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SamIAm's avatar

My cat has been sick and it's costing me a fortune. Is it imperative that I bring her to the ER vet, instead of waiting until tomorrow (see details)

Asked by SamIAm (8703points) August 10th, 2010

Sasha threw up 11 times on Saturday and I brought her to the ER vet twice Saturday night. All of her blood work came back fine and they gave her some anti nausea and liquid shots. She is acting pretty normal, minus the fact that she’s barely eating or drinking. She had a hairball this morning (or last night, I woke up to it) that was surrounded by liquid and vomited again around 10am. She was fine all day, ate some cheese but threw up again this evening. The vomit was a greenish yellow and only liquid.

The vet cost me over $400 the other day and when I called just now, they said to bring her in for Xrays because there could be an obstruction & it’s better to find out now than wait for it to get worse. If I bring her in tonight, it will be another ER visit and will cost me almost another $400 dollars. If I wait till morning, there won’t be the $100 emergency fee (I don’t know how much a regular visit costs).

She’s in great health considering her age (she’s 11) and I feel like she may have an upset stomach. I’m distraught and torn… Obviously I her health is more important than a few hundred dollars but I don’t know what to do. Any suggestions?

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10 Answers

DrasticDreamer's avatar

I say bring her in. Better safe than sorry, and you’d hate yourself if something went wrong and she didn’t make it through the night.

SamIAm's avatar

The vet is open 24 hours… so if she throws up again, I can bring her right in. I’m so torn because she doesn’t appear to have a fever and isn’t acting very different. It’s just a lot of money. But you’re right @DrasticDreamer.

wundayatta's avatar

I don’t know, and can’t tell you what you should do. But perhaps I can help you figure out how to make the decision.

People get very attached to their pets. Some people spend more on pets than they would on a child.

You are trying to balance your love for your pet against your cash flow issues. Because you love your pet, you feel like money should not matter. You would sacrifice anything for your pet, if necessary.

So really, you are balancing the possibility that your pet is really sick against the possibility that you may not be able to pay next month’s rent, depending on your financial situation. Do you sacrifice your happiness for your pet?

One thing I can suggest is that you try JustAnswers. They have experts, including veterinarians. You could ask their opinion about whether to go in right now, or wait until morning. It costs about $20 to get an opinion.

Jude's avatar

I disagree with @wundayatta. If you’re pet is sick (possibly suffering/in pain), take her in. I couldn’t stand it if my pet (or any pet) was suffering.

christos99's avatar

what state do you live in? there might be state funded animal low cost shelters/vets out there. unfortunately, the vet business i feel can be more corrupt than the health insurance companies. don’t wait, because it could be sick. Do you have any mouse/rat poison in your home? powder for insects? indoor outdoor cat? give me more specifics… all i know is give your cat natural grass from outside (without pesticides and chemicals). grass is great for their intestines

rooeytoo's avatar

If this started on Saturday and she has not eaten since then other than a little cheese, I would definitely start to worry. But if she is resting and not frantic or aggitated, if she is not dehydrated and if gum color looks normal, then you can probably wait until first thing in the morning.

Another but, if the difference is cost is only the $100 extra fee then I might be inclined to bite the bullet and take her in immediately. Sounds like there is something wrong and I would want to know what. An upset stomach probably would not go on this long.

SamIAm's avatar

she’s an indoor cat… i have the money, i just don’t have a job and need the money but i’ll be able to live… i’m taking her in now…. if god forbid she didn’t wake up tomorrow, 400 bucks would sound really fucking stupid. thanks guys.

Austinlad's avatar

I can’t and won’t judge you for whatever decision you make. But me, I wouldn’t hesitate for a second to go to a vet anytime day or night if my cat got sick. I love my cat too much to let him suffer. In fact, it pains me—I mean physically pains me—to see any animal in distress. I do hope Sasha feels better soon.

wundayatta's avatar

@jjmah I’m sorry, but what do you disagree with? Do you think she shouldn’t think about this?

I was just asking questions. I don’t believe I provided any recommendations about a course of action, other than to point out a place where she might get more informed advice. Oh. Maybe that’s what you disagreed with.

Buttonstc's avatar

I’m glad you’re taking her in. The greenish yellow fluid is bile because her stomach is so empty.

Since the differential between now or morning is just $100, I think you’ll be glad you did.

There are several funds available for people in need. Especially since you’re not currently working, I would assume that you’d meet whatever qualifying criteria they have.

If it turns out it was an obstruction that is really serious. I’ll be sending positive thoughts and prayers your way.

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