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Sariss · Jun 2, 2009, 07:44 PM

You would be very surprised at how often it happens. :(

Try calling around to different vets. Or you can look into veterinary financing. I think MediCard does it, as well as a few other companies. Vets in your area should know about some companies.

Sariss · Jun 2, 2009, 07:46 PM

Care credit is a company I believe that may help.
Why Use CareCredit® Veterinary Payment Plans? (Financing for Pet Vaccinations, Pet Surgery, Tests & Other Veterinary Medicine Procedures)

Sariss · Jun 2, 2009, 07:50 PM

Sorry for posting again, but here is a helpful link with more information on places that help with veterinary financing:
What You Can Do If You Are Having Trouble Affording Veterinary Care | The Humane Society of the United States

morgaine300 · Jun 2, 2009, 09:56 PM

Originally Posted by tickle

I really dont see the OP wanting her cat to 'shrivel up and die'. You are offering some really great suggestions. She obviously cares very much for her senior cat and is doing just about everything she can think of, morgaine. I think you have re-iterated that she must get 'any kind of food into him' okay. I guess she is doing her best.

tick

I wasn't referring to her. I know she's doing everything she can. I was referring to the people who had opinions on my opinions. Sorry if that was confusing.

morgaine300 · Jun 2, 2009, 10:15 PM

Originally Posted by Sariss

While I understand you are upset because of the condition of your kittys health, this vet is not being greedy, they are being realistic, and precautious with a client they have never met before.

True, but there's things that can be done that don't cost anywhere near that much, and that vet has simply dismissed it. It does make you wonder a bit when the only thing the vet could come up with is the one that costs $1000.

When I was taking care of my friend's cat that had this and I'd just put a ton of money into my own cat, and she couldn't afford much of anything, we got that cat treated and doing pretty well for about $150 total. There was more she needed to do (nothing at $1000!), but that was what she had and we managed on it. Mostly cause my vet prioritized and suggested which things were best under the financial circumtances.

catsareus09 · Jun 3, 2009, 02:22 AM

Another question: I am still up with Winston because I wanted to make sure the food stayed down. The watered down Fancy Feast has stayed down okay until just a little while ago. Instead of throwing the food up, he threw up mucous. I'm not really sure what to make of this because this is something new. Is mucous a good sign that the liver might be starting to work again or is it a bad sign of something worse? It is about 4:00 in the morning here so I can't get in touch with the vet right now. Also, if it happens to be that the Fancy Feast is too hard on his stomach, what flavors of baby food would be best? I've seen several different websites that do actually encourage baby food for fatty liver disease, but there is no information on exactly what flavors. Also the vet today said something about giving him Pedialyte, too along with the water. Are there different kinds of Pedialyte that might work the best? Thank you all for all of your help.

Sariss · Jun 3, 2009, 04:44 AM

Originally Posted by morgaine300

True, but there's things that can be done that don't cost anywhere near that much, and that vet has simply dismissed it. It does make you wonder a bit when the only thing the vet could come up with is the one that costs $1000.

When I was taking care of my friend's cat that had this and I'd just put a ton of money into my own cat, and she couldn't afford much of anything, we got that cat treated and doing pretty well for about $150 total. There was more she needed to do (nothing at $1000!), but that was what she had and we managed on it. Mostly cause my vet prioritized and suggested which things were best under the financial circumtances.

That depends on what they want to do. Fatty liver cats generally spend quite a bit of time in the clinic, and it includes medications, food, hospitalization, IV checks, more than a few days on IV, etc etc. It does add up. Granted, they should have given the option to treat at home but there is the possibility the cat needs more aggressive treatment, since it has been a few days.

Jenelea · Jun 3, 2009, 05:59 AM

Well that's is a bit a good news Cat. If you fed him and all he threw up was mucus that means he digested the food at least. Though my guess would be that the mucus is from him being nauseated. Cats tend to produce a lot of mucus when they are nuaseated. There are medications to control nuasea and am slightly surprised the Vet did not suggest any. Any type of pedialite will do. Same with the babyfood, chicken, beef, whatever he likes. You might also try heating it slightly in the microwave to make the aroma more inticing to Winston. Do not get it hot, just warmed up a bit. You can also try boiled chicken and rice.

catsareus09 · Jun 4, 2009, 12:51 AM

We had a great Wednesday. Winston went all day with no vomiting. Will keep everyone posted. I am still pushing fluids and food, but today was the first good sign of improvement. Hopefully I can get him to start eating and drinking on his own in the next few days. At least his medicine, food, and water are staying down now. That's a start. :)

morgaine300 · Jun 4, 2009, 01:40 AM

Well, at least he seems to be keeping things down and I think that's a good step. Keep up with the water in addition to the food. I wish I was down there so I could just bring my stuff over and do fluids for you. I also haven't gotten any answers as of yet.

As for the baby food, if it were me, I think I'd try the poulty and lamb first. Make sure there's no onion -- if you stick to Beechnut and Gerbers you should be OK.

morgaine300 · Jun 4, 2009, 01:48 AM

Originally Posted by Sariss

That depends on what they want to do. Fatty liver cats generally spend quite a bit of time in the clinic, and it includes medications, food, hospitalization, IV checks, more than a few days on IV, etc etc. It does add up. Granted, they should have given the option to treat at home but there is the possibility the cat needs more aggressive treatment, since it has been a few days.

It's been "a few days" because the vets haven't done anything. She posted 3 days ago and it's not like she waited until today to go to a vet. You guys sure are defensive of them and I just don't see anything to defend.

catsareus09 · Jun 7, 2009, 10:41 PM

I just wanted to give everyone an update on Winston. So far he is doing better. I am still having to give him food and water. He is not eating and drinking himself yet, but from what I've read, it can take up to two weeks. It is very exhausting so I hope he does start eating on his own pretty soon. Don't get me wrong, I am definitely not complaining. I am just so thankful that he is alive and is making some improvement. I will keep everyone updated on his condition.

RascalsMom123 · Aug 20, 2009, 06:28 AM

Hi Catsareus.

I was reading your thread and I was curious as to how Winston made out through all this. My cat Rascal is going through Fatty Liver Disease right now, and I'm worried about him. He's been hospitalized, and they put a feeding tube in, but Rascal pulled it out himself that same day. Then when we went to see him the next day, we got him to eat a little on his own. They released him from the hospital, because they figured we would have better luck getting him to eat. He's been home for a few days now, and he ate a little on his own, but we started the force feeding with the syringe process yesterday because he wasn't eating enough. I was curious as to how Winston is now, and how long you continued to force feed him. Thanks