I just don't know how much more I can handle....

big-cat-fan

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Ever since we bought Garfield from a pet store and brought him home and found out he had the worst case of COCCIDIA that my vet has ever seen, I have yet to have a healthy cat.

I had never had a sick cat. So when I found out that Garfield was on the verge of dying, my heart broke for him. I thought to myself.... this little creature needs me. So I prayed (and I payed). 3 weeks of Albon oral and 3 Albon shots later... he was finally healthy.


But.............
We also found out that Lilo was expecting. We were happy. I guess just a little disappointed in myself that I hadn't scheduled her to get fixed sooner. (She is fixed now). But just as soon as Garfield was healthy and happy, Lilo started getting loose bowel movements with some blood. Then it was her turn for the Albon oral and Albon shots (4 of them). At this pointI was already financially drained. But I
my cats and I found the money b/c I knew I had to.

Now we have 6 kittens who have so far I have wormed, gotten all of their first shots and they had a spell of "Cat Cold". I got lucky b/c the vet gave them all an Albon shot (6) but only charged for 3. That was still $45.00. Plus the exam fees. Plus the worming medicine and the antibiotic for all 8 cats!!

Now fast-forward to yesturday (Saturday). I brought the kittens in for their first shots. And garfield needed his RFVCP and Leaukemia (b/c he is outside in the back yard every other day for adventure time (is what we call it). I wanted to be safe so I went ahead and got the Leaukemia shot for him.
Brought him home didnt eat at all yesturday. Just slept all day. All night. Still wont eat. Barely drinks. he went to do #2 and it was all water that came out.

I called the vets emergency # and he said it might be a reaction to the Leukemia shot. If he is not eating by the morning then call him back.
Because I have been in and out of there the past few months he asked me "What did you worry about before you had cats?" "I said "nothing". I am financially drained and emotionally drained. I cry for them all the time. I know it could be worse. But what am I doing wrong? I do everything to keep my cats healthy. And it seems everything I do is for nothing. I feel as if something greater is against me or something. I just want my babies healthy. No more vet visits. I added up every receipt I have received from every ver visit in the past 3 months TOTAL = $627.74.

I m sorry if I seem like I am complaining. Im not. I just needed somewhere I could go to just let it all out. I will let everyone know how it goes in the morning.

Sarah





Below is a website that I found. It describes different situations where the cats became very ill from the leaukemia shot or even died!! I am so upset that I was not first warned of these facts about this shot.


http://www.catbanter.com/q-t_27612-T...follow-up.html
 

maverick_kitten

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sweetie take a deep breath and relax. your doing all you can and theres nothing more you can do but wait and see.

different cats react differently to shots and mine were both very lethargic and seemed sickly after theres and were fine the next day.

you and your babies are in my thoughts and prayers. things will get better soon, you'll see
 

catlover7731

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I went through a similiar situation and had no one to help and had to give the cat up
. She had really bad stools and I was unemployed and had no help and was in and out of the vets office. The vet I was using was no help because all they were interested was there money. This situation convinced me to only have the # of cats I can handle and don't take anymore. I have 2 right now and until my financial situation improves there will not be any more, no matter how much I love cats.
I can only offer a few suggestions, I am not sure if they will help. Contact your local rescue groups maybe they may be able to find a vet for you that will work with your financial situation, There are vets who will wavier their fee's if they are nice enough. For low cost spays( if you ever need it again there is : 1800 Spay USA . I applaud you for helping these cats, and know that you are not alone in feeling drained, there are lots like you , but at least you care enough to try and help your cats, there are lots of people who don't even try. Cheryl
 

katachtig

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Hang in there.

I know how hard it can be. A few summers ago we had one cat with continual UTI problems and the other with Kidney stones. Then when I thought we were ok, the one with kidney stones stopped eating and there were more tests. She died that fall. We knew the vet staff by name because we were there so often and the final bill was over $2000.

It is rough because money and the love for your cats are two very strong emotional issues. It is never easy when the two collide.

My little ones and I will keep you in our thoughts and prayers.
 

babybee

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I hope you will take some time and just relax. Not just your body but your mind as well....I know from experience that when so many things go wrong, and on top the financial situation gets bad as well it's like living hell.

