Just a 46-year-old mom of 2 in Northern California. My kids are Monkey Monkey(MM) and Drama Llama (DL). I am married to Monkey Hubby (MH). Last night was fun!
Our cat has been a little off since we came back from vacation. Last night, dh was volunteering at the TV station really late, and the cat was trying to pee all over the house. At first I Was really annoyed and trying to shoo her (which she could care less about - even more frustrating) when I realized she was straining but nothing coming out. She was also being pretty loud, so at that point it was obvious she was in pain.
I didn't think much more than we'd take her to the vet in the morning.
But, as I look it up online, for whatever reason, the first thing I see is that a cat who can not pass urine, is an emergency. Great!
I realized I couldn't wait until morning, but obviously no huge rush. So I was taking my time to try and find an emergency vet. The most promising one (affordable and best reviews) would not answer their phone. I might have tried to call for 10 minutes. I then called dh, and he just happened to be on his way home early. Phew!!!! He is a night owl and offered to take her in so I could get some sleep, and so the kids could sleep. Thank Goodness!
I settled on place with all good reviews, but for price complaints. The others were all pretty expensive too.
I told dh, "I don't know if these reviewers who freak out about a $50 bill - since most people probably are." & he pointed out any emergency service would be expected to be more expensive.
So, off he went with the cat. I actually reached a human and they said definitely bring her in.
Dh must have talked to someone else when he got there because someone told him there was no emergency if she was female. (When I called they had asked me and I said they were female). I told him that was not what they told me! Later he called me and told me he would be waiting a long time (lots of real emergencies) and that they were now quoting him $500. I was getting annoyed, because they told me $89 for an exam when I called. This was just whoever was at the front desk - no doctor. I asked him to ask if we could just take her in the morning - if it wasn't an emergency after all. Our vet, most likely. Dh said, he already packed her up and everything, rather just get it taken care of.
By then I fell asleep until dh got home. They couldn't find anything wrong, and are assuming she has a UTI now. It's interesting because we took her in for one a few months back and they said it was nothing. It seemed to resolve itself. But will be a few days before results.
$500 when all was said and done. It was not a lot more expensive than our last visit. The appointment maybe cost a little more, but the other charges were mostly the same. In addition, she did get x-rays and antibiotics - why it added up to so much.
The good? We saved $30 because we got there a few minutes before 11pm. Phew! Prices went up after that.
She's 12. I suppose this is the year - or we should get used to it. We usually never take her to the vet because she FREAKS out. Lucky her - twice in one year! She didn't scratch our eyes out, so phew!
They told us her X-rays were fine, but that she has arthiritis. This may explain whey she has always had a bit of an intermittent limp. They said she had pretty severe arthiritis. Ouch! It sucks to get old.
In the end, being unable to pass urine is an emergency. In her case, she was fine when she got there, and urinated plenty. Figures, huh?
When dh took her in I was looking up prices. Up to $1500 if she had an obstruction. I told dh I was fine with a $1500 bill, before I fell asleep. So $500 was a bit of a relief.
At least I don't have EIGHT cats, like my sis. She just doesn't have the means for that. One cat can be pricey enough!
Vet Emergency
August 13th, 2010 at 02:25 pm
August 13th, 2010 at 04:18 pm 1281716284
Second, you probably could have waited until the AM to take kitty in, but when in doubt it is always better to error on the side of caution. Yes, male cats are at much greater risk of urinary obstruction because of their more narrow urethra. It could happen in a female, just a lot more unlikely. I am sure your kitty was in plenty of discomfort - if you've ever had a bladder infection you'll know how she felt - so it is good of you to get her some relief more quickly. Did they submit a bacterial culture to the lab? Unless her urine is positive for bacteria she doesn't truly have a UTI. The X-ray was to check for bladder stones, which form from microscopic crystals in the urine. If they collected a urinalysis they would have checked for this also.
The largest percentage of cats that have these symptoms are usually diagnosed with FLUTD - feline lower urinary tract disorder. Where idiopathic inflammation causes pain and bleeding with squatting and little results.
Here is my unsolicited advice:
1. You might consider changing her food to a veterinary diet that helps with urinary tract trouble (crystals/FLUTD). My pick: Royal Canin Feline Urinary SO
2. Given she's got a bit of arthritis, a prescription anti inflammatory would be helpful to both her joints and bladder. My pick: Metacam (meloxicam). It is a sweet tasting liquid. You would give a couple drops a few times weekly. It "off label" for use in cats, but it is being used safely with great success. It is also inexpensive because you don't use much ($20/several months)
August 13th, 2010 at 04:48 pm 1281718131
Jerry
August 13th, 2010 at 05:03 pm 1281719035
Jerry - pet insurance is a waste of money in my opinion. If we haven't spent a dime on medical care on her for 10 years, then $750 this year is no biggie. That amounts to $6/month. Most of our pets have been extremely low maintenance.
& LOL at your last couple of sentences - hehe. "8 cats who can't pee." That would be fun.
August 13th, 2010 at 06:02 pm 1281722558
We've had clients spend upwards of $17,000 on chemo treatments or surgery at specialty hospitals. One client's hubby (lovingly) nicknamed their dog "Speedboat" because that's what he would have bought with the money they spent on the dog's medical care. BTW, his wife is a CPA.
August 13th, 2010 at 06:10 pm 1281723002
August 13th, 2010 at 07:14 pm 1281726854
August 14th, 2010 at 11:49 pm 1281829792