It's that time where I'm not sure what to do.....
Discussion
Both of my cats are over 18, which in itself is a good effort.
But one of them, Katy, has now got me wondering what I do. About a week or so ago I noticed her belly looking bloated, almost like she was pregnant. She seemed fine 'in herself'.......eating normally, drinking normally......
Took her to the vet, who took some bloods.....when I came back the vet was really positive, telling me everything actually looks really good, except white blood cell count was massive. She said she thought perhaps this was a cyst that was leaking fluid, that treating with antibiotics would sort. I was told to book to see the vet again in two days.
Went back, different vet this time, had a feel of the tummy and fairly unceremoniously seemed to disagree with previous opinion, said she can feel things which are likely cancer, and that's causing the fluid.
Given she's 18, I said it seems stupid to go through the cost and process involved to perform a biopsy let alone chemo or whatever the option was.
So, I'm left wondering what the next step is. She still seems in good health in terms of not being in obvious pain, eating/drinking as normal. The biggest issue is that she's now weeing pretty much anywhere she likes......we have litter tray and more and more puppy training pads dotted around, but every day there's wee on the floor. I'm WFH today and working in the kitchen watched her just stop in her tracks and let loose on the kitchen floor (just wee).
So, as it is, I have a cat who most likely does have cancer, but for now at least seems in good spirits/health, with the only major problem being she wees on the floor which is very unhelpful. But, do you put a cat down because it wees on the floor?
I've had them both for 18 years, so I've known the day comes eventually. But I'm currently unsure when that day is.
But one of them, Katy, has now got me wondering what I do. About a week or so ago I noticed her belly looking bloated, almost like she was pregnant. She seemed fine 'in herself'.......eating normally, drinking normally......
Took her to the vet, who took some bloods.....when I came back the vet was really positive, telling me everything actually looks really good, except white blood cell count was massive. She said she thought perhaps this was a cyst that was leaking fluid, that treating with antibiotics would sort. I was told to book to see the vet again in two days.
Went back, different vet this time, had a feel of the tummy and fairly unceremoniously seemed to disagree with previous opinion, said she can feel things which are likely cancer, and that's causing the fluid.
Given she's 18, I said it seems stupid to go through the cost and process involved to perform a biopsy let alone chemo or whatever the option was.
So, I'm left wondering what the next step is. She still seems in good health in terms of not being in obvious pain, eating/drinking as normal. The biggest issue is that she's now weeing pretty much anywhere she likes......we have litter tray and more and more puppy training pads dotted around, but every day there's wee on the floor. I'm WFH today and working in the kitchen watched her just stop in her tracks and let loose on the kitchen floor (just wee).
So, as it is, I have a cat who most likely does have cancer, but for now at least seems in good spirits/health, with the only major problem being she wees on the floor which is very unhelpful. But, do you put a cat down because it wees on the floor?
I've had them both for 18 years, so I've known the day comes eventually. But I'm currently unsure when that day is.
geeks said:
Its a really tough decision. Did the second vet still hand out the antibiotics? Would a course of those really do any harm to see if things improve? I am guessing she is peeing as she is bloated and it is pressing on her bladder.
Yeah I've got the antibiotics still going with them, but not seeing any change. Will keep going with it. But yeah, the weeing thing is going to cause issues. rossub said:
Would I put my girl to sleep because she wees everywhere?
No, I d look to restrict where she is able to go in the house while she s still eating ok and not in pain.
Yes I think that's our next move, try and work out how to restrict her to just the kitchen area......not very simple to do given there's a huge open doorway/archway into the living room No, I d look to restrict where she is able to go in the house while she s still eating ok and not in pain.
Having last year seen our two cocker spaniels die, the first of cancer the second (his mother) seven weeks later, in hindsight we would have made the decisions earlier than we did and saved both of them unecessary pain and suffering.
Our pets have a greater threshold for pain than we weak humans but can't tell us.
This was our experience, we should have acted earlier for both their sakes, thats something we have to live with.
Our pets have a greater threshold for pain than we weak humans but can't tell us.
This was our experience, we should have acted earlier for both their sakes, thats something we have to live with.
I am resigning myself to the fact that I might have to take that decision tonight when I get back from work
She's eating and drinking well still, but this fluid in the abdomen is getting to the point she lies down to eat, and she's weeing all over the place. Getting horrible to see.
