Hope someone can help me take a way the guilt i am feeling that more could have been done. My cat Mugglie was losing weight and throwing up. I didn't know who was doing what cause i have 3 cats..I took her to the vet and blood work was done. THe vet said the liver showed almost a 40% higher level of I am not sure but she prescribed a low protein food. The cat refused this food so I went back and was given another food so that she would at least gain some weight back. The next morning the cat had a very swollen side of her head and down the neck. I was told by the vet that she had a very low red cell count and I should put the animal out of her misery. I am so unsure i did the right thing..I thought it might be her teeth cause she was eating funny. But then I read that it could also be ulsers in her mouth related to the kidney and liver failure. I just don't know..and i am beating myself up over this..what i need to know is is it normal for her face to swell like this from the disease. Or has the Vet missed something. I need to know. The doctor never mentioned kidney damage only liver problems. It just happened so fast..Please help
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Was Diagnosis Correct...HELP
- Thread starter sara1954
- Start Date
Did you have her put down? I really dont know about your problem, but has your vet ever been so quick to want to put a cat down?
It is hard to tell when cats get sick because they tend to hide it till its too late. Its hard to make the decision but you dont want her to be in pain either.If you really dont trust your vet and you didnt put her down yet, I would get another opinion so that you dont feel so guilty
It is hard to tell when cats get sick because they tend to hide it till its too late. Its hard to make the decision but you dont want her to be in pain either.If you really dont trust your vet and you didnt put her down yet, I would get another opinion so that you dont feel so guilty
I lost a cat to liver failure..It was within 2 days. He changed eating pattern so switched his food(tempting him thinking it was just fussines over not getting the whiskas he had had the week before) he ate but then next day nothign went to vet the 2rd day by then he was barely moving except hanging head over bowl. When he went to vet the vet said if you want a CHANCE take him to emergency vet but chances are it will be same in the end..I put him to sleep on spot..If its just going to drag out(by running tests and trying very exopensive I got a 2500-3000 to DIAGNOSE, then add treatment to that) process I think its the right thing to do. RJ
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Vet is a good vet always liked her..was always good with my animals..but something still bothers me...Yes the cat was put down..my kids said she looked terrible, all swollen in the face and throat. But I still feel like i failed her. She was the best cat. And it happened so fast. Suddenly so thin. She was trying to eat but barely. Used to eat like a pig. Almost like starved. THen it stopped and she would chew her food oddly. And the blood work was high. The Urea was higher than normal, and creatine (if that is it) was also higher than normal. Just feel terrible. And to boot my wonderful dog of 8 years old died in his sleep 2 weeks ago. He suffered from Lymphoma..it is just a lot to take.
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- #5
Sounds like almost the same story here. Seemed to come out of left field..She was such a healthy kitty and then suddenly so thin. Thin hind quarters. But still puzzled about the swollen face and neck..no idea what that could have been...hoping someone could help with that...I need closure...
Im sorry to hear that. It will get better. I know I had to put my cat down when he was 7 and he got very thin and wouldnt stand up one day. We found out he had diabetes and was in shock. We had him at the vet over the weekend to try to get food into his system, but his body started shutting down so we just let him go. I felt horrible too like I didnt do something in time...but the vet said things happen fast because they hide it.
Im sure in the future youll find another great little kitty out there
Im sure in the future youll find another great little kitty out there
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- #7
I have 3 other cats and 2 dogs. But she was so special..loved her so...she was the product of a pregnant stray who came to us 12 years ago. She grew up with us and was the best...just keep thinking and thinking...just confused about the swollen face..bothering me terribly...need to know
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- #8
Still have her mother. WOnder how she will react when she realizes that her baby is no longer with us in the home.
sara1954,
I don't know anything about the diagnosis, but I can truly empathize with your feelings.
I think because our animals are so very dependant on us it is pretty normal for us to keep looking back and question our decisions for a time. I'm sure your distress will ease with time; although you most certainly pause occasionaly with deep thoughts about your special little loved one.
I had a similar experience with my Jade some years back, only she had lung cancer. We received the diagnosis and within a few days I had to take her in to be put down because she was shutting down.
It all seemed too quick and I questioned myself a lot thinking that maybe I could have done this or maybe should have done that. The truth was that I did exactly what I should do, but the heavy burden came from having to make a decision for a living being that could offer no verbal input.
As you said, you loved her very much and most certainly wouldn't have done anything to hurt her. Your decision was rooted solely in your desire to do what was right for her as if it were yourself. I suspect if you really didn't trust your vet then you would have taken your little one elsewhere.
Grieving sucks big time, but there is no way to get around it. Feel your feelings and treasure that love you had for Mugglie. Spare yourself the guilt and recriminations for caring enough to let her go.
Swelling is a sign of liver failure... Sorry
Same with Dustin...He was one of those never sick cats...he had been abused and a really rough first year.. Took him got him neutered and he only went out on leash. Then hes seemed off but with this many cats I wasn't worried he'd die I thought it was a cold or something from one of the others. I know when He was being euthed by then he was yellow everywhere-eyes skin from head to toe. his cheeks were swollen and vet said all cause of liver. Only difference was my cat always was "compact chunky" he was usually about 18 lbs a little belly flab but besides that he didnt look fat...but he ahd been run over by a car when he was very little(i was told the story months after i had had him. Hardest thing was he was lost 3 weeks after i lost another cat to brain tumor(lsot them both to an unexpected illness and it was harder on me as With past cats I knew the time was nearing and had a chance to "prepare" for it. RJ
I am so sorry to hear of your loss. I know how devastating it can be. I had to put two cats down last year within 6 months of each other. The last one was just like yours "so special". I beat myself up for not realizing sooner my cat was sick. Thankfully you were able to put her out of her misery.
Unfortunately everyone who is saying cats hide their illness for as long as possible are correct. In the wild it is a sign of weakness to show sickness.
Unfortunately everyone who is saying cats hide their illness for as long as possible are correct. In the wild it is a sign of weakness to show sickness.
