I'm hoping someone can give me an idea of what I should do next. I have never had to deal with this kind of thing before.
My cat Niko is 15 years old and has been having health problems and losing weight for over a year. We've been to the vet, but still don't know exactly what's going on with her. This cat will not tolerate handling from anyone except me, and will even bite me when she's upset enough (like when we're at the vet's). She had to be sedated so the vet could examine her last time. We didn't have a lot of tests done because she was so frail, I didn't want to put her through too much, besides which I don't have much money. We did get bloodwork and a urinalysis done, and were prescribed antibiotics for a bladder infection (which has cleared up). The vet also tentatively diagnosed eosinophilic enteritis and prescribed steroids, but she can't keep it down no matter what we try. So, I gave up on the medication because it only made her worse off. I have been trying every trick in book to tempt her to eat, and syringe feeding Clinicare liquid diet to get more food into her. Still, she's been gradually declining and I doubt she will live much longer.
At this point I'm afraid if they put her under again it will kill her, so I don't intend to take her back to the vet unless there is definitely something that will help without stressing her too much, or I have to have her put down. The problem is I'm not sure how to know when that's really necessary.
So, finally getting to the point of this post - this week I've noticed her breathing heavily at times, and even breathing audibly for short periods of time. I'm worried that if she's really having trouble breathing she may be suffering a lot. Has anyone had this experience? What might be causing this new symptom, and is there any way to help her? If I can't help her, does this mean I need to have her put down?
Please don't just tell me "go to the vet", I'm looking for specifics. I will also talk to our vet and see what she recommends, but I'd like advice from people who have been there if possible.
My cat Niko is 15 years old and has been having health problems and losing weight for over a year. We've been to the vet, but still don't know exactly what's going on with her. This cat will not tolerate handling from anyone except me, and will even bite me when she's upset enough (like when we're at the vet's). She had to be sedated so the vet could examine her last time. We didn't have a lot of tests done because she was so frail, I didn't want to put her through too much, besides which I don't have much money. We did get bloodwork and a urinalysis done, and were prescribed antibiotics for a bladder infection (which has cleared up). The vet also tentatively diagnosed eosinophilic enteritis and prescribed steroids, but she can't keep it down no matter what we try. So, I gave up on the medication because it only made her worse off. I have been trying every trick in book to tempt her to eat, and syringe feeding Clinicare liquid diet to get more food into her. Still, she's been gradually declining and I doubt she will live much longer.
At this point I'm afraid if they put her under again it will kill her, so I don't intend to take her back to the vet unless there is definitely something that will help without stressing her too much, or I have to have her put down. The problem is I'm not sure how to know when that's really necessary.
So, finally getting to the point of this post - this week I've noticed her breathing heavily at times, and even breathing audibly for short periods of time. I'm worried that if she's really having trouble breathing she may be suffering a lot. Has anyone had this experience? What might be causing this new symptom, and is there any way to help her? If I can't help her, does this mean I need to have her put down?
Please don't just tell me "go to the vet", I'm looking for specifics. I will also talk to our vet and see what she recommends, but I'd like advice from people who have been there if possible.