Tell me about Paralysis Ticks

[sconeonamission]

Just back from the vet. Apparently, it's low grade paralysis. There's no laboured breathing or chest problems, but not much of a gag reflex.

Serum is $550 and is not "guaranteed" so to speak. Apparently it's made for dog from dogs blood. She said it was like a mini blood transfusion. It also may not work or make things worse.

For now, while we decide, he's up at the vet, resting. To see if he makes any good progress.

While we were at the vet, he tried to jump for it off the exam table, which is something he wouldn't have tried yesterday or sunday. So I think he's made progress since then. Can use his back legs a bit better today too.

So this afternoon dh will get a call. If he's made no progess (or little progress), we're going to be asked to give him the serum. I just don't have that kind of money, and am finding it difficult to know what to decide...

[christy]

That is a hard decision mate. If its low grade, there is a minor possibility of it getting better. Its not common though, once the signs start showing. Often the trip to the vet kicks in some adrenaline making them try things they wouldn't at home.

Personally, I would do the serum if it were my animal. $550 isn't bad, our starting cost is generaly $1000 at the specialist centre!! And when I was up there it was averaging around $500 last year.... so sounds about right.

[~Saram~]

Scone - Christy is definitely the expert to listen to hear, I have no idea about paralysis ticks but from someone who has a lot of animals that are accident prone these are the questions we like to ask our vet.

What will happen if we don't go through with the treatment,
whatare their chances of survival with vrs without it?,
what will be the outcome with vrs without it (will they require treatment of medication for the rest of their lives etc)
What are the chances of survival if they do recieve the treatment
Any alternatives?

We ultimately have a fixed cost of vet bill allocated to each animal and I have literally said to the vet - this one has $400 left - do what you can for that?

Having said that COMPLETELYdifferent circumstances but my cat was vommitting blood one night, became very ill. Had an xray and it was recommended that she have surgery but we simply couldn't afford it. After asking the vet these questions we decided to let her stay at the vets on a drip and try and make it through herself. 16days later she came home $350 vet bill but a healthy cat - whatever her issue was she passed it herself and has no lasting damage but that was the risk we had to take. it could very easily have gone the other way but we could also have spent 1500 on surgery for her to have gut issues the rest of her life or to still pass away???

Hope your cat makes it out alright!!!!