General Discussion
Related: Editorials & Other Articles, Issue Forums, Alliance Forums, Region ForumsTWO DUers NEED HELP -- in the form of information/guidance, for now
[font color="brown"](I was previously given permission by Skinner to post periodically about http://www.wishadoo.org, especially when it involves DUers, with this required disclaimer: "The administrators of Democratic Underground have given permission for one discussion thread on this topic. The administrators of Democratic Underground make no claims regarding the legitimacy or illegitimacy of this fundraising effort. Permission was granted by Skinner on 8/6/2010, and the moderators have been notified." [/font]
If you're not familiar with Wishadoo, please see my journal for previous posts. [/font]
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1. [font color="red"]UPDATE FOR KITTY EMERGENCY: Arcanetrance found a clinic who will work with him. He will keep me posted and we'll go from there. Please see his update in post #20.[/font color]
One has a kitty that sounds like it needs treatment ASAP. Meowing, isn't peeing...needs emergency care.
This DUer, arcanetrance (he posted in the Pets forum as I suggested as a place to start to get input), is new to the Houston, Texas area, and is caring for his disabled father.
CAN ANYONE RECOMMEND EMERGENCY PET SERVICES IN THE HOUSTON AREA -- ONE WHICH CHARGES REASONABLE FEES (for which we could do a fundraiser).
See his Wishlist post created just a short time ago:
http://www.wishadoo.org/wishlist/184/help-with-an-emergency-vet-bill/
2. The other DUer need is transportation. DUers came through in a big way for sunwyn not long ago, and she is indeed doing better.
Her mother fell recently, which brought their lack of transportation to the fore as a big issue.
She is looking into links another Wishadoo'er provided regarding car donation programs, but so far they look familiar as resources she has already tried, with no luck.
CAN ANYONE RECOMMEND A PROGRAM OR MAYBE YOU KNOW SOMEONE IN SOUTHWEST OHIO WHO MAY HAVE A VEHICLE TO SELL (again, we could try to raise funds) or DONATE?
Here is her Wishlist post concerning this wish: http://www.wishadoo.org/wishlist/182/working-automobile-or-truck/
Any thoughts or suggestions, please post. You never know what sort of connection or solution is available until you ask and "put it out there."
So, I'm asking on their behalf.
THANK YOU!!!!
Wait Wut
(8,492 posts)...I suggest cross-posting in Texas and Ohio. Keep us posted on both so we know what donations might be necessary.
You're a beautiful person.
OneGrassRoot
(22,920 posts)Arcanetrance should be doing that as I type, and I'll head over to Ohio for sunwyn.
Thanks muchly.
hlthe2b
(102,348 posts)and work out the finances later. If this is a truly blocked cat, they are building up deadly levels of potassium in their bloodstream.
I'm sorry I can't help personally, but this can't wait.
OneGrassRoot
(22,920 posts)That kitty needs seen ASAP. The DUer is new to the area and seems lost, not knowing where to turn.
I hope someone in the Texas group will take him under their wing and help guide him to medical care for his kitty.
hlthe2b
(102,348 posts)who will generally work out something with them... While an emergency clinic would be good, any veterinarian should be able to safely and immediately treat him. If they wait, he may well be dead.
Triana
(22,666 posts)Worry about the bill later. LOTS of kitty lovers and animal lovers on DU!
OneGrassRoot
(22,920 posts)The Velveteen Ocelot
(115,829 posts)but I can't figure out how it works. If I want to send a contribution how do I do it?
OneGrassRoot
(22,920 posts)Need to find the vet first. Maybe we can pay the vet directly.
I'm looking for info right now to get help get to a vet or clinic.
Thanks!!!
Arcanetrance
(2,670 posts)For a basic exam which is $49 which I can afford and they will work with me on the rest
OneGrassRoot
(22,920 posts)Good vibes to kitty, and you!!!
kentauros
(29,414 posts)I've found the few vets I've used will let people pay as they can afford. They understand things are expensive, and that pet insurance doesn't pay out much.
The Velveteen Ocelot
(115,829 posts)My own cat has had several bouts of this affliction so I know how serious it is. A couple times I had to take him to an emergency vet clinic because he started showing symptoms at night, and those places are terribly expensive, but I had to do it. The other thing you will have to look into is his food - some cat foods are more likely to cause this problem than others. The vet will probably tell you about this; if not, be sure to ask.
Please let us know how your kitty is doing.
TexasTowelie
(112,387 posts)I'm a fellow cat lover and I had one of my cats disappear earlier this year so I know how much distress knowing that a pet is missing or pain can cause.
Please provide us an update on how the exam went and how your cat is doing. Good cat vibes from my kitteh, AC, are coming to your cat from Brenham to Tomball.
lavenderdiva
(10,726 posts)I'm so sorry I caught your post late. I'm also from Houston.
We use Westbury Animal Clinic for our regular and emergency vet needs. Dr. Chalkley is our vet there, although several vets are on staff. They have a 24/7 emergency vet hospital. They are not cheap but they are reasonable, and always available. Their contact telephone number is 713-723-3666. website: http://www.westburyvets.com/
I don't have a kitty myself (we have dogs), however a friend of mine does have cats, and she recommends The Cat Vet Clinic. they are located in the Heights. website: http://catvetclinic.com/
I am hoping your kitty is feeling better....
kentauros
(29,414 posts)http://www.montrosevetclinic.com/
I like my vet, too, but they use the Gulf Coast Veterinary Specialists, and it's expensive (though they do excellent work.)
I'll post this to the Texas group, too.
I hope arcanetrance finds help for their cat soon
JNelson6563
(28,151 posts)sunwyn
(494 posts)Northerner
(24 posts)Arcanetrance
(2,670 posts)His tract was blocked by crystals from dry cat food. I normally fed him a mixture of wet and dry. The vets keeping him over night and said I should go to an all wet food for him.
BlancheSplanchnik
(20,219 posts)Phew!!!!!
The Velveteen Ocelot
(115,829 posts)Dry cat food is often the culprit, along with the specific pH of the food. I learned (the hard way) that it's really important that cats with a susceptibility to this problem get plenty of water, both in their diets and to drink. I now feed mine canned prescription food specifically for cats with this problem. You might not need to go to those lengths, but after three trips to the emergency vet we concluded this was a chronic thing with this cat and he'd have to stick to the prescription cat food. Chances are your cat will be fine on a diet of good-quality canned food and lots of water.
OneGrassRoot
(22,920 posts)and continued and vibes for you both.
lavenderdiva
(10,726 posts)Here is a listing of Veterinary Bills Financial Assistance links that you and/or others might appreciate for future reference:
Le Taz Hot
(22,271 posts)If it's a male I'm almost positive he's got a urinary tract blockage which is VERY dangerous. It means he can't urinate and he's in a GREAT DEAL of pain. If there's ANY WAY they can get him to a vet to at least put a catheter in him (they'll have to restrain him) it will at least ease his pain. After that they'll have to operate. I hate to say it but the last time we could pay for one of those operations it ran about $1500.00 and that was some years ago. When it happened again and my husband and I were both unemployed we had no choice but to put him down. He died because we didn't have the money to save his life. To this day I feel guilt as he had several more years left and he was just the best baby.
The Velveteen Ocelot
(115,829 posts)They don't always have to operate any more, although years ago that's what they routinely did. My cat has had this 3 times, never had to operate; it's being controlled with diet. Sorry about what happened to your cat - that's a shame.
Ms. Toad
(34,086 posts)and it is one of the things I worry about, having once had a cat which required the surgery.