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Dr. Magnifico- I have a 14 year old CKD/CHF/Anemic cat that is having some heavy breathing and very weak! She is on Varenzin however, I believe she needs an Iron Dextran shot. She was on Aranesp previously (had to remove her due to her having seizures from the medication) however, it was tanking her iron, so she had an iron dextran shot and it helped a lot. I’m having troubles finding someone that can do this fast. Is this something you offer and how quickly could she receive it? I believe she is tanking but VEG just quoted me $4-6k to bring her in!!!! I’m already at $30k and just don’t know I can do that right now. Also, if she is at the point of needing a blood transfusion, where can I get that done and NOT spend $4-6k???
I am in very bad place I have cats developing FIP at a fast rate within 2 weeks of ex poser all older cats 10 plus I be leave it is the FCOV-2 variant. I Have lots in door cats. One of my healthy out door only cats got sick throwing up acting neurological. I took him vet next day blood work was off A:B ratio was in the gray zone kidneys enlarged Cat has not gotten any better ordered EIDD-2801 will be here tomorrow I have 10 cats showing signs. FIP is never in my mind set from out door cats this spread like wild fire. I am asking for help for contact at some at university or some where who is researching this. I am trying not lose them plus I want to make sure this not a missed opportunity for information to be gathered. I am very scared and depressed.
Hello.
Im so sorry to hear about your cats.
Fip is such a devastating disease. There is now finally hope with the advent of the Bova GS – 441524 treatment. I think that Stokes Pharmacy has a very good write up on this if you want to see their website. I also know that multiple other manufacturers now make this so you can shop around for a price that might work for you. I ordered from chewy last week to get this medication overnighted to us for a cat.
Good luck!
Thanks Dr M. This is the second time dealing with this. I went with eidd 1932 the data what I have seen says it dose better at older dry fip cases. Also cost full 84 weeks is 299. But this has moved fast faster then normal fcov. I have been taken care of 30 plus cats for years . I am on the spectrum I watch patterns. This how manage their health. You feel alone with all these animals in the world of corp greed and dvms bandwith are running thin. I have videos I haven’t put out before I knew about you. Stating where we are at. Nobody wins expect bane ,mars, blackrock. I mean they own the food insurance the clinics and the drugs. Dvms putting animals down when they know they can save them is hard on the soul, It why I believe you suicide rates are at the top now, owners feel the same if I only had that 1500 bucks now I have to say bye to part of my soul. Like I said nobody wins except stock holders. I am got in my situation not by 100% choice. When this all started for me a can of science diet was 89© Now 299ish not vet diet. Now own by colligate ugggggg. I have some clinics that are fair but I have to travel to get to them. All our clinics in our town price set have a lunch in at set prices. Locally in town full panel is now 245. My country vets are 130. I know what things cost cost vet 89 . They need to make money but 130% . Animals suffer with these prices. I am sorry for the rambling I have a lot anger and passion about this subjects. Thanks Dr M
Hi Dr. Magnifico,
I have an 18 yr old male cat (Eddie) that has been having trouble breathing because of an obstruction in his nasal cavity. Eddie’s primary Vet Dr. Klutz at Abby Animal hospital preformed an x-ray and determined he would probaly need a CAT scan and rhinoscopy for a better diagnosis. I was referred to AVIMO in Hunt Valley and went for a consultation. That visit cost over $800 with some blood work. I was given an estimate for the CAT scan procedure of $4426.00 to $5258.00. This is a lot for me to pay out at one time since I have 5 other cats that are in their senior years with some health issues of their own. If your practice or if you know of another facility that can provide a cheaper price I would appreciate your input.
Hello,
I just had this conversation yesterday with a client.
Here’s my thoughts on this situation.
Most cats this age are more likely to have a mass in the nose than a polyp or anything else benign. Age matters in statistical likelihood of a disease. Or, it can be infection or long term inflammation. Both of these have treatment options. I would start with them. I like cerenia nasal drops. Nebulizer treatments and even an inhaler. We also have options like atopica and Solensia.
Next we try rotating antibiotics. Like doxycycline and azithromycin.
The he reality is you will likely spend a lot of money on a diagnostic that leaves you little to no good treatment options. We HAVE to talk about that BEFORE we ask people to spend money (often that they do not have) on expensive diagnostics.
