do we have to put my cat down? or is it a curible disease?

Question

my cat has been wining ALOT more lately. (he is a natrual winer) he sound like he is in pain. he is getting much larger than normal and i am wondering if it could be cushings disease.
i had another cat that got fat and meowed the same way and we had to put him down becuase he had cushings disease.
we cannot afford to call the vet so can anyone help me please?

Answer 1

Well, Cushing’s disease is far less common in cats then in dogs, and more common in female cats then male, so some good news there as it is less likely. Some more detailed symptoms if you can add them might help to determine if this could be the problem with your other cat. Cats are very good at hiding their illness from you, and Cushing’s symptoms can be very subtle, so watch him closely. Cushing's in cats in serious, hard to diagnose, hard to treat, and often it is too far along, by the time it is noticed.

QUESTIONS FOR YOU TO ASK

Some questions to ask yourself are; is your cat drinking and urinating more then normal? Is he just fat or is his belly becoming enlarged or distended? Is he eating much more or begging for extra food? Is he less active or seem sore? Do you think your cat is acting depressed at all, or is he still interested in the same things and people? How old is your cat? Was this cat a sib of your other? Any vomiting (not hairballs)?

SOME SYMPTOMS OF CUSHING’S

In cats one of the most obvious sign is thinning of the skin and sometimes hair loss. Also Cushing’s in cats can be co morbid with diabetes, and has some of the same symptoms. Cushing’s is statistically far more common in older cats 6+, and cats with diabetes, Diabetes alone is a far more likely diagnosis in cats, and the things to watch for a largely the same. Weight gain is a symptom, but as it gets worse so is loss of mussel mass and wasting. Watch you cat for excessive tiredness or weakness. Try to notice if he seems unable to jump as high as he used to or any loss of interest in playing. If he starts to pant with normal exercises it can be a sign too. Try to look for changes in his fur or skin like thinning of the hair, or dandruff and oily patches. When you groom him try to see if he has any colour changes in his skin, small cuts or bruises, or has any sore spots that can be bruising. Be very cautious of letting him be bruised or cut while you do this as cats with Cushing’s are easily injured and if he goes outside unsupervised he should no longer be allowed to leave the house. If you have other pets that this cat might fight or play with you may need to keep them separated when you are gone for the same reasons.

SOME PERSONAL ADVICE FROM ME (I’m no vet though, just a cat lover)

If you really can not get this cat a vet check up, then there is not much you can do to find out if it is Cushing’s or diabetes or even a cancer. Even with blood work a Cushing’s diagnosis can be hard to make in cats and may take more testing to be sure, so to find out will most likely cost you a few hundred dollars at the very least depending on your vet. The bad news is that Cushing's disease in cats has a much poorer chance for a good prognosis then dogs, and without treatment (often surgical) it is fatal. The surgery itself is a risk in cats, so with limited funds I can't imagine you would go this route. He could have any number of problems though, some things like kidney stones or urinary track infection is far more common a dieses for your cat to have and are far easier to diagnose and curable.

For now I would try to keep a record of your cat’s eating, drinking, and elimination, measuring food and water if you can. If you use a clumping litter it is much easier to see how many times he is urinating. Also keep a record of any symptoms you might observe with as much detail you can. While you watch your cat for symptoms, do try calling around to local vets (try vet schools and shelters too, as they often have lower fees) and see if anyone would let you pay in installments for a check up and blood work for diabetes and kidney problems. Ask for a few quotes for what an exam and basic blood work up would cost you. When you have any idea of prices, you will have a better idea of what to do next. If you can’t arrange payments, try to see if you can get a very small loan or any credit from your bank. It may cost a lot to diagnose and subsequently treat Cushing’s though, but you can rule out a few things for far less. Though I agree that responsible pet owners need to be able to pay for BASIC vet care like shots, yearly checkups, vet visits when ill, and blood work, it does not mean you are morally obligated to go into thousands of dollars of debt when your pet is ill. Since cats with Cushing's often have diabetes as well, it can be very costly to keep the cat alive, and just because there is a treatment does not mean it is always the right choice and a vet is the best person to help you with this desition. One other thing to try is doing a web search or ask of vets you call for a list of organizations in your area that assist you in paying vet bills by giving free credit or grants. They are out there, so do a bit of digging BEFORE your cat gets any worse. The sooner you can get this sorted out the better.

