Emergency? Or no?

mistyapples · May 21, 2013

Hello! Sorry for the frankness of this post, I will introduce myself properly later on, I need help with my cat though

My cat has the following symptoms:

-Not pooping/straining to poop

-Vomiting

-Meowing loudly as if in pain

-Laying down and not getting up unless needed

-Fur along spine raised

I have come up with a few possible diagnosis:

-Constipation

-Colitis(No diarhea)

-Obstruction in Digestive Tract(He likes to chew on plastics despite our correction)

We are already going to pull food for 24 hours, leaving water out. Please does anyone know if this is something we will need to take him to the vet immediately for? I really would like to know if this is an urgent situation, if I had my way, he would be at the vet in 10 mins, however time is not on my side(vet offices are closed at this hour), so I will have to wait till morning.

Thank you for any info!

Misty

vball91 · May 21, 2013

This sounds like an emergency. How long has this been going on?

smitten4kittens · May 21, 2013

I'm sorry you're going through this. It sounds serious to me. Maybe an intestinal obstruction. It also sounds like he's in a lot of pain. I would get him to a vet ASAP. Do you have a 24 hour vet you can go to?

tulosai · May 21, 2013

vball91 said:
This sounds like an emergency. How long has this been going on?

Strongly agree. I am a first time mommy so I overreact to anything but depending how long it's been going on I might go to an emergency vet. If not an option I'd go first thing in the morning.

mistyapples · May 21, 2013

I first noticed this going on about...and hour(at least) ago? He's not meowing anymore. He's throwing up bile now since he has nothing in his stomach. He is moving a bit more now(I think). We have no emergency vets, or at least not any that will see my cat without a very expensive fee(this is just for us to walk in!). We can't afford to take him in immediately...is there anything I can do for him as of now?

Thank you all for the quick responses!

vball91 · May 21, 2013

How long has it been since he last pooped and was it normal?

I assume you've looked for anything dangerous he could have eaten or anything toxic he could have ingested?

mistyapples · May 21, 2013

I'm not sure...he stays in my parents' room so I don't see him very often, I do check on him twice or three times a day though. I cleaned the litterbox(after one day) and only found one pile of poop in the whole thing...and we have two cats that use it. It seemed to have hair in it...

He just tried to go to the bathroom again and wasn't successful. He drank more water. And he might have ingested plastic when he was chewing on it(haven't seen him do it recently though)...our other cat likes to eat the flower bouquet that is on our kitchen table, but this one hasn't shown any interest.

smitten4kittens · May 21, 2013

What kind of flowers are they? Some are very toxic to cats.

tulosai · May 21, 2013

MistyApples said:
I'm not sure...he stays in my parents' room so I don't see him very often, I do check on him twice or three times a day though. I cleaned the litterbox(after one day) and only found one pile of poop in the whole thing...and we have two cats that use it. It seemed to have hair in it...

He just tried to go to the bathroom again and wasn't successful. He drank more water. And he might have ingested plastic when he was chewing on it(haven't seen him do it recently though)...our other cat likes to eat the flower bouquet that is on our kitchen table, but this one hasn't shown any interest.

Given what you're describing and your situation I'd try to keep an eye on him tonight as best you can and then take him to the vet in the morning unless he shows huge improvement. I'd also look up the nearest emergency vet and be ready to take him if he gets dramatically worse if that is at all a possibility (in my experience most emergency vets won't charge THAT much more than the regular vets, it just feels like a lot more since, being that it is an emergency, often the bill adds up in a way normal vet bills won't).

vball91 · May 21, 2013

I think it could very well be an obstruction and needs a vet sooner rather than later. I agree with tulosai to be prepared to rush him to an emergency vet.

mistyapples · May 21, 2013

We contacted quite a few vets, none would even see my cat for less than 185$. Let alone whatever other expenses come with the tests and such, we can't afford it, we honestly can't.So, we will take him in the morning at 7:30. It's currently 11 here, so we have awhile to go...I'm terrified that I'll wake up in the morning and he'll be gone, or if I wait up I'll have to watch him go....I don't know which is worse. I hate that I can't do anything about this! I've had to do this with my dog(not the same ailment, he had a spinal disc rupture) but I went to school the next day only to be called out and told that he had to be put down.

