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The litter tray

Join our community of cat lovers on the Mumsnet Cat forum for kitten advice and help with cat behaviour.

Original poster

I don't know what to do 😔

45 replies

JustEatDust · 25/10/2023 15:22

I have a 9 year old cat who has never needed vet treatment before, so I stupidly did not consider pet insurance.

She stopped eating and drinking last week and really wasn't herself so I took her to the vets.

They said she has lost 1kg in weight and was dehydrated, that if I couldn't get her fluids up quickly she would need to be admitted for IV fluids.

They mentioned blood tests as physically they couldnt find anything wrong, but as I said I didn't have £300 for the blood test the vet said she would treat her symptomatically.

So she gave her an antisickness injection and sent me home with antibiotics.

I've been feeding her as many cat soups as she would eat along with tuna juice and cat yoghurts. She appeared to be getting her appetite back and was a bit more alert.

However this morning she has gone back to having no appetite and hiding away.

I just don't know what to do because I don't have the money to get her treatment. I asked about payment plans and no where local offers them.

I asked what would happen if I can't pay for treatment and they said they would refer me to a charity. But the charity only helps only you are in receipt of benefits which I'm not.

I just don't know what to do. I've had her since she was a kitten and she is very much part or her life. I have already spent £200 on the first vet visit.

I now have pet insurance but you can't claim within the first 14 days or if you know about the illness before then.

😔😔😔

OP posts:
Resilience · 25/10/2023 15:46

Many vets allow payment in instalments if you've been with them for a while and previously been a reliable payer, even if they don't formally offer payment plans.

Your alternatives are:
Credit card
Loan
Set up a go fund me (less successful these days and be prepared for a bit of 'judgment' but people love animals so...)
Speak to a charity anyway. Some consider things on a case-by-case basis, recognising that some working people are worse off than those on benefits due to the costs associated with working and removal of eligibility for help with other things. They could also signpost you to other sources of advice/support even if they can't help.

cultureplanet · 25/10/2023 15:47

Are you sure you’re not entitled to any benefits?

Resilience · 25/10/2023 15:47

Good luck. 💐

cultureplanet · 25/10/2023 15:48

They won’t cover you for this claim even after a fortnight
pre existing

margotrose · 25/10/2023 16:11

Can you put the treatment on a credit card? That's what I had to do when I was in your shoes - we didn't insure because they were indoor cats and we didn't even think about them getting sick.

My existing cats are all insured now - it was an expensive but valuable lesson to learn!

Original poster
JustEatDust · 25/10/2023 19:23

I have spoken with the charities they have all said no because I don't receive any benefits.
I don't have a credit card unfortunately so that option is out.

She has eaten a Little food this morning and had some water so I'm praying she recovers at home.

The vet won't give me costs of what she may need and just told me I'd need to pay for another consultation with the vet and they can tell me then.

Sorry for the late reply also I was at work.

OP posts:
Resilience · 25/10/2023 19:39

If you don't have a credit card, could you get one? You might even be able to get a 0% deal. Most vets offer 28-day terms for invoicing.

Iamacatslave · 25/10/2023 19:41

I have sent you a message.

Original poster
JustEatDust · 25/10/2023 20:11

I tried a credit card but was declined.
I did recently have a loan from credit spring of 250 but that's mostly gone on the vet consultation and expensive cat soup and treats I've been buying to try Nd make her eat.

She's had a very small amount of cat yoghurt this evening, but has had a little water which feels like progress from the last few days of not having any water at all.

It's just so frustrating how much they charge and I totally understand they are a business but animals lives matter too.

OP posts:
Hermittrismegistus · 25/10/2023 20:18

Do you have a friend or family member that is on benefits? Would they be willing to take the cat to the PDSA or other charity and pretend it's theirs?

Original poster
JustEatDust · 25/10/2023 20:20

No I only have friends that work full time and have grown up kids.
There was one person I know as a work colleague but they didn't feel comfortable helping. And I totally respect that.

I'm a bit unsure whether to pay for another consultation fee so they can at least weigh her again and check for dehydration. Or whether to just wait a bit longer so long as she is using her litter tray and eating and drinking even if its not much.

