Re: Tail

maddymoo · by maddymoo on Tue Aug 04, 2009 10:41 am

Oh the poor poor fella. Good luck at the vets Lynn.

littlekitty · by littlekitty on Tue Aug 04, 2009 11:33 am

Back from the vet and am upset as I have a decision to make.
I asked her to xray his tail but she said it wouldn't tell me anything else other than what she knows. No sign of an abcess just a hard lump in the middle of tail. She again examined the tail, whilst Buds was being a grump, and she asked if their was any movement in it and I told her that there wasn't from the middle to the base, so she said I can either leave it for a while to see if it will heal or have his tail taken off. I was given the consent form to sign but I couldn't do it so I asked Mark what he wanted to do and he said leave his tail alone.
Am heartbroken as Buds seems to be in pain, and don't want to see him like this, and don't want his tail off either, so don't know what to do for the best.

Ian B · by Ian B on Tue Aug 04, 2009 11:51 am

Hi Lynn,

The chances are it will heal itself given time, but would you be happy seeing him uncomfortable/in pain waiting for this? Personally, I'd choose the op as while cats use their tails for balance, they don't *need* it and if he's anything like Max from next door, he wouldn't miss his tail one bit.

That said, Max has only had half his tail amputated, it could easily be different if Buddy has to lose all his. As this isn't life threatening, probably the best thing you can do is agree a set time with Mark, if it hasn't improved by 'X' date, then go for the op.

Ian

Teddy · by Teddy on Tue Aug 04, 2009 11:59 am

I agree with Ian, give it a set time, then decide, in the mean time, could you take him to another vet and get a second opinion. I wish I had done that with Sam instead of just relying on one vets opinion.

Poor Buddy, am sure if his tail does have to come off, he'll manage fine. What does she think is wrong? seems an awfully drastic thing to suggest without even xraying it.

littlekitty · by littlekitty on Tue Aug 04, 2009 12:06 pm

Hi Kath and Ian,
She never really gave me a diagnosis just said that he might have caught it somewhere, eg catflap or window or may have been clipped by a car. She wouldn't xray it though even though I asked her several times but she didn't see the point.
Both cats have their boosters in four weeks time so if it hasn't healed by then will have to decide again what to do.
Mark did say take him to another vet but that's right at the other end of town but if she keeps on giving me negative answers then I will change my vet.

Teddy · by Teddy on Tue Aug 04, 2009 1:11 pm

in 4 weeks hopefully you will see a difference. You don't need to change your vet, just take him once and see what is said then, you may feel more confident with the new vet and then decide to change, but he may tell you the same thiing and in that case, you're just as well keeping with the one you hve now.

littlekitty · by littlekitty on Tue Aug 04, 2009 2:26 pm

Wouldn't I have to register him if I saw another vet/practice, my vet is only a small one with one consulting room and one vet, occasionally we get the australian guy coming in to help out. If his diagnosis was the same then there wouldn.t be much we could do, but maybe he might do an xray, it's worth a try I suppose.
$ weeks is a long time to wait really and knowing that he is in pain with it doesn't make me feel any happier. Buds is now stretched out on my bed but he was growling earlier when I was stroking him and Mary jumped on the bed as well, probably telling her/me to go away and leave him alone.

maddymoo · by maddymoo on Tue Aug 04, 2009 3:46 pm

Have they gave you any painkillers for him? If not it may be worth calling up and asking them for some metacam or something similar, so that when waiting you can at least give him something to make him more comfortable.

It is a hard decsion and I agree with the others, set a date and if he's no better then get it done. In the meantime I deffo agree with Kath that you get a second opinion, it does seem strange not x-raying his tail.

Chunkyboy · by Chunkyboy on Tue Aug 04, 2009 4:10 pm

Really sorry to hear of this dilema Lynn. I feel so upset for you and Buddy.
I too would wait a certain time, as without a diagnosis and x-ray, I would feel removal of the tail straight away a bit extreme. I just cant get my head around her not offering you either of those ?!?!?!?!?
The most important thing is if Buddy is in pain, you cant have that ongoing for 5 weeks. I am at a loss as to what else I can add that others havent.
Massive hugs to you and Buddy. xxxxxxxxxxx

littlekitty · by littlekitty on Tue Aug 04, 2009 4:53 pm

We are taking Buds to the animal hospital tonight at 6.30 for a second opinion and if they feel the need for an xray then that's what we'll do.
He hasn't been given any medication for the pain, don't why she didn't give him anything. We don't want to leave him to long in pain so hope we get answers tonight.

