Cat dilemma

[poorlykittyowner]

Namechanger here because I'm worried about getting a verbal kicking for even thinking this.

Our cat's been ill for some time, over a month now. We took him to the vet's and despite antibiotics, steroids, 2 blood tests, xray's and a 2nd opinion from another vet in the same practice, they still don't have a clue what the problem is.

Basically he was fine one day then the next day he was walking like he'd hurt his leg and/or drunk. Now as time as gone on, he's now refusing to eat, move and only drinks water. We've force fed him a few times so high calorific food but that's not a long term plan. He's lost so much weight he's practically skin & bones.

The problem is that the vet is now out of ideas and has referred us to a specialist. The specialist can see him at the end of the week but it's £100 for the initial consult followed by between £1000-£2000 for initial treatment depending on what it is.

Now here is our dilemma. We've already spent over £500 on vet bills. An amount I'm hoping the pet insurance will pay out for. I say hoping as it's a recent policy we took out and I'm concerned they may try to argue they wont pay out until they know whats wrong. And if later we do find out, they may argue whatever it is, may have been preexisting prior to the policy even if we didn't know or the cat never showed symptoms. I've never claimed on pet insurance before but I tend to err on the side of caution with all insurance companies. Finally the policy has a £3k limit which at the time seemed more than enough cover.

The cat's miserable. He can't eat, can barely walk and is clearly suffering. We can't afford £1000-£2000 and there's not even a guarantee at the end of that they can figure out what's wrong. Or maybe at the end of that they can't even do anything for the cat.

So...AIBU to be considering asking the vet to put the cat to sleep? At what point is enough enough? I'm gutted even thinking about it. We all love the cat but he's clearly suffering and financially it's getting scary when times are so tough and whilst we're not on the breadline, neither can we just conjure up £2k.

Whatme - thoughtless post.
OP as a vet I can tell you that you are not being unreasonable and I'm sure your own vet won't be surprised to have this discussion with you. As others have said the specialist may not make a diagnosis either and even if they do it may not lead to any treatment. You need to make the best decision for your whole family including your cat. I to am facing a decision my old lady cat is not well she could go on a little while if put through a very invasive procedure, I have made the decision that the procedure would be for my benefit not hers and therefore even though it is possible to do more for her is a steep I am not prepared to put her through.

With regards to pre-existing conditions, if your cat hasn't shown any symptoms previous to the claim then the insurers will have to pay out, even if it was something that puss was born with, it doesn't count until it is symptomatic

That's useful bob, thanks. We've never claimed on insurance before. Only once for a stolen phone years ago on the home policy but that's it. So I'm nervous about it. Especially when I overheard a conversation in the vet waiting room where the receptionist was telling another customer about how some will wriggle out of paying any way they can.

Thanks Lizcat, that's very helpful.

I haven't even thought about the impacts of an invasive surgery. Ironically I was the one who was least keen to get a cat and now I'm the one who is resisting making the decision. He's a great cat.

Honestly I rink some humans would prefer to be put to sleep than putting up with all these tests and procedures. Poor cat won't understand you ate trying to help every time he's jabbed with a needle, put through an MRI etc it's too stressful and with no guaranteed results. Not fair on the animal IMO

from someone who lost her 12 year old cat 6 months ago i can honestly say i feel you've done your best by this poor cat, not a money issue at all, it's time for the suffering to end xxxxx

You know in your heart of hearts what you need to do - we all understand and would all feel the same as you do now - its just horrible, but at least you have the option of giving him some dignity at the end xx

Hate to say it but have they done toxicology?
Could he have ingested something accidentally?

Other than that think of it this way, the cat doesn't understand about test and specialists, he's suffering.

Sorry, it would kill me to have to consider this for either of my guys

Your vet should be able to handle the claim for you, you sign the form and the vets will fill in the appropriate information. YEs, they do try and wriggle out, but from what you say, it doesnt sound like they have cause to in this case so they will pay x

OP-

I'd be thinking head injury or neurological disorder

Sparkling really? I will find it very hard to take that poster seriously ever again

I'm so sorry OP. And ignore whatme, they appear to have issues.

I love FailCat and LittleDog as if they were my children occasionally I love them more. I would do anything for them, and if I were in your position I would be considering the same.

:(

Poor op :( I can't see why anyone would flame you, sounds like such a hard choice. I have to say I would be thinking along the same lines though, it's not fair to let your cat suffer.

Yes Goaway. It rang a bell with me so I had a look. They must think that book is hilarious or something.

I'm sorry OP but I think your poor cat may need to be put down if he is suffering so much :(

Yes zukie twice.

OP, you sound like you're feeling guilty for worrying about the money. You shouldn't. It's inevitable. And your poor cat sounds like he's had enough. Let him go, and be easy on yourself.

I am sorry for your dilemma. It is one I faced ten years ago. My cat became very ill, and it took a long time in diagnosing him, to the extent her lost over half his bodyweight in a matter of weeks. By the time the vets found out what was wrong, he was very unwell indeed. The day I made the decision, he went in his sleep overnight so took the worst from us.

If he no longer has any quality of life, then I think it is time to speak to the vets about ending his suffering.

What a difficult decision. For me its not about the money but the cat suffering. It would break my heart to have any one of my 4 put down, but my heart breaking is my problem to deal with and doesnt make taking this painful step any less important.
Perhaps try and look at it as the last act of love and compasion you can show this member of the family. Wish I could have helped my Dad in the same way...

Yes, it was on another thread about possibly sending a cat back to the rescue.

My cat was extremely ill 6 months ago, we went down the specialist route but in the end they weren't able to provide any treatment that would have had anything other than a very short term effect. He ran up a £3000 bill, and then the insurers refused to pay out (an indicator had come up on some blood tests before I took out the current policy which the vet wasn't concerned by at the time). So I ended up with a huge bill ( which fortunately I could cover) and my poor cat had to suffer longer than necessary including going through surgery. It was the best decision at the time as I thought he had a chance, but in retrospect I regret not ending it when he first became seriously ill.

YADNBU if you decide that now is the time for him to go, it could well be the kindest thing and it is impossible to predict the outcome. You need to decide what feels right or you and your cat.

YANBU! A few years ago our little cat was injured, and we waited a week to see how her recovery went before facing up to the inevitable.

I can honestly say that my main regret afterwards was in not being brave enough to make the decision to put her to sleep right at the beginning, thus putting her through a week of unecessary unhappiness and suffering. We did feel quite angry at the vet, who we felt should have been more honest with us about her prospects.

It's such a heartbreaking decision but a long convalescence must be bewildering for them, and could be viewed as being just as selfish as wanting to save the money, if not more so.

I feel for you and your family at such a sad time .

As everyone has said, it sounds like its time :( it could get worse for poor Kitty, why put him through all those tests. no sensible animal lover would flame you, you clearly love you cat so much, you can't watch him suffer.