Worn down by pet illness and dealing with vets

[Petownermisery]

Totally depressed really. I have 2 ragdoll cats. They are always ill. I did research the breed and knew there is a risk of heart issues but otherwise general consensus was they’re no sick prone than other cats.

Have pet insurance and also pet plan with vets4pets. Costs me a fortune. Like everyone else we are really struggling financially despite me and my DH working fulltime - we’re having to pay loads every month to help our twins with university costs.

Over Christmas my female cat had a respiratory infection. Lots of trips to vets including weeks of trying to get tablets down her twice a day. She is a ragdoll but hates being picked up she is according to the vets “spicy”. Couldnt claim on insurance as just under my excess.

Since then she has had chronic diarrhea, piles of it everyday. Vet couldn’t get blood out of her as she is “spicy” and blew her vein trying to do so. We have to force feed her a probiotic everyday which she hates and is now going feral running away from me as she associates me with trying to put stuff down her mouth.

Vets said they need to send a stool sample off which is about £470. My pet insurance said if vet fills in a form they can do a pre authorisation so I know whether they will cover it under my policy. Vets say yes they can do the form for admin fee of £32.

Take stool sample in and vets say no as claim has already started I have to pay upfront. End up having an argument at reception with them showing them the email from them saying pay admin fee and they will send off pre authorisation form. In the end they say “miscommunication” at their end. No apology nothing I fact they were exceptionally rude making me feel even worse about everything.

Cat is currently lying upstairs sneezing with a runny nose again,

I really can’t cope with it all. She’s been to the vets so many times now, last year it was for multiple eye infections where I was charged over £100 for a vet fee and an eye drop,

Her brother is always ill too, constantly throwing up.

I feel I do everything right, but only the best quality vet recommended food, given them heated blankets, paid thousands for a cat proof garden and my life is just miserable with them being constantly ill. I cannot afford all their illnesses and while I appreciate the vets is a business their fees are astronomical.

So depressed by it all. Everyday I am monitoring their food intake and whether they are eating - some days they barely eat, monitoring diarrhoea and cleaning up sick. All while dealing with the stress of work and having a family,

How does your insurance work OP? Is it per visit or per illness? Because mine is per illness so in your case for the eye infections I would pay the excess once only and then it would be treated as an ongoing condition for the rest of their life. Same for any repeat visits.

My insurance is rubbish. Just had a call from them to say they will only pay £100 of the £400 plus stool sample fee as it is “capped”. Totally depressed by it all. Apparently it is in the small print of my policy.

My cat takes a sedative before a blood test (she is 15 and is hyperthyroid so needs regular blood tests) as she bites and scratches otherwise.

One of my cats is half ragdoll and it's not that he likes to be handled or picked up, more than he is very keen on company (for example seeks out the dog to sit next to) so perhaps you are expecting too much in terms of "handling". They aren't cuddly in that sense just very friendly, like to be part of things.

Mine are outside all the time going on adventures, climbing trees eating grass etc so I wonder whether it would help to let them range or change vegetation in your garden? Mine haven't been vaccinated since age three and tbh it hasnt led to any illnesses etc, I think the original vaccination carries some protection long term.
They are 16, one is a "yowly" tortie the other as I say half ragdoll, who follows you around trying to get the best spot on the sofa. He is also very keen on dripping taps and will command you to turn the bath tap on. He is on a lifetime urinary diet since age 12, she is now hyperthyroid for three years so it has certainly been expensive in terms of food and medication but they have a very good quality of life I hope (and are utterly adorable) and don't get ill otherwise. No insurance - I save my insurance for the dog.

Also plug in Adaptil is very good for de- stressing cats. We had a stressed cat situation when an intruder cat was terrorising them in the garden five years ago and it magically calmed everyone!

Also they love perches, ours like to sleep up high (tables, window seats)when they aren't next to a radiator, or even in cardboard boxes rather than cat beds

I've just remembered one more thing - have you checked teeth/mouth as that can cause grumpiness if there is a sore tooth or ulcer, refusing dry food can be a symptom.

Did you know you can return certain pet food and ask for a refund? I only found this out this week and wished I'd known earlier. My old fella is 18 and the only thing that stopped him throwing up has been the Hill's i/d digestive care dry food and it's worked a treat. However he has now been diagnosed with renal problems and I'm trying to get him to eat some renal food and he hates it. It's been tricky and I've spent so much on food he will not eat. The lady at Pets at Home told me that certain pet food manufacturers will refund you and If your cat won't eat it, take it back along with the receipts. I hope this helps a little bit.

