My poor kitty cat :(

I was feeding my kitty this evening and I noticed she had a big bulge on her side. I first thought it was her belly poking out (my kitty is well feed :redface:) but I then poked it on it is rock hard and she meowed and wont let me near her. The lump is about the size of a softball. She has been off her food for about a week. I feel absolutely terrible because I haven't noticed it. Obviously I am going to get an emergency appointment with our vet in the morning but I am thinking the worse and that I'm going to have to have my kitty cat put down which is so sad.
My worry is and I feel absolutely terrible about it but I have to be realistic and that is we can't afford a massive vet bill because we already don't have enough money to cover our bills. So do I get choose what happens with my poor kitty or is it out of my hands and I have to do what the vet says? I feel so guilty and like a horrible person but I just can't pay hundreds to thousands of dollars for surgery/hospital stays etc but I am scared what the vets are going to say and if we can't afford the treatment are they going to make me feel horrible for making the horribly hard decision to put her down? I am gutted that I am going to have to make this choice based on money but I have to be sensible but I'm sitting here crying at the thought of it.
What am I going to do??

Can they let you pay off your bill maybe?? Big huge hugs to you I hope everything goes ok for you and your Kitty.

Oh sweetie, I hope your kitty is okay!! Most vets these days have finance options for big bills, you can apply for finance and it's like a loan - you can always give it a go if you are quoted a big bill.
In my experience, no, vets are really understanding that families have heaps of bills to pay and won't make you feel at all bad about making a choice purely because of $$. I'm sure most vets would rather see a beloved pet put gently to sleep because of money issues, than kept alive and in pain because the owner can't afford to treat them, kwim? They are usually really understanding and sensitive about these things (at least, the vet I take my little fur-children to is always very kind).

I really hope it's nothing too serious and that the vets can help your cat get all fixed up, for a price that works for you guys. Let me know if there's anything I can do to help, okay??
xo

:hug: I hope that its nothing too awful and your little kitty is with you for years to come.
Talk to your vet about payment options and he might have a payment plan.

:hug: try not to worry too much, wait until you can get some answers from the vet tomorrow. Whatever the outcome though the vet will understand your situation. My mum had to have her cat put to sleep a month ago, his kidneys were failing and everything was starting to shut down. the vet suggested some things they could do to extend his life but understood and supported mum's decision to have him euthanised, due to the cost of treatment just for a few more months of life (he was an old cat anyway). So, long story short, they will understand, whatever decision you need to make.

fingers crossed for you that it's something simple to fix :hug:

Can u take puss to an animal shelter vets? they're usually alot cheaper.
hope its something mminor and not too expensive and u have ur happy kitty back soon xxx

:hug: i hope that it isnt anything too serious xx

if there is a vet bill that is astronomical, ask them if they do payment plans. many do these days as it's just insane how much animal treatments cost these days. i know some vets dont do it, but it could be worth a ring round if yours doesnt.

I'll ask about the payment plan if the bill is too much. I'm so embarrassed to have to ask :redface:. Silly pride but I'm off to the vets now so send all your prayers this way. I'm going to cry and embarrass myself but I've had her for 13 years and she's slept on my bed every single night :cry:. She's my own personal hot water bottle.

It is probably just an abscess if it hasn't been there too long. It might be a couple of hundred but shouldn't be too much I wouldn't think as it isn't a huge operation to drain. But would require anaesthetic and ABs. Chin up. It might not be as bad as you think. Also if you have a good chunk of the bill for a deposit, some vets let you pay it off if you are well known to them. But be upfront about your finances as they won't trust you if you only say it at the end when they give you the bill. Big hugs.

I was just thinking that my previous post sounded a bit blase but I had my toddler on my lap hurrying me and I didn't want to not post IYKWIM. But I do know how you feel and what a worry it can be. Thinking of you and your cat and hoping that it all turns out ok.

