I need some quick advice. My cat who is around 13 was diagnosed with a liver tumor a few weeks ago. On top of that he is severely anemic. I cannot afford any further testing or treatment, especially since it's most likely fatal. I'm going to be spending $1500-$2800 on two other cats that need stuff done.
Over the past few weeks, things have gotten worse. Right now he is eating very little which is a concern because of his liver. I think part of that is due to stomach acid. He is getting 2.5 mg of Pepcid AC once per day. He's supposed to be getting an iron supplement (Pet-tinic) but I'm having trouble getting him to take it. I think he is really dehydrated so he's going to the vet to get sub-q fluids and I may end up giving them to him at home twice a week.
My problem is that unless something changes within the next few days, I think I should just humanely euthanize him. I don't think he's in pain, but I don't know if he's suffering. He looks like crap and obviously feels crappy. He just lays around not doing anything. He barely has the energy to get from one room to the next. He doesn't look like himself and I sometimes wonder how aware he is. He acts like he has some sort of cognitive problem, but that started four months prior to his diagnosis - before he started showing any other signs/symptoms. I've noticed that he doesn't appear to be sleeping or if he is he isn't closing his eyes - they are always open.
Sometimes he seems like he's miserable and other times he seems like he's not too bad. He seems to be a little better if I open a window for him to look out. Unfortunately I can't usually leave the window open due to the heat and humidity. He's kneaded me a couple times recently but I have no idea whether that means he's content or if it can also be a sign of pain.
I have no idea if he's trying to fight this or if he's basically given up. I'm having a very difficult time trying to determine what he wants and what I should do. Honestly, I never got to bond with this cat because he was an outdoor only cat until his diagnosis. I truly cannot read him. I cannot determine how he feels or what he wants. I have no idea what is a part of his normal behavior and want is part of his illness. All I know is that he doesn't act like the same cat. If I had that bond with him, I think I would have a better idea as to how he feels.
So here's what I'm wondering, if he is dehydrated and he receieves sub-q fluids, how likely is it that he will improve? I know fluids won't cure him but will they help him feel better to the point he was at a few weeks ago? If they do help, how long would it take to see improvement? Would it be within 24-48 hours?
Obviously, I'll ask the vet all this but I thought maybe someone here had experience with this that they could share.
Over the past few weeks, things have gotten worse. Right now he is eating very little which is a concern because of his liver. I think part of that is due to stomach acid. He is getting 2.5 mg of Pepcid AC once per day. He's supposed to be getting an iron supplement (Pet-tinic) but I'm having trouble getting him to take it. I think he is really dehydrated so he's going to the vet to get sub-q fluids and I may end up giving them to him at home twice a week.
My problem is that unless something changes within the next few days, I think I should just humanely euthanize him. I don't think he's in pain, but I don't know if he's suffering. He looks like crap and obviously feels crappy. He just lays around not doing anything. He barely has the energy to get from one room to the next. He doesn't look like himself and I sometimes wonder how aware he is. He acts like he has some sort of cognitive problem, but that started four months prior to his diagnosis - before he started showing any other signs/symptoms. I've noticed that he doesn't appear to be sleeping or if he is he isn't closing his eyes - they are always open.
Sometimes he seems like he's miserable and other times he seems like he's not too bad. He seems to be a little better if I open a window for him to look out. Unfortunately I can't usually leave the window open due to the heat and humidity. He's kneaded me a couple times recently but I have no idea whether that means he's content or if it can also be a sign of pain.
I have no idea if he's trying to fight this or if he's basically given up. I'm having a very difficult time trying to determine what he wants and what I should do. Honestly, I never got to bond with this cat because he was an outdoor only cat until his diagnosis. I truly cannot read him. I cannot determine how he feels or what he wants. I have no idea what is a part of his normal behavior and want is part of his illness. All I know is that he doesn't act like the same cat. If I had that bond with him, I think I would have a better idea as to how he feels.
So here's what I'm wondering, if he is dehydrated and he receieves sub-q fluids, how likely is it that he will improve? I know fluids won't cure him but will they help him feel better to the point he was at a few weeks ago? If they do help, how long would it take to see improvement? Would it be within 24-48 hours?
Obviously, I'll ask the vet all this but I thought maybe someone here had experience with this that they could share.
