Advice needed on deciding treatment for my cat

[Thunderbolt]

I am feeling like the shittiest owner in the world right now and I just really need some advice without being flamed because I am torn and so upset. I've been stressing about this for the past 2 days.

On Saturday morning my cat was hurt somehow. He has a corneal laceration and ulcer and possibly uveitis (which could lead to glaucoma?). His eye is a horrible mess and he is in pain. The vet says the injury is very severe and would like him to see an a veterinary ophthalmologist as soon as possible to try and save the eye.

Of course I want to do everything I can to get my cat the best treatment but I have to consider the financial side of this too. I do not have a lot of spare cash and no savings. He is insured and I'm pretty sure any surgery done by the specialist would be covered by that but there are other costs. The consultation fee alone is £150 and that would have to be paid on the day. The specialist is also about 70 miles away and I can't drive so I'd have to take buses and the train which will also cost a lot. I'd probably have to make several trips too, with my 5 year old in tow. I don't have any friends or family to help out either. What if the treatment ends up costing more than the insurance will pay out too? I think I would have to put it all on a credit card (if I could even get one). Just to be clear, I wasn't in such a terrible financial position when I adopted my cat originally.

Of course, even with all that there is no guarantee that the eye could be saved, even after surgery or weeks of treatment.

The other option is to continue with the treatment he has now and hope it doesn't get worse and eventually heals. Risking infection, blindness, etc. I don't think this is a good idea.

Or there is enucleation. Obviously there are risks associated with this but I feel like in the end it will be less traumatic for my cat. No long, drawn out treatment where he has to have 5 different types of eye drops given multiple times a day and so on. He's young, he'll have no problems adapting to having only one eye. The vet says there is a risk of him going permanently blind in the remaining eye but from everything I've read tonight it's a low risk.

Obviously I leaning towards enucleation... but maybe that is the totally wrong decision and I should do everything I can to get the money together to see the specialist.

What should I do? Is there anyone out there who has been through similar? Please help me! I don't want my cat to be in pain but I don't want to make the wrong decision.

[stareatthetvscreen]

awww x glad he's doing well

[cozietoesie]

He's looking pretty well - pax to his wound and shaved bit.

[Thunderbolt]

Here he is! Having 10 minutes without his cone on so I could give him a good brush. The cone has rubbed away a lot of his fur on his neck, poor thing.

[Thunderbolt]

Thank you, Wolfie and cozie.

Just looking at Homer's FB page, think I will order the book.

Cat is doing well today! He ventured out of his bedroom and downstairs to see the dog (they're friends and often sleep curled up together!) and have a cuddle with my son. He's been in a bit of pain this afternoon as his metacam was wearing off but he's had another dose and is now spying on some fat pigeons on the bird feeder in the garden.

[cozietoesie]

I'm glad he's so much improved, Thunder.

[cozietoesie]

I think there's actually a website with Homer on it.

Although he was totally blind if I recall?

[Wolfiefan]

This so sounds like you made the right decision for your cat.
I know an animal (not cat) that had similar. Uveitis recurring. In awful pain. Really unhappy. Fortune spent on treatment. Eye removed. Instantly better.
Good luck. Hoping for a speedy recovery.
Read an amazing book about a blind cat called Homer a while back. Inspiring!

[Thunderbolt]

Thank you, me too. :)

Even though it's only been a day the difference in him is amazing, he's pretty much back to his normal self! He's eating lots, playing, having cuddles and so on. He even takes his meds with no complaint! He is not bothered about his stitches in the slightest and has had no problems jumping and climbing and bird watching. He even looks healthy now, his fur is no longer dull and lank and his remaining eye is bright and shiny. :)

[cozietoesie]

Very pleased it went well for him.

[Thunderbolt]

Thank you all, I really appreciate it.

He's home now! The op went well, he is up and about and his sight is fine so far. He's had a cuddle but is obviously feeling a bit off and a bit grumpy so I've made him a comfy bed in his favourite hiding spot and he's camped out there. Just about to make him some chicken since he hasn't eaten in about 24 hours.

Fingers crossed for an easy recovery!

[RubbishMantra]

Poor cat and poor you.

Like you said, months of treatment could be more likely to distress him even more. As PPs have said, cats will learn to cope with one eye. Better than him being a nervous wreck. for you both.

[cozietoesie]

Good luck to him. Let us know how it goes.

[stareatthetvscreen]

hope it goes well

[Thunderbolt]

Well, he is having his eye removed tomorrow. We saw a different vet and he agreed it was the best option.

[Thunderbolt]

Thank you, blue and Pink.

We have another appointment this afternoon to discuss treatment again now we are definitely not seeing the specialist. Both vets seem to be very much against enucleation so I will hear them out about any other possible options but my cat is very stressed out and I think it would be unfair to keep up this medicine regimen for much longer. He's getting worse at taking the eye drops (he needs a lot of drops multiple times a day) and just runs away from me, even if I have something tasty for him & only want to stroke him. The ulcer looks a lot bigger and more bulging too which is worrying me.

Maybe the eye drops could be helping. Fingers crossed for good news and a proper plan of action.

[PinkSparklyPussyCat]

Many years ago my poor Dad accidentally run over my Mum's cat (Dad was the kindest, gentlest man you could meet and was devastated). Back then the only option was to have the eye removed and she coped perfectly well with one eye.

I also agree with bluetongue, the journey alone would cause your cat trauma. My vet wanted to refer my cat to a dental specialist but we chose to continue treatment with her rather than put him throught the trauma of several long journeys.

[bluetongue]

Don't feel bad about going for removal. The 70 mile trip on public transport alone would put me off the specialist tratment.

[Thunderbolt]

Thank you, NeedA.

I'm just about to ring the vet and tell them my decision.

[NeedACleverNN]

Then losing an eye is the least traumatic path and one I would pick.

They will adapt. Very quickly in fact

[Thunderbolt]

NeedA, he is normally a very loving and cuddly cat who never bites or scratches and likes being held but he has hated the past few days. It is such a struggle to give him his meds, he yowls and cries and scratches. He wont come near me now and runs away if I try to pick him up. :( I can't imagine having to keep this up for weeks and weeks.

[NeedACleverNN]

I think it would depend on the cat which treatment I would go for.

A placid cat I would risk full treatment.

One who is a bit flighty and gets upset being manhandled too much, removing the eye is the right course. Quick and easy for them and no restraining for weeks on end

[Thunderbolt]

Thanks, apologies. You're right about keeping it simple and that he will adapt just fine to having one eye.

OK, I'm 99% sure I will say no to the specialist and push for removal.

[ApologiesToInsectLife]

Also having one eye doesn't mean he would have to be an indoor cat.

[ApologiesToInsectLife]

I had a one eyed cat (rta) and he was absolutely fine. I think I would go for removal too. It's about quality of life, always, for pets and months of treatment he hates that may change his view and trust of humans vs an operation that will involve a couple of weeks of treatment is a no brainer to me. Keep it simple and think about what is best for your cat.

[Thunderbolt]

I still haven't decided what to do. :(