The cat might die if I don't spend $700

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Lot of hard hearted people on here. $700 is not going to make or break a college tuition. And if I had it, I would pay it. No, it's not your cat. You don't want it. Etc. But sometimes we do things we don't want to do.

The test is prob an an endoscopy and I had a cat in a similar position a few years back. Ulcers and required some meds and has been (fingers crossed) fine for a number of years now. However, it could be cancer or something not treatable.

But $700 is just the start. Could be thousands once there is a diagnosis. I wouldn't go down this path.

[Anonymous]

Millions of cats will die regardless of this one. Let it go and adopt another one.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Lot of hard hearted people on here. $700 is not going to make or break a college tuition. And if I had it, I would pay it. No, it's not your cat. You don't want it. Etc. But sometimes we do things we don't want to do.

The test is prob an an endoscopy and I had a cat in a similar position a few years back. Ulcers and required some meds and has been (fingers crossed) fine for a number of years now. However, it could be cancer or something not treatable.

It's never just the $700. It's starting the ball rolling.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Lot of hard hearted people on here. $700 is not going to make or break a college tuition. And if I had it, I would pay it. No, it's not your cat. You don't want it. Etc. But sometimes we do things we don't want to do.

The test is prob an an endoscopy and I had a cat in a similar position a few years back. Ulcers and required some meds and has been (fingers crossed) fine for a number of years now. However, it could be cancer or something not treatable.

This is the OP. If I pay for the test, I will have to pay for the meds. I will also have to have her read me the vet's instructions by phone (We don't live in the same city. She doesn't know how to use a computer or a smart phone). She has significant learning disabilities and schizophrenia. Then I will have to call her every day to tell her to give the cat the meds. If the meds have to be mixed into food or given by injection, she may not have the capacity to follow the instructions. If the cat has a reaction, does not get better, has side effects, etc, I will then have to deal with that situation from 150 miles away. And that is just cat number 1.

Somebody suggested calling the humane society. I called and they will provide medical care to the cat if she surrenders it. That is not going to be a good conversation. They did not have recommendations for low cost vets, unfortunately.

I appreciate the suggestions for DMV vets, but she lives in Canada.

[Anonymous]

You can’t really enable your sister in this, I’m afraid. The fact that she even is asking you means that you need to establish better boundaries with her.

[Anonymous]

This is the OP again. If my sister or her partner (who is also intellectually disabled) have any problems - medical or otherwise - I will jump in my car, spend whatever it takes, and help them as much as I can. They are both lovely people. I spend hundreds of dollars a year having their apartment cleaned, sending grocery gift cards, sending Christmas gifts, etc. I am happy to do that. I just can't use my resources for her cats.

[Anonymous]

Look, you don't want to help with the cat, that's fine. It's your money, you already decided. Why do feel the need to solicit support from internet randos? Just do whatever and get on with it.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Lot of hard hearted people on here. $700 is not going to make or break a college tuition. And if I had it, I would pay it. No, it's not your cat. You don't want it. Etc. But sometimes we do things we don't want to do.

The test is prob an an endoscopy and I had a cat in a similar position a few years back. Ulcers and required some meds and has been (fingers crossed) fine for a number of years now. However, it could be cancer or something not treatable.

This is the OP. If I pay for the test, I will have to pay for the meds. I will also have to have her read me the vet's instructions by phone (We don't live in the same city. She doesn't know how to use a computer or a smart phone). She has significant learning disabilities and schizophrenia. Then I will have to call her every day to tell her to give the cat the meds. If the meds have to be mixed into food or given by injection, she may not have the capacity to follow the instructions. If the cat has a reaction, does not get better, has side effects, etc, I will then have to deal with that situation from 150 miles away. And that is just cat number 1.

Somebody suggested calling the humane society. I called and they will provide medical care to the cat if she surrenders it. That is not going to be a good conversation. They did not have recommendations for low cost vets, unfortunately.

I appreciate the suggestions for DMV vets, but she lives in Canada.

