My baby girl is wasting away...

I'm new to the forums so Hello! to everyone.

Lilly is my eldest cat and is 12yrs old. She's always been a pretty active cat with quite an attitude lol. As of late she's really not doing to well.

I've noticed that over the last years she's gotten thin but her spirits and eating habits did not change. I thought her body was changing with her age. Hindsight is 20/20 - I should have taken her to her vet for a check up a couple months ago. This past month, she's lost a ton of her mass and is weak. She no longer sleeps in her bed and has taken refuge under a chair in the dining room. Monday I got her into her veterinarian. He did a check-up and ordered a full blood test. He was looking for anything. The results came back totally normal he said. He said her thyroid looks good, her kidneys are functioning, etc. He said that judging by the blood report she looks like a healthy cat on paper. After that he didn't do much but tell me to watch her eating, drinking, and litter box behavior and call him with any changes immediately.

I noticed she was drinking a lot of water often for the next couple days. I called him to see if he thought she should have the sugar levels in her urine checked. He didn't seem concerned and told me to just keep her comfortable. Well, I felt brushed aside and felt like I was left hanging with nothing to go with! I panicked.

I called the vet yesterday and asked them to fax over her blood work to me "for my records". I packed her and her blood results up and took her to the local emergency animal hospital. The verified that the blood results looked great. The vet there was wonderful and stayed with me to answer any questions I have. She found "thickened intestines and irregular masses dorsally" (verbatim on the case summary). She told me that I should have a sonogram done for $225. She also gave her some pain meds and injected some subcutaneous fluids in the meantime.

Unfortunately, because times are tough and I don't make much, I live week to week and spent my entire paycheck on her. I have drained my bank account this last week on her exams and test. I even used all the money I had in savings to visit an out of state friend in September. I have care credit, but it's maxed bc I opened it for my dog's luxating patella surgery recently and there's not enough credit to charge the sonogram. I'm trying to figure out how to get that money- she told me to call to schedule anytime as soon as I can.

I'm afraid she's dying. She seems in good spirits but yo-yo's between seeming to give up and trying to live. She's still getting up to use the litter box I set up in the room for her. She gets around weakly, eats a little and still yowls at me when I'm preparing her food. She even tries to hang out with us but seems to tire quickly. I try to keep her comfortable but I'm feeling so helpless and like I've failed her.

Thanks for reading my long post. Any suggestions to help her or keep her comfortable? I don't know what to do.

First of all I'm so sorry your baby is going through this. And I hear you on the money issues. Our cat, Lazlo, was just diagnosed with lymphosarcoma. He had a "massive" tumor in his stomach. His xray and bloodwork seemed normal in January, but clearly something was off with him. He was throwing up a lot, and we thought it was an ongoing problem with hairballs. When we took him to another vet we work with, a holistic vet, in June, by then his blood work indicated that he was anemic, and everything was off. We tried a protocol treatment of steroids and antibiotics. When those didn't help, we had another xray, and found the mass. We then had to have the ultrasound (costs a heck of a lot more where we live!!!!), and that's when they diagnosed the cancer (had to do a biopsy type thing). He's about to finish his first month of chemo, and we have no idea where the money for his next ultrasound is going to come from LOL. We're pretty sure the vet will let us work out payments.

We live in an area where we have access to great vet care, and he's seeing a specialist oncologist and getting chemotherapy. He's tolerating it really well, and has responded well to the appetite stimulant, steroids, and anti-nausea medication.

I hate to say it, but given her blood work is normal, and all her other values are normal, the most likely culprit is cancer. The most common cancer in cats is lymphoma, and it is sometimes treatable. There are two types - large cell and small cell. Large cell is aggressive, so you would have noticed these changes much more quickly. Small cell is slow acting, and thus could be the issue (IF - and that's a big IF - it's cancer). I don't know how this helps because of your financial situation, because treatment is expensive. But IF it were the small cell lymphoma, it is almost always treatable. Large cell only has about a 50/50 chance of remission.

There are members on here who opt not to treat terminal illnesses because of the stress it places on the animals. I understand that, and if this were a nightmare for Lazlo, we wouldn't do it. But the idea is to just do whatever it takes to make kitty as happy as possible. One member described it based on something that worked so well for one of their dogs, here's a link: Love and Cheese Danish

The vet that diagnosed Lazlo's cancer is a holistic vet. She referred us to the oncologist, but did mention that alternative meds were an option if the oncologist said it wasn't treatable. The three treatments she mentioned were neoplasene, astragalus and tumeric. Doses for him (a 10 pound cat after he'd lost so much weight) were 1/2 human dose (for astragulus and tumeric. Neoplasene, I don't know, and I think it is only available by prescription from a vet). The oncologist did not want us to use the tumeric as it would interfere with the chemo, and because we were trying the chemo, the holistic vet did not want us to put him on the astragalus or the neoplasene.

