sick cat Problem......

That would be awful to lose him, I really hope he sticks around for a while..and maybe the condition can reverse itself?! I will pray for that.

Just wondering how Gordy is doing?

Oh--poor Gorby! I do hope he continues to feel at least some comfort and I feel so badly, he seems to be failing like this. I know how you feel about putting him down. I had to have my darling Spikey put to sleep a little over a year ago, as he DID begin to have pain and I could not bear to let him go any longer. The vets could not tell me what was or was not going on. They only knew he passed a lot of medical tests and still could not tell me what was wrong. It took all my strength and love, to take him and get him put down, and I know it was the right thing to do. But often, the right thing to do, is NOT the easiest thing to do! Wishing Gorby days of comfort ahead....

Hi Everyone,
I'm back with an up-date on Gorby.

After several scans & blood work the vet said to take him home & keep him comfortable... It's some sort of cancer.
He is so large now with fluid, he can hardley walk.. 3 or 4 steps and he sits.. He sleeps all day & night. But when he is hungry, get out of his way!!!!!
He actually walks the entire hall to get to the kitchen then rests for a while..
Then pigs out!

He purrs when you touch him still. Very affectionate.. He can't stand to long when he poops so he tends to sit and I don't need to explain what happens then! He makes it to the littler box but can lift his legs so I have pee,pee pads in front of the box and he is good about using them.

I am still in such turmoil about what to do..I keep hearing I will know when the time is right but my kids (15 & 21) are freaking about me doing anything. They said he is eating and purring so how can I KILL him?
When they put it that way, I can't do it.. He has gotten worse and I can't imagine he will have much longer. I don't understand how he can have so much fluid in him. It looked like basketball in his stomach.. Now it looks like a basketball and more!

I just don't know what to do.... I truly believe he is in no pain but it certainly can't be comfortable. They can't drain the fluid or give him a diaretic because he is so overloaded, they said he can go into shock removing enough to make a difference. And he had no muscle mass and you can feel every bone.
The latest is rock hard poops covered with a milky looking film... I pray he dies in his sleep! I can't make this decision as long as he tries to run to the kitchen to get food. Once he stops eating he will weaken & then I think EVERYONE will see whats best..

Thank you all for listening.. I appreciate the support of this forum.
Judith

Poor you. Things certainly aren't sounding good, and I think you need to start weighing up his good times compared to his bad times, also what quality of life he does have. I don't think of it as killing them though, more of ending their suffering, as I love them too much to let them suffer. And sadly, cats purring isn't always a sign that they are happy, cats purr when they are in pain as well, as it is a comfort thing to them. IT is such a hard thing to do though.

Judith, I'm so very sorry you're having to go thru this. Have you considered getting a second opinion? It sounds as if Gorby is still trying to do all the "normal cat stuff"; I can't imagine him carrying around all that fluid!
I understand how hard it is to make a decision about his future, and I know how easy it is to say "You'll know when the time is right." Having made this decision in the past, you know it's just not that simple. I think it comes down to a cat's quality of life; if you think Gorby is still a happy cat and you don't mind the extra work that comes with his problem, then you are in no way ready to let him go. It's amazing how much we'll do to tend to our sick kitties, isn't it? Sorry I can't be of more help. All I can say is love the little guy like crazy for as long as you can.

So sorry to hear of Gorby's illness as well as the anguish you and your family are enduring as well. It is not an easy decision, we had to do it about two months ago for our 2 year old tuxedo who was striken with FeLV - it was all so sudden. I remember thinking as you, that as long as Gateway was purring and seemingly alert, he was okay. The fact was, he was very sick and as "booktigger" pointed out, cats often purr to comfort themselves when they are sick. I remember my husband saying that making the decision is the last act of kindness you can do for your pet. It was true - though difficult to let go - my kitty's quality of life had declined and he wasn't the robust, active boy he once was. It is an act of mercy and provides for a peaceful passing. Gateway went through it like a champ - and I was glad to be there with him. I still cry (like now) for him, but know that we did the right thing and that Gateway is now in a better place without pain or suffering.

Sorry you have to go through all this. Peace to you, Gorby, and your family.

Thank you all for responding..

I have heard that purring could mean other things as well but in Gorbys case I do believe it's not like that. I go over to check to see if he is breathing sometimes and he looks so peaceful, then I touch him and he wake up and only then starts to purr...
I don't want to sound like I am kidding myself but I honestly think in this case the purring is not due to pain.. However, no doubt he is uncomfortable.
I know how I feel if I'm bloated! I can't imagin haveing 2 gallons of fluid in my abdomin...

The hard thing is I know it's an act of kindness to end his suffering but I have protest from my kids. BIG TIME!!
And as I stated in an earlier post, one is 21 and one is 15 so it's not like I can sugar coat anything and say he got sick during the night or while they were in school. They are old enough to know better and have VERY strong opinions in the subject.

In fact, both kids just told me to make sure under no condition am I to pull the plug on them even if they are in a coma! I can't believe they even said that! I was horrified!!
I don't EVEN want to get started on that subject or even think about it but thats how against me taking Gorby they are.
I can't believe the conversation this subject started with my kids...Very upsetting...

Anyway, for now I will moniter him closely. If he breaks his leg due to jumping off my bed (which I can't believe he will do) I will have no choice. He could not handle surgery. As hard as it is for him to jump & move thats his favorite spot. My bed. He gets the front claws up and drags the rest of his body up.
Yes, clawing at my new bed set. HA! He can do what ever he want. He gets away with anything these days..

Ok, I'm rambling now so I will end it her for now. Thanks again everyone and I will keep you all posted.
Judith

Sorry if I am talking out of turn, but as your kids are old enough to understand things, you might have to get them to accept that sometimes letting a pet die a natural death isn't an option, in fact it can be cruel, and that is something they are going to have to learn to accept - I know you are going through a tough time anyway, but you can't let them make you feel worse, and stop you making the decision at the right time. When I was 15, my mum had to have our family cat pts, I hated her at the time cos it was just before my 16th birthday and I was having friends round, but she explained that he had cancer, and he couldn't control his bladder and bowel and that wasn't fair on him, as he was a very clean cat and it would have really got to him that he couldn't get outside in time cos he never messed in the house, and I accepted it, cos it was for him.

Aw Judith, you ramble all you want--you're entitled. I feel so bad for you. Such an impossible choice.
May I make a suggestion about Gorby getting on your bed? I'd be concerned about him jumping down, too. Can you put together some "steps" for him? I've done that with geriatric cats that haven't been able to jump anymore. A footstool or a low chair or even a sturdy cardboard box that Gorby could use to climb onto the bed would be a big help for him.
Sending big cyber-hugs your way, and a good ear-skritching for Gorby.

Originally Posted by booktigger

Sorry if I am talking out of turn, but as your kids are old enough to understand things, you might have to get them to accept that sometimes letting a pet die a natural death isn't an option, in fact it can be cruel, and that is something they are going to have to learn to accept - I know you are going through a tough time anyway, but you can't let them make you feel worse, and stop you making the decision at the right time. When I was 15, my mum had to have our family cat pts, I hated her at the time cos it was just before my 16th birthday and I was having friends round, but she explained that he had cancer, and he couldn't control his bladder and bowel and that wasn't fair on him, as he was a very clean cat and it would have really got to him that he couldn't get outside in time cos he never messed in the house, and I accepted it, cos it was for him.

Click to expand...

No, you are not talking out of turn.. I agree with you.. In fact, My daughter is seeing he is not a happy cat anymore...She understands. My son is nit accepting the fact he is sick. Gorby always sleeps in his room and my son keeps saying he sees no change in him but you would need to be blind not to see so I know he is having a hard time accepting this.
I will be talking to my son today and I think we may have to take Gorby this week sometime...Today I noticed even more changes in him....I really, really think It will be this week..

Originally Posted by libby74

Aw Judith, you ramble all you want--you're entitled. I feel so bad for you. Such an impossible choice.
May I make a suggestion about Gorby getting on your bed? I'd be concerned about him jumping down, too. Can you put together some "steps" for him? I've done that with geriatric cats that haven't been able to jump anymore. A footstool or a low chair or even a sturdy cardboard box that Gorby could use to climb onto the bed would be a big help for him.
Sending big cyber-hugs your way, and a good ear-skritching for Gorby.

Click to expand...

Thanks so much libby. Impossible choice to say the least!
I don't think I have any problem with him jumping on my bed anymore..
Today he stayed on the floor most of the day... He has be hanging under my sons futon.

He was never fond of stairs and when I tried to put something in fromt of the bed, he walked around it.. He has a one track mind....But, I hope he won't try it anymore..
Thanks for all your support..

Judith,

I will be thinking of you and praying for you and your kitty. What a sad situation to be put into!
We had an older kitty a few years ago. He was 16 and went into renal failure. We also have two children, ages 20 and 25 at that time! They protested BIG time about even talking about the possibility of euthanasia. So we waited, and waited. I truly believe in my heart that we waited too long, simply for our own selfish needs. He was so wasted away, and terribly, terribly sick. It makes me cry even to this day, thinking of what we put him through. We eventually made the most heart wrenching decision to take him to the vet's to be put to sleep.
He purred all the way, and licked our hands, almost to say "thank you".
The vet was wonderful....he told us that it was "the ultimate act of love you can give your pet when they are sick".
Believe me, I am not saying this is the way you should go! I'm just "talking" too.
But many of us will be thinking of you at this difficult time.

"kittycatlover"

You've got a lot on your plate, Judith. I hope you all goes well with discussing the situation with your children and that Gorby is hanging in there. Hopefully you'll be able to reach the right decision, especially for Gorby's sake. Thoughts and positive vibes to all of you.

I think maybe your son knows deep down but doesn't want to have to say goodbye, it is a normal reaction. I am so sorry you are having to go through this, it is an awful time.

Originally Posted by booktigger

I think maybe your son knows deep down but doesn't want to have to say goodbye, it is a normal reaction. I am so sorry you are having to go through this, it is an awful time.

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Yes, I believe that. I think he just would not allow himself to even think about it. Gorby was a shelter cat and I was looking at a cat about a year old and my hubby & son liked Gorby and they felt bad because he was older & figured all the young cats would be adopted but he may not have a chance so thats why they picked him.. He has a special connection with him.

Last night Gorby's breathing was very labored and we were going to bring him to an er vet 1/2 hr away. We decided to wait till this morning because he gets SOOOOO stressed out in the car. I could not put him through the long ride and the ER vet was in ER surgery! So we may have had to wait 2 hrs..
So this morning we took him to our regular vet 5 min away at 8am.

Last night both of my kids happen to be home and found me laying on the floor petting him.. My son who took the longest to come around wanted us to take him right then when he saw him breathing.. I was greatful we all felt the same way.. That made the decision easier for me.

This was the hardest thing to go through.. My hubby took my last cat. I could not go then. This time I felt I had to go.
The vet gave him a tranquilizer first and I saw him lay down & relax his body for the first time in a week... I knew it was the right choice...

I want to thank you all so much for your advise & compassion...I love to come here because I love animals & cats especially more than some people... I know I share these feelings with people who come to this cat site..
I have received prayers and warm wisher from everyone I met..I'm not religious and I don't know how I feel about god but, God Bless you all!
Thanks for being my friend in a time of need....
I will still be around because I have Murphy & Boots to talk about.
Judith

I am so sorry to hear that you had to let him go, Judith. It was good that your son saw how bad he was, and knew himself that it was the right thing to do, rather than get angry with you cos he wasnt there.

RIP Gorby.

Hugs and healing vibes coming at you from our house. Remember the good times you had with him and rejoice in that.

Judith, I am so incredibly sorry. I know what a painful decision this was for your whole family. Please take comfort in knowing that you did the right thing for Gorby; it's good that you made the choice to go with him. You have my very deepest sympathies.
((((((Major, major hugs coming your way.))))))