This article is part news and part discussion on how large a veterinary clinic bill your outside cat ran up when he came home injured. Be sure to read this story by Telegraph.co.uk as a woman shares her experience when her cat disappeared and she was afraid it was taken by the Croydon cat killer. The investigators later announced the Croydon killer was animal related (as in coyote).

Billy before his tail amputation (Anne Gulland)

Anne Gulland, along with her family, were fortunate because her cat Billy wandered back home six days after he went missing with his tail between his legs. An x-ray showed Billy had a broken tail and it needed to be amputated. It was broken in two places and the vet was unsure whether Billy had been hit by a car or whether someone yanked his tail hard enough to break it.

Billy ran up a bill at the clinic for £600. In an interview with Telegraph.co.uk Anne told of another family with an even higher bill.

“Having shared my story of Billy with other pet owners, we came off quite lightly. Someone told me of a dog who needed £5,500-worth of surgery and when his owners checked their insurance policy, it turned out that it would only pay out £1,000.”

Our cat Sealy was injured by a car fan blade/belt before we adopted him in 2012. His veterinary and surgical bills during the first six months exceeded $1,600. I’ve learned from experience that veterinarians are going up on their prices the same as every other business out to make a profit. Someone has to pay for all of the diagnostic equipment and it’s usually the pet owner.

I’ve followed injured cats and dogs as I snoop around on Facebook looking for articles to write on. Some have been seriously injured with expenses totaling more than $10,000! Especially an animal shot or hit by a vehicle.

Sure, cats can get hurt inside the home almost as easily as they can outside. Outside accidents tend to be bloody (for lack of a better term). Between x-rays and surgery and medication to help the cat heal when injured, veterinary care can drain a bank account in only a few days.

Have any of you been hit with a high veterinary bill after your cat was injured outside? Please share the amount and what happened in the comments.

I think it’s very important for people to realize just how empty their wallet will be after an injury. A lot of cats and dogs are euthanized simply because their owner can’t afford lifesaving treatment.

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