A lot of what you describe sounds like it could be down to stress.

Is it a busy household? Do they have lots of space to escape each other (and you) if they need? Lots of resources so they're not forced to share etc?

I’d put them both down tbh op, kids get over things and they soon forget.

Poor you, and your cats.
I am a vet, that sounds like a difficult situation. Unfortunately some feline viruses can be endemic in breeding groups and kittens can be exposed/become carriers before you even pick them up. Some diseases are more common in pedigree cats. Alternatively there could be allergies/hypersensitivities to food/house dust etc which could explain the issues in both cats.

If possible, I would recommend trying to find a specialist cat clinic. If there’s somewhere you could register who has a feline medicine certificate holder, you may get further more quickly (and hopefully not paying referral fees). Your own vet could refer you to a specialist but it may be more expensive as a referral.

Many practices charge an admin fee for doing direct claims from an insurance company, I’ve never heard of an admin fee for doing a pre authorisation.

If this is impossible and you haven’t already tried it, it may be worth trialling both cats on a hydrolysed hypoallergenic cat food as a food allergy trial - this needs to be done for at least 8 weeks with no other foods/treats being fed over that time. Some forms of inflammatory bowel disease can be food responsive so it may help with the diarrhoea/vomiting even if the sneezing/eyes don’t respond.

Some good advice on this thread already. I'll just add;

Where you are dreading giving flea treatments etc - I used to get a vet nurse round to my home to do these (one from the practice who was local, then another who ran a mobile grooming business) (i asked what else they could do). Worth every penny. Pretty sure my neighbour had a paid plan where the actual vet came round to her home too. Cat won't necessarily be better behaved! But it's an option for odd things.

Guess you've tried likeliks for tablets?

I was wondering re house irritants too. Can be as more dusty in winter, or the actual heating (eg I am always coldy at a relatives house as they have oil-fired heating).

Not much help, I'm sure. Sorry, it sounds awful.

My now-1yo cat had chronic diarrhoea and no interest in eating for a while as a kitten. We spent over £3k on vet fees and medicine and honestly thought he was going to die. It was heartbreaking, miserable and frustrating just for a couple of months, let alone 3 years.

We put him on Royal Canin gastrointestinal prescription food for 12 weeks. It's available in wet and dry forms. For a couple of weeks we were literally syringing it into his mouth to keep him alive. Also spent a fortune on Fortiflora probiotics as that was the only thing that made him even slightly interested in eating. It worked in the end and he's a happy, healthy cat now who eats pretty much anything. Might be worth a try? The RC gastro food is available in 400g-2kg bags so you can get a small one to see if they'll eat it before committing. The Fortiflora sachets seem to be cheapest on eBay. Just make sure you're getting the ones in the black box, as the purple-white one is the US variant and reportedly not as good.

ETA it's definitely worth paying more for the antibiotic injections rather than struggling with tablets!

In your case I’d consider rehoming, perhaps someone who has more time and resources will be fine with the addition care needs. An ordinary cat or pair of cats non pedigree would be a better fit for you

Try the Royal Canin Hypoallergenic dry food. We have a cat who can only eat that. He also has Pro-Kolin Advanced which is a chicken flavoured paste that contains probiotics as well as firming up the stools. For runny eyes wipe with cold used teabags. Sometimes if they have a long term condition it's more about managing the symptoms than looking for a cure.
Look for a new vet as well. In my area vets4pets have a bit of a poor reputation as they have a high turnover of staff.

You have another 15+ years of this OP and their health is unlikely to improve with age.

If the stress is out weighting the joy then why not find them a new home? The cats don't sound particularly happy either.

I completely understand.

I have a Persian who has currently had on and off diaorreah since we moved 7 months ago - blood in stool has been going on and off for years - mucus in stool as well and he likes to crap in the bath, or the other bath...

We've had blood tests and other tests and they've all come back pretty normal (apart from high protein?) but nothing untoward - turns out, he gets stressed with life.... When we go on holiday? Stressed... When I work away from home? Stressed.... When we moved ... Very stressed.... Builders / decorators/ alarm engineers/ cleaners in new house? Stressed...

He's had different probiotics and every day you feel like you're just holding your breath and wondering "What now? That's not including the nose operation 5 years ago / the eye and eyelid operation a couple of years ago.....

However - we're in the lucky position of being able to afford the vets bills and have him under the £12K a year pet plan limit so they actually did pay out for the £2K nose operation and £5.5K eye operation - but we still have a large excess and he is expensive.