I don't think it's poisoning btw....wouldn't he be able to poop if it was? At least diarrhea?

vball91 · May 21, 2013

I don't think it's poisoning either. I do fear it's an obstruction. I do understand about finances. We all do the best that we can for our furbabies. Many vibes that he'll be ok until the morning vet visit. Please keep us posted on your guy.

abisiobhan · May 21, 2013

That amt is not excessive when you consider it could save his life. Is it possible to make arrangements with an an ER vet to see your Kitty and work out a payment plan? No vet wants a cat to die or needlessly suffer? Cats NEED to eat and this one -with no food -could develop much more serious symptoms like kidney failure or other symptoms without food. They just do not have the reserves we humans do to go sand food. I pay that amt (cannot access nos on kindle for some bizarre reason) every month for just one of my4 kitties who has s heart problem. A Thousand would be difficult but what you are suggesting is not so bad esp if a vet will let you do it over time. There are also groups who help ppl who cannot afford vet fees -maybe others here can think of the names? Good luck!! My thoughts are with you but either get him to eat something (ii have heard about a cat dying without food in ^twelve hrs so this concerns me) or get a vet or someone? Can you get him tomaybe eat baby food?

tulosai · May 22, 2013

Just checking to see how the kitty is getting on. I do think $185 JUST to take him in is obscene though I'd have paid it. I never thought there would be an advantage to living in super expensive DC but I guess this is one- the city and surrounding area have multiple 24-hour animal hospitals so it does not cost more than a normal-ish appointment to take them in (it runs around $80 which is more than my normal vet but not much) though by the time they're done with tests it's seldom less than $200 and usually more like $300-500. To me it is worth it for peace of mind since accidents fortunately happen rarely but I don't presume to judge anyone else's financial situation. I will say $300-500 is a lot for me, though, and I have had to skimp for 2-3 months sometimes afterward and still felt it to be worth it.

catsallaround · May 22, 2013

185 may not be much to some people but if you really have nothing in bank and the vets won't take credit you really may have no option but to wait till the am to go to your reg vet. Even the regular vets near me will not do credit let alone a ER vet.

OP has already stated money is an issue and that if they had it their way cat would be taken in. I also assume that the local vet will know if there are any programs she qualifies for at the local/national level.

Care credit is great but will not approve everyone. Some people do not have family to ask or the resources and they KNOW the best is to go to the vet RIGHT NOW but at least they are looking for advice as opposed to putting the cat outside to suffer to the am, they are not horrible people cause they do not have a few hundred in bank/family to borrow off.

185 at the regular vet would equal blood tests/office visit and some fluids or medicine near me.

I hope things worked out and update us if you can.

Also as a last ditch effort if you know your cat is REALLY sick and suffering(not the OP cat as of OP last post) go in and have the cat euthanized and walk out on the bil/offer what you can and that you will mail in the rest.l. Yes it is wrong but if your talking cat is screaming in pain/bleeding or something that serious I have yet to go to a place that charges for euth up front. I have always paid right after the euth.

mistyapples · May 22, 2013

Thank you all for your advice and help <3 We took him into the vet today and found out he has a urinary obstruction...which, although treatable, will be a very expensive operation. However, my cat also has the problem of weight. He is a fairly overweight cat, about which the vet emphasized several times that he may not recover after the surgery because of it. So what would be the point in paying 1 grand for an operation, only to have it not work and him be in pain? My mom will be taking him to another vet tomorrow...if they have the operation for cheaper, we will get it done. If we can't afford it...my baby will have to be put down :'( If we wait too long to look for another vet or a cheaper operation, the toxins from the urine he isn't passing will build up, and he will be in immense pain. As much as I hate it, and as much as it's going to kill me, I will not let my cat suffer, and I will not make my parents bankrupt for an animal. I hope you all can understand...

He is doing better now. He doesn't seem to be in pain anymore, however he is still laying around and not eating, although he is drinking. Something strange, my other cat walked up to him earlier, sniffed him, put his ears back, and hissed. They were always best friends before this. From last night to now he has been avoiding him like the plague...

