Cats come home injured, can't afford vets fees!

[Ohb0llocks]

DCat has just come home from being out, and will not weight bear on his front right leg ☹️ he also seems to have cut between his claw and skin on another foot, however this isn’t bothering him much.

Obviously I’m going to call the vets when they open in 15 min, but at the minute we haven’t a pot to piss in. New baby due in a few weeks, DP hasn’t been working as much due to weather (self employed outside job).

I’m in bits. We don’t live in an area where PDSA etc can help. What are the chances of the vets allowing a payment plan without a huge deposit? We can probably afford around £30 at the most.

And please please no one lecture me re insurance. Bloody stupid mistake on my part and I feel bad enough already.

[Grumpyoldpersonwithcats]

Sorry to hear about this OP. Speak to your vet - they may be able to help with a payment plan. Also discuss with your vet what treatment they recommend - there may be cheaper options. Your cat needs the essential treatment for the injuries only.

Do you have a credit card? It would at least defer any cost.

Hope you can get it sorted.

[QueenieMum]

I didn't insure my cat either and dreaded days like this. I think vets are quite used to people with money issues so don't feel bad for talking about money. Could you ask for a quote on how much it might cost and what their payment plans are? I was offered plans quite a few times over the years and it was usually payment of the vet's fee on the day followed by monthly payments for the balance. It might be worth finding out if your vet offers a monthly payment plan anyway as this might work for you to build up a pot of money for future vets fees. Do you only have the choice of one vet too? Might also be worth calling round the vets in your area to see what they offer (might not be a job for today if your cat is in pain). These things always seem to happen at the worst time! Good luck, let us know how you get on.

[Ohb0llocks]

Receptionist is speaking to vet and calling back ASAP.

We do have a few vets in the area so if my usual can’t do anything then we will have to ring round. No credit cards here. Was left with a lot of debt when I split with DS’s Dad (maxed out everything I had to get out of an abusive relationship) god I sound like a walking cliche!!

He is still eating etc and purring when you stroke him so hopefully that’s a good sign.

[Ohb0llocks]

No payment plans available at mine, or other vets locally due to me not working and DP being self employed (what the F).

Appointment for initial consultation is £31 which I can scrape together but literally nothing over that.

[Veterinari]

Is there anyone you can borrow money from OP? Could a friend or relative lend you anything. Vets are legally obliged to provide first aid so if you turn up will have so see the cat and offer minimal treatment but fundamentally if you can't pay they'll be covering the loss of the treatment they administer and that is unreasonable. I think the best you can do is offer to pay the consult today and the cost of treatment next month

[Babyblues14]

Pdsa will help if you are in receipt of benefits. You need to take proof with you. Then you can make a donation. I used them when my cat was injured on bonfire night. (Or rather my mum did, I was 14) they were amazing x hope everything goes well

[Babyblues14]

I think you can call pdsa if you cannot get there they may have a pick up service but it's been a while since we had to use them x

[Ohb0llocks]

I checked on the pdsa website last night and were nowhere near a catchment area. I’m waiting for my local rspca to open to see if there’s anything they can do.

He is hobbling round, purring when stroked and having a drink. He’s licked his leg a few times too but I can’t see anything there for him to be licking if that makes sense.

[Dodie66]

PDSA helped us pay a vets bill when we couldn't pay we did have to lay some of it. Ring them and ask

[abbsisspartacus]

Pdsa not rspca or call cats protection? See if they can give you advice?

[Hayesking]

Our vet didn''t give us a payment plan and refused to treat our dog when he was hit by a car unless we paid £3k up front. We had to borrow the money from parents.

Needless to say he's not our vet anymore and the dogs are insured.

[Hayesking]

I would wait a couple of days to see if it improves. Just make him a cosy bed and bring food and water to him.

Does he flinch if you gently feel along the non weight bearing leg?

[Ohb0llocks]

Just on hold to PDSA now, website says I’m not in catchment area but maybe there’s something they might be able to do.

RSPCA can offer a neutering voucher (he’s already done), cats protection the same.

I know it’s my own fault for not taking insurance but bloody hell, I’d have thought the vets would have been a little more helpful.

He’s come upstairs and curled up next to me. Just tried touching his leg and got a warning bite off him ☹️

[Winteriscomingneedmorewood]

Can you bathe it in salt water? My dog has a split pad at the moment and we are just bathing and drying it daily. Its getting better. .

[Ohb0llocks]

PDSA did have a pet treatment fund available in the area up until 31st August but not anymore. Jesus Christ.

[Ohb0llocks]

Winter I’ve bathed the cut but he is walking on that foot fine. There’s nothing on the non weight bearing leg that I can see. He is pure white so I would definitely notice if there was any bleeding there etc.

[Shadow666]

I guess vets get screwed over a lot, ours was really unhelpful when I asked for a little time to pay a very large bill. I hope your cat is ok.

[Hayesking]

Honestly? I would definitely wait a couple of days. Just make sure he's warm and comfortable. Do you think he's broken it? As anything other that will just need time and rest anyway.

[LonGone]

Don't rush to the vet.

I think wait a while and see if it recovers on it's own.

I've done this twice and both times cat recovered. I just made sure he was fed and watered and not getting worse.

[SadieContrary]

Is he quite a big cat? My two are Arabian Maus (huge - 6.5kg and not fat, like Jack Russell sized cats )

Anyway, they're quite prone to strains on their front legs if they jump from too high a height and land heavily.

Spent a fortune at vets to be continually told the same.... a sprain. Keep them in for a week to rest it.

The vet should be able to manipulate the leg to see if there's a break without resorting to X-rays straight off. Might just be tender.

Fingers crossed OP

[Branleuse]

eeek. I got my cat from a rescue. He had been surrendered because he'd been hit by a car and the previous owners couldnt afford the vets bills.
You really do either need insurance, or to save for stuff like that.
I hope its all ok x

[Winteriscomingneedmorewood]

Give it a few days. .
Cats are very resilient. .

[Ohb0llocks]

No he’s tiny. He’s managed to get up the stairs and jump onto the bed. Seems happy enough if you’re not touching his leg.

[Ohb0llocks]

That’s how it looks. Seems to be hurting him around where his leg would normally bend.