£1200 spent and cat still not well. Don't know what to do.

Worriedkittycat · 2023-10-21T19:17:17+00:00

At the beginning of the week my cat had vomiting and diarrhoea and not eating. After 2 to 3 days I took him to the vet. He had pain relief, anti sickness, fluids and blood tests. Only inflammation showing on blood tests. He came home and ate something so seemed positive. He went back into the vet the next day for the same treatment, more fluid and pain relief. That was yesterday. He didn't eat anything at all yesterday. But he's had no vomiting and his poo is starting to slowly get more solid. Today he went back again for the same treatment. The problem is he's still not eating anything. But the three days of treatment has cost us just over £1200 which we've put on a credit Card. Dh is saying we can't keep paying more. Cat is due back to vet tomorrow morning but if he still hasn't eaten anything the vet is going to recommend further treatment including possible x Ray, etc. We're down 1200 that we didn't have in the first place, my cat still isn't eating and we still don't know what's wrong. It could even just be stress and the fact that he's been poorly that has put him off eating or it could be something worse. I just don't know what to do. :( any advice

scrimpton · 21/10/2023 20:24

My 2 cats are a part of my family, and I would never dream of thinking that I couldn't pay for treatment for them.

That's why for all of their lives I have had them covered by PetPlan. Some vets bill PetPlan directly, others I've had to pay and get reimbursed.

PepsiCoco · 21/10/2023 20:26

That seems very expensive for that. I think your vet is ripping you off. I’d try a different vet.

Thehonestbadger · 21/10/2023 20:31

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caringcarer · 21/10/2023 20:34

Have you tried tuna in spring water or a tin of salmon. They have strong smells and cats find them hard to resist. When my elderly poorly cat stopped eating he did manage to eat a little bit of tinned salmon and tinned tuna.

Beamur · 21/10/2023 20:35

Is your cat drinking?
I've had similar with a couple of my cats and it's upsetting and worrying - but once coaxed back to food they've made a recovery.
It does sound expensive and going in for blood tests straight away I guess is a choice to rule out certain issues.
Have the vets tested urine?
Have they suggested an appetite stimulant if he's not vomiting anymore?

Original poster

Worriedkittycat · 21/10/2023 20:35

caringcarer · 21/10/2023 20:34

Have you tried tuna in spring water or a tin of salmon. They have strong smells and cats find them hard to resist. When my elderly poorly cat stopped eating he did manage to eat a little bit of tinned salmon and tinned tuna.

Tried everything. Chicken and Tuna. Cat treats, etc. Vet recommended microwaving to make smell stronger. Tried that. He's not interested.

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Girliefriendlikespuppies · 21/10/2023 20:36

That seems a lot for anti sickness meds?

How olds your cat?

I'd have an honest conversation with your vet about what you can realistically afford and where the ceiling of care is.

My cats an older cat now and I wouldn't be spending ££££ if she was seriously ill.

Original poster

Worriedkittycat · 21/10/2023 20:36

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Yeah, I fucked up. We don't have insurance. Perhaps I didn't word my OP correctly, although I'm really worried financially my biggest concern is my cat and wondering if anyone has experience similar, possible causes, etc.

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Original poster

Worriedkittycat · 21/10/2023 20:37

scrimpton · 21/10/2023 20:24

My 2 cats are a part of my family, and I would never dream of thinking that I couldn't pay for treatment for them.

That's why for all of their lives I have had them covered by PetPlan. Some vets bill PetPlan directly, others I've had to pay and get reimbursed.

My two cats are the same. I've really fucked up by not having them insured. After this, I'm going to look at taking out PetPlan for both of them.

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lljkk · 21/10/2023 20:38

Sorry about your cat being poorly, OP. x

Pretendthatwearedead · 21/10/2023 20:38

How old is the cat?

gamerchick · 21/10/2023 20:39

Has the cat had an x-ray? Cats eat shit they shouldn't sometimes. Quite a lot of stringy shit that wraps around their insides, especially when they're young.

I'm not going to lecture you on insurance. You've probably learned those lessons. Sort some out when this is finished.

Original poster

Worriedkittycat · 21/10/2023 20:40

Girliefriendlikespuppies · 21/10/2023 20:36

That seems a lot for anti sickness meds?

How olds your cat?

I'd have an honest conversation with your vet about what you can realistically afford and where the ceiling of care is.

My cats an older cat now and I wouldn't be spending ££££ if she was seriously ill.

Cat is 8. Never had any previous issues.

First day of treatment was anti sickness Injection, pain relief injections, general bloods and IV fluids.

2nd day was pain relief and fluids.

3rd day was pain relief, fluids and anti sickness.

Total so far has been 1200.

All three days they kept him in for the day to observe, etc. Then sent him home at night and back again the next morning.

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Summermeadowflowers · 21/10/2023 20:45

Hope the cat is OK, @Worriedkittycat . To be honest, I’ve never had pet insurance for my cats. There are numerous loopholes in any case. Certain people are happy to lap up sympathy and support on here but reluctant to give it out, and I’m pretty tired of it.