User LoveWhiskers used Neoplasene, and you may want to send her a PM to ask about it. It is something that you can also discuss with your new vet. I don't know if they'll treat for cancer without an actual diagnosis... but it can't hurt to ask - and to discuss what the probability is that what you are facing is cancer or something else.

But right now, are you sure she's eating enough on her own? The dramatic change in our Lazlo occurred when he started getting his strength back. He responded well to the appetite stimulant and the anti-nausea med. I don't know if because her issues appear to be in her colon that she's be suffering nausea (and he was vomiting or dry heaving a lot at the end near the diagnosis). But a low dose of prednisone is not expensive and is part of a standard treatment, and in combination with the herbals may help. Pred also often helps boost the appetite.

But we syringe feed him, even though he's eating well. We use a/d, a highly nutritional food for "critical care," and designed for syringe feeding. We use 15ml syringes - that is 1/2 ounce, and we give him 2-3 syringes each time we syringe feed him, four times a day. And he gets four wet meals of food on his own. We also give him kibble nibbles whenever he asks for them (we can't free feed dry anymore because of other dietary issues with other cats in our home).

But I would definitely ensure she's getting enough food to support the weight she SHOULD be, helping her get her strength back may do the most good. Of course - if it completely traumatizes her, you may not want to do it. But Lazlo actually enjoys it.

I'm sure other members will have ideas and suggestions. This is based on my VERY limited experience.

But I do know that at this point, you should pretty much give her whatever she wants, because if she's wasting away ( ), she should just enjoy as much as possible what time she has.

Many vibes to both of you!

I sadly agree with LDG...it sounds very much like cancer.

My sissy girl had a mass in her stomach at the age of 13. I noticed weight loss as her only symptom in about March. From March to July, she went downhill FAST and lost so much weight. We lost her on July 11 of last year.

I am so sorry, but if you want to know for sure, you will have to do the ultrasound. With multiple masses felt and it having gone on so long, I would start to prepare for the worst. I say that because that is what I would want to be told - and if the ultrasound comes out clean then you can be joyful!

Hugs and prayers for you and your baby girl.

I am so so sorry to hear about your furbaby not doing well. I was going to suggest care credit, but see that's not an option.

Laurie (LDG) is going through a very similar situation right now, so I suggest investigating further into her comments and knowledge.

And most of all, spoil that little girl with everything she could want, for now.

Originally Posted by LDG

We then had to have the ultrasound (costs a heck of a lot more where we live!!!!),

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My sweet vet was going to try to do surgery and decided to do the ultrasound before cutting her open. He didn't even charge me for the u/s when he realized it was inoperable cancer. He cried with me when he handed her back to me (probably because I was a sobbing mess). As much as I resent him for not sending me for a second opinion, this action alone makes me feel like maybe he wasn't so bad afterall. I didn't realize ultrasounds for animals were so expensive!

We are living through the same nightmare right now. We've watched our girl fade over the last year and now, she is hiding which means, it's about time to let her go. We feed her whatever she will eat, currently she has a bowl of kitty treats she is munching on. We have been giving her an appetite stimulant but she is refusing food even on that. She was eating regular tuna for a bit, not the most nutritious but it was food, but now she is refusing that. My DH and I were just talking about whether to give her the appetite stimulant tonight.

It's awful and I wouldn't wish this on anyone. Like you, her bloodwork is fine. Had an ultrasound and nothing was seen. She's just fading, down to 4.14 pounds.

Letting her go has been a tough decision. It will probably be Monday or Tuesday. I know it doesn't make it easier, but there are others of us living the same nightmare right now.

I'm so very sorry that your girl isn't doing well, and I'm sending lots of vibes for both of you.

Unfortunately, what you've described sounds a lot like what my Harvey went through toward the end of his life. He was 19 years old when he started losing weight for no apparent reason. His bloodwork was fine, but an xray and subsequent ultrasound revealed a large tumor in his intestine. It was inoperable. We may have been able to extend his life somewhat with chemotherapy...but he was, after all, 19 years old. We opted to do what we could to keep him comfortable, but not to put him through chemotherapy. He lived another 4 months until we had to make the decision to let him go.

The decision not to treat his cancer was a very hard one. But, as I've said, he was a very old cat...he was just over 20 years old when he died...and he had lived a good, full life. I'm not sure what I would have done if he was younger. Ultimately, if it is cancer, it's a decision that you, as his caretaker will have to make for your girl. Follow your heart and you'll make the right decision for her.

CDee, I haven't had a kitty in the situation you describe and I've never had a cat with cancer, so I have no suggestions, but I wanted to tell you we're all here for you, and you're not alone.