PS: 185 may not seem like a lot to some of you, and I told my mother she could take it out of my own bank account, however the amount of money that would add up with the tests and such, plus that entry fee, would not have been worth it in her eyes. It probably would have been well over anything I had in my account. And to be honest, most of the vets around here care more about money than the actual animals from what I've seen...we had a vet come to check out my horse and goats for a health certificate, he barely even glanced at them before he signed the papers. If they honestly cared about the animals, they would not have such high rates on everything, even things that are as simple as seeing the animal in an emergency. Either way, even if we had gotten him in last night, the issue would not have been any more treatable.

tulosai · May 22, 2013

MistyApples said:
Thank you all for your advice and help <3 We took him into the vet today and found out he has a urinary obstruction...which, although treatable, will be a very expensive operation. However, my cat also has the problem of weight. He is a fairly overweight cat, about which the vet emphasized several times that he may not recover after the surgery because of it. So what would be the point in paying 1 grand for an operation, only to have it not work and him be in pain? My mom will be taking him to another vet tomorrow...if they have the operation for cheaper, we will get it done. If we can't afford it...my baby will have to be put down :'( If we wait too long to look for another vet or a cheaper operation, the toxins from the urine he isn't passing will build up, and he will be in immense pain. As much as I hate it, and as much as it's going to kill me, I will not let my cat suffer, and I will not make my parents bankrupt for an animal. I hope you all can understand...

He is doing better now. He doesn't seem to be in pain anymore, however he is still laying around and not eating, although he is drinking. Something strange, my other cat walked up to him earlier, sniffed him, put his ears back, and hissed. They were always best friends before this. From last night to now he has been avoiding him like the plague...

PS: 185 may not seem like a lot to some of you, and I told my mother she could take it out of my own bank account, however the amount of money that would add up with the tests and such, plus that entry fee, would not have been worth it in her eyes. It probably would have been well over anything I had in my account. And to be honest, most of the vets around here care more about money than the actual animals from what I've seen...we had a vet come to check out my horse and goats for a health certificate, he barely even glanced at them before he signed the papers. If they honestly cared about the animals, they would not have such high rates on everything, even things that are as simple as seeing the animal in an emergency. Either way, even if we had gotten him in last night, the issue would not have been any more treatable.

I am sorry to hear this. How old is he?

I am also sorry if my comments about the $185 seemed dismissive in any way. I was only sort of discussing my own situation and what I would do, not meaning to act judgmental of you or your parents. It is hard sometimes when you think an animal needs emergency care and people are unable or unwilling to get the animal that care, at least for me, because I really feel for the animal, but I did not mean to be rude to you, particularly as it seems you are not the one financially responsible for the cat.

runekeeper · May 23, 2013

Unfortunately, the downside to pet ownership is the high likelihood that one's pet will probably need at least one expensive procedure done over the span of the pet's life. And vets charge an arm and a leg for their services. Not that our fuzzies aren't worth it, but not everyone is rolling in the Benjamins and has several hundred bucks to fork over on the spot, which puts pet owners in the horrible spot of having to choose between being broke or losing their pets.

Does the vet office you visit let you make payments on balances over time? My late male kitty Rolly was quite a tub (17 pounds) and he had a urinary obstruction too. For treatment and an overnight stay at a small office, it was $500. Neither I nor my mother had that much money up front, but this office allows people to pay off outstanding balances over time. However, a much bigger facility I've taken my cats to that has more advanced (and more expensive) technology does not allow this because they're greedy pigs that want all their money the day you visit. The bigger hospital always wanted half when you come in and half when you leave with your pet, no exceptions. Thank gods for student loans because some of those bills were four figures and I had no income of my own. Even for visits to the small office, for an emergency visit + euthanasia + cremation, it cost me $300. Not that my cats weren't worth it, and they were in bad shape when I let them go, but veterinary costs are ridiculous. Then people wonder why so many pet owners don't bring their cats in for regular checkups, blood work, etc. It costs more to treat a cat than it does to treat a human!

Urinary blockages are very painful, but very treatable. If there's a way to pay the bill a little at a time, get your kitty treatment. My mom never liked my cats, but she paid for Rolly's treatment. It took a long time to pay off, but I had many more years with him afterward. However, if this kind of care is something that just cannot be done and/or the vet is greedy and wants payment in full immediately, then I'm glad to hear you'll choose to put him down instead of letting him suffer. But also bear in mind that euthanasia + either an office visit or a home visit will cost money too.

