Sqweek (old cat) off his food (again)
Discussion
hi all,
Well, after getting Kahn the Bengal settled in quite well, I am getting more and more concerned for Sqweek, the old boy.
Been trying him wi lots of varieties of cat food, plus fresh chicken and fish, and he's eating a few bits / mouthfuls and that's it.
He has breakfast, dinner and supper, so a few mouthfuls three times a day, and is very inactive now.
The last time he used to quite enjoy what we were eating and would nosh down on fish and chicken when we had them, but now whilst he's still interested, again, a few mouthfuls and he's had enough.
He has damaged kidneys and frequently has blood in his pee, and leaves spots of blood around after having a pee. Does very few poos.
I kinda know his body is slowly packing up, but I don't get any signs he's in a lot of pain or anything (beyond his arthritis from his hips). He's even enjoying the company of Kahn, when Kahn isn't being naughty and playing hide and jump out.
He still comes up and sits by me in the evening, struggles to get comfortable most of the time, but still says hello.
Still purring like a freight train and talking to me, but has had a cough the past couple of months so he now has an electric blanket and I leave the gas fire on very low all night for warmth.
Hanging on in there and sleeping and purring his twilight years / months away.
Dunno why I wrote this post really, right now he almost reminds me of my mum and dad when they were in the respite home, eating next to nothing, sleeping loads but happy in their way.
Richard
Well, after getting Kahn the Bengal settled in quite well, I am getting more and more concerned for Sqweek, the old boy.
Been trying him wi lots of varieties of cat food, plus fresh chicken and fish, and he's eating a few bits / mouthfuls and that's it.
He has breakfast, dinner and supper, so a few mouthfuls three times a day, and is very inactive now.
The last time he used to quite enjoy what we were eating and would nosh down on fish and chicken when we had them, but now whilst he's still interested, again, a few mouthfuls and he's had enough.
He has damaged kidneys and frequently has blood in his pee, and leaves spots of blood around after having a pee. Does very few poos.
I kinda know his body is slowly packing up, but I don't get any signs he's in a lot of pain or anything (beyond his arthritis from his hips). He's even enjoying the company of Kahn, when Kahn isn't being naughty and playing hide and jump out.
He still comes up and sits by me in the evening, struggles to get comfortable most of the time, but still says hello.
Still purring like a freight train and talking to me, but has had a cough the past couple of months so he now has an electric blanket and I leave the gas fire on very low all night for warmth.
Hanging on in there and sleeping and purring his twilight years / months away.
Dunno why I wrote this post really, right now he almost reminds me of my mum and dad when they were in the respite home, eating next to nothing, sleeping loads but happy in their way.
Richard
What does your vet say? Lots of those things could be at least improved if not cured, in theory anyway - it might be even just that a regular small dose of a painkiller perks him right up.
I had a 'palliative care foster' for a year, some time ago - so the purpose from the off was controlling what symptoms we could and giving him the best possible time. It was in the main very successful and I'm very glad we decided to try. I had him a year, but we were only expecting to keep him going for a few weeks, a month or 2 at best - that's how much he perked up on steroids!
I had a 'palliative care foster' for a year, some time ago - so the purpose from the off was controlling what symptoms we could and giving him the best possible time. It was in the main very successful and I'm very glad we decided to try. I had him a year, but we were only expecting to keep him going for a few weeks, a month or 2 at best - that's how much he perked up on steroids!
He's 22.5 years old.
Heart murmur (so the vet is very against steroids as they'll stress his heart more), dodgy kidneys and liver.
Last visit to the vets was for hardly eating and the vet basically couldn't find anything wrong, gave him an antibiotic injection and a steroid injection (after double checking I knew the risks and gave the OK). That did pick him up a lot for a few months, 4 months IIRC.
I've searched for any sort of long term pain killers suitable for palliative care and found that the general consensus is "none", or the most recent one that does exist, they say it's great short term but bad news long term. (which to me seems to mean it's great, and he'll be pain free for the remainder of his life, but it ensures that time is limited to 6 months or a year or so)
With his heart regular steroids are too much of a risk.
Other drugs, he doesn't like taking pills and is that fussy an eater right now, and when younger could easily detect anything put in food / milk / wrapped in cheese / wrapped in ham, so getting anything into him will be a challenge.
Yes, I think I'll ring or go and see the vets and ask them about pain medication. Doesn't hurt to ask and get him checked over, although I'm confident the check up will reveal nothing - I'm sure he's just getting old(er).
Heart murmur (so the vet is very against steroids as they'll stress his heart more), dodgy kidneys and liver.
Last visit to the vets was for hardly eating and the vet basically couldn't find anything wrong, gave him an antibiotic injection and a steroid injection (after double checking I knew the risks and gave the OK). That did pick him up a lot for a few months, 4 months IIRC.
