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  • Pet advice needed

    My cat is old (14). He's starting to show age-related health issues. He refuses to let us cut his nails and they become ingrown so that's $12 ever 8 weeks or so. He is currently on a thyroid medication and a potassium supplement (in gel form). These meds cost me $70 a month plus a once-a-year blood test that is $130. We just had the last test at the end of August. That test came back fairly normal except that it showed that his potassium was low again. They increased the dosage to 3/4 tsp morning and night.

    The problem I am facing is for some reason the vet is harping on his potassium levels. Today when I went to get his potassium refill, they only gave me one tube instead of two and I was told I needed to have a second blood test before they would give me the second tube. I don't have the money for this. I'm already at the limit I can afford for his healthcare plus my commuting expenses for work just jumped $100 per month.

    When the test was done, it was while he was being boarded with them during a weekend when I helped my sister move. I suspect that the vet staff was not giving him the supplement and were instead giving him a prescription cat food that supposedly also contains extra potassium but I kinda doubt it has the same levels as the gel. It was also summer and he was probably drinking a bit more water than usual.

    Is it totally unreasonable of me to call the vet and just tell them I can't afford this? What if they refuse his meds? Has anyone had experiences like this?
    My formula for living is quite simple. I get up in the morning and I go to bed at night. In between, I occupy myself as best I can.---Cary Grant

  • #2
    Is there another vet close by? It may be time for a second opinion. Also, look into pet insurance--that might be able to help. Good luck with your kitty.

    Comment


    • #3
      For his nails, is there any surface he enjoys scratching? Regular scratching is what keeps my cats' nails from becoming overly long and ingrowing.

      ElderlyCat likes horizontal wooden surfaces, preferably ones which have already been at least a bit scratched up. (grabbing a chisel and making random marks in it will do).

      WhiteCat prefers carpetted or cloth-over-foam surfaces, preferably vertical.

      Both cats require their scratching surface to be stable: ElderlyCat's wood is partially buried in the ground in our back yard, WhiteCat's foam&cloth is nailed to a VERY sturdy secondhand cupboard.
      Seshat's self-help guide:
      1. Would you rather be right, or get the result you want?
      2. If you're consistently getting results you don't want, change what you do.
      3. Deal with the situation you have now, however it occurred.
      4. Accept the consequences of your decisions.

      "All I want is a pretty girl, a decent meal, and the right to shoot lightning at fools." - Anders, Dragon Age.

      Comment


      • #4
        Unfortunately pet insurance in all likelihood would be useless at this point. I have never seen one that covers pre-existing conditions and even if they did, a cat that old would be very expensive to insure (when we looked a couple of years ago at pet insurance for our cats, our oldest, who was around 12 at the time with no illnesses or conditions, would cost something like $500+ a year.)

        Definitely call your vet and explain your situation to them. If they insist on having the bloodwork done before doing anything else, then I would look for a new vet. I honestly believe that vets who want to help animals, as opposed to just lining their own pockets, will work with you if you have budget restraints, especially if you are an established client who has been bringing your animals to them regularly. I know our current vet would work with us if something like this ever came up, and I also know our previous vet would insist on bloodwork and procedures that were ridiculous and unnecessary just to gouge us for as much as they could. So both kinds do exist.

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        • #5
          Have you looked in to ordering the medicine online? Have you checked to see if the medicines have a generic equivalent at a regular pharmacy? One of my friend's was getting her cat's diabetes medications for $4.00 a month through a major drug store chain's discount generic program. Have you asked your vet if you can set up a payment plan for the blood work? You could also try calling the humane society in your area to see if there are any programs you may qualify for that offer discounted vet care.

          If your cat's medicines have a human generic equivalent try looking into the savings club programs offered by the major drug store chains in your area. Some of them have a yearly fee and will offer coverage that gives you a discount on medication for your pets as well as any medication you may be on.

          Comment


          • #6
            Both of my cats enjoy their scratching post. Of the 3 posts I have, they only use the carpeted, heavy one in the corner. It's large enough that Baxter (big Maine Coon) can rip it to shreds, but heavy enough (and leaned against the wall) that it won't tip over. That's probably why even Sally won't use the much smaller (and newer) post upstairs.
            Aerodynamics are for people who can't build engines. --Enzo Ferrari

            Comment


            • #7
              Quoth Lady_Pigeon View Post
              Is there another vet close by? It may be time for a second opinion. Also, look into pet insurance--that might be able to help. Good luck with your kitty.
              You won't be able to get pet insurance because of the pre-existing conditions.

              I would find another vet for a second opinion. Sorry your kitty is having these problems.
              They say that God only gives us what we can handle. Apparently, God thinks I'm a bad ass.

              Comment


              • #8
                Like Panacea and Maggie the cat said, I looked into insurance a few years ago before he was having any major issues and most places won't insure a cat over 10 years of age. Even owners who already had it would have been cut off once the cat turned 10.

                He won't use a scratching post or anything anymore. We suspect he has a touch of arthritis in his right front paw that makes him cautious.

                I've looked into the online thing before and haven't found what he needs. Part of the problem is his thyroid medicine is very temperature sensitive and can't get cold at all which kinda is a problem with mail order in winter

                I just tried calling but the doctor who ordered it isn't in and didn't leave any notes. They do offer a credit plan but the thing is, if I could afford more debt right now, I could afford to just pay for the test. I'm just going to try to find out why she's so concerned. I can't believe his levels are all that low.
                My formula for living is quite simple. I get up in the morning and I go to bed at night. In between, I occupy myself as best I can.---Cary Grant

                Comment


                • #9
                  I have a few cats. My oldest one has IBS and has to get a shot once a month and a script for a steroid that helps her condition. Unfortunately, this costs me $171 a month. I just went to a different local vet and explained that while I love my furbaby, I can't afford this. She has offered to look into this for me and will see if she can beat his price. I have an appointment on tue to find out.
                  Call around to local pharmacys, surf the net. You may be able to find her meds.
                  I don't like the way your situation sounds. Check with another vet.
                  Good luck.
                  What do you want for nothin'? R-r-r-r-r-r-rubber biscuit?": Blues Bros.

