Cats - Move if Needed, I'm unsure where to post it.

[Liesje]

Off topic, but you raise cavies too? I have 5 (but only purchased three, one was pregnant when we got her.

Yes, I did for years. I don't have any now b/c I devote all my time to my cats, and you know how social cavies are. My housemate has two though, and one of them is the son and sister of two of mine. But she has a HUGE cage (like 5 feet long and 4 feet high) and spoils them like mad. I had three females and then got a new one, which turned out to be male too late. So we adopted him out and then one of the three females had a baby boy and baby girl. When I moved into my current house and started working more jobs, I felt bad for them so I adopted two of the females to a family of five kids and lots of pets and then adopted the mother and her daughter to a co-worker with seven kids. Now if I want to play with one, I can play with my housemate's. Besides those I described, when I lived with my parents, my sister had one named Bethany Ann and I had two, Samantha and Latte. Sami was mine that I bought, and Latte was my aunt's classroom pet until one of her students had an allergy. Bethany and Sami died already, but as far as I know, all my other ones are still alive and being spoiled rotten at their current homes.

 

[Liesje]

What exactly is wrong with the cat, a skin disorder and a litter box problem? Is that all?

A "litter box problem" should not be taken lightly, especially with a 12 year old cat, especially if the cat has no prior history of this type of behavior. This could be a bladder infection, UTI, diabetes, renal failure.

The cat chewing the hair could be anything from fleas, mange, ringworm, allergies, immune mediated disease and bacterial infection.

ALL of these conditions I've listed above will not resolve themselves just through proper nutrition and love. The cat MUST see a vet if it's going to be kept.

 

[Amigone]

He has history. Has been missing the box for years before we got him.

Was checked when he first started chewing hair at his old place, he was taken to the vet, and they offered him kitty prozac, according to his owner.

 

[indra]

Sounds like Harley's life was one of miracles. What a shame to toss all that so easily. After all he's been through it seems he was meant to live. How could the owner not care? I don't understand it.

What exactly is wrong with the cat, a skin disorder and a litter box problem? Is that all?

Do you have any clue how much taking diagnosing and treating many illnesses costs? I have a cat who has hyperthyroidism and another that has issues with her teeth (her gums became so inflamed and sore that she couldn't eat, eventually had to have all her teeth except her fangs out, and she is still having issues). Between those two cats alone I have spent at least $2000 USD in vet bills in the past year, and probably more like $3000. My vet now wants me to take them both to various specialists, which will cost even more. Both issues are fairly controlled right now (although the hyperthyroid cat's blood pressure is back up, despite being on a medication for it...so today my vet ordered a new, additional perscription for him. So he's on three perscriptions, plus special cat food.), but they are not solved, so the costs will continue. I'm managing, but not everyone can.

Amigone, I'm glad the owner is coming with you when you put Harley to sleep. I do think it's the best thing you can do for him considering the circumstances. It's hard to do (as you know), but I do believe it is the right and compassionate thing.

 

[Liesje]

Do you have any clue how much taking diagnosing and treating many illnesses costs? I have a cat who has hyperthyroidism and another that has issues with her teeth (her gums became so inflamed and sore that she couldn't eat, eventually had to have all her teeth except her fangs out, and she is still having issues). Between those two cats alone I have spent at least $2000 USD in vet bills in the past year, and probably more like $3000. My vet now wants me to take them both to various specialists, which will cost even more. Both issues are fairly controlled right now (although the hyperthyroid cat's blood pressure is back up, despite being on a medication for it...so today my vet ordered a new, additional perscription for him. So he's on three perscriptions, plus special cat food.), but they are not solved, so the costs will continue. I'm managing, but not everyone can.

Thankfully, thus far the only problem I've had besides routine check-ups and shots was Beckham has bad teeth already, so he had to be put under and have them cleaned. The best part is most places charge $300-$400 for this procedure, and more if teeth need to be pulled, but the place I go is only $72 including extractions. Beckham also had a recurrance of roundworm, but the meds to treat both he and Posh were less than $5 total. My parents thing I'm nuts because I spend more on health care for my cats than myself.

Anyway, like you're saying, cats are not cheap. It's just not fair of the owners to lie to Amigone and deny any responsibility financially. Amigone, I don't blame you and I don't think anyone else here does for not taking the cat to the vet b/c obviously that was not the original agreement and the owners have really given you the shaft here. Maybe they'll see how much you care about this and then feel really bad. At the VERY LEAST they should have to carry that guilt.

 

[hiphop]

Anyway, like you're saying, cats are not cheap. It's just not fair of the owners to lie to Amigone and deny any responsibility financially.

Agreed. And a donation of $10 to get the kitty killed is just ridiculous. The original owner should pay a vet to see if anything can be done to improve the kitties situation. If there is no other way out, he should also pay for killing it.

All that blah blah the original owner gives you is nice, but he/ she´s still a total piece of crap in my eyes for not taking responsibility.

 

[Sicy]

My neighbor spent $1500 on her 3 yr old cat that had a hip problem and needed extensive surgery.

Last year I spent a few hundred on Zoey because she had a UTI (luckily she's so good she never peed outside the box, but she kept going in and out of the box and only peeing a few drops so I knew she had one). She had crystals in her urine and high ph so I had to give her antibiotics then multiple urine tests and switching her food until finally I got her stabalized. She has to be on a special diet now for probably the rest of her life (she's only 3 ) but she's doing just fine now.