Teddy · by Teddy on Tue Aug 04, 2009 5:00 pm

Brill idea Lynn,

keep us posted.

maddymoo · by maddymoo on Tue Aug 04, 2009 7:00 pm

Oh yes, great idea. When you go tonight as for some oral painkillers to take home for him too.

Good luck, the second opinion could also help make up your mind over the best thing to do for him. x

littlekitty · by littlekitty on Tue Aug 04, 2009 8:29 pm

Back from the hospital and the vet gave him two injections to get him through the night, and he is going back tomorrow at 9am to be xrayed and sedated so they can investigate further. She said that there is swelling to the top of the tail, and that he has some movement at the bottom also, so once the xray has been done we will then found out if he keeps or looses his tail. Keeping our fingers crossed that he keeps it and if so he will be getting medication tomorrow.
For two injections and consultations it cost me £41. Shocked

Don't know what an xray will cost plus meds, does insurance cover this?

Teddy · by Teddy on Tue Aug 04, 2009 8:58 pm

you would need to check your insurance policy Lynn, they're all different. Good news that somethin positive will be done, and am sure they will do all they can to keep his tail, I wouldn't imagine they would take it off so easily. Fingers crossed for tomorrw, so glad he's got some painkillers to see him through the night.

Ian B · by Ian B on Tue Aug 04, 2009 9:06 pm

Hi Lynn,

At least you're getting somewhere with the new vet even tho' it might be bad news, tho' hopefully not and he keeps his tail.

Your insurance *should* cover any treatment costs, but check the small print to be sure, tho' I'm pretty certain you'll be ok as there aren't that many things not covered. Broken/damaged limbs certainly are, so I can't see why tails should be any different.

Good luck tomorrow, and tonight for keeping him in as there's nothing so certain as he'll be wanting to go out.

Ian

*Prince* · by *Prince* on Tue Aug 04, 2009 9:31 pm

So glad to hear this vet is investigating it more thoroughly and giving something to the wee chap to ease his pain. Good luck for tomorrow. Try not to think too much about the cost side of things, I know that is easier said than done! ((( hugs )))

maddymoo · by maddymoo on Tue Aug 04, 2009 10:45 pm

This all sounds so much more positive, this vets seems much more competent. I guess you can only wait until the x-ray is done and go on the advice of the vet. I can't see why it wouldn't be covered on insurance unless he's already had a similar problem, give them a call and ask. I'll be thinking of you guys and the Budster tomorrow.

littlekitty · by littlekitty on Wed Aug 05, 2009 3:44 pm

Just phoned the vet's and Buds is ready to come home at 4.30. They didn't mention much about his tail except the price, £189 so far could be more. Eeekkk I think that's a bit pricey tbh but at least we will have answers tonight.
Hope the insurance company(tescos) pay out as it's money that I haven't really got, but have a little put by for emergencies.

maddymoo · by maddymoo on Wed Aug 05, 2009 5:54 pm

Gosh, that is alot isn't it! Vets visits always seem to come with the 'how much!?!!' factor attached ey. lol

Yes, with pets its always good to have a bit extra 'in case of emergency' money stashed away, we never know what they're gunna get themselves up to next.

I've got my fingers crossed for you and Buddy that its a clear cut decsion over what to do so that there's no 'what ifs' involved. (((hugs)))

Ian B · by Ian B on Wed Aug 05, 2009 7:01 pm

Hi Lynn,

I had issues with Tescos and payment for Becketts treatment, but these were due (so they claimed) to a unprecedented amount of claims they were having to deal with at the time. My vets requested direct payment from myself and just short of £800 in total was a lot, luckily I had it spare so the fact that Tescos dragged their heels in settling my claim wasn't as big a problem as it might have been.

This won't affect you, but they don't pay out on having animals PTS, which is bizarre as it surely comes under vet treatment. There were a couple more small things they refused to pay out on, nothing major, but it all meant I ended up getting just under £700 from them.

I didn't know this at the time as my vets never told me, but if a bill rises to become really expensive, they have ways of dealing directly with insurance companies like Tescos, who only settle at the end of treatment rather than paying in stages should more than one lot of treatment be required. It might be worthwhile asking this vet if they have a similar scheme as not everyone can lay their hands on what could easily be hundreds of pounds at once.

Good luck tonight, here's hoping it's good news.

Ian