I would try and find another vet. I know that my parents with their first dog have had bad luck, she had lung and heart problems for years, and my parents trusted the vet we had. It turned out she was ripping us off bad. She would do exams and tests that had nothing to do with the problems our dog had, but they were expensive. At one point the dog had to stay there overnight and the bill came to over $900! Just for one visit. Half of the dog was shaved, and all those fancy things were done for nothing.
After that my parents had enough, and they were on a quest to find a good vet who is good and also cares about the animals. After 2 years of searching we found her.

I say try and find another vet. You are not doing anything wrong, and things won't stay bad forever, they will get better.
I know it's hard to believe that now but you have to stay strong. Try not to stress which is hard, because stress is not only not good for you, but your cats feel it too. I know mine does. I hope you feel better soon
 

elizwithcat

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It's just the "joys" of cat ownership. I have two cats, one is problem free so far, and one is very sickly, and constantly gets sick. This cat got sick a couple of days since I got him, and has been having all kinds of problems ever since. I am not counting the money I spend on the vets, but it would be way more than 600$. Also, this cat has been peeing all over the place because of idiopatic cystitis. I don't like vets. I took him to several and I don't like any of them too much. They don't seem knowlegable about anything. Grrr.... Your vet actually sounds nice. Giving you free service? I got charged for the consultation, just to talk to the vet, I didn't even brought the cat in. Do they think money grows on trees or something? Next time I am bringing that darn cat in! At least they will charge me for looking at the cat instead of just talking to me!

So, I don't think anything is out to get you specifically. LOL.
Also, it would be safer to keep the cats indoor. Less chances they would get sick.
 

talon

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Raven's first shots went much like your Garfields are going - for 2 days she slept and ate very little - we took her to the vet, had lots of test done - byt the time the t4est came back, she was feeling her little kitten self. Since we had thought she wasy dying, I was over joyed!

Please hang in there!
 
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big-cat-fan

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Thank you to everyone. For the time you took to try and make me feel better. For your advice. And your concern for my furbabies. This is the reason I love this place!!

I talked with Nicky (Maverick_Kitten) alot tonight. She helped me too. As we were talking Garfield decided to wake up and play fight with Lilo.
Lilo won of course, as she always does.
Usually Garfield goes for a second and sometimes a 3rd round with Lilo but tonight I think 1 round wore him out. Of course he hasn't eaten in 2 days. Also, he drank quite a bit about 2 hours ago.
Not eating still but atleast he is drinking.

Something that bothers me is that 3 times he has gone to poop and its like water... but grey in color!! Ewww and stinky.
I called the emergency vet and he said that it is probably a reaction to the shot and if he isnt eating or drinking by the morning then to call him back. I will call him in the morning any way... and I will let yall know what happens.

Again... thank everyone for your sweet words. I want you to know they HAVE helped me to be stronger. Not only for me but for my furbabies.

Goodnight, Sarah

(8 hearts for my 8 furbabies)
 

jennyr

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I do sympathise - I sometimes feel that my car would know the way to the vet on its own! Your vet does sound OK and doesn't seem to be overcharging, I had one that misdiagnosed and charged me for a load of unnecessary treatment and tests for Persil, before I switched to a wonderful vet who will examine free very often, and even dropped Persil off at my house for me after her spay. Hang in there, we have all been through it, and your cats will reward you for it.
 

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Poor you, i know how you feel. This time last year i wasnt known that well at my vets, i only went up once a year. Come December, they recognised me by voice, i no longer have to give any of my details cos they know me so well!! i got introduced to a new member of staff in March as 'someone you will see a lot of, normally in tears' - only took 2 months for her to see me in tears. This year so far i have been to my vets over 20 times (and they are both up again on Fri) and spent over £400, so i have decided not to take any more permanent cats on and just concentrate on the 2 i have and fosters. If you trust your vet, i would stick with them, it seems like he has done you a couple of little favours (mine has done the same) and you do need a good relationship with your vet.

Hang in there, we are all here if you need to let off steam.
 
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big-cat-fan

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Thank yall so much again and again!!


I have good news. I hope that me talking about it doesnt turn things around for my litte furbaby. Like jinxing it.


I put out half a bowel of tuna last night for him and he just kinda licked it. This morning the whole bowel looked as if nothing were ever in it!!!
It made me very
to see that he had a little bit of an appetite.

