Question:
I know what you might be thinking... take him to the vet!! My cat was unable to pass urine last night when I came home from work. I don't know how long he was in his litter pan, but I know he tried to urinate in the corner near his food bowl too.
I immediately took him to an after hours vet hospital, where they used a catheter to release his urine. They were going to charge me 1,200 dollars to keep him only over night. I would have to take him to my vet the next morning. OR they gave me two other options, where option 1 was 313 dollars. They gave him fluids and told me his urine has lots of protein, very little blood and few crystals present.
This morning, saturday, he was urinating within the blanket I had wrapped around him to go to our actual vet. Fun times... at least he wasn't blocked! the vet wanted to keep him for 5 days. It would have cost 600 dollars. I'm not saying money isn't an issue when it comes to my cat, but it kind of is... I mean, I'm not wealthy and couldn't afford that. The next option was to give me antibotics for the infection, he might have a bladder infection, plus more fluids and a special food for less protein consumption. I took that option.
Today he seemed to visit the litter box only moderately, and urinated each time. I'm really kind of freaked out though... I don't know if I did the right decisions. I don't have the money... I don't know what to do now. What do I look for? He's currently sitting by himself in the hallway, in the dark. I know he's not feeling well... he eat half his dinner, which also included the new food.
I don't know if anyone can shed light, but I'm looking for advice here... I'm really kind of scared. I can't stop thinking about him, which makes me sick to my stomach to think he's in pain because I can't afford his "proper" treatment. Any advice??? What do I do?? Will he get blocked immediately? Could it be crystals? What does protein build up mean? Could he just need this new diet? I'm really upset by this... I'm sorry... I just don't know what to do here.
-Sara
Answer:
The best advice I can give you is to take him to a vet that actually won't financially RIP you OFF!!! I can't believe the amounts of money they were expecting you to shell out on the spot!!!!!!!!!
There has got to be a CHEAPER, more affordable way, and if not, there are web sites that will help provide you with financial assistance in getting your kitty the medical care he needs...the truth is, is this sounds like an issue that needs immediate attention. And what's worse, your vet would have been robbing you...I know very few people who could afford those services right then and there.
FIND A DIFFERENT VET. IMMEDIATELY!!!
(Could someone post the link that provides $$$ assistance to people who need it for vet costs? I can't remember what it is...)
Answer:
Actually, upon reading your post again...you mentioned that the after-hours vet was $1200. I guess that doesn't surprise me...they always charge ridiculous amounts for anything that occurs overnight. A few years ago, I took my hamster to the vet at 1:00 a.m. (I didn't want to prolong his suffering...he wouldn't have made it to the morning, but was in a lot of agony), and I was charged $100 to have him euthanized. I thought that was a crime!!!
You could give him the antibiotics, and see if that seems to clear up the situation, and then take him back for further examination. Why the vet would need to keep him for 5 days to determine if there's a blockage or crystals is beyond me...I wouldn't think they'd need that much time to figure that out.
I would call around, and ask a few other vets if that's typical...and then seek financial assistance through the web site. Also, do you have an emergency credit card you keep for these situations? If so, I think it would be easier to pay by credit card, so that it can be broken up into more affordable payments...
Answer:
Thanks for the advice ... how do I find a good vet in my area who won't rip me off?? This might be a loaded question... any websites?
Answer:
Originally Posted by tibsandnorman
Thanks for the advice ... how do I find a good vet in my area who won't rip me off?? This might be a loaded question... any websites?
I would crack open the yellow pages in your phone book, and start to call around. At least it's a start.
I'll go see if I can find the web site I was referring to...
Answer:
Here's a good organization that may be able to help you...
http://www.imom.org/
Also, there's a link on the Humane Society's site too for financial help in vet emergencies.
Hope it helps, and keep us posted on how your kitty is coming along!!!
Answer:
Ok. Deep breath. I am scared reading your post.
This does sound like more attention is needed. I am glad to hear you got immediate attention, yes, but I am curious--what did the vets say? Did they explain the situation, what tests were run, etc? Why did one vet want to keep him for 5 days? Did they advise you to a better food?
Sounds like A) thankfully there is no blockage and you caught it in time
B) an infection was at work and it might take a few days for kitty to back to normal
Sometimes the abx given (is it Clavamox?) can feel kind of yucky too (and sometimes results in runny poops).
No blood and no crystals present is good. But what was the pH? This factors in what your diet plan will be. And you want to finish the round of abx and push fluids. Make sure to offer plenty of fresh water, add ice cubes if kitty likes that. Put a couple bowls out in different places.
