OT-Very sick cat...what would you guys do?

[drbanner]

Well, you know what they do on the farm . . .

 

Yep, my dad grew up on a farm and we put down our first cat the old-fashioned way, but in later years he procured chloroform out of his lab such that the next two went much "cleaner".

 

We just had to put down one of our 12-year old Cockers, and it was a situation just like yours (not knowing the problem, and facing thousands in potential vet bills). Knowing how painful the decision is to make, I'll only say that euthanasia is a viable alternative when your pet gets to the point of not eating, playing, and/or basically living a fulfilling life...

[ArAich]

Any advice? What would you guys do?

 

It's the hardest part of having a pet...my advice is to say your goodbyes and put kitty kat to sleep...

Been there , done that and I don't have any consoling words except...I feel your pain...

 

BTW...I'm assuming that this is an indoor cat and that it is not sustaining itself by other means unbeknownst to you...

[ComicSupply]

Personally I feel that putting an animal to sleep should really be used as a last resort. A cat might be able to sustain itself for awhile on Ensure. If the cat still drinks, a vanilla ensure might give him/her enough hydration to get better. It could be something or could be nothing. My lab died in the house about 6 months ago and I tried some medicine and what not, but in the end he died at home.

 

This was very hard on an emotional level, but not as hard as it would of been had I taken him into the vet for it.

 

One thing I did notice, and perhaps you notice it as well, but does the cat smell different? Towards the end with Jake, I noticed he smelled different. I have to think this is the smell of death coming for him. It has to do with certain proteins being released from things shutting down. Who knows... hard topic, and a foking downer as well.

[shrunkenhead]

Jeff, has the cat been around any pesticides as of late? Bugman come over to spray or something?

 

That happened with my sister-in-law's cat last year. The pesticide triggered some kind of serious internal infection that caused the cat to stop eating. Poor thing was on the brink of death, but was brought back via the insertion of a feeding tube. Tube was taken out after 10 days or so, did the trick, and didn't cost anywhere near as much as the bills you're talking about (about $300).

 

Worth asking about/looking into, in any case. Good luck.

[jussadude-migration]

My cat is only about 8 years old. Had the exact same problem last year. Turned out it was gingivitis (sp?) and he was refusing to eat anything hard. Additionally, he was running a fever (some cat infection) and the fever was making him sick so that when he ate ANYTHING, he puked it back up. Doc gave him a steroid shot for the mouth, and some antibiotic for the infection/fever. He did great for the next six months. Then, right back into the same mold, and we took him back in again for the exact same treatment. He's losing weight again, and getting a bit lethargic, so it's maybe another month before we do it again. It perks him back up okay. Doc says we can keep doing it until the fever screws up his internal organs and he starts shutting down (maybe another year?). We also brush his teeth, as well as feed him only REALLY soft food (that expensive stuff in the little bitty can - 3x per day). He seems fine in between shots. Good luck.

[Joanna]

Your cat is playing, purring, jumping -- why put him down? Pay for the vet (specialist or 2nd opinion) and find out what's wrong. 10 isn't that old, and he's not acting like he wants to die if he's playing with string, etc. It could be something small. You can always make more money, but your cat is unique.

 

-- Joanna

[BellaDonna]

If you could find another vet that is cheaper than that specialist I would go with that. I also would get a copy of all the tests done (blood work etc.) and that will should save you from doing those tests again and cut costs for you.

 

When our dog was sick, he was misdiagnosed so I always think a second opinion is not a bad idea although I didn't realize that until it was too late.

 

I would also try to feed your cat some sort of nutrients such as CS said. Cats can develop some sort of liver disease caused from ingesting fewer calories than are needed to meet the body's needs. I am not sure how quickly that progresses. I know my cousin had to deal with this problem and it was just another issue on top of the first issue with her cat.

 

I wish you luck with this, I know it is very hard. I hope everything turns out ok.

[nearmint]

Thanks for the advice everyone. We've decided to take her to the specialist in the morning. I'll let you know what happens.

[kiltman]

Good luck

[Flaming_Telepath]

Thanks for the advice everyone. We've decided to take her to the specialist in the morning. I'll let you know what happens.

 

Hey, you have the thoughts of myself and my own tribe with you.

 

All the best, man!

[ArAich]

Thanks for the advice everyone. We've decided to take her to the specialist in the morning. I'll let you know what happens.

 

 

[Fan4Fan]

We lost our 21-year old a couple of years ago. She stopped eating the last week to 10 days.

 

The vet couldn't see any obstruction but thought maybe it was an abcess or tumor in her throat (or pushing her throat closed) that he couldn't see.

 

At that age, he didn't really want to do any exploratory surgery...

[divad]

Your cat is playing, purring, jumping -- why put him down? Pay for the vet (specialist or 2nd opinion) and find out what's wrong. 10 isn't that old, and he's not acting like he wants to die if he's playing with string, etc. It could be something small. You can always make more money, but your cat is unique.

 

-- Joanna

 

Well said J

[joe_collector]

Who knows... hard topic, and a foking downer as well.

 

Yeah, and that's one of the many reasons why I don't own pets.

[nearmint]

We were all set to take her to the specialist this morning, when she started eating, both canned food and dry food. I called the vet, and as long as she keeps eating, we're not doing anything for a week, when the vet will take another look at her.

 

Keeping our fingers crossed that she keeps eating.

 

Thanks for the well wishes everyone!

[skybolt]

Congrats

[Zonker]

Great to hear! And

[HighVoltage]

best of luck!

 

[sfilosa]

We were all set to take her to the specialist this morning, when she started eating, both canned food and dry food. I called the vet, and as long as she keeps eating, we're not doing anything for a week, when the vet will take another look at her.

 

Keeping our fingers crossed that she keeps eating.

 

Thanks for the well wishes everyone!

 

Great news.

[skybolt]

Treat her to some Fancy Feast.