J1M
Newbie
Posts: 47
Animals I love: Cats
Pets I own: Have always had cats as far as I can remember. Currently the owners of a Tabby kitten called "Ringo". He was born Weds 29/04/2015 & we got him Thursday 18/06/2015. He's just over 3 months old at time of writing. He is light grey with black Tiger stripes & he has black rings around his tail & back legs, hence the name "Ringo". Nothing to do at all about The Beatles. Now he has started to develop a beigey colour in his coat, & in some photos & different light, for some reason seems to have a slight orangey/ginger colour.
He's a right character, always friendly & loving & happy to see us, always following us around the house, always charging around & playing with his toys & stalking anything that moves, & then when he gets tired, jumps up for a fuss. Couldn't ask for a better cat. He's perrrfect.
|
Post by J1M on Sept 26, 2015 16:16:39 GMT
I hope this is in the right forum as it's about the health of our lovely kitten Ringo. If not, sorry, can a moderator put it in the right place, thank you. Well... The nightmare started yesterday morning. Our youngest son (19), went into the kitchen just before 9am to find our 5 month old kitten called Ringo up on top of the big 6ft tall fridge freezer. Our son got a chair from the dining room to get him down but as our son picked him up off the top, Ringo started to struggle & jumped from his arms onto a lino covered solid concrete floor. He landed awkwardly & broke his left rear leg just above the knee. We rung our vet in Sittingbourne, Kent at 9am & said we are bringing him down straight away. He spent the whole day with the vet getting pain killers, X-rays & treatment & we had to pick him up at 5pm. He's already had his injections, booster next year & we've had him chipped. We were this week getting quotes for pet insurance but hadn't decided what company to go to yet. We were going to decide for pay day at the end of the month. It's really bad timing. If this had happened next week, we'd have had him covered. The vet showed us the X-Rays & showed us it was a complete break just above his knee & said that if his leg was broke in the middle more, he could have done it there & then, but because it was in an awkward place, he said Ringo would need either an operation with an orthopaedic veterinary surgeon at Toachim House Veterinary Surgery in Faversham, Kent to be pinned & plated costing around £1000, or have it amputated. I asked our vet if he had lost feeling in his leg, but the vet said no. He could still feel his leg & still feel the pain. I didn't need to think about it. I told the vet straight away that there was absolutely no way they were going to take his leg just because of money. I'd rather be in debt. It wouldn't be fair on Ringo to put money ahead of his wellbeing & health & a chance of his leg healing to give him as much as a normal life as possible. We contacted Toachim House Veterinary Surgery this morning, who said they have already seen Ringo's X-rays & now they say the cost could be more around £2000 for the operation, it's just literally doubled. Toachim House Veterinary Surgery said they work with a finance company who helps people with big bills, but what if they refuse to give us upto £2000? What can we do? Are there any charities or groups that help with this sort of thing where the operation can definitely be done & then we pay them back? We are so scared of being turned down for the finance needed, but I can't let them take his leg just because of money. We have even thought about going on GoFundMe.com. Any help would be greatly appreciated. Thank You. Jim & Cheryl Ringo was born on 29th April 2015. Currently 5 months old. The 2 photos below were taken Yesterday after coming back from the vet - 25th September 2015. Photo below taken 3rd July 2015. (2 months) Photo below taken 6th August 2015. (4 months) Photo below taken 6th August 2015. Photo taken 15th August 2015 Photo taken 25th August 2015.
|
|
|
Post by tonib on Sept 26, 2015 18:34:06 GMT
J1M I'm sorry to hear about Ringo, what bad luck. I'm sure that I've heard of organisations that may help in such circumstances but I can't think what they are (I'll keep thinking). However it might be worth contacting the Blue Cross and/or the PDSA. I wish you & Ringo all the best & don't worry too much if you do go down the amputation route, cats can do very nicely on 3 legs. Sorry should have said welcome to the forum, even if it is in such difficult circumstances. Ringo looks a really lovely kitten, almost a full cat now Please let us know how you & he get on, whatever decision you make
|
|
|
Post by scallywag on Sept 26, 2015 19:03:54 GMT
Welcome to the forum, I am from the other side but wish you well with Ringo. If I remember correctly no vet is allowed to refuse treatment and has to offer a payment plan. EDITED MY MISTAKE tonib correct me if I am wrong. I know you are well gened up on these things. I would try the GoFundme you never know. There are a load of pet lovers out there, and you never know, what ever decision you make I wish you and Ringo all the best. Please keep us updated we would love to follow Ringo's progress. If you do go for fundme, send me the link I will happily contribute
|
|
|
Post by tonib on Sept 26, 2015 19:46:22 GMT
Not sure about the payment plan scallywag, I agree that as far as I'm aware they can't refuse treatment to relieve suffering & pain but in this case its the level of the treatment that is the cost issue. Gofundme is an option but how long would it take to raise the money?
|
|
|
Post by tonib on Sept 26, 2015 19:54:47 GMT
|
|
J1M
Newbie
Posts: 47
Animals I love: Cats
Pets I own: Have always had cats as far as I can remember. Currently the owners of a Tabby kitten called "Ringo". He was born Weds 29/04/2015 & we got him Thursday 18/06/2015. He's just over 3 months old at time of writing. He is light grey with black Tiger stripes & he has black rings around his tail & back legs, hence the name "Ringo". Nothing to do at all about The Beatles. Now he has started to develop a beigey colour in his coat, & in some photos & different light, for some reason seems to have a slight orangey/ginger colour.
