I want to find a free vet clinic or very low cost vet for my cat in my area. She is an approximately 15 year old black Calico and has dropped weight and just stopped eating for the last few weeks. She has also had a fever for which we got antibiotics and now the fever is gone.
I don't know why she had a fever to begin with, though she still doesn't eat on her own, and my mom force feeds her some milk and this cat food that we received. We have tried giving her fresh fish.
We've noticed that she hasn't had a bowel movement either in last couple weeks, and she pees outside the litter box. I would like to find out what the problem is and to treat her. She's a wonderful cat and I want to see her eating again and gain a bit of weight. She's becoming really thin, but has a sagging tummy (my mother had overfed in the past and she looked like a seal. Now she's thinned out but has the sagging tummy going vertical, perhaps it's just sagging skin?)
If I could find a free or low cost clinic I would take her. Please advise, means a lot to me.
It all depends on where you live - you can start out by asking at the vets office---I am sure they won't refuse to help. You can ask at animal groomers. If there is a university with a veterinary program, you could see if they would help as well. You could also try the humane society, or animal cruelty prevention society if you have one locally. They try to help owners that can't afford full price vet care.
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Request: Low Cost Veterinary Care (05/10/2009)
I have a dog that is bloated and is short of breath all the time. I am trying to find free or low-cost vet care in my area.
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Request: Low Cost Veterinary Care
Archived on 05/10/2009
I have a dog that is bloated and is short of breath all the time. I am trying to find free or low-cost vet care in my area.
Judy from Lutz, FL
Feedback:
RE: Low Cost Veterinary Care
Hi, Judy,
It sounds like your dog might have some circulatory problems and would need vet care soon. You should be able to find a vet who will take payments, especially if you start out paying what you can at the first visit. Please don't wait too long!
Good luck,
Nancy in NC (03/05/2009)
I have a two part question I hope you can help with.
What does one do when they don't have the money for veterinary care? Are there any groups that can help with the cost? I have two cats, (Sugar and Spice, they're sisters) and Sugar is very overweight and has what appears to be a mild case of dandruff on her back. So I'm thinking a thyroid problem. She is in very good spirits and plays and eats just fine. Her sister is a little overweight, but not bad. I'd like to take Sugar to the vet about her weight especially, but if it's her thyroid, I don't even want to think about what that treatment would cost.
The other part of my question is that Sugar can be a real witch. No one can make her do anything she doesn't want to do. She'll hiss and bite, even the hand that feeds her. She had a serious health scare a few years ago (from snacking on a 5 ft piece of elastic string, but that's another story), and she's been very mean ever since. A trip to the vet would be very traumatic for her and no one would be able to touch her. How do they handle animals like that? Surely they have a way. Sorry this is so long! I could use any advice.
Donna from Maryland
Answers:
RE: Low Cost Veterinary Care
Try calling vets or animal shelters in your area for advice. Explain your situation, maybe someone will help you.
I have read that cats usually have an over active thyroid which would make a cat lose weight, not gain. Dogs usually have an under active thyroid which causes weight gain. My dog has this problem.
My niece's one cat is overweight and so far, he doesn't have any health issues. She took him to the vet for tests and everything was normal. He is active for his age but just overweight. The vet recommended a weight control cat food for both her cats since they older. (12/22/2005)
Yes, call the local humane societies. They are usually less expensive than independent vets. Also some vets will let you make payments. Make sure you talk to a Dr. because most receptionists are trained to just say no to payments. Is the incident why she's mean, or did it do damage internally that makes her mean? Is she in pain? If it's just her mood they can give her something to relax her. I would be concerned with getting her personality back by trying to find the source of her meanness. (12/23/2005)
By me
RE: Low Cost Veterinary Care
On the free-feeding issue, a vet told me that some cats can free-feed, and others can't. My cats have done well free-feeding, but when I was growing up we had a cat that if you free-fed, she would eat it all and throw it up! I'm not sure of the cause, but you know cats they keep us guessing all the time. Good luck. (12/26/2005)
Different parts of the country probably have different groups available to help with pet costs. You should check with local humane societies and veterinarians to see what kind of payment methods are available to you. (01/06/2006)
By foxyroxyanne24
RE: Low Cost Veterinary Care
In Los Angeles try: the Sam Simon foundation and the Amanda foundation. They are both wonderful. (06/15/2008)
RE: Low Cost Veterinary Care
I don't know where you live, but try a place called Concern 4 Animals. (08/29/2008)
