When do you know it's time? Advise needed

I have a 16 year old cat who weighs about 6 lbs right now.  She's always had vomiting issues. For the past year or so she has been vomiting after almost every meal and also she has had only diarrhea and has begun pooping everywhere including our bed. I've even seen her pool while she's walking.  Nothing I feed her (I've tried it all) makes a difference, even boiled chicken. Currently she mainly eats canned food. She has been tolerating this one brand more than others. I've even tried various prescription diets, homemade diets, and nutri-cal.  The Vet has run every test on her and found nothing. We've tried antibiotics with no results. She sleeps most of the time. She does not show any signs of discomfort or pain and purrs when held or petted. 

I just feel so bad for her and want to stop the vomiting and diarrhea.  Aside from the fact I'm constantly cleaning up after her and thanking God I have tile floors. I put a sheet over our blankets so I can wash the sheet when she poops or vomits on the bed.  I will deal with the mess as long as I know she's not suffering living like this.  In the past I've always known when it's time because our pets will have obvious pain or discomfort or they will be so old they'll stop eating all together but with this pet I'm uncertain of how to know.  Sometimes I think I should have her put to sleep but the thought of that just breaks my heart. It would break my heart worse to know I prolonged her suffering by leaving her in this state if she is suffering.  If anyone has dealt with this or has professional knowledge of this and can give me an opinion of what they might do I'd appreciate.  I do not need advice on foods as I've tried them all. I just need to know what your thoughts are regarding her physical state in relation to whether she is suffering or not.  Thank you.

Have you seen an internal medicine specialist?  Do you think she could be allergic to a certain food or protein?

I really cannot advise you about when it is time, because I am going through a crisis with my guy right now.. he has IBD along with constipation.. and has not eaten or drunk anything, except the medicine I have been giving him, since 8:30am...so I am in the same predicament.. sorry to be harsh and blunt.. just very emotional..

There is a reason for her vomiting and diarrhea. Has she had a senior or full blood panel done?

An ultrasound to look at her intestines and organs?

80% of diarrhea in cats is food related, with vomiting too I suspect possibly IBD is possible which can be managed once diagnosed.

Regardless of whether she vomits her food, she still eats okay, to me this is a pretty good indicator that she is not ready.

16 yr olds sleep alot, so no signal there.

What was her T4? These are all very common symptoms of hyper-t. Are sure the vet ran a T4? 

The vet has done all those tests, tried various foods for IBS and other issues, given her antibiotics, and they find no cause.

I'm unsure, I'll ask them

I'm unsure, I'll ask them

Have you tried homecooked or raw? Which is often times the only thing that works for IBD. Make sure, 100% sure, your vet ran a T4. T4 is an "add on" test and not part of a basic senior panel. Any good vet should have ran a T4, but there are bad vets that don't. If you haven't, you should get a second opinion with another vet. Was a specFPL done to see if she has pancreatitis? 

http://www.rawfeedingforibdcats.org/

http://www.foodfurlife.com/learning-center.html

LaVaun said:

 
I'm unsure, I'll ask them

Click to expand...

I would say the most likely cause is IBD which is characterized by various combinations of diarrhea, vomiting, in time weight loss for no diagnoseable reason.  The only way to really diagnose is by history and trial and error with medications once food isn't working anymore, or by surgical biopsy which while good at diagnosing may be more than you need.  An ultrasound can also be very helpful as if it shows swollen intestines, then its either IBD or lymphona and the treatment is mostly the same in either case.  I don't understand why your vet hasn't discussed IBD and if its IBD or lymphoma its probably time for a steroid like prednisolone which could very quickly get your cat into remission.  Also if the vomiting continued with the steroid, you could add Pepcid AC, Cerenia (an amazing neural block for nausea) in addition to B12 injections, and possibly probiotics.

These are standard treatments for IBD that work, and if your cat responds to the treatments then that is diagnostic  for the disease.  Your cat could have happy years ahead if its IBD and  it was treated.  Untreated it will just get worse or mutate into small cell lymphona and there is no reason for your cat to end her life this way.  2 weeks on a steroid and is long enough to know if its working, and when it works its a life savor.  My cat would have died 15 months earlier with "Pred" and that one medicine, along with Cerenia later on, completely changed his life.  All the vets I work with say the same thing, no animal should die without the benefit of steroids (Cortico steroids, not anabolic, ie steroids that reduce inflammation not build muscle.

http://www.vcahospitals.com/main/pe...health/inflammatory-bowel-disease-in-cats/291 

Stephen

Stephanie your information is probably the most valuable I've received and I greatly appreciate what you've suggested and will talk to our vet about trying these.  This morning I found blood in her vomit. I'm so concerned for her.  Thank you so much.

LaVaun said:

 
Stephanie your information is probably the most valuable I've received and I greatly appreciate what you've suggested and will talk to our vet about trying these.  This morning I found blood in her vomit. I'm so concerned for her.  Thank you so much.

Click to expand...

Hi, I'm Stephen, not Stephanie if you were referring to me, ha so yes I'm a guy although there is a Stephanie on the forum who is an advisor.  i'm a former advisor.  In any case, i am happy to help.  I would talk to your vet, or a new one if need be, about IBD, a trial of steroids, and possibly anti nausea meds.