Bottom line, animals cost money and they get sick just like humans/kids and when you take on a pet you have to be prepared to spend money on them when they get sick. It's not fair to just put them to sleep because you dont have the money to get them medical help. Of course in Amigone's case this would be the most humane thing to do at this point.

 

[clarityat3am]

My neighbor spent $1500 on her 3 yr old cat that had a hip problem and needed extensive surgery.

Last year I spent a few hundred on Zoey because she had a UTI (luckily she's so good she never peed outside the box, but she kept going in and out of the box and only peeing a few drops so I knew she had one). She had crystals in her urine and high ph so I had to give her antibiotics then multiple urine tests and switching her food until finally I got her stabalized. She has to be on a special diet now for probably the rest of her life (she's only 3 ) but she's doing just fine now.

Bottom line, animals cost money and they get sick just like humans/kids and when you take on a pet you have to be prepared to spend money on them when they get sick. It's not fair to just put them to sleep because you dont have the money to get them medical help. Of course in Amigone's case this would be the most humane thing to do at this point.

I found a good supplement that actually works to keep pH down. It's pH- from Wysong. It works for my dog. Those prescriptions foods are

 

[Sicy]

Yeah, I am using a urine acidifier paste that she actually LOVES and will lick right off my finger

She actually likes the food, which is a good thing
But it is filled with by products which really bothers me.

 

[clarityat3am]

Yeah, I am using a urine acidifier paste that she actually LOVES and will lick right off my finger

She actually likes the food, which is a good thing
But it is filled with by products which really bothers me.

That's why I took my dog off that stuff. blech The pH stuff I use gets it down to a normal level so I said buh-bye to the craptastic food.

 

[Sicy]

Unfortunately I dont think Zoey can do it with just the acidifier.. her ph was soo high it was off the chart

 

[clarityat3am]

Unfortunately I dont think Zoey can do it with just the acidifier.. her ph was soo high it was off the chart

 

[LarryMullen's POPAngel]

Unfortunately I dont think Zoey can do it with just the acidifier.. her ph was soo high it was off the chart

Oh wow, poor baby.

I agree, if you can take yourself to the doctor, you can most certainly take your animals. I remember when our cocker spaniel Spencer was sick. He was so far gone they were talking about having to put him on dialysis, but my mom asked if it would prolong his life any (he was ten, had kidney failure and had lost a LOT of weight over one summer - by Christmas he couldn't even walk down two steps without help) and they said he was probably in a lot of pain, so when we put him to sleep it was the most humane thing to do. Wow, I just realized that this weekend it's been three years since we took him in.

 

[Amigone]

His owners came by today. She is unable to make the trip out to the vet, but she wanted to say goodbye.

According to her, who hasn't seen him since August, he has lost about half his body weight. He misses more jumps (had a spectacular fall while they were here) and no longer has the look of life in his eyes.

She was sad to say goodbye, but I think now that euthanasia is for the best. He just dosen't look healthy anymore.

 

[Sicy]

We're here if you need us

 

[indra]

His owners came by today. She is unable to make the trip out to the vet, but she wanted to say goodbye.

According to her, who hasn't seen him since August, he has lost about half his body weight. He misses more jumps (had a spectacular fall while they were here) and no longer has the look of life in his eyes.

She was sad to say goodbye, but I think now that euthanasia is for the best. He just dosen't look healthy anymore.

I think you're right. There comes a point when it is "time" and if you know the animal and allow yourself to see it, you will be able to recognise that look.

My old vets wouldn't put a healthy animal to sleep, even keeping some and finding homes for them, but whenever my family or I felt it was "time" with an animal and arranged for euthanasia the vet would check over the animal, but would always agree that our decision was the correct one.

It's a tough, painful decision for you, but for the cat it isn't. For the cat it's a release.

 

[fly so high!]

Yes, its time. You are doing the right thing for kitty!

 

[Amigone]

At about 4:40 today, Harley slipped from this world, into the next. He did not struggle, he went with a simple shot in his front leg.

Goodbye, sweet Harley-cat. There are not enough tears right now to even begin to describe how I feel. I miss you already.

 

[clarityat3am]

 

[indra]

I thought of you and Harley today Amigone.

 

[Amigone]

Thank you Clarity and Indra.

I miss him immensely.

 

[U2Girl1978]

At about 4:40 today, Harley slipped from this world, into the next. He did not struggle, he went with a simple shot in his front leg.

Goodbye, sweet Harley-cat. There are not enough tears right now to even begin to describe how I feel. I miss you already.

I'm so sorry.

 

[Catlady]

I am so sorry to hear about Harley. You guys absolutely did the right thing. Even after years of rescue work it never gets any easier to hear about guardians who abandon thier animals. IMO, there is a special place in hell (or its equivalent, depending on whatever religion the person is) for people who do this...

 

[Sicy]

 

[bonosloveslave]

I'm sorry it came to this, but I'm glad he is at peace now

 

[sonicsmurf]

Amigone.

 

[kellyahern]

 

[tiggytoos]

Bless you, Amigone for caring for and loving Harley so much.

 

[LarryMullen's POPAngel]

Harley's at peace now.

I'm so sorry, Amigone.

 

[fly so high!]