Eldery Kitty's Second Stroke.. Not Sure What To Do..

I believe my beloved 20 year old Tabby cat has had a stroke, and I'm scared I'm going to lose her...

Tabby is a tough old gal! For the past two years she's had kidney disease although since first being diagnosed, her blood/urine tests have never showed any signs of worsening. They were most recently tested two weeks ago and pretty much came back fine with little change. We've had a few health scares in the past six months but she's always bounced back and surprised us all! She had a stroke in August but recovered within a few days, however in the early hours of this morning I believe she must have had another one, but this time it seems to have knocked her back much more..

Since I found her this morning I've noticed that she can only open one eye. Her closed eye is very weepy, the pupil heavily constricted and just a thin slit, while her other eye is very dilated. She's stopped eating and drinking completely, although has been trying to use her litter tray. Thats the only time she leaves her bed, and when walking she is very slow, unsteady and seems weak particularly in her back legs..

She's also become very unresponsive..she's mostly deaf anyway through old age, but doesn't respond to me stroking or touching her, she simply lies in her bed with her eyes closed..occasionally I'll notice her tail starting to twitch as if she is agitated by me touching her..which is unlike her, although I do step back and give her some space at that point. Although at the moment I'm not quite sure she recognises me.. She has barely made a sound and seems so out of it at the moment.. I've left her asleep in her bed tonight but so worried something might happen overnight..

I know that being an old cat that she won't carry on forever, and I'm reluctant to put her through the distress of going to the vets when she's in this state. Whenever I take her she howls and howls, and her heart rate skyrockets that the vet always mentions how fast its beating, and I'm terrified that the stress of going really would be the end of things for her.. If she's no better tomorrow I may see whether a vet can come out to us instead.. i know cats can recover from strokes, and Tabby has before, but this time I'm not so sure..

The last time I was frightened of losing her, the support from this forum was so helpful and reassuring at a time when everything felt so frightening and uncertain. If anybody has any advice or suggestions then I'd be so grateful x

I am so sorry. I have no advice to offer, just support for a harrowing time. Hugs and best wishes for Tabby and you.

I would agree that if she's not better tomorrow to get a vet to see her.

Thank you so much for your support and best wishes. I've stayed with her all night and think I'll call the vet as soon as it gets light.. She's recently drunk some water which is great, but her left eye looks cloudy and weepy still..I think she's lost sight in it now she's back curled up in her bed but not sure what to do for her but sit nearby and be here for her if she needs me.

Hi Efia!

When I just now read your post, I asked myself why some of your story sounded oh, so familiar to me.....then I realized that two days ago, someone joined this forum and "plunked" their story on the tail end of your original thread from last August, and that I had read of your previous episode with Tabby then! Quite a coincidence!
 

It's 6AM on this side of the pond now, so I suspect that you've been able to get some Vet help by now. All I can really say is that, from reading through all your posts since last August, Tabby has been one very fortunate kitty to have had you over all these years.

I'm presuming that it's her picture you're using there - she is one gorgeous girl!

Please do keep us posted

Hi WhiteShadow, thank you for your lovely message of support, and you're right that is a coincidence about my other thread! I hope that the person who revived it and their kitty are doing ok.. It was such a relief to see how well Tabby recovered before!

this time seems to have hit her much harder.. She spent a couple of hours earlier lying in her litter tray which she's never done before. Also her eye that had closed up yesterday is weeping badly, very sticky and a real mess but she meows in protest when I try to clean it. I'm worried the stroke may have done some serious damage there somehow.

We're currently sat on the sofa together, she's curled up looking peaceful and fast asleep which is the only time when she looks relatively better. The vet is coming in an hour, we managed to track one down eventually as her usual vet couldn't make it today. I'm so worried for her and what the vet might suggest, and I'd hate to see her prodded and poked when she looks so fragile..but I hope she'll understand that its meant to help, and hopefully the vet will be able to advise on the best way forward.. Will keep the people reading here posted!

I see that I've missed you again and, by now, the Vet is probably with her.

In case you pick this up in time, do ask if the Vet is able to take her blood pressure there at home.

If not - but, if the Vet suspects hypertension, here is a reference I think both of you should read...it comes from a well-respected website which is recognized by The American Association of Feline Practitioners:

If your vet does not have the necessary equipment to check blood pressure, but strongly suspects that your cat has hypertension, it might be worth trying amlodipine and seeing if your cat improves. Generally speaking, as mentioned by Veterinary Partner, amlodipine is a pretty safe drug and is unlikely to cause the opposite problem of hypotension (low blood pressure), even in a cat whose blood pressure is not overly elevated.

