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Took my cat to a hospital this morning

S

Steve

Lifer
Well the doctor called me around noon (CST) and told me he had actually gotten worse, and suggested I come down to take a look at him and maybe start thinking about making some decisions (we all know what that means)...

I had Mickey euthanized at 12:58pm today. So long buddy, I'll miss you and what a fun, attentive and loving cat you were.

http://pics.bbzzdd.com/users/sm8000/IMG_0068.jpg
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I've had these two cats for over two years, before that my parents had them for nine and ten years, respectively. The younger one, Mickey (about 12 yrs) normally sleeps in bed with me.

This morning I woke up to the sound of him doing shallow mouth-panting rapidly. When I got up I found he had peed on my bed, which he has never done before. He was also yowling in distress, which he never does.

Some quick Googling later, I found this might be serious so I then looked up any 24 hour pet clinics. I found CVES (http://www.chicagoveterinaryemergency.com/) and called them, and brought him in. It's $90 just for the visit.

The vet checked his exposed skin (inside ears, mouth, and inner eyelids) and said he looks pale. His body temp was low at 97.5ish I believe. They put him in an oxygen room and will X-ray him later.

I was just about to look into giving these guys away too (PAWS), and now I may get stuck with a $500+ bill which I really don't need and can't afford (no credit card). I care a lot about Mickey and want him to get well, I just don't want to get in the red again this year over it. Oh, and my car got egged overnight. Thanks, kids.

Anyway, any Chicago-based ATOTers know of any less expensive alternatives for his care?

Thread locked at OP's request. RIP Mickey.
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Perknose
Senior AT Mod
 
Sounds like he's getting old. Not much that can be done but to care for him, find someone who is willing to care for him and foot the bill, turn him over to something like paws or have him put to sleep.
 
You were going to give away older cats? You know that they won't be adopted and sadly euthanized?

Why can't your parents take care of them anymore?
 
Originally posted by: between
research shows that once the vet bills start to exceed $500, the majority of pet owners will consider euthanasia.
Click to expand...

Pretty sad. I just spent $4k on mine and it was worth it.
 
Originally posted by: Capt Caveman
You were going to give away older cats? You know that they won't be adopted and sadly euthanized?

Why can't your parents take care of them anymore?
Click to expand...

QFT...don't be an irresponsible pet owner. Not everyone is entitled to a pet...those that get one are bound by law to provide proper care.

I'd talk to the vet first...but know even those with a ton of money try to play the 'I am broke' game at the vet.
 
Originally posted by: between
research shows that once the vet bills start to exceed $500, the majority of pet owners will consider euthanasia.
Click to expand...

yet don't blink an eye to buy the latest game console at about that same price.
 
UPDATE:

Mickey has an enlarged heart with a murmur. He needs to see a cardiologist. This is beyond my means. They've done $561 worth of work, for which I've given them a deposit of $400 that they'll hold until Wednesday. I would normally have gotten paid yesterday, but my boss is hang-gliding in Chattanooga.

These symptoms literally manifested overnight. I got home from the hockey game last night and he was his normal self. It wasn't until he woke me up this morning that I had a clue anything was wrong. He's never exhibited symptoms like this at all before.

Anyway, at this point I am researching my options - talking to vets, looking into euthanasia, or (ideally) finding a service that will take him as he is and care for him. Helpful ideas welcome.
 
Were you taking the cats to the vet yearly? Many that say a problem 'just happened' would have had it identified way in advance. 12 is still not very old for a cat.

I wouldn't recommend taking on any other pets until you are financially stable.
 
He's not in pain as far as I know - he's more relaxed with the oxygen, but any stress they put on him (e.g. just moving him) causes him to yowl in distress again. I am looking at options right now, but if there's nothing affordable that will work for us I may need to put him to sleep. As for how serious his heart condition is, they didn't outright say it was fatal, but they did say that without treatment it's possible he could have another episode and end up in hospital again, and that it is a "heart failure issue."