He's a right character, always friendly & loving & happy to see us, always following us around the house, always charging around & playing with his toys & stalking anything that moves, & then when he gets tired, jumps up for a fuss. Couldn't ask for a better cat. He's perrrfect.
|
Post by J1M on Sept 26, 2015 20:08:06 GMT
Thank you for the welcome & the well wishes guys. Much appreciated.
We were thinking of GoFundMe if they wanted the money in 1 go afterwards but while it's slowly adding up, Ringo is in pain & I wouldnt want his bones starting to fuse in the wrong place or angle. I just doubt we could get finance for 2 thousand from a finance company, half that maybe. But if it's right that they can't refuse then that would be perfect. Ringo can have the op & get the treatment he needs & I can pay it off in installments to the surgery themselves. It would be a bit tight for a while, but I reckon we could do 2 thousand in 5-6 payments if we have to. & if it's right, we can both relax a bit & stop panicking.
Over the last 30 yrs or so after moving out of my parents & I've had my own cats, they've never had more than a few cuts from cat fights or picked up a few viruses or bugs, so paying the vet's bills for the injections & treatment has never been a problem before. Ringo is the 1st that has had something serious happen that is going to be very very expensive so my wife & I feel a bit out of our depth.
|
|
|
Post by scallywag on Sept 26, 2015 20:09:40 GMT
Thats vety enlightening thanks x
|
|
|
Post by tonib on Sept 26, 2015 21:37:14 GMT
J1M, I think you mis-understand the not refuse treatment. It doesn't mean they have to do the op to repair the leg at a high cost but must do the minimum to relieve the pain & suffering which in Ringo's case could mean the amputation or even euthanasia (which I don't think would be the case here). I don't mean to panic you, just wanted to make you aware of what was meant. Sadly there is no NHS for animals. However its always worth speaking to the vets involved to see if they have a payment plan that could apply to Ringo's situation. Is there no other members of your family (parents etc.) or friends who might be able to help you out
|
|
|
Post by gypsy on Sept 26, 2015 21:37:29 GMT
Without a doubt I would save the leg if I could. Personally if I didn't have the cash up front I'd probably put it on an existing credit card so the treatment could go ahead immediately and then transfer the debt to a zero balance credit card so I wouldn't be paying interest - and clear it off as soon as I could. BTW Ringo is an absolute cutie!
|
|
|
Post by tonib on Sept 26, 2015 21:57:57 GMT
Good idea about the credit card gypsy
|
|
J1M
Newbie
Posts: 47
Animals I love: Cats
Pets I own: Have always had cats as far as I can remember. Currently the owners of a Tabby kitten called "Ringo". He was born Weds 29/04/2015 & we got him Thursday 18/06/2015. He's just over 3 months old at time of writing. He is light grey with black Tiger stripes & he has black rings around his tail & back legs, hence the name "Ringo". Nothing to do at all about The Beatles. Now he has started to develop a beigey colour in his coat, & in some photos & different light, for some reason seems to have a slight orangey/ginger colour.
He's a right character, always friendly & loving & happy to see us, always following us around the house, always charging around & playing with his toys & stalking anything that moves, & then when he gets tired, jumps up for a fuss. Couldn't ask for a better cat. He's perrrfect.
|
Post by J1M on Sept 26, 2015 22:47:02 GMT
Can't figure out multi quote yet. Thank you for the link. Just spent the last couple of hours reading up all sorts of things. I hate being out of my depth with things but I think that with the weblink & replies on here, it has helped us think of a possible battle plan. Unfortunately we don't qualify for PDSA or Blue Cross because the government says I earn too much so we don't get any help from any government benefits. My hourly rate at work is only just above what the government says what next years Living Wage will be. My parents are unavailable & unfortunately Cheryls haven't really got that much to spare without making it tight for them. From reading the weblink & reading suggestions on here, we thought about the 0% purchase credit card option, but their max credit limits for them all is approx. £1200 which is not enough singly. As I'm the only one of us that is working at the moment, I'm going to apply for a couple, hope I get accepted, but only use them if I really really have to. I hate credit cards. When we take him to Toachim House on Tuesday, hopefully, as they deal with this sort of injury & worse all the time, to the workers there it's the daily norm, they will be able to maybe come up with a few ideas of their own. They have a finance company they use which we have applied for the full £2000 but don't hold out much hope of them accepting that high amount. If they let us down, hopefully we will have a couple of cards to use as plan B or maybe half with the finance company & only 1 credit card. I'd rather not have to pay 2 interest rates on 2 different credit companies but I will if I have to. My line of thinking is that, Ringo still has, as far as our vet's concerned, full feeling in his leg. He's also still got a little bit of growing to do, he's still a kitten really, & when pinned together, & held with the cage thingy he will have to wear to stop the bones from moving, to me, my logic tells me that, what with the natural fusing, & with his bit of growing to do, hasn't he got a good chance of it healing to the point where he would have a better quality of life over the next 12-15 years with 4 legs rather than 3. It could be bit optimistic, but he may eventually get to the point in a year or two or 3, that all he has is a bit of a limp & a bit of rheumatism or arthritis or which ever one it is. I always get them confused & round the wrong way. I just can't bring myself to justify the vets option of amputation just to save on the cost. Fingers crossed it all goes to plan on Tuesday.