He's currently on Protexin probiotics once a day with applaws chicken and tuna cat food and he's doing a LOT better with his stools - but also... We have noone else in the house and aren't going on holiday any time soon so he's settled and a lot happier. I'd certainly suggest giving Protexin a try? You just sprinkle it onto their food and my cat doesn't even realise.

Would you consider a different vet? If the vets aren't getting to the root of the issue or are suggesting things that aren't helping, would a second opinion help? After we moved we did one massive blood test that tested for so many things and when it came back "fine" - they suggested it was stress and not anything more nefarious and we went from there.

I think you should opt for sanity and not let the cats ruin your life.

I’d look to rehome. I don’t think you’d struggle to rehome ragdoll cats.

It’s called giver cat easy pill

thehappypenguin Thankyou so much for your recommendations. I’ve had a look on Amazon but can only see that probiotic in syringe form? My cat will no longer tolerate anything down her throat she’s so traumatised.

I don’t see how my cats could be stressed, there is always one of us at home, we spend time playing with them (they have a huge toy box) and in between work I was chucking a ball around - they love playing fetch.

No other animals around, lots of attention and a secure cat proof garden full of shelves so they can watch the birds in my neighbours garden. They were both out there today watching my neighbour gardening!

When we have gone away on holiday we’ve employed a cat sitter so they can stay in their own home.

I feel so much more positive after reading everyone’s suggestions. Will get some of the special food and will try the teabags for eye issues. Sorry I cannot remember which poster said it but I think the problem is I’m constantly trying to cure the eye infection etc when maybe it does just have to be managed.

Blimey, all of this that the OP is suffering, along with all the other horror stories on here is enough to put anyone off having pets, ever. I have never known such stress go along with owning pets. Not in the 23-24 years we've owned cats. Maybe we've just been just lucky. I mean, they got a bit sickly towards the end with arthrtitis, and ear, teeth, and eye infections now and again, but this was when they were 14 to 16, not long before they died... (Maybe a year or two.)

Pets are supposed to bring you joy, yet owning these 2 cats sound like pure, unadulterated misery. It sounds like a half life for all of you. What with the ludicrous and horrific vet bills, and all the sickness and illness and having to constantly administer meds to your cats, and how difficult it is to do this. And these cats are only 3 years old! You could have another 15 years of this! I'm sorry you're going through this @Petownermisery but I have to say, at this point I would be looking to euthanise. This sounds like a miserable life for you and your cats.

My cats were never easy to give tablets to, but you shouldn't be at a point where you need to pay someone else to do it. (And luckily they didn't often need them.)

When did having pets become more like a chore or a punishment? Our cats (4 over 25 years,) always brought us love and joy. I mean they could be little shits now and again, tripping you up when you were going to the kitchen, as they wanted food, and clawing at the furniture now and again, and having the odd vom over the carpet, but for the most part having them has been a joy. And as I said, they were hardly ever ill, and there were hardly any vet bills. And they were never high.

I have seen/read similar stories regarding dogs. But with even higher vet bills! There's going to come a day when no-one will have pets because of the high cost of vet bills now, and there will 1000s of animals who can't find a home. When our last cat dies, (she is 18 now) we won't be having any more for a few reasons.

1. Our age... 60-ish

2. We want to do some travelling over the next few years, and it will be nice to not have to pay a pet sitter, and have to depend on her being available.

3. Nice to be able to just go off for the day and stay overnight and not think 'oh no we can't stay because of the cat(s.)

4. And the main reason ... the extortionate cost of vet bills.

.

Yes if you have any plug in air fresheners or anything else like diffusers then they can be toxic to cats and affect their eyes, breathing and stomachs as they lick it off their fur.
I hope their health improves and your life gets easier soon OP!

HI Op. Sympathies with your cat issues and vet costs. The fussy cat who won't eat wet food and isn't keen on treats is just like my cat, who only eats one type of (cheap) wet food, not interested in good quality catfood or human food, likes Dreamies but won't touch Lik e lix). I dread him ever needing medicine as he also refuses to eat anything that's been 'poisoned' by something I've added to it, no matter how small an amount. As it is he's on a special Royal Canin Fibre food as he is the opposite to yours and gets constipated!

Has cat with diarrhoea lost weight or seemed more lethargic than usual? It's just it could be Inflammatory Bowel disease and as @Whizzywhisk suggested, hydrolysed protein food might hep. I have a rescue foster cat on it at the moment and it's cleared up the splatty poos (and the blood in it, poor thing) and he's put weight having been very skinny. It comes in both Wet & Dry, there are more options with dry (Hills z/d, Royal Canin Anallergenic, Dechra Specific FΩD-HY Allergen Management Plus and some ohers). Look under ingredients for the word hydrolysed - most of the 'hypo allergenic variteties are not hydrolysed). It is more expensive (tho cheaper than vet visits) but if it helps, you can then slowly try new foods (usually one protein less likely to cause reactions and then see what sets it off. Google IBD and novel proteins).

