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please please please!!!!

Anyone here know anything about animals?

My cat got bit a couple days ago by a wild cat that hangs around our house. He didn't seem to be in too much pain after the fight, but just recently, we found a big open wound on his right side. He keeps licking it, but we're gonna get a cone so he doesn't. We're putting medicine on it right now, but I just want to know, what's the better medicine to use?

I forget what it's called that he now has, I think it starts with an A, but he's got all the symptoms exact. He sleeps all day, doesn't eat much, and cries when you pick him up.

The main thing I'm concerned about is, if you know a lot about animals, do you think he'll make it? He's my baby and I don't want to lose him.

I'm also just looking for some kind of support... It's very stressful on me knowing my cat is in so much pain. He doesn't deserve this.. He's the sweetest little angel, he's gentle and playful and absolutely loves attention. Please, I just need someone to tell me he'll be ok....
Thank you..

and again, I'm too slow :)

Happyfish didn't know about your situation, MrsMatthewGrubler.

All the best for the summer job.

Original Post by mrsmatthewgubler:

You know, that's incredibly annoying... I CAN'T GET A JOB!!! Cuz we'd have to pay for gas, and driving there and we might now be living in this house much longer. My brother is trying to get a job, but nobody will fricken hire. I think I'm gonna wait until we move and until I have school under control. I'll probably have a summer job. who knows..

I didn't know your situation. It was only a suggestion. I realize this must be a touchy subject. Good luck with summer employment.

Original Post by mrsmatthewgubler:

You know, that's incredibly annoying... I CAN'T GET A JOB!!! Cuz we'd have to pay for gas, and driving there and we might now be living in this house much longer. My brother is trying to get a job, but nobody will fricken hire. I think I'm gonna wait until we move and until I have school under control. I'll probably have a summer job. who knows..

 Okay, so your parents pay for gas for a couple weeks until he/you gets a paycheck...then he/you buys the gas and pays your parents back. Just a suggestion.

In the event that one of my animals would have unexpected vet bills, there are sacrifices I would be willing to make for a while--like internet. I've had to do it before I was old enough to work. I took my dog to the vet for stitches, but I had to forgo my cell phone for about six months so we could pay for it.

My point is, there are other necessary expenses in animal care than food. That's something to consider before getting an animal. Glad to hear he seems better.

And I had no idea corgi did that for one of her babies. That's extraordinary. It's owners like that who make me excited I chose the career field that I did.

Ok, lemme clear this up for everyone who chooses to listen.

We can't afford a vet. We don't even know where our money is gonna come from (if we'll even get some) by the end of June. Ok? We are living with my uncle, who can barely afford this house too. So, we wouldn't be able to take him to the vet if he needed it. If we cut down the Internet, I couldn't do school. In which, the school would get ticked and probably kick me out of school.

We don't have a lot. It sucks living here, so we can't really do much. We all had to accept the possibility of Bob dying. There was nothing we could do.

I apologize for snapping, I'm just kinda sensitive about it. I hate this house. I hate this state. I hate absolutely everything right now. I'm sorry, and I'll try my best to keep myself in check.

Original Post by kotov_syndrome:

And I had no idea corgi did that for one of her babies. That's extraordinary. It's owners like that who make me excited I chose the career field that I did.

 

I see! You want to become a vet and make tons of money!!! *ebil grin* :-D

Original Post by mrsmatthewgubler:

Ok, lemme clear this up for everyone who chooses to listen.

We can't afford a vet. We don't even know where our money is gonna come from (if we'll even get some) by the end of June. Ok? We are living with my uncle, who can barely afford this house too. So, we wouldn't be able to take him to the vet if he needed it. If we cut down the Internet, I couldn't do school. In which, the school would get ticked and probably kick me out of school.

We don't have a lot. It sucks living here, so we can't really do much. We all had to accept the possibility of Bob dying. There was nothing we could do.

I apologize for snapping, I'm just kinda sensitive about it. I hate this house. I hate this state. I hate absolutely everything right now. I'm sorry, and I'll try my best to keep myself in check.

I'm not the type to go 'My heart goes out to you', but I do hope that you will be able to get the best grades possible and out of there as soon as possible! Best of luck for that!!

I'm very glad to hear Bob is doing better. 

As for the other stuff that's come up--I find it helps to just focus on everyone's love of animals, and not take the rest personally.  I know when I got cats, I didn't expect to end up disabled and living well below the poverty line.  My guys won't get all the medical care they might need, but then again, neither do I. 

You know you (and your family) are loving and looking after Bob to the very best of your ability--that's the thing to remember.