LINK:  http://www.felinecrf.org/hypertension.htm#control_of_blood_pressure

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There's something I want to say, and did in my earlier post but, because I thought you wouldn't hear it until after the Vet had attended her and I felt it might be 'out-of-turn, I didn't. I'll say it now anyway, because I have the sense that even if my timing doesn't work, you will still understand my purpose - from the way you write I think it might well be something you'd say to me.

I'm saying this because it reflects what I know I would do today.....it comes from a very painful lesson I learned almost ten years ago. It has to do with hasty decisions. I know that we all realize this, and I also know that, when our emotions are involved, reason most often takes second place. From the experience I had back then, I know that today being faced with the same dilemma, if he were in no uncontrollable pain,  I would give my cat time and not be influenced by any professional opinion to the contrary. In my case, I know well that my little guy was far from ready to leave and, from "listening" to others, I also know that our little ones can and do tell us when it is their time to go. This regret that I have - I know it will haunt me....

Thinking of you both.

WS

I'm so sorry, I know your heart must be breaking for your dear Tabby to be going through this.You have been together 20 years, what a wonderful long time! She knows you love her and will do your best for her. The only thing you can do is to be there for her. God bless you two, I'll be praying for you both.

Hi White Shadow and Di And Bob, thank you both for your kind posts and sending us both your thoughts and wishes

I'd assigned myself to the worst and had expected that yesterday would be Tabby's last day with me, but somehow today she is still here and gradually improving. The vet's visit went well, although I was faced with the choice of commencing treatment or letting her go.. I decided that I had to give her a chance to get better, and that if I didn't at least try for her then I'd let her go wondering what might have happened if we'd given it a few more days.. Thank you WS for your advice, afterwards when I was really doubting the decision I'd made I read your comments and felt that maybe I had done the right thing after all. This morning it turns out it might have been the right choice as she's seems to be much brighter!

Things are all great, as Tabby did have her blood pressure taken and it shows that it was high, about 220 I think the vet said, and was likely the cause of her stroke(s), and that the back of her right eye is very red and suggests a lot of blood. Yesterday her left eye was sealed shut from gunk and mess, but the vet managed to clean it enough to reveal that her left eye is heavily infected, so thick with it that her pupil and iris beneath are completely obscured. The infection runs deep, and I'm quiet shocked that on Wednesday night she was fine, Thursday morning her eye was closed and the public very constricted, and by Thursday night this infection had taken hold completely. The vet suggested she may have bumped her head hard during the stroke and triggered this response..They may also be a lot bleeding in there, and it's quite possible that when the infection improves that she may remain almost, if not fully, blind.

This is the hard part right now..Tabby is up and about, wandering around but bumping into so many things..Its almost heartbreaking to see her having to feel her away around...bumping into walls, doors and chairs as she navigates the kitchen, hallway and living room. I can't imagine how hard and scary this must be for her, especially because she's already almost fully deaf..I can't help but wonder how she must be feeling and I'm worried so much for her. However somehow she's managing.. last night she found her way into my room and jumped up on to my bed as I slept..it was such a good sign! She was purring and licked my face..and settled down to sleep with me too. I don't know how she's doing it, yesterday she barely wanted to move and was so unresponsive at times..

Due to her high blood pressure the vet has prescriped a very small amount of medication to help lower it. I'm not sure what it is..the label says Istin tablets, which may be short for something! She was also injected with some water as she was incredibly deheydrated so I'm making sure she has plenty of water bowls/cups around at the moment. The vet gave her two injections of antibiotics for her eye, and twice daily I have to give her Clavudale (Amoxicillin and Clavulanic acid) to continue with the antibiotics. I'm just about to go clean up her left eye also and try and help it heal up. Tabby also had a jab of steroids to help improve her strength and appetite, and although she hasn't really eaten yet, she has showed interest in food and licked at the juices and gravey on the foods I've been trying to tempt her with.

I'm sorry for the long post, and yesterday I honestly wasn't expecting to be able to write something like this! I thought that she was lost to me.. it was so hard to tell if she felt that it was her time, but because I didn't think she had quite given up yet (she was trying to drink and use her litter tray etc) I wanted to give her a chance to get through this. Immediately afterwards I had second thoughts, wondering if it was fair to have to force her to take tablets twice a day..but hopefully this will only be temporary..and because today she seems so much brighter, responsive and willing to find her way around the house despite the huge ordeal she has gone through..I think it was the right thing.

