I feel horrible. It stinks to be without funds!

[Paper Roses]

For the past year, my kitty has had teeth/gum(molar) problems. I posted about this once before, quite some time ago.
She has been to the Vet for shots, check-ups and has had antibiotic shots for the inflammation. I am now told that a Vet trip for cleaning and possible removal of one tooth is necessary. Someone tell me how the heck I'm supposed to find $1000 to cover this. This $$$ does not include any special situations that may arise. I live on SS and believe me, there are no extra funds.

I have kept up her annual exams and shots but there are no funds for the $1000 cleaning and any possible extraction.
I have called about a million regional Vets and the price is about the same. There is no Veterinary school near for me to contact.
I feel so guilty about this and don't know what to do. Why is it so expensive? I can have my teeth cleaned and probably one pulled for less money. I am told that the cats teeth have no long roots. If this is so, why the great cost? The Vets tell me it is because of the anesthesia. Geeze, can't they give the kitty a tranquilizer and figure it out from there?

A thousand dollars is not in my future.
All the Vets offices have told me I can finance the treatments. Phooey. I want to know why is is so expensive.
I want to be a good 'pet parent' but I don't know how to handle this.
Thanks for listening.........

[Granny M]

1. Happy to listen, and I completely understand.

$1000 seems ridiculously high. I hope you can find a solution.

[okasha]

2. The cost seems unduly high.

But. Go ahead and finance the treatment if you have to. Your kitty will be far more comfortable and less prone to future painful inflamation and infection.

Experience talking here.

[CurtEastPoint]

3. I don't know where you are but that is high. Please ask around to other vets.

You're a good kitty parent. Love...

[Curmudgeoness]

4. That is a lot of money.

My cat had to have all his molars removed, and the rest cleaned, and it was $500, which I thought was extreme. Maybe you should check vets out farther away from where you live and be willing to travel quite a way for less expense?

[Lisa0825]

5. Can you contact a rescue/shelter and ask for recommendations?

They often know who the more affordable vets are or sometimes have arrangements with vets they know.

[demmiblue]

7. ^This^

Sometimes, there are services out there that the regular consumer doesn't know about.

In my area, there is a nfp animal clinic that does dental cleanings for $99 ($15 per extraction, not to exceed $60 regardless of the number of extractions). Depending on the case, bloodwork ($40) and antibiotics may be needed.

[hamsterjill]

6. That's a ridiculous amount.

I just had a cat that had to go through a full mouth extraction because her teeth were in such bad shape. She's a feral that had a leg injury (which resolved with vet care, thankfully). In the course of treating her for the leg injury, the vet discovered the horrid teeth and suggested this.

The cost was just under $500, and the cat seems to be doing well after full recovery, which took a couple of weeks. This is at least the third cat in our rescue that has undergone a full mouth extraction, which is certainly a drastic measure, but in each case, has resulted in positive outcome. The cost has always been around $500.

I don't know where you are located, but I agree with much of the advice up post. Shop around for a different vet!

[Citrus]

8. Another idea..

Excellent advice to contact shelters and rescues near you. You might also contact the nearest veterinary school or veterinary technician program to see if they have referrals. Even if the school is some distance, it's worth a call or two to see if they can help with a closer referral.

You can also call all those vets again and say something like this: I know your fee for helping my cat is a minimum of a thousand dollars. I don't have that kind of money. I know you must have referrals or resources. Who do you refer to in these situations who has affordable fees? Phrase it in a positive way that puts the onus on them.

Someone, somewhere must be able to help. Keep trying.

One dollar might as well be a million dollars if you don't have it. And creating debt is just adding another problem.

Meanwhile, look into giving your cat whole foods from now on. Cats and dogs rarely have dental problems if they aren't fed commercial foods. It's the processed stuff that ruins teeth and gums, just as it does in humans. It might seem difficult, but once you do it, it's actually pretty easy. The hard part is transitioning a cat from commercial food to homemade, but it can be done. Changing her diet will help the current situation a little bit and will prevent further problems.

Also, goldenseal is astonishingly good for almost any infection. It's safe for cats, too. It can stop infection and inflammation in their tracks. Look for high-quality goldenseal at a health food store (or a reputable source online). Not all supplements are created equal. A tincture might be easiest for a cat. Add some yogurt or cottage cheese to her food while on goldenseal (or any antibiotic!).

And please don't feel guilty!

[ginnyinWI]

9. That's about three times as much as it should be!

I hope you do call around and price it at other vet clinics.

And by the way, there are some people who will try to gouge you just because you are older. It happens to my mother in law all the time.