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Original poster

should I take the cat to the vets?

37 replies

mckenzie · 22/09/2008 13:42

He is quite old (about 15) and at the moment seems to be a bit wobbly on his back legs. Also, if he gets up on the table in the garden it appears that he has to take a deep breathe to prepare himself (for the pain??) before he jumps down. DH says not to take him as all that will happen is we'll get a huge bill for being told that he's old and given tablets of some sort. I think I should take him just to get him checked out.

What do you think?

OP posts:
schwotz · 22/09/2008 13:47

Its hard isn't it, especially if the children are fond of the cat.

We recently had to have our cat taken to the vets after it became ill. It didn't come back, which was a surprise, the vet suggested ti was kinder to put it to sleep. I wished I'd let it die peacefully at home, but I didn't know how much pain it was in, neither did they. Very hard with pets. My 2 children were in bits.

You have to go with what you think is right, but prepare the children and let them spend lots of time with the cat before you take it to the vets. Even take some pictures (without letting on why) of them with the cat. Good luck.

Original poster
mckenzie · 22/09/2008 13:57

oh heck schwotz, I hadn't even considered that! I know he's old but he looks healthy enough to me, except for the dodgy legs. I did think to myself after typing the post, why would the daft thing get up onto the table if he knew it was going to hurt him to get off? So perhaps it doesn't hurt him. And you're right of course, how will the vet know if he's in pain any more than us?
I don't know about the children being upset - I'll be hopeless

OP posts:
masalachameleon · 22/09/2008 13:59

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

OrmIrian · 22/09/2008 14:07

Don't wish to worry you but our old cat had these sort of problems - we assumed arthritis or cramp. In the end it got so bad we took her to the vets and she had a growth in the gut and had to be put to sleep. Felt so guilty for not going sooner. Does he seem distressed at other times?

rubyloopy · 22/09/2008 15:16

Message withdrawn

Original poster
mckenzie · 22/09/2008 16:48

thank you for all the replies, much appreciated.
I called the vet and as it's not urgent we have an appointment for next monday. So I'll give the arnica and rustox a go as it just so happens i have some on the cupboard. Not sure how I will disguise it though as Tom eats dried food now so can't mash it up and hide it. Any tips?
TIA

OP posts:
schwotz · 22/09/2008 19:05

I used to put tablets in a a small chunk of corned beef, because they liked it. You will have to be inventive.

Original poster
mckenzie · 22/09/2008 20:07

thanks schwotz, i like to think I would have come up with an idea like that eventually but you might have just saved me wasting a few days . I'm very grateful

OP posts:
emiliadaniel · 22/09/2008 21:16

Hi, I am a vet. There are a couple of comments in this thread that worry me a little. Firstly, please don't give your cat any ibuprofen (even a 'teeny' bit) as it could cause more problems than it solves. Secondly, the vet will have a much better idea of whether he is in pain than you do - of course his behaviour at home can give clues but it is no substitute for a thorough examination. And if he does have pain that is affecting his quality of life, there are drugs that can help him so I'm glad you have made an appointment. Good luck.

IAteDavinaForDinner · 22/09/2008 21:20

I totally second emilia on this one (am also a vet) - don't ever give pets human painkillers.

Let us know how you get on with your appointment.

Original poster
mckenzie · 22/09/2008 22:24

thanks very much. I didn't mean to sound patronising about vets I just meant because a vet doesn't speak 'meow' any more that I do. Although with hindsight (what a wonderful thing) I remember that I always knew when my horse was feeling unwell, yet I didn't speak 'neigh'

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schwotz · 22/09/2008 22:34

I know what you meant mckenzie and for the vet who is worried, I wouldn't give human painkillers to a pet.

I would advise pet insurance for anyone as a thorough examination, which may include xrays and blood test for example, can be very expensive and non-conclusive.

oops · 22/09/2008 22:37

Message withdrawn

Joolyjoolyjoo · 22/09/2008 22:41

Yet another vet, and I'm with the other two as far as ibuprofen etc goes- I really wouldn't.

Def worth a thorough ck over, as, although it could be arthritis, there are various other causes of hindleg weaknesses that come with old age, such as diabetic neuropathies, potassium depletion due to kidney problems etc etc, so it may be that blood tests are appropriate. I'd always want to know how well the kidneys are functioning in an older cat anyway before giving non-steroidal anti-inflammatories for arthritis.

Insurance is great, but, at 15, if he isn't already insured it would probably cost more to insure him than your vet bill- and they won't pay out for anything that pre-dates your application.

Let us know how you get on

piratecat · 22/09/2008 22:47

all these vets!!!

am def coming here again when cat has had another scrap.

oops · 22/09/2008 22:56

Message withdrawn

Joolyjoolyjoo · 22/09/2008 22:57

What- even us, oops?

piratecat · 22/09/2008 22:58

no miracle ways to GET THAT TINY BROWN pill down my cat's throat then??

she can hold it in her mouth for about 2 mins.

oops · 22/09/2008 23:03

Message withdrawn

Joolyjoolyjoo · 22/09/2008 23:04

piratecat- we could tell you, but then we'd have to kill you: that's like a magician giving away his secrets!

Actually, the secret weapon is confidence- the belief that you WILL get that pill RIGHT to the back of said cat's throat, and show no mercy!

oops · 22/09/2008 23:05

Message withdrawn

Joolyjoolyjoo · 22/09/2008 23:06

oops- what do you mean "could be"??? Derangement is a necessary trait in anyone wanting to enter veterinary medicine, is it not??!

piratecat · 22/09/2008 23:09

wel it doesn't matter too much, she hates us anyway!!!

revenge is sweet!!!

schwotz · 22/09/2008 23:11

and a the element of surprise too

"It's a button to play with, it's a star fallen from the sky, its a tiny bit of fluff.....No it's a tablet, open wide and swallow.

Original poster
mckenzie · 29/09/2008 11:36

Well, the Vet said that

  1. his teeth need a good clean up
  2. yes, he is definitely not firm on his back legs and walking very low to the ground
  3. he has lost too much weight (about 2 lbs I think he said)
  4. he has a hyper thyroid, the Vet said he could feel it and this would be why he has lost weight and if he has lost muscle that could explain his lack of, or distress at, jumping and climbing etc.

Is this all sounding plausible to the Mumsnet Vet crew? Tom is no longer insured so i've paid £40 today for some anti inflamatory painkillers to drop on his food and the operation to remove the thyroid will be about £500. Plus while he's asleep they will clean his teeth up and xray his legs and hips. Goodness knows how much the teeth and xray will cost.

Can someone please remind me why I stopped the insurance?

I know you can't fully diagnose via the internet but does the above sound about right cost wise and would it be the right thing to do?

TIA

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