Our oldest cat (a child to us) has been getting sick, and was recently diagnosed with liver problems. For many, many years he has had a bad hip...and would stumble off to the side every once in a while when he walked. A few years ago he started developing lumps all over his body that the vet called (fat deposits?)...and said were harmless. In the past 1/2 year or so...(especially in the past month or two)...he has been losing weight (he is down to 6.2 lbs) and having more trouble walking. (he now falls from side to side with almost every step) It has been a week since his last visit...he has been on 2 meds (ClavaMox and Lact/Milk Thistle Mix)...and been put on a strict diet. He seems to eat fine...drinks a lot of water...urinates lots (usually wherever he wants) and seems to sleep with his eyes open...we are worried seeing no improvement. The vet offered to change meds, x-ray (looking for a mass,) do an ultrasound...or a biopsy on his liver. Or they can experiment with steriods. HELP!!
2006-11-29 11:15:05 · 11 answers · asked by Sunshine 1 in Pets ➔ Cats
Your question doesn't explictly say what the liver problem might be. It seems as though your baby is just fading away. He is old for a cat. While some may live longer, it is the exception, rather than the rule, and 17 is a real senior citizen.
You could spend more money to try to get more specific diagnoses .. yes, plural, because he may has a multitude of problems at his age. How much to spend depends on your financial situation and the amount of suffering you think your baby might be experiencing.
I think a frank talk with your vet may help you reach a decision. He can discuss diagnostic tests and their cost, treatment alternatives and the costs, as well as side effects. This is not a decision that someone else can make for you.
You have given him a good life, and apparently are doing all you can to make the end of his life as comfortable as possible. If, in spite of your best efforts, he is suffering, keeping him alive may not be the kindest thing for him.
Noone is there to see him; even if we knew all the specifics, there are few people who post here who claim to be veterinarians; and, the best we can do is give you moral support. No matter how much you spend, the fact that his life will end long before your are ready to say goodbye, is the hard part of having pets.
I wish you comfort and peace.
2006-11-29 11:33:27 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 2⤋
I am a licensed vet tech, the falling over is probably arthritis, does he still jump onto the bed? if not start him on glucosamine, it's over the counter, your vet might carry something calles cosequin, if he does that is what you want it works wonders helps replace joint fluid making arthritis less painful. How do you know about hte liver problems? Did they do bloodwork? there is another product called Marin made by the same company as the cosequin you can strt that as well that will help to bring the #'s down if they aren't to high. Ask your vet about his kidney enzymes the increased peeing and drinking is called pu/pd-polyuria and polydypsia, it is more common for cats have kindney disease, not liver disease. If your DVM didn't diagnos the liver disease from bloodwork have him do that, also have them do a fine needle aspirate of the lumps you found, if they haven't already,cats usually don't get lypomas (fat deposits.) Let me know if you need any more info I can send you literature on these diseases. Mckeefry3@yahoo.com PLEASE ASK ABOUT HIS KINDNEY....... Look age is not a disease it is only a number, about 10 years ago 9 years was old for a cat, now cats are living happily til 20 years old, why? because we as a society take such better care of them now. Please don't make any harsh decision without having all your answers first. Find out his levels on his bloodwork first- emil them to me then I will tell what I think. I have been doing this along time, I will not lie to you, vets don't just sell yoy things to make money, maybe some do, but the truth is we do this because we love animals, I still cry with euthanasia, I am not looking forward to the day I will have to put my baby down, but it as very humane decision. One thing I always say is when he's ready to go he'll tell you, one day you will just know. when the bad days out weigh the good and he's not having fun anymore, then that is the day. Don't let anyone make that decision for you. Also vets don't make as much money as everyone thinks, everyone in the vet industry gets paid crap.
2006-11-29 13:59:58 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Milk thistle has proved amazingly regenerative for the liver and that may not be his only problem. I had to euthanize my 22 and 1/2 year old cat last week - kidneys do not regenerate and their failure take out a lot of cats. My cat had an exellent quality of life until the very end.
That's what you must assess for your cat and discuss with your veterinarian. Diagnosis can get very expensive and doesn't insure that your cat will be healed or become like his former self.
Many of us have had to go through this trying experience with pets and I know how difficult it can be to make the "right" decisions because there are no right ones. Your own intuition will lead you to the right path. Bless you and your old guy.
2006-11-29 12:28:50 · answer #3 · answered by old cat lady 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
He's an older cat who is losing weight and drinking alot. Did your vet check him for diabetes too? Losing weight and drinking more can be signs of liver disease but liver problems can also be an offshoot of diabetes and can problems with the eyes.
Maybe as your vet to do a test for diabetes and you can take it from there.
Remember that it's the quality of life...he's had the quantity living to 17. Once the quality of the time declines, the thought of the right thing to do for him comes into play. It's always a terribly hard decision to do that, but the right ones usually are hard.
It's only a decision you can make, and you will make the right one for him I'm sure.
Good luck.
2006-11-29 12:02:41 · answer #4 · answered by BVC_asst 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
When animals get old, they tend to get all kinds of problems. I would NOT let them experiment on him. An X-Ray sounds like a good idea, cancer usually makes them lose a bunch of weight. If the vet suggests switching meds, make sure you find out exactly what they do. Many vets just prescribe meds to make some money.
2006-11-29 11:21:03 · answer #5 · answered by Serena T 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
If the hospital had thought that this procedure was a curative necessity they would have gone ahead with the surgery -- insurance be damned. The reality was it was an expiremental shot in the dark to extend her life after having already received a bone marrow transplant and experiencing catastrophic complications. I'm sorry - but based on the limited facts at hand....I agree with Cigna's decision. I think that one of the problems with medical costs in this country is that we throw good money after bad in cases where care is futile. People die -- it's sad, but it's reality! Too many people think that there is a magic wand in medicine that can keep death from happening --- after 15 years in the field I have seen that real death does occur despite our efforts, and I have seen far too much money spent on futile efforts to prolong a life that could have been better spent caring for another patient. The girl was sick, she had comiplications, and sadly she died -- it happens. No one is immortal.
2016-03-29 16:20:54 · answer #6 · answered by ? 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I feel your cat's pain I really do... And you really must care for your cat as much as it pains you to post this.
My suggestion is to take him to a animal hospital and put him in the care of specialized vet's.
These medications at home may not help, he might need special help and care for a while. Hes an old cat...This happens, there is a chance he wont make it through..
But dont be worried, just care for him and try to be with her as much as you can and soothe him when ever he seems upset (Pet him, scratch him behind his ears, ect.)
Get X-Rays and try taking him to a couple other of diffrent vet's, you may get diffrent results.
I hope you'r cat makes it through and I hope you both will end up happy and well.
2006-11-29 11:24:40 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
Oh how I can feel your pain! I went through this myself last year with my 16 &1/2 year old
gracie. I srill cry......I made the decisision to let the vet end her suffering. I am crying now as I write these words because I miss her so much! I couldn't let her suffer any more! I still think I did the right thing,
2006-11-29 12:02:15 · answer #8 · answered by Pamela V 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
17 is very old for a cat. Nothing you can do will really help. I suggest you consider putting him down. Grieve since he has been a part of your life for a long time, and then adopt a new cat.
2006-11-29 11:18:26 · answer #9 · answered by redunicorn 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Look Sunshine, you have to accept the fact that your beloved pet is not immortal. 17 years is a long life for a feline. The time is coming, and soon, when you will have to decide whether your are just being selfish by continuing the little one's pain and misery. It's not going to get better.
I am sorry.
2006-11-29 11:21:58 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