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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

AIBU to get my cat put down.

106 replies

AssumeItWasSomethingClever · 03/03/2020 19:26

Our cat is 5 years old. He had an abscess under his front leg which we got treated and cost us £160. About two weeks later he started to be lethargic and I felt another lump. Took him to the vets, they said it was another abscess and that they'd syringe it. They quoted us £200. They then discovered that there was another abscess behind the second abscess and that the flesh behind it had started to decompose. They then said it would be £600. He's then had further complications which was yet more money. He's now ripped out his stitches twice costing a further £400 each time. We've got pet insurance but we've surpassed the claim limit. We've got an almost 1 year old and I'm a SAHM so we've only got 1 wage coming in.
It's worth saying that I love the cat and do not want to put him down! If a vet even would. He's otherwise in good health but we can't afford to provide him with any further treatment. I'm at a bit of a loss here and was just wondering what I should do. I was thinking of taking him to a shelter but I'm concerned they'd also put him down.

OP posts:
oohnicevase · 03/03/2020 19:30

There are pdsa vets for people on low income .. or contact a charity and speak to them to see if they will help. It would be better for you to keep him and they help you than to find a new home and pay for fixing him. I doubt they would euthanise in your circumstances .

Darbs76 · 03/03/2020 19:30

I think yes it’s unreasonable to have a healthy pet put down as you can’t afford him anymore. I understand you had pet insurance. Same happened to me with my puppy when he had over £6000 of treatment by 16wks and was only insured for 4k. But putting him to sleep was absolutely not an option, I’d have sold a kidney for him, the kids wouldn’t have spoken to me ever again if I’d have said sorry he’s being put to sleep. Speak to the PDSA or other charity and explain the situation. I’m sure there must be other options

oohnicevase · 03/03/2020 19:31

www.pdsa.org.uk/taking-care-of-your-pet/eligibility

Give them a call and see if they can help

EmmetEmma · 03/03/2020 19:31

Does the vet think the abscesses are going to carry on?

Sonichu · 03/03/2020 19:32

Is this for real?

Louise91417 · 03/03/2020 19:32

Agree you should pdsa vet...they charge next to nothing, sometimes just asking for a donation..

KarmaStar · 03/03/2020 19:33

Pdsa and the rspca have free clinics.try the cats protection for advice.some small local charities,animal ones I mean,may help too.
Please don't give up on her yet op.

Youngatheart00 · 03/03/2020 19:33

Please speak to an animal charity before you take any decisions like that. PDSA as suggested, Cats Protection, RSPCA or if you are in London Wood Green. I really hope you can find some help ❤️

PurpleDaisies · 03/03/2020 19:34

This is what the PDSA are there for.

It’s sad your pet is so disposable to you.

PooWillyBumBum · 03/03/2020 19:35

If you do put him down please, please don’t get another pet when you can’t afford one Sad

WeAllHaveWings · 03/03/2020 19:36

What is the prognosis from the vet? Decomposing flesh sounds serious. Is he suffering or in pain, distressed or poor quality of life, is this likely to continue our short term. That would be my starting point for a decision on whether to put to sleep, loving and wanting to keep him and financial impact both come second.

GarlicSoup · 03/03/2020 19:36

Contact the PDSA and never get another animal you can’t afford. Animals aren’t disposable commodities.

Oliversmumsarmy · 03/03/2020 19:36

If all else fails with the pdsa and other charities could you ask your vet to set up a payment plan

To put a youngish cat to sleep because you cannot afford the vets bills is BU.

Hopefully the vet will be ok with a payment per month. My last vet I know did this.

NervousInYorkshire · 03/03/2020 19:41

You need to be in receipt of certain benefits to get pdsa help; some specific benefits will get you free treatment, others will just get you lower cost treatment.
If that's not an option, I'd speak to Cat's Protection or other local shelters next to see if they can take your cat on specifically with/because of their current health problems. I'd be really reluctant to consider having them PTS.

Sagradafamiliar · 03/03/2020 19:43

It sounds like a painful existence:( the poor cat. Are the abscesses symptomatic of something else?

ChewChewIsMySpiritAnimal · 03/03/2020 19:43

To put a youngish cat to sleep because you cannot afford the vets bills is BU.

What a stupid thing to say. Vets don't work for free. The alternative is to leave the cat without treatment.

WeeNippy · 03/03/2020 19:44

Of course it's unreasonable. You must have had the cheapest of insurance policies if it's at it's limit already. All those saying PDSA, they have very strict criteria. If you can't afford the treatment contact a cat rescue and have him rehomed, having abscesses is not a long term health condition, it's just unfortunate there's been complications. Did he have a buster collar on? Just wondering how he got the stitches out?

ChewChewIsMySpiritAnimal · 03/03/2020 19:45

I think yes it’s unreasonable to have a healthy pet put down as you can’t afford him anymore

It's not a healthy pet though is it. It's getting consistent abscesses and requiring very regular vet treatment. That's not a healthy cat.

UserV · 03/03/2020 19:46

@AssumeItWasSomethingClever YABVVVVU.

Give the poor thing up to someone who can care for it.

And never get another pet again!

BombayTricycleClub · 03/03/2020 19:46

Lots of people saying contact PDSA but they have very strict criteria for free and discounted treatment. You need to be in receipt of certain benefits. If you're not getting working tax credit and you're in employment, they won't help. I'm by no means a high earner but don't get working tax credit. I wouldn't be able to afford this Op. I would suggest calling round vets which might offer a payment plan or put it on a credit card. I'd then review insurance plan for something with a better cost limit for any future issues. Although might be difficult to change provider due to this pre existing issue.

QuarterPastMidnight · 03/03/2020 19:47

OP shop around. My cat has just had an amputation. One vet quoted me £500 for an X-ray on the area and the one I went with charged £450 for the X-ray, operation, medication and x5 consultations.

Shop around before you make a decision.

MissConductUS · 03/03/2020 19:47

What does the vet say about the cause of the recurring abscesses? If there's necrotic tissue I think there's something serious going on like a failing immune system. I'd get a clearer picture of the causes and prognosis before consider having him PTS.

Sorry he's doing so poorly.

ChewChewIsMySpiritAnimal · 03/03/2020 19:48

This cat has cost £2000 at least in vet fees. I know mumsnet is ever so middle class but i don't know anyone in the real world who has that kind of money lying around for unexpected vet bills. Not being able to pull £2k from nowhere doesn't make you a bad pet owner.

SciFiScream · 03/03/2020 19:48

Phone local animal charities and discuss options. You might find one willing to remove from you, pay for the care and then rehome.

I hope no one offers to send you money. This is a risk to all concerned.

I8toys · 03/03/2020 19:48

YABVVU - give it to cats protection league. Don't get any more animals.

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