URGENT! i cant tell if my cat is dying!

Hi Georgydude,

I am so sorry you are going through this. I remember when I had a few sick pets and I was a kid staying with my grandma, she could not afford to take them to a vet. So we went to the local shelter and they took a look at them for a reduced cost. Maybe if you explain your situation, they might help you. It sounds like bottom line is that you need some bloodwork done to see what is going on inside your kitty. Maybe someone will help. Or you can try a local university if they have a vet program. Anyone with half a heart should try to help you. I will be thinking good thoughts for you.

Terri

If money wasn't an issue, I would be recommending blood tests with those symptoms. Ulualoha's suggestion is a good one.

good news. It seems like shes walking better. I havent seen her falls for a while, and i saw her walking up and down the steps a couple times. I think her breath is pretty much normal. The only thing is that i noticed her eys are still rolling around strangely once in a while. Today she was walking up to me like usual but i noticed when i pet her her eyes rolled in opposite directions. She doesn't seem to notice, so i hope it doesnt bother her, but i dont know wat it means. Everything seems to be improving besides that. Another thing that worried me is that i was petting her and i noticed a tiny "pimple-like" bump on her head, right behind her ear. It doesnt seems like it hurts or anything. It may have even been there before, and im just noticing it now and being paranoid. But idk.... i just hope she gets all better soon. Shes also using the litter box normally, which is good. Shes urinating and her poop is normal colored. Her behavior is normal, so i think shes getting better.

I am sorry your baby is sick!

I really hope you are able to figure out a way to get her the bloodwork she sounds like she needs. I would be going crazy with the symptoms you posted about. I really feel for you.

I just read your update. I hope she is getting better!

I am very concerned for this kitty. You are both in my prayers. Light colored feces can signify liver probs. Lip licking usually means she is feeling sick to her tummy. Wobbly and falling could mean neuropathy, and as far as I know there are several causes for it. Try to get her to drink as much as possible, and if you are feeding dry food, please consider canned instead. You can read up on feline nutrition at www.catinfo.org. But if you make the switch, you should do it slowly, and ask your vet first. If you can, call the vets office and ask questions to give you a better idea what could be going on. I sure hope she gets better!

I am sorry about your situation. I know it hurts, but be strong ok? Many prayers and get well wishes coming her way. I hope you are able to get her back to the vet soon and find out whats going on.

This is the saddest thread I've ever read

I feel totally helpless and sad about the whole situation.

I can't believe a father would allow his child to be traumatized the way Georgydude is having to watch his/her companion of 11 years sick, wasting away and probably in pain.

I can't believe that this man has no regard for life, or for the feelings of his child

Yes, I know we are only getting one side of the story, but the side that I'm hearing disgusts me to no end

Georgydude, I'm sorry you are having to deal with such a situation and I'm sorry that you are powerless because of your age to do anything more to help your baby

I do have a suggestion. Your kitty really, really needs to see the vet and get something done other than just "looked at". Can you talk to the vet and see if you can arrange to work off the vet bill by helping with the animals like cleaning cages or cleaning the office, or doing yard word for the clinic?

Or do you have an aunt or uncle who would help you? Maybe it could be a Christmas present for you.

Can you bake cookies and sell them to raise money? If you went around your neighbourhood selling homemade cookies and explained why you were doing that, people would more than likely buy them or give you a donation towards the vet bill if they didn't want to buy cookies.

I'm so sorry to hear that your cat is sick. It's good to hear your cat is going to the bathroom regularly. I know she maybe a bit old but it might be a good idea to think about switching her to a premium diet food. It sounds like she had some urinary/bladder problem. Since no urine test was done on her, you really can't tell what she had but common problem would be crystals in her uretha. This is normal among male cats but can become normal for female if she lacks water. Low protein might be a good idea.

As for her eyes, I think someone mentioned about retinal degeneration. If she doesn't like going through dark hallways, etc, that might be the problem. Sometimes I find this site very helpful just by reading other people's experience with their cats. I'm still haven't found how I can subscribe to this but it seems like the person responding to people's posting is a vet himself.

http://www.vetinfo4cats.com/catindex.html

Best of luck! I hope she will be fine~~~~ Try talking to your dad in putting him in your position: would he let someone he loves die just because his father feels it would be too costly to save that person your dad loves?

Hi Georgydude,

Natalie's idea of selling baked goods or asking for help from family as a Christmas present is awesome. Even if your baby is doing better, it is obvious that she needs to see a vet for some bloodwork. I really hope you can find a way to get her some help. I would still check with a shelter. Most people that work there, do love animals and are trying to make a difference. Give them a try.

I am thinking good thoughts for you.

Many hugs,
Terri

Originally Posted by TrixtersMomma

You can read up on feline nutrition at www.catinfo.com.

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She meant www.catinfo.org

the cookies idea is a good idea, but the problem isnt that we dont have enough money to pay for the vet, its that my dad doesnt want to because he doesnt think its worth it to pay a lot of money for a cat as old as her (even though shes not that old) when we're not sure if they can even help. I have more than enough moey by myself, but my dad wont let me spend that either! He's been pessimistic the whole time, a couple weeks ago when she was really bad and wouldnt move around and seemed like she was really out of it, my dad said most normal people would have had her put to sleep by then, but after only a week she was recovering pretty quickly. And btw, she only eats wet food, so i guess that's good I guess she might be licking her lips because shes sick to her stomach, but she doesnt seem like she's not feeling well other than that. The eye thing could be retinal degeneration, ill look into that link. Her feces arent lightly colored anymore, it was just that one time, so i hope that's all good, and her walking seems to be getting better and better.

