senior cat - what would you do?

cloud_shade

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I would suggest asking that they also run a full senior panel rather than just the pre-screen bloodwork. You may want to call first thing tomorrow to see if that would need to be done ahead of time. A full senior panel should include thyroid levels as well as kidney, liver, and blood sugar levels. Also included might be potassium and phosphorus levels and a CBC. While the full panel is more expensive than the prescreen, it is a good idea for any kitty over the age of 10 and it may save you money in the long run if the blood work gives them pause. Kidney problems, hyperthyroidism, and diabetes can all cause excessive thirst and urination so it is important to test for all three.

That said, I've had two senior cats go through anesthesia. Spot had it twice for an abscess, and during the second surgery they also cleaned his teeth. He had anesthesia a third time for a rhinoscopy. Odo has only had one round so far for a dental in November, but he already needs another one (along with at least one more broken tooth removed). I would suggest asking what anesthesia the vet will be using for induction. Propofol is good but ketamine is not, especially for a senior. Ketamine is contraindicated for any cat with kidney issues, and it takes longer for them to wake up.
 

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I have a question about anesthesia. My vet said they normally use an injection and gas, but that they could use gas only since she had a hard time coming out of the anesthesia before. I didn't ask what the options were. Would gas be a better idea? I've read differing opinions online.

Also, she had a urinalysis to test for specific gravity and protein levels, blood work to test creatinine and BUN levels, and blood work for thyroid testing about 3 weeks ago. If I decide to have the dental work done, it will be done in early to mid-May. Would she need to have those tests redone?

They're supposed to call me the end of this week to see how she's been doing, so I'll have to ask them a bunch of questions.
 
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barb0802

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I just want to thank you all for taking the time to ease my mind and give me some valuable information. I feel a little better. He's been scratching more today and really isn't a happy cat... I guess I'm going to have to take a chance.

BOOKTIGGER- Hearing about the 19 year old cat made me think that Rambo does have a good chance of coming through fine. I always tend to think of the bad things that can happen.... About having the blood work done now, they have a lab right on the premises so they'll know all the results first thing in the morning.. and to be honest, I would hate to add another trip to the vet for him, he hates it so much and I can't take it either, I feel so bad for him.

CLOUD SHADE - Glad to hear your cats were ok. How old were they when they had surgery and the dental cleaning? they feel they are going to remove almost all of Rambo's teeth. There really aren't any that can be saved...

JENNY JEN - My vet is using both injection and isoflurane (sp?). He didn't even say anything about NOT being able to use the injection based on results of the bloodwork. I know exactly how you feel about 'torturing' them. When I have an appt. scheduled, I feel terrible when I see him relaxing and knowing that in a little while he'll be thrown into a cat carrier and taken to the vet. I feel he's like "I was just so peaceful and minding my own business, why are you doing this to me" :0 wish I could explain things to him..

Plus, I go through a whole "thing" myself, from the moment the appt. is made.. I think about it each day and get myself worked up for the "big day".. I usually have someone go with me, but this time I'll be on my own. I'll have to ignore his cries for food and then try to get him in the carrier myself... I am not looking forward to this at all.....


Anyway, I've taken up your lives quite enough... I want to thank you ALL again for your thoughts and advice. I do feel a little better and based on how he's doing today, I think I should go through with it.... I don't think he wants to live like this, it has to be awful....

Thanks again!!

Barb
 

rang_27

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That's what we are all here for, TCS is a great place to go for advice & support. Do please keep us updated, as we will all be thinking of you & you sweet kitty.
 
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barb0802

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You're so right about the people on here... they are fantastic...so caring...

I will definitely post on thursday and let you all know how it turned out...
 

larussa

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Yes I agree, this is a tough decision. I can only say as far as not being able to feed him in the morning is and this is what I did. Misty needed a teeth cleaning, this was a few years ago. I brought her to the Vet's the night before so I didn't need to hear her cries in the morning for her breakfast. Everything went well, she spent the night and had her procedure done the next day. As far as what you should do...that's a tough question. Check to see if there are any meds to deal with her problem rather than teeth cleaning. Good luck to Rambo whatever your decision.
 