                  Comment


                  • #10
                    I'm with the folks who suggest checking with another vet. Also, there are lots of programs around to help with elderly pet care expenses - I'd look around to see if there is a program that could help you.
                    My favorite vet (retired now) was very open to discussing what I could afford and what options were available for the comfort of my cat. What are the effects low potassium has on a cat?

                    Comment


                    • #11
                      Potassium is an electrolyte and helps muscles, including the heart, function better.
                      My formula for living is quite simple. I get up in the morning and I go to bed at night. In between, I occupy myself as best I can.---Cary Grant

                      Comment


                      • #12
                        About your kitties nails, try this

                        http://www.ebay.com/itm/Emery-Cat-Sc...item35bb58f5e2

                        My kitty has this and she LOVES it, though it doesn't stop her from trying to scratch the furniture occasionally (not sure anything can do that). These emery boards last forever and I haven't needed to buy a replacement for a year.

                        Have you checked 1800 Petmeds for kitties medicine? I absolutely love them and they have my cats flea medication for $20 cheaper than any store I've ever seen. And they have this great hairball medication that you can just put on kitties paw. She can't flick it off so she's forced to lick it off and it works like a charm. Its a good price too. Delivery for anything from them is free.

                        Its possible you can get insurance for your kitty too, so I suggest looking online to see.

                        Comment


                        • #13
                          A cheap potassium supplement might be banana - it's high in potassium, from memory. There are just two questions - and it'd be for a vet to answer them:

                          1. Do bananas contain anything toxic to cats?
                          2. Can feline digestive systems absorb the potassium from bananas?


                          Most necessary vitamins and minerals for any animal can be acquired in the diet somehow: the trick is to know which foods have what, and whether your digestive system (or your pet's) can absorb it.

                          Did a bit of google research: it seems that banana may be fine for cats. Nothing so far has said whether its potassium is absorbable, however. Also: it's only google-research and none of the sites were Trusted Sites, so take it with a hefty dose of salt.
                          Seshat's self-help guide:
                          1. Would you rather be right, or get the result you want?
                          2. If you're consistently getting results you don't want, change what you do.
                          3. Deal with the situation you have now, however it occurred.
                          4. Accept the consequences of your decisions.

                          "All I want is a pretty girl, a decent meal, and the right to shoot lightning at fools." - Anders, Dragon Age.

                          Comment


                          • #14
                            Quoth Seshat View Post
                            For his nails, is there any surface he enjoys scratching? Regular scratching is what keeps my cats' nails from becoming overly long and ingrowing.

                            ElderlyCat likes horizontal wooden surfaces, preferably ones which have already been at least a bit scratched up. (grabbing a chisel and making random marks in it will do).

                            WhiteCat prefers carpetted or cloth-over-foam surfaces, preferably vertical.

                            Both cats require their scratching surface to be stable: ElderlyCat's wood is partially buried in the ground in our back yard, WhiteCat's foam&cloth is nailed to a VERY sturdy secondhand cupboard.
                            My own cat was pretty calm about it, so I could do his nails myself with regular trimmers most times. Just put him in my lap, extend the claws and clip clip clip. When I gave him to Sis, she was rather pleased to see just how easy it was...


                            mainly cos we both remember the cat we grew up with and how much she HATED it. Back then ... we wrapped her in a blanket so she couldn't scratch anything or really struggle, like a little cat mummy, and then clipped her nails.

                            Comment


                            • #15
                              Our cats allow us to examine their nails. Very occasionally, we do clip them: usually WhiteCat, and when he's being overly claw-playful with us or the other animals.

                              WhiteCat has to be shown who's boss before he'll allow us to clip his nails. If I'm doing it alone, I do it by literally kneeling on top of him, and letting my body weight press down on him just enough that he knows I could let go and put more weight on him if I wanted to.
                              I have no idea why that works, but it does.

                              ElderlyCat needs to be reassured it's one of HER people doing it. Preferably me, but if Husband or Best Friend need to do it, they can catch her when she's calm and sleepy, stroke her and settle her, and she'll let them fiddle with her nails and the clipper.

                              Edit to add: sometimes they will need to do half a paw now, the other half of the paw's nails another time, and so on.


                              Our dog will cheerfully let us examine her feet and nails as much as we like. But she hates emery boards, files, clippers - anything we have. Touch the nails with anything other than our bare hands and she yelps and pulls away as if we've injured her. And she has clear nails - we can SEE the quick! We're nowhere near it!
                              Fortunately, letting her run on pavement grinds her nails down as fast as they grow. So nice long walks = short-enough nails.

                              Edit to add: sometimes we bring the clippers or the emery board over, and play with her feet with the nail grooming tools where she can see them and they're in reach. Occasionally we'll touch one, or pick one up, but not use it - yet. We're hoping to get her used to the idea of us playing with her paws and having them around. Just in case she gets too old to run on the pavement.
                              Last edited by Seshat; 10-28-2012, 04:31 PM.
                              Seshat's self-help guide:
                              1. Would you rather be right, or get the result you want?
                              2. If you're consistently getting results you don't want, change what you do.
                              3. Deal with the situation you have now, however it occurred.
                              4. Accept the consequences of your decisions.

                              "All I want is a pretty girl, a decent meal, and the right to shoot lightning at fools." - Anders, Dragon Age.

                              Comment

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