I suspect that as the upper end of veterinary care becomes ever more advanced and expensive (think MRI's, transplants etc), more and more pet owners are going to be faced with the heartbreaking situation of not being able to provide their beloved pets with all of the medical care they require.  We could all do with being gentle with each other about it.

By the way, in case it's still useful for Bob now (or he gets in trouble again), I find the site HowStuffWorks often has clear useful articles.  Their main page for cat injuries is http://animals.howstuffworks.com/pets/cat-inj ury-treatments.htm  If you haven't already found it on your own, you might want to check it out.

I hope all goes well for you and your family (two legged and four!).

Original Post by kikt:

Original Post by kotov_syndrome:

And I had no idea corgi did that for one of her babies. That's extraordinary. It's owners like that who make me excited I chose the career field that I did.

 

I see! You want to become a vet and make tons of money!!! *ebil grin* :-D

 Oh, God! I didn't even notice that it kind of sounded that way! Not what I meant. :P

OP- I definitely understand your frustration at your situation. I hope things get better for you and your family.

Original Post by mrsmatthewgubler:

Ok, lemme clear this up for everyone who chooses to listen.

We can't afford a vet.

You should learn from this. If you can't afford a vet then you're parents shouldn't allow the family to have a pet. 

Maybe you should consider finding it a new home where they can afford the appropriate care.

Original Post by sybil878:

Original Post by mrsmatthewgubler:

Ok, lemme clear this up for everyone who chooses to listen.

We can't afford a vet.

You should learn from this. If you can't afford a vet then you're parents shouldn't allow the family to have a pet. 

Maybe you should consider finding it a new home where they can afford the appropriate care.

Agreed. It isn't an easy thing to even suggest, but what will happen if (hope not) your cat gets something like certain types of intestinal parasites? Something that is relatively easy to fix, if caught in time, but only a vet can give you the medication?

No, drop it.  She is sixteen and not responsible for her families circumstances.  If she is an adult by all means feel free to lecture her about not being able to afford proper care for her animals. But it sounds like she already has enough stress in her world without people putting additional guilt for a financial circumstance she cant and shouldn't have to control.  By the way, with the number of homeless cats, and euthanised cats, are you really going to suggest she get rid of hers?  Every owner has to decide the level of care they can provide.  If she can provide food, shelter, love, and a spay/neuter she is doing a hell of a lot better than many people. 

My friend and I both had male cats who had urinary blockages, and she decided that she couldn't afford to treat him, and what was humane was to euthanise her kitty.  I paid almost 3,000 to save my chubby monster.  I am glad I did, but I also understand her choice and would never deem her a bad pet owner.  Everyone has to make that call for themselves.

What I would suggest, is if you every have the opportunity to befriend a vet tech or a vetrinarian, they can offer great advice when tough stuff does come up.  And though advice isn't always the same as being able to take them in, it can give you a little peace of mind or direction in the next steps.

Original Post by mrsmatthewgubler:

Original Post by corgisrule:

Take the cat to the vet for proper medical care.  sheesh

 Sheesh?? Really? I can't afford a vet. At all. We're not rich.

 OP.  Sorry about the "sheesh" - that was judgemental.  I did not know your financial situation was dire and that was why you were seeking help / opinions here. There was no mention of this in you original post and a visit to the vet seemed obvious given the situation. Hence the "sheesh"

I need to expalin to you that I am overly sensitive to cats /pets not being taken to the vet when it is needed.  When I was 10 years old my sweet kitty, Sam, got into poison.  Instead of taking him to the vet for treatment my parents, due to money restrictions, decided to let him die.  He died a slow and miserable death which I witnessed.  I held him as he died and shed tears all over his body.  Hell of an experience for a 10 year old.

I am glad that your kitty is doing better.  What are you planning to do the next time something like this happens?   Would you consider giving him up to a rescue if they guaranteed they would get him medical help? 

Original Post by kikt:

Original Post by mrsmatthewgubler:

Original Post by corgisrule:

Take the cat to the vet for proper medical care.  sheesh

 Sheesh?? Really? I can't afford a vet. At all. We're not rich.

You might not now that Corgi recently borrowed a 4 figure sum for neuro-surgery that saved her dog. She isn't rich either.

If your cat cries when you pick him up he's in pain and the wound is obviously not ok. How long is a couple of days ago? Do your parents realize that the cat might get gangrene and die?

 kikt!  Thanks for taking up my defense, girl.  You are so sweet.  I think the OP and I are good now.  (I hope?)