If it is something relatively minor, easy (and cheaper) to diagnose and treat and is curable you would probably want to know, right? Remember, asking questions of vets will cost you NOTHING, so you have nothing to loose there, so have your symptoms list handy when you call. They may have some advice for you as well that is better than any you could get here. If you really have absolutely no way to pay for a vet to rule out some more common cat aliments right now and he seems as active and happy as normal (cats in pain often hide or withdraw) and you do not see any skin problems then really there is nothing much you can do. Of course if he gets worse and you still have found no way to pay for a vet your only options would be to have him put down or surrender him to a no kill shelter that would find out what he has and treat him. Why have him put down for something minor is someone else would adopt him? If he is only fat and crying a lot there is no reason in itself to think it is Cushing’s so maybe wait a week and observe him.

If he is in pain or is weak and fading then yes, the most humane thing is to put him down to avoid him suffering any more.

There is NO way anyone on this site can help you know for sure what might be the problem, and the above is only some info and advice and I am not a vet. Only you can see that state your boy is in and only you can decide if or when he needs to be euthanized.

Answer 2

Pain is pain, if he's in pain something needs to be done.

Was cushings disease transferable? If not, it can be just about anything--only a trained vet could tell. But I do know this, the longer you wait on anything that hurts a cat the harder it is to fix. An exam should cost something in the range of $25 to $35. You have the option of not allowing any further treatment, once the vet has looked at him. You as owner make the decision as to what's done to the cat for helping, but you should have a vet check him over before things get too bad.

Answer 3

Only a vet will be able to diagnose Cushing's Disease. Cushing's disease is more prevelant in dogs than cats, where it is rare. It would be extremely rare for you to have two cats with it I would think.

If you can't afford the vet, perhaps you can contact your local ASPCA or animal shelter, explain your circumstances and see if they dont have options to help you.

Or you can call your vet, explain your situation and see if they can't make payment arrangements with you that will fit into your budget.

If your cat is in pain, it is cruel not to have him looked at by the vet. Do what you can.

Answer 4

Make some calls to see if there is help for you and your cat. Humane society, vet school in area.....local vet that will take a payment plan.

In my experience, you can usually get help even though you don't have financial means. Try and find out if there is help available for you in your area.

I don't think there is any way to find out about your cat without you having a vet take a look at her. Might not be Cushings....could be something else or nothing at all.

So sorry you are in this situation. It's tough.......I hope you find some help out there.

Best wishes.

Answer 5

You cannot diagnose your cat yourself or over the internet. You will have to take the cat to the vet. There are MANY different things that could be causing him to meow. Borrow some money, get a credit card or a paycheck advance to get your cat to the vet.

Answer 6

It might be Cushings, or it might be a urinary tract infection: Sometimes those cause swelling too.

I honestly can't tell you. But if your kitty is sick and you can't cure him- better for the vet to find out now rather than the cat suffer more than he has to.

As for payment- Try to set up a plan. Many are willing to work with you on that.

Good luck.

Answer 7

Unfortunately if you cannot afford a vet, there isn't much you can do I am afraid. Providing your cat vet care is the best and most responsible way to make sure he is o.k.

I must add that not providing vet care to a pet that is in pain is animal cruelty...and a crime in some state. I watch Animal Precinct on Animal Planet all the time......

From what I have read it is relatively rare...so your other cat getting it is quite low...are they litter mates?

Here is a website to refer to:

http://www.cat-world.com.au/CushingsDisease.htm

Answer 8

I'm not trying to be mean or cruel with this, but if you cannot afford vet care, you should consider signing your cat over to the Humane Society, where he will get care. You have a choice in this. Your pet does not.

Answer 9

No one here is qualified to diagnose your cat. If he is in pain, you need to take him to the vet. Its your responsibility to provide for your cat and you can't continue to allow him to be in pain, for what may be a small problem like an intestinal blockage.

Find a low cost vet in your area, or one that is willing to work with you on payments.

Answer 10

If you cannot afford a vet you should not have a cat. Get the cat to a vet immedietley and do not let him suffer.

Answer 11

Please take your cat to a low cost vet right away! Type "low cost vet + your location" in google and locate someone who can diagnose your cat! If he is in pain you need to take care of him before he gets any worse.

Many vet clinics offer payment plans and should be able to assist you-call ahead if you need to, just get him to a professional animal doctor right away!