further infection. If you use the gauze rolls, you can wrap it around the cat. Most cats do fine taking care of themselves. Their saliva is a natural antibacterial ‘medication.’

Some local humane societies will do low or no cost pet vaccinations or check ups. They sometimes ask you to trade work for the vet help, or possibly foster another animal. There are online vets that you can ask as well. For anything really serious, you may be able to find a vet who will let you pay over time. There are also in some larger cities special vets that work with low-income families. Do some research in your neighborhood.

Answer 3

Well, of course the best thing to do would see your vet. Perhaps if you explain the situation you would be eligible for a discouunt/financial help. Our clinic has a memorial fund we use for clients who are trying to take the best care of their animals, but need a little help wth the money. If not, try to find a vet that will accept Care Credit. Care Credit is a credit card for use in vet clincs, doctors offices, dentists, etc. You can check for clinics in your area that accept Care Credit nd apply online at carecredit.com

If nothing works out, please DO NOT use peroxide or alohol, as these will do more harm than good. Gently cleanse the area with antibacterial soap (liquid Dial or someting similar works well) and apply triple antibiotic. You may not have to give pain medication. If you do, try contacting the vet first and see if they have any outdated pain meds they could possible give you. Come to think of it they may have outdated antibiotics as well - call to check, and if they do that just leaves you with the cost of the exam if you were to take the cat in. If you can get the meds for free, even ,you're in pretty good shape. Otherwise for pain, stay away from Tylenol/acetaminophen, as these are toxc. Once again, it doesn't cost anything to call the vet and ask what they wouldrecommend and at what dosage. Often liquid baby aspirin will work well without too many side effects, but call to check the dosage. Since you say you have antibiotics, ask them about the dosage on that too. Clindamycin is used often in animals. If it's the drops it shouldn't be a problem, but if it's pills you might have to cut them intolittle pieces, and givea tiny fragment at a time.
If you can cover the wounds with a bandage do so, but make sure to use non-stick gauze directly over the wounds, or you'll delay the healing every time the bandages are changed. Change the bandage at least once a day to begin with. If your cat will let you shave the hair around it, do so, as it will help prevent more contamination, and it'll be easier to clean. The wounds may require sutures, in which case the vet is unavoidable...

So remember to at least call the vet about the dosage for the meds, and good luck! I hope you can find a way to get a vet visit, but if not hopefully you won't have any problems anyway.

Answer 4

Do NOT give acetaminophen, it is extremely toxic to cats!
Do NOT use hydrogen peroxide, it will hurt and will do little to stop any infection.
Do NOT bandage the wounds. This will keep the wound moist and trap bacteria.
Do NOT use antibiotic ointment. It will actually trap bacteria in the wound, not allow air to get to the wound, and actually can make it harder for the wound to heal.
DO find a way to get this cat to the vet. There must be an inexpensive vet in your area or one who will let you make payments. Ask your fiance, ask his parents, ask your parents, apply for Care Credit if it is available at a vet clinic in your area, apply for a credit card, get a job, get a second job, call the humane society or ASPCA in your area, whatever it takes.
If you cannot do any of these things, then take the cat to a clinic or humane society and sign him over. That gives them the ability to treat the cat (and if they can't, he will be euthanized, which is better than him suffering) and once he is well, they can find him a new home. Do something! He relies on you 100% to take care of him.

Here's another point: if your dogs did this...they need some training...think about what would happen if this had been your neighbor's cat, for example...could you afford the lawsuit?

Bottom line: If you can't afford the vet, you can't afford the pet!

Answer 5

I would talk to your vet, local Humane Society, a shelter or anyone that can possibly help you either at reduced cost (possibly even for free), or at least allow you to make payments. You really have to incorporate a vet into your budget. Yes, I know it's tough - I have two dogs and it does get costly, but it's also worth it. If you love your animals as I love mine, they aren't a pet, but more like family (even children). You certainly would find the money to take your child to the doctor - so the same is true for your pets. Please consider all options before dismissing visiting the doctor.

The second issue is if your cat is inside or an outside cat. I am not a fan at all of outside cats. Cats that roam free have a far greater chance of injury, death, killing birds, geting feline immune disease, fleas, ticks, and becoming pregnant (or impregnating another). So please try to keep your cats inside. They will adapt. If you want to have them out, place them in restricted areas (like a closed off porch).

Now, onto the injuries. If you can see flesh, do NOT pour alcohol on the pour cat! This will cause him quite a bit of pain as it will sting tremendously. Peroxide - perhaps diluted in half with water - may be a bit better, but even then you may see some fizzing and he may feel pain. So do be careful.

