Elderly Cat

[Mjhend]

Pali is nearly 22, skeletal and deaf but still agile, eats, uses the box and generally seems ok. We no longer take her to the vet as she hates it and we had stopped shots (she’s indoor only).
About a month ago overnight her face swelled up and she was very lethargic but still ate. We have a home euthanasia vet on call and almost set it up. We gave her some leftover antibiotics and a day later the swelling was gone but she was draining some goo.

We continued the antibiotics for 10 days and she seems to have stopped obviously draining but she smells terrible. We are caving and taking her to the vet tomorrow to see if they can do anything. Would anesthesia kill her? We feel so guilty about this even though we have done all we could to keep her comfortable. We have a litter box in our dining room! We have a bed on the kitchen table and that’s where we feed her. It’s like a hospice around here.

Has anyone else ever felt so conflicted?

 

[Furballsmom]

Hi
They can utilize an anesthesia that's "lighter" specifically for elderly kitties.

 

[FeebysOwner]

Hi. Was the draining from Pali's nose, eyes, or?? What about her smells terrible? There are many procedures/tests that can be done without anesthesia, and there are also light sedatives that can be given if needed. Get her to the vet and see what they propose; you can always decline any tests you are uncomfortable with, but make sure you talk to the vet about your concerns regarding sedation. Also, make sure you tell the vet about the antibiotics you gave her, so they are fully informed.

 

[Mjhend]

Hi. Was the draining from Pali's nose, eyes, or?? What about her smells terrible? There are many procedures/tests that can be done without anesthesia, and there are also light sedatives that can be given if needed. Get her to the vet and see what they propose; you can always decline any tests you are uncomfortable with, but make sure you talk to the vet about your concerns regarding sedation. Also, make sure you tell the vet about the antibiotics you gave her, so they are fully informed.

We talked to the euthanasia vet about it and we all felt it was probably an abscess. When her face first swelled her eye was shut. The drainage seems to be coming from her face but we actually don’t see any drainage lately. It is just this area that stinks. If her tooth was abscessed you would think it would affect her eating. She is finicky—favorites are deli meats, perch and other meats—but eats about every 4 hours. The Ruth vet said give her whatever she wants!

 

[Mjhend]

We took her to the vet (went surprisingly well) and he thinks it is cancer. Cleaned the wound and gave her an antibiotic shot. Said as long as she is doing so well no need to euthanize now. She came home, peed in the box and yelled for food. I’m so sad but my job is to make every day great for her. Wish it was different.

 

[Furballsmom]

I’m so sad but my job is to make every day great for her.

Bless your heart, I just went through something similar. They are so worth it

 

[Mjhend]

Not cancer. The abscess has healed and she’s doing great. She had two Covenia shots, 10 days apart. She’s still a diva but she deserves it!

 

[Furballsmom]

Are you able to give her KMR, or kitten food for some extra calories ?

 

[Mjhend]

Good idea. She eats Sheba, Fancy Feast and Wellness Core, Temptations treats and deli meats and any fish we are eating (although we have to take a break from the deli meats because of the Listeria issue) but she still stays skinny. She was once a very obese girl—like 14 pounds, now she’s under 6.

 

[Furballsmom]

What a darling girl

 

[FeebysOwner]

A B-12 deficiency can cause weight loss as it affects intestinal absorption of nutrients. A cobalamin/folate blood test might show she needs B-12 injections, which are actually pretty easy to administer at home (I do it!). Any excess B-12 is excreted through urination, so no issue with giving too much.

Also, baby food meats (Gerber Stage 2 or Beechnut) are great and - other than the chicken flavor - can be made nutritionally complete with a supplement called EZComplete. It is pre-made and only has to be stirred into the baby food meat. Based on what the folks told me at this company, 1/2 tsp is sufficient for one 2.5 oz jar.
EZComplete Premix Information (foodfurlife.com)