How far do you go in spending money on vets bills for your pet. Several months back wife took in the only surviving feral kitten from a litter born in her late fathers garden.from a frightened skittish tick ridden bundle of fur it was transformed into adorable kitten worming its way into the affections of everyone. Kids come home from holiday and its not "how are you mum and dad
" but "wheres kitty mick "
Ok you sort of accept the odd initial vets bills giving it the once over and even neutering.
Kitten been poorly last week and vet now advises pet hospital to be put on a drip as its dehydrated and very high temp plus then extra costs for tests and no guarantees. Or take it home and watch it die or recover naturally . tearful wife asking me to make the decisions ...when i never wanted a pet. I never even knew there was a pet hospital!.
Got friends who have spent thousands on treatments for their dog

Let nature take it's course, spend out a fortune now and you could be doing the same again in the near future. Our feral cats have survived for around 10 years without paying any extortionate vet prices,that is not to say I would see them suffer.

Didn't the vet give you some idea why kitty could be dehydrated with temp ? If it's an infection it could be resolved, if it's something different it might re-occur. Maybe pet's hospital could tell you that. I'm surprised the vet couldn't do more, to be honest.
What a decision to have to make. So sorry, hope it works out ok for him.

Fish,Try one of the local animal charities,cats protection or PDSA they may help. I spent thousands & I mean thousands on vet bills don't regret any of it even though I was left without my best friend eventually but I can sleep knowing I did my best .Hope your kitten survives

Its such a personal thing for families . Depends on so many things, cost, pet age, prognosis, who is the main carer, how any pts decision will impact on any member of the family etc . Im lucky enough to never have been strapped enough that Ive had to turn down available treatment for our pets ,and have spent shedloads in the past . However, high on my list is suffering. I wouldnt put old animals through operations or procedures that meant they had to go through a lot of painful recovery time. Neither could I have a sick animal at home to die naturally if it was a painful/uncomfortable sort of thing , Id rather have it pts.

The initial outlay when my dog got diagnosed diabetic wasn't cheap & she will be on insulin for the rest of her life,she's approximately 7 & she could live to be around 12.I've been reducing her insulin with no effects & I have forgotten to give it to her with no bad effects.She gets coconut oil in her dinner which is supposed to help & I'm going to get another glucose test done to see how her blood sugars are.I rescued her & she means the world to me & I am her world & I won't give up on her & I would go without just for her treatment.I dread the day the inevitable happens but I know she'll of had a good life & she was worth it

Nicely spoken Star.
We like all you others have spent a lot on our
adopted kids. Sometimes they drive us crazy but
we can't stop loving them. Same at ever was.

i would firstly get a second opinion from another vet before you make any rash decisions, my son has had a bad time with "vets for pets" he was told his dog had a tumor and would need scans and an op etc he was in bits and it turned out his dog was constipated and the tumor was a lump of poo!

hope you kitty gets better soon

Cheers for your thoughts

Little kitty is back home after a night on a drip and a variety of medicines. Looks better. Didn't take long for him to settle back into his old habits. Just hope the meds work and things don't deteriorate again.

aww so sweet and good news for you

Good news Fish,he's so cute

He's so cute,love ginger & white cats. I've had 3 & I love their personalities,good news he's doing well

What a cute little chap. See, you're pleased you did it now aren't you ?

Left it to the wife and kids to sort out. They have all chipped in to pay the bill. Have to admit the house seemed empty the night he was in.
Not sure he is totally well yet and may just be delaying things but he seems happy enough. Got meds to keep dosing him up.

Not looking good. Gone downhill over last few days taken himself into darkened cat box not eating drinking or toileting. Breathing not good. Just a matter of time. Little bundle of fur curled up waiting to die. Lots of tears and dilemma of putting down or letting nature run its course.
Life does seem so cruel at times , rescued and given a chance, turns into a lovely playful happy kitten bringing joy and laughter to everyone and then in such a short space of time feline hiv takes a grip. My eldest son 27 slept on the floor next to his cat box all last night--bless him.

Oh ,Fish. The unity of shared love and sadness a wee animal can bring, is something quite unique.
I am sorry to know you will all be feeling so broken and helpless, but knowing the chance you all gave him, must now be left to nature. Nature will always take her course, if the time is right.

Very well put Granny. He past away quietly this evening just before 7. Son phoned us as we were at friends 70th. Came home to find the poor little thing laid out on a blanket. Heart wrenching.Just finding a little box and place in garden for him. Give the kids a chance to think about what they want to do before we bury him tomorrow.

Poor little thing,at least you gave him a good life for the short time he was here,RIP little man

So sorry to read that fish. Have been there a few times so know exactly how your feeling. As you know time does heal. Hard to believe sometimes.

aww so sorry to hear this fish but im sure if he could have said anything to the family before he went it would have been "thank you" ......you gave him a life some never have x

Sad... sorry to hear , but you 'loved' and did your very best for the 'lovely' cat , he looks like he is 'giving you a cuddle in the photo ....BLESS . RIP little one .

thank you for those lovely words. makes you realise the written word can be more powerful than the spoken one. Just been out to dig a little grave for him in corner of garden under a magnolia bush. Next to Hammy the hamster who my dear daughter insisted we bury in metal tea caddy. Had to dig it one handed as put shoulder out last week..bit of loving determination for the little bundle of fur that turns a 57 year old man into a softie! Hate to think what id be like if we had had him for years.
Think I will milk it with the family and insist we all go the pub tonight for a dram in memory.

a dram sounds like a good plan