Unfortunately, I cannot advocate for the cranberry juice. We are sort
of in the same boat. I just lost my job but our beloved cat Max
developed a Urinary Tract Infection.

What timing! But Max is more like a family member than just a cat. I
really, truly feel for your situation. Been there! Believe me!

There is help! My neighbor took in a stray and decided to keep the
cat. She was able to get some sort of assistance (because the cat
ended up with a UTI) so that all the vet bills were covered for her.
She paid a total of out-of-the-pocket expense of $35.00!

I think it is really unfair to expect the Vets office to work free of
charge, so thank goodness if you can find some help!

So, if you love the cat, if it is worth it to you, you will figure out
a solution.

My Max developed a UTI in December and we got him into the Vets
office... he took the anti-biotics well, but less than a month later I
had to bring him back to the vet because I could see he was having
trouble eliminating again. Poor baby! The Vet said it was fortunate
that I got him in on time because usually by the time he sees the cats
with this issue they are really, really sick! Max then developed a
blockage. You would never guess that Max was sick except that he was
trying to eliminate in places in the house other than his litter box
(not the norm for this lap cat)!

Max is now on a special diet to prevent future blockages. He is very
special to me so I will have to do what I have to do. It kills me that
Vets charge so much these days. It is cheaper to have a Vet come out
and look at my horses than it is for them to look at my cat! Something
is wrong with that picture, but at the same time... the Vet can't work
for free!!! That is for sure!

The thing that you need to figure out is what you CAN afford at this
time and then how to go about getting the help you need (both for the
health care of the cat and the bills that go along with the health
care).

There is assistance out there. I wish I could point you at least in
the right direction, but there is help out there. People who care for
animals who know that many cats go without good homes... they are
often willing to help.

Please know that my thoughts are with you and your cat. Only you know
what your financial situation is at this time. My Vet was willing to
work with me. I was lucky. Not all "good vets" are willing to do that
because it opens the door to many deadbeats. It is wrong for people to
say "good vets" will work with you. Not all good vets are willing to
do so because they have been duped. Animal lovers are not always the
most responsible of people.

So, my heartfelt wishes go with you. I hope things turn out well for
you. A UTI can be a very serious condition and can cause the death of
your cat.

Hope all works out for you.

Phil is right. I am not dissing you but years ago I had a friend who
would not
listen to me (I offered to take her and male cat to her vet....the
hoomin was
old and didn;t drive) I was horrified later to learn from her
caretaker that the
poor cat died an agonized death witnessed by the caregiver. I am sure
the
cat's ureter or urethra was blocked. Take your cat to vet *now* as
Phil
says or you may be very sorry you didn't. Work out a payment plan.

mc,
Just ignore IBen G's posts.  Most people here do.

The best advice has already been given to Charlotte.  She needs to get her
cat to a vet somehow.  I wouldn't mess with home remedies.  As you
suggested, try the humane society.  They usually offer care at a cheaper
rate than some vets.  See if the vet will consider a payment plan.  But the
cat really needs to be seen by a vet.

S.