I'm aware that she might not be out of the woods yet, and that things could go downhill again. If there is any sign of that the vet has been so kind and said she'd come back, even out of hours which she wouldn't normally do, but I'm so pleased Tabby's having a better day. We've even been out in the garden together to enjoy a bit of early spring sunshine to warm the skin/fur!

I'm glad that Tabby is doing better. Please don't second guess yourself. I think you will know when it's her time. In the meantime I hope you both enjoy whatever time is left. Best wishes.

Hi again.....I'm really late in getting back to you.

The wondering and doubting and questioning is all part of it, Efia....at least that was my experience. But, in your case, if you "listen to her", I know you'll see that she approves of your decision..."listen" to what she was saying to you:

last night she found her way into my room and jumped up on to my bed as I slept..She was purring and licked my face..and settled down to sleep with me

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I think that says it all. Taking a few pills is a small price to pay for that.

Do you think it would be easier for her if you restricted her movements to one room for now? That would ease your mind as well during the time when you must be away. From everything I've read cats tend to adapt well - and, much better than we tend to believe.

If you want a little reading I'll give you another link: http://www.felinecrf.org/hypertension.htm#urgent_symptoms

In the second section there - the one on Blindness, there are some links at the bottom to articles on helping cats cope with vision loss - things to do that I would never have thought of (like leaving a radio on (low) permanently!)

You know, all of this has simply focused for us, something that is the reality of all life - the one-day-at-a-time piece.

I'll say a very good night.

* don't cut short your posts - they're hardly "long" and are a pleasure to read (well, to perhaps some in the 'twitter' generation who may not be able to manage more than 140 characters, OK, you're probably long-winded )

Thank you for your kind words vball91, and for all of your advice White Shadow! The information about blindness was really helpful and I made sure to read through it all, and then, amazingly, Tabby began to regain sight in her right eye! She can see again, although distances are hard for her to fathom, but it was such a relief to know that she had some vision back again!

I've been quiet since the weekend but was taking some time to see how things progressed. It's been an emotional rollercoaster day to day..Tabby seemed to be getting progressively better and much brighter in herself, and even started to eat a little bit on Monday.. her right eye was bright and clear, but her left eye remained full of greeny/yellow pus and looked so sore.. It wasn't weeping as much but Tabby was cleaning it a lot and the skin around her eye was becoming quite red.. She's been purring and responding well to cuddles and fuss, but not cleaning herself anymore so I've taken to brushing her during the day.

The vet came back to check up on her yesterday, and felt that the infection in Tabby's eye is so deeply rooted, that if she was a younger cat she'd recommend surgery to remove her eye.. It's just awful to look at, one big orb of green/yellow liquid..you can't see anything through the mess at all, no sign of her eye..and around the eye is so swollen..the vet said that there was a risk that her eye could burst if the infection worsens.. I'm absolutely terrified of that happening.. The vet prescibed another antibiotic and eye drops as well, everything possible to help clear things up..

Tabby's now taking three antibiotic tablets a day, eye drops three times a day and blood pressure medication..

And I just don't think I can put her through this anymore.. Yesterday she seemed so bright in herself, quite active and full of life..today she seems less so, but I look at all of this medication, and look at her eye..and I'm so scared of what might happen..I really don't think the medication will work and if she was younger, I would opt for surgery but because of her age and her being so frail, it's just not an option at all.

She's been so brave, she's trying so hard to eat and drink and wander around..but I can't see her getting any better..and I feel like I have to make a heart wrenching decision to let her go, though part of me still wonders if she would want that..I just don't know, but my family have suggested that perhaps it's time..perhaps she needs permission now to stop fighting on, and just now have time to rest..

Oh, Efia, this is always the most difficult time of all.

I would not wish to sway you or influence you one way or the other....because I wouldn't want that done to me. It was done once, in fact, the decision was taken from me when I was at my most vulnerable point. The anger, the regrets and hurt persist, now ten years later.

I think it's important for you to exclude from your decision making any influence from family and friends....not to be critical of any of them (who are most likely trying to be helpful), BUT - the relationship is not between Tabby and any of them.....it's between you two, and it's the two of you who must discuss things and agree on the way forward.

I'd say, leave your fears out of your decision-making...from a practical point, ensure you have the bases covered (and, I think you do - the Vet can come if needed); I wouldn't prejudge any outcomes like whether/not the antibiotic will work etc.

Efia, I'll give you a tidbit from that website you read from earlier.....

When Is It Time?

...always remember that nobody knows your cat like you do: if you feel pressurised into making the irrevocable decision, perhaps by your vet or family, this may distress you afterwards; so again, try to decide in advance what are the criteria you personally would use for making the decision.

