I posted in the "Crossing the Bridge" forum a few weeks ago because I was told by my vet that we should euthanize our twenty year old cat. That thread is here in case anyone wants to read it (link).
The run down:
He started having trouble jumping onto furniture, starting with his favourite chair, a two days ago (Friday). We noticed throughout the weekend, that he's wobbly, and he's dragging his back legs slightly - he can still use them, but he doesn't seem to pick up his feet and it looks like a breeze could knock him down. He doesn't seem to be in pain, as we pick him up and rub his legs and he doesn't react. He just seems weak. He was still eating a bit, but much less than what he ate last week. He eats better when I mash up the stuff with warm water. He drinks a little bit too, but I'm worried that he isn't drinking as much as he should. His voice is very weak and 'whiny'.
Sometimes he makes it onto the couch, sometimes, he fails and flops over. He's still using the litter box and he isn't hiding. Because of his age, me and my partner has agreed to not treat him and to make him as comfortable as he can. If we feel that he is suffering, we will take him to the vet for a peaceful end, but as much as possible we hope he will find his way here at home where he's not stressed out and comfortable. I feel like he's still with us, looking at us and wanting to be close. I don't think he's in a lot of pain, but then again, I don't know. He's okay with being touched and held.
I'm not sure if I should continue giving him his antibiotics. Administering it stresses him out, and I'm not sure if the medicine is good for his weak kidneys. I'm half thinking it's aggravated his kidney, even though it stopped the inflammation in his mouth. I'm giving him the tramadol though. But I don't know what to do. Should I keep him on the antibiotics?
I just want everyone's opinions about home care for a cat who may be at the end. I'm not sure what else to do. His last two vet visits have literally broke me (I'm living paycheck to paycheck, that sucks but it is as it is). Even if I do go back to the doctor, she's given me her opinions and options, and she's leaning on euthanasia. This, as you understand, is an option I'm considering, but only if it really seems like he's given up and is suffering.
Thank you for reading.
The run down:
- Thaddeus is twenty years old. I've had him all of his life.
- When he was about 16-17, a vet told me he had weak kidneys. I didn't have a lot of money to treat him, so I watched his diet
- He behaves well except for his weight loss. He's eating normally, drinking, going to the litterbox, cleaning himself and being social
- About a year and half ago, Thaddeus has had about three grand mal seizures days apart of each other. He hasn't had any since, but he is 'twitching' a lot, which has to do I'm told with potassium imbalance due to kidney failure.
- We took him in a few weeks ago because an abscess in his gums started to drain. By the time he was at the vet, he was weak, and dehydrated. The vet noted how seriously underweight and dehydrated he was and his outlook was grim.
- He's now prescribed antibiotics (antirobe) and painkillers (tramadol, administered transdermally) I've been consistent with this except since a few days ago when he started to get worse
- He's been doing great since the vet visit, gaining a little bit of weight and eating three cans of Fancy Feast a day. I give him treats of a small spoonful of yoghurt after his meds or when I think he'd like a treat.
- Follow up visit to the vet went well, with vet proclaiming how amazed she was at his recovery. There is no longer any inflammation in his gums, he's gained a little bit of weight and he had more energy at the office (looking around, exploring) since the last visit. But because of his age and his overall issues, that this may be his last reprieve. She suggested keeping him on painkillers and antibiotics.
He started having trouble jumping onto furniture, starting with his favourite chair, a two days ago (Friday). We noticed throughout the weekend, that he's wobbly, and he's dragging his back legs slightly - he can still use them, but he doesn't seem to pick up his feet and it looks like a breeze could knock him down. He doesn't seem to be in pain, as we pick him up and rub his legs and he doesn't react. He just seems weak. He was still eating a bit, but much less than what he ate last week. He eats better when I mash up the stuff with warm water. He drinks a little bit too, but I'm worried that he isn't drinking as much as he should. His voice is very weak and 'whiny'.
Sometimes he makes it onto the couch, sometimes, he fails and flops over. He's still using the litter box and he isn't hiding. Because of his age, me and my partner has agreed to not treat him and to make him as comfortable as he can. If we feel that he is suffering, we will take him to the vet for a peaceful end, but as much as possible we hope he will find his way here at home where he's not stressed out and comfortable. I feel like he's still with us, looking at us and wanting to be close. I don't think he's in a lot of pain, but then again, I don't know. He's okay with being touched and held.
I'm not sure if I should continue giving him his antibiotics. Administering it stresses him out, and I'm not sure if the medicine is good for his weak kidneys. I'm half thinking it's aggravated his kidney, even though it stopped the inflammation in his mouth. I'm giving him the tramadol though. But I don't know what to do. Should I keep him on the antibiotics?
I just want everyone's opinions about home care for a cat who may be at the end. I'm not sure what else to do. His last two vet visits have literally broke me (I'm living paycheck to paycheck, that sucks but it is as it is). Even if I do go back to the doctor, she's given me her opinions and options, and she's leaning on euthanasia. This, as you understand, is an option I'm considering, but only if it really seems like he's given up and is suffering.
Thank you for reading.
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