I previously typed out a lengthy, detailed story about how I came home yesterday to find my cat waiting by the door. When he got up to go inside, I noticed he wasn't walking properly. When I went to post it, however, I was prompted to login again and lost the entire post.
To summarize, my house is a bi-level, and the door frequently used is the rear upper door. Gomey climbed the steps, in what must have been a painful maneuver for him in his condition, in order to wait for me. He then went in and tried to make it to the downstairs, which I assumed was to reach his food. He made it to the landing between the two sets of stairs, where he seemed to collapse. I inspected him to see that his front left paw appeared swollen. When I picked him up to offer assistance in reaching the food, he rear hind leg seemed to dangle/flop around. Between this and his front injury, I can only gather that he was hit or grazed by a car. There are no open wounds.
When I put him near the food, he collapsed again. I went upstairs to get a phone and access to phone numbers of veterinarians in the area. When I returned downstairs moments later, he made his way over near an old couch that is set up down there that one of his brothers lays on throughout the day. I began calling the vets, but they all told me that they were booked and I had two of them tell me to try the emergency pet hospital. This was around 4 PM. The pet hospital did not open until 5. Their web site said to call ahead even in a dire emergency. I tried before 5, and got no answer, so waited until just after. I was told to bring Gomey in, and that there would be an $85 exam charge not including any treatment.
When I brought him, he was weighed, has his pressure checked, his temperature taken, and was given a pain shot shortly after. The doctor came in, lifted him, and said that because his front paw knuckled, he probably had nerve damage. I had told him that he had used this paw to walk on, and after the doctor set him back on the table, Gomey used that paw to grab onto the side of the table. Because of this, I'm not sure if it would be nerve damage, but I am not familiar with it. I had an old cat who would frequently injure himself in fights, and knuckle and limp, but would be fine after some time to heal.
I was told that he would most likely require surgery, and was given an estimate of $762 to $1,062. I told them I only had $700. They do not offer payment plans, and do not accept Care Credit. I was asked multiple times what I wanted to do, as though being pressured into having the surgery despite how I told them repeatedly that I only had $700. I was also told that they didn't know if the surgery would work, or if he could have the surgery because he is 11 and there might be other problems. The doctor did no further examination, aside from lifting Gomey that one time.
I was told that they could not secure the hind leg as it appeared to be up too far, and that they would normally sling the front leg but couldn't because of the injury to the hind leg. I was told about amputation but how that also wouldn't be an option because of the hind leg. However, they did not offer any solutions for the hind leg (it was included in the surgery, I presume).
I was told that he may heal on his own, but it's not guaranteed, and if he does, it's not guaranteed that he would heal properly. However, the doctor did not say that bringing him home would cause any more damage. I was told that by doing so, he'd need to be in a confined area, cleaned, turned, fed wet food to help loosen stools as he probably wouldn't go and most likely wouldn't use a litter box, etc. I finally had to agree to take him home, as I did not have the money for the surgery. I was given Tramadol for him.
I set up a large box according to the doctor's instructions, but Gomey did not enjoy it and "escaped" not long after. He was laying on the old couch prior to this, so I returned him to that area (after laying large trash bags underneath an old comforter in the event he soiled). One of his brothers has been keeping him company, only leaving to eat, get a drink, or use the litter. Gomey ate a good portion of wet food last night, and I gave him a Tramadol dose this morning. He has eaten barely anything since, seems to just want to sleep more than anything. He has never been one to drink a lot of water, and has no interest in doing so. I know that the wet food helps with this some, and also used a needle-less syringe to give him some water as well. He has not relieved himself, however, which worries me a lot.
I'm at a loss of what to do. I cannot afford the surgery. The pet hospital was also very unsympathetic and seemed to not be entirely sure of anything, just quick to either get me to agree to the surgery or to leave. As I said, the other vets in the area are either booked or are not accepting new clients. I am very worried for Gomey. I do not want to cause him any more discomfort/pain or complicate his injuries. Without relieving himself, I fear that he won't make it long, but do not know how to assist him in doing so. I do not know if he simply won't because he can't access the litter box, or if he physically is having difficulties.