Bladder infections and utis and arent uncommon in cats, especially males, and it helps to know the signs and symptoms. Straining to urinate or crying while trying is a huge red flag. Urinating outside of box is another signal. Watch and know your cat's litter habits as best as you can. Is he running back and forth all of a sudden? Another diagnoses known as FLUTD (Feline Lower Urinary Tract Disease) isn't as common and far more complicated (but signs and symptoms are similar).
In most instances a better diet manages this situation. Stick with premium , high quality animal-based protein cat food. Depending on the diagnoses, some vets recommend Hills which has a prescription diet for maintaining urinary tract and there are other brands that are excellent as well. It really depends on what works best for your cat (and what he is dealing with in particular)
It gets complicated when protein is present because then differnet values have to be measured. The kidneys are directly involved; this is vital to your cat's health. A blockage can be fatal.
I think with any cat, a better diet promotes overal better health, but when our furbabies are having issues, diet becomes far more integral.
I hope I didnt' stress you out or confuse you. I wanted to address lots of things and I understand your panicky feeling THose vet costs seem very high to me? But hugs to you for taking the right steps for your cat; he is most likely feeling worlds better already.
Talk to your vets and get a better understanding of all this; and definitely give updates!
Answer:
Okay. Here's the Humane Society's web page.
http://www.hsus.org/pets/pet_care/wh...nary_care.html
Excellent suggestions, Jpawz!!!
Answer:
Originally Posted by wookie130
Okay. Here's the Humane Society's web page.
http://www.hsus.org/pets/pet_care/wh...nary_care.html
Excellent suggestions, Jpawz!!!
Next time I will break my post up into chapters
Good call on the Humane Society info; I was just going look into that or similar help (as far as costs go for the original poster).
Answer:
I checked the urinalisis done by the after hours clinic. Ph said 7.5... does that mean good or bad?
The normal vet gave me a bag of hills k/d, I'm guessing for the protein build-up. He hasn't been needing to urinate in awhile... I'm guessing he's uncomfortable from the catheter placed last night? (It's not in still!) I know I'd be sore too! He's just chilling out. I just gave him his second dose of meds an hour ago (the pink stuff, amoxicil maybe?) and when I walked out in the hallway a few minutes ago, he mewed at me like he always does, because apparently he's talking to me... rolled over on his back like he always does and demanded his belly be rubbed. He's acting like himself again a little... I'll give it until monday or MAYBE tuesday to see if the medication works. I'll continue to monitor his urine... I might close him in a room with his own pan, and a few bowls of water on monday when I'm at work to watch his urine... I have another cat, they share pans.
Does this seem like a good direction at the moment?
Answer:
The pH of 7.5 is high. That puts him in the range where struvite crystals can form.
It is critical that he continue to be able to pee. If you see him trying, but failing to get any urine to come out...then that is an emergency, unfortunately.
When a cat is blocked, and gets past the point of frantically trying to go, then they will start to get lethargic and weak, and they will often hide. Keep an eye out for that, as that would be an emergency.
How old is your cat?
The protein number must have been quite significant to send you home with k/d food. Did they do a blood test? Sorry if I missed that. The protein results in the urinalysis can be misleading and easily misinterpreted. There is more info here on all of the other things that affect the protein in the urine
http://www.vetmed.wsu.edu/courses_vm...is.htm#Protein
The other site for assistance is www.carecredit.com ...on the right there is a drop down menu, select "veterinary" and go from there.
Answer:
I'm not sure of my cats age... I adopted him from the humane society 2 years ago, nearly to the day. He was a small cat, probably no more than 6 months old. My vet never told me his age... nor did he tell me normans age. I should have asked.
So I'm guessing Mr. Tibbs is almost 3?
Thank you for your advice! This morning, sunday I woke up at 7:30 to check on him. I think I could have slept a few more hours, it's been an interesting few days! He was downstairs somewhere, he heard me coming and he RAN upstairs, mewing contently, talking to me like he does. Rolling around on his back, mewing, stretching his arms up to me. He's so cute. We ran down the stairs, he always beats me.
He seems to be in good shape today. I gave him his medication again... and gave him a scoop of only his new k/d food. He finally ate ALL his food for the first time in 2 days. He seemed hungry.
So now that he's acting normal, I should start to look to make sure he's always urinating. 7.5 is apparently high for Ph, crystals could form? His protein count said "300 +++++" yes, five plus signs.
Now that he's acting happy, this is good... no my vet didn't do any blood work, that wasn't included in the less expensive plan, unfortunately.
Whats next?