Mrs UTH is going to call the vet in a bit to see if draining the fluid is an option, otherwise I think I know what needs to be done
She's eating and drinking well still, but this fluid in the abdomen is getting to the point she lies down to eat, and she's weeing all over the place. Getting horrible to see.
Mrs UTH is going to call the vet in a bit to see if draining the fluid is an option, otherwise I think I know what needs to be done
It is tough, but really the critical point is when she is clearly in pain, feeling down all the time, not eating.
Puppy pads might be an idea, or old towels that you can boil wash and swap as required. Get a carpet cleaner extraction machine for any carpets and rugs (handy thing to have with any large pet TBH, and handy for cars).
From personal experience of several elderly cats, cats can sometimes seem to be circling the drain and suddenly bounce back. I don't want to give you false hope but getting euthanasia out of the way to avoid her suffering might not be the right thing.
So, obviously have the vet appointment re the drainage, they're best placed to advise, but if they recommend holding off on euthanasia then they're not just trying to boost their takings.
Puppy pads might be an idea, or old towels that you can boil wash and swap as required. Get a carpet cleaner extraction machine for any carpets and rugs (handy thing to have with any large pet TBH, and handy for cars).
From personal experience of several elderly cats, cats can sometimes seem to be circling the drain and suddenly bounce back. I don't want to give you false hope but getting euthanasia out of the way to avoid her suffering might not be the right thing.
So, obviously have the vet appointment re the drainage, they're best placed to advise, but if they recommend holding off on euthanasia then they're not just trying to boost their takings.
donkmeister said:
It is tough, but really the critical point is when she is clearly in pain, feeling down all the time, not eating.
Puppy pads might be an idea, or old towels that you can boil wash and swap as required. Get a carpet cleaner extraction machine for any carpets and rugs (handy thing to have with any large pet TBH, and handy for cars).
From personal experience of several elderly cats, cats can sometimes seem to be circling the drain and suddenly bounce back. I don't want to give you false hope but getting euthanasia out of the way to avoid her suffering might not be the right thing.
Thanks guys Puppy pads might be an idea, or old towels that you can boil wash and swap as required. Get a carpet cleaner extraction machine for any carpets and rugs (handy thing to have with any large pet TBH, and handy for cars).
From personal experience of several elderly cats, cats can sometimes seem to be circling the drain and suddenly bounce back. I don't want to give you false hope but getting euthanasia out of the way to avoid her suffering might not be the right thing.
We're getting through up to 8 puppy pads a day! We've barricaded the house so she can only be in the kitchen/dining area, all hardwood floor, so it's just about manageable, but not exactly great.
My main confliction is that she IS eating and drinking as normal, and doesn't "seem" to be in pain, it's just this extra weight of the fluid is making walking hard! Without this fluid, I can't help feel she'd actually be fairly ok......
I certainly don't want to pull the plug unless I absolutely think it's the right thing
UTH said:
My main confliction is that she IS eating and drinking as normal, and doesn't "seem" to be in pain, it's just this extra weight of the fluid is making walking hard! Without this fluid, I can't help feel she'd actually be fairly ok......
I certainly don't want to pull the plug unless I absolutely think it's the right thing
Totally understandable.I certainly don't want to pull the plug unless I absolutely think it's the right thing
You're doing the right thing by looking at the possibilities to ameliorate her issues whilst also keeping a realistic view of what is best for her.
It's surprisingly hard to strike that balance.
Good luck for later.
rossub said:
donkmeister said:
It is tough, but really the critical point is when she is clearly in pain, feeling down all the time, not eating.
That s my thoughts as well while a cat still wants to eat, there is hope. I know with mine, the first sign of something being off is her not eating.So the fact she's eating and drinking at the moment makes me think surely it's not quite time yet.
A slightly different view…
We can only guess what they’re feeling/thinking and whilst eating/drinking can be reassuring, it’s clear she’s unwell.
At this age, with a condition that’s irreversible, who are you keeping her alive for? Does she really have a good quality of life?
Prioritise comfort for her over everything else.
We can only guess what they’re feeling/thinking and whilst eating/drinking can be reassuring, it’s clear she’s unwell.
At this age, with a condition that’s irreversible, who are you keeping her alive for? Does she really have a good quality of life?
Prioritise comfort for her over everything else.
Gassing Station | All Creatures Great & Small | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff