Cat still not treated

Yep, but they might explain the situation that allows your largesse on pets...
 

Yep, but they might explain the situation that allows your largesse on pets...

You want me to justify to YOU why I have pets and spend money to keep them well? I would not be holding my breath if I were you ralph



And that reminds me.. three of my dogs go to the beauty shop today for a puff and fluff
 
I don't have a great deal of money, but I love my pets. I care for them to.the best of my ability. I do not resent anyone who has the resources to afford their fur children better care than I am able to do. Good for them. But even if I had less money, I would still have pets, providing I could provide neutering ,shots, etc. My cats are indoor, and protected from outside diseases.
 

That's all any of us can do.. I don't have unlimited funds either.. but I figure out a way.. and I do draw the line when the time is right. Our Beagle Homer stopped eating and became weaker and weaker. A trip to the vet showed he was in total kidney failure and needed emergent dialysis.. at that point I had to consider that not only would that be an ongoing thing, and costly, but what sort of quality of life would he have. We made the decision to have him euthanized that day. These are things you need to be prepared for..
 
Thirteen years ago, (when mom was still here), she spent about $1300 on one of her cats that has been hit by a car. Its tail was paralyzed and it just started rotting off. She had the tail removed, but the cat always had trouble with its bowels. She then took it to a referred specialist (we had to travel about 60 miles in winter). They tried to save it but the prognosis was grave. The cat finally did pass about 2 months after that. I paid for the treatments (that was mom's Christmas present that year), but I always felt she went overboard trying to save the cat that has such a poor prognosis, but it was a 2 year old cat and she believed in doing everything possible. However, when my dad was hospitalized for the last time and they asked, "How heroic do you want us to be?", she said, "Just let him go."
 
Was there an agreement between the two of them as to what should be done in the event of a situation like that? I know that I've told my husband very clearly how I should be treated in the event of a catastrophic illness. Not that I expect an explanation debodun, just putting it out there that maybe that's a possibility.
 
Regarding Ralph's question to QS about the amount of money spent on pets, sometimes you just gotta do what you can live with personally from a moral and emotional perspective. For example, there was a way that I could have spent nothing on my horses passing, but the amount of fear and terror that they would have experienced in so doing would have left me with a residue of guilt that would haunt me for the rest of my days. As it is, I made sure that day was peaceful and gentle for them and I can live with that and feel somewhat 'good' about it all. So I spent this years feed budget on those moments - no guilt, only love.
 
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.

I pretty much do exactly the same thing. And I DO feel strongly that if you are going to have a pet, it is your obligation to take proper care of it, and that includes medical care. It does not mean going to extremes, but it does mean good responsible medical care and relief of pain. It also means knowing when to let go, like I did recently with my beloved Emily (big labrador retriever mix), who at the age of 13 was in kidney failure. I could have propped her up for a couple of more months, but my vet advised me that she would have still felt awful and been in pain, and still would have succumbed to the kidney failure, so I made the humane choice and had my vet give her a peaceful death though it broke my heart.
 
You certainly make a lot of assumptions Ralphy.

Yes, he does! Sometimes it isn't easy to pay for medical care my dogs need (I am still paying off Emily's final illness), but as a dog owner, it is my responsibility and obligation to take decent care of them. If I wasn't prepared to do that, I would not have pets, much as it would pain me. Having a pet is an option -- letting a pet suffer is NOT.
 
Yes, he does! Sometimes it isn't easy to pay for medical care my dogs need (I am still paying off Emily's final illness), but as a dog owner, it is my responsibility and obligation to take decent care of them. If I wasn't prepared to do that, I would not have pets, much as it would pain me. Having a pet is an option -- letting a pet suffer is NOT.


Well said.
 
I guess that's a problem for lots of adult children and aging parents. Nobody wants to talk about dying or the process or decisions.

When my mother found out she was terminally ill, she had a conversation with me and my sister about what she wanted and did NOT want. I was very thankful for that, because then we knew what she wanted and could proceed on her wishes without guilt or angst.

I've also had the conversation with my son and daughter-in-law, and I've threatened to come back and haunt them if they don't comply with my wishes. They also have my power-of-attorney for medical decisions and I have a living will (also called right-to-die), which is quite specific, in my medical records.

I don't want there to be any question about what I want when the time comes.
 
Tomorrow is Gus's big day at the vet. No food after this evening. Challenging to keep my cats away from food.


aaawww....
When my kitty had her surgery it broke my heart to withhold her night snack. I put the bowls in the cabinet (no food or water) and she looked at the empty area......poor thing. :(
But it has to be done.

Let us know how it goes tomorrow.
 
I'm the first to admit I'm not a cat person, although I love most animals especially dogs, but I've been really concerned about Gus simply because it breaks my hearts to know an animal is suffering in any way, please keep us updated as to Gus's progress if you would debodun.. I do sincerely hope that he's out of pain very soon.
 
I'm the first to admit I'm not a cat person, although I love most animals especially dogs, but I've been really concerned about Gus simply because it breaks my hearts to know an animal is suffering in any way, please keep us updated as to Gus's progress if you would debodun.. I do sincerely hope that he's out of pain very soon.

I echo the good wished here though I love cats, AND dogs. Holly you ok?
 
I echo the good wished here though I love cats, AND dogs. Holly you ok?

Hi Jim, yes I'm coming along thanks for asking.:love_heart:..just taking it easy after the latest surgery..and hopefully will be fit and well enough to meet you and Mrs J at the airport at the w/end don't forget to make sure Glinda, April, AC , and Annie are with you , and anyone else you can fit in Glindas magic Bubble.. ya gotta come mob handed for a big beach paaarrtttaaayyy by the beautiful ocean :beerandwhistle:
 
Hi Jim, yes I'm coming along thanks for asking.:love_heart:..just taking it easy after the latest surgery..and hopefully will be fit and well enough to meet you and Mrs J at the airport at the w/end don't forget to make sure Glinda, April, AC , and Annie are with you , and anyone else you can fit in Glindas magic Bubble.. ya gotta come mob handed for a big beach paaarrtttaaayyy by the beautiful ocean :beerandwhistle:

I'm glad you're getting well. Hug....
 

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