I think my cat is dying and I don't know if I should keep forcing meds down her throat

laurag

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It's so hard when pets are very sick.  My old friend Hazel was nearly 19 when I had to make the decision to euthanize. It's never easy for sure. The vet though said that at that point all that we could provide her was hospice care. She had already lost a lot of weight, had arthritis and it ended with difficulty with breathing and evidence of congestive heart failure.  Up until that last weekend, she was interactive, active and engaged. That last weekend she was super ill.

I wish that all medications for cats came in liquid form. Pilling cats is inherently stressful for the person and the cat.

I wonder how she would react to Gerber chicken baby food? You can get plain meat baby foods in the jars. Just look for chicken or turkey. Gerber doesn't put spices in these varieties. Most cats will eat baby food but she may be too ill even for that. If it makes you feel any better, even if you were syringe feeding her--essentially force feeding her--there would be a chance of aspiration of the food. And the reception to the food would be about the same as the pills. She is somewhat interested by you putting it on your finger---if it is still an option you might want to warm it up a bit in the microwave--7 to 10 seconds. Stir it up and test it with your finger tip to make sure there aren't any hot spots.
 

stewball

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Perhpas she needs to be reaccessed. It does not sound good at all. :( Honestly, the kindest thing might be to let her go and have her  euthanized. She sounds extremely ill and without major intervention (IV and critical care) she will probably pass on her own. I am sorry you are going through this. It is torture to watch a loved one struggle. 
If you feel she in not in distress, then perhaps keep her comfortable and give her love as you have been. "hugs"
Does it really matter at this stage and it may do some good.
 

cathouse1503

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Our Rookie started panting and just acting strange one day. I scooped him up in a towel and my arms and my husband flew to the vet. It took about an hour or so of tests but as soon as the chest x-Ray was read that kind vet said, "Rookie's chest is full of fluid. He has Congestive Heart Failure. I can pump some diuretic into his and remove some fluid but I gotta tell you, he is suffering." It was a no brainer for us and we said our goodbyes and let Dr. Thom put him to sleep. Hard, hard, hard thing to do but the most loving for us. That's all I can share. My experience. God bless.
 

stewball

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It's so hard when pets are very sick.  My old friend Hazel was nearly 19 when I had to make the decision to euthanize. It's never easy for sure. The vet though said that at that point all that we could provide her was hospice care. She had already lost a lot of weight, had arthritis and it ended with difficulty with breathing and evidence of congestive heart failure.  Up until that last weekend, she was interactive, active and engaged. That last weekend she was super ill.

I wish that all medications for cats came in liquid form. Pilling cats is inherently stressful for the person and the cat.

I wonder how she would react to Gerber chicken baby food? You can get plain meat baby foods in the jars. Just look for chicken or turkey. Gerber doesn't put spices in these varieties. Most cats will eat baby food but she may be too ill even for that. If it makes you feel any better, even if you were syringe feeding her--essentially force feeding her--there would be a chance of aspiration of the food. And the reception to the food would be about the same as the pills. She is somewhat interested by you putting it on your finger---if it is still an option you might want to warm it up a bit in the microwave--7 to 10 seconds. Stir it up and test it with your finger tip to make sure there aren't any hot spots.
You could also syringe water.
 
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murrayhill

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My kitty was dehydrated and nauseated from the diuretic.  The vet gave her some fluids and lowered the doses of lasix and it seemed to help!  They did some blood work and she seems to be in decent shape considering (aside from the eating). She greeted me when I got home and even jumped on my lap for a bit (true to herself- never staying long) and hung out with me for a while now she's back under the bed. I'm so happy to see a bit of her color come back.

