docjohn 0 #1 December 2, 2009 Ok, we have a 9 year old cat. Bought it as a mutt for $35. Now its limping around so I'm thinking arthritis or something like that. So I pose the question to my wife "What do we do if it needs a $4000 operation?". Her answer "We have it done of course!" Its the old emotional vs practical argument. Emotional: She's a member of our family and we love her. Money is no object. Practical: Its a 9 year old $35 cat. Why spend $4000 on it? Besides, at this age, more problems may be just around the corner. And its just a cat! My answer: put the cat to sleep, spend $35 and buy a new kitten for the family. and yeah, we have kids who are attached to the cat if that makes any difference. What would you do? Doc http://www.manifestmaster.com/video Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Andy0689 0 #2 December 2, 2009 Put it to sleep. That or "accidentally" leave the door open for it to wander out and get lost. As much as they can become "a part of the family," animals are just that- animals. We were recently faced with a possible $300 surgery to have my 6-month old cat's eye removed. I told my wife up front that I'd opt for putting him down. Fortunately his eye has healed and he's going to be fine.Andy I'll believe it when I see it on YouTube! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
fossg 0 #3 December 2, 2009 I've been there several times with various dogs and cats. Sometimes you gotta think with your heart instead of your head..good luck Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
mrwrong 0 #4 December 2, 2009 I'm a bit biased here since I'm a dog person not a cat person. However... The cat is 9 yrs old.... Healing from surgery will take a whole lot more from the cat at that age compared to a younger cat.... The (most) humane thing to do is to put it asleep...“The sum of intelligence on the planet is a constant; the population is growing.” - George Bernard Shaw He who dies with the most toys, wins..... dudeist skydiver # 19515 Buy quality and cry once! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
LisaH 0 #5 December 2, 2009 First, go to the vet and see what's going on. It might just be old age and no surgery needed. If the cat is suffering due to the limping, or does indeed need surgery, make your decision then.Be yourself! MooOOooOoo Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
skyrider 0 #6 December 2, 2009 Just a limp? Live with it, Paralises, time to say goodbye... Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
JohanW 0 #7 December 2, 2009 Your wife is a member of your family and you love her. Money is no object. It's just your wife - you could get a new one. If this offends you greatly, please substitute "husband" for "wife".Johan. I am. I think. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
micduran 0 #8 December 2, 2009 You are trying to make this decision without even knowing what is wrong with the cat? Nine years old is not that old for a cat. Many live into their 20s.Be patient with the faults of others; they have to be patient with yours. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
likestojump 3 #9 December 2, 2009 I have two cats, and if faced with a similar situation I would probably opt for the surgery. I only say probably because the situation is hypothetical and I cannot be 100% sure what I would do. I know I would get a second and possibly third opinion from a respectable vet who is known for doing more than shoving a thermometer up the animals rear on annual basis (in other words someone who has done enough diagnosis and surgeries to know what they are talking about). And my cats are sure as hell not just "$35 mutts" to me. I call the attacehd picture "yinyang" Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Chiquita 14 #10 December 2, 2009 I say bring her to the vet first and find out whats wrong with her/him. You are discussing something and causing emotional turmoil with your wife (and possiblly your children) over a very hypothetical situation and worst case senario. It could be something very simple and not cost much money at all, at the same time it could be something very expensive. Until you know for sure you are spending/wasting a lot of time and energy discussing/arguing with your wife about it. What if you put her/him down and get a new cat and that one has health issues are you just going to put that one down as well? Plus just because she/he has an issue now is not necessarily an indicator of future health issues. Seems to me like you are only looking at the glass as half empty and not even considering it to be half full. I didn't vote in your poll because you don't have the answer I would choose: bring her/him to the vet, find out whats wrong and what it will take to fix her/him, then discuss the options and which path to take."Ego is the anesthesia that deadens the pain of stupidity" Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
normiss 805 #11 December 2, 2009 No way in the world could I justify a $4000 expense on myself much less a cat. I have always had very strong emotional ties to my animals. Putting down a family dog of 16 years was the hardest thing I've ever done. With my own gun no less. Sometimes putting them down is the most humane thing to do for them. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
maadmax 0 #12 December 2, 2009 QuoteOk, we have a 9 year old cat. Bought it as a mutt for $35. Now its limping around so I'm thinking arthritis or something like that. So I pose the question to my wife "What do we do if it needs a $4000 operation?". Her answer "We have it done of course!" Its the old emotional vs practical argument. Emotional: She's a member of our family and we love her. Money is no object. Practical: Its a 9 year old $35 cat. Why spend $4000 on it? Besides, at this age, more problems may be just around the corner. And its just a cat! My answer: put the cat to sleep, spend $35 and buy a new kitten for the family. and yeah, we have kids who are attached to the cat if that makes any difference. What would you do? The value of your cat is the emotional value your family members have placed on it. If your family's emotional well being is of no value to you then I guess the cat has no value either. By the way what is wrong with your cat? Total hip replacements don't cost that much. ... Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
LuckyMcSwervy 0 #13 December 2, 2009 You can't put a price on love.Always be kinder than you feel. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
skyrider 0 #14 December 2, 2009 Quote You can't put a price on love. According to that poll the other day, seems to average out to about 120 dollars an hour! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
guppie01 0 #15 December 2, 2009 I spent 12 k on a twelve year old cat. My cat is now 18 and I don't regret one penny spent! g"Let's do something romantic this Saturday... how bout we bust out the restraints?" Raddest Ho this side of Jersey #1 - MISS YOU OMG, is she okay? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
BIGUN 1,321 #16 December 2, 2009 I find it interesting that this question was proposed by a Doctor.Nobody has time to listen; because they're desperately chasing the need of being heard. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Andy9o8 2 #17 December 2, 2009 If I was a trained mechanic, I'd change-out my own transmission if it went kablooie. Whatever your current specialty, didn't you do a surgical rotation during residency? Tell your wife that while surgery is an option, you will be the one to do it. Otherwise, option #2 costs $35. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
pontiacgtp00 0 #18 December 2, 2009 Get a diagnosis from the vet....then research treatment at a library, internet, harley shop, etc... If surgery is required...I've seen several flea markets sell surgical tools, and headshops who sell little poppers of nitrous (shouldn't take much for a cat). Yes it is a sick idea. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
stitch 0 #19 December 2, 2009 QuoteNo way in the world could I justify a $4000 expense on myself much less a cat. Harleys only cost $3995 then ?"No cookies for you"- GFD "I don't think I like the sound of that" ~ MB65 Don't be a "Racer Hater" Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
MrCat 0 #20 December 2, 2009 I think with cats it is all about their quality of life. If the prognosis is that they will be back to jumping on chairs, playing, eating happily etc etc then it is worth it. If it's just a marginal improvement then is it worth the stress of putting them through the op ?? The expense doesn't come into it. I've had to have three cats put down at the end of their time - and except for one I wondered if I'd had left it beyond the right point. Had I let their quality of life deteriorate beyond where it was fair to keep them alive. Was I keeping them around as I didn't want to lose them ??Jump more, post less. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
normiss 805 #21 December 2, 2009 I'm talking medical procedure bro - I can live with a limp...riding a $20,000 motorcycle is a necessity! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
bullin82 0 #22 December 2, 2009 Ive been faced with this several times like im sure most here has. recently we had a pet rat (yes rat) who got a tumor in her mouth and was unable to eat. the wife took this $8 rat to the vet ($17 visit) and later had it put to sleep ($20 for drugs/time) i loved that rat but i could have bought 2 more and a toy for them at that price Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
DocPop 1 #23 December 2, 2009 There's a third (and cheaper) way. Medicate the cat with painkillers and monitor response to treatment. Unfortunately there are no painkillers licenced for long term use in the cat, but that doesn't mean there aren't effective "off-label" ones. Any good vet worth their salt will give you a list of options and approximate costs so that you can choose the diagnostic/treatment path that best suits your cat and yourself. PS - I'm a vet."The ground does not care who you are. It will always be tougher than the human behind the controls." ~ CanuckInUSA Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
tigra 0 #24 December 2, 2009 I think the poll/ question is flawed because you really don't know what is wrong with the cat, the cost of the treatment or long term prognosis. I wouldn't make a decision like that without knowing all those things first. Start with taking the cat to the vet and make decisions from there. (as far as I know there isn't any surgical treatment for arthritis in a cat and not much they can do for pain- there are more options for dogs ......) Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
AHoyThere 0 #25 December 2, 2009 How about this... I'll take the 9 year old cat. In exchange, I'll give you two kittens that are only 6 months old. It will only cost you $2,000. It works out well for everyone. You get to save $2,000 instead of spending $4k. I'll fly both of us down for a weekend of skydiving in Florida. Your wife can have two new kittens. And the 9 year old cat will be very comfortable in the country. It's a win-win situation for everyone. Good luck, let me know if I can help. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
