My cat is ill :( Need advice

[jenluckenbach]

I'd like to comment on the aspirin. You must be VERY careful with cats. How much does he weigh? I have a 13 pound cat who takes 1/2 an aspirin every 3.5 days. If he weighed less the dosage would need to be reduced.

All I can hope for is that you can find a more reasonable vet. Some of those prices seem high, but then again, maybe they are normal in your area.

Best of luck.

[Medusa]

Also, there is an organization called IMOM that some here on PT have used. I've not had experience w/them but they help people who have a pet in need of vet care and who are having difficulty meeting the expenses. You can check out their site at www.imom.org. I imagine, though, that it takes some time to apply and be approved and I'm not sure if time is on your side w/Cat. Anyhow, good luck.

[Lizzie]

In your position, with limited funds (and I've been there, I know what it's like), I'd go for the chest x-ray first. My concern with the shortness of breath is fluid in the chest cavity. Although you want to keep your cat hydrated for general well being, giving fluids might be the wrong way to go until you have checked his chest. I've gone through this several times with my cats, all at the end of their lives. I've also had two FeLV+ cats who crashed very suddenly and no amount of treatment could help them. The second item I'd pay for would be a blood test.

Have you checked your cat's mouth? Are his gums or tongue blue. If his breathing is compromised that would be good reason for his lethargy.

I assume because you have FeLV+ cats, that you are used to checking the gums for normal pink color? If they are pale, the cat has gone into the anemia stage of feline leukemia, and that will cause difficulty breathing and lethargy.

I don't understand why you are giving aspirin to help breathing, where did you read this was a good idea? I've never heard of it. As others have said, aspirin and cats are not a good mix.

There are some costs you can keep down by doing the work yourself - such as giving sub-q fluids if there is no problem with fluid in the chest, but some items you just have to grit your teeth and go through with them.

[GILL]

So far I agree with all that has been said. I would check other vets in your area. I just stop using a vet that I have used for over 30 years. The next one was a little less expensive and I just stated useing one that is great and less then half the price of my old vet. I just had Lucky snipped the old vet was $362.00 the new one was $89.00 with rabies and all othe shots came to $114.00. BIG BIG differance.
SO CHECK WITH OTHER VETS and IMOM may be able to help.

[Medusa]

Any news here? How is Cat doing?

[Pair-A-Dyce]

Cat passed away monday night in my hands and we went and buried him near his brother. I'll remain active here though

[krazyaboutkatz]

I'm so sorry to hear this. RIP sweet kitty.