booktigger

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We all think of the bad things that could happen, I have had so many sleepness nights over mine!! But, when you are dealing with dental issues, it is somethign that needs sorting sooner rather than later - imagine if you left it to avoid him the trauma, it got worse and then his health said he couldn't have it done, and you then had to face an even harder decision because he had a poor quality of life and there was nothing that could be done about it?
LaRussa has a good point, the rescue always leave theirs at the vets the night before, I personally can't do it, as hard as it is dealing with them not being able to eat, I would rather not have them there longer than necessary. When my 13yo had his last dental (he was overweight too!!), he had one good tooth out of 6, I asked them to pull them all, as it was his third dental in as many years, and they did it, so it might be worth doing that, and knowing that there wont be any more problems - they deal with being toothless with relatively few issues.
 

cloud_shade

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Originally Posted by barb0802

CLOUD SHADE - Glad to hear your cats were ok. How old were they when they had surgery and the dental cleaning? they feel they are going to remove almost all of Rambo's teeth. There really aren't any that can be saved...
Spot was a stray, and we have no idea how old he was. When I found him, the vet said he was at LEAST 10 but probably older. The longer I had him, the older she thought his starting age was. Since he was hyperthyroid when I found him, it made it even harder to judge his age. I think he was at least 13 but possible much older.

Odo I adopted from the shelter last year. The first shelter thought he was 6 (yeah, right!), the second shelter that he was transferred to thought he was 10, and my vet thought he was 14. I think my vet is closest, and that would make him 14.5 when he had his surgery.

I would ask your vet what kind of injectable they will be using. One of the best protocols for anesthetic on senior pets (according to a friend who has spent a lot of time research this stuff) is propofol for induction and either isoflurane or sevoflurane for maintenance. Also make sure they give some sort of pain medicine.
 
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barb0802

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I first thought about asking if I could bring Rambo the night before (tonight) but maybe that would be more stressful for him being there alone in a weird place.

I am so nervous right now... I wish it were Thursday night already... this morning at 5 am he was up and ready for water and food... I tried to ignore him to see how it's going to be tomorrow and I couldn't...

Do you think I should lock him up in a room with a litter box until I'm ready to leave tomorrow morning?

If any of you have experiences with withholding food and water, can you tell me any tricks? maybe you've distracted your cats or something or put down food you know they didn't like? will a small amount of water really cause him problems?

Cloud Shade - Why do I have to specifically ask for pain medication? Why wouldn't that be standard?
 

booktigger

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My vets tell me not to give food, but I am allowed to give water. It can be hard to do it, and i have had to resort to shutting them in a room before now, but I normally just ignore it - happens too much at this house at times!! I wouldnt actually use the food they dont like, some cats when hungry will eat anything, so not something I would risk. Good luck!!
 

emmylou

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Agreed, you shouldn't withhold water. That can be dangerous.

Did the vet specifically say to withhold water? Maybe it was a miscommunication. The standard advice for cats about to undergo a procedure is to withhold food only.
 

cloud_shade

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You would think it would be standard, but apparently it isn't always given during the procedure so it's good to ask to double check. Some vets give the option to not give it afterwards either (probably to save clients money so the clients will agree to the procedure in the first place). It's just a good idea to check.
 
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barb0802

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Hi Everyone,

Just got back from dropping off Rambo...Talk about nervewracking!! I feel so bad for him, he was so scared... I didn't want to leave him, especially when I have these thoughts that it was the last time I was going to see him


They will be doing the blood work and if there's anything negative they will call me and I'll just go pick him up. If I don't hear anything, I can assume the procedure is taking place....it was awful this morning.. I shut myself in the bathroom and got ready.. he was meowing for water.. When I opened the door he was sooooo happy to see me open it, but I had to just grab him and put him in the carrier... He was probably so hurt...

I am so upset now...

Please everyone think of him today.... I will let you know how it all turns out...

Again, you all have been so helpful and I thank you!!!

Cloud Shade - Stupid me forgot about the painkiller question... When I talk to them later I'll make sure to ask...
 
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barb0802

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oh, one more thing... they specifically said on the instructions no food or water after midnight... I think that was harder for him than the food, he loves to drink out of the faucet...
 
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barb0802

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Hi Everyone,

Just got the call from the vet's office. Rambo is waking up fine from the anesthesia and I can pick him up around 3;30 today!! He had 4 extractions... not so bad I guess....

Thank you all so much for helping to ease my mind... I hope this is what all the head shaking and scratching was about!!!!!
 
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barb0802

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Thank you so much WCL and Sharky!!! I'm sooo relieved, I think I'm going to cry!!!
 
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barb0802

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thanks so much Booktigger!!!!! You all helped me so much!
 
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