Also the vet called this morning to check on him.... which was so sweet I thought. I told him that he had eaten half a bowel of tuna and it seemed that he had thrown up on the floor. It was watery and yellow and had some grass in it.

He is playing and eating a little and drinking a little so I think he will be fine. I think that shot just messed him up. NO MORE OF THOSE!!!!
He is still sleeping a little more than usual but his body im sure is just exhausted.

Again.... thank you to everyone!!!! Hugs from me and my furbabies!!
 

katachtig

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YEAH GARFIELD
- and Sarah, be sure to get some rest yourself. All of this has been exhausting you also.

We will still keep you and your little ones in our thoughts and prayers.

Jana and the girls
 
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big-cat-fan

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Originally Posted by katachtig

YEAH GARFIELD
- and Sarah, be sure to get some rest yourself. All of this has been exhausting you also.

We will still keep you and your little ones in our thoughts and prayers.

Jana and the girls
You and your girls are sweet-
s!!!
 

ollyextra05

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My Oliver had a very severe reaction to the FeLeuk vaccination, when he was just a baby. He ended up having to be hospitalized! I also wished my vet had told me the possible side effects! Oliver grew up big, strong and healthy, and I'm sure Garfield will too!
 
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big-cat-fan

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Originally Posted by OllyExtra05

My Oliver had a very severe reaction to the FeLeuk vaccination, when he was just a baby. He ended up having to be hospitalized! I also wished my vet had told me the possible side effects! Oliver grew up big, strong and healthy, and I'm sure Garfield will too!
Awww, thank you!!

He is still not himself but he is getting better. He just got up from a nap and drank quite a bit of water.


He is now sitting on the window watching the birds. He will be ok. I know he will. I believe in him.
 

shengmei

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I heard Fort Dodge leukemia vaccines had numerous FDA citations. You should go ahead and find out if your vaccine was manufactured by Fort Dodge.

One of my cats almost died from his FVRCP vaccine. The vet mailed me a post card 4 weeks later and said that it is time for the FVRCP booster shot. I was like "no thanks, one is powerful enough for one year".
 
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big-cat-fan

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Originally Posted by shengmei

I heard Fort Dodge leukemia vaccines had numerous FDA citations. You should go ahead and find out if your vaccine was manufactured by Fort Dodge.

One of my cats almost died from his FVRCP vaccine. The vet mailed me a post card 4 weeks later and said that it is time for the FVRCP booster shot. I was like "no thanks, one is powerful enough for one year".
Really?????

That just makes me even more angry. I guess I just look at his little furry face and feel guilty. I mean I know its not really my fault. But I took him there to get the dang shot. But then I know that i took him there for his shot so he can stay healthy.
I will find out if the shot he received was manufactured by FORT DODGE.

Thanks so much for your helpful info!!

Sarah
 

booktigger

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In the UK there have been reports of kittens being really ill and/or dying from the FeLV shot, so i wont vaccinate any of mine against it. The rescue i foster for was also advised by their vet not to start the vaccine if the cat is over 8 years old and has been a stray as they have probably come into contact with it and built up their own immunity to it. Unfortunately most vets dont tell you this, and i told my relief vet why i wouldnt vaccinate and she said she had never come across a case where a cat has died after the vaccine, yet 2 people i know in rescue have.
 
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big-cat-fan

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Guess what everyone!!
I think Garfield is almost back to his bad little rotten self (I wouldnt have him any other way)


He is eating much better, though not as he normally eats, it is enough to make me happy and he seems to eat more and more every day. Same with drinking. Although he has picked up a weird habit the past few days. I had a styrofoam cup in the sink full of hot water to soak the syringes i give the kittens their antibiotics with. Garfield was staring at the cup and even went to drink some but realized it was hot. He looked at me and said "Meooooww"
I figured he wanted me to clean it out and put cold water in it. So I did. He drank so much!!!! And now he wont drink water from his bowl. He only drinks it from the styrofoam cup in the sink....

Ill have to get yall a pic of that one!!!!


He is playing more. He has been trying to catch some birds through the window. He also is getting under my bed again and attacking my feet as I walk past.


OH HOW GREAT IT IS TO HAVE MY BABY BACK!!!!!!!!!!!
 
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