I hope this helps.
Good luck.
I have a 9 year old female spayed cat. I took her to our normal vet because she was not acting herself. She had recently had a checkup with no issues, however, I had noticed she was spraying in different placed in the house which again is not like her. We have 2 doxies in the house as well. They did x-rays and said she had bladder stones and a couple in her urethra and they called so we could go over to their other emergent location to see if they could possibly flush those out. So I then took her to the emergent location and they took her back and were able to get a catheter into her and push the stones back but said when they did that, they came right back into the urethra. They then suggested that I start her on the special diet right away and hopefully that would help in time to shrink the bladder stones and maybe she could pass them. They said I should bring her back in about 6-8 weeks which will be towards the end of this month to do repeat x-rays. If she still has the bladder stones, they suggested her getting a cystotomy and said it would be over $3000. They also told me to closely monitor her to make sure she doesn’t get blocked and if she does to take her to the ER right away which I know would be even more expensive. I was hoping you could offer some insight on how much your practice would charge for a cystotomy and should I just go ahead and get that done? I have been monitoring her but I am so afraid she will end up blocked and I don’t want that. I have seen many of your videos helping the cats that have been blocked and I am so thankful you have been able to help them. I hope you can help me navigate the best direction for my kitty.
Hello,
I’m sorry to hear about your cat.
We have some of the prices of some of the surgeries we do available in the storylines section here.
A cystotomy is about $1500-2000. It really depends on how long the surgery is. In general cats are quicker and easier than dogs, but, little stones can be real buggers to remove.
There are lower cost clinics available. They can be found on our Jarrettsville veterinary center website.
There is a possibility they might dissolve, but, I had found this less reliable for cats than dogs and the real possibility that they slip into the urethra and obstruct the bladder from emptying is a potentially fatal consequence, therefore I had to advocate for surgical removal asap.
Let us know what happens.
Dr Magnifico
My fixed male cat of about 7 years old has had constipation issues off and on. I have 8 cats and 3 others in his area. A few days ago I saw him trying to poop with no luck. Whenever he ate, he threw up. I brought him to the neighborhood vet Saturday and they ran lots of tests. They said he didn’t have megacolon and that they gave him an enema but nothing came out except a hard poop from the end. They also gave some fluids and charged me almost $1,000. Then sent us home. I bought him some Churu and he kept a little down last night. He is refusing all food today and no poop. I did see him pee. I put a tiny amount of Miralax in the Churu yesterday but today refused. Please help.
He is now throwing up white foam.
Hello,
I apologize for the delay. Im sorry there is not enough information for me to offer any advice other than to seek veterinary help.
I ended up in the vet twice and spent almost $2,000
But he’s doing much better with Miralax and Nordic Natural omega daily
Hello there and thank you for providing this platform. I’m in South Africa but I need advice. My neutered male Siamese cat has suddenly developed crystals and wasn’t able to urinate. I asked my friend who runs a charity and she helped to pay for the vet. cat child was put on a drip for about 2 days and recommended and given special Hills food and sent home. About 4 days later the same rhing happens. Back we go, and again on drip and will be released tomorrow. I am stressing terribly. There isn’t money to go back for anything else but to put him down. He is barely 2 years old and I love him. So much. The vet agreed that stress is a cobtributing factor, so this food has CBD in it and he will give 4 days’ anti anxiety meds. What is there that I can do at home to prevent this? It is very hot here, and I suspect this child is not drinking enough water. Can i force water down his throat with a syringe? My cats are lucky, they live on a farm but I do have litter boxes set up inside.
The vet said only the special Hills food and water. I feel there must be something more I can do. What if this happens again in a couple of days?
Any advice please?
My daughter rescued a 3 yo neutered Siamese cat while living in Japan a couple years ago. She lives in Charleston, SC now and for the last several months Taiko is trying to escape. Tonight, my daughter’s husband got him and Taiko became very aggressive, scratching him badly. Normally they have an amazing relationship. They are taking him to the vet tomorrow to see what their options are. I just wanted your opinion. Since you’ve been great with my kitties.
He slips out the door so fast.