Original Post by corgisrule:

 OP.  Sorry about the "sheesh" - that was judgemental.  I did not know your financial situation was dire and that was why you were seeking help / opinions here. There was no mention of this in you original post and a visit to the vet seemed obvious given the situation. Hence the "sheesh"

I need to expalin to you that I am overly sensitive to cats /pets not being taken to the vet when it is needed.  When I was 10 years old my sweet kitty, Sam, got into poison.  Instead of taking him to the vet for treatment my parents, due to money restrictions, decided to let him die.  He died a slow and miserable death which I witnessed.  I held him as he died and shed tears all over his body.  Hell of an experience for a 10 year old.

I am glad that your kitty is doing better.  What are you planning to do the next time something like this happens?   Would you consider giving him up to a rescue if they guaranteed they would get him medical help? 

 it's k. Thank you for clearing that :)

Oh wow... that is...

um... if it happens again? I don't think it will. My dad and brother are trying to catch the cat that did that (and by 'catch', I don't literally mean catch, if you know what I mean) We're not letting Bob back outside until we get a new home, or unless someone is watching him. :)
I would not be willing to give him up. He's my baby and I'm not giving him to a stranger that doesn't know a thing about him.

ps. we're cool ^_^

Original Post by tortoisewins:

No, drop it.  She is sixteen and not responsible for her families circumstances.  If she is an adult by all means feel free to lecture her about not being able to afford proper care for her animals. But it sounds like she already has enough stress in her world without people putting additional guilt for a financial circumstance she cant and shouldn't have to control.  By the way, with the number of homeless cats, and euthanised cats, are you really going to suggest she get rid of hers?  Every owner has to decide the level of care they can provide.  If she can provide food, shelter, love, and a spay/neuter she is doing a hell of a lot better than many people. 

My friend and I both had male cats who had urinary blockages, and she decided that she couldn't afford to treat him, and what was humane was to euthanise her kitty.  I paid almost 3,000 to save my chubby monster.  I am glad I did, but I also understand her choice and would never deem her a bad pet owner.  Everyone has to make that call for themselves.

What I would suggest, is if you every have the opportunity to befriend a vet tech or a vetrinarian, they can offer great advice when tough stuff does come up.  And though advice isn't always the same as being able to take them in, it can give you a little peace of mind or direction in the next steps.

 THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I wish more people were like you!!! haha. I go to other 'chats' all the time and people just feel the need to hate me.. THANK YOU!! haha :)

And yes, I do have a lot of stress in my world... If I sat here and listed everthing, I'd be here till 7! (it's 5 right now) -maybe-

You have a chubby monster?? LOL! So do I!! He's Bob's brother, Rowdy ^_^ he's got sooooo many nicknames based on his fatness :) Lol

Again, thank you. I wish more people would think like you :) (that is not a bash towards everyone here though)

What are you going to do when you catch this other kitty?

Cats that go out, get hurt. They are out in the wild. It's the chance you take when you let them out. Cats fight.

Your parents are pretty irresponsible for getting a cat (or 2 from what I've read) without having the means of having emergency care. I once had a cat growing up and my parents were unable to care for her financially. So she had the cat rehoused. I cried so much and I hated her but now that I'm older... she did the most selfless thing you can do to an animal you love.

Also letting your cat outdoors without having all her shots/yearly check up puts not only you and your family at risk, but your cats and other wildlife. I hope he's neutered.

Original Post by cptbunny:

Your parents are pretty irresponsible for getting a cat (or 2 from what I've read)

Yep, cpt. It seems like her parents are irresponsible for other reasons too... if you can't afford a pet and all its care, don't get one.

Original Post by cptbunny:

What are you going to do when you catch this other kitty?

Sounds like daddio and brother are going to catch the other cat and kill it. "if you know what I mean".

If this thread is going to devolve into unproductive bickering, it will be locked.

Original Post by mrsmatthewgubler:

Original Post by roxysparkles:

Original Post by cptbunny:

Your parents are pretty irresponsible for getting a cat (or 2 from what I've read)

Yep, cpt. It seems like her parents are irresponsible for other reasons too... if you can't afford a pet and all its care, don't get one.

 We can afford them, just not visits to the vet. What the **** do you know??

I don't think cursing people out is going to help. We're worried about your pets, we're not trying to tell you your parents are evil.

Vet visits are a part of having pets and a part that you should be expecting and able to afford when you adopt them. Your situation did change, though, and it's very tough to give up a pet so I don't think anyone blames you for keeping them. It's obviously a tough time for you and loving pets are really good stress-relievers.