Cat still not treated

debodun

debodun

SF VIP
Location
way upstate in New York, USA
My cats, Gus and Adam, turn 15 today. Gus is having dental problems (his lower left canine is sticking out. When I tried to examine it, Gus meowed painfully and pulled away, so it must be painful and his breath is atrocious). So I took him to the vet earlier this week. I though I would at least be asked to leave him and they would treat his condition, they I'd pick him up. However, the person that saw Gus said they had to do a blood panel and urinalysis before they even consider treating the cat. I've now invested over $100 and the cat still has his sore tooth sticking out (giving him an Elvis lip curl) and I've not heard back on the tests. They also said they only do surgery on Tuesday and Thursday afternoons which means Gus probably can't be treated at least until next week and he will continue to suffer. Years ago there was an old "country" vet here (passed away about 5 years ago). If you brought a cat with this condition, he pull the tooth while you held the cat and he'd send you home with some "pink stuff" (antibiotic) to give the cat. What's all this fol-de-rol with blood tests then bring the cat back (and pay for another office visit)? Is this padding the bill, or what? And what will I do if they say his blood work is abnormal and can't be treated?

Gus tooth.jpg
 

debodun, a year ago my kitty (5 yrs old) was acting strange and her breath was horrid. She cringed if I touched her facial area. Took her to vet and after an exam they said she had feline stomatitis (common painful dental disease in cats) and (after bloodwork) she had to have all her teeth extracted. (She now eats softer food). They kept her overnight and put a morphine pack on her back (where she could not reach). She immediately became more active, and her breath has been sweet ever since. The total bill was a little over $300…..all things considered, not bad.

Hope your poor kitty gets some relief. I’m surprised they didn’t do an extraction, but I don’t think they are padding the bill.
 
I just heard back from the vet's office. They said Gus's tests were normal, but since he was an older cat, they would have to take extra "support" measures when he was under anesthesia. That sounds like more $$$$. Ever see the "Petriot Act" episode of "King of the Hill" (animated TV show)? Probably online somewhere, but Hank Hill hears about a program where people can care for soldier's pets if the soldier is called up for extended overseas duty. Hank assumes he will get a dog like his neighbor Bill did. Instead he gets a cat to tend. Hank is not a great lover of cats and doesn't understand normal cat behavior. When the cat coughs up, he is obligated to get "the best care possible", so he takes it to a state-of-the-art vet clinic. Then he gets on the medical test-go-round running into thousands of dollars for an animal he doesn't even like. I am starting to feel like Hank (except I like my cats), but I like my money, too.
 

At 15 have you considered doing what we all hate to think about to instantly stop the pain. Gus may not be able to take the surgery anyhow. I know it's hard to think about but, ...........
 
debodun, No I haven't seen that show, but I do know a pet is an expense. I don't think an episode of the TV show "King of the Hill" should be used as a barometer on how/whether to get your cat treated. You could get an opinion from another vet. But you seem to have your mind made up that you're getting ripped off. :shrug: Good luck with whatever you decide.
 
I thought they might give a "senior discount" for older folks, but when I asked, their only response was, "If we do it for you, then we have to do it for everyone." They said they would call me with the cost. I am waiting to hear back. If it's going to be $200 or less, I can afford that now (keep in mind I have already over $100 invested for the visit earlier this week). Unfortunately, this is the only vet in town now that "Old Doc" is gone. Otherwise, I'd have to travel about 20 miles. Even the 5 miles to this place is seems a traumatic journey for the cats. They meow and scream in their carriers on their way there and back. I realize they have to make a profit to stay in business - I am just questioning all these "extras" in tests and IVs they say are "precautionary".
 
Some vets (mine for one) will bypass the expensive blood panels before doing surgeries as long as you are clear that not doing them could result in the death of your pet. My feeling has always been "What is the alternative?" They are going to die if they don`t have the surgery so why do we have to know ahead of time-other than they could find that the animal has some terminal condition and there is no point in doing surgery anyway. I usually pass on the blood panels-did so many only to have them never come back showing any problems.
 
I feel for you and your kitty debodun! We love these guys and they're so important to our lives but like Jim says, sometimes you have to make that hard decision. Like my horses a couple weeks ago. Love is so painful sometimes isn't it?

I had an infection in a tooth a couple years ago and it was crazy painful and by the time I got to the dentist, I was ready to insist that he just pull all of them because then I'd never have that kind of pain again. And I'm kind of shocked that they didn't give you a prescription for a pain killer at the very least for your Gus if he was going to have to wait for surgery!.
 
For older dogs, at least, my vet does the blood panel to be sure the kidneys and liver are working well enough to handle the anesthetic. She doesn't believe in going ahead with surgery on an animal that will die on the table because it can't tolerate the anesthesia. Then you would be stuck with the cost of the surgery anyway, and no good result. As to the additional monitoring because the animal is older, yes, they have to do that and it is extra, but not much. You'll have to do something (have the surgery or euthanize the cat) to stop its suffering -- the tooth will only get worse on its own and the infection will spread.

Do you have a humane society location with a low cost clinic in your area? It's probably cheaper to drive a ways to a low cost clinic than pay full freight
 
I think it's disgraceful that those in a position to help ( the vets ) leave animals in pain pending the outcome of expensive testing. This is what ruined the health care system in the U.S. and they're doing it to our pets now too. We actually have "Pet" health insurance in my country. Can you believe this? If you don't have it, pet health care can really cost. A friend of mine was taking care of her sister's dog when the dog got sick with a stomach ailment and she went to the vet who told her it would cost $1,000 up front before they'd help the dog. She had no alternative but to pay. I don't know how retired seniors with pets can afford pet health care. It must be a terrible hardship.
 
Surgery at fifteen!? This was discussed in another thread that we are treating pets like humans at a big cost. Let common sense prevail...
 
Just trying to keep it real. Some people don't have the financial resources to provide for extensive medical services for pets...
 
Ralphy1 said:
Just trying to keep it real. Some people don't have the financial resources to provide for extensive medical services for pets...
Click to expand...

So your solution is to just "off" them?

I recently spent over $4,000 to try to diagnose the problem my dog Pete was having with pain... Still no definite answer, but we are controlling his pain with medication. I guess I should have just put him down in your opinion.
 
Ralphy1 said:
You have the money--others don't! Don't be so smug...
Click to expand...

How do you know? I have a credit card that is kept solely for instances like that. It took me 8 months to pay off Pete's medical bills. BUT I believe that to be my responsibility because I was the one who chose to adopt him. If I were not willing to do that, I would have not have pets.
 
Com'on. Sometimes circumstances change. And suppose you are a low income family and your kids want a pet?
 
I did get a call from the vet's office last evening with an estimate of what it will cost which could be anywhere between $400 and $600 depending on what they find when they start working. It seems high, but they assured me it's because they have to take a lot of extra precautions with older cats (IVs, ventilators, etc.). Gus is scheduled for his surgery next Thursday - that's the closest opening they had.
 
That's not that bad.. I'm glad you are getting the problem handled. And as I said.. I have one credit card that is never used except for emergent or unexpected pet expenses.. it is the only card I ever have kept a balance on. and I paid it off as I was able.. I could have chosen getting pet insurance, but for the number of animals I have, that would have been very expensive.. so I get all their vaccinations and heartworm meds from a low cost clinic. I have a vet I go to for other things.. and if the expense is high... Like when I had my cat Jacks tumor removed, or my dog Pete's workup.. I stick it on the card and see how my budget is that month.
 
You obviously don't have other responsibilities, like kids or a sick spouse, or other factors, so you can use credit that other people can't or don't have...
 
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