If you are actually skilled enough to shave an injured cat while he is still awake by yourself, then you are a rare individual. I can assure you that either the vet sedates the cat (possibly to the point of sleeping) or has a lot of help. But, shaving is good, so you can bandage the wound. And cream antibiotics are beneficial.

Giving an animal human medicine - even in children's dosages - is never a good idea. It may work, it may not. I would not recommend self-medicating the cat because what may seem like a "little" to you, may be too much, or may have an adverse reaction. Alternatively, you may be giving him so little that it does nothing at all. Again, at least talk to your vet about these as he/she will be able to suggest proper dosages and proper medicines.

Lastly, as your fiance's parents gave you the cat, please ask them if they can assist you financially. It may seem tacky, but if they care for you, they will also understand your financial limitations and may be able to help.

In the future, you also need to ensure your cat remains safe, so try to crate your dog or place your cat in a separate room away from the dog or other aggressive cats.

I know most of this post is not what you want to hear, but we have to consider the health and safety of the cat, not your financial limitations or the fact that you have some medicines at your disposal. After all, your home treatment may be far worse than doing nothing!

Good luck!

Answer 6

A lot of these people seem like real morons. Don't go into debt, visit a loan shark, sell your soul, etc. Your cat is in fact, injured. This is disturbing to you. Also, the cat. Let's not get completely out of control with this, however. Vets make a lot of money off of hysterical pet owners. It keeps them in business. If the cat is bleeding, a stypic pencil (drugstore) can stop a lot of that. If there are tears in the skin, you can suture them yourself with superglue (your house). Then you best watch the injured area. If it begins healing, forming a scab, and so forth, fabulous. If it becomes infected, you'll know. Don't worry about the analgesics, like children's pain reliever. This could cause harm, it could be benign. The point is, you don't need to worry about it. We're not dealing with a child here. We're dealing with a domesticated animal.

The bottom line is, you're not a bad person. You're a good person for caring. And if you don't have the dough, you don't have the dough. The cat will be fine. Or it won't. You care enough to care, and your fiance is a lucky person to have that.

Watch the injury, and if the cat becomes very ill, starts listing to one side, or doesn't stand up, worry. Otherwise, don't. Life is very short. Even if we live to be a hundred.

Answer 7

Do not ever give an animal human medication! It doens't matter what is happening you don't do it! you don't know what sort of side effects it could have on an animal. Leave your cat alone if you can't take him to a vet. Don't put anything on him until you have money to take him to a vet. Often animals have their own best cures for scrapes and open wounds. Keep him in the house and leave him alone, if he does pick up an infection, take him to the vet and explain your situation. MOst vets will let you set up an account and pay off your visit over a period of time.
If you can't afford to give your cat proper medical care then maybe you should give it away to someone who can,regarless of who gave him to you, if you can't afford to take care of him it's not fair on the cat for you to keep him.

Answer 8

First off I would not give any aspirin, tylenol, advil or any other medication to this cat without the advice of a veterinarian, they can cause your cat more harm than good. Do not clean the wound with Alcohol, that is going to hurt. I really would strongly recommend that you seek medical attention for this cat as he surely sounds like he needs it, at this point I would ask to borrow money from a friend or relative, use a credit card or something to get this poor cat the medical attention that he needs and deserves!!!!!

Answer 9

I know it is difficult to hear as I'm sure you love your cat.....
but ratlover1 is right on the money. You cannot treat these wounds at home and you absolutly cannot administor human pain releivers (no matter the dose) to a cat. IT WILL KILL TIGGER.
And if you can't afford to take your cat to the vets (which all pets should go into the vet once a year for a checkup anyways) then you shouldn't have a cat.
Please do whats right for Tigger and find a way to get him to a vet.

Answer 10

Before you give anything to your cat make sure you try to research all the of the things you're thinking about doing. A cats body is different and might react differently to medicines that would help a human. If you can't find the information you need, definitely call your vet. Even if you can't bring your cat to be examined, you can describe the wounds to your vet. and ask for advice, that way you're still getting a professional opinion. Also remember that just like anything else that can cost a lump sum, vets. have payment plans for checkups and procedures. My cat was sick once and he had to be kept at the vet. hopspital for a few days. I definitely didn't have the money to pay for the treatment but I worked out a plan where I had to pay a certain amount monthly that was reasonable for me until it was paid off. Please make sure you check all your options before making a decision. I hope this helps and I hope your cat heals and is healthy.