I'd give up on the probiotic as it's not worth the upset for you both.

Agree with pp's the respiratory problems and even the eye infections might be allergies and simple antihistimines might help.

Good luck and hope things improve. (I'd be trying a different vet too, if that is possible)

Can’t you crush tablets into lick e lix? If they won’t take that then crush them into very fine powder, mix with a little water and suck up in a syringe, do the open jaw trick and squirt it in. I have 7 cats. Did have 9 until recently. Never had such severe problems even living in a very old house with black mould to constantly keep on top of. No respiratory infections, no eye infections. I have “spicy” cats but they just need a different form of giving meds, and as long as they have me at the vets they’re absolutely fine.
Please do not listen to the awful posters recommending they be PTS, that’s disgusting, they’re 3 years old and have whole lives ahead of them, shame on those posters, it’s not kinder to the cats! PTS is the very last resort with a very ill cat. I had to have my 16 year old PTS and it was horrific. They are 3 years old! They’re babies! Rehome or find a better vet instead. You can’t kill them! They are being failed as much as you’re being messed around and fobbed off. Diarrhoea is fairly common in our house, typical indicator of eating something they shouldn’t have, it’s not constant. Keep their eyes and noses gently cleaned, with antibiotics as and when but find the root cause. Are they playfighting and catching each other with their claws? Do you have a mould issue? I think you need to go to a different vets. With such a breed you might have to go through further testing to identity the cause.
I’d be interested to know how many of these PPs have had a cat PTS at this early age. You live with it for the rest of your life and even when it’s necessary you still feel like you’d never forgive yourself.

My beloved lab boy cost me an absolute fortune in vets fees during the whole of his lifetime. He was ill from the moment I got him and then didn't help himself by eating things he shouldn't, resulting in numerous trips to the vet. The insurance company refused to cover him and then I was quoted absolutely ridiculous premiums. I spent every penny I had on vets fees over the years. I even ended up taking out a loan for 4k during his last couple of years to pay for his cancer treatment. I don't regret a single penny of it as he was my world but I will never ever get a pet of any description again. It almost ruined me financially and I can't take that risk again.Vets fees are extortionate. He always seemed to be ill at the weekend when charges are doubled and I feel I've been ripped off many times by vets. I was once told he needed the vet to clean his ears every month at a cost of £90 per session. The vet actually told me that if I neglected this the infection (which he was prone to) could spread to his brain. I paid for this invasive treatment for many months before researching it on the Internet. I discovered some ear drops that cost £3 a bottle and began using them at the first sign of trouble. He never had a problem with his ears again. I really sympathise with how fed up you are but please don't have your young cats put to sleep. The stress and worry I felt every time my boy was ill almost made me ill myself. I'm so sorry your cats are ill all the time, it must so stressful for you.

My Ragdoll is super fussy and I struggle to get him to eat anything except dry biscuits. Tablets are a nightmare and forcing them traumatises both the human and cat. One treat mine loves though are the Webbox licky licks. I can just about get him wormed using some of the paste as camouflage.

I think i would maybe skip the probiotic unless you think it's working ?

Thinking outside the box, just want to mention that you said it always flares up in December. Could it be an allergy to a real Xmas tree, scented candles, decorative dried citrus ornaments, (cinnamon is toxic to cats for example) etc?

Finally, can vet give an anti biotic injection rather than tablets? Not sure which particular drug it is but my vet offered me a antibiotic injection that would last 2 weeks after my non-ragdoll other cat had a bit of a respiratory infection.

I’ve tried crushing up tablets and putting the pro biotic mixed in with the webbox licky licks but no luck, she can smell it and won’t touch it.

I don’t know why the vet didn’t offer an antibiotic injection? It really put a downer on our Christmas wrestling with our poor cat trying to get the tablets down twice a day for 10 days. It was horrendous for us all.

Ive stopped with the probiotic I just couldn’t face it. She has just about let me stroke her again. I bought some of the dry biscuits mentioned for gut issues today, she doesn’t seem keen but going to persevere with this.

Thanks for everyone’s advice it’s really helping me feel less alone.

Have you tried the royal canine gastrointestinal food. Our cat had frequent diarrhoea and sickness but since he’s been on this it’s completely stopped.