Cat sick 11 days NOW! SCARED and Vet advising put sleep

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di and bob

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I'm so very sorry, I know you must be at your wits end AND heartbroken. My heart goes out to you. Please know you have done all you could, she knows she is loved. I'll pray for you!
 

mrsgreenjeens

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How is she doing?  Did you get any food into her via syringe?  Were you able to do the sub-qs?  Sorry I just saw this thread for the first time
  I have experience at giving sub-qs, but the best thing I can tell you about it is to remind you that you are not hurting her, you are helping her when you give them


After reading the beginning of your thread, the first thing that came to mind was that maybe she was over medicated with so many different onesin the beginning that she kind of shut down.  And now with the non eating thing, I'm wondering is she may be in the early stages of fatty liver disease.  Losing 1 lb in a week could certainly do it.  But she could overcome that, once they figure out what is really wrong.  The assist feeding can only help at this point.



Anxiously awaiting news
 
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pwhite01

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How is she doing?  Did you get any food into her via syringe?  Were you able to do the sub-qs?  Sorry I just saw this thread for the first time
  I have experience at giving sub-qs, but the best thing I can tell you about it is to remind you that you are not hurting her, you are helping her when you give them


After reading the beginning of your thread, the first thing that came to mind was that maybe she was over medicated with so many different onesin the beginning that she kind of shut down.  And now with the non eating thing, I'm wondering is she may be in the early stages of fatty liver disease.  Losing 1 lb in a week could certainly do it.  But she could overcome that, once they figure out what is really wrong.  The assist feeding can only help at this point.



Anxiously awaiting news
I just got back from getting fluids in her at Vet. We just cant do it & for only $16 for them to do it, it is worth it! Also her temp is normal. NOW I am reading that maybe temp is going down as she is at the end?? Her paws do seem cool AND now the hind legs is REALLY scaring me!! It not looking good. I managed only get a little in her this morning through syringe. I will be trying again. She really resists and what fears me is is she having pain while eating. When you put the food in front of her before she would at least get close to it like she wanted to try but then move away. Now today she just moves away right away and mouth begins licking like so nauseas.

I just had a talk with my 11 year old that it not looking good. :(

It just everything I read with what has been going on just doesnt sound good for my Sassy! She has been through so much in these 12 days and now to see my baby not be able to walk is killing me! I wish a miracle would happen overnight and tomorrow she be purring & rubbing all over my legs and with her little squeaky funny meow &  she be begging for food! Now to see her not be able to walk is what is really hurting me!! 
 
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pwhite01

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I'm so very sorry, I know you must be at your wits end AND heartbroken. My heart goes out to you. Please know you have done all you could, she knows she is loved. I'll pray for you!
Thank you so much!!! I myself have been so sad & upset these past 2 weeks. I have neglected the family & made Sassy my #1 priority. It kills me that Sassy & I are not winning!!!
 

di and bob

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You won't be sorry you've concentrated on her, she needs you very much right now. She needs to be comforted and put at ease, because no matter what you are going through it is worse for her. Beautiful Sassy,please help your mommy through this, she needs to know she is doing the right thing! I just want to hug you all, I wish there could be another way to get through this, but I'm afraid it's never easy. Please know I'm thinking of you!
 
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pwhite01

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You won't be sorry you've concentrated on her, she needs you very much right now. She needs to be comforted and put at ease, because no matter what you are going through it is worse for her. Beautiful Sassy,please help your mommy through this, she needs to know she is doing the right thing! I just want to hug you all, I wish there could be another way to get through this, but I'm afraid it's never easy. Please know I'm thinking of you!
This means so much to me!! I don't even know you and you are just too sweet & thoughtful. Sending you a virtual hug!! I am so torn!!! I know my husband ready give up but he doesnt have the attachment I have with Sassy. I trying convince him maybe need see the internal medicine specialist as our one last shot. He seeing it as another $300 + and still maybe no answers or the bad news confirmed. I see it as MAYBE it Diabetes and she can be treated. Am I giving up too easily? Only 1 blood test was done and that was when this all started on April 5. My husband now seeing the walking & says there is no moving past it to hopes of improvement.
 

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 I have to say cats with diabetes can be in bad shape before it is diagnosed and then get a lot better once treated. .  I had a diabetic cat  and before it was treated and got his blood sugar regulated,  one problem he had had at first was the weakness in the hind legs  which I now know was due to neuropathy ( nerve damage)... but it is often reversible  if the blood sugar gets under control.  In addition to getting the blood sugar regulated,  there is a supplement methylcobalamin  ( Methyl- B12) that can also help.   It is not just any kind of vitamin B12, it has to be the methyl kind to help the nerves repair.   

My cat's legs totally got better and i have seen before and after videos of diabetic cats who could hardly walk at all ,  they were totally down on their hocks, could not even stand up at their food bowl. their legs slid out from under them.... and by a few months later were running!     

So if there is a chance it is diabetes I just wanted to say,  don't let the legs make you think it is definitely hopeless.   I know it looks bad,  but I got 6 more years with my beloved cat and his legs got a lot better and never again got so bad.   he went back to  jumping on the counter and climbing and generally getting into mischief. 

Pancreatitis is now thought to be more common in cats than was once believed.   It may be a lot of diabetic cats also have chronic pancreatitis. and if they are having a flare up of that it can make them not want to eat.    There is a test for that and ways to treat it.  There is a yahoo group for feline pancreatitis .  

If you can afford to see the internist it might be a good idea.  THen at least you would get a better idea if it is really hopeless and time to let her go,  or if it is something treatable.  If it turns out she has a treatable chronic health problem,  there is both this forum but also specialty forums and Yahoo groups etc.  that might be very helpful. 
 

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I'm so sorry you are dealing with this. :hugs:

With my cat, we did all the tests we could and still didn't get an answer. The vets were running out of ideas and then my cat basically told me it was her time. She was extremely weak and when she got up to walk and fell over, I knew that was it. This all happened within a week. I'll always be frustrated we never got a diagnosis, the vets best guess was some time of cancer, but I'll always know in my heart I did as much as I could for her. We kept hoping to hear it was something that was treatable, but that never came. It's such a tough thing to do, but you need to listen to your cat and her quality of life vs your need for answers. I really do wish you the best as I know how difficult this is.

Please stop googling though. It will only confuse and upset you more. My mother's cat is very ill and has been for a year. In January we had to bring her to the vet and after googling symptoms I was convinced she would be put to sleep that day. I was wrong and was reading into things too much. She's still with us.

:hugs:
 
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pwhite01

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 I have to say cats with diabetes can be in bad shape before it is diagnosed and then get a lot better once treated. .  I had a diabetic cat  and before it was treated and got his blood sugar regulated,  one problem he had had at first was the weakness in the hind legs  which I now know was due to neuropathy ( nerve damage)... but it is often reversible  if the blood sugar gets under control.  In addition to getting the blood sugar regulated,  there is a supplement methylcobalamin  ( Methyl- B12) that can also help.   It is not just any kind of vitamin B12, it has to be the methyl kind to help the nerves repair.   

My cat's legs totally got better and i have seen before and after videos of diabetic cats who could hardly walk at all ,  they were totally down on their hocks, could not even stand up at their food bowl. their legs slid out from under them.... and by a few months later were running!     

So if there is a chance it is diabetes I just wanted to say,  don't let the legs make you think it is definitely hopeless.   I know it looks bad,  but I got 6 more years with my beloved cat and his legs got a lot better and never again got so bad.   he went back to  jumping on the counter and climbing and generally getting into mischief. 

Pancreatitis is now thought to be more common in cats than was once believed.   It may be a lot of diabetic cats also have chronic pancreatitis. and if they are having a flare up of that it can make them not want to eat.    There is a test for that and ways to treat it.  There is a yahoo group for feline pancreatitis .  

If you can afford to see the internist it might be a good idea.  THen at least you would get a better idea if it is really hopeless and time to let her go,  or if it is something treatable.  If it turns out she has a treatable chronic health problem,  there is both this forum but also specialty forums and Yahoo groups etc.  that might be very helpful. 
I not sure you read my summary of all this but there is so much going on here! Started with what appeared as a seizure, found a double ear infection, running temp (highest 104.5), no eating, no drinking, steroids didnt even help, nausea & weight loss. Now my husband & I are basically arguing over this. He says end it, I say go further but then after I say that I see her TRY & walk!! 
 
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pwhite01

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I'm so sorry you are dealing with this.


With my cat, we did all the tests we could and still didn't get an answer. The vets were running out of ideas and then my cat basically told me it was her time. She was extremely weak and when she got up to walk and fell over, I knew that was it. This all happened within a week. I'll always be frustrated we never got a diagnosis, the vets best guess was some time of cancer, but I'll always know in my heart I did as much as I could for her. We kept hoping to hear it was something that was treatable, but that never came. It's such a tough thing to do, but you need to listen to your cat and her quality of life vs your need for answers. I really do wish you the best as I know how difficult this is.

Please stop googling though. It will only confuse and upset you more. My mother's cat is very ill and has been for a year. In January we had to bring her to the vet and after googling symptoms I was convinced she would be put to sleep that day. I was wrong and was reading into things too much. She's still with us.

Thanks so much!!! It really helps having some support. How old was your cat? She have similiar symptoms as Sassy? This all did start so suddenly or was it just that Sassy all of a sudden just showed us??
 

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For Sassy to survive a double infection and a fever so long is amazing. It also explains why she is now so weak. Do not let her struggling to walk alarm you.

I would be more alarmed if I could not get some food in her right now. As long as she is not showing any signs of pain, I would not consider it 'the end' right now. Fatty liver is serious in cats and can happen quickly when they do not eat.
 
