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?
Kitty ping!
Figures a dog would say that.
I'm a cat owner and cat lover. Always have been. I would elect to be compassionate and put the cat down. You have to think of the living, too.
animal ping
ROFLOL. On a serious note I spent around 900 on our Lab to keep him around for another year and a half.
Spend the money. You'll know as you start writing the check whether it is the correct thing to do. You may or may not save the cat, but if you can't let him go, then you can't let him go.
How will Norman take the surgery? Will that and the recovery be painful?
Take the cat to another vet.
Don't know where you live, but try to get an opinion from a farm vet, one who works on livestock as well as dogs and cats. The city poodle specialists take themselves way too seriously, as they count on gullible folks who will pay any price to save Fifi.
No one should let their emotions get them into debt over a pet.
Sorry, Norman.
Having had to have a beloved dog put down, I can understand what you must be feeling. However, for $1,800 you can get yourself quite a few nice, young, healthy cats, who will never be an adequate replacement, but who will be stalwart companions just the same.
If it makes you feel better, make a donation to a local animal rescue shelter in Norman's name.
P.S. Brace yourself for a bushel of tasteless Chinese restaurant jokes on this thread.
Maybe I'm not the one to answer this because, of course, my answer is: help your baby get well. (mine are both doing fantastic, BTW)
One of my other cats had emergency surgery at 6 weeks old (try to find a pediatric vet) to remove a bowel obstruction: ~$1200
I don't know what the vet says is wrong with your cat, but the price seems high.
According to the vet, the surgery will completely fix the problem, and he will have no lasting ill effects.
I am a major animal lover, but 1800 is very steep. If this is a broken bone kind of issue, put the animal out of its misery. If this is some kind of medical . . . put the animal out of its misery. You might try some kind of less invasive therapy that is cheaper, but a long shot at best. All my prayers, Diane
You write that you consider your cat a beloved companion and that you would feel guilty if you put it to death; I think you already made your decision.
What is the surgery for?
I've been in that situation with a couple of cats. The one thing you have to ask your vet, and hopefully they are really trustworthy, is what are the chances for the cat after surgery.
If the prognosis is less than 50% then let the animal be at peace and put them down. If the animal is going to fully recover and live another 5-10 years, then hell yes, get it done.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.