Vet bills: when is it too much?

[CanadianJohn]

I'm taking Mixie to the vet tomorrow, he's drooling and doesn't want to chew. Won't take any hard food, even treats, and desperately licks at his wet food, pushing it across the plate, so half of it ends on the floor. I think he needs the dentist. Last time I had a cat with dental problems, 20 years ago, the vet bills were unreal. The problem is that the cat will not "open wide" on command, and so has to sedated for every procedure.

Mixie is about 13, a rescue. I don't even particularly like him. His name is short for "Mixed Blessing".

Awwww, poor puss.

Have you got a local charity who might be able to help?

My dog had two teeth out in January, cost £300 and the charity contributed £150 of that.

Insurance for teeth is very expensive when pets are over 8yrs old. I didn't include it on my dog's policy.

Oh! Haha! I love the mantelpiece pic, what a funny cat. Maybe he wants to be wooed a bit so that he knows you appreciate his company, make him feel important. He’s a very good fluffer, really.

Mixie is eating a lot more... still licking at his food, rather than taking a mouthful, but definitely eating more. He's been a bit more friendly too, maybe he feels better.

My 14 year old cat had a dental on Monday. The Dental was £500 which included scale and polish, up to four extractions (she needed 3 out) and follow up next week.

BUT......on giving her a 'pre op' once over they uncovered a heart murmur which then led to full bloods and a diagnosis of hyperthyroidism.

To be fair I'm glad they picked it up before putting her under GA.

The total bill was shy of £700

She is never sick or sorry and that is the most I have spent on her on 14 years so we've had a good run of keeping vet bills down!!

Useless info.......my 30 year old Shetland also had three teeth out, with sedation, nerve block and follow up was £1200

But sorry going back to your question.....i would have to really despise the pet to opt for euthanasia instead.

Pussy cat goes to the dentist mid-morning on Friday. I got the carrier out, ready for the morning. The cat took one look, and disappeared. Wouldn't come out for the 'last supper' before pre-anesthesia fast. Didn't come to sit on the mantlepiece while I watch TV.

Probably hiding under a bed somewhere.

I just paid £670 ish for 4 teeth out, up to 10 would have been about £800 and more about £1000.

The cat most likely stays in the same room all day because he’s depressed. It’s a real thing. It’s not that they necessarily love having no contact and sleeping all day.

Cat gone to vet, whining all the way. I think I'm too soft-hearted to be a pet-owner. The vet's gonna call, so I'm going to have to sit by the phone all day. A nuisance.

Home from the vet... the cat is hiding, as well it should: $2,112.27. That's about £1,150. About twice what I expected.

I wouldn't exactly call you 'soft-hearted.' Poor cat. You clearly don't like him! Please start taking steps to get him rehomed. He's 13, so not really old for a cat... He could have a loving kind family for the next 5-8 years of his life. (He deserves it!)

You just seem to be seeing his suffering as an inconvenience to you. My heart weeps for the poor little thing...😢

I think people are being a bit harsh here. This wasn't originally OP's cat - it was bought for his wife who (I believe) has sadly passed away. If he didn't care, he wouldn't have just spend over 2k on it, ffs.

Rehome?? Do you really think anyone would want to take on an older cat with severe dental problems? I offered $1000 to a local cat rescue if they would take him in with a guarantee that they would find him a home - they said, sorry, not a chance.

Mixie with my wife, about a week before she died.

oops, pic didn't add

What a lovely picture 💐