She's a member of your family and is sick and needs to see a doctor. If you have your own money then you should really take her to the doctor, at least to find out what is wrong with her. Then you can decide from there what to do. It could be something as simple as needing to give her some medicine. You won't know unless you take her, and in the meantime while you think she is getting better, she could very well be getting worse.

Your Dad's stance about it being a waste of money is cruel to not only the cat, but to you as well. My Chynna is 14 years old and I don't care if she was 20 years old, if she was sick I'd be beside myself if I had someone telling me that she wasn't worth spending money on. In my opinion you can't put a price on love and loyalty.

She's your baby. She's been a faithful friend to you for 11 years and she is worthy of spending some money on to see why she is sick like she is.

You say that you don't think that 11 years is old, well I'm sorry to say that if she doesn't get proper vet care to see why she is sick, she probably won't make it to 12 years

I'm glad to hear your cat is getting better. You've been doing a great job of caring for her the best you can. I hope she keeps geting better quickly!

Originally Posted by Natalie_ca

She's a member of your family and is sick and needs to see a doctor. If you have your own money then you should really take her to the doctor, at least to find out what is wrong with her. Then you can decide from there what to do. It could be something as simple as needing to give her some medicine. You won't know unless you take her, and in the meantime while you think she is getting better, she could very well be getting worse.

Your Dad's stance about it being a waste of money is cruel to not only the cat, but to you as well. My Chynna is 14 years old and I don't care if she was 20 years old, if she was sick I'd be beside myself if I had someone telling me that she wasn't worth spending money on. In my opinion you can't put a price on love and loyalty.

She's your baby. She's been a faithful friend to you for 11 years and she is worthy of spending some money on to see why she is sick like she is.

You say that you don't think that 11 years is old, well I'm sorry to say that if she doesn't get proper vet care to see why she is sick, she probably won't make it to 12 years

Click to expand...

thats what ive been telling my dad thewhole time, we should at least try to find out wats wrong! I wish i could pay for it myself, thats wat i was going to do a couple weeks ago when i went with my friend, but the vet wouldnt let me sign any papers because they needed my dad. So because of that the vets have been useless to me, none of them have a clue wats going on. Im left trying to figure it out on my own.

And btw another thing that i noticed shes been having a lot of eye boogers. if that means anything to anyone than please let me know.

I am so happy that your kitty is doing better. However, I think the vet should still be seen.

You and your kittie are in my prayers

Originally Posted by SchwarzeKatz

She meant www.catinfo.org

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oops! thank you so much for correcting my mistake! I will go back and fix it

Originally Posted by Georgydude

thats what ive been telling my dad thewhole time, we should at least try to find out wats wrong! I wish i could pay for it myself, thats wat i was going to do a couple weeks ago when i went with my friend, but the vet wouldnt let me sign any papers because they needed my dad. So because of that the vets have been useless to me, none of them have a clue wats going on. Im left trying to figure it out on my own.

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Can't you get your friend's mom or dad or an aunt or uncle to say that the cat is theirs so that the vet will treat it?

Has your dad read this thread? If not maybe he should.

It's sad hearing some people just don't have the heart to love . I don't want to be rude here but would your father put his mother (your grandma) to sleep simply because he finds his mother too "old" and not worth the price to keep his mother alive because there is no guarantee that she can get cured?

Your cat has been with you for 11 years, so that makes her a part of your family. I would try to contact a local animal shelter or local ASPCA. It looks like your in Philly so I think they have PSPCA and see what they can do to help in convincing your dad in agreeing to let you take your cat to the vet. Not giving your cat the proper care she needs is consider an act of cruelty.

Best of luck. Hope she gets better but she still needs medical attention ASAP.

Originally Posted by Natalie_ca

She's a member of your family and is sick and needs to see a doctor. If you have your own money then you should really take her to the doctor, at least to find out what is wrong with her. Then you can decide from there what to do. It could be something as simple as needing to give her some medicine. You won't know unless you take her, and in the meantime while you think she is getting better, she could very well be getting worse.

Your Dad's stance about it being a waste of money is cruel to not only the cat, but to you as well. My Chynna is 14 years old and I don't care if she was 20 years old, if she was sick I'd be beside myself if I had someone telling me that she wasn't worth spending money on. In my opinion you can't put a price on love and loyalty.

She's your baby. She's been a faithful friend to you for 11 years and she is worthy of spending some money on to see why she is sick like she is.

You say that you don't think that 11 years is old, well I'm sorry to say that if she doesn't get proper vet care to see why she is sick, she probably won't make it to 12 years

Click to expand...

I agree with all this. Get that baby to the vet!
I would give up food for myself if it meant helping my baby. As it is, I am probably giving up my Christmas trip to stay with him.

I think that the kid is doing his very best to convince his father to get the kitty to the vet, but we have to understand that he's simply not in control of that situation. Think back to when you were at the mercy of your parents - there wasn't a lot we could do when the parent made up their mind about something. The best we can do is to try to help him help the kitty as much as possible.

As far as the eye discharge, that could an indication of an upper resperatory infection. If you cannot get to a vet, try giving her some Grapefruit Seed Extract, which you can get at any health food store, or you could even try the vitamin section of your grocery store or Wal Mart/Target. Put a couple of drops into her water or wet food. GSE is very bitter so it needs to be mixed with something else. GSE will help to boost her immune system and is a good natural remedy for both felines and humans.