 

Talk to your cat. Your cat is an adult, and should be treated as such. Cats do not fear death as we do, they live in the moment. On the day before Ollie died, he was not eating much and seemed a little restless. In the afternoon he sat on a chair opposite me. I gave him a cuddle and I told him that we loved him very much, that we were so glad he had come to live with us and we hoped to have much longer together, but we knew things were tough for him and that we would understand if he had to leave us soon and he mustn't fight on our account. Two hours later he collapsed and I rushed him to the vet, where treatment overnight didn't work so we said goodbye. I often wonder if our little chat gave him permission to go.

http://www.felinecrf.org/the_final_hours.htm

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Now, there are people who will laugh about others talking to their cats.......those others of us - who truly know cats - know all about talking to our cats. I do it, I've done it in critical situations. When we're honest and sincere in those conversations, I believe that our cats understand - not the words, obviously, but the non-verbal communication....that primal communication has been the basis of their relationship with us over the years we've been together. They are experts with that. They know. They understand.

I believe you should have that talk with her - and, remember, shut out the noise around you so that you can hear each other.

Thank you White Shadow, your support, kind words and advice have been more helpful that I can express, and it's been so reassuring to have somebody there to talk to about what has been happening.

I've sat with Tabby most of the day and took her outside earlier as the sun was shining, and the garden has always been her favourite place to be when the weather is good, before she began to stop venturing outside due to a combination of the autumn/winter weather and loss of confidence in being on her own outdoors and away from the house. Despite tempting her with as many different yummy things as I can, she is barely eating and I'm not sure how long she can continue on for with a just a couple of mouthfuls a day.

It's been almost a week since her stroke and her eye infection took hold, and nobody can determine how it took over so quickly or so strongly, in the space of a few hours. Three weeks ago she had a bout of cat flu, and didn't eat for a week, losing a lot of weight in the process.. and although she began to recover well, it was about a week later that she had her second stroke and this infection took hold. I wonder whether the two are related, whether the cat flu somehow attacked her eye from the inside and led to her becoming so unwell. Her pupil and iris are completely obscured by a thick mucus, the vet seems to think her eye has filled with pus and could burst in the worse case scenario, which is a completely terrifying and horrific thought. Tabby rubs at it a lot and it must be painful, it looks too severe not to be..

I've sat and talked with her this afternoon..she seems to listen and be at ease. When she was sick recently with cat flu, family and friends predicted the worst..thought that she was getting to the end, but I was hopeful and felt that she would push through and be ok, which she was. A week ago when this new illness took hold, friends again advised that perhaps it was time to let her go..but I wanted to give her a chance, the very best chance after she's been fighting so long, and mum and dad supported me in that. She's such a tough old thing, and always has been! We all agreed that she needed that chance to pull through. Tabby's looked after me when I've needed it, and I've always tried to give her as much love and care in return as she has shown me.. But now things feel different, and that this time it might be too much to ask of her. I've talked with her, let her know it's all ok..that's it's ok to stop fighting so hard, told her how much I love her, how much we all love her even though we're not all here right now as the family live so far apart.. but the vet is coming over later tonight to see how she's doing..so I'm going to spend as much time as I can with her today, and if it's the right thing to do, we'll let her sleep.

Efia, my heart breaks for you during this difficult time. As White Shadow said, you know Tabby best and will know when it's time. Hugs.

Thank you vball for your hugs and support. Last night I let Tabby go to sleep.. She had fought so hard and I couldn't let her carry on in pain when she wasn't going to recover from this.. It was the hardest decision I've ever made, and ever will make.. I'm heartbroken and miss her so, so much.. She was snug in her bed by the radiator and I held her in my arms as she drifted off.. I still feel so guilty.. I had to let my head overcome my heart.. I know that she is at peace now, but I can't help but feel this huge void in my life which I can't imagine ever being filled. It still doesn't feel real..and then at other times it feels too much to bear. But thank you to everyone here for your advice, support and hugs, it meant so much to us xx

God Bless you and sweet Tabby.

Efia, please know that there are tears here, too, and also relief and happiness that she was able to to go rest so easily and gracefully in the arms of her mom.

Efia said:

I can't help but feel this huge void in my life which I can't imagine ever being filled... it feels too much to bear.

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I'll share with you part of a conversation I once overheard where comfort was being offered at a beloved kitty's passing

Grieve while you must, but realize that at the end of that grief there are special memories and love to fill your heart and sustain you.

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They embed themselves in our hearts and never, ever leave us - and Tabby will be no exception to that.

I am so sorry for you loss of Tabby. When you feel like it, you might consider posting a tribute to her in our Crossing the Bridge Forum. I am now going to lock this thread.