A visit to the hospital
When Jellicoe visited the vet recently for a regular check-up, it transpired that he, too, has a heart murmur, like his brother. Additionally, a biopsy of the cyst that had reappeared on his head indicated that it was malignant and he would have to go to an animal hospital for treatment.
This morning Barry took him to Aura, the animal hospital in Guildford. As we were not sure whether the consultation would lead to an immediate surgical procedure, Jellicoe was only allowed a token breakfast, a quarter of his usual ration, because, as a diabetic cat, he must have insulin injections regularly. He was not happy and kept miaouing and following me for more food.
The outcome was that he has to return tomorrow for an echocardiogram before an operation next week. This is to ensure that he is fit enough for surgery, just as happens with human surgical procedures.
Many pet insurers have raised their cover to £25,000, but ours tops out at £12,000. Veterinary medicine is now so sophisticated that £12,000 is soon swallowed up in tests.
We are looking at alternative providers. Roxy and the cats are probably too old to transfer, although Jellicoe is the only one with pre-conditions, but Gilbert is still a young lad.
I am sad to hear about your four-footed family members' issues.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Kathy.
DeletePoor Jellicoe! I hope he can get the treatment he needs without it breaking the bank.
ReplyDeleteWe are thankful for the veterinary insurance we have!
DeleteI am sorry to hear about Jellicoe. I hope you can find someone to help you out.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Debby. He's covered for this year.
DeleteAs an animal lover this,saddens me. I know how expensive all of that is. I hope you can find the right help you need. God bless Jellicoe. I will say a prayer!
ReplyDeleteIt's taken some pet insurance companies a long time to realise how expensive treatment is now and to adjust their cover.
DeleteI'm wishing all the best for Jellicoe. Finding satisfactory and affordable care for our pets is too often a daunting challenge.
ReplyDeleteIt can be challenging, certainly.
DeleteI will keep Jellico in my thoughts.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Hester.
DeletePoor Jellico....Sending healing thoughts and energy for him.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Robin.
DeleteAll the best for Jellicoe!
ReplyDeleteUntil 2013, I always lived with cats but we never had insurance for them (it was unheard of when I was younger). The money we left at the vet's...! Most of it was, as you say, for testing; even when one of my cats was poisoned and had to stay at the vet's clinic for 5 days, her stay there and what little food she ate did only amount to somewhere around 550 euros, with the tests being the major factor. But of course that was around 25 years ago... I don't want to know how much that same clinic would charge for the same therapy now.
The pet health insurance industry has seen much growth in the last thirty years. Even some of our vets say they cannot afford pets these days.
DeleteHeavens, poorJellicoe. And you too. Hope it all goes well
ReplyDeleteJellicoe soldiers on regardless. He doesn't know there's anything wrong with him.
DeleteHoping Jellicoe’s echocardiogram goes well and that everything lines up smoothly for his surgery next week
ReplyDeleteAll is set fair for surgery next week.
DeleteNever having had pets I had no idea that their medical expenses would be so expensive.
ReplyDeleteI do hope that the op is successful and that he recovers well.
It certainly makes us realise how thankful we are for human medical care.
DeletePet care cover is so wide these days we checked out loads last year for Lilly, we decided on pet care as recommended by our own vet, they have a good cover and work direct with vet, so we would not have to pay and recover the cost. Hope everything goes OK
ReplyDeleteOur insurers, Petplan, are being slow to catch up with costs and increase their cover. I think they will lose a lot of customers.
DeleteA concerning time for you about your pets, and an expensive time too. Good luck.
ReplyDeleteThanks. We have to pay a percentage of the treatment.
DeleteHi Janice - lucky animools to be so well looked after; I hope all goes well ... cheers Hilary
ReplyDeleteThank you, Hilary. 🤞
DeleteIf they truly love animals, why can't vets work for free?
ReplyDeleteYou could apply that across the board - love football, play for free, love cooking, free meals for all. Nice idea!
DeleteHope all goes well with Jellicoe. Vet expenses are unbelievable these days
ReplyDeleteThey are very expensive.
DeletePrayers for Jellico and the surgery, so sorry he has to go through this.
ReplyDeleteThe alternative is less attractive.
DeleteI'm so sorry to read about this today. It makes the radioactive iodine treatment here recently very trivial. Best of luck and I will certainly be praying for Jellico.
ReplyDeleteI don't think Precious' treatment can have been very pleasant for her, poor girl. I think my daughter-in-law had to have that when her children were little.
DeleteI think the costs will help to keep me pet-less now that Lacey is gone.
ReplyDeleteIt's certainly a consideration these days. Some of our vets cannot afford to have pets.
DeleteThinking of you as you face these challenges, our pets are so special.
ReplyDeleteAlison in Devon x
Thank you, Alison. They are precious.
DeleteOh, my! Poor little ones need care and it's so expensive. If the vet didn't cost so much I'd take in more animals. My own healthcare costs have increased dramatically.
ReplyDeleteLove,
Janie
All healthcare costs, animal and human, have increased. Combined with a rising cost of living, some people are having a very tough time.
DeleteOh my! I hope everything works out.
ReplyDelete🤞
DeleteHere's hoping it all works out for the best.
ReplyDeleteThe things we do for our pets! But that unconditional love you get back makes it all worthwhile.
If we're not prepared to look after them properly, we shouldn't have pets. The costs do make you gulp a bit, though.
DeletePoor Jellicoe! Please pass on gentle scritches.
ReplyDeleteThank you for caring for your pets. So many are neglected and abandoned when poorly.