Suspected cat cancer - cannot afford vet fees

moomin82

Thanks yksi  - I agree with your views, I decided I'd do what I could to try and save him. I also know there is a limit both financially and what I'd be prepared to put him through, I am relieved a found a more affordable option for now. Very caring charity vet. Commercial vets in my area would bankrupt me. I felt stressed thinking I'd have to take out loans and go down the debt rabbit hole again, and I've only just got out of it after many years.

moomin82

Thanks Malmonroe - yes the key was doing what I can within my means. I went ahead with another vet's quote. I think Bella is around 5-6 years old. I have considered palliative care further down as I just don't have £1000's to spend on vet bills as well as trying to save for my first home. It's been tough deciding even whether to leave the lump or try and do something about it. Fingers crossed for good results x

KxMx

I'll keep my fingers crossed for you both. 

I had a 3k bill for my late cat, that was diagnostic only (she spent 36 hours with a specialist Vet which was  most of the bill), we had every reason to think it was IBD but unfortunately it was small cell lymphoma.
 I didn't persue treatment as the odds were not worth the absolute trauma it would have caused her as she was an extremely frightened patient.

Luckily I had insurance and savings covered my 20%.

I post about this often as people seem to think only extensive and invasive treatment costs £1000s and that's just not always true.

MovingForwards

@moomin82 nothing wrong with a boy called Bella 😊 I'm glad he's feeling a little better and will perk up.

Not London and was a few years ago now. She had a really good life and was top cat in my home, the others knew not to mess with her 😁

We all have a first experience at some point with our furballs and hopefully Bella will be fine.

nicter

@moomin82 any updates on Bella ? Hopefully all is well x

Chris_Hanna

We moved to Animal Trust as our previous vet was expensive and our insurance ridiculous. They are a not for profit organization  They have price lists and will tell you how much treatment will cost. Open 24/7, 7 days a week. Lovely vets and staff  would definitely recommend them.

sheramber

Chris_Hanna said:

We moved to Animal Trust as our previous vet was expensive and our insurance ridiculous. They are a not for profit organization  They have price lists and will tell you how much treatment will cost. Open 24/7, 7 days a week. Lovely vets and staff  would definitely recommend them.

Fine as long as you live in a limited area of the country.

Pollycat

It's a 6 month old thread.

The OP hasn't updated since March.
And hasn't logged on for almost 2 months.

moomin82

nicter said:

@moomin82 any updates on Bella ? Hopefully all is well x

Hi all,
Apologies for not logging in for so long.
Thank you for asking about Bella.
He was doing just fine after the op last year but in November another lump appeared on his other ear.
He’s just had both ears taken off (pinnectomy) on Wednesday 27th, and is at home recovering. He has developed a further lump at the base of his ear. Awaiting results and diagnosis, as last time they thought it was a low grade soft tissue sarcoma and they had got it all.
Trying to do all I can for my sweet Bella but dread the thought of losing him. I am trying to be hopeful and am praying his prognosis is good.

MovingForwards

He will be fine without ears. They act like radars, but he still keeps the hearing part as that's inside. 

Oddly enough a post popped up on FB this week where the cat minion had knitted an ear headband for their ear-less furball. 

Just keep doing what you are. React and deal with things as and when. 

If you have any spare money, even a couple of quid, find a high interest savings account and pay it in as and when you can. Get a safety blanket of money slowly building up.

If the day comes when you can't, either due to where it is or financially, remember you've gone as far as you can over however many years.

The way I copied with loss was planning the funeral and having their ashes back home. Now I remember all the good times we had and know I did the right thing for them.

Don't think about the future, focus on the now, take photos, videos, play games and snuggle together.

We're all here wishing you both well. If you want a chat, say what's going on post up and you will get words of support.