Need another vet opinion please on a friends cat?

Friend's cat got attacked by racoon a month ago. Her parents will not pay to feed it or vet it. I took it to the vet for her. Had a lot of abcesses from puncture wounds. They are healed fine. One leg was just broken %26amp; laying sideways, splinted %26amp; she is learning to use it. Second back leg had a bone sticking out. Vet splinted it, gave it antibiotics. We change the dressing every 2 days per vet. It is better, but still has a dime sized open area right over the bone, but appears to be closing up slowly %26amp; in no pain. It just looks so TERRIBLE when this cat walks with the foot on the leg laying sideways. Sweetest cat you ever seen %26amp; she wants to keep it %26amp; her parents said OK to staying indoors BUT her parents will not help do anything with food, vet etc. Amputation costs 250 vet said %26amp; I cannot afford it for her. Is it possible this open area can heal more still %26amp; the cat live pain free? Or do I need to fork out the 20 additional bucks to put it to sleep for her. I buy it's food %26amp; vet now.

Need another vet opinion please on a friends cat?
Before you do anything, talk with the vet and see if it does need amputation. Also, you probably have already done this, but make sure the cat is current on its rabies vaccinations, as raccoons are a big carrier of this.





That said, there are different resources out there for individuals who are having difficulty paying their animals vet bills. For instance, there is...





Organizations who can help owners that cannot afford vet care :





American Animal Hospital Association


http://www.aahahelpingpets.org/home/


"The heartbreak happens all too often ? a pet owner is unable to afford treatment and their sick or injured companion animal pays the price. If the owner is elderly, disabled or on a fixed income, the cost of care may be too much of a stretch for their pocketbook. Perhaps they have been victimized by crime, property loss or a job layoff and are experiencing a temporary financial hardship ? making it


too difficult to afford pet care. And some animals, brought to clinics by Good Samaritans, don't have an owner to pay for treatment. Whatever the situation, the fact remains the same: When sick or injured animals are unable to receive veterinary care, they suffer. Through the AAHA


Helping Pets Fund, veterinary care is possible for sick or injured pets even if they have been abandoned or if their owner is experiencing financial hardship."





Angels 4 Animals


www.Angels4Animals.org


"Angels4Animals, a non-profit organization and a program of Inner Voice Community Services, has a mission to serve as the guardian angel of animals whose caretakers find themselves in difficult financial situations. At Angels4Animals we believe that animal owners should not have to say goodbye to the animals that they love. Our


work is accomplished in conjunction with veterinary clinics across the country, eager to assist as many animals, and their owners, as possible. Our services range from financial aid to complete treatment to those pets and pet owners in need."





Care Credit


www.carecredit.com


A credit card company for health care, including veterinary care. "CareCredit, the leader in patient/client financing, has helped more than 3 million patients/clients get the treatment or procedures they needed and wanted. With a comprehensive range of plan options, for treatment or procedure fees from $1 to over $25,000, we offer a plan


and a low monthly payment to fit comfortably into almost every budget."





Feline Veterinary Emergency Assistance (FVEAP)


http://www.fveap.org/sys-tmpl/door/


"The NEED %26amp; The HELP: Seniors, People with disabilities, People who have lost their job, Good Samaritans who rescue a cat or kitten - any of these folks may need financial assistance to save a beloved companion."





The Feline Veterinary Emergency Assistance Program is a nonprofit 501 (c)(3) organization that provides financial assistance to cat and kitten guardians who are unable to afford veterinary services to save their companions when life-threatening illness or injury strikes.





Help-A-Pet


http://www.help-a-pet.org/home.html


"Our efforts focus on serving the elderly, the disabled, and the working poor. For lonely seniors, physically/mentally challenged individuals and children of working parents, pets represent much more


than a diversion."





IMOM


http://www.imom.org


"Mission Statement:


Helping people help pets. To better the lives of sick, injured and abused companion animals. We are dedicated to insure that no companion animal has to be euthanized simply because their caretaker is financially challenged."





The Pet Fund


http://thepetfund.com/


"The Pet Fund is a registered 501(c)3 nonprofit association that provides financial assistance to owners of domestic animals who need urgent veterinary care. Often animals are put down or suffer needlessly because their owners cannot afford expensive surgery or emergency vet visits. Companion animal owners must often make the difficult decision to put an animal down or neglect urgent medical


needs because of the costs involved. The purpose of the Pet Fund is to work towards a future where decisions about companion animal medical care need never be made on the basis of cost."





United Animal Nations


http://www.uan.org/lifeline/index.html


"The mission of LifeLine is to help homeless or recently rescued animals suffering from life-threatening conditions that require specific and immediate emergency veterinary care. We strive to serve Good Samaritans and rescue groups who take in sick or injured animals. In certain cases, LifeLine can also assist senior citizens and low-income families pay for immediate emergency veterinary care."





UK Assistance with Veterinary Bills


http://www.petloversonline.co.uk/financi...


"Most of us can cope with the financial commitment involved in the day to day care of our pets. However, how many of us come out in a cold sweat when our pet is ill or injured and we know we have to take it to the vet? Most of us are fortunate enough to be able to afford it but, some of us who love our animals dearly cannot. Unfortunately


we do not have a PDSA or a RSPCA Centre within our area, but there are a few charities who may be able to help."





If these don't work, you could also contact a cat rescue in your area and see if they would be willing to take the cat and repair its leg. Your friend may not be able to keep the cat, but at least it would not be suffering and would be able to get the care it needs and deserves.
Reply:Don't put the cat to sleep---why would you do that if he is healing.


Could you take the cat if she can't afford to keep it? If not take it to the humane society. They will take care of it.
Reply:What's going to happen the next time something happens? Are you going to have to pay for that too? I think you may be better off putting the cat to sleep now. What does the vet say? Does he think the leg needs to be taken off? Thank you for helping your friend but when you are dealing with people as heartless and stupid as her parents it's probably a losing battle.