Vet thinks I should put Zorro down.

I just got a call from the vet. He said that by the sounds of it, it doesn't look good. He thinks that its either a spinal abnormality, or a deep vein thrombosis. He said the gudging by the sounds of thinks, I should bring him in today, and either get the tests done (which will cost at least $360) or I should consider euthanasia. I won't have the money for the tests until friday, and i don't think my mother will pay for them since she thinks this is a waste of money. When I explained this to the vet, he said that this can't wait until friday, that it wasnt' fair to Zorro and that I should think about his quality of life. He also said that if he do get the tests done, there is still a good chance of having to put him down. I don't know what to do...

I just called my mother and talked to her. She told me that it was ok and that she would put them on my visa and I could pay her back. I'm off to the vets now so ill let you all know whats happened. Wish him luck.

I'll be thinking postive thoughts for you and Zorro. I'm glad your mother was willing to help.

Oh, that's good news. I hope the test results give you good news too. How old is he?

Oh, I'm so glad to hear you were able to take him in to get checked. That was very kind of your mom. When I first brought Milo in, the vet was also concerned that he might have an arterial thrombus, but when he was able to feel pulses in his legs he was much less concerned about that. And it was the X-rays that got us the (very treatable) diagnosis. I will be thinking about you and Zorro, and sending happy thoughts!!!! I'm sorry you're having to go through all this; all the uncertainty must be very stressful and emotionally taxing. Best of luck, let us know how it goes!

Oh I'm so glad you Mom is willing to help. That is nice.
Sending lots of good vibes & prayers Zorro's way.

Good vibes for Zorro's tests.

Hope you gave your Mom a big hug for helping out with the bills.
Sending you loads of (((healing vibes))) for sweet Zorro. Hopefully his test results will show nothing seriously wrong. Good luck.

Please know that I am sending you prayers and TCS vibes that everything goes well for your Zorro. And please, tell your Mom thank you from all of us. Let us know how things go!

We hope to hear good news on Zorro. Please let us know. Wish the best for him.

*hugs and positive thoughts* for you and Zorro. I hope things aren't as serious as the vet suggested.

Many good thoughts and prayers for Zorro

Well its been a long and stressful day. I just got back from the vets. The results are not very good, but they're better than I thought they would be.
The vet did ex-rays and a dopler pulse check in his rear legs. He said that the pulse and blood pressure in his hind legs are fine, but the ex-rays are the problem.
It turns out that Zorro has degenerative disk disease. Something thats not treatable, but the vet said that he could live with it for a few years longer until he'll need to be put down. The ex-rays showed that he has a collapsed disk in his back thats pinched and damaged the nerves. He's on Prednisone for the next month and has to be in a wire crate for the next week. He's not allowed to do any running or playing for the next 6 weeks, and he's not aloud to jump ever again.
The vet was really mad and upset with the other vet. He said that if that vet had ordered ex-rays immediately, then Zorro would have recovered 100%. He said that there's a good chance that he'll still be able to walk, but he'll probably have a limp for the rest of his life. We'll know in the next 3-4 days whether or not the medication will work.
Thank you all for the good wishes. I think they worked. At least now I know whats going on with him, even if its not the best of news. 'm just glad I didn't have to put him down today.

I am glad to hear that he is not as bad off as the vet thought he would be!

I'm glad to hear that you got better news than initially expected.

I'm wondering if the problems are like those in humans. In people, you can dissolve a DVT with medication. Some clots dissolve on their own; the danger is a massive clot traveling to the lungs, which can be fatal. DVT's aren't fatal in people; I'm not sure what the situation is w/ cats. What did the vet say about disk disease? Your description of Zorro's back & x-rays sounds like my boyfriend's back! Seriously. He rowed competitvely in prep school and college, and in his mid-20s, he was told by an MD that he has the back of a 40 year-old, but it's manageable b/c he only has a slightly slipped disk. He was offered local injection of steroids to help w/ the inflammation. I think he got one shot, and he's been fine. Excepting heavy-lifting or back-intensive activities (intensive rowing, etc.), he's fine. If you can alleviate the impingement on the nerve (the "pinched" state), and it hasn't been going on for too long, the nerve can regenerate if not too much damage has occurred.

Hopefully, the prognoses for these things in cats is as good as it is for people. I hope your vet can give you better news yet for Zorro in the days to come. Hang in there!

to you both. I'll send <<VIBES>> for a smooth recovery

He's doing good today. The vet said that me crating him for the last few days before I brought him in helped it from getting even worse. He doesn't like the crate at all and has been screaming for the last little while, but I'm sure he'll settle down. I plan on taking him out alot and walking around with him. I might even take him for a walk(me holding him of course) outside for a bit. He loves it when I do that.
Is appetite is back full fledge so I think it was the metacam that was causing that, and he's wide awake. No dopiness at all.
I feel kinda bad for him since he's only 1 1/2 years old, and he's been put under and has had more things done with him already, then most cats have done in there entire life. I'm hoping he'll live out to his 5 year expectancy, but even if he doesn't, I'm prepared now to have to make the difficult decision sometime down the road, so at least it won't be a shock.
Hopefully these steroids will work, I'm sure they will though, he's always been a fighter! I'm looking up right now.

I am glad to hear Zorro is getting some better. Thankfully your mom could and would help you out with some of the expenses. She must be a great gal. Vibes to all of you that things will get better.

I am so happy to hear that there seems to be some hope for Zorro. I am sad to hear that he is such a young boy! You were so fortunate that you followed your gut instinct and looked for a different vet. Please let us know how Zorro is doing!