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.

[cozietoesie]

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

[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.

[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.

[cozietoesie]

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

[stareatthetvscreen]

awww x glad he's doing well