Many thoughts and prayers for you and your beloved little girl.

AC

Thank you all soooo much for all the kind words, information, and insight! I really appreciate it. This whole situation is destroying her and tearing me apart.

I'm going to be looking for a 3rd opinion this week.. I'm hoping i can find someone willing to see her tomorrow. Something just doesn't add up to me.. all of the diseases and cancers I research state that a common symptom is vomiting and diarrhea. She has neither of these symptoms and I have been monitoring her like a hawk. Her stool is solid and pretty normal looking- just smaller than a normal cats which I'm assuming is because she's not eating that much. She hasn't defecated or peed on herself or in her sleeping spot either- or any other spot other than the litter box for that matter.

I'm trying to keep her senses stimulated. I bring her things to smell and rub on. I take her to the porch to watch the outdoors. And I won't let her lay in the same spot for hours on end. I get her up and bring her to the couch or to where her food and litterbox are.

I have to figure something out because it turns my stomach to think of giving up on her or putting her down when I don't even know what is wrong with her. I'm trying really hard to figure the next move out.

Thank you guys so much for being here!! I will keep you posted.

Unfortunately, cancers do not always present themselves with vomiting and diarrhea. I lost our Much last year to a tumor which was between her spine and her lungs. We found it in an x-ray when the vet noticed her breathing was kind of raspy. We did not have the tumor operated on because it was an extremely risky surgery on a young cat and Much was 15.

We were able to keep her going for several months with steriods and appetite stimulants. So I think you should talk to your vet to see for ways to encourage your baby to eat.

CDee - just want to send along my prayers and thoughts too..... that you will get some answers as to what is going on with your kitty .....It is deeply painful when our furkids are sick, you are not alone.

Depending on how weak Lilly is, be careful moving her around because you could hurt her. Also when she's outside make sure you are there with her at all times, so she doesn't get hurt. Be careful letting her pounce on things she could get hurt doing that, again depending on her strength.

Also it's very important you get her to keep eating. If she doesn't she could go into liver failure on top of whatever else is wrong.

I hope that this new vet can find what's wrong with Lilly, and begin treating her right away

Originally Posted by RAFM

We are living through the same nightmare right now. We've watched our girl fade over the last year and now, she is hiding which means, it's about time to let her go. We feed her whatever she will eat, currently she has a bowl of kitty treats she is munching on. We have been giving her an appetite stimulant but she is refusing food even on that. She was eating regular tuna for a bit, not the most nutritious but it was food, but now she is refusing that. My DH and I were just talking about whether to give her the appetite stimulant tonight.

It's awful and I wouldn't wish this on anyone. Like you, her bloodwork is fine. Had an ultrasound and nothing was seen. She's just fading, down to 4.14 pounds.

Letting her go has been a tough decision. It will probably be Monday or Tuesday. I know it doesn't make it easier, but there are others of us living the same nightmare right now.

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I'm so sorry to read this I know exactly what you are going through because I went through the same thing with Lynxx last last fall.

I want to thank you all again for all the kind words and support during this hard time. Lilly had her sonogram today and they told me her pancreas was not looking good at all and her little body was filling with fluids. He was fairly certain that any kind of treatment wouldn't have good results and cause too much stress on her. I had to make the hardest decision I've ever made in my life and let her go. She was in a lot of pain and it would have been selfish of me to let her keep suffering. She will be deeply missed and forever in our hearts. She's at peace now without pain. I love you baby girl... Rip Lilly.

I'm so so so so sorry! The most loving gift causes us the most pain.





Fly free, Lilly.

I'm so very sorry to hear this news. It is a difficult decision, but you did what was best for your baby girl.

I just read through this. I am so, so sorry about your dear Lilly. As I read the first page, the first thing that popped into my head was pancreas and I was going to suggest having that looked into since our eldest cat is going through that now..

At least your little girl free from the pain and suffering now.

Thank you all so so much... You gave me the courage and will to fight for an answer and I got it

It is so different around the house with her gone. I'm doing research on pancreatic cancer now and I'm so shocked to see how rare and lethal it is to kitties. She matched all the symptoms (without the vomiting). She had been losing hair as well, but I didn't even think that it was related but more a secondary problem. My shock is how fast it ravaged her little body! I now know without a doubt that I absolutely did the right thing for Lilly. Her papa and I have decided that we are going to plant a lily garden in the spring for her with a custom made memorial marker. I'm really looking forward to doing that for my little girl.

LuvMyParker- I am so, so sorry that your kitty is going through this. It's so horrible and I'm sending all of my prayers to you When did you get the diagnosis?

Lilly

You made the most difficult, yet most loving decision we can make. My thoughts and prayers are with you, CDee.

AC