I've searched for any sort of long term pain killers suitable for palliative care and found that the general consensus is "none", or the most recent one that does exist, they say it's great short term but bad news long term. (which to me seems to mean it's great, and he'll be pain free for the remainder of his life, but it ensures that time is limited to 6 months or a year or so)
With his heart regular steroids are too much of a risk.
Other drugs, he doesn't like taking pills and is that fussy an eater right now, and when younger could easily detect anything put in food / milk / wrapped in cheese / wrapped in ham, so getting anything into him will be a challenge.
Yes, I think I'll ring or go and see the vets and ask them about pain medication. Doesn't hurt to ask and get him checked over, although I'm confident the check up will reveal nothing - I'm sure he's just getting old(er).
I think you need to take him to the Vet; I know why you aren't and feel for you, but it is the kindest thing you can do for your old friend, ensure that he isn't in pain; the Vet may be able to help, not make your fears real - those pain killers may give him a good 6 months rather than a painful 2...
Yes, sorry for being snappy MC.
I've dealt with more or less constant pain for the past 14 years (motorbike accident smashed leg, and the knee was wrecked in the healing process), been on various prescription pain killers for all that time, so very familiar with living in a state of 'constant pain which you just shove into the background and ignore as you can, and you adapt your life and habits to alleviate it as much as possible' and recognise exactly the same thing in Sqweek.
At the mo the new cat and old cat are at the state of accepting each other, they'll lie within a couple of inches of each other on the sofa looking around at me and the world - not glaring at the other, no hair raised, no growling. Kahn (new) tries to get Sqweek (old) to play every now and then and Sqweek is teaching him what the limits are and when he's not in the mood and Kahn is learning. Sqweeks health has actually improved since Kahn came, he's more mobile now than he was, and there's no more yowling his head off after he's had dinner and doesn't see anyone. I've also spotted Sqweek chasing Kahn (in play, not anger) a couple of times much to my amazement! Also little things like the condition of his coat, if the little bit of fur right at the base of his tail / back is puffed up or not, whiskers back or forward, eyes looking around and at me, or downwards, the difference between an "ouch, it hurts" sqweek and a "happy" sqweek, whether he's happy to snuggle into my shoulder and bump my face when there.
(yes, they're surrogate kids, meh!)
Ok, will visit the vets, see what they recommend knowing his history and conditions.
I've dealt with more or less constant pain for the past 14 years (motorbike accident smashed leg, and the knee was wrecked in the healing process), been on various prescription pain killers for all that time, so very familiar with living in a state of 'constant pain which you just shove into the background and ignore as you can, and you adapt your life and habits to alleviate it as much as possible' and recognise exactly the same thing in Sqweek.
At the mo the new cat and old cat are at the state of accepting each other, they'll lie within a couple of inches of each other on the sofa looking around at me and the world - not glaring at the other, no hair raised, no growling. Kahn (new) tries to get Sqweek (old) to play every now and then and Sqweek is teaching him what the limits are and when he's not in the mood and Kahn is learning. Sqweeks health has actually improved since Kahn came, he's more mobile now than he was, and there's no more yowling his head off after he's had dinner and doesn't see anyone. I've also spotted Sqweek chasing Kahn (in play, not anger) a couple of times much to my amazement! Also little things like the condition of his coat, if the little bit of fur right at the base of his tail / back is puffed up or not, whiskers back or forward, eyes looking around and at me, or downwards, the difference between an "ouch, it hurts" sqweek and a "happy" sqweek, whether he's happy to snuggle into my shoulder and bump my face when there.
(yes, they're surrogate kids, meh!)
Ok, will visit the vets, see what they recommend knowing his history and conditions.
If Squeek's heart isn't too bad then I really don't see an issue with steroids, cats are fairly resilient to the side effects of steroids and tbh I've never heard of a heart murmur being a reason not to use them but obviously I'm no vet.
My cat is currently on 10mgs a day at the mo and coping well (except for being hungry).
Steroids aren't the best pain relief but they are useful when other drugs are not possible.
We did have an elderly cat with kidney issues on metacam at work. Her arthritis was severe and that needed treatment. Her kidneys coped well even though it is technically contra indicated (she was on kidney diet)'and lived for another 3yrs (19yrs old)
It's great that Squeek seems to be accepting your new cat just keep a look out for subtle signs of stress that may trigger episodes like this.
My cat is currently on 10mgs a day at the mo and coping well (except for being hungry).
Steroids aren't the best pain relief but they are useful when other drugs are not possible.
We did have an elderly cat with kidney issues on metacam at work. Her arthritis was severe and that needed treatment. Her kidneys coped well even though it is technically contra indicated (she was on kidney diet)'and lived for another 3yrs (19yrs old)
It's great that Squeek seems to be accepting your new cat just keep a look out for subtle signs of stress that may trigger episodes like this.
Thanks for all the comments and advice.
Just back from the vets.
He's has an anti inflammatory steroid injection and an antibiotic injection.
