Topic: Upsetting call last night (Read 7852 times)

Sam (Fussy_Furball) · « **Reply #40 on:** June 26, 2008, 16:34:07 PM »

Glad kitty is feeling better.

madkittyrescue · « **Reply #39 on:** June 26, 2008, 16:11:51 PM »

bizzarre!!

Mark · « **Reply #38 on:** June 26, 2008, 12:39:50 PM »

I spoke to the lady and the latest is that the vet now believes it was a furball

She got some stuff that only cost a couple of £ and Magic bought a huge furball up - she is doing really well and has to go back for a checkup next week.

Make of this what you will

Anyway, I have left her details of low cost vet for future issues and all I can do is hope she follows up - she does seem very concerned. She actually sounded a lot happier this time

JadesMum · « **Reply #37 on:** June 25, 2008, 13:47:21 PM »

Just been reading about this - any news on the poorly furry baby?

madkittyrescue · « **Reply #36 on:** June 21, 2008, 12:51:58 PM »

no one can say you haven't tried for her Mark that's for sure. It sounds really complicated situation but if you provide her with the details and she doesn't act then you have done your part!

sometimes it would just be easier if they tell you truth... but sadly you have to doubt everything any of the public tell you!

Mark · « **Reply #35 on:** June 21, 2008, 12:21:58 PM »

I would but not before trying every avenue first. The lady is in a difficult situation as although she has the house, she won't be able to borrow against it as she isn't working. Only a shark would do a loan like that so they could take the house when payments defaulted.

I phoned lord Whisky trust who have agreed to see the cat. They charge £5 for a consultation for low income cases although their facilities are limited - they can do bloods etc but not things like x-rays. They can at least advise a course of action and will know of any other help she can get. I have tried phoning her but no answer. I will try again when I get home as I'm going out for the day now. The clinic that does bloods is only open Tuesday and Thursday anyway.

ccmacey · « **Reply #34 on:** June 21, 2008, 00:05:00 AM »

But you would still do it. I have been in this position myself and if I thought Ollie could live on I would of had to let him go, better off being somewhere else and happy rather than being somewhere else and .....

Mark · « **Reply #33 on:** June 20, 2008, 23:53:18 PM »

She said this cat is the most special one - I try to put myself in her shoes. If it was one of mine and the only way to save it would be to sign it over, I wouldn't be happy about it

ccmacey · « **Reply #32 on:** June 20, 2008, 23:47:28 PM »

Or you could persuade her to signing the cat over, Im sure if she loves him that much she would. Although it would still be loosing them they would still be alive, maybe I dont know the cats problem.

I would be poking the ex in the ribs

Mark · « **Reply #31 on:** June 20, 2008, 23:33:41 PM »

Basically, her husband has left her - she is on income support but not housing benefit so can't get any PDSA help. It's as if they expect her to sell the roof over her head to pay the bill. I don't know what more can be done for her tbh. We can't pay her bill and nor can she. All we can hope is that her vet will let her spread payments. I will phone her next week but she can only really help herself.

Bingo - I just remembered the animal sanctuary that has a low income vet - I'm sure they won't have such strict rules as PDSA - I will phone them tomorrow and give her their number if they sound hopeful. Best to sound them out rather than give false hopes.
http://www.lordwhisky.co.uk/

Edit, looking at it, it seems they only do neutering but I will ask.

ccmacey · « **Reply #30 on:** June 20, 2008, 23:25:43 PM »

The PDSA will only help in an emergency if you are not registered with them. They will not treat the animal if its just something minor and you are not registered, they would even treat a stray in an emergency. And they do have an answer phone message giving you the number of the vet on call when its out of hours.

I presume with her having 5 cats she lives in her own house, so with getting income support she would also get housing or/and council tax benefit.

