advice for older cat?

Question

I have a 17 year old Himilayan cat ( spelling?) Hes never had any sort of health problems untill recently... currently hes got teeth that are tender and abcessing.. one day he scratched his mouth and made the swollen part of his face burst open and all the infection came out! ...His gums are sore.. I am sure thats why hes not eating as much as he should.. But right now he is so thin!!! I can feel his bones through all his fur!.. I try to push him to eat but he will eat very little.. I have tryed canned food and wetting his dry... Nothings works.... He drinks water like hes dieing of thirst!! .... We have talked to a vet and was hopeing to get the teeth removed at least so he wont be in pain, but the vet tells us the chances of him coming out of the anisthetic are slim, due to his age.... What does a person do in this situation? He is a normally healthy cat and very active but lately I have seen some very unnerveing problems.... Any SERIOUS advice would help.. THANKS..

He doesnt appear to be suffering or in pain, except while eating his Science Diet or when you touch that tooth... otherwise he is a purring happy cat... who likes to play and cuddle and lay in your lap the second you sit down.. Loves to be groomed, hes active and fine in other ways.. He even plays with my other two cats... He uses his litter box just fine.. He grooms and washes himself, which makes his fur smell bad, but he does it... He loves to lay by the wood stove and stay warm by the fire... I just cant believe its anything more than that tooth.. But the vet doesnt want to do anything.. perhaps a new vet????

Answer 1

I would cal around for another vet and another opinion - best to see a vet that specializes in cats. Discuss the problem real well - especially the age of the cat. A good vet will insist on a bloodtest to see if all cats organs are functioning well enough to undergo anesthesia. There is also a very good minimal impact gas anesthesia available now - it costs twice as much as the usual gas anesthesia but in your senior cat's case, it should be your choice and the vet's choice. I just can't remember the ame now but the vet will know (even vet techs know it).

My 8 yr old cat recently had 4 extractions and I worried myself silly about the anesthesia so I researched it and called and called soooo many vets until I found one with a surgery protocol that impressed me: bloodtest and full organ monitorig and support throughout dental procedure. Cost me altogether with antibiotics and painkillers a total of just under $600.00

Your 17 year old is in terrible pain - its a toothache! And that is causing the weight loss, since he is finding it too painful to eat (even soft foods). You said that he is still active and has a jhealthy history... he deserves to be seen by another vet at least and given the chance to have the troblesome tooth extracted and so live a better life the rest of his loooooong (may God make it so) cat years.

Gotta go... my fangless cat is calling.

Serously, call around for another vet opinion. Don't put the kitty down without a fight.

Oh, the anethesia that does not change the heart rate is Isoflurane... make sure you ask vet about it.

Answer 2

Well this is exactly what happened to my 16 yr old cat. She was healthy too until this happened. Her gums turned white and she stopped eating. She sadly died after a few weeks. The vet gave us some medication for her so she could live a little longer but she's gonna pass away soon...... Im so sorry!!

Answer 3

certified vet tech . okay your kitty needs to see a vet period . yes he is an older cat and being put under will be hard on him. its your call though he has lived a good life and it just might be time let him go. so go into the vet and talk things out . see what treatments that could do to get those teeth fixed etc . and if worse comes to worse just make him as comfy as possible until it is time for him to go. what a great life this cat has had you are doing what is right for him .so whatever the decesion make sure its in his best interest . i am sure u will

Answer 4

Sounds like you have a cat that is ready to cross over. He is probably thin due to not being able to eat and having infection in his body. The drinking is a worrisome sign although it keeps him hydrated unless his kidneys aren't working well. Your choices are not going to be pleasant ones. Going to the expense of having the teeth extracted may or may not leave you with your cat, but what are the alternatives? I hope you can help you friend find comfort and peace as well as for yourself.

Answer 5

My advice, get a different vet, do complete blood work to see if hes diabetic or has kidney failure (drinking excess water.) Yes anesthesia is risky at his age, but i have seen 17 year old dogs recover just fine. and cats for that matter. He is in pain at all times, even if he doesn't show it. Think of how you'd feel if your tooth was absessed? Or how you'd feel if you couldn't eat because it hurt so much?

Answer 6

Well ur cat sounds very ill. To help keep ur catz weight up buy him the cats milk. U say ur cat drinks like he is diein of thirst maybe he will drink the milk the same & his weight will come up.

Hav u tryed makin him home made foods? For my kittens since it was hard for them to eat foods, i make them home made foods such as rice. Itz healthy for the cat & is nice & soft. So hopefully ur cat could eat.

I hope this helped, gd luck with ur cat i hope all goes well & he gets better soon
Christine

Answer 7

Seriously, from one cat lover to another. You may not want to hear this but I think it's time to put him down. Abscesses are very painful and he probably has no quality of life. I think he has lived as long as he was supposed to.
Please talk to your vet and ask what he thinks. I cannot believe that he hasn't suggested putting down already. He has to know how much your cat must be suffering.
It's tough, but it's probably time.
Peace

Answer 8

I have been down this road and the only thing I can tell you love is this.. If he is suffering, then you have no choice but to put him down... If you can't find yourself to do this and I know some people can't. Then try to make whatever time he has left as comfortable as possible.. And spend as much time that you have left with him..

Answer 9

Just as much love as you can give him, both of my cats lived to be 21 and one was skin and bones for 4 or 5 years, keep pushing him to eat, what ever you do, just keep loving him....my cats lived off of that for 21 years. it takes alot of trust of your cat, but if your cat is anything like mine were, he/she'll be ok

don't know what else to tell you sorry

Answer 10

We have two kitties that we love with all our heart. Sorry to hear of your problems. I would listen to the vet and make the most of friends advice. Good luck!