Very cheap or free veterinary care?

woollyideas

Can anyone help? My cat got hit by a car last night. I phoned the local animal clinic emergency number who said because it was out of hours and I'm not on benefits I should take him to the local emergency vet hospital, which I did.

My cat has a broken jaw and when we left him the vet said he'd need x-rays to ascertain whether there were other injuries (possible broken leg). I explained to him that I'm on a very low income (£14,000/year) and would really struggle to pay the bill and he said I should investigate local/free options and, if possible, he'd be happy for my cat to moved to another surgery. I've investigated PDSA and local animal clinic and both will only help people on council tax or housing benefit. I'm not on either - I just have a low income, massive mortgage and am on a debt management plan.

Just the visit to the hospital last night will cost 'at least £300' for vet/ pain killers, x rays, etc. They said I could pay in instalments, but if the cat's leg is broken it could cost 'up to £2000' to put right.

Does anyone have any suggestions? And yes, I know I should have insured him, but after a few years of doing so I could no longer afford the premiums and made one of those really tough decisions that you have to make when you have no money... Obviously regretting it bitterly now.

Does anyone know of any charities etc that might help?

Waterfalls

its a tough situation that u are in. sorry to hear about that.
an option that may help u if ur cats leg is broken maybe to opt for amputation instead? cats do cope really well with this, he will be up and about much quicker, less chance of post surgery complications after a fracture repair and lighter on ur pocket. good luck with it all

emlou2009

The OP has already stated she is on a Debt Management Plan, therefore getting loans/credit cards etc isnt going to be an option.

The priority here is that the animal gets the treatment it needs, not giving the OP a bashing for not doing things "the right way" up until now, whats done is done, so whats the point in having a go? No amount of back biting is going to help the cat!

If this was me (which it could very easily be - I am on a DMP myself) I would be looking to sell stuff, take my car off the road for a while (I know this wouldnt help everyone though so wouldnt be a option for many people), failing that I'd be asking family for help, find a cheaper vets if I could, and if it came down to it, yes I probably would ask a friend on CTB/HB if they would like to adopt my cat temporarily. The cat must be treated, there is no sense in putting an otherwise healthy animal down because it needs treatment it otherwise wont get! The other option would be to sign the cat over to an animal charity so they can arrange treatment and then rehome the poor thing, which it would really need after such a traumatic experience

I hope whatever happens, the poor kitty is able to make a full healthy recovery x

SnowyOwl_2

Hmmm, first post by woollyideas and within six posts later people are already divided and bickering....

The original post was full of "what ifs". It hasn't been ascertained that the final bill will be £2k+, nor if the cat's leg is broken (and £2k to fix a broken leg???). Once the facts are established and the OP knows how much money is required s/he can then make actual decisions. The OP says that the vet has already said s/he can pay by installments. I agree that anything of value should be flogged whether through ebay or a car boot sale or whatever. OP, it's a matter of priority - what is more important, the cat's welfare, or your jewellery, your CD collection, your stereo, or you getting a second job to pay for what has happened.

Sooz00

woollyideas wrote: »

Just the visit to the hospital last night will cost 'at least £300' for vet/ pain killers, x rays, etc. They said I could pay in instalments, but if the cat's leg is broken it could cost 'up to £2000' to put right.
Does anyone know of any charities etc that might help?

Hi Woollyideas – I’m quite staggered at the ‘up to £2000’ your vet is quoting. One of my housecats broke his front right leg about 4 years. Ok, we’d taken him in during normal surgery hours as he was limping only very slightly (so much so that everyone was incredibly surprised it turned out to be a break). When he had x-rays and they found the leg broken, it was strapped and he was on cage rest at home. The bill was less than £300. Have you asked your vet for a breakdown of the ‘up to £2000’? I think that would be one of my questions.

As you’ve probably found out, it’s difficult to get help from any of the charities as they tend to only help those on benefits. That said, I think it would be worth a call to them explaining your predicament. I don’t suppose that you are in receipt of any working tax credits as I’ve read that this can count as benefits for this purpose. That said, some charities might recognize, (particularly if you can contribute toward the treatment) that lower cost treatment could keep you and your cat together and avoid their rehoming costs. The Blue Cross mainly help people on benefits but their website also says people on a low wage may also qualify at their discretion.

I’ve also seen appeals in local papers with photos of the ill animal, a short story about them and a number should anyone be able to help support some of his/her treatment. I think you can also post a wish for funding online. I don't know how you'd do it but there's probably templates available online.

As other people have said, it may be an option to raise some money yourself whether via car boots/ebay/generosity of family.

You also have the installment option – what did the vet propose?

As a last resort, it is an option to sign your cat over to an animal charity that you trust. They would arrange for all veterinary treatment to be carried out and arrange their own fundraising appeal should this be more complicated than a simple break. I imagine they would then make the cat available for rehoming but at least it would be safe and well though probably heartbreaking for you.

I really am stunned by the £2k you have been quoted though. I have paid some horrendous vets bills in the past (8k+ for VAS, £1.5k for OCD/DJD and next week £2k for hypothyroid cat having radioactive iodine therapy), but these have always been at RCVS European Specialist referral practices for serious problems. I’ve never had to pay anything like £2k at a GP vet and certainly not for a broken leg.

Waterfalls wrote: »

its a tough situation that u are in. sorry to hear about that.

an option that may help u if ur cats leg is broken maybe to opt for amputation instead? cats do cope really well with this, he will be up and about much quicker, less chance of post surgery complications after a fracture repair and lighter on ur pocket. good luck with it all

It is always an option but it’s highly likely to be avoidable and I’d imagine a last resort if other treatment is not viable (i.e. if the leg has gangrene or necrosis). Amputation can also be expensive (ours was done at a referral practice due to complications) and although a cat can manage and do well, I permanently worry about my tripod cat in case anything happens to the opposite leg. Although predominantly a housecat, he still thinks he’s invincible!

Frugalista wrote: »

If they cannot raise the money by legitimate means perhaps they should have the poor animal put out of it's misery .

Sorry but I just can’t understand why anyone would even suggest PTS for a cat with a broken leg.

There are so many other options and unless OP advises to the contrary, I’m guessing he is otherwise healthy and happy.

Woollyideas – please update us and keep us posted on how your boy is. I hope you find some of the replies helpful and your boy gets the treatment he needs and makes a speedy recovery. x

DogsBody

Proc wrote: »

..... Enough taxpayers money is already wasted on helping people who can't be arsed to help themselves without chucking vet bills for stupid people into the mix.

AFAIK, no tax payers money is involved (unless said taxpayers have voluntarily donated) as PDSA is a charity, funded by donations/fundraising etc (I think).

Good post by Sooz00, can't think of anything to add.

OP, hopefully the X-ray results will be good rather than bad news and the 'up to £2k' will not materialise. Hope puss is doing OK.

welshmoneylover

I hope your cat is ok and not suffering too much pain.

Please get insurance!

EmptyPockets

emlou2009 wrote: »

The priority here is that the animal gets the treatment it needs

yes I probably would ask a friend on CTB/HB if they would like to adopt my cat temporarily. The cat must be treated, there is no sense in putting an otherwise healthy animal down because it needs treatment it otherwise wont get!

I don't really need to add anything - my thoughts exactly.

Call it what you want. I call it taking whatever means necessary to get my pet treated. If that means signing the animal over to someone who can get it treated asap, with a 'donation' from me, then so be it. Two people wanting to get an animal the healthcare it needs in an emergency.

That's fraud? Fine. Take me to court. I'd rather go to court for bending a few rules to HELP an animal, than for abuse and neglect.

rita-rabbit

Um - vet says bill can be paid in installments - so what exactly is the problem? Pay in installments & maybe think about making it a housecat in the future.

Hope kitty is on the mend now & good luck.

Horasio

My cat is having an operation to have his leg mended - I was quoted over £2K. My insurance will cover some but not all the cost. Thankfully I can afford the extra but worried about it being carried out if his quality of life would be permanently affected. I was told it would be only for the recovery time of around 8 weeks and our cat is only 5.

Darlyd

Awe OP I do feel for you.

IF I was in the same situation as you I would ask a relative/friend who was on benefits to put cat in their name and claim PDSA, am sorry but I would do anything for my animals.

I don't believe in pet insurance as I have known people who needed to claim and we unable to claim for the full cost, and eventually had theirs cancelled.

We have our own emergency account, and we put money aside each month for their needs. We just paid over 2k for our Dog who sadly we had to have put down Friday .

Good luck op.. Hope cat gets better soon..