I think requiring her to surrender the cat is reasonable, OP. And I have cats who I have spent thousands on for veterinary care! The costs keep going up and it’s a constant back and forth of whether the care is worth it which it sounds like your sister doesn’t really have the capacity to handle. I expect you’re right that the conversation will be rough though; good luck.

For the two healthy kittens: can you talk directly to her vet about setting a budget for their care now? E.g., if it goes over $500/cat annually your sister can’t afford it so they will have to be surrendered? Just so that you don’t end up in this situation again. Or see about getting your sister on an affordable pet insurance plan if she has enough to cover it.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Having an adult child with mental illness I’d make my decision based on how I expected it to affect his mental health. If not doing it would destabilize him I’d do it. It costs me way more in time and money to deal with crises. If it wouldn’t matter one way or another I wouldn’t do it.

If I did it, I’d be clear about my future contributions.

This is the OP. I really appreciate your perspective. I do think it may destabilize her. I am also the only family she has. Our parents are gone and there are no other siblings. My issue is that I don't think this is a $700 problem. Something is wrong with the cat, which will cost more money to fix, and there are two other cats in the pipeline. I can't take money from my kids and my retirement to spend on the cats.

I am also concerned that if the vet puts the cat on a treatment plan, she may not have the capacity to comply.

I’m sure you’re right - that it’s not a $700 problem. That’s why I be clear about my limits. This is different because it’s your sister and not your kid. But i feel like I’d do the diagnostics in this case. You’re not wrong not to though. It’s a lot of money.

[Anonymous]

Let the cat die. The money is not an issue. It was dumb of he to get the cat. She can not take care of herself but got a cat that she also can’t take care of?

[Anonymous]

Why is a 1-year old cat spitting up blood? That's strange. Any chance your sister fed the cat something inappropriate or allowed the cat to get into something toxic? If the cat is indoor-outdoor, it may have eaten a poisoned rodent that is causing internal bleeding in the kitty.

She may need to hunt down low-cost veterinary care. I don't know what sort of resources are available in Canada, but her local shelter may be able to suggest a more reasonably-priced veterinarian.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Why is a 1-year old cat spitting up blood? That's strange. Any chance your sister fed the cat something inappropriate or allowed the cat to get into something toxic? If the cat is indoor-outdoor, it may have eaten a poisoned rodent that is causing internal bleeding in the kitty.

She may need to hunt down low-cost veterinary care. I don't know what sort of resources are available in Canada, but her local shelter may be able to suggest a more reasonably-priced veterinarian.

This is the OP. I asked that question too. It is an indoor cat, but I was surprised that it was so sick.

[Anonymous]

I think you sound like a wonderful, caring sister and your priority is your sister, not her cats. It makes more sense to me to save the money for something that she will need for her own care.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Lot of hard hearted people on here. $700 is not going to make or break a college tuition. And if I had it, I would pay it. No, it's not your cat. You don't want it. Etc. But sometimes we do things we don't want to do.

The test is prob an an endoscopy and I had a cat in a similar position a few years back. Ulcers and required some meds and has been (fingers crossed) fine for a number of years now. However, it could be cancer or something not treatable.

This is the OP. If I pay for the test, I will have to pay for the meds. I will also have to have her read me the vet's instructions by phone (We don't live in the same city. She doesn't know how to use a computer or a smart phone). She has significant learning disabilities and schizophrenia. Then I will have to call her every day to tell her to give the cat the meds. If the meds have to be mixed into food or given by injection, she may not have the capacity to follow the instructions. If the cat has a reaction, does not get better, has side effects, etc, I will then have to deal with that situation from 150 miles away. And that is just cat number 1.

Somebody suggested calling the humane society. I called and they will provide medical care to the cat if she surrenders it. That is not going to be a good conversation. They did not have recommendations for low cost vets, unfortunately.

I appreciate the suggestions for DMV vets, but she lives in Canada.

If she has significant learning disabilities I’d be concerned about her being taken advantage of and even if she was not how can she follow a vets instructions? It sounds like this cat she be rehomed or at least taken from her until the cat is well.