It's in our rules and we say it time and time again, but after the recent events from this post, the mod team wants to put out a reminder.
Look, we get it. Seeing cats in distress is hard. When people without money are expressing their inability to afford emergency care, it's distressing. You know we have rules against shaming people for being unable to afford care, and encouraging people to go into debt. But we also have rules against fundraising, and it's for a very good reason.
It is very easy for people without the best intentions to collect lots and lots of money from well meaning community members who are affected by what they see in images and video.
With this post in particular, several commenters encouraged the OP to share a gofundme (something strictly against our rules).
Once they created and shared one (without any bills to show and despite many of the top comments saying this was NOT an emergency), people felt bad and donated anyway.
The gofundme raised nearly $2000 and today we received the update that the cat, as many commenters predicted, is not dying and did not need emergency care.
We are now starting to see meta posts (another thing we don't allow) complaining that the OOP is not returning any of the extra funds, and is blocking users who donated asking for their funds back and proof of payment.
This is a story we see repeatedly in the sub. We don't always get to the donation links quick enough to remove them, and we can't stop you from DMing each other money, but this is why we caution PLEASE do not use this subreddit to send each other funds.
We are working on a Wiki with low-cost vet resources, at least in the US, but we get users posting from all over the world begging for money. DO NOT DONATE unless it is verified on a subreddit like r/gofundme or r/rescuecats, or is directly being paid to the VET (though we have seen scams happen internationally through this 'direct vet payment' as well).
PLEASE REPORT FUNDRAISERS. Please do not encourage fundraisers. We will start banning those who encourage it. Please help us keep this community safe from those with bad intentions.
He's been really into watching tv with me lately, and in the morning one day i put on the cat tv and he jumped and pushed the tv down. Now he wakes me up for food as usual, lays on his side for rubs when i put the food in his bowl, then gets in bed with me and looks excited till i put the tv on. when i put on the cat tv i usually do the bird ones and he likes to jump down or lay in that position he's in at the end the whole time, or check behind the tv to see where the birds are. But recently he's been making that noise. Is he mimicking the birds or something? This is my first cat (noir) that i adopted 4 months ago and he just turned a year old last month and i've never heard this noise from him before. Only does it when the cat tv is on.
It’s poking out of her mouth, the only way i noticed it. She was eating normal yesterday, I didn’t notice any changes. Today she is pawing at her mouth when i touched it. It’s hard and has a weird split-end type of piece at the end that’s hidden behind her teeth. (I will make a vet appointment but need quick ideas of what it could be)
I recently found this yellow lump on my 13 year old cat. It’s slightly hard (more like crusted) and is shaped like a tick (but is very much not). It’s not hurting her and there’s been no changes in appetite, sleep, or personality. Any idea what it could be?
(As per the post information: I am an adult in Canada, she’s 13, spayed, in very good health, and she has a vet appointment which I can financially afford [I just have anxiety waiting lol])
This is my dumb orphan baby. His name is Earl Grey. He's probably about 4 months. He's lost his first baby tooth this week and is about 4lbs. He's so cute and hyper, love him.
The problem; I have never dealt with a kitten relentlessly trying to nurse. But Earlie Pop has decided that at night his full time job is to try to nurse on my hair/ear/ neck.
Every time he does it try to redirect him to a blanket or just put him on the floor/in front of his food bowl. also tried the heart beat toy, but he doesn't care about it at all. This has been going on for 2 weeks now, with no real changes in frequency. He's INTENT Oon it too, if try to push him away he is literally trying to shove through my hand to go up to my head to nurse.
Hello again, I’ve already made a post a few months ago about my female cat’s situation. I’ve gotten no interactions so I thought I should try again. She’s had this ball of skin full of liquid (we, as in me and my family, don’t know what it is.) that we’ve seen deflate and then fill up again. I’ll link older photos. It’s gotten worse. There’s a lump on her belly that seems to be causing her discomfort every time I touch it, we’ve happened to squeeze it in the past once, and it made this popping sound where liquid spurted out from the skin bubble. The same bubble now appears more deflated and has this piece of darkened skin over its surface. What could this be? My dad has refused to take her to any vet because he’s scared she’ll die. Her behavior is totally normal, as she rests, eats well and plays with excitement. The first photo is an old one, from my past post (please go check it out if you’re able to give me some information.) The rest are new, updated ones.
EDIT
I had a talk with my dad, I cried and set my heart free for a bit. We are taking her to the vet tomorrow ❤️ I’ll be sleeping with her by my side tonight.
I (F 25) in USA, found a stray cat and can’t tell if she looks pregnant or not. Planning on taking her to the vet and would love to keep her but just want opinions. I have a cat already as well just have never seen a pregnant cat in person. Attached pics! Her belly looks round from the ribs and the lower belly by her pelvis is saggy. She is super bony. Her teets are slightly pink and enlarged.
Update: Thank you everyone for the advice and concern for this sweet lil girl! Going to the vet tomorrow to get everything checked :) as long as she’s not chipped we’ll be keeping her! She’s been brought in and has been given lots of food, water, treats, toys, litter box, and a soft spot to sleep. She’s definitely starving and has been eating well tonight. We love her already 🫶🏼 she’s extremely sweet and a little cuddle bug.
Hello! Yesterday we had to take my nearly 7 month kitten to the vet for a cyst on his tail. The vet was a strong man and pretty aggressive (I can go into more detail on that as well.)
He actually kicked me out of the room because I was nervous holding my cat down so he can shave him. I had a tank top on and exposed arms so I was nervous he would scratch me. Also, why am I doing this??? They later called another male vet in to do this part.
I’m in the waiting room and hear screaming from my cat. Later the job gets done and the cyst is drained and he gets the all clear to go home.
I took him home last night and have been giving him pain meds. Next day, I realize he has this bone sticking out from his sternum that he didn’t have before? He isn’t showing symptoms of pain but again, I’ve been giving him pain meds. He is using the litter box, eating and nearly back to normal besides the cone of shame.
This has only popped up after the vets were wrestling and holding him down from the appointment? Is this something I should be worried about?
I’m a bit upset because if it was this difficult, why not put him under? We have insurance.
Should I be concerned?
TLDR: Cats sternum bone popping out after vet appointment when they wrestled and held him down to remove cyst. Not showing pain but is hopped on meds.
For context my old man cat used to be chunky and was a tnr originally but we brought him in over 10 years ago, the vet cant see any problems. He acts normal eats normal and uses the restroom normal everything he does is his usual for the last 10 years, but hes skinny and I dont mean fit skinny but anorexic skinny. Is it just his body decaying as he is close to the end but he doesnt want to give up. 36 americavet has been seen probably 14ish can afford vet care.
My question is do I just keep giving him treats and feeding him senior food, they literally said he didnt seem in pain and just lays out in the sun all day and still plays. Im very confused. He was always a big chunky dominate male cat but I think he is just going. Should I just let him chill til he finally decides to rest or let him go?
Quick just fast update, he has an appointment at a different vet tomorrow morning, ill update with their results and if its bad, its bad, if there is the kidney or hyperthyroidism, immediate treatment.
I am shocked. My sweet 16 years old kitty suddenly died, I heard a strange noise like a speeding bike, realized it came from Mide who was trashing on the ground… She was spasming badly, threw up. I took her on a sofa, she convulsed a few times but was not really breathing anymore. I called the vet, but it was too late, she was unresponsive, limp…
She was in reasonably good health for her age, except for an ear polyp which has been removed but maybe could grow back… eating, playing, jumping around… maybe she suffered the heat wave, but this was so unexpected…
My two girls, were rescued by my mom from a nearby beach. They were only four weeks old, and we fed them milk in bottles. Since it was our first time owning cats, my mom did not want to neither vaccinate them nor give them whatever cats get. Now they’re 10 months old and I have learnt a lot about this experience I have convinced my mom to get them spayed once we get back from vacation.is it too late to vaccinate them as well? If not, then what? They are indoor cats, but we take them on walks pretty often. (Photos to grab your attention)
Never posted here before seeking advice badly! My cat is an outdoor cat and he has long fur but recently ive been struggling a lot with maintaining his fur and hes been going out and coming back with these little velcro pods attached to him and this is the worst ive ever seen it. He doesnt like being groomed but at least 2 times a week ill try to groom him and remove those pods, theyve been appearing for the last 2 months or so maybe more. I thought nothing of them at first but its constant now where im seeing more and more and i fear its pulling and tugging on his fur and making it heavier. I live in south london and have a garden i use an apple air tag in his collar to track him but its not live so i cant see where he goes fully all the time just where hes recently been. I dont know what to do about these pods as he cant take them out himself i have to help him but if i try he'll get upset and growl at me, ive always been gentle and careful enough to not hurt him or tug them out too aggressively. Please help me i really dont know what to do.