But I agree no matter whats been told your just trying to help the cat, sod the humans

Maybe give her a conserned phone call and ask her if her vet could phone you

Dawn (DiddyDawn) · « **Reply #29 on:** June 20, 2008, 22:40:28 PM »

Quote from: Millys Mum on June 20, 2008, 19:45:04 PM

A tumour could easily grow that fast

I agree, a friend of ours had an x ray done on his dogs leg about 4 weeks ago as he'd been limping, nothing shown. Had another x ray the other day and his dog does have a tumour which is as clear as day but wasn't apparent the other week

I hope you manage to get to the bottom of this one Mark and that the cat can be helped one way or another

Millys Mum · « **Reply #28 on:** June 20, 2008, 19:45:04 PM »

The PDSA only help if your already registered with them, no good in an emergency

A tumour could easily grow that fast

Mark · « **Reply #27 on:** June 20, 2008, 18:48:08 PM »

Strange

She kept me on the phone a while so it wasn't a case of wanting rid of. It could be that the vet is jaded and treating her badly?

She told me that on of her cats she got on holiday in Wales as a farmer was going to drown a kitten so she bought him home in her pocket.

Tagalong · « **Reply #26 on:** June 20, 2008, 18:12:56 PM »

yep but the odd thing is that she is going to a private vet-not turning the cat out on the street ?? which is probably what a lot of the wonderful animal loving public would do if they had no money and didn't care for their pets at all ?

Mark · « **Reply #25 on:** June 20, 2008, 18:01:35 PM »

I only pursued the matter for the cat's sake as everyone agrees, there is something dodgy about all this.

She said the vet said if it was a tumour, it would have shown on the x-ray 3 weeks ago and a tumour couldn't have grown that fast. It seems we are getting selected bits of truth here.

She said she was reported for having too many animals that she can't take care of properly.

She informed me her pets get treated like royalty.

I never heard of any of the royal family waiting for medical treatment

Tagalong · « **Reply #24 on:** June 20, 2008, 17:43:33 PM »

having worked in my vets for 3 years and heraring all kinds of reasons why clients can't pay bills and learning a lot about cats with foreign bodies thiis all seems odd.
if the cat has swollowed an elastic band 3 weeks ago it certainly is unlikely to still be alive.
there are various reasons for the temperature such as infection in the case of peritonitis which sounds likely-the lump may be a tumour or a lesion on the gut wall or the gut may be telescoping inwards.
i would imagine the quote was for the scan and the possible surgery which seems to suggest the vet has an idea what it is.
it would be very unusual for a vet to report a client to the RSPCA for simply being unable to pay the bill and in this case as the cat has been to the surgery previously then the vet is aware that the client is trying to do the best for the cat (that is if all you were told is true)
Private vets have to abide by the rule of client confidentiality.

Mark · « **Reply #23 on:** June 20, 2008, 17:32:04 PM »

They aren't one of our vets and I can't enquire about costs as we can't pay them. I think this might be worth a follow-up though.

I would love to be a fly on the wall and see what is really happening here

Desley (booktigger) · « **Reply #22 on:** June 20, 2008, 17:27:06 PM »

This sounds a bit odd really - my vet charges around £80 for a scan, and I dont know if there is additional costs to that, as Tiger was done by the specialist. I have paid nearly £100 for x-rays though. They might have quoted hundreds due to the surgery for wahtever the x-rays show. Maybe speaking to the vet would be more helpful.

Mark · « **Reply #21 on:** June 20, 2008, 16:27:00 PM »

Exactly - we should start a conversation by saying "Help us to help you by telling the truth" we could even pretend we won't judge them

All the "stray in my garden needs treatment but Ill have him back after ~~we have paid the bill~~ wards"

madkittyrescue · « **Reply #20 on:** June 20, 2008, 16:24:10 PM »

I know they just really pee you off with their constant lies though don't they!

Mark · « **Reply #19 on:** June 20, 2008, 16:17:38 PM »

If it was one of our regular vets, I would;d have asked them. I forgot to mention before but this lady is actually out of our "catchment" but I was just trying to be helpful.

