Please help

[ChunkyNaomBaby]

I had to rush my cat Chunky to the emergency vet yesterday at 1:00 in the morning because she collapsed. She was stabilized overnight but need surgery to see if their is an obstruction in her intestines. I really can’t afford this, the emergency fees themselves were $3,000. The surgery will cost another $7,000. My parents don’t want to do the surgery because we don’t have the money for it. Any donations help, I just want my baby to be healthy again. Here is the link : Surgery for Chunky organized by Kateryna Hunko

If the link doesn’t work you can search Surgery for Chunky on GoFundMe website.

 

[BlackCatOp]

I’m sorry to hear about your cat. $7000 for a foreign body surgery seems pretty steep. Could you find a different veterinary clinic that could do the surgery for less? Maybe a low cost clinic?

EDIT: Also Chester Fund Guidelines | The Chester Foundation

 

[GoldyCat]

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[mrsgreenjeens]

I’m sorry to hear about your cat. $7000 for a foreign body surgery seems pretty steep. Could you find a different veterinary clinic that could do the surgery for less? Maybe a low cost clinic?

EDIT: Also Chester Fund Guidelines | The Chester Foundation

I agree that this seems outrageous, plus per your GoFundMe post, they aren't even sure there IS an obstruction. Did they do an ultrasound? this sounds like it's the Emergency Vet who wants to do the surgery, and if you go to your regular Vet I think the cost will be substantially lower. I'm betting there are some low cost clinics near Sacramento, which is close to you. Do check that link that BlackCatOp provided. Also, I think if you add more detail to your fund raiser, plus have someone make a small donation to get the ball rolling (even $5 and it can even be YOU (anonymously) that seems to help.

Also, here is an article you might find helpful. Be sure to read it to the end as not everything will apply: No Money For Vet Care? How To Find Help And Save Your Cat’s Life

 

[ChunkyNaomBaby]

I’m sorry to hear about your cat. $7000 for a foreign body surgery seems pretty steep. Could you find a different veterinary clinic that could do the surgery for less? Maybe a low cost clinic?

EDIT: Also Chester Fund Guidelines | The Chester Foundation

I agree that this seems outrageous, plus per your GoFundMe post, they aren't even sure there IS an obstruction. Did they do an ultrasound? this sounds like it's the Emergency Vet who wants to do the surgery, and if you go to your regular Vet I think the cost will be substantially lower. I'm betting there are some low cost clinics near Sacramento, which is close to you. Do check that link that BlackCatOp provided. Also, I think if you add more detail to your fund raiser, plus have someone make a small donation to get the ball rolling (even $5 and it can even be YOU (anonymously) that seems to help.

Also, here is an article you might find helpful. Be sure to read it to the end as not everything will apply: No Money For Vet Care? How To Find Help And Save Your Cat’s Life

The vet was 90% sure there is an obstruction. They were supposed to call a radiologist this morning but said their were none available. The vet did an ultrasound herself and said she saw something, but she isn’t sure if is a complete obstruction or not. She gave us two options, either surgery or transfer her to UC Davis to their specialists. A couple hours ago she said that she got ahold of a radiologist that could come in, and now I’m just waiting for a phone call about what the radiologist thinks. I don’t actually have a vet, I got them spayed, neutered, and vaccinated at the SPCA. They have never been sick until a few months ago when my other female cat Baby got sick and we took her to a vet near us. The reason I made the GoFundMe is because my parents are paying for the vet bills(I’m a minor, unemployed and only have $150 to my name). They said we can’t afford surgery, and I really didn’t want my cat to die. The bill is already in the four thousands, and I need to pay my parents back for what they already paid for. Chunky is still on fluids, pain meds, and antibiotics so I don’t know if I could take her to another vet. I’m not really knowledgeable in any of this stuff, because my cats have never been this sick.

 

[Leomc123]

Any update regarding the stomach inflammation? Please let us know about the overnight stay. If you are able to you can upload the scans for some gifted users in the form to see it, or the medical report that the vet gives etc

 

[ChunkyNaomBaby]

Any update regarding the stomach inflammation? Please let us know about the overnight stay. If you are able to you can upload the scans for some gifted users in the form to see it, or the medical report that the vet gives etc

I actually have really great news. The vet called this morning and said that Chunky did amazing overnight. She even ate a little! We are picking her up in 2 hours to take her home. I’m still going to discuss all the details with the vet. They are going to give us pain medication to take home with us.
Honestly the past 2 days have been a rollercoaster of emotions. We’ve gotten bad new, then good-news, then bad news and then good news. it went from her being in critical condition and almost dying to her vitals being normal and her coming home soon. I was just so afraid that surgery was the only option but I couldn’t afford it. The bill is now around 4.5k, but I’m trying to find a job and pay my parents back.
After this I’m kind off looking into getting pet insurance. I was wondering if any of you guys Knows a good insurance company. Is pet insurance even worth it? If something like this happens again I don’t want to have to stress so much about money and just focus on saving my cats.

 

[heyitskevinn]

After this I’m kind off looking into getting pet insurance. I was wondering if any of you guys Knows a good insurance company. Is pet insurance even worth it? If something like this happens again I don’t want to have to stress so much about money and just focus on saving my cats.

I'd make a new post about that in the health subforum so more people can answer!

 

[mrsgreenjeens]

I'm SO happy for you and Chunky. This is just super news . That bill has still gotta hurt, but having her alive and well is still worth it.

As to Pet Insurance, I did a search for you and here are a bunch of threads on the topic: Search Results for Query: pet insurance

 

[Leomc123]

If you are in Australia, I applied for Pet insurance and the deal is that they will only cover you if the cat has an illness that is not a pre-existing condition. So right now your cat's issues are considered a pre-existing condition. But it could be different in other countries. In my circumstance, I was better off saving the money, instead of losing money to the fees of insurance cover.

 

[Somebody]

I know people might frown upon this advice, but change the cat's name and change the vet. Then register her for pet insurance. I know the fear of having 1000's of $$ bill. I had a cat of about 14 years who all of a sudden got problems eating and I was afraid I would be faced with a choice of more money than I could spend or letting her die. She died shortly after from a brain related problem but I was considering that option although at 14 or so it's probably too old.

If you have a young enough cat my advice is to get pet insurance 100% !!! Don't use it for a minor thing that you can pay for yourself because you don't want to jeopardize it. Keep it for when you really need it

Do research and read reviews, some are ripoffs even the ASCP has bad review. Check out healtypaws pet insurance

 

[Leomc123]

I

I know people might frown upon this advice, but change the cat's name and change the vet. Then register her for pet insurance.

I think that is a great idea, I wish I thought of this when I had my cat.

But if the new vet wants to give medications etc that your cat has already received in a short time span then I don't know what you can tell your new vet, that your cat had seen another vet and he may put two and two together that is if the vets have records linked with each other systems. But i still think it's a great way to ensure your pet, so when you go to the new vet this illness is not a pre-existing condition but that is if it is covered in the insurance policy.

 

[Somebody]

Yes I dont like it since I think pet insurance is a valuable thing and I don't want people to this en masse but I can hardly be the only one to think about it. I mean this more for somebody who is really in need. Sadly we must sometimes chose to do bad things to help others

 

[Mamanyt1953]

But if the new vet wants to give medications etc that your cat has already received in a short time span then I don't know what you can tell your new vet,

"I rescued her from the streets, I don't know about vaccines. Please, can we do a titer test so we don't over-vaccinate?"