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#1
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Older Cat with a lot of new symptoms
My 18 year old cat has recently lost a lot of weight. I noticed today
that he hasn't been eating and he has begun to pee just outside his litter box. His back legs seem unstable and he drinks a lot of water! He's become much more lethargic, where he used to stay up all night a meow at my husband and I. Unfortunately my husband and I are struggling financially and can't afford much. Anyone have any idea what it could be or how much the vet visit will cost. This cat is my baby and my heart is just breaking because I can't do more. He doesn't seem to be in any pain aside from his legs when he jumps down, but I've stopped his arthritis medicine because it seemed to make him much worse. I've started giving him some tuna and I'm going to by him some wet cat food to make sure he's eating still. Please help. Any advice or suggestions will help. |
#2
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Older Cat with a lot of new symptoms
"Rachel" wrote in message oups.com... My 18 year old cat has recently lost a lot of weight. I noticed today that he hasn't been eating and he has begun to pee just outside his litter box. His back legs seem unstable and he drinks a lot of water! He's become much more lethargic, where he used to stay up all night a meow at my husband and I. Unfortunately my husband and I are struggling financially and can't afford much. Anyone have any idea what it could be or how much the vet visit will cost. This cat is my baby and my heart is just breaking because I can't do more. He doesn't seem to be in any pain aside from his legs when he jumps down, but I've stopped his arthritis medicine because it seemed to make him much worse. I've started giving him some tuna and I'm going to by him some wet cat food to make sure he's eating still. Please help. Any advice or suggestions will help. Borrow the money, or sell something on ebay. Your cat needs to see a vet. Do you have parents, siblings, friends who can help? You need less than $50. Inviato da X-Privat.Org - Registrazione gratuita http://www.x-privat.org/join.php |
#3
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Older Cat with a lot of new symptoms
Rachel wrote:
My 18 year old cat has recently lost a lot of weight. I noticed today that he hasn't been eating and he has begun to pee just outside his litter box. His back legs seem unstable and he drinks a lot of water! He's become much more lethargic, where he used to stay up all night a meow at my husband and I. Unfortunately my husband and I are struggling financially and can't afford much. Anyone have any idea what it could be or how much the vet visit will cost. This cat is my baby and my heart is just breaking because I can't do more. He doesn't seem to be in any pain aside from his legs when he jumps down, but I've stopped his arthritis medicine because it seemed to make him much worse. I've started giving him some tuna and I'm going to by him some wet cat food to make sure he's eating still. Please help. Any advice or suggestions will help. If this weren't a cat, but your (human) actual baby, you'd be rushing him/her to a doctor, right? If you have to cancel your internet account to be able to afford it, you'd do so (many libraries in US have free internet access nowadays. I'm assuming you're in the US as you're using google). When my cat (Ivy, RB 2002) started doing just that, she was rushed to the vet NO MATTER THE COST, and we discovered that she had Chronic Renal Failure (CRF). Cats can live a long time with failing kidneys, especially with the proper treatment, but alas, Poor Ivy only lasted another 8 months. CALL your vet and describe the symptoms, EXPLAIN your financial situation and see if they will accept payments (weekly, monthly, whatever). A vet that actually CARES about animals will accept payments. A vet that only cares about his/her finances won't (and should be avoided). |
#4
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Older Cat with a lot of new symptoms
Your cat really needs to see a vet. At 18, he should have a complete blood
work-up done in order to find out what may be the problem. I know it may be tough to come up with the necessary funds but he really should see a vet. Inquire with your local humane society. They sometimes offer veterinarian services at a discounted rate. Or ask the veterinarian if they would consider a payment plan. Sue "Rachel" wrote in message oups.com... My 18 year old cat has recently lost a lot of weight. I noticed today that he hasn't been eating and he has begun to pee just outside his litter box. His back legs seem unstable and he drinks a lot of water! He's become much more lethargic, where he used to stay up all night a meow at my husband and I. Unfortunately my husband and I are struggling financially and can't afford much. Anyone have any idea what it could be or how much the vet visit will cost. This cat is my baby and my heart is just breaking because I can't do more. He doesn't seem to be in any pain aside from his legs when he jumps down, but I've stopped his arthritis medicine because it seemed to make him much worse. I've started giving him some tuna and I'm going to by him some wet cat food to make sure he's eating still. Please help. Any advice or suggestions will help. |
#5
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Older Cat with a lot of new symptoms
YES. He does need to see a vet ASAP.