Things are niggling me as last night she said she paid the last bill from her childrens savings and now today she is saying she paid half of the money owed today. It's so hard as the cat is the important thing and that is the only reason we do it.
Humans can GTH and I have no interest in helping them

madkittyrescue · « **Reply #18 on:** June 20, 2008, 16:13:42 PM »

hate to sound rotten... but I get the feeling that the 'increased' fee's are perhaps a ploy hoping someone will pay the money direct to her?? perhaps a few extra quid for her pocket. I'd be very dubious about the condition of the cat without having checked with the vet that saw the cat.

JackSpratt · « **Reply #17 on:** June 20, 2008, 16:00:06 PM »

This is so sad and I can completely understand this poor ladys situation. I hope she got the help she needed.

Mark · « **Reply #16 on:** June 20, 2008, 15:33:34 PM »

She said she was quoted hundreds for a scan, not an x-ray. I told her I was quoted around £150 for a surgical exploratory for Alice so that can't be right. I don't know what Alice's scan cost?

As you say - there is more than meets the eye here.

Antibiotics were for the temperature.

She also now says that she paid half the money for the previous treatment today and is paying the other half on Monday.

Canterbury_cats (Sharon) · « **Reply #15 on:** June 20, 2008, 15:26:25 PM »

Def not getting the whole story here...

Giving the cat antibotics to me seems abit pointless... an xray should cost around 50 quid...Vets dont just call RSPCA for nothing do they...?

Mark · « **Reply #14 on:** June 20, 2008, 15:04:22 PM »

I just phoned her again with a couple of numbers. She said the vet has given the cat a 2 week antibiotic injection but she can feel a lump which didn't show up in x-rays 3 weeks ago. She said possibly an elastic band or something? - she was told that if they do a scan it will cost hundreds and the only alternative is PTS. She won't allow this as the cat is only 2 1/2 - she said she got a call from you know who today saying that they wanted to take her animals as they aren't being cared for properly and unneutered. She told them they are neutered as you know who did it in their mobile van. She said she has never let an unneutered animal out of the house - they aren't taking them now. She has 4 cats and one dog. I don't know what is next? - I told her that if they decide they are taking them, there is little she can do and to contact us first if things start looking bad. She said they are like her babies and she doesn't want to lose any of them. I said the quote of "hundreds" for a scan is ridiculous and maybe she should speak to another vet. I asked who had reported her and she said her vet had. I know we are only getting one side of this.

Vet has also taken bloods this time as she said raised temp could also be kidneys or something else.

btw - the cat had gastro enteritis. I meant to ask his/her name. I left if that she should leave a message if things look bad (she knows we can't pay) and I will phone her if any other numbers come up she can try.

Canterbury_cats (Sharon) · « **Reply #13 on:** June 20, 2008, 14:50:46 PM »

Has she now tried Thanet based rescues? I realise that this lady has her reasons but why didnt she get the cat to the vets last night? Things obv got worse overnight (because theyhardly get better)...

The only thing a rescue would do would to have the cat signed over..... i think she has more cats and what happens if one of them get ill...?

Its a terrible situation to be in... but maybe in her heart she should realised that she couldnt afford to take on so many cats,...

Perhaps i am being harsh, but we get asked so often about this and have stuck firm with the rules.. its so easy to get into this trap..... sympathic vets are the answer that are keen to do what they can for the cat but realise that payment may take a while to reach them... Sadly some vets round this way, are not so sympathetic to this. But then again there are usually two different sides to the story.. Do we know what was wrong with the cat to start with..?
I hope she pulls through.

Mark · « **Reply #12 on:** June 20, 2008, 14:13:09 PM »

There isn't even a number on the site - you have to email them. It says on the site that they only have a total of £1000 a month to give out.

Mark · « **Reply #11 on:** June 20, 2008, 14:08:17 PM »

I will give their number as it looks like they should be the right kind of charity to help her?

I will tell her to explain her circumstances and it may help. The problem is, I don't want to give her false hopes

Sam (Fussy_Furball) · « **Reply #10 on:** June 20, 2008, 14:05:00 PM »

oh that's a shame as they seem such a good charity.

