Vet / Cat advice needed!

[dakcp2001]

I have an appointment for the vet tomorrow for both kitties. One has been gaining weight & getting clumsy. I am concerned about his vision, maybe diabetic or something?Any ideas? Other kitty just needs a check up. EVERY time I go to the vet, it costs hundreds to thousands of dollars and money is SUPER tight right now. I know fatty love needs some labs & tests to see what is going on and I want to do whatever he needs without being taken advantage of.

I am expecting them to need vaccinations, which ones are MUST HAVES for indoor only cats? They do not go outside ever.

The last 3 times I have gone the cats have needed "dental work" which has been UBER expensive. How do i know if this really needs to be done? I think 3 times is sort of excessive, but it has been over a span of like 6 years and teh cats are brothers. I was told last time, these cats have bad genes that make them prone to dental issues. I did purchase the special food they suggested, cats wont touch it.

I love my kitties, they are part of my family. But I always feel the same way when I leave the vet & the mechanic, and that is broke!

 

[Amelia Peabody]

I ran into the same issue with my two. We went for a rabies shot for each. While I was occupied with one, the tech gave other shots that I didn't want. And they charged me for TWO office visits even though we were all together and all I wanted was the vaccine. Over $150 that I did not have.

Mine are also only indoor, no exposure to anything. So no feline leukemia, distemper, etc. Just rabies - a requirement for the landlord. And God forbid they do get out and meet a squirrel - I'd feel awful if they weren't protected for that.

No dental work either .... Try making it clear up front EXACTLY what services you are asking for.

 

[dawson5]

I am not sure if it happens to all diabetic cats, but ours urinated and drank a lot before we learned of his condition. A lot-a lot. I mean you would seriously know. It seemed like I was changing the litter box every other day and it was full/wet. I assumed he was spilling his water all the time. Poor cat, we didn't even know it was possible for cats to have diabetes and no experience with it to even recognize the signs. This was pre-internet for us, couldn't even google it.

Have you looked around for alternate places for rabies shots? When we took in our chihuahua, we had no intention of keeping her. We were just trying to get her to a healthy weight and assumed the previous owners did not do anything for her (we were correct in assuming this). I found a free rabies shot day, held through the local humane society. If there are no other issues with your cats, search and see if something like this is offered. Also, don't places like PetsMart or PetCo offer discount shots? Some do, not all (ours don't offer this).

 

[TerryKitten]

My cat had a reaction to the Feline Lekemia, so all she gets is rabies. She is indoor only. My cat, who is 13, has never had any dental work done. But then she refuses to eat anything other than dry food.

I aggree with Amelia Peabody, let them know what you only need. If they offer other services and you don't want to say "No", then say "I can't afford that right now, perhaps on our next visit."