What can I do for my cat that needs an amputation?

Question

I live in Columbus, OH and I have an 11 month old kitten. He just broke his leg in two different places last night, and my mother cannot afford to get the surgery done for him. We are looking to get it amputated, since there seems to be no other option but she is not willing to pay a lot of money for that either. I was wondering if there was some way that we could find a clinc that would do the amputation for a low price or do it for free. My mom says that there has to be a place where other pet owners that cannot afford vet treatment go, (in Columbus) but I have no idea where that would be.

Answer 1

Our vet has a pmt plan option. You can call around and explain the situation and do a cost comparison. You can also find some rescue groups who work with vets on a regular basis who can maybe recommend someone. Locate a rescue group on http://www.petfinder.com. I think they would much rather try to find help for a kitty that has a home than to have him put to sleep if they can help out. Good luck!

Answer 2

This is not my Yahoo account. I am posting using someone else's since I do not have a Yahoo account but feel compelled to offer what help I know to give. E-mailing me in response to these answers will, as a result, be futile. Hopefully these answers will be of use to you on their own.

I am in Columbus too, and I have multiple cats. Truly, I sympathize. A cat in pain is a wretched experience. These resources might be useful to you.

If the cat's leg is actually broken, you really do need to take it to an emergency clinic. If the bone has broken *through* the skin, there is no choice- you *have* to go *now*. This is not a choice- the pet will die without medical treatment. Infections are nasty things.

Most vets will work with you to do payments. In fact, I have never met a vet who refused that option. If your mother cannot afford it, all I can recommend is that you become employed yourself, part time or full time. Pets are fun, but they also require an owner to be financially capable of caring for them. If this is not possible, do not have a pet. It is irresponsible.

Short term solutions:

http://www.pets911.com/services/emergency/index.php?set_postalCode=43215&search-zip=
These are local emergency pet clinics. I do not know your zip code here, so I put in 43215, which is downtown Columbus.

http://www.help-a-pet.org/sources.html
This is a list of organizations that provide financial assistance to pet owners who need to have their pet treated by a veterinarian.

Long-term ideas:

http://www.petassure.com/pa/index.asp
http://www.petinsurance.com/
http://www.aspcapetinsurance.com/?utm_id=2001
Pet medical insurance. No joke- it really exists, and the cost is quite small. I have found it to be invaluable.

http://www.veterinarypartner.com/Content.plx?P=SRC&S=4&SourceID=42&EVetID=0
Pet Health Library. This is an excellent place for gaining more information about pet illnesses and injuries, how to deal with them and how to identify them.

---Pádraic

Answer 3

Is making payments an option with your veterinarian? Since this is not elective surgery, I would think that they would allow you to make payments rather than having to pay the whole amount upfront.

Perhaps you can call your local animal shelter and see if they have a place they know of that can help?

I'm hoping you are doing something quickly...your cat is more than likely in a lot of pain and is suffering. I would believe that trying to keep the leg would be a better option than amputation, usually amputation is done as a last resort only.

Answer 4

Try applying for Care Credit (it is a credit card you can use at vet hospitals and you can apply online and if you charge over $1000 you get differed interest for a year). Make sure the clinic you are using takes it. Also- is your cats leg splinted? Does he have pain meds? Splinting it until you decide what you are doing can help him avoid A LOT of pain, and is usually inexpensive to do. Is the Ohio State Vet School near you? Sometimes amputation costs as much as pinning/plating a leg. Call a lot of different places and find their costs.

Answer 5

Start calling... Start web searching...

In my area (Orange County, Southern California) there are at least 5 different privately run 'no-kill' animal rescue organizations. These places have all been helpful in directing me to low-cost vetrinary care. As have the local animal shelters.

They way to phrase it is that you are NOT asking them to take the pet, but to provide guidance to a low cost vetrinary provider, so that you can save the animal. Ask for all options they can think of, be very polite and thank them.

Good luck to you and to kitty!

Answer 6

I would call your local vet, see if they have a payment plan or can recomend another clinic to do the work. You could also try your local ASPCA they may be able to help you with recomendations as well. Don't wait to long it will only make the kitty hurt worse. Good luck!

Answer 7

I highly doubt that there is a place that is going to do it for free. You are either going to have to suck it up and get the cat the care it needs, or put it to sleep.
This is the COST of owning a pet.

Vet Schools do NOT do work for free. They are actually quite expensive!!!!!!! This is not an unusual case either, so it would not interest them too much.

Answer 8

Are there any universities near by that have vetrinary programs?

Other than that, I am not aware of a way to get lower cost care. see if the vet will allow you to make payments.