Mark · « **Reply #9 on:** June 20, 2008, 14:02:04 PM »

Quote from: Sam (Fussy_Furball) on June 20, 2008, 13:55:46 PM

Mark,

Maybe these guys can help: http://www.tailwaggersclubtrust.com/

Thanks Sam, I rang them a while ago and they said they they have more money going out than coming in and asked us not to give their number out. She said one of their sponsors mentioned them in a blog and instead of getting donations from it, they got loads of calls asking for help. She said they have so little money that for example, If someone needed £1000 for a big op, they would struggle and even if they could help, it would be £30 or £40 towards it. She said they used to be a big charity back in the 30's but donations have dried up over the years. I contacted them when a mans cat was being held hostage by PAH vets

Sam (Fussy_Furball) · « **Reply #8 on:** June 20, 2008, 14:00:58 PM »

Poor lady ... I hope someone can help her.

Pinkbear (Julie) · « **Reply #7 on:** June 20, 2008, 14:00:18 PM »

I will PM you.

Mark · « **Reply #6 on:** June 20, 2008, 13:58:34 PM »

I just phoned her and she said she took the cat to the vet this morning and there are a lot of things wrong and she doesn't have the money for treatment so "it isn't looking good for the cat" - I asked about PDSA but she said as she gets income support but not housing benefit, they won't help her.

What is the name of Gabrielle's charity? - I will give her number. The lady sounds so down about it

Sam (Fussy_Furball) · « **Reply #5 on:** June 20, 2008, 13:55:46 PM »

Mark,

Maybe these guys can help: http://www.tailwaggersclubtrust.com/

Pinkbear (Julie) · « **Reply #4 on:** June 20, 2008, 13:49:13 PM »

Thing is, Mark, if you feel this woman is genuine, I'd give her all available ports of call to try. Gab's mob have paid out cash for less urgent causes. If they only bung her £50, it's got to help.

But obviously, she needs to arrange things so this doesn't happen again and take a longer term view. She can't go spending her kids pocket money every time her cat needs vet care. I'd urge her to liase with the PDSA as well. They can't cover old bills, but they can arrange that further care is much more affordable.

Mark · « **Reply #3 on:** June 20, 2008, 13:41:16 PM »

Should I give their number out?

I'm sure their charitable bursaries don't stretch as far as helping jo public in genuine need?

From the sound of things, unless she got the cat to the vet last night, I'm not sure she will be in time for the PDSA to help

I did warn her that they don't pay bills after the event.

Pinkbear (Julie) · « **Reply #2 on:** June 20, 2008, 13:38:26 PM »

Sounds like a job for Suzi and Gabrielle's new venture, Mark. After all, they've been known to give hundreds to individuals to import puppies into the country.

I am sure the PDSA would cover this case, though. What a shame it happened after hours.

Mark · « **Reply #1 on:** June 20, 2008, 13:34:08 PM »

A lady left a message saying her cat was very ill and she needed some help. I phoned straight away but it was after 7pm. She said her cat was very ill, slumped on the floor and 3rd eyelid showing. She said she is on income support and no money for vets. I told her CP aren't in a position to help with vet costs - I asked if she had phoned the PDSA - she said she had but they were closed. I said she really needed to get the cat to the vet regardless. She said her cat was ill 3 weeks ago and was on a drip for 5 days and that she drew the money from her childrens savings to pay the vet bill but now there was no more money. After speaking with Sharon, I called her back and suggested she phone our 24hr vet as they are cheaper than vetsnow and she may be able to come to an arrangement with them. I asked rhetorically about the cat being insured and she said no as she had 5 cats

- she was genuinely upset and it wasn't the right time to lecture - it just makes you feel so powerless

- I don't know what happened - I am tempted to call her back to find out but as we can't help her with money, I don't know if it's a good idea.

Just to add that there were some personal reasons why she is in this position which it isn't fair to post about.

Author Topic: Upsetting call last night (Read 7852 times)

ccmacey

ccmacey

ccmacey