She's drinking more water but still not eating much.  She did eat a bit of store-bought turkey and bologna (as a last resort).  She also took a couple of licks of the baby food and even her normal cat food but it's a couple of bites or a couple of licks then that's it.  And I have to hand feed her or she won't eat.  I've had the most luck with the turkey.  I did syringe feed her yesterday but she's been through so much and it's such a struggle to get it to go down- half winds up in her chest and on me. I would like to give her a rest.  The vet gave her an appetite suppressant. I'm praying she'll start eating on her own.  I don't think she could handle a feeding tube.  By Monday, she wasn't interested in getting up and I thought that was it.  I scooped her from under the bed yesterday, promised her it was the last trip and said good-bye. I'd swear she was knocking on death's door.   I'm so grateful to have her home and acting sort of normal.  I know she's still not in good shape but after this, I'm not ready to give up on her yet!  

She's still thin and weak.  I'm still worried about her heart.  I'm still very concerned about her eating.  And now her hind legs seem to be wobbly and clumsy.  She stumbles a bit.  The vet checked them and doesn't suspect any blood clots but said we'll keep an eye.  It might be some deterioration in muscle function due to being so dehydrated and not exercising them.  Has anyone else experienced this?  

Thank everyone again for reading and responding.  It helped to hear other's thoughts and experiences! 
 

peaches08

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Sounds like great news to me! It took a while for Grey to regain strength but nutrition helps a lot with that. Was it an appetite stimulant that the vet gave? Those can work wonders. Still sending warm vibes that she heals up soon!
 
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murrayhill

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Thank you so much!!!  She gave me Cyproheptadine.  I actually haven't given it to her yet b/c I had to give her the lasix and I wanted to give her a break in between.  
 

betsygee

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Wow!  I sure hope the appetite stimulant works.  I'm keeping my fingers crossed and keeping both of you in my thoughts.  
 

themelyssak

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I also don't know what to say but I want to offer my condolences and well-wishes, for whatever they are worth. I know no words can possibly confort you when your kitty is suffering so, but I do want to say that I hope she pulls through.
 

adk1mi2

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Use vet's advise.

Use a pill popper to get the pills down the throat.  They work great and we brought ours at the vet's office for 75 cents each.

Our vet suggested using Fancy Feast to encourage eating.  Dry and moist.  Also, food stimulants are also a possibility.

Hang in there!
 

stewball

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Well we're all holding thumbs for you. I wish TCS gave smileys for little phones. Keep thinking positive thoughts.
 
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murrayhill

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Thanks for the kind thoughts.  I think she's going into heart failure again.  Her breathing seems to have deteriorated tonight.  It happened quickly.  :(  I will increase the lasix back to 2x per day tomorrow. Maybe she'll pull through.  Whatever happens, I'm so glad I got to spend the past few days with her almost her old self.  Thanks for the support!
 
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murrayhill

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She's drinking a lot of water.  Should I limit the water so her lungs don't back up with fluid?  I'll call the vet tomorrow but I was just wondering what everyone else's thoughts are.
 

themelyssak

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Is the water being deposited into her lungs or going there directly from the mouth? If it's from the mouth, I say to let or make her drink it slowly (taking a break every several laps) so it goes down to the stomach. If it's accumulating in the lungs, I don't know what you should do. :(
 

betsygee

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She's drinking a lot of water.  Should I limit the water so her lungs don't back up with fluid?  I'll call the vet tomorrow but I was just wondering what everyone else's thoughts are.
I wish I could help, I really don't know about this.  But I wanted you to know I'm thinking about you two and also glad you've had some good days with her.  
 
 
 
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murrayhill

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she's drinking it from the bowl.  her heart condition causes her lungs to get backed up with fluids.  her heart can't pump enough and her valve is dysfunctional.
 

peaches08

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How far are you from the vet? I ask because you can buy a cheap stethoscope and learn her sounds.

Let her drink, take her in tomorrow.
 

molldee

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I would talk to the vet before crushing medications. Crushing medications changes how they are absorbed.
Crushing medications that aren't supposed to be crushed can be dangerous because it absorbs faster... Making it stronger and last for a shorter period of time.
 
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