Senior Cat in Pain

inanna

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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.
Our husbands deserve medals! Mine has been my rock through this, but when I flash back to that vet visit where we saw the x rays, my inked hubby had tears freely rolling down his cheeks. All the vet techs were so kind to him... I'm sure they've seen it all. He picked up her 1st script and was crying even harder when it said "for cancer" on the bottle. He's shelled out the money for ever conceivable expense without complaint.

And yes, thank you for asking. Toothless had a good day. I took her to the vet this morning for her Fentanyl patch change. They took her into the back exam room and I was shocked when the vet brought her out to me personally. She was confused because Toothless has actually gained some much needed weight and her coat is looking really good (it was dull before). She was thrilled and wanted to know what we are doing. I know gaining weight doesn't mean cancer free, but to me, it means quality of life is good and that's the best I can hope for.
 
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mannythenanny

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Our husbands deserve medals! Mine has been my rock through this, but when I flash back to that vet visit where we saw the x rays, my inked hubby had tears freely rolling down his cheeks. All the vet techs were so kind to him... I'm sure they've seen it all. He picked up her 1st script and was crying even harder when it said "for cancer" on the bottle. He's shelled out the money for ever conceivable expense without complaint.

And yes, thank you for asking. Toothless had a good day. I took her to the vet this morning for her Fentanyl patch change. They took her into the back exam room and I was shocked when the vet brought her out to me personally. She was confused because Toothless has actually gained some much needed weight and her coat is looking really good (it was dull before). She was thrilled and wanted to know what we are doing. I know gaining weight doesn't mean cancer free, but to me, it means quality of life is good and that's the best I can hope for.
My husband has been helping with the vet care, too. I ended up breaking down crying when the vet suggested euthanasia, so my husband handled the phone call for me even though he was crying too. They do care!

Toothless is an interesting name, by the way. Is she really toothless or did it just stick? I'm glad she has been feeling pretty good all things considered. Cats can be so resilient!
 

inanna

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My husband has been helping with the vet care, too. I ended up breaking down crying when the vet suggested euthanasia, so my husband handled the phone call for me even though he was crying too. They do care!

Toothless is an interesting name, by the way. Is she really toothless or did it just stick? I'm glad she has been feeling pretty good all things considered. Cats can be so resilient!
Ever hear of the movie "How To Train Your Dragon"? It was a kids movie that came 6 years ago or so. The movie was about Vikings and their interactions with dragons (first they feared the dragons, then they realized just how special dragons are). The main dragon was black with yellow eyes and although fierce, her name is Toothless. Apparently Dream Works animators used black cats when designing this particular dragon. My kids named the cat after their favorite movie character. She actually has all of her teeth (as did the dragon).

We liked naming the cat it because since she's a black cat some people do get spooked by her, but in reality she has the sweetest disposition.
 

zed xyzed

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Ever hear of the movie "How To Train Your Dragon"? It was a kids movie that came 6 years ago or so. The movie was about Vikings and their interactions with dragons (first they feared the dragons, then they realized just how special dragons are). The main dragon was black with yellow eyes and although fierce, her name is Toothless. Apparently Dream Works animators used black cats when designing this particular dragon. My kids named the cat after their favorite movie character. She actually has all of her teeth (as did the dragon).

We liked naming the cat it because since she's a black cat some people do get spooked by her, but in reality she has the sweetest disposition.
I heard that about modeling toothless after a cat and it is quite apparent too. Great name !! I am so sorry she is not well. Sending Toothless healing vibes
 
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mannythenanny

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Ever hear of the movie "How To Train Your Dragon"? It was a kids movie that came 6 years ago or so. The movie was about Vikings and their interactions with dragons (first they feared the dragons, then they realized just how special dragons are). The main dragon was black with yellow eyes and although fierce, her name is Toothless. Apparently Dream Works animators used black cats when designing this particular dragon. My kids named the cat after their favorite movie character. She actually has all of her teeth (as did the dragon).

We liked naming the cat it because since she's a black cat some people do get spooked by her, but in reality she has the sweetest disposition.
Oh duh! I saw that movie so long ago I forgot! I loved how that dragon acted like a cat - those cat-like scenes were adorable. Makes sense now!

I didn't get to name Midnight - he came with the name, but at least it is usually obvious what his color is when I talk about him. ;)

Sadly, I'm told black cats and dogs don't get as much positive attention. :(

I was thinking Toothless was a nickname that stuck because my childhood cat was named Spike (aka Spiker) because my dad gave her that nickname due to her stubby little spike of a tail and it stuck. Spike was black,too. Black cats have always been good to me. :)

I will be thinking of Toothless, too. Good days, good vibes coming your way!
 

inanna

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Her name in the shelter was Twila. We immediately thought of "Twilight" and while we liked the name enough, we hated the movie. So Twila became Toothless.

My father in law is convinced she is some seriously old cat with no teeth because of the name. I've tried explaining it, but he just doesn't seem to grasp that it's just a name from the movie and the cat has all her teeth and is not old.

I
 
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mannythenanny

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Well, Midnight was having some good days but the last couple of days he slowly has been regressing.

He'll eat still and act hungry but he isn't as interested in being with us like he was and this morning he is growling in pain and then trying to defecate. So far he has gone three times in the litter (and trailed stool out of the litter) and has had soft stool,which is the opposite of the problem he had earlier, so I don't know what to think.

Hopefully he'll be better by this afternoon when he gets his Onisor. He usually perks up around then.
 
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mannythenanny

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Well, we are at the end of our 2 week trial period on pain meds as of tomorrow. We are at a crossroad, and need to decide whether to continue pai meds or stop.

Midnight has his good days where he desperately wants to cuddle and even slept with us for a little bit one night. Most days he would rather be alone. He used to be an obnoxious, vocal cat so I don't know if he is just tired of all the noise or if the pain meds are making him tired or what.

He eats a little on his own but has lost weight. He still uses the litterbox and gets around with minor limping and will even jump onto my lap on a good day.

The vet wants to put him on just one pain med, as she thinks any longer on all 3 and he might have kidney damage.

I'm not sure if I'm relieving his pain some days and just keeping him around for me. But then as soon as I think that, he comes around for a cuddle and rubs.
 

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I saw a tip online once that might help you? It suggested setting up two jars, one for "good" days and one for "bad" days. You put a marble or bean or whatever into one jar depending on what kind of day it is. It's supposed to help act as a visual measurement of quality of life. 
 

inanna

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Does the vet have more options for you? What will they be keeping Midnight on (any pain medication at all)?

How has he been? Doing okay?
 
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mannythenanny

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I saw a tip online once that might help you? It suggested setting up two jars, one for "good" days and one for "bad" days. You put a marble or bean or whatever into one jar depending on what kind of day it is. It's supposed to help act as a visual measurement of quality of life. 
That's an interesting way to do it. So far, I've been taking pictures every day and marking my calendar. He has had 2 good days in the past weeks, some "okay" days, and bad days. He isn't in horrendous pain like he was before the pain meds, but he isn't the cat he was before.

Does the vet have more options for you? What will they be keeping Midnight on (any pain medication at all)?

How has he been? Doing okay?
I ended up calling to set up an appointment and the vet got on the phone and chatted with me about Midnight. She said with his health and age, she would not suggest amputation or chemo, although there is a chance she is wrong and he doesn't have bone cancer. But, her biggest concern (and mine) is pain management right now.

She is leaning back towards keeping him on all 3 pain meds: buprenex (twice daily), gabapentin (3 times daily), and onisor (once daily).

However, she said with those meds, he should be having more good days than he has been having and she is worried about quality of life versus quantity. She is very concerned that he is eating so little on his own and urinating so much while drinking little. She said there literally isn't anything else she would suggest that will work for pain control if what we're using isn't working. I was really impressed she was so patient and spent so much time talking to me while not getting paid for her time...

I told her I at least want to bring him in to check everything over before we make anymore major decisions, so she'll be seeing him tomorrow morning.

I just feel selfish. He isn't the obnoxious, friendly, vocal cat he was mere weeks ago. He used to sleep with my son every night and get in my face every morning for breakfast. He used to meow at you whenever you walked by and headbutt everyone in greeting. Right now he is a blob of fur. He has suddenly been very clingy to laps today as if he knows we were talking about him. He sure has a way of making me feel guilty!
 

inanna

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I don't think it's selfish. You don't want him deprived of his life and at the same time don't want to see him in pain. I hope tomorrow goes good for you and Midnight.

It's such a hard decision. I'm starting to see Toothless in pain again and it's Tuesday. She had her patch changed yesterday. When we first got her dx I thought she'd be paralyzed, we'd be sad, and putting her down would be mercy. If she stays in pain though... I just didn't think I'd have to make the call before she lost complete mobility.

Good luck tomorrow
 
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