Gail "blkcatgal" wrote in message . .. Your cat really needs to see a vet. At 18, he should have a complete blood work-up done in order to find out what may be the problem. I know it may be tough to come up with the necessary funds but he really should see a vet. Inquire with your local humane society. They sometimes offer veterinarian services at a discounted rate. Or ask the veterinarian if they would consider a payment plan. Sue "Rachel" wrote in message oups.com... My 18 year old cat has recently lost a lot of weight. I noticed today that he hasn't been eating and he has begun to pee just outside his litter box. His back legs seem unstable and he drinks a lot of water! He's become much more lethargic, where he used to stay up all night a meow at my husband and I. Unfortunately my husband and I are struggling financially and can't afford much. Anyone have any idea what it could be or how much the vet visit will cost. This cat is my baby and my heart is just breaking because I can't do more. He doesn't seem to be in any pain aside from his legs when he jumps down, but I've stopped his arthritis medicine because it seemed to make him much worse. I've started giving him some tuna and I'm going to by him some wet cat food to make sure he's eating still. Please help. Any advice or suggestions will help. |
#6
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Older Cat with a lot of new symptoms
All the vets I've called don't have payment plans so I've asked a local
humane organization. I'm so dissapointed, I really can't believe that these vets aren't willing to help. Magic Mood Jeep© wrote: Rachel wrote: My 18 year old cat has recently lost a lot of weight. I noticed today that he hasn't been eating and he has begun to pee just outside his litter box. His back legs seem unstable and he drinks a lot of water! He's become much more lethargic, where he used to stay up all night a meow at my husband and I. Unfortunately my husband and I are struggling financially and can't afford much. Anyone have any idea what it could be or how much the vet visit will cost. This cat is my baby and my heart is just breaking because I can't do more. He doesn't seem to be in any pain aside from his legs when he jumps down, but I've stopped his arthritis medicine because it seemed to make him much worse. I've started giving him some tuna and I'm going to by him some wet cat food to make sure he's eating still. Please help. Any advice or suggestions will help. If this weren't a cat, but your (human) actual baby, you'd be rushing him/her to a doctor, right? If you have to cancel your internet account to be able to afford it, you'd do so (many libraries in US have free internet access nowadays. I'm assuming you're in the US as you're using google). When my cat (Ivy, RB 2002) started doing just that, she was rushed to the vet NO MATTER THE COST, and we discovered that she had Chronic Renal Failure (CRF). Cats can live a long time with failing kidneys, especially with the proper treatment, but alas, Poor Ivy only lasted another 8 months. CALL your vet and describe the symptoms, EXPLAIN your financial situation and see if they will accept payments (weekly, monthly, whatever). A vet that actually CARES about animals will accept payments. A vet that only cares about his/her finances won't (and should be avoided). |
#8
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Older Cat with a lot of new symptoms
"Rachel" wrote in message oups.com... Unfortunately my husband and I are struggling financially and can't afford much. also, Rachel, I just wanted to say that most of us understand what it is to be low on money. It is hard. But when it comes down to it, you can find money. What you have set aside for groceries, you can use that and go lighter this week. Hock something! Call a vet and see what he can work out with you. Don't be proud, just get your kittie the help he needs. If you love him you will never forgive yourself for not doing the right thing by him. Good luck and keep us posted. Nobody meant to be judgmental. But you do need to g get him seen by a vet. Inviato da X-Privat.Org - Registrazione gratuita http://www.x-privat.org/join.php |
#9
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Older Cat with a lot of new symptoms
Hi Rachel - First let me say I am new here, but I've been through this with
my older cats; I'm sorry he's going through this and understand how upsetting it is. I have to say though, that I agree with the posts here, he really needs to get to the vet and have a wellness or geriatric profile done and a urinalysis. If he is starting to have or is in kidney failure (he will be peeing a LOT and drinking a lot of water) he may need fluids and can be stablilized. Kidney disease is silent until they are really having problems. I had a cat that had both kidney disease and diabetes and with proper food and daily insulin lived with both conditions for five years. The tests can be pricey, but if it was me I would put it on my credit card if I had to. I also want to suggest that you replace his litter box with something lower. I have a deaf cat that has never had good balance, who last year had something neurological happen (vet thinks it may have been a mild stroke). His balance got a little worse, and he started peeing on my throw rugs. He would always cry loudly before he went as though he was very upset. I bought one of those drip trays that goes under plant pots - the largest I could find for his litter, and I keep it in the room that he likes to be in the most. It is only about 2 1/2 inches high. It solved the problem--he was just so unsteady that he didn't want to climb into the regular litter box anymore-or go down the stairs to the basement either. Though now, a year later he is going down there once in a while. Good luck-obviously your cat is well loved to have made it to 18! Cindy Rachel wrote: My 18 year old cat has recently lost a lot of weight. I noticed today that he hasn't been eating and he has begun to pee just outside his litter box. His back legs seem unstable and he drinks a lot of water! He's become much more lethargic, where he used to stay up all night a meow at my husband and I. Unfortunately my husband and I are struggling financially and can't afford much. Anyone have any idea what it could be or how much the vet visit will cost. This cat is my baby and my heart is just breaking because I can't do more. He doesn't seem to be in any pain aside from his legs when he jumps down, but I've stopped his arthritis medicine because it seemed to make him much worse. I've started giving him some tuna and I'm going to by him some wet cat food to make sure he's eating still. Please help. Any advice or suggestions will help. |
#10
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Older Cat with a lot of new symptoms
Visa, Master Card- they have payment plans. To me, this would be a reason
to carry some debt for a while. Go on eBay. See what people are buying and then look amongst your own things. Good luck. -- Barb Of course I don't look busy, I did it right the first time. |
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