How to get family to agree to vet care for my cat's chronic illness?

Thank you for submitting your question. There are several options for an owner if treatment is cost prohibitive. Most veterinarians will work with you to offer less expensive options such as forgoing diagnostic tests and treating based upon symptoms. While this cannot ensure a positive outcome, it may work. Most clinics will offer financing options such as Care Credit as well. Otherwise there are rescue groups that will take animals and assume care for them depending on the condition. Finally, there is euthanasia if the condition is severe enough. If all of these options are ignored and the animal is allowed to suffer unnecessarily, then it may be considered abuse. I hope this information helps!

Po is beautiful! Thank you for including a picture. It is very common that cats with renal disease can develop secondary bacterial urinary tract infections, but we wouldn't want to give her medications that she doesn't need unless we know that for sure by testing a urine sample. I certainly understand that veterinary care is expensive. You may consider applying for CareCredit ( carecredit.com ) which often gives you a period of time without any payment or interest. If that is not an option, you may be able to find a resource to help you with financial support through one of the organizations in the link below. http://www.dogheirs.com/resources-affordable-veterinary-care/ Good luck! I hope that was helpful and gives you some ideas. Thanks for using PetCoach.

Thank you for submitting your question regarding Inky. I would consider asking about conservative treatment options. You can decline diagnostics due to cost and see if you veterinarian will treat her for the suspected inflammatory bowel disease. She could have nausea medication, a GI protectant for the dark stool and an antibiotic with anti-inflammatory properties. I think it is worth asking about this and seeing if it is an option for her. Good luck!

Hi Here is a long list of charities that can help. I suggest you contact each and every one. I hope that helps! There are quite a few ways to get financial help with vet bills: https://www.youcaring.com/blog/2016/need-help-with-vet-bills https://www.avma.org/public/YourVet/Pages/Financial-assistance-for-veterinary-care-costs.aspx https://bestfriends.org/resources/financial-aid-pets https://www.paws.org/cats-and-dogs/other-services/help-with-veterinary-bills/ http://www.humanesociety.org/animals/resources/tips/trouble_affording_veterinary_care.html?credit=web_id98635957 American Animal Hospital Association  http://www.aahahelpingpets.org/ "Through the AAHA Helping Pets Fund, veterinary care is possible for sick or  injured pets even if they have been abandoned or if their owner is experiencing  financial hardship." Angels 4 Animals  http://www.angels4animals.org/  "Our services range from financial aid to complete treatment  to those pets and pet owners in need." Care Credit  http://www.carecredit.com/  A credit card company for health care, including veterinary care.  "With a comprehensive range of plan options, for  treatment or procedure fees from $1 to over $25,000, we offer a plan  and a low monthly payment to fit comfortably into almost every  budget." Feline Veterinary Emergency Assistance (FVEAP)  http://www.fveap.org/sys-tmpl/door/  "Seniors, People with disabilities, People who  have lost their job, Good Samaritans who rescue a cat or kitten - any of these  folks may need financial assistance to save a beloved companion." The Feline Veterinary Emergency Assistance Program is a nonprofit 501  (c)(3) organization that provides financial assistance to cat and  kitten guardians who are unable to afford veterinary services to save  their companions when life-threatening illness or injury strikes. God's Creatures Ministry  http://www.all-creatures.org/gcm/help-cf.html  "This fund helps pay for veterinarian bills for those who need help." Help-A-Pet  http://www.help-a-pet.org/home.html  "Our efforts focus on serving the elderly, the disabled, and the  working poor." IMOM  http://www.imom.org/  "We are dedicated to insure that no  companion animal has to be euthanized simply because their caretaker  is financially challenged." The Pet Fund  http://thepetfund.com/  "The Pet Fund is a registered 501(c)3 nonprofit association that  provides financial assistance to owners of domestic animals who need  urgent veterinary care." United Animal Nations  http://www.uan.org/lifeline/index.html  "The mission of LifeLine is to help homeless or recently rescued  animals suffering from life-threatening conditions that require  specific and immediate emergency veterinary care. We strive to serve  Good Samaritans and rescue groups who take in sick or injured  animals. In certain cases, LifeLine can also assist senior citizens  and low-income families pay for immediate emergency veterinary care."

Thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach! It is wonderful you are trying to help Mila but as you have stated, owning a pet is a huge financial responsibility. While I am sure you love her and want to do the best for her, you may want to consider giving her to a rescue to care for. They have the funds to raise her until she can be adopted to a good home to continue her care. I would call around to the local shelter and ask for cat rescue phone numbers. They will have foster families available to continue her care. Good luck and kisses to Mila!

CJ really needs a vet visit when you can manage it. In older cats hyperthyroidism, kidney disease, diabetes mellitus, inflammatory bowel disease are possibilities and require bloodwork to diagnose. The good news is many of the conditions can be treated or managed but you need a diagnosis in order to determine the best treatment. Some areas may have low cost clinics or many vets accept Care credit http://www.carecredit.com/apply/ I would contact local humane societies to see if they can offer any suggestions. Some have programs that may help with vet bills. Good luck and thank you for using PetCoach.

You aren't a bother at all! I can give you some financial resources that may help you afford a vet. You can see if your vet accepts payment plans, if there is a low cost clinic in your area, or you can apply for Carefree Credit online. http://www.carefreecredit.co.uk https://www.rspca.org.uk/whatwedo/vetcare http://www.easipetcare.com The other option is to call your local RSPCA to come and get her, and can treat her as needed. Best of luck.