Well $303.67 later,turns out JAKE isn't as sick as I feared.

[disneeworld]

In reference to my thread about sinus probs from a few days ago..
http://www.auspet.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=13111

Took him to vet yesterday, she wanted to do a chest xray, check for feline leuk and Hiv, do a complete blood work, also a heartworm test(she did this one for free). Also gave him some intravenous fluids since he was quite dehydrated. He also had a temp 2 degrees above normal. He was not a happy camper.
All the tests for the serious stuff showed negative.... Thankfully ..BUT she determined that his asthma was acting up and causing an upper respiratory infection which having gone unchecked for much longer could have become serious...so she prescribed more prednisone and a strong antibiotic. He was practically back to his old self within just a few hours late yesterday, and continues his improvement today. I am shocked at how quick the turnaround occurred..and moreso shocked at the vet bill. Almost 500 bucks in just the last 2 weeks between 3 cats(incl. one put to sleep). Fortunately she allowed me to spread it out over 3 months in thirds, so that was nice. She wants another blood check next week, another 75 bucks including recheck fee...ARGH!!!!!!
Thank GOD this cat is my favorite, and he knows it.

[Mary_NH]

hurts doesn't it BUT think how relieved you feel to learn there is nothing terribly wrong except the empty wallet

[Chessmind]

I agree with Mary_NH. It is a relief. I'm glad he's okay.

[vene]

It's always good to have a peace of mind. Glad he's ok.

[disneeworld]

Thanks! He needs a recheck today but he seems back to normal..however, my oldest cat 13 1/2 I have to take in also for major weight loss I have noticed this past month. For a few days last weekI couldn't get him to eat, he just drank water, and sometimes lots of it. He has always been a light cat, weighing anywhere from 7-8lbs for many years, but I think he's down to about 5 or 6 now. I decided to take a risk and give him some of Jakes leftover antibiotic and a couple of doses of prednisone and that seems to have perked him up, he's back to eating more normally, and seems a bit more energetic. I should still probably bring him in just in case its more serious.

[Mary_NH]

yeah...good idea.
Shouldn't give any animals medication meant for another. Dosage could be all wrong, you don't know what's wrong with him and the meds you gave could actually work against him.
Never a good idea - wouldn't give your kid meds meant for you.
I'd get him checked.
Glad he's eating better but it's still a dangerous practice to do that.

[disneeworld]

Well 200 hundred bucks later, now 500 in the past week, it seems the cat I just brought in yesterday(Casey) may just have an infection like JAKE had, blood work relatively normal, thyroid test normal, so she wants to put him on an antibiotic. The expense is crazy. All these tests on 2 cats just to have it all be for the most part ok. This may sound odd or misplaced but I almost wish there were something more definitevly wrong, this way the tests would feel more like they were more worth the expense. If it was real real bad, I could have opted sadly for euthanasia, maybe not so much for JAKE since he's only 8, and my fave, but for CASEY who is going on 14. I am so glad they're both ok, but 71 bux for a CBC, 42 for thyroid, 41 for other blood profile, plus 37 for exam, 29 for a Jake recheck, 22 for more antibiotic(a small bottle 15ml) really adds up. SPCA takes forever to get an appt. or a call back, they are more suited for an annual checkup planned many days in advance, so I had no cheaper option this time around.
Well let's see which one of these furry guys is next on the vet's choppin' block...

[vene]

Ouch, ouch ,ouch on the expenses. Glad they are all doing well.