Beamur · 21/10/2023 20:48

That a level of treatment my vet has never offered (which is driving up the cost). I'd be honest and say that whilst you want to have your cat treated, the costs are getting unaffordable and can they come up with a treatment plan that is cheaper.
All day observation for sickness and diarrhoea seems excessive if the cat is otherwise in good health.
Like us, cars can take a few days to feel better after an upset stomach.
My most recent brush with this was dealt with by steroids, pain relief and then a few days later more steroids and a course of antibiotics plus urine tests. No bloods.
Last year sibling cat was very sick with foul smelling vomit and that took more to get her well - vet took bloods twice and kidney function was wobbly for a while.

Original poster

Worriedkittycat · 21/10/2023 20:56

Beamur · 21/10/2023 20:35

Is your cat drinking?
I've had similar with a couple of my cats and it's upsetting and worrying - but once coaxed back to food they've made a recovery.
It does sound expensive and going in for blood tests straight away I guess is a choice to rule out certain issues.
Have the vets tested urine?
Have they suggested an appetite stimulant if he's not vomiting anymore?

Not drinking either but the IV fluids are keeping him hydrated.

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Original poster

Worriedkittycat · 21/10/2023 20:58

gamerchick · 21/10/2023 20:39

Has the cat had an x-ray? Cats eat shit they shouldn't sometimes. Quite a lot of stringy shit that wraps around their insides, especially when they're young.

I'm not going to lecture you on insurance. You've probably learned those lessons. Sort some out when this is finished.

Appetite stimulant gel and an xray are the next treatment options if he continues to not eat. They've quoted £720 ish for the xray. So another day of pain relief and fluids, plus the xray will take us to well over 2k total Spends. More on the credit card. But that will max eventually. Sooner rather than later probably. Will definitely sort pet insurance.

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Original poster

Worriedkittycat · 21/10/2023 20:58

Summermeadowflowers · 21/10/2023 20:45

Hope the cat is OK, @Worriedkittycat . To be honest, I’ve never had pet insurance for my cats. There are numerous loopholes in any case. Certain people are happy to lap up sympathy and support on here but reluctant to give it out, and I’m pretty tired of it.

Thank you x

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Original poster

Worriedkittycat · 21/10/2023 20:59

lljkk · 21/10/2023 20:38

Sorry about your cat being poorly, OP. x

Thank you x

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Digimoor · 21/10/2023 20:59

Going to the vet everyday will be stressful for the cat
Are there any animal charity run vets near you? They are often cheaper

Original poster

Worriedkittycat · 21/10/2023 21:03

Digimoor · 21/10/2023 20:59

Going to the vet everyday will be stressful for the cat
Are there any animal charity run vets near you? They are often cheaper

Yes I can't imagine that's helping. He's also coming home every evening with his arm bandaged to the protect the IV and that's pissing him off.

He's always been a very shy, timid and jumpy cat anyway. Hides when we have visitors, only likes me and DH, won't go outside further than the back garden, etc.

There are some charities but they only help people who can show proof that they are in receipt of benefits. We earn too much to receive benefits but not enough that we're well off. In fact times are very hard at the mo.

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IDidntKnowMyOwnStrength · 21/10/2023 21:04

It's probably jus a stomach bug, cats are very resilient, the ferral ones would never survive otherwise. I have four, all insured, but l wouldn't go to the vet this early for something like not eating. Cat could have toothache, the roots on cats teeth are very shallow, vets charge hundreds of pounds for extraction when after a few days the tooth will fall out naturally.

Original poster

Worriedkittycat · 21/10/2023 21:08

IDidntKnowMyOwnStrength · 21/10/2023 21:04

It's probably jus a stomach bug, cats are very resilient, the ferral ones would never survive otherwise. I have four, all insured, but l wouldn't go to the vet this early for something like not eating. Cat could have toothache, the roots on cats teeth are very shallow, vets charge hundreds of pounds for extraction when after a few days the tooth will fall out naturally.

I took him initially after he had diarrhoea and vomiting for three days. He didn't eat in that time. So three days without eating.

He ate a small amount on the fourth day. Nothing on day five or six (today). So, technically we're day two of not eating again. But he only ate a very small amount on day 4.

I know they're resilient but I believe from reading online that 3 days of not eating needs to been seen by a vet.

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Borris · 21/10/2023 21:10

I'd ask for the appetite stimulating gel if he's not been sick recently and everything else has come back as normal.

UsefulChocolateTeapot · 21/10/2023 21:13

Sorry to hear your cat is feeling unwell. It's most likely nothing serious but I would try a different vet and make sure they check his teeth and have a good listen to his heart (when they are not purring or wriggling, hard I know).
Perhaps look at reviews or phone first to get an idea of consultation costs or vaccination fees as a benchmark.
We went through a similar thing recently but they didn't force him to stay in on the first few visits so it seems excessive that they started with that. Hope you cat gets better soon.