Need Help - Possibly facing a hard decision

[cac777]

I apologize up front for the length of this....I just don't know how to shorten it and still get what i consider important info about this across.

My girl, Zoey, is 3 years old and has had recurrent issues with her anal sacs for about the last 24 months. Also, due to the fact she was so sick with respitory infections, mites, fleas, when we adopted her from the shelter .....she now hates going to the vet.


Since she does not give off the normal signs for Anal Sac issues - by the time we figure out she is having issues...she is impacted and ususally put on antibodics for treatment. For them to do an exam, they need at least 2 to hold her and a towel to wrap her in before doing the exam.

We took her to our old vet today and they wanted to put her under. They didn't try to get another person in to hold her and didn't use the towel to try and calm her down at all. I simply can't put her under when I know they can get an exam in if they just have a little patience and know-how on how to deal with this very anxious cat.

I don't want to put her under due to the fact she gets very hysterical and won't let anyone get her when she goes under and wakes up in a cage. It's like she is delusional when she comes up...she won't let me or any of her "people" touch her either....she screams like a banshee until you can get her into her travel case.

So...I'm taking her to a new vet tomorrow at a "Cat Clinic". I'm hoping that since the specialize in Cats they will be able to help her....but if they can't...I'm afraid I'm going to have to give her up.

I know this is horrible....but I simply can't continue to pay her bills. I have spent over $1000 on this issue in the last 6 months [before today's bills] and I can't get Pet Insurance that would cover this due to the fact it is a pre-existing condition. I've never had to give an animal up....I have always been able to keep them until they day the cross over. My question is....who would I call about giving this special kitty to?

HELP!!! I just don't know what to do. I don't want to give her up...but can't afford this much more.

 

[hissy]

There is a surgery for this- BUT there are risks and you should know that going in. I would try and find a feline specialist in your area and talk to them about it. Ask to talk to other clients with cats that have gone through this so you can understand what all is involved.

 

[cac777]

Originally Posted by hissy

There is a surgery for this- BUT there are risks and you should know that going in. I would try and find a feline specialist in your area and talk to them about it. Ask to talk to other clients with cats that have gone through this so you can understand what all is involved.

Thanks for the info. Is there a website to search for Feline Specialists? I live in the Kansas City metro area. I have looked a bit on line....but haven't found anything in the area.

Cindy

 

[catlover67]

There is a surgery for this- BUT there are risks and you should know that going in. I would try and find a feline specialist in your area and talk to them about it. Ask to talk to other clients with cats that have gone through this so you can understand what all is involved.

__________________


Hissy's right. I had Blondie's anal sacs removed after she had three impactions (two of which resulted in huge abscesses, one of which literally exploded open). After her exploded abcess was cleaned and stitched up, my vet recommended surgery. She explained that one of the risks involved possible incontinance issues if a nerve was nicked or cut.

I HAD spent around $1,000 so far so I figured an extra $450 (that's how much the surgery was) to take care of the issue once and for all, was worth it. When 2nd abscess ruptured, it was SO painful looking, I wanted to cry. It was right near where she had to poop and it must have been excruciating to do so. She never once got nasty or bit.

She had the surgery back in 2001 and has NO major issues since. She is sensitive (left-over emotional trauma) back there though and won't clean her bottom any longer. I have to clean the little dried bits that cake on occassionally but other than that, it was a good thing I decided to have done for her. She will be twelve this October.

 

[momofmany]

Hang tight - I'm trying to find a good resource in the KC area for you. I'm asking around for recommendations for this specific issue so you don't need to pull a name out of the phone book.

 

[gratefulbear629]

I found the KC Cat Clinic located in Kansas City.

The Dr. is board certified in Feline practice. Here's what it says about her.

The KC Cat Clinic was opened in 1974 and has been operated by Dr. Eliza K. Sundahl, DVM, DiplomateABVP(Feline Practice), since 1978. Dr. Sundahl became certified by the American Board of Veterinary Practitioners in Feline Practice at the first offering of that exam in 1995. She is one of fewer than 100 veterinarians in the country to be board certified in Feline Practice and recently completed recertification. She pursued this rigorous path out of a desire to provide a clinic setting in which clients can be offered the best information on which to base their treatment choices for their pets.

And here is the link
http://www.kccatclinic.com/index.html

Hope this helps!

 

[menagerie mama]

I know she's not a cat, but I just had my dog's anal sacs removed, and we couldn't be happier!! She was always scooting and licking them, and they would express on their own all the time too...P.U!!!

It is a rough first week with them trying to lick and scoot their extremely sore butts, my dog actually did open up her stitches by scooting, and had to be resutured, but it's been 2 weeks and she's doing wondefully! I recommend it, but yes, it has to be done by a qualified vet. there are a lot of muscles and nerves that can be damaged if not treated properly. But, now we don't have to worry about any of that unpleasantness, and she's probably happy she doesn't have to have them squeezed anymore, she hated it!!

 

[momofmany]

Originally Posted by GratefulBear629

I found the KC Cat Clinic located in Kansas City.

I have heard good things about this clinic and encourage you to take her there. I'm not getting any specific leads about individual vets in the area from my contacts.

The harsh reality of trying to find a home for her is that no one will want to adopt a cat with pre-existing medical problems. If you take her to a shelter, they will most likely euthanize her rather than paying for extensive medical procedures. Her only hope is that you can correct this problem once and for all.

Please try this clinic and hear what they would recommend for her.

 

[menagerie mama]

How's it going with your kitty?