To summarize, my house is a bi-level, and the door frequently used is the rear upper door. Gomey climbed the steps, in what must have been a painful maneuver for him in his condition, in order to wait for me. He then went in and tried to make it to the downstairs, which I assumed was to reach his food. He made it to the landing between the two sets of stairs, where he seemed to collapse. I inspected him to see that his front left paw appeared swollen. When I picked him up to offer assistance in reaching the food, he rear hind leg seemed to dangle/flop around. Between this and his front injury, I can only gather that he was hit or grazed by a car. There are no open wounds.
When I put him near the food, he collapsed again. I went upstairs to get a phone and access to phone numbers of veterinarians in the area. When I returned downstairs moments later, he made his way over near an old couch that is set up down there that one of his brothers lays on throughout the day. I began calling the vets, but they all told me that they were booked and I had two of them tell me to try the emergency pet hospital. This was around 4 PM. The pet hospital did not open until 5. Their web site said to call ahead even in a dire emergency. I tried before 5, and got no answer, so waited until just after. I was told to bring Gomey in, and that there would be an $85 exam charge not including any treatment.
When I brought him, he was weighed, has his pressure checked, his temperature taken, and was given a pain shot shortly after. The doctor came in, lifted him, and said that because his front paw knuckled, he probably had nerve damage. I had told him that he had used this paw to walk on, and after the doctor set him back on the table, Gomey used that paw to grab onto the side of the table. Because of this, I'm not sure if it would be nerve damage, but I am not familiar with it. I had an old cat who would frequently injure himself in fights, and knuckle and limp, but would be fine after some time to heal.
I was told that he would most likely require surgery, and was given an estimate of $762 to $1,062. I told them I only had $700. They do not offer payment plans, and do not accept Care Credit. I was asked multiple times what I wanted to do, as though being pressured into having the surgery despite how I told them repeatedly that I only had $700. I was also told that they didn't know if the surgery would work, or if he could have the surgery because he is 11 and there might be other problems. The doctor did no further examination, aside from lifting Gomey that one time.
I was told that they could not secure the hind leg as it appeared to be up too far, and that they would normally sling the front leg but couldn't because of the injury to the hind leg. I was told about amputation but how that also wouldn't be an option because of the hind leg. However, they did not offer any solutions for the hind leg (it was included in the surgery, I presume).
I was told that he may heal on his own, but it's not guaranteed, and if he does, it's not guaranteed that he would heal properly. However, the doctor did not say that bringing him home would cause any more damage. I was told that by doing so, he'd need to be in a confined area, cleaned, turned, fed wet food to help loosen stools as he probably wouldn't go and most likely wouldn't use a litter box, etc. I finally had to agree to take him home, as I did not have the money for the surgery. I was given Tramadol for him.
I set up a large box according to the doctor's instructions, but Gomey did not enjoy it and "escaped" not long after. He was laying on the old couch prior to this, so I returned him to that area (after laying large trash bags underneath an old comforter in the event he soiled). One of his brothers has been keeping him company, only leaving to eat, get a drink, or use the litter. Gomey ate a good portion of wet food last night, and I gave him a Tramadol dose this morning. He has eaten barely anything since, seems to just want to sleep more than anything. He has never been one to drink a lot of water, and has no interest in doing so. I know that the wet food helps with this some, and also used a needle-less syringe to give him some water as well. He has not relieved himself, however, which worries me a lot.
I'm at a loss of what to do. I cannot afford the surgery. The pet hospital was also very unsympathetic and seemed to not be entirely sure of anything, just quick to either get me to agree to the surgery or to leave. As I said, the other vets in the area are either booked or are not accepting new clients. I am very worried for Gomey. I do not want to cause him any more discomfort/pain or complicate his injuries. Without relieving himself, I fear that he won't make it long, but do not know how to assist him in doing so. I do not know if he simply won't because he can't access the litter box, or if he physically is having difficulties.