Fingers crossed for you hun!! Keep us posted. Sending your cat all the healthy vibes I can :)

Hope your kitty is ok hun :hug:

Also, I second what Krysalyss said about it maybe being an abcess, and pretty cheap for the surgery? My male cat got in a fight recently and a few days later I noticed he had a huge lump under his skin on his back - took him to the vet and they checked it out, found what looked like a puncture wound from a claw (which sounded right) and just lanced and drained it - cost me under $100 with antibiotics. About a year ago my female cat had a litter and then just after H was born, I noticed she was oozing yucky-coloured goo from her genitals... then she started growling and overgrooming and I realised she was in pain. Took her to the vet and they said she had a serious uterine infection and it was good I'd brought her in when I did or she would have died (within hours) :( I thought I'd be up for huge money as they had to put her under and give her a total hysterectomy, and it's more expensive when dealing with an advanced infection, but it was only a couple of hundred dollars... the vet was really nice and assumed I'd take the euthanasia option as money's tight, but when I heard it would only be a couple of hundred dollars I told him to take her out the back and do the surgery right now and I'd be back with DH's credit card within the hour. They said, 'Just pay when you pick her up' and threw in a course of a/b's for free... so I have my fingers crossed that your kitty's got an issue that *looks* bad but is easily solved!

Well that appt didn't go well at all. Sadly it is a major operation that the vets are concerned doing because of her age, the size of the growth and there are little growths around it. They couldn't tell me exactly what it was and whether it was malignant or not but we only have two options - have her put to sleep or major surgery. The vets are worried how she will pull through the operation as they cant tell me how serious it is until they are in there. So it's either a serious major operation or a major operation :(. The worst thing they can't tell me how much exactly as they don't know how it will go but we are looking at minimum $1000 :(. Also when they remove the lump they won't test it unless I ask them to (another $250) so they won't be able to tell me if it has spread or not. They are concerned because she isn't eating or drinking either. So it looks like we are going to have to have put to sleep. They don't do payment plans and we have been rejected from the finance company they use :cry:. I'm so sad but I don't want her in any pain and the vet said she appears she is getting to the stage where she is starting to be in pain and that is not what I want at all. DH is going to take her down because I just can't do it. I don't want to scare her more. Sad few days ahead unfortunately. Thank you all so much for thinking of me and our kitty cat. Now we have to decide how we are going to tell DD. She is only three but shes worried about her kitty. Should we include her in the burial or do it without her knowing?

awww hun :( sorry about your cat. with DD is tell her the truth hun

Oh Liv how sad! :( Poor little one. I know you were worried about money but even if you had all the money in the world it sounds like you are doing the most humane thing anyway.
Big hugs to you and your family. I would include your DD in the burial. Our DS is the same age and our family dog died last year. He is buried in our yard. DS wasn't there because we were living away at the time but he knows that Bundy died and where the grave is. He talks about him and adjusted quite well. I think it is easier for him to understand than if he was just gone.
Thinking of you. xo

:hug: sorry about you cat :comfort:

Oh my god Liviam, I am so sorry to hear that. I have tears in my eyes :crying: At least your beautiful cat wont be in pain anymore. Big hugs to you :comfort::hug:

Oh Liv hon that's sad :hug:

This has made me so incredibly sad. I had to give away my 2 cats that i had for many years last June as i moved in with DP and was not allowed to keep them:cry:. My black one elways slept on my bed and they would both be sitting at the front door when i got home from work. Cats are a great sense of charachter and a great companion for anyone living alone. I still to this day think about them all the time and wish that i had been able to keep them:crying:. I am very sorry for what you are about to go through and wish you all the best. I hope your kitty makes lots of friends in Kitty Heaven and that they have a bowel of milk and ball of string waiting for her. xxx:hug:

I'm so sorry hun :( But you have given your cat a great life, and you are doing the right thing by having her PTS before she suffers too much, I'm sure she is thankful for that :hug:

I would include your DD, she needs to know what is happening rather than her cat just disappering. It's a good opportunity to teach about life and death, as difficult as it is to deal with it's also a fact of life. I hope she isn't too distraught, thinking of you guys :hug:

so sorry to hear about this Liviam...hugs to you all. It is so incredibly sad when our pets get older and just can't cope anymore. Look after yourself over the next few days. RIP little kitty cat.

Laurin x

Oh honey, I'm so, so sorry :( I had my fingers crossed all day for you and your poor kitty!! I know you must be devastated (I would be, too) but you know what the right decision is, and you can take some small comfort in knowing that she's had a very comfortable life and has been loved by you very, very much. I know that doesn't make it easier, but FWIW I think she knows and appreciates the life she's had with you.
Definitely explain to and include DD, I'll never forgive my dad for having our cat put to sleep and burying him while I was at school... I got home and he's standing in the yard with a shovel and wondered why I lost my mind and nearly brained him with it :/ It will be hard, but I think in the long run it'll be easier on DD than if her beloved kitty were to just disappear, kwim?

