tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33288643.post7032253234521689049..comments2023-12-18T03:54:34.700-05:00Comments on RockyCat: Cost v. Outcomerockygracehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14457010488015617811noreply@blogger.comBlogger8125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33288643.post-28254680779679236882011-04-27T16:16:45.550-04:002011-04-27T16:16:45.550-04:00Queen, I just keep telling myself that *I* didn...Queen, I just keep telling myself that *I* didn't kill The Runt, the heart murmur did.<br /><br />Thanks for your supportive comment - I thought I was really gonna get put through the wringer, considering how it turned out.<br /><br />It's still hard.rockygracehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14457010488015617811noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33288643.post-60893740029449514132011-04-27T13:59:21.310-04:002011-04-27T13:59:21.310-04:00I re-read this, of course, after the Runts passing...I re-read this, of course, after the Runts passing, and it still holds true. You did the right thing.the queenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10263293738568555668noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33288643.post-44269024688709474432011-04-13T08:28:10.237-04:002011-04-13T08:28:10.237-04:00So I look like a patsy, do I, bridgett? Yeah, I p...So I look like a patsy, do I, bridgett? Yeah, I probably do. :)rockygracehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14457010488015617811noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33288643.post-90172438267604753982011-04-13T07:33:51.570-04:002011-04-13T07:33:51.570-04:00Nope, I sort of go with the "not seeing the u...Nope, I sort of go with the "not seeing the urgency" school on this one. He's not in pain, it's not a condition that degenerates without meds, it's not a quality of life issue, and...yeah, Runt's a cat.<br /><br />I think maybe you're getting a touch of the upsell, letting you know about expensive therapies because you seem like the kind of person who might be willing to front that kind of cash.bridgettnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33288643.post-82745322679108244432011-04-12T14:05:41.598-04:002011-04-12T14:05:41.598-04:00~~Silk, that's it - it's a birth defect. ...~~Silk, that's it - it's a birth defect. It's not like he's an old cat with heart disease. I'm not sure how effective meds are with a birth defect.<br /><br />The vet's main concern seems to be the risk of putting him under anes - anesth - oh, hell, knocking him out, for a teeth cleaning or something, as evidently that's risky with heart murmurs. But (a) it's a level 2 murmur, which is mild, and (b) he's already BEEN knocked out, when he was neutered, and he came through fine.<br /><br />Anonymous, thanks for the advice! I don't know if the risk increases as he ages - the murmur's been steady at level 2 since he was a kitten. (He's almost 3 years old now.) Sounds like I really need to talk to his vet some more. His previous vet didn't seem to think the murmur was a big deal, which is part of why I'm confused now. (Ha! And if you want to get REALLY confused, google "heart murmur in cats". Holy macaroni!<br /><br />And BNG, it IS difficult! And the last thing I want to do, is come across as a cat murderer or something. <br /><br />And if there's anybody out there muttering under their breath, "But you ARE a cat murderer, if you deny him treatment!", please, speak up! I'm interested in all sides, here.rockygracehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14457010488015617811noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33288643.post-29293248588956563092011-04-12T13:52:42.664-04:002011-04-12T13:52:42.664-04:00Difficult spot to be in, and I agree with Silks po...Difficult spot to be in, and I agree with Silks point of view. You have to make the decision that is best for you and your cats and I'd be thinking along the same lines that you are.Badass Nature Girlhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13870194339485341686noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33288643.post-6915699405060513432011-04-12T10:37:58.161-04:002011-04-12T10:37:58.161-04:00Of course you are not a bad owner. He has been fin...Of course you are not a bad owner. He has been fine without the meds--is his risk increasing as he gets older? I realize there is no gurantee, but it doesn't sound like putting him on the meds decreases the odds of a problem? Also, meds have side-effects. Are there cheaper but just as effective meds? I would recommend a second opinion. Also, Chris Bern, DVM, at http://avetsguidetolife.blogspot.com/ has answered my questions before. You might try him? <br />Good luck.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33288643.post-42423548310924187172011-04-12T09:35:47.346-04:002011-04-12T09:35:47.346-04:00Accidents are one thing. Birth defects are anothe...Accidents are one thing. Birth defects are another. You can't use the same criteria to decide. <br /><br />The Runt is a child of Nature. It would not be wrong to leave it up to Nature. Remember that in any case, Runt is living a longer and healthier life with you than if he were wild.~~Silkhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11122262422346224632noreply@blogger.com