I've gota very sick cat, don't know exactly whats wrong or if anything can be done to help (?)

jonathan001

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my Cat is Very sick. She has lost about 1/3 of her weight (3 1/2 pounds) in the Last 5 months. She is not eating or drinkin' too much. I was told today that her albumin is Low, and her protein is 5, and her white count is 35000. I was also told there seems to be an issue with her intestines but it was from an xray and it really didnt tell what the issue was (?)

Is there any way to help her that isnt going to cost alot ? (we dont have too much more money). The local vet just wants to kill her but doesnt even know what the problem really is, or hasn't said. - he only says the markers are there for cancer, but it would be 3k more in diagnostics to find out with not much hope for any positive result. (We don't have 20% of that, let alone 3000.00)
 

catconcern

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Hi Jon, sorry to hear about the bad news. Perhaps try another vet and get a second opinion? 3 k for tests sounds damn expensive. It's tough, you're in a rough spot. There might be a vet that works for free near by but are they any good Etc. Id take your per elsewhere and see what another vet with good reviews says.
 

lovemycalico

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My cat had some of the same issues (losing weight, throwing up, liver issues, anemia etc). We were really hoping it was something easily fixed, take some antibiotics etc and all would better but that only worked for a short time. We were referred to an IM specilist and they did x-rays again, ultrasound and several biopsies and it cost around $1,500. Not cheap but it gave us the answers we needed. The bad news being it is cancer but it could have easily been infection, IBD or something else benign.

I think a second opinion is a good option. I don't understand why a vet would recommend putting your cat to sleep without trying to find out  the cause and improve your kitties quality of life. Money can be a big issue but you can call around and get quotes and even call a specialist to see how much an ultrasound/biopsy might cost. An ultrasound alone can give you more information than an x-ray.

Please keep us updated.
 
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jonathan001

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Thank you! I tried to make an appointment online for the local VCA hospital, but I didnt get confirmation... I'm going to call them in the morning. The wife also just talked to a friend of hers who says their Vet has a sliding fee scale depending on what (we) can afford, so we're going to look into that... I was just more asking if a low protein blood test coupled with a 35000 white cell count and low albumin is reason in itself to kill a pet?

I mean nobody even knows what is wrong with her (and to find out that costs over 650.00) but where to go from there?
 

momto3cats

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Even if you can't afford all the tests, you can try to treat the symptoms and help her feel better. Just tell the vet if you'd prefer to do that.
 

lovemycalico

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I don't that think any of those issues are a reason to "kill" a pet. It is possible your vet was thinking about the money aspect (the expenses of tests, medications etc) especially if money was mentioned and just didn't communicate it the right way. Cats are just like us and Vets are just like doctors, sometimes they can run every test and do every procedure but at the end of the day they either guess or truly have no idea what is causing the issues. Sometimes spending a lot of money doesn't get you anywhere but it can give you an idea of medications or other options that you have in controlling the problems to give your cat a quality of life.

I always tell my vet I want to know the cost of anything before it is done for several reasons but I have never said no or put an animal down because of cost but I know that as a patient/client I can shop around for a second opinion, better vet, cheaper vet, cheaper medications etc. Cost is always plays a part in my decisions on what I can do but my emotions outweigh that thought it seems but I do think cost is always a factor in what we can do for our cats. This is just my opinion but it sounds like you are doing the right thing and found a place that is more affordable. I do know there are some organizations that will help with money when caring with an ill kitty but you have to have a diagnosis first.

Please keep us updated on how your cat is doing.
 

misty8723

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I would change vets very quickly.  Any vet who wants to kill a cat for any reason is not a vet I would ever go to.  Even when it was becoming obvious that Cindy wasn't going to get better, not one of her vets ever suggested we put her down.  That's a decision that only a pet owner can make, and I know that my vet will sometimes rescue the cat if the owner wants to have the cat put down and she thinks it has some good quality life left.  And I love her for that. 

I sincerely hope they can find something to help your baby, there is nothing worse than not knowing, and I'll tell you, we spent $$$ on Cindy and at the end nobody knew what was wrong, her blood test was fine, her ultrasound was fine, no sign the cancer was back.  But if we hadn't had those tests I would always be wondering if we could have done something to help her get better.  If nothing else, you can get medicines or whatever to help your sweetie feel better, hopefully. You are in my thoughts and prayers.
 

miss mew

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Agreed on the 2nd opinion vet.  I've in some cases with my pets had to go to a 3rd and 4th vet until I finally found one I could work with. 
 
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