Need expert opinion on sick 11 year old male cat please?

Question

Hello,
I have an 11.5 year old male (LH mancoon)cat that became sick Thursday. We took him to the vet Friday. They told us it would cost $500-$1000 to have tests ran to see what could be wrong with him. We can't afford it with a 2 year old to feed as 1st priority.
We paid $200. to have him injected with fluids under his skin and they sent us home with clovomax (sp?). they told us to monitor him and bring him back Monday if he hasn't improved. He has been throwing up since yesterdaym it is yellow stomach bile. His pee is orange and thick. He seems in better spirits today but I think it is just because he is slightly more hydrated. What could be causing this? What tests are necessary to resolve this? Are there some that can be eliminated to help us with cost?
Is there anything I can do for him at home to help keep him nourished? I have tried giving him food/water but he vomits it back up.

Please help, we LOVE our cat and can't stand to see him like this.

Thanks,
Chrissy

Answer 1

Hi Chrissy...here are some organizations you can contact to help with veterinary bills: http://www.felinediabetes.com/vetbills.htm

Truly there are many possibilities which could be contributing to your cat's illness and it would be a disservice to best guess what it may be as we all could be wrong in our answers. Only your veterinarian would be able to discuss this with you and provide you options for the best interest of your cat.

The most common feline ailments for senior cats is Hyperthyroidism http://www.peteducation.com:80/article.cfm?cls=1&cat=1340&articleid=218 , chronic renal failure http://felinecrf.com/what0.htm and diabetes http://www.felinediabetes.com/diabetes-info.htm .

Answer 2

Clovomax is an anti-biotic an could cause your cat to vomit in itself. Your vet probably gave it to you as a just in case measure, it may do nothing to help him, or he may improve. If he isn't eating, there is nothing put bile to throw up. You may not want to push food, just water. If he can't keep the water down you may need to get more sub-q fluids. A few days without food won't be as bad as not drinking is.

See if your vet will let you make payments to run the tests, it could be so many things though so it may take several tests and hundreds of dollars. Your kitty seems like he is suffering. If you can't get help paying for the test and treatment and he is suffering, you have the option of giving him to a Humane Society Shelter to treat him, some will set up payments, but most likely will make you surrender the animal and re-home him when he is cured.

The other option is to put him down and end his suffering. A pet owner should be able to pay for vet care, but that does not mean you should go into thousands of dollars in debt to even find IF it can be treated at all, while your cat is suffering. A frank talk to your vet (phone calls are free) will help you sort out what "can" be done and the likelihood for good recovery. Sometimes it is better to put them down, sometimes things can be diagnosed with testing and treated relatively cheaply once you know what is wrong. Talk to them about what is best in YOUR case and if you give him up would a Cat Rescue be likely to heal him at all. Call the vet back to and talk to them frankly about what is best for your cat, and your family.

Answer 3

Try mixing some unflavored( clear) Pedialyte with some lamb or chicken baby food meat and feed small amounts throughout the day.Boiled chicken ( white meat) and rice are good as well. Cats often get odd maladies that resolve themselves in a few days,but you need to keep him hydrated.Also,get a tube of Nutrical,which is a high calorie gel.You only need to give a few teaspoons a day,in addition to the baby food and Pedialyte.Your vet should carry it. If there's no improvement in 48 hours,then you need to take him back to the vet.Perhaps a friend or relative would lend you the money for at least a blood panel. Good luck.

Answer 4

The vet sent you home with clavamox which is an antibiotic in case there was an infection. The fluids your vet gave are called sub-q fluids and to be hones, your vet really ripped you off.he shopuld have charged 30-30 bucks for that and you can do them at home for about 5 dollars. You need a blood test done and that should run around 300 bucks, I would find another vet and get it done.
Are there anty other symptoms? Drinking excessibely? Peeing excessively? Is he getting dehydrated again? There is not enough to go on to help yo here. Best of luck

Answer 5

The costly tests are only a means of diagnosis , it does not cure your cat . The results of the tests may or maynot be conclusive . Vomiting bile could be a sign of liver problem .Dehydartion is secondary to the vomiting and this is the only thing you can do something about .Make sure you can give small frequent amount of fluid . The liver can heal itself with time provided it hasn't past the point of no return .

Answer 6

Can you afford to do your testing in increments? One or two at a time perhaps? Ask your vet what he suspects and which tests would be the most critical to do first. Below I've noted websites that offer help with veterinary bills (monetary and other suggestions). I will be praying for you and your beloved feline. Good luck and God Bless.

Answer 7

sounds like his kidneys are shutting down. if he starts to walk sideways and or fall when he tries to walk... make sure and get him to the vet ASAP. my cat Nimbus was 8 ... had similar symptoms and we ended up havin to have him put to sleep. hopefully the treatments will work on your cat. there are organizations that help with vet bills.. contact your local animal shelter for that information

Answer 8

have blood test done on kidneys,my cat was the same age 13,he got worst each day,im sorry sounds like the same,sometimes they can flush kidneys to help,with my cat it was to late and i had to let him go.i hope yours will be ok but get them check that first.please let me know outcome.good luck

Answer 9

are you saying your cat is a maine coon? if it is they are prone to cystitis (kidney issues). mine was peeing blood i now only give him wet food as cats do not have a natural thirst so dry food ruins their kidneys. i give him wet food and wet the dry food prior to feeding him. i tried to give some wet and some dry and he still had trouble. i have had no further problems since going to all wet.