I'm not planning on taking on any pets, why the hell would I do that when I already said I was planning to give these up? Doesn't make any sense, I was planning to give these guys up for a reason. I just wanted to wait until after Halloween since one of them is an all white cat.
 
Originally posted by: between
is the enlarged heart thing fatal? is he in pain? maybe putting him to sleep would be the kindest option.
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enlarged heart is an observation...not really a diagnosis. Once he gets a diagnosis then you'd know what the outcome would be.

An enlarged heart could be anything heartworms to congenital heart failure.

It's not always a fatal condition except in those cats it's manifest in due to old age.

I don't know how any pet owner could not have some reserves or a credit card for at least any emergency for themselves yet alone their pet.

Its sad though that this cat is doomed more than likely by someone too broke to care for it but still able to go to hockey games.

 
Originally posted by: Steve
He's not in pain as far as I know - he's more relaxed with the oxygen, but any stress they put on him (e.g. just moving him) causes him to yowl in distress again. I am looking at options right now, but if there's nothing affordable that will work for us I may need to put him to sleep. As for how serious his heart condition is, they didn't outright say it was fatal, but they did say that without treatment it's possible he could have another episode and end up in hospital again, and that it is a "heart failure issue."

I'm not planning on taking on any pets, why the hell would I do that when I already said I was planning to give these up? Doesn't make any sense, I was planning to give these guys up for a reason. I just wanted to wait until after Halloween since one of them is an all white cat.
Click to expand...

Wouldn't make much of a difference less that 40% of even kittens end up adopted in most areas, most adults will be euthanized.
 
The hockey game tickets and parking were free, a giveaway from my sister's company. Clients didn't want them.


As for my financial situation, fuck you. I don't have to explain myself to you. Go take your condescending self-righteous attitude and get fucked by your high horse.
 
Originally posted by: Steve
The hockey game tickets and parking were free, a giveaway from my sister's company. Clients didn't want them.


As for my financial situation, fuck you. I don't have to explain myself to you. Go take your condescending self-righteous attitude and get fucked by your high horse.
Click to expand...

 
I would not be in a situation owning a pet I could not take care of nor not having at least something for emergencies.

You could have sold the hockey tickets for at least something. Drinks and snacks probably weren't free...I haven't seen many tickets with parking included though.

You probably have things you could sell / sacrifice, but it's apparent you were hoping for us to support you killing this animal and walking away.
 
Originally posted by: alkemyst
I would not be in a situation owning a pet I could not take care of nor not having at least something for emergencies.

You could have sold the hockey tickets for at least something. Drinks and snacks probably weren't free...I haven't seen many tickets with parking included though.

You probably have things you could sell / sacrifice, but it's apparent you were hoping for us to support you killing this animal and walking away.
Click to expand...

You're an idiot, and this is the one time I broke my own rule of ignoring you everywhere I see you.

I'll ask you nicely, once: Please don't post in any of my threads again, ever 🙂
 
Originally posted by: alkemyst
I would not be in a situation owning a pet I could not take care of nor not having at least something for emergencies.

You could have sold the hockey tickets for at least something. Drinks and snacks probably weren't free...I haven't seen many tickets with parking included though.

You probably have things you could sell / sacrifice, but it's apparent you were hoping for us to support you killing this animal and walking away.
Click to expand...

Please just shut the fuck up.
 
Good news, I found a local vet that does cardiology, and they say an ECG would be $350. Much better than what the hospital told me their usual cardio vets out in the burbs charge. However, I don't know yet if an ECG is what's needed.
 
an ECG should be not even 1/2 that...some of this may be new patient fee though which you may be able to negotiate.
 
Originally posted by: Modular
How about the Chicago Anti-Cruelty Society? They do many procedures at a discounted or free rate.
Click to expand...

I actually spoke to them on the phone this morning. They said they would do whatever they can provided I surrender the cat (which I'm willing to do), but they can't guarantee that they can keep it alive. Kinda sucks but hey, what can you do.

I've also applied with PAWS. Yeah it costs a bit, but I want to see the best for this guy. Hopefully the forthcoming diagnosis will not say the best is to be euthanized.
 
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