Alas, the risk of surgery failing is something that has to be considered with any medical procedure for either humans or animals. It's a gamble, and unfortunately, one can't get a refund if the surgery doesn't work. But also ask yourself if you would be okay with knowing your cat was put to sleep for a treatable condition. I'm not trying to be a jerk when I say that, but I just wouldn't want you to regret not getting him the surgery. I understand about finances, and a thousand dollars is a lot of money for care that might not work. It's a difficult position to be in and I'm sorry you have to deal with it. I hope for the best for you and your kitty.

mistyapples · May 23, 2013

Thank you guys for your support <3 It really means a lot at this point....I have a bigger problem now I think. He is peeing blood. Not pure blood, looks like pee with some blood mixed in. I think this can either be kinda good or really bad...probably the latter, or both. He doesn't seem to be in any more pain than last night, but I think he might have tried so hard to pee, he managed to move the obstruction but it ripped something....but hey, at least he's getting some of those toxins out right?

And once again we cannot take him to the vet...however he will be going to the vet in the morning. Hopefully he will make it till then...

tulosai · May 23, 2013

RuneKeeper said:
Unfortunately, the downside to pet ownership is the high likelihood that one's pet will probably need at least one expensive procedure done over the span of the pet's life. And vets charge an arm and a leg for their services. Not that our fuzzies aren't worth it, but not everyone is rolling in the Benjamins and has several hundred bucks to fork over on the spot, which puts pet owners in the horrible spot of having to choose between being broke or losing their pets.

Does the vet office you visit let you make payments on balances over time? My late male kitty Rolly was quite a tub (17 pounds) and he had a urinary obstruction too. For treatment and an overnight stay at a small office, it was $500. Neither I nor my mother had that much money up front, but this office allows people to pay off outstanding balances over time. However, a much bigger facility I've taken my cats to that has more advanced (and more expensive) technology does not allow this because they're greedy pigs that want all their money the day you visit. The bigger hospital always wanted half when you come in and half when you leave with your pet, no exceptions. Thank gods for student loans because some of those bills were four figures and I had no income of my own. Even for visits to the small office, for an emergency visit + euthanasia + cremation, it cost me $300. Not that my cats weren't worth it, and they were in bad shape when I let them go, but veterinary costs are ridiculous. Then people wonder why so many pet owners don't bring their cats in for regular checkups, blood work, etc. It costs more to treat a cat than it does to treat a human!

Urinary blockages are very painful, but very treatable. If there's a way to pay the bill a little at a time, get your kitty treatment. My mom never liked my cats, but she paid for Rolly's treatment. It took a long time to pay off, but I had many more years with him afterward. However, if this kind of care is something that just cannot be done and/or the vet is greedy and wants payment in full immediately, then I'm glad to hear you'll choose to put him down instead of letting him suffer. But also bear in mind that euthanasia + either an office visit or a home visit will cost money too.

Alas, the risk of surgery failing is something that has to be considered with any medical procedure for either humans or animals. It's a gamble, and unfortunately, one can't get a refund if the surgery doesn't work. But also ask yourself if you would be okay with knowing your cat was put to sleep for a treatable condition. I'm not trying to be a jerk when I say that, but I just wouldn't want you to regret not getting him the surgery. I understand about finances, and a thousand dollars is a lot of money for care that might not work. It's a difficult position to be in and I'm sorry you have to deal with it. I hope for the best for you and your kitty.

I agree about trying to see if a payment plan is any kind of option. I've never been turned down for a payment plan by my regular vet who I visit yearly, and I don't actually know anyone (either in person or online though someone may chip in to prove me wrong) who has ever been turned down by their regular vet, who they have actually visited annually, keeping their pets up on their shots and dental, and visited at other times as needed, paying in full each of those times. As you say, places you have to go occasionally will usually turn you down (I personally think it has little to do with the fact that they are bigger and more that they do not know you- I've lived in NYC and my regular vet there was plenty huge but gave me a payment plan anyhow), but I think a lot of people who complain that 'no vet' will give them a payment plan actually mean they had no regular vet who they had developed a relationship with. It can't hurt to ask.

Emergency? Or no?

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