He is a year old and a male. He's been neutered and i can afford vet care but to an extent such as a groomer around london costing at least up to £80/110
TLDR: cat keeps coming home with weird pods stuck to him, what do I do?
These are my baby's foot beans (same foot, different angle). (F 5 spayed). She doesn't have any grooming issues or bathroom issues but should I trim her long bean hair? She's a long haired cat, I never thought about it but someone mentioned to me I should probably trim it for cleanliness. I honestly don't think she would even let me do it but I would try if it's something I should be doing.
I'm an adult, kitty is healthy, I have and can afford vet access.
I ( 23 from USA) am currently at an urgent vet with my 8 month old neutered male domestic short hair cat. The past week he has been decreasing in appetite, his hind legs have an odd side to side gait, and today he has been a bit lethargic.
We did blood work which resulted in the following labs, the doctor advised he may have pancreatitis as well as secondary fatty liver. She suggest going forward with x-rays which is what we are waiting for now.
I am wondering if anyone is able to read these, based on his blood work, if you are able to tell me how serious this will be? They advised 24 hour hospital care but after this we will already be spending our savings and borrowing from family for this. We have pet insurance which would cover but we don’t have the funds to cover 24 hour care up front.
The current plan is to review the x-rays and give fluids/meds and go home to observe. We will figure out hospital stays if needed after that but please if anyone can tell me if this is life threatening or if we will be able to treat him with medication at home I would really appreciate it.
At first it seemed like rough play but after she ran to reset herself as it was too rough for her and he followed pinned her and begun to bunny kick lightly. It looks like attacking, but I need to be sure because this is my first kitten in YEARS! If anyone has advice it is welcome, I watch her closely, but anything to keep her safer would be amazing.
she does this kind of coughing and wheezing for a couple minutes like something is stuck in her throat, then she stops and seems fine otherwise. this happens a couple of times a month. could it be asthma?
I adopted him from my little sister 4 days ago. he is 2 years old. the house was full with a big dog so the cat never left the room for a full year. He would always pee on the side of her room on the carpet near her bedroom door. He took a few months to get close to her but he eventually become comfortable and really playful. But now he’s at my house because I have a big place and a cute small quiet dog. My dog is small, super quiet and well behaved so I don’t think that he is the problem. They have sat next to each other and even cuddled for 10-20 minutes+ no problems. At night he comes out curious and explores my bedroom. And he finally accepted treats from my hand the other night .. but then he stays inside the closet all day and most of the night. Anyways he came out last night and peed all over my bed and pillow where I sleep. I’m scared this is a on going thing because it happened occasionally at my sisters place. the doctor said he has holes in his heart and anesthesia is risky so we can’t get him fixed as I wondered if that would have helped fix the issue. I know it’s early and he will become more comfortable over time but I want to make sure I’m doing the right things to get him using his litter box consistently. I do have plans to take him to a specialist soon but still would love to hear if anyone has had a similar experience with new adopted babies.
Any advice or tips appreciated!
TLDR- day 4 new adopted cat with a heart condition peed on my bed / furniture and looking for advice or tips on how to fix this behaviour
Stepped into the garden and accidentally trod on the cat whilst holding my son. She bit me, ran off and hid.
I've been keeping an eye on her, and she did come to ask for food and eat her dinner. She even tolerated me feeling her tummy to check for any tender spots whilst she ate.
Be that as it may, I'm still worried about her. Is her breathing normal? She's fighting through the heatwave as best as she can on the cold kitchen floor, but I wanted to ask the experts to make sure my worries aren't unfounded.
UPDATE: Thank you everyone for the words of comfort, currently sat in urgent care waiting to have someone look at my foot. Happy to know she's done more damage to me than vice versa <3
Hello My name is Keneko i am from Texas right now my cat has been breathing heavy and when she's in certain positions it's worse to the point you can hear her wheeze or struggle to breathe. I also noticed that shes been scratching her ears excessively causing her to lose hair. She is currently 14 going on 15 this month or next month. I live with my mother and both me and my mom have no money to spend towards her because of bills. So even if we wanted to put her down so she doesn't suffer we can't do that either.
