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need medical advice EXPERINECED OWNERS ONLY, PLEASE!

3377 Views 13 Replies 7 Participants Last post by  PixiesExoticHedgies
I took cloud to the vet the other day. The diagnosis isn't good.

Cloud's white blood cell count is way above what it should be where as his red blood cell count is very low. he pees and dirnks way too much for normal, so the doctor is suspecting that it is kidney disease. Cloud also has very bad rotted teeth with very little gums. The main reason i took him in was because of the large glof ball sized lump on his right hind hip. It is getting worse and has now extended down to his leg and foot. The doctor suspects it is either a very very bad infection or cancer. He has given me strong anitbiotics and pain meds to administer to cloud for the next two weeks. thet vet is wanting to do a biopsy.

Now here is my problem. I am at my financial limit. In the last 6 months i have spend over $1100 on this little guy with this last vet visit costing me $635. I now have no rent for next months, not that i'm complaining, just that i am at my wits end. I cannot afford to the biospy and i just feel like a horrible person. i strongly believe that you should not buy a pet if you cannot take it to the vet. i feel like i have failed Cloud because it is not his fault, what i need to know is whether or not to put him down now before it gets too bad or keep him on the meds until i feel it is right for him to go. there is no other option.
i realize i'm going to get crisized for my decsion but realize that whatever you choose to say to me i've already said to myself in a much meaner way.

thanks for the advice.
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Such a sad situation and I'm sorry that you're having to go through this. You have definitely spent much more than the average person would have spent on a hedgehog or any animal for that matter. We've been in similar situations twice in the past....once with cat that we spent $2000 on, and the other was our dog that we spent nearly $3000 on. We didn't have the money at the time, so we used our credit cards and then stayed home for months eating mac-n-cheese and beanie weenies for supper. But neither of these situations were similar to Cloud, in the respect that it sounds like Cloud is nearing the end of the Rainbow Bridge. In this case, I believe that you should never let an animal suffer. I'd keep him on the antibiotics and do your best to keep him comfortable for as long as you can. But don't question yourself anymore, as you have done your best and the best that you could afford to do. It's possible that spending more money still would not save him. Feel proud that you've given the little one a good home and a good life! When the time comes, keep you head held high and know that he will no longer be suffering as he crosses the Rainbow Bridge.

Best wishes and hugs from all of us a Pixie's Exotic Hedgies!
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