[rintense]

Ok, now I'll jump in. My boy kitty has urinary tract disease and has blockages 4 times- each one remvoed without invasive surgery. If your cat has this problem, request he be made into a girl- which basically opens up the urethra wider so no obstructions will occur.

I guarantee you that if your male cat has one obstruction, he will get another one unless he has a complete dietary change and/or the surgery to make him a girl.

As much as I loved my previous vet, I found a new one with more reasonable prices, more personable and will hunt down problems and call me. Get a second opinion. Even explain your monetary concerns to the vet and that you're considering a second opinion purely based on the cost and type of procedure.

[rintense]

I should explain that my boy, after his 4th blockage, was 6 years old as well. After one more blockage, the vet was going to 'make him a girl'. The price would have been $1600. But, with a change of diet- including massive weight loss, he hasn't had a blockage since. He's going to be 14 this year and acts more like a kitten now than when he was younger. Oh, and with all the emergencies, I'd say he's got around 4 grand invested in him.

It was worth it. He is my dog's best buddy and watching them play together gives me such great joy.

[stlnative]

or the surgery to make him a girl.

This is what the vet wants to do to her cat and will charge her $1800 to do it. It does not solve the problem fully, but it will take care of the blockage in 90% of the cases, but the cat can get bladder infections easily after the surgery. All the info is here... http://www.sniksnak.com/cathealth/urethral.html

Spending the $1800 is not going to solve the whole problem for her or her cat. The cat will most likely have more problems later on after they do the surgery.