Hello,
I’m so sorry to hear about your situation. Here’s what I would recommend.
One ask for an itemized invoice. Ask which are option and which are vital to unblocking the cat. Ie can you decline X-rays, bloodwork and possibly transfer to your vets office for monitoring. Ask for this with the vet. Also write down everything they say. If they decline to allow you to decline non vital items ask to speak to the owner or office manager. Again write down everything they say. Explain that you want to provide help to your cat but your budget only allows for the most vital items.
Also ask if you can be referred to your vets office for care. Call your vet and ask.
Keep calling and keep asking for help.
If you do not find anyone to help use the invoice and written statements of your discussions and ask for assistance from your state veterinary board or social media reviews.
I do think that vets need ti do a much better job of helping people and their pets on the owners terms or just our own. That is why state boards and online reviews are there.
If all else fails there are documented and published protocols that do not include anesthesia. Some are coccygeal anesthesia blocks, decompression of rhe bladder and at home medications. There is always more than one way to treat an ailment. Remind your vet that you know this and they are obligated to offer you options outside of their way and euthanasia. When the public starts to demand better I think vets will have to start to listen. Further if the tables were turned I don’t know one vet who wouldn’t insist on being given affordable options were they the client.
Good luck
Let me know what happens.
Hello,
Well I have to say I haven’t had this experience with any of my patients. So we are in uncharted waters here.
I suppose the answer is do you have to spend a whole bunch of money to try to find the reason for an issue that doesn’t really seem to be affecting your cat? The answer is both yes, because in my experience it can be really hard to know if this is truly causing your cat discomfort because they hide it so weep that often you don’t realize it was a problem until it’s gone and your cat acts happier. The answer is also no. If you can’t afford what the specialist offers (as many cannot) then it is acceptable to just go on as you have been.
But my preferred answer is to find another vet who isn’t afraid to do an exploratory surgery and look for a fistula or draining tract that might be the solution to the problem. Keep looking there are vets out there who are very proficient in surgery and might be willing to try.
Keep me posted. God luck.