OT -EEEK! Had to stop by the vet

How long does that bag of food last? 

My vet wanted to put my diabetic kitty on a prescription diet but I did some research and found that low carb/high protein varieties of Friskies canned food would work just as well or better.  And are much cheaper.

 I used to work for a vet that did the clinical trial for what is now Purina DM (diabetes mgmt.)  The results were pretty clear.  The food did actually make a difference for the cats eating that food.

My oldest cat, who is 7, has to be knocked out cold for even the simplest exam.  Our last visit for 2 cats, for the physical and rabies vaccine only was almost $400.  I had even drugged the cat before the trip since I knew it would be bad.  Holy crap, it is the day each year that I dread the most.

aahh we all pay a  fortune for our furry friends,don't we?

The dog last week...145 for her yrly shots and check up..Then the flea meds..lord have mercy 125 for flea meds..I use Comfortis and only comfortis..

The cats,who are now permently outdoor cats,I use Pet Armour also..They don't seem to be scratching,so I'm hoping it works.

I'm one of those crazy people who feed strays..Yes I look like the crazy cat lady with 5 cats eating on my porch.I got the one girl fixed. It took me nearly a yr to catch her.. If I can grab the strays I will flea meds those too,but not always possible.My 2 boys are fixed,flea controlled and shots up to date...

We also have a  bunny.so far she is cheap :)

Oh, not only have I fed strays, I've taken them to the vet before.  One poor boy showed up at my door (I'd never seen him before) with some sort of injury to both front paws.  The vet wasn't sure what happened but it looked like maybe he'd badly burnt them somehow.  They were raw, bloody.  He left bloody footprints all over my bathroom, it looked like a masacre too place in there.  He also had an eye infection and an ear infection.  Cost a bundle.  He stayed with me for a couple weeks, then I found him a good home.  I mean, what was I gonna do, this poor boy shows up at my door leaving bloody paw prints all over my patio?

I've been feeding my neighbor's cat for a while now.  She has had a lot of family issues going on and is not home much.  A relative is supposed to be coming over to feed her cat, who is now outside all the time, but he has lost a lot of weight and seems hungry.  So I'm feeding him.

I love people who love animals.

Oh, Kelly, i feel your pain!!...i lost my Mamadog two years ago April 30 to diabetes.she was 14.She was on a high dose of insulin...a vial costing $56(two years ago) would last 2 weeks...i bet i spent close to $6000.00 on her in about 3 years...but, she was my big baby and gave me unconditional love...shes at that rainbow bridge waiting patiently(i hope she has a lotta patience, cuz i intend to be here a looooong time, lol)for me...

Oh, my kitty is on a very tiny dose of insulin.  She's actually doing pretty well with the diabetes.  We made some changes to her diet and were able to reduce the amount of insulin she takes.

She's only 12 which is not that old for a cat, but she had cancer (has been in remission for a couple years) and has the diabetes and she just seems like she's winding down somehow.  I think she has arthritis, because she used to be able to jump up on the counters and stuff and now she can't.  She asks people to pick her up and put her up there instead.  She can still jump down, though.  She sleeps a LOT and she's lost some weight, although the vet didn't find any medical issues last time she was seen.  She also does not use the litter box consistently.

I don't know, I just have the feeling she may not be with us too much  longer.  I've been making it a point to spoil her rotten and give her all the attention and treats she wants.  It's really important to me that there are no regrets when she is gone.  Six years ago, I had a cat that was truly  my best friend that died suddenly (hit by a car) and all I could think of was how I wished I'd spent a little more time petting her that morning, or given her one of her favorite foods the night before, stuff like that.  There will be none of that when Cayenne goes.

Kinda ashamed to admit it but I think we've spent more on vet bills than we ever did for doctor bills for our kids when they were young !! It seems like for that kind of investment you should be able to declare them on your income tax forms-lol. IF ONLY !!!

I spend more on my cats' medical bills than I do on my own!

I sympathize.  A few months ago my 12 year old Chihuahua's eye looked funny so I took him to the vet.  He said it was an infection and prescribed two tiny tubes of ointment.  They were $30 each!  I should of just bought some Neosporin, it would have done the same.
My 11  year old had breast cancer last year. Fortunately it was caught early and she didn't need chemo.  All it cost was $700.  My vet is very reasonable and I like him because he is very good at diagnosing without a boatload of tests.  He can just look at my dog and tell what is wrong.  One time I took my 12 year old in thinking it was time to put him down because he has congestive heart failure and was given a year to live over 2 years ago.  He looked at him, felt his tummy and told me he was constipated.  Instead of putting him down he got an enema and walked out a new dog.  That was one $70 enema I didn't mind paying for.