Senior Cat in Pain

Hi, I'm new but I'm looking for experience or suggestions.

I have a 16 year old neutered cat named Midnight that I adopted when he was about 13 years old (so I don't know too much about his health history). Last week, he started hiding and refusing to eat. This is very unusual for him as he usually is obnoxiously meowing for his meals and never skips wolfing down his food. He also is normally very affectionate and seeks attention once bedtime rolls around. We kept bringing food to him and trying to tempt him but he refused. This went on for a few days(about 4) until Sunday night he finally came out for some food but I noticed a significant limp on his back left leg and both his back paws were tender. He ate a mouthful of food then refused to finish and then urinated when brought to the litter box. I called the vet Monday morning and they did some xrays and immediately saw bone shards in his left left that she thought were there for a while and just shifted enough to cause him pain. He also has no cartilage in either knee and his left leg bones has so many holes in it that the vet said it looked "moth eaten" and suspected cancer.

She prescribed 6 days of two different pain meds (onipor and buprenex I believe) and sent me home with no real advice except wait and see.

It now going on his third day of pain meds and he is still growling and meowing in pain whenever he moves and limps. He has been eating a few mouthfuls since being on the pain meds and climbed up on the couch. He still is not himself and spends the majority of his time on the makeshift bed we made for him to keep him comfortable. He has not used the litter box since Sunday. We give him miralax and cosequin as a supplement as per the vet's suggestion (I give it to him directly since he is eating so little).

I called the vet again since he is still in pain and she suggested either adding a third pain med or amputating his worst leg, both of which she didn't have high hopes for due to his age and the lack of response to the pain meds so far.

Is there anything else we can do or do we have to consider letting him go?

Ask your vet about fentanyl patches. My girl was prescribed buprenex originally, but we weren't allowed refills. I noticed that the buprenex really helped her pain become bearable, but the fentanyl patches work just as good. I do have to bring her in every 5 days once the patch wears off. She also takes prednesolone (.5 mg every 8 hours). I spike her wet food with glucosamine since she's stiff and battling bone cancer and she gets omega to help her immune system.

Also try putting his food near his hiding spots. My cat has mobility issues so she'll starve herself instead of walking all the way to the kitchen.

My vet can't treat her cancer so right now we're focused on an optimum quality of life for my princess. Hope that helps.

Also when was the cats last vaccination? My vet mentioned tumors can occur in certain vaccination sites so she intentionally uses the cats legs because amputation, while not a pleasant option, is better than death.

I'm sorry you are going through this. It's a rough road.

We called the vet and asked about other options for painkillers and she suggested gabapentin, but did not feel it would be good to keep him on 3 pain meds for very long due to potentially destroying his kidneys.

Not having him on painkillers is not an option. For him to cry out in pain every time he moves is devastating.

So, for now we have him on his aforementioned painkillers and are contemplating taking him in on Monday and saying goodbye. The vet said since he has gone downhill so quickly, she felt it would be kinder to stop rather than continue to pile on more painkillers that aren't fully working and can cause more issues.

I am handfeeding him whatever I can get into him...he eats a little on his own when I mix tuna water with some Fancy Feast canned food(which I read can encourage cats to eat, so I'll try whatever works). I have him in his own room away from the noise of the kids with his own special bed and hiding spots that are easy for me to check on him or give food/meds. Also has a litter tray he doesn't have to climb into.

For a couple hours after I give him the Onisor, he comes out and sits on my lap or hobbles to various favorite spots.

So, I don't know if we're doing the right thing...

I'm sorry to hear that. It's weird when contemplating euthanasia animals seem to understand and become loving again. I guess how he does this weekend is really critical. Stay strong. You've been great to him this far, I bet he really appreciates it

I'm sorry you are going through this. I don't have any suggestions but wanted to let you know we're thinking about you and Midnight.

It has been a weird day. For the first time in weeks, he came out while the kids were being noisy and curled up on my lap next to my 14 year old cat (who loudly protested sharing my lap, but Midnight didn't care). He even jumped up on the back of the chair.

Again, this was for 3 hours after the Onisor, so that seems to do the most for pain control. He was still growling when he moved, but he otherwise was in better spirits during that time.

Now he is back to being lethargic and withdrawn.

This is such an emotional roller coaster. I keep thinking he'll get better but then I remember his xrays and see him limping and growling.

I forgot to mention that he has had his booster shot 3 weeks ago and a couple weeks before that he was seen for struggling to defecate, which led to him eliminating outside the litter box. He literally collapsed in the litter box while trying to go and the vet found nothing wrong with his bloodwork or urine other than slightly elevated blood sugar.

I wish I had a more clear cut answer. Hoping for a good day tomorrow! Thanks for the responses!

MannytheNanny said:

It has been a weird day. For the first time in weeks, he came out while the kids were being noisy and curled up on my lap next to my 14 year old cat (who loudly protested sharing my lap, but Midnight didn't care). He even jumped up on the back of the chair.

Again, this was for 3 hours after the Onisor, so that seems to do the most for pain control. He was still growling when he moved, but he otherwise was in better spirits during that time.

Now he is back to being lethargic and withdrawn.