OP posts:
Celibacyinthesticks · 25/10/2023 21:12

What about contacting a local rescue? They may be able to help if your circumstances are so dire, if that fails I really would try and apply for another credit card or find another vet that offers payment plans.

Resilience · 25/10/2023 21:25

https://www.bluecross.org.uk/veterinary-care-fund-client-information

This is something your vet needs to sign up to rather than you apply for, but it might be an idea.

From your last post and your last load amount I can see money is incredibly tight. I'm really sorry you're in this situation. Are you absolutely sure you don't qualify for some help with something that would at least put you in the means tested benefit bracket from the animal charities? Have you tried https://www.turn2us.org.uk/#:~:text=Turn2us%20is%20a%20national%20charity,income%20shocks%20and%20financial%20insecurity.

I'd have a chat with your vet again about payment terms if you can't find another credit card option. Vets are not charities and have their own COL problems but IME they will work with owners to find a solution that is in the animal's best interests.

Hope you find a way through. 💐

margotrose · 25/10/2023 21:26

If she's eating, drinking and urinating (even small amounts), I would be tempted to monitor her at home with the idea of rushing her back if she goes downhill at any point.

Celibacyinthesticks · 25/10/2023 21:32

You do sound like you are living on the breadline, are you sure you don’t qualify for some benefits? Have you tried the online calculator to be absolutely sure?

TenThousandSpoons · 25/10/2023 21:39

Were you told a blood test would be £300?
I would try another vet as blood test, urine test, anti sickness meds and consultation fee came to less than £300 for me.

Celibacyinthesticks · 25/10/2023 22:06

TenThousandSpoons · 25/10/2023 21:39

Were you told a blood test would be £300?
I would try another vet as blood test, urine test, anti sickness meds and consultation fee came to less than £300 for me.

Agreed there is no way a blood test costs that amount, look at the price of a pre anaesthesia blood test from this veterinary practice. You need to find another vet.

I don't know what to do 😔
Original poster
JustEatDust · 26/10/2023 05:13

Thank you all.

The vet said the blood tests would be around 300. Maybe she included other stuff in that I'm not sure.

Another vey quoted 85 for the blood tests but said if she needs fluids she would need admitting and they charge 650 for the first 48 hours.

Here's hoping she eats and drinks today.

OP posts:
TenThousandSpoons · 26/10/2023 07:26

I hope she starts feeling better today OP. Thinking of you 💐

Original poster
JustEatDust · 26/10/2023 13:28

Thank you. She has eaten some cod overnight. And this morning she has had a bit of cat soup.

Off to buy more cat soup after work and I'm just going to keep giving her those and encourage her to eat as many as she wants to eat.

I've also left cups and glasses full of water in random places as she seems to enjoy drinking out of those rather than her water bowl.

If she still eats and drinks even if its a little I'm going to try and hold off until the antibiotics are finish and see if her having the runs stops.

But if I see any decline in her I'm going to take her back to the vets for another consultation and see what they say.

OP posts:
margotrose · 26/10/2023 13:31

I'm really glad she's eating again! I may have missed it, but have you tried ProKolin paste for the diarrhoea?

It's about £15 off Amazon and works wonders for dodgy stomachs - I always have some in the house after the vet recommended it for one of ours when he had a dodgy stomach after some antibiotics.

Original poster
JustEatDust · 26/10/2023 15:02

I haven't tried that but I'll have a look.

This morning was short lived as she hasn't eaten or drank anything since this morning and is back to hiding away again.

I think I'm going to have to take her back to the vets and ask for the blood tests.

OP posts:
Toddlerteaplease · 26/10/2023 17:06

My vet will do the pre op bloods tests if you just want a general screenZ it cost £140 ish and the results didn't take long think it's called a Chem 10.

Original poster
JustEatDust · 26/10/2023 19:40

I'm so conflicted. Do I just pay for blood tests and hope it shows what's wrong? What if I can't afford the treatment after the results?

This evening she's had a very small wee and a very runny poo.

She's eaten some biscuits and drank some water big refused the dreamies.

She's lay looking all miserable.

I think I may just book a consultation tomorrow and see what the vet thinks but I'll have to take the time off work unpaid.

OP posts:
margotrose · 26/10/2023 19:46

I would try the ProKolin (it really does help firm up their poo) and maybe look at something FortiFlora for her stomach if you can afford it.