|
|
|
Post by gypsy on Sept 26, 2015 23:21:55 GMT
Thank you for the link. Just spent the last couple of hours reading up all sorts of things. I hate being out of my depth with things but I think that with the weblink & replies, it has helped us think of a possible battle plan. Unfortunately we don't qualify for PDSA or Blue Cross because the government says I earn too much so we don't get any help from any government benefits. My hourly rate at work is only just above what the government says what next years Living Wage will be. My parents are unavailable & unfortunately Cheryls haven't really got that much to spare without making it tight for them. From reading the weblink & suggestions here, we thought about the 0% purchase credit card option, but their max credit limits for them all is £1200 which is not enough singly. As I'm the only one of us that is working at the moment, I'm going to apply for a couple, hope I get accepted, but only use them if I really really have to. I hate credit cards. When we take him to Toachim House on Tuesday, hopefully, as they deal with this sort of injury & worse all the time, to the workers there it's the daily norm, they will be able to maybe come up with a few ideas of their own. If not, hopefully I will have a couple of cards as plan B. My line of thinking is that, Ringo still has, as far as our vet's concerned, full feeling in his leg. He's also still got a little bit of growing to do, he's still a kitten really, & when pinned together, & held with the cage thingy he will have to wear to stop the bones from moving, to me, my logic tells me that, what with the natural fusing, & with his bit of growing to do, hasn't he got a good chance of it healing to the point where he would have a better quality of life over the next 12-15 years with 4 legs rather than 3. It could be bit optimistic, but he may eventually get to the point in a year or two or 3, that all he has is a bit of a limp & a bit of rheumatism or arthritis or which ever one it is. I always get them confused & round the wrong way. I can't bring myself to justify the vets option of amputation.
Obviously I don't know the exact details of your particular case, but as a vet nurse of 16 yrs I've seen a lot of cats with various broken bones (some really bad hind leg and pelvis injuries) and in the majority of cases, kittens and young adults make a full recovery following surgery. Provided the owner follows aftercare protocol (you will probably have to crate him for at least 6 weeks etc) there is no reason why Ringo shouldn't return to a full and normal life. As he is so young there is even more reason to save the leg because potentially he could live another 15-20 yrs. Yes its likely he will develop arthrits in later life but there are a myriad of supplements and treatments to deal with that. I'm pleased you feel unable to justify the amputation option and hope everything goes well on Tuesday for you. Let us know how you get on.
|
|
|
Post by zahada on Sept 27, 2015 2:59:26 GMT
My friend was in a similar situation. Her kitten broke a leg at the age of around 6 months. My friend has a full time job, and didn't qualify for PDSA. However, she did qualify for the RSPCSA and her cat was treated there and her leg was saved. If you haven't tried the RSPCA give it a go. scallywag - vets do not have to offer payment plans, and from what I read, most don't. They cannot refuse to relieve pain and suffering, tonib explained that well.
|
|
|
Post by lotsofcats on Sept 28, 2015 10:22:23 GMT
Welcome to the forum. So sad what has happened to poor Ringo. I think the others have already made good suggestions and I really hope that you can get Ringo sorted out soon. Hopefully the RSPCA can help you.
Gorgeous pics of Ringo. Let us know if you do the GoFundMe.
|
|
J1M
Newbie
Posts: 47
Animals I love: Cats
Pets I own: Have always had cats as far as I can remember. Currently the owners of a Tabby kitten called "Ringo". He was born Weds 29/04/2015 & we got him Thursday 18/06/2015. He's just over 3 months old at time of writing. He is light grey with black Tiger stripes & he has black rings around his tail & back legs, hence the name "Ringo". Nothing to do at all about The Beatles. Now he has started to develop a beigey colour in his coat, & in some photos & different light, for some reason seems to have a slight orangey/ginger colour.
He's a right character, always friendly & loving & happy to see us, always following us around the house, always charging around & playing with his toys & stalking anything that moves, & then when he gets tired, jumps up for a fuss. Couldn't ask for a better cat. He's perrrfect.
|
Post by J1M on Sept 28, 2015 14:40:42 GMT
The form for the finance company Toachim House use was all filled in & emailed & I've managed to get 1 credit card but don't know what the limit is until it comes.
Our vet in Borden Lane, Sittingbourne has just rung & I need to go & pick up a tablet for him that he needs to have before he has his operation tomorrow.
We're getting a little nervous as by this time tomorrow he will be in surgery or will be recovering from the anaesthetic. Thank you for all the well wishes for him & we'll let you all know how he gets on.
|
|