Cruel & unusual to treat - or euthanize?

Originally Posted by Breellablue

It is a very hard, very personal decision. I must ask, was her hernia surgery trouble from the anesthesia? it has been my experience when animals, even humans, have past problems with anesthesia it can crop up later.

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It was, which is why I need to talk to that vet who did the surgery. I need to know what anesthesia it was. She'd been spayed 1 - 2 months prior, so it was an injectible anesthesia used 2x within 2 months on a 12 year old - which didn't help any. So that is a big concern of mine. She came through her spay no problem, but the hernia repair was a problem. It was also with a vet who.....sometimes isn't the best surgeon (had I known at the time - I wouldn't have done surgeries with him).

Originally Posted by stephanietx

You certainly face a tough decision. I, too, think the dental would be the way I'd go, especially if she's healthy otherwise (heart strong, bloodwork good, no kidney issues, and etc). Is there a way you can make a makeshift "isolation room" for her in the enclosure for her to recuperate in for a few days after the treatment? Then, after she's up to par, you can release her back with the other kitties. Of course, you know you kitties, and know if this would work or not, but thought I'd throw that out there as a consideration.

I'm also wonder if some of her problems with the other catsare caused because her teeth are bothering her. (Just something to think about.)

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You've hit a few of my thoughts on the head - I'm wondering if she's not so cranky because her teeth hurt. I know part of it is her personality - but she's abnormally touchy lately. I'm concerned about kidney issues - given her age, it wouldn't be a far leap to say she has kidney issues to some extent. I'm willing to do surgery depending on the health factor, what the bloodwork reveals.

I can set her up in a cage in the garage to give her time to recover (or if she's OK - let her loose in the garage), as she's used to being in there, then move her back to the enclosure....but I'm getting ahead of myself there, I'm not even sure if we can do the surgery yet.

I have a 13 yo kitty with kidney problems, not CRF yet, but heading there. I have her teeth cleaned just about every year and she comes through it fine. I know that having teeth extracted is much more severe and more intensive, but again, if she's relatively healthy, I'd go for it. I'd probably even do it if the bloodwork for her kidneys came back borderline.

I think you've already made up your mind.

We use these heated pads, they are safe for outdoors, plastic and easy to clean, low energy, and the cord is chew proof. My cats loooove these, I do not put a cover or blanket over it, it would interfere with the way it works, the cats like it better without a blanket anyways.

First of all, she is a gorgeous cat!

I think keeping her in the garage is a great idea. I was going to recommend keeping her inside just for a few days to recover, but the garage sounds like she won't be as stressed as being in the house.

You said her fur is getting gross, maybe see if the vet can give her a bath before the surgery if you can't do it yourself? Then she gets a clean slate during her recovery

I'm so scared I think I could cry right now - I have the vet in town, who is a farm type vet, take a look at her. She needs her teeth out - now (she was like a rabid bear to the vet - he couldn't hardly look in her mouth or anything). He uses Ketamine, so I told him I'd have to think on it & booked her in with the vet I like, that uses a *much* safer anesthesia. They're fitting her in tomorrow. The farm vet did note her kidneys were enlarged, but soft, so he *thinks* beginning renal failure.

I drop her off tonight for her extractions tomorrow, I might see if they can do the bloodwork tonight if I get her there early enough, so I can know ahead of time.

I also have to figure out how I'm getting her there! I had a heck of a time getting her to the vet in town - I might have to livetrap her in the enclosure to get her for her extractions.


If you could pack on mega extra healthy , we need them. I'm petrified she won't survive - and this is sappy, but I seriously can't remember a day where she hasn't been there.....she's always been there. I can't imagine her gone, but do want to be aware that this might be the end for her, but at least I'm trying....and I need to figure out a way to get the other farm kitties teeth looked at regularly, so they don't get too bad.

Many many for your girl, Nat -- and for you

Originally Posted by white cat lover

I drop her off tonight for her extractions tomorrow, I might see if they can do the bloodwork tonight if I get her there early enough, so I can know ahead of time.

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Oh Nat, mega that all goes well with the surgery
and huge for you. I can't even begin to imagine how you feel

I took some more pictures of her - she's wearing approximately 5 oz of canned food - she was standing in the food & got it everywhere.





I'm going to have them look at that eye - they did ask about it when I made the appt today & are kind of wondering if they shouldn't just remove it.....I think if it's not bothering her, then we leave it, but if medically it could cause an issue later, take it. I'm going to have them look at the other eye, to be sure it's not a problem, too.

The whole family will be toothless - Fafeena & her two children - Twitch & Cow. They did joke at the vet when I made the appt that I'll have to meanest toothless farm cats on this side of the county between Cow & Feen.

I've got 2 more that probably could use dentals, perhaps (simply based on their ages & genetics), so they're suggesting I just book them in, trap them, & let the vet decide how much needs to be done once they get there.

She is a pretty old lady! I love her coloring.

Lots of vibes for her. I have seen amazing improvments in cats who have had dentals done.

Mega that all goes well tomorrow!

Ah, Nat. Poor you, poor Fafeena. I can't offer anything else just that I know you will do the right thing for her.

If only love could make medical issues go away, your beautiful old girl would be home free - best wishes for a successful surgery.

Isn't she gorgeous!?! Such a beautiful little girl!! Sending some prayers up for your baby and for you. Expect the best, but prepare for the worst. If she comes through and they don't remove her eye, there is something you can try to see if it clears up the cloudiness. It's not a quick fix, but it might be something worth trying, if she handles eye drops well.

I don't remember if I read about this here or if I read a couple of success stories about it on the herpes group, but I saved the info because my older kitty is starting to develop a cataract on her left eye and I thought I might try this with her at some point in time.

http://www.allergicpet.com/products/...e_clearly.html

Nat, I'm keeping up the vibes. Were they able to get the blood work back before the dental?

!!!!!

And for you!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Originally Posted by LDG

Nat, I'm keeping up the vibes. Were they able to get the blood work back before the dental?

!!!!!

And

for you!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

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to all of that...

I hope she's doing ok

OK - I can breathe once again.

I called the vet, they *just* got her done. She is standing up now, pretty "drunken", but will be awake in about 5 - 10 mins.

She got a pain injection, and they're looking for an alternative to Metacam. She's on anti-biotics, and canned food. No teeth left, the canines were OK, but they pulled them anyways.

Her WBC was slightly elevated, but likely due to her teeth. Otherwise nothing too bad on her bloodwork. I'll have to look at that tonight.

It was pointed out to me that she's a fiesty one....she's too mean to let one silly old surgery kill her.

Whew.....now to get someplace ready for her to come home. Oh & her eyes - there's nothing to be done about them - there are no ulcers on them.

Nat - that is GREAT news!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! You must be smiling BIG TIME!

Oh, Nat! What good news! Lots of for a quick recovery. And many for you -- you care so much for these critters who wouldn't have a snowball's chance in hell without you.