MONEY MORAL DILEMMA: Pet versus debt?

maddisontalitha

Moral dilemma or forced dilemma? There needs to be a review in Vet costs....
Hi all
I need urgent advice as im heartbroken at the moment. Micheal my cat, was attacked by a dog three days ago. I obviously took him to the vets asap, which they then looked him over and said they would need to keep him in for the day to see how bad the wounds are. Later they told me they would need to keep him in 24hrs, as although the wounds are superficial they said that there could be internal damage which would appear in this 24hr period.
I am a single mum, who is a student, therefore yes i fall into the irresponsible catorgory, but through family and freinds thought I would have enough to pay for this 24hr period plus medicine etc.
However went in yesturday, and they then informed me that he would have to stay in for the week, as the bruises will not be apparent for at least a week. They cant guarentee he will be ok.
The bill so far is £345, and I cant afford to pay anymore, I dont live in any catchment area for PDSA help, but I am extrmely angry with the vets. Why couldnt they have told me this in the beginning??
The storey of Micheal. I didnt want a pet for obvious financial reasons. But every day Micheal would come into my house and sleep. After a month I called to RSPCA and told them of this stray cat, they told me that it would be very unlikely that he would find a new home. Myself and children had grown an attachment to him, therefore the RSPCA said that if i'm ok with the situation just to carry on - at least he would have some sort of a home. This has been going on for two years - he eats, sleeps and plays here - I feel he is my own, and I do love him, stupidly as it sounds but hes like my child!
Now tommorrow Im going to have to call the vets to put him down, all for the sake of money.
I am soo cross with the vetinary system. The vets must have known about how bad he is, i dont even know how bad he is. There tone of voice inticates he may not live, but they tell me he needs observing, and they will know soon. In the meantime, they play on your heartstrings and make pet owners feel so vunerable.
I need advice - I do love him, but what do I do? Money over a life? If I had the money yes the life. I dont have the money, but i could get a loan and be in debt. over a cat who came to me as a stray, who may or may not even live.
Please someone reply as I have no idea what to do, and i need to call the vets tomorrow.

lisawood78

Have you thought of a second opinion, its just that i've never heard of a cat die from bruising, and for them to keep him in for a week for no apparent treatment? It just seems odd to me, but obviously i'm not a vet.
Sorry I can't be of more help.

maddisontalitha

Actually that is a very good point. I mean they not telling me anything, only that he needs to be kept in for observation, firstly 24hrs, and the one week. Yes he looks ill, but he's so sedated, anyone would look ill.
I am so grateful for that responce. I just feel soo bad - all for the sake of money.

maddisontalitha

'Do I really have to think of something intelligent to write here........................?'

After thanking you, just noticed that bit. What do you mean by that?

lisawood78

That's just my signature, it appears after all my posts.
I hope you can sort something out, i know how you must feel.

emily_jackson

I would have the dog put down. It would be difficult, but I don't think there's any point throwing money at the situation, because there's not much chance of the dog surviving.

soniathethick

Maybe I have missed some of the earlier postings, but there are many animal charities out there who will treat ill animals for people suffering from financial hardship. Some are free and some just need a donation. Also, many vet's are understanding and allow time to pay if money is tight. This hypothetical situation makes you think it is wise to insure pets in order to avoid this type of situation.
Having said all that, if I was in financial difficulties and one of my pets was in this situation, I would get a second opinion, and then sell whatever I could to pay for the treatment, as my pets are part of the family. If I had nothing to sell, then I would find a second job to pay for it. But I would be sure to discuss my pet's quality of life in great detail, and prolong it as long as there was some quality there. If you have a good Vet. then this would already have been discussed prior to having to make any decision.

UKTigerlily

I have a cat that will be nine next month & other than two minor ongoing problems is all healthy. If anything happened to her though i'd pay ANY amount it took to get her better (Yes, I'd go for a second opinion if needed).

Of course i'd want to know the outcome, if she'd have a decent quality of life & such & wouldn't hesitate to have her put to sleep if the vet advised it necessary & she would be in pain or have no quality of life.

She's everything to me, I live alone with her & love her more than anything, i'm ill & unlikely to ever have children, but she's not a child substitute as such. I can't bear to see any animal suffer, I remember once when we took a badly injured cat to a vet which must've been in serious pain, the vet was asking us details & I just wanted to scream @ her to at least give the poor thing pain relief first. It was breaking my heart knowing the cat was lying there in agony.

Animals are as important to me as people, more so if i'm honest. Whatever it takes ...