This is such an emotional roller coaster. I keep thinking he'll get better but then I remember his xrays and see him limping and growling.

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We are here for you. I wish I had more advice to give you. How long has he been on the Onisor? It took a day and a half of giving my cat buprenex before I saw any results. Worth it's weight in gold though. It made me think, for a split second, maybe some miracle had taken place... maybe the vet was wrong about the tumor, but I saw the X Ray.

I guess in a way I'm lucky. I hope you feel the same. While the situation is tragic and seemingly unfair... at least she's home with me surrounded by a family that loves her beyond what words can say. I have a few weeks to accept and make peace with what's about to come.

Please keep us posted.

He's been on the Onisor for 4 days now. We keep hoping that if we give him more time, the meds will start helping, but the vet said they should have started helping by now. At least they took the edge off so he was interested in cuddling today. My husband and I have been taking turns sitting with him when he wants attention.

Like you, I think of those xrays. It's like a smack in the face whenever I think he'll get better.

I guess I was hoping we were missing something. I'm sorry you're going through this too. It sucks. When the vet told me she suspected bone cancer and suggested we give up...I just couldn't.

I hope he knows we all care. Even my 2 year old daughter was bringing his favorite toys to him and even tried giving him some chicken and then when that failed she put her head up to his for his signature headbutt (which didn't happen) and asked if he was ok. My son is upset that he isn't sleeping with him anymore. One cat can mean so much.

Just hoping for a better day tomorrow with our little cocktail of meds and supplements. He ate more on his own today so at least that's something!

Today Midnight had a rough start, but by the afternoon his limp was minimal and then he ate his dinner on his own with enthusiasm. Then, he stretched and played a little with his catnip toy (while laying down, but still huge improvement). After that, he bolted upstairs when my husband opened the baby gate.

Can the meds be working better or is just giving us false hope? I don't know why he suddenly is much happier. We haven't changed his meds.

I might just ask for the gabapentin Monday and risk the kidney damage. He has bone cancer anyway. I just don't know if it is worth giving up if he has more good days like this.

I am glad Midnight had a better today. How was the bone cancer diagnosis made? If you have any doubt get a second opinion from a specialist. There are too many stories on here where a vet diagnosed a terminal illness and suggested euthanasia, but the owner sought out another opinion and turned out that the first diagnosis was wrong.  It is hard to find a good vet but there are a few out there. 

The vet did an xray and when we called about adding the gabapentin, she said he is either going to die from the cancer or die from kidney failure from all the meds and suggested we consider the kinder option.

He does for sure have arthritis and lacks cartilage in his knees, which I know can be super painful. He also for sure has holes in his leg bone and shards of bone around his right knee. That can be super painful too.

I am thinking he did something to make his bad leg worse (climb up and then jump off something or the like), which could explain why he is feeling better now that the swelling is better, maybe?

I just know he can't be without pain meds, but I don't know how much and what combo of meds we can use before we cause more issues. I wouldn't mind keeping him on pain meds and risk the kidney failure as long as he has a quality life.

Would gabapentin and onisor long term be an option? The vet didn't think so...

Also, I wouldn't mind getting regular blood draws done if on pain meds.

He also went off his food and is eating Fancy Feast because that was what I could get him to eat. Today he had a full bowel movement and urinated normally, which is also encouraging since he has been struggling with constipation for months.

MannytheNanny said:

Also, I wouldn't mind getting regular blood draws done if on pain meds.

He also went off his food and is eating Fancy Feast because that was what I could get him to eat. Today he had a full bowel movement and urinated normally, which is also encouraging since he has been struggling with constipation for months.

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I have a Midnight (Midi) at home too. He is about 17 years old and the poor guys is really slowing down. It crushes you to see them hurt. Here is a good article about pain management in cats http://www.vcahospitals.com/main/pe...e/animal-health/pain-management-for-cats/6584 I hope Midnight finds some relief from his pain 

MannytheNanny said:

Can the meds be working better or is just giving us false hope? I don't know why he suddenly is much happier. We haven't changed his meds.

I might just ask for the gabapentin Monday and risk the kidney damage. He has bone cancer anyway. I just don't know if it is worth giving up if he has more good days like this.

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I'm not sure how to answer that. For us the medication is giving my family false hope, but more importantly adding quality to Toothless's final days. Pain or no pain - she eats, she purrs, she enjoys our company, she grooms herself. She doesn't act like she's on death's door.

Having said that, we had our first set back. She likes my daughter's room because it's quiet. I set up a cat bed and her hide a way cube for her in there. I bring food and water right to her (and she always scarfs it down). She'll no longer make the trip to the litter box. Her location does change, so I know she isn't paralyzed, but she's had 2 accidents. She's never had an accident before. I added a new litter box to the room to hopefully help her.

Maybe Midnight's body is taking a slightly longer cycle to process the medication? My fingers are crossed that tomorrow is another good day for him.

Zed Xyzed said:

I have a Midnight (Midi) at home too. He is about 17 years old and the poor guys is really slowing down. It crushes you to see them hurt. Here is a good article about pain management in cats http://www.vcahospitals.com/main/pe...e/animal-health/pain-management-for-cats/6584 I hope Midnight finds some relief from his pain 

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Thanks! He came to me when he was 13, but we adore his quirky self and want him to be happy.