These will last approx 7 days and will give him enough pain relief to see if he will pick up a bit, or if his body is simply shutting down.
Vet says there have anti inflammatory steroid injections that last longer than a week, forgot to ask exactly how long - but if he needs them I suspect I'll buy a 10 pack or whatever they come in from the vets and inject them myself.
So, question mark still hanging over him, but at least he's in a lot less pain than he was, which is the main thing.
Just back from the vets.
He's has an anti inflammatory steroid injection and an antibiotic injection.
These will last approx 7 days and will give him enough pain relief to see if he will pick up a bit, or if his body is simply shutting down.
Vet says there have anti inflammatory steroid injections that last longer than a week, forgot to ask exactly how long - but if he needs them I suspect I'll buy a 10 pack or whatever they come in from the vets and inject them myself.
So, question mark still hanging over him, but at least he's in a lot less pain than he was, which is the main thing.
Only vets can give them? The vets know he just sits there like a sack of spuds and I'm happy to do it, but if the law says it can't be done, that's it I suppose, albeit a bit silly.
He's drank loads this morning and evening, and ate a bit more than he usually eats this tea time, and came and said hello and lied near his bed in a place where he can see me, so positive news but time will tell. Last time he had these injections he really picked up in a couple of days, and in 4~5 days he was looking like he was 2 years younger.
(he has loads of beds and pillows everywhere, but like all cats prefers *one* bed, and it's got to be in *one* place - all the others are just stopgaps to be snoozed on, on the way to *the* bed!)
He's drank loads this morning and evening, and ate a bit more than he usually eats this tea time, and came and said hello and lied near his bed in a place where he can see me, so positive news but time will tell. Last time he had these injections he really picked up in a couple of days, and in 4~5 days he was looking like he was 2 years younger.
(he has loads of beds and pillows everywhere, but like all cats prefers *one* bed, and it's got to be in *one* place - all the others are just stopgaps to be snoozed on, on the way to *the* bed!)
It's not as easy as that, it is not about the giving the injection. It is because it is dose for weight guided. It won't be at a set time like insulin and there are side effects to the injection that need to be checked before repeating. Of course your Vets may be ok with it so you can obviously ask but they will still want to ck Squeek regularly.
Thanks Bex, I wonder if this is the same stuff you are thinking of as they did not weigh him both times they have given him this injection?
Today he's been drinking that much water it's literally overflowing out of him, dribbling clear wee. Also hardly eating and in obvious pain from bad constipation.
Will be going back to vets tomorrow morning ASAP. I guess they could give him sedation and an enema to clear out his bowel, on the other hand he's very old and very weak right now, and I don't know if getting bunged up that much will damage anything, I've read up on megacolon. I've gently felt around and couldn't feel a big hard mass in there, there is something towards the rectum, but smaller than a usual cat stool (in diameter).
I know the vet said if these injections didn't work they did have something stronger, but also said in reality it's time for me to think about making that call if he didn't improve.
It's damned impossible to make that call that his life is that poor that now it's that time, vs he might recover and have a couple more years of lazy enjoyment. Let's see what the vet says, I'm ready to do whatever's best for him.
Today he's been drinking that much water it's literally overflowing out of him, dribbling clear wee. Also hardly eating and in obvious pain from bad constipation.
Will be going back to vets tomorrow morning ASAP. I guess they could give him sedation and an enema to clear out his bowel, on the other hand he's very old and very weak right now, and I don't know if getting bunged up that much will damage anything, I've read up on megacolon. I've gently felt around and couldn't feel a big hard mass in there, there is something towards the rectum, but smaller than a usual cat stool (in diameter).
I know the vet said if these injections didn't work they did have something stronger, but also said in reality it's time for me to think about making that call if he didn't improve.
It's damned impossible to make that call that his life is that poor that now it's that time, vs he might recover and have a couple more years of lazy enjoyment. Let's see what the vet says, I'm ready to do whatever's best for him.
That's all you can do 
. Sadly the constipation may be a mixture of poor appetite and the fact that muscle strength in elderly cats reduces making the act of defecating much harder esp if the faeces is sl dry.
We tend to weigh animals every visit (unless they are in practically daily) not all vets do it that rigourisly. There will still be dose range.
I hope they can help.
. Sadly the constipation may be a mixture of poor appetite and the fact that muscle strength in elderly cats reduces making the act of defecating much harder esp if the faeces is sl dry.We tend to weigh animals every visit (unless they are in practically daily) not all vets do it that rigourisly. There will still be dose range.
I hope they can help.
Vet couldn't find anything obvious, so could offer a diagnostic route or cortisone which would just be a short term pain relief and not address anything.
Wasn't fair to let him be in pain any longer whilst blood tests done and prodded and poked so he was put to sleep.
God, I'll miss him.
Wasn't fair to let him be in pain any longer whilst blood tests done and prodded and poked so he was put to sleep.
God, I'll miss him.
Gassing Station | All Creatures Great & Small | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff