Cat with Fractured Jaw need help ASAP

[Kittymama62]

My male 10 yr old cat got bitten by my dog last week and has a fractured jaw. I pulled the dog off the cat which had his neck in her mouth. After breaking them up, I grabbed the cat and brought him indoors. I saw his jaw was loose and washed off blood on him and put a cold ice pack on him. I called veterinarians all over the county I live in and none of them would take care of a cat with a fractured jaw, and they all wanted cash up front. I finally found a vet in the next county that would take Care Credit, which I signed up for online and it gave me an instant $500 credit upfront. I called them back told them I was approved, the vet let me in to see him in-between patients and I told him what had happened. He told me he'd do xrays and get back to me in 2 hrs. I heard back from him within an hour and he said the xrays were one of the worst fractures he'd ever seen. I asked him what to do. He said he would need surgery, which would include an amputation and rewiring of the jaw. I asked if he could do that, and he said there's only one place where he knew a vet specialist out of state (in MN, I'm in rural WI) and the surgery would cost $2,000-$4,000! I told him I don't have that kind of money, and he said that's the only type of vet he would recommend doing that surgery, as he was not qualified. He gave me some Meloxidil (which is for dogs, but he said I should use it on him for severe pain). I brought him home and have been giving him his meds everyday at 5:00pm and giving him water and some feline liquid diet milk that he gave me. The vet told me to try to get him to eat wet cat food finely mixed in a blender. I have tried the milk, which is too thick for him, and the food which he can't swallow, he just keeps trying to lap water up in his bowl buy sticking his tongue in it, but I don't think he's getting much in him, and he keeps getting mucous in the bowl when he opens his mouth. I asked the vet what I can do to keep him out of pain, and he said to keep him on the diet, and I must get help for him ASAP, or as 2 weeks go by, he will be infected in the mouth and die. One week has gone by, I have been researching where to get help and financial aid for people on disability with pets who need surgery. I was only able to find a few, which are across the country from me, or else they didn't have any funding to help me out. I just want to ask the cat community, and I think I know the answer you'll give me, should I have him put to sleep to get him out of his pain, or continue overwhelming myself with trying to find financial help for him so that he'll live. I don't want to see him die, he is like a child to me, and I could never do that to him without giving every last effort I had in me to find some help. If anyone in the cat community can help me with anything (hopefully good news) or good advice, please help me. My time and his are running out. I have severe osteoarthritis in hips/knees and need surgery myself for them to be replaced, on top of that I am seeing a psych dr for my depression, anxiety and dealing with my pains and numerous medications and overwhelming stress-load I have going on in my lift right now. Please, any help will be greatly appreciated.

[zodiacqueen]

Oops I accidentally typed the wrong number! It is 800-386-8684.

[zodiacqueen]

I just did a search near your home town of conrath and found the closest vet school is in Madison, which is a 4 hr drive from you. But, the vet schools are also a good source to help your cat get this needed surgery. Here is the number 800-386-8694.

I'd try your local humane society first and then call this bet school.

Good luck!

[zodiacqueen]

Please try calling your local aspca or humane society. I know they will be willing to help you. They are usually willing to do surgeries at discount prices and allow you to make payments! Try them first thing Monday morning.

[opus88]

God bless you too dear kittymama, I know how very hard this final decision is to make.....we love them so very much and saying goodbye is so painful.
Don't be too hard on yourself, you did try everything within your power, sometimes even our best well intentioned attemps prove to be not enough.
It's normal for us to second guess ourselves over and over again :( what you are doing for him tomorrow is simply a final act of love from a responsible pet mommy.
Bless you both, and RIP dear little boy

[Kittymama62]

Thank you for your help and concern. I will be laying him down to rest at Rainbow Bridge tomorrow. It's going to be hard, but it must be done. I can't see him suffer no more. I've exhausted myself out with overwhelming feelings of doing the right thing, and it would be selfish of me to see my poor kitty suffer. Thank you for your quick responses. God Bless!

[CML2014]

Hi Kitty,

Oh how I hate to do this but I must wholeheartedly agree with our Opus! He cannot be allowed to suffer--that is of utmost importance. So as Opus said a week is already too long.

Please let your kitty that you love so much be free of his earthly pain. That is the most loving thing you can do if care is too expensive. Do not feel bad Kitty, Veterinary care is through the roof. If I had not gotten insurance I would also have trouble finding money to take care of my cat---who I might add  has had thousands poured into her care.

I think Opus has said all you need to hear and I will pray for you both!

Sincerely,
CML

[CML2014]

Hi Kitty,

Oh how I hate to do this but I must wholeheartedly agree with our Opus! He cannot be allowed to suffer--that is of utmost importance. So as Opus said a week is already too long.

Please let your kitty that you love so much be free of his earthly pain. That is the most loving thing you can do if care is too expensive. Do not feel bad Kitty, Veterinary care is through the roof. If I had not gotten insurance I would also have trouble finding money to take care of my cat---who I might add  has had thousands poured into her care.

I think Opus has said all you need to hear and I will pray for you both!

Sincerely,
CML