And this is Luca, a Savannah Cat who is 50% serval and 50% domestic cat: 
Posted on 06/28/2006 9:00:54 PM PDT by Huntress
Dear FReeper animal lovers:
I have a dilemma regarding my cat and could use some advice. I have had Norman the cat for six years and he is a very beloved pet and companion. He got sick this morning, and my vet says he must have surgery or he will die. Here is the problem: the vet quoted me a price of $1800 (yes, $1800) for Norman's treatment; this includes what he has already done in an attempt to cure the cat without surgery, the surgery itself, and care after the surgery. $1800 is a tremendous amount of money but still within the bounds of what I can afford (barely). If I pay for the surgery, it is going to hurt financially. If I have the vet put Norman down, I think I will feel guilty about it forever.
My parents and many of my friends think I'm out of my mind for even considering spending this much money on a cat. What would you do if you were me?
"what kind of kitty is in your picture? It's beautiful"
It's a hybrid, F-2 Bengal: Grandfather was an Asian Leopard Cat.
An Ocicat?? My has two of them. They are gorgeous!
>If Norman is not eating, there is injectible vitamin C available but it is for IV use so you will have to have it given at the vets unless you have experience doing so.<
Huntress,
I've only given animals injections under the skin or into muscles, but if you end up having to do this, it isn't that bad. Kitty will forgive you for making an injection faster than for giving a pill! Insulin syringes have such a fine needle kitty may not notice it much.
RouxStir,
I'm thinking the vitamin C acidifies the urine, and makes crystals less likely to form. With a debilitated cat with a lot of waste in the blood and bladder, this sounds good.
"After two attempts to unblock him, the vet thinks a third is a long shot but is going to try again before doing surgery."
I would still put him on vitamin C. It may give him soft stools or even outright diarrhea but it really helps with urinary problems.
I think I will run the vitamin C idea by my vet in the morning. Thanks.
I now just stick with two or three flavors so I don't have to carry my list around. in the beginning it took me forever to find food. (Am I on the wrong site? This is an FDMB discussion LOL)
"I'm thinking the vitamin C acidifies the urine, and makes crystals less likely to form. With a debilitated cat with a lot of waste in the blood and bladder, this sounds good."
...makes crystals less likely to form and dissolves existing crystals....can also make some antibiotics more effective on some bacteria in the UT.
I did use Vitamin C on my male and it worked for that problem. Of course, I have to say it.....no problems since I dumped the dry food. :-)
You sound like a vet, very knowledgable. I thought I saw a site recently where they raised cats that looked like yours, in CA. I think they said Ocicat so it's probably a different breed.
And this is Luca, a Savannah Cat who is 50% serval and 50% domestic cat:
D'oh!
Look at it this way, there are many cats out there that need a good home. Norman has had a good life, if you can't afford the bill don't, put yourself under that kind of pressure.
I am guessing by your post that he suffers from FUS, which leaves a lot of scar tissue in the urinary tract and gets progressively worse with each new episode. I am partial to male cats, but unfortunately, neutered males are plagued with this condition and I have had my share of unfortunate experiences with them. The last cat I had had his first attack when he was just over a year old and another about a year later. The vet told me to put him on Prescription Diet (although there are other foods on the market with similar nutritional composition). He said that even one meal of a high ash/magnesium food could cause a flare up in a sensitive kitty, and with each episode, the odds of recovery went down. I became very conscientious about his diet and sucked it up on the higher food bill. I had to have Nermal put down late last summer at the ripe old age of 18. He never had another attack.
you've got mail
I have and love cats. Let kitty go.
Donate a portion or all of the money to a favorite charity.
In a while you will find a new kitty.
Niko and Luca are beautiful!
Thanks for all of your kind words and advice posted on this thread.
Norman had a perineal urethrostomy today, and the vet reports that he came through it very well. The blockage was very high in his urinary tract, and the vet feared the he might have to go in via the bladder. Fortunately, this was not necessary. Norman's prognosis is good, as he is relatively young (six) and otherwise healthy.
As for the money issue, I am working out payments with the vet, and I hope that less extensive surgery means lower payments. In any case, I have decided that it is worth it. I can always earn more money, but Norman and his companionship are unique.
That is great news. Thank you for sharing it. I am glad to hear Norman is in good health. Now get to work so you can pay the bill!! : )
You have done well by your Norman. We are charged with the great responsibility of taking care of these wonderful animals, they cannot tell us why they hurt or what to do to fix it...
Having pets is a life long test of compassion and caring.
Doing the right thing and not being selfish at the end. They will let you know the right time.
G
My family has two. The one shown below is Tommy, our youngest (now 8).
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