If I had a cat who desperately wanted to be outside, I would let them – either in an escape proof catio, or on leash with me.
My Balinese boy LOVED his leashed walks. He didn’t try to get out when he knew we’d take him out with us.
Thank you for this. I will suggest it to her.
It makes sense
I have a 12 year old Ragdoll cat that our local vet believes he has Oronasal Polyps. He referred us to a specialist here in Dallas. It took us a month to get in to see the specialist. They want 10 K just to diagnose him. I’m in dire need of a vet that can help him ASAP.
Hello,
I’m sorry to hear about your cat.
In my experience I have never found a polyp in a cat this old.
If you would like to try to find someone local to you I would recommend that you call rescues and shelters and ask if they know of anyone who is willing to sedate your cat and look behind the soft palate. There are other vets who do this. They may not have ab endoscope like the specialist does, but, it might not be needed if they can visualize it.
Hi, We have a unofficial cat rescue. One of our younger cats broke her back right femur bone. Amputation is an option but more than we can afford. She is on pain medication but not showing signs of pain just precautionary, as well as antibiotics. She is being kept in a small area with no climbing or likewise. It’s a clean break. Straight and slightly parallels right next to each other. Here is my question. There is no possibility for her to live a good life unless I do surgery or Amputation? There is no way it could slowly calcify and heal and her to enjoy her life?? We just simply can’t afford the surgery but have so much love for her and her well-being.
For all cat with fractures I recommend very (VERY!!!) strict cage rest for 4-8 weeks. I know it sounds harsh but a cage where they can rest and all of mine have healed. Good luck.
Hello. I have a grey kitty who is 3 experiencing a lot of wheezing. She has about 4-5 spells a day where she just hacks – never coughing up a hair ball or vomit, her whole body gets tight when this happens. I’ve had 2 opinions by different vets. The first vet said it was asthma gave me liquid albuterol for her as well as PREDNISONE. after about 3 months no change so I took her for another opinion. The vet there agreed asthma but said cats cannot metabolize prednisone so she gave me prednisolone to try. Still no change. She is so uncomfortable when she has these spells and I feel so bad because there is nothing I can do to help her. Any thoughts? I have a video but unfortunately it will not allow me to attach to this post 🙁
Hello,
I think that it is time for some diagnostics. I would recommend an Xray and some blood work. In some cases I am also concerned about things like lungworm, round worm, or toxoplasmosis.
If you haven’t done an antibiotic trial you can also try that. The problem is that you are trying to treat clinical signs and not identifying the underlying cause.
Thank you for this suggestion! I do appreciate it. Praying we find some answers for my special girl!
Hello my cat is at the emergency vet in bel air and they said she has a bad case of pneumonia (their diagnosis) I paid $1200 via care credit , they are suggesting she stay over night for monitoring and be on oxygen. They gave her a injectable antibiotic and a steroid. They offered me the opportunity to take her home with meds also. I am not really sure what to do, but I don’t have another $2k to pay them and they won’t treat her without the funds 🙁 in your opinion is this something she may survive at home if I bring her home and try and get an appt with your office asap? Thank you for reading
Hello my cat is at the emergency vet in bel air and they said she has a bad case of pneumonia (their diagnosis) I paid $1200 via care credit , they are suggesting she stay over night for monitoring and be on oxygen. They gave her a injectable antibiotic and a steroid. They offered me the opportunity to take her home with meds also. I am not really sure what to do, but I don’t have another $2k to pay them and they won’t treat her without the funds 🙁 in your opinion is this something she may survive at home if I bring her home and try and get an appt with your office asap? Thank you for reading
Hello,
The assumption is that the labored breathing is due to the current and concurrent medical conditions. If that is the case then what are you hoping to gain by spending more money on a disease that sounds like it is in the end stange?
Where are you ready to say goodbye?
Has anyone spoken to you about the place she is at and the possibility of this all being futile care?
I’m not trying to send like I am not empathetic but there is no amount of money that will change this nor change the fact that you will likely have to say goodbye with a very painful decision soon.
Please ask a vet to be honest with you and not make this about the money that you cannot afford.
I’m sorry. It sounds like your cat is suffering and this is not curable. It’s ok to let her go. She was loved. You did everything you could. Try to be at peace with that.