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Name: Lizzi [ Original Post ] I took my cat in for her annual shots (which I scrape up the $55 for that each year,but somehow I manage it). But this round the vet said she is starting to get plaque build up on her back teeth and he wants to do a dental plan involving things totalling close to $300 sometime within the next year. I cannot afford this and do not want to be in debt over it making payments forever either but the vet put it in a way that makes me feel like I don't have a choice in the matter. I want your opinion on it. Can I tell the vet "NO,shots ONLY"? I've taken her to the same vet for 10 years and she's always been healthy and he's never mentioned her needing anything up to this point,but I really cannot afford to do this. Can I refuse it and the vet just have to accept that I said NO? I'm afraid to take her back in for her shots next year now because of this. and on another note,is it even really important for indoor cats to have shots anyway? My grandma doesn't take her cat to the vet for anything and she seems to be doing just fine. I'm trying to decide if I should just stop taking my cat to the vet for shots especially since now it seems they are going to be throwing other stuff on me now! What's your opinion on all of this? Thanks. ↓

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Name: lindalu | Date: Mar 11th, 2007 11:17 PM

Lizzi you posted this in the other room. I replyed that a good vet will inform you of proper oral hygiene for your pet. I think if you your cat is eating soft food you may want to change it to a good brand hard food. This will not only help remove some of the plaqe that may be building up it will help provent further build up! Also try some of the plaque controll treats this may help! I would not stop vetting her because of this, ask the vet how bad her teeth are. Then decide from there what you will do! If your cat is handelable you may even be able to remove some of the plaque by brushing her teeth your self. Cleaning is important especially if your cat eats sort foods and a lot of table food. It prevents plaque build up thus preventing cavaties! Cats teeth are no diffrent than your own they can get cavaties, with that causing tooth aches! Once that happens the tooth will need to be removed. If you dont remove the tooth the cat may not eat and that will lead to loss of weight and possibly death! As I said talk to the vet be sure her teeth have no decay . Talk more about other alternative procidures. ↑

Name: lindalu | Date: Mar 11th, 2007 11:36 PM

Im sorry Lizzi I should have read more befor replying. I thought it was the same thing you posted the other day. Yes you can refuse it! Tell her you dont have the money to cover this charge. Tell her you understand that the cats teeth are important and that you will have to try another approach to preventing further build up! Because you have been with that vet for ten years does not give her the rite to just assume! Politely let her know you will not be using the credit! My cat was 17 years old my vet told me he had a serious plaque build up and suggested I should brush his teeth. Well let me tell you..... he was not going for the tooth brushing thing! I told the vet that if she thought he should have his teeth brushed then why doesnt she give it a try her self! Dont feel bad, or intimadated by your vet! You cant afford it. Dont stop her yearly exams, they are also important! ↑

Name: Lizzi | Date: Mar 12th, 2007 1:08 PM

Thank-you for your input Lindalu it means alot to me! I highly doubt my cat is going to let me brush her teeth! Lol I think for now I will get her something that says (for plaque removal) like you suggested and see if that helps any. Her vet is a man and he seems very nice but he just put it to me like she HAD to have this done and I didn't have a say so about it. I just wanted to ask you if I DO have a say so and if the vet will just have to accept that I said NO and drop it? I don't want to of course but I've even thought that maybe I should give her away if things are going to start popping up like this that I can't afford to do for her? It's hard enough getting things for my human family! I can give my cat food,water,a home,attention,love and even her annual shots but beyond that I just can't afford anything else where she's concerned. Maybe that's exactly what I should tell the vet and then see what they say? Although I'm sure they will just want to put me on a payment plan for it all and won't get that even WITH payments,I CAN"T AFFORD IT! Thanks for listening Lindalu! I'll figure something out.......I hope!!! ↑

Name: lindalu | Date: Mar 12th, 2007 2:26 PM

Lizzi no dont give her away! you had her for such a long time. Just take it by ear, if some thing else comes up deal with it then. Even if you were to give her away the next owner most likely would not have her teeth cleaned eather. As I said tell the vet that you will find other alternatives to keeping her plaqe down. ↑

Name: Lizzi | Date: Mar 12th, 2007 2:39 PM

Yeah Lindalu,giving her away is the LAST thing I would want to do! She is as attached to me as I am her and I wouldn't trust anyone to care about her the way I do. I'd always be worried about her if i gave her away. I think her best place is with me because I'm all she knows but I hope nothing else comes up that they say she needs because I really won't know what to do. If I don't have the money then I just don't have the money. ↑

Name: lindalu | Date: Mar 12th, 2007 3:52 PM

So true Lizzi....If you dont have it there is nothing you can do. As I said before with out sounding like a broken record, just take it as it comes! Dont worry about the what ifs, just think about whats at hand and deal with that. If you feel like you cant face the vet to tell him that you are declining the credit, give him a call! It may be easier to talk to him. ↑