Catster

return to top

a little black cat says...

to the vet we go

I have an appt on Friday. What I did find out, is that the place I went also has a 3rd location in the city, much closer, and that location is part of the University of Illinois Vet School. I am hoping that may mean reduced prices, and it is an excellent school - my daughter went there for Animal Science & Environmental Science.

I am thinking that the insurance may not kick in. Since he was born this way, I have a strong feeling they will consider it a pre-existing condition. Their goal really, is to not pay if they can see a way. I paid a fortune for Tig's illnesses, and he cannot even get insurance. I had thought by getting it for Smitty & Felix, I would be a step ahead. They did cover some of Smitty's tooth removal, so that made my bill less.

A few pals have mentioned about possible fund raising, and while I am a very proud person, and "take care of my business" I may need to ask for any help, I have no clue what this will cost, but I have no idea how to go about it. If anyone can give me any ideas on this, it would be great. I am not on FB though.

I am to fast him on Fri, because they may be able to do 1 surgery same day.

Just knowing how much you all care - I cannot tell you how much it means to me, and for my Feefer-kitty.

vet visit-when it rains, it sometimes monsoons

I will let Momma write this for me. See my new pics? I got big! My fur is getting longer like my mom-cat's is.

Momma Renee here:
It seems that Feefer's front leg is really not an issue. The vet started to do a very thorough neurologial exam, and then she was checking his knees & hips. I myself saw his hip "pop". She was concerned by this and that his knees felt loose. He was showing a HIGH level of pain. So I left him there so she could knock him out & take xrays. When I went back, she told me that she had never seen anything this bad...she was stunned. You know it is bad when as a lay person, I could see something was horribly wrong on the xray. She was even teary telling me how bad it is.

He has severe hip displasia on both sides. Normally there is a socket for the ball of the femur - Felix has no sockets at all. His pelvis is flat on each side. There is a space on the one side, and the other side is bone rubbing on bone. Both knees have luxating patellas.

This poor baby has never known what it is like to be pain free. I have to take him to the specialist again, as he must have surgery. She says they will most likely cut the ball off the femur & his muscles will hold it in place. My vet does not do orthopedic surgery, and they are excellent there. She thinks they will probably do his right side & knee, then his left hip later. She does not think his left knee needs surgery. It is either that, or I have to keep him on pain meds until the bone spurs get so bad or he blows his knee out. Or we all know the other alternative.

I REFUSE to give up on him. He has been though so much already, and is such a sweet kitty. He is a fighter. I think now that alot of his fearfulness could be because he is in so much pain. I felt something was wrong - he never ran around like a kitten should. I feel horrible that I did not get him in sooner, but I had Maizy with the IBD, then Smitty's issues. Tig needs his echo - pray it is clear!

The bad thing is that I do not know if his insurance will pay for any of this - maybe the knee, but if they consider the hips a pre-exsisting condition....they won't. I have no idea how I will afford this, because I am sure it will not be cheap - but where there is a will, there is a way.

I won't be back on until Tuesday. I am spending time with my daughter. I will call on Monday to set up his appt. This place is an hour away, so that is pretty crummy too.

If anyone has had this issue, let me know. Otherwise I can use some moral support. This will be a long road.

another update: vet called this morning with his lab results. His blood is fine, but he has a urinary tract infection as she found bacteria, and crystals - which she thinks they are from the infection. So he will be on antibiotics 2 weeks to clear that up before he can even have surgery.

One good thing, she cut his claws as short as possible!

paws n claws

Can you believe that the only appt Momma could get is Friday! The internet man came early yesterday, so she could have taken one yesterday if she had known. hisss! Last night she kinda figured it out maybe. Ya know how most kittes shed kind of the shell of their claw? Well Mine don't or at least that is what Mom thinks, and that is why they are so thick & wide. Friday should be interesting for sure. Of course I probably won't do anything because I will be too scaredy. Do not let the tiny squeaky cute little kitty face lull you into denial...I BITE HARD when you touch my feet!

Oh we forget to tell everyone that when our human brother moved out into an apt with his fiance (mom was sad but happy for them too) they adopted a kitty! and guess what else? it is a little black kitty like me! His name is Jet. Momma says he is very cute. Another kitty rescued!