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The thing is I need to realize that our Sassy has been gone 12 days now!!! Her AMAZING & AWESOME personality has been gone! It so hard to see this and think I will ever see "OUR" Sassy again!!  We struck GOLD when we adopted her 12 years ago! Everyone that I know LOVES her!! This why I am so angry! Why did this have to happen to her!!!
 

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My cat was a stray, so it is hard to know how old, maybe 12-14 years old. No, her symptoms were different. Trying to decide what to do was the same though. :)

I agree that you absolutely have to get some food in her.
 
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pwhite01

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My cat was a stray, so it is hard to know how old, maybe 12-14 years old. No, her symptoms were different. Trying to decide what to do was the same though.


I agree that you absolutely have to get some food in her.
I just tried again and she just moves away! I am just afraid that maybe it is causing pain when eating?? I also believe still has nausea as she licking lips.
 
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pwhite01

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For Sassy to survive a double infection and a fever so long is amazing. It also explains why she is now so weak. Do not let her struggling to walk alarm you.

I would be more alarmed if I could not get some food in her right now. As long as she is not showing any signs of pain, I would not consider it 'the end' right now. Fatty liver is serious in cats and can happen quickly when they do not eat.
BUT that what I afraid of is happening. Would that cause the leg thing all of a sudden? I so afraid something very scary to see may happen and dont want to see it myself or my 11 yr old to see it. SADLY 1 year EXACT last April 29 we came home from vacation to find our Misty half gone laying in our bathroom floor & Sassy right there by her side. That was such a HORRIFIC thing for my daughter to see.
 
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ALSO now noting her breathing seems rapid and past couple days it seems to change. 
 

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Her legs being weak could very well be due to lack of food. She really must eat. If she cannot / will not eat, you must be able to get some in her via syringe or she has no chance of surviving long term. She must eat. Perhaps call the vet tech and see if s/he can stop on their way home tonight and show you how to do it at home.

Her personality is going to change when she does not feel well. Her shining personality will return when she feels better.

Just taking my cats in for a rabies shot will put them in 'hide and pout' mode for a day or two.

Rapid breathing could be due to fluid buildup in her lungs. Perhaps after she receives sub-q fluids it takes a bit for her body to process them. Do not allow the vet to give an enormous amount of in hospital IV fluids if it is suggested. I did this and it had terrible results (as others have also experienced). Stick with the smaller sub-q fluids if needed.

I am so sorry you are going through this and to hear of Misty's experience in the past.
 

maewkaew

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I not sure you read my summary of all this but there is so much going on here! Started with what appeared as a seizure, found a double ear infection, running temp (highest 104.5), no eating, no drinking, steroids didnt even help, nausea & weight loss. Now my husband & I are basically arguing over this. He says end it, I say go further but then after I say that I see her TRY & walk!! ted
 Yes it is so complicated.  I didn't mean to imply I thought is was "simply" diabetes and nothing else going on.  but I saw diabetes was mentioned and you were thinking maybe it might be that, .  so I thought if that was part of it,  and maybe the infections had worsened that ( which does happen . infection can cause insulin resistance) ,  and then contributed to the leg problems...   I just wanted to let you know that  IF the leg problem is related to diabetes, if IS often reversible.  

   and if it is nerve damage from some other reason that methylcobalamin  may also help with that. 

The seizure can probably have been from the infection. 

   I know it is so hard to know what to do.     I had to let a cat go last year and I will still question myself if i could have done more,     and there is another time that I feel like i waited too long with a cat with kidney disease.   I guess no matter what it is normal we second guess ourselves.   it is just so hard.    I think we just have to try to be very attuned to the animal  .  I have had some that I would let go sooner than others that really give me the feeling they  really want to fight.

    No matter what you decide,   you can be there with her all the way , and know that you have given her a lot of love and a good life for these years.    
 
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pwhite01

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 Yes it is so complicated.  I didn't mean to imply I thought is was "simply" diabetes and nothing else going on.  but I saw diabetes was mentioned and you were thinking maybe it might be that, .  so I thought if that was part of it,  and maybe the infections had worsened that ( which does happen . infection can cause insulin resistance) ,  and then contributed to the leg problems...   I just wanted to let you know that  IF the leg problem is related to diabetes, if IS often reversible.  

   and if it is nerve damage from some other reason that methylcobalamin  may also help with that. 

The seizure can probably have been from the infection. 

   I know it is so hard to know what to do.     I had to let a cat go last year and I will still question myself if i could have done more,     and there is another time that I feel like i waited too long with a cat with kidney disease.   I guess no matter what it is normal we second guess ourselves.   it is just so hard.    I think we just have to try to be very attuned to the animal  .  I have had some that I would let go sooner than others that really give me the feeling they  really want to fight.

    No matter what you decide,   you can be there with her all the way , and know that you have given her a lot of love and a good life for these years.    
THANK YOU!! I am so scared right now. She just laying there rapidly breathing. Fluids were given like 2:00. Her feet feel cool. Her body may not respond to the fluids.
 
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