I'm so, so sorry for you, Liviam. Please accept my sympathy and know that my heart is hurting along with yours :(

I am really really sorry Liviam. this is just devastating news :hug:

we faced a similar situation with our cat Cassius and had to make the decision that no one should have to make to have him put to sleep. i know that this is morbid but you can request that she is given a sedative before the injection, that way she is calm, relaxed and not in any pain and literally goes to sleep...we did this with Cassius and it was very peaceful.

poor baby :hug:

Liviam, im so sorry for this to happen but i believe u are doing the right thing for kitty! I am so a cat LOVER and would do anything for them, i think as kylza mentioned they are very much companion for someone alone & family's....

I got a kitty at 8yr old and had him until the day i turned 15 i seen him get run over :( it was not a very pretty site and it devastated me, so i strongly believe ur doing the best thing for kitty so she isnt in pain and im sure she will very much remember u all in kitty heaven :) hugs darl!

i also had a kitty before moving here and they wouldnt let me have her here so unfortently she got left with my mum, but im very pleased my younger sister has taken her on and spoils her rotten like i would have and still get to see her..

I agree with what others have said about ur DD knowing whats going on then to just realise kitty is gone!

please take my sympathy as i would be shattered about this as much as you

Thank you all so much for you beautiful and very kind words. It helps so much. We are just keeping her comfortable until Friday when she is being put to sleep. Definitely not looking forward to that day :(. Thank you all for keeping us in your thoughts :grouphug:

Sorry to hear this Liv - :hug: and may your gorgeous girl be waiting for you over the Rainbow Bridge. Give her snuggles tonight and who cares about her diet, give her treats! It's never easy, and your girl has been so good with your princess over the start of your family's life - that is a gift that will be with your daughter forever. Farewell Puss.

Oh Liviam, you and your wonderful kitty will be in my thoughts on Friday and beyond. Take this opportunity to spoil her absolutely rotten and enjoy every minute you have with her. I'm so sorry it's had to come to this :(
xo

:cry: Well the time has come :cry:. I've got her favourite blanket for her to be wrapped in. I'm so sad and really wish I was strong enough to take her myself but I don't want to upset/scare her even more with me sobbing. Please tell me it is peaceful for her and wont hurt her.

oh hun, it wont hurt her at all, she'll just get sleepy and close her eyes.
big hugs on such a dreadfull day
xxx

Oh sweetie :hug: I'm thinking of you today. Try not to worry, love, it IS peaceful and very, very quick. Just a little needle p-ick and off to sleep straight away. Big, big, big hugs to you, hun. Will your DH be with her? Some vets take the pet out the back to save the owner the pain of seeing their pet pass, but honestly I'd rather be there to comfort her as it happens, kwim?
All the best hun, I'm so sorry. My condolences :(
x

Dh is taking her and has promised me he will stay with her and stroke her under the chin which she just loves!! Thank you for the reassurance that it is peaceful for her. This just absolutley sucks!!!

It won't hurt her, she might struggle a bit when they put the needle in but most cats hate going to the vet anyway! As the others have said she will just peacefully go to sleep and that will be it. Are you going to bring her body back home to bury her?

Thinking of you all today, and much love to your kitty :hug:

I'm so sorry for your loss. My cats mean the world to me, I am thinking of you today :hug:

Fly free in kitty heaven little cat :heartbeat:

Hugs to you so very sad.

Fly free in kitty cat heaven

I'm so sorry for your loss. It won't hurt her, it is a really peaceful thing. We had to PTS our 18mo puppy and he just took one last sigh and closed his eyes like he was asleep. It doesn't cause them distress and it really is the most humane way. She won't be suffering anymore.

Big :hug:

Corelly x

Thinking of you and your Kitty :hug:

Sorry it has taken me a few days to get back to you all. DH took kitty down friday and stayed with her the whole time. My poor hubby couldnt talk to the vets because he was trying not to cry. He told me she just went off to sleep with him rubbing her chin like she loves and was really peaceful. He said the vet was brilliant and treated her with so much respect. Thank you God!! We came home and buried her in her favourite spot in the garden and we are buying her plant this week. DD didn't quite understand what was happening at the time but now when she asks about kitty we go over what how we buried her and it is helping her understand. DH then went around the house and picked up her food dishes for me and popped them in shed. He was so sweet. I'm feeling better about it all now becasue someone told me not to feel guilty that she wasn't looking really sick yet as it is better to do it a week early than a minute late and have her in pain. That really hit home.
Thank you all so much for you support and kind words. It meant so much :grouphug:
Rest in peace Tigger.

RIP Tigger :heartbeat: