My 15 year old cat has been developing numerous health problems over the last few years. After each of these procedures, she bounces back, but this year it seems like something is coming up every few months. I'm starting to really question her quality of life.
Sept 2020 - Dental cleaning & extractions
Oct 2021 - Abdominal obstruction removed
Aug 2022 - Diagnosed diabetic. I work remotely, test often, and got her regulated with the help of online communities. Takes 9 unit of insulin to regulate her compared to most cats needing just 1 or 2 units. The very high dosage indicates acromegaly which can lead to enlarged organs.
February 2023 - Constipated. 4 enemas do not work. Takes 2 sessions of being knocked out and manual extraction. Doctor prescribes Miralax (stool softener) and Cisapride (stimulates colon movement). She pukes up the Cisapride but I get her regulated with Miralax and pumpkin puree.
May 2023 - Starts straining to pee randomly. Goes to box numerous times within a short time and only dribbles come out. Sometimes it's blood tinged. The vet rules out UTI, prescribes an anti biotic anyways, and says it's likely idiopathic cystitis. This continues randomly on and off.
September 2023 - Vomits for hours and stops eating for a week. Vet says XRays show thickened intestines but no blockage. We determine she is not able to tolerate Miralax anymore. Even minimal doses every few days trigger a negative response. Take her off of Miralax and her pooping patterns normal. Additionally, doctor says her kidney values are highly elevated but does not expand on what this means. I'm assuming early kidney disease?
November 2023 - Gets constipated out of nowhere over the course of a week. Enema didn't work and vet wants to conduct another manual extraction under anesthesia. Hasn't eaten much over the week until appetite stimulant administered.
Am I heartless for wanting to cancel the manual extraction and finally put her to rest instead? The money is not an issue. While constipation is treatable, I truly am concerned about her quality of life. I pay for this procedure and then it's a few weeks of feeling good before weeks of sickness. It seems like it's getting to the point where she is having more bad than good days. In addition, over the last year, she is no longer able to groom well and doesn't tolerate my brushing her well. She has to receive gabapentin and a shave because she get mats that smell like death. Part of me is doubting this is the right call because she's still out socializing, watches the birds some, and has an okay appetite overall.
Sept 2020 - Dental cleaning & extractions
Oct 2021 - Abdominal obstruction removed
Aug 2022 - Diagnosed diabetic. I work remotely, test often, and got her regulated with the help of online communities. Takes 9 unit of insulin to regulate her compared to most cats needing just 1 or 2 units. The very high dosage indicates acromegaly which can lead to enlarged organs.
February 2023 - Constipated. 4 enemas do not work. Takes 2 sessions of being knocked out and manual extraction. Doctor prescribes Miralax (stool softener) and Cisapride (stimulates colon movement). She pukes up the Cisapride but I get her regulated with Miralax and pumpkin puree.
May 2023 - Starts straining to pee randomly. Goes to box numerous times within a short time and only dribbles come out. Sometimes it's blood tinged. The vet rules out UTI, prescribes an anti biotic anyways, and says it's likely idiopathic cystitis. This continues randomly on and off.
September 2023 - Vomits for hours and stops eating for a week. Vet says XRays show thickened intestines but no blockage. We determine she is not able to tolerate Miralax anymore. Even minimal doses every few days trigger a negative response. Take her off of Miralax and her pooping patterns normal. Additionally, doctor says her kidney values are highly elevated but does not expand on what this means. I'm assuming early kidney disease?
November 2023 - Gets constipated out of nowhere over the course of a week. Enema didn't work and vet wants to conduct another manual extraction under anesthesia. Hasn't eaten much over the week until appetite stimulant administered.
Am I heartless for wanting to cancel the manual extraction and finally put her to rest instead? The money is not an issue. While constipation is treatable, I truly am concerned about her quality of life. I pay for this procedure and then it's a few weeks of feeling good before weeks of sickness. It seems like it's getting to the point where she is having more bad than good days. In addition, over the last year, she is no longer able to groom well and doesn't tolerate my brushing her well. She has to receive gabapentin and a shave because she get mats that smell like death. Part of me is doubting this is the right call because she's still out socializing, watches the birds some, and has an okay appetite overall.