Inanna said:

I'm not sure how to answer that. For us the medication is giving my family false hope, but more importantly adding quality to Toothless's final days. Pain or no pain - she eats, she purrs, she enjoys our company, she grooms herself. She doesn't act like she's on death's door.

Having said that, we had our first set back. She likes my daughter's room because it's quiet. I set up a cat bed and her hide a way cube for her in there. I bring food and water right to her (and she always scarfs it down). She'll no longer make the trip to the litter box. Her location does change, so I know she isn't paralyzed, but she's had 2 accidents. She's never had an accident before. I added a new litter box to the room to hopefully help her.

Maybe Midnight's body is taking a slightly longer cycle to process the medication? My fingers are crossed that tomorrow is another good day for him.

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I am sorry for poor Toothless and your struggle to help her. It is tough seeing them not act like themselves.

Midnight is back to howling in pain when he moves, so I suppose he overdid it. I got to make sure he doesn't sneak upstairs again, I suppose.

So, since Midnight seemed almost himself on the onisor, we opted to add the gabapentin. However, the vet said we have to keep him on the buprenex (which does nothing for him) and the onisor in order for it to work.

Is that true? I don't mind keeping him on the onisor, since he seems happier on it, but the buprenex doesn't seem to help and he stays hidden if on it. For a few hours after I give the onisor, he will jump up onto my lap for cuddles and even want to play a little.

MannytheNanny said:

Also, I wouldn't mind getting regular blood draws done if on pain meds.

He also went off his food and is eating Fancy Feast because that was what I could get him to eat. Today he had a full bowel movement and urinated normally, which is also encouraging since he has been struggling with constipation for months.

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you can add canned pumpkin to his FF wet food=start at 1/4 teaspoon incase he doesn't like it. the opiates will slow down his bowels. I feed my girls canned pumpkin right from my finger and she laps it up. One of my other girls has to have it smeared on her roof of mouth as she wont eat anything with pumpkin or miralax. Ask the vet about Miramax if he is still constipated. I found a trick to getting my fussy girl to eat food with miralax-when I empty the can of food and fill the can with hot water-I add the miralax in this and it dissolves better. So at least you can keep him comfy. constipation hurts so maybe the pain meds help this as well but not with the speed of the bowels emptying out.

I would continue to feed him whatever he will eat at this point. Rotisserie chicken or turkey is good just no skin or bones. my old girl Floey who hates miralax absolutely loves fresh chicken/turkey and often gets into our faces begging for some.

Thank you for taking care of this baby. We need more people like you in the world!

foxxycat said:

you can add canned pumpkin to his FF wet food=start at 1/4 teaspoon incase he doesn't like it. the opiates will slow down his bowels. I feed my girls canned pumpkin right from my finger and she laps it up. One of my other girls has to have it smeared on her roof of mouth as she wont eat anything with pumpkin or miralax. Ask the vet about Miramax if he is still constipated. I found a trick to getting my fussy girl to eat food with miralax-when I empty the can of food and fill the can with hot water-I add the miralax in this and it dissolves better. So at least you can keep him comfy. constipation hurts so maybe the pain meds help this as well but not with the speed of the bowels emptying out.

I would continue to feed him whatever he will eat at this point. Rotisserie chicken or turkey is good just no skin or bones. my old girl Floey who hates miralax absolutely loves fresh chicken/turkey and often gets into our faces begging for some.

Thank you for taking care of this baby. We need more people like you in the world!

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He was very constipated even before the pain meds, so I have Catlax and Miralax for him, as per the vet's recommendation. I have been having to sneak the miralax in when I give him meds since he has been eating very little on his own. I will try pumpkin, in hopes it will be one less thing I have to force. He has had another good bowel movement, so I'm hopeful!

He is very happy today, but still not interested in eating much. He is napping with my son right now, which he used to do every day until his pain got so bad. My son was so thrilled to have his buddy back. It made it worth it to add the gabapentin to see them both so happy together. My son hasn't been sleeping very well without Midnight.

Even if this only buys us a few months, seeing him enjoying life again is worth it.

I'm so thrilled that Midnight has made some good progress. I know the week end was iffy and you were facing a hard choice about today. I can not say enough how delighted I am to hear thst Midnight is happy and enjoying his loving family.

Inanna said:

I'm so thrilled that Midnight has made some good progress. I know the week end was iffy and you were facing a hard choice about today. I can not say enough how delighted I am to hear thst Midnight is happy and enjoying his loving family.

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We know the source of the pain isn't fixed, as the vet reminded us, but we're happy the painkillers are working. I'm also grateful for such a supportive family. My husband picked up extra shifts to help cover the extra vet bills for our two cats. He said they're family too.

We're going to be so sad when Midnight goes, but at least we could make his time with us more comfortable. He is still a little ginger on his legs, but hopefully we can stay ahead of the pain, as the vet put it.

Here's hoping your kitty had a good day too. Watching our little fur friends go through these things is tough, especially when we don't know how much it hurts and where it hurts every time.