I really need some experienced advice.
My 14-15 year old cat - Maisy - appeared to suddenly become quite ill. Vet took blood and determined no viruses, but extremely anemic. Maisy had dropped from 11 pounds to 8 pounds in a matter of months. He was quite frail and out of it, and vet suggested bone marrow biopsy and transfusion. I said no to both because I didn't want to put him through such procedures while he was so frail - also afraid he would pass away alone at the vets office while undergoing this.
She prescribed Prednisone and liquid iron supplement, which he has been on for a week and a half. He stopped drinking, and hadn't eaten (at that point) for several days. She said she could give him hydration, but that unless we were going to pursue a cancer diagnosis (which is what she thinks he has), there was no benefit. She also said we should be prepared for his passing.
I tried, and he lost more weight. My daughter continued giving him syringes of water. Then on this site I read about assisted feeding, and we have been offering him a bowl of water to drink from - which he does, slowly - and supplementing that with syringes of water. For the past 5 days I have been spoon feeding him wet cat food mixed with pumpkin (about 1/4-1/3 can + 1 TB pumpkin) 3-4 X a day.
He is peeing, but has not had a bowel movement. We called the vet and she discouraged us from continuing the feeding and water, saying he was probably unable to have a BM due to lack of strength, and was also probably not taking in enough food. She said we risked creating 'food aversion' - which I find an odd concern for a cat that is not eating anyway.
Obviously, I don't want to give up - I really believe he seems a bit stronger, although that has been up and down these last few days. He is back to seeming a little disoriented and has trouble walking.
Any advice on the following questions?:
1) how much food / water to increase his weight and strength? He is at 8.5 lbs now, at one time more like 12-14 lbs.
2) should we ask for an appetite booster?
3) what canned food would you recommend to add calories and protein quickly?
4) would you recommend a laxative so early in the process?
5) any way to suppress cancer without going through bone marrow biopsy, if it is likely what he has? Cost is definitely a factor, but also pain for him and time away for me
6) having gone about a week before I hand fed him, has the damage been done? Is it more cruel to be trying to revive him, however little time he has?
Any other thoughts are welcome - love this forum and need suggestions quickly - I feel as if the vet gave up as soon as we were unwilling to run with every procedure she suggested. The vitamin supplement was not refillable and we had to go and ask for a new prescription. Seemed like little faith in Maisy's ability to survive ...
Thanks all!
My 14-15 year old cat - Maisy - appeared to suddenly become quite ill. Vet took blood and determined no viruses, but extremely anemic. Maisy had dropped from 11 pounds to 8 pounds in a matter of months. He was quite frail and out of it, and vet suggested bone marrow biopsy and transfusion. I said no to both because I didn't want to put him through such procedures while he was so frail - also afraid he would pass away alone at the vets office while undergoing this.
She prescribed Prednisone and liquid iron supplement, which he has been on for a week and a half. He stopped drinking, and hadn't eaten (at that point) for several days. She said she could give him hydration, but that unless we were going to pursue a cancer diagnosis (which is what she thinks he has), there was no benefit. She also said we should be prepared for his passing.
I tried, and he lost more weight. My daughter continued giving him syringes of water. Then on this site I read about assisted feeding, and we have been offering him a bowl of water to drink from - which he does, slowly - and supplementing that with syringes of water. For the past 5 days I have been spoon feeding him wet cat food mixed with pumpkin (about 1/4-1/3 can + 1 TB pumpkin) 3-4 X a day.
He is peeing, but has not had a bowel movement. We called the vet and she discouraged us from continuing the feeding and water, saying he was probably unable to have a BM due to lack of strength, and was also probably not taking in enough food. She said we risked creating 'food aversion' - which I find an odd concern for a cat that is not eating anyway.
Obviously, I don't want to give up - I really believe he seems a bit stronger, although that has been up and down these last few days. He is back to seeming a little disoriented and has trouble walking.
Any advice on the following questions?:
1) how much food / water to increase his weight and strength? He is at 8.5 lbs now, at one time more like 12-14 lbs.
2) should we ask for an appetite booster?
3) what canned food would you recommend to add calories and protein quickly?
4) would you recommend a laxative so early in the process?
5) any way to suppress cancer without going through bone marrow biopsy, if it is likely what he has? Cost is definitely a factor, but also pain for him and time away for me
6) having gone about a week before I hand fed him, has the damage been done? Is it more cruel to be trying to revive him, however little time he has?
Any other thoughts are welcome - love this forum and need suggestions quickly - I feel as if the vet gave up as soon as we were unwilling to run with every procedure she suggested. The vitamin supplement was not refillable and we had to go and ask for a new prescription. Seemed like little faith in Maisy's ability to survive ...
Thanks all!