Trying to make that decision or not

[plainhat]

Yes, I've read all the checklists and I still don't know what to do. I hope I'm not breaking rules by posting to this forum.

First, forgive the length of this post...I hope you all understand.

Minimum cat (mini) is somewhere between 17 and 21 years old. She's had a wonderful and happy run of it and has been slowing down considerably this last year, though her only visible problem was hyper thyroid.

Last Wednesday she stopped eating. She was due for a thyroid check so I took her in on Friday and told the vet about her being off her feed while we were there. The vet said she looked a bit dehydrated but couldn't find anything else exceptionally wrong. She suggested we give her some fluids "under the skin" to see if that didn't perk her up.

Mini is usualy a very patient cat at the vets and they never fail to mention how calmly she took everything. This time she came back to me soaking wet and wrapped in a towel. The vet said something about her having a "hump back" because of the fluids and also said that she had struggled and had a bowel movement in the process (something she'd not had since she stopped eating).

I tucked her into her carrier and brought her home. When she emerged from the carrier her legs were weak and she wobbled when she walked. She curled up and slept soundly the whole night. Yesterday morning she continued to wobble but her appetite was back. I spend the day on the couch so she could curl up in my lap. Mid afternoon I realized I couldn't wake her up and she was entirely limp but still breathing. I kept holding her until finally she woke up. However, now one eye won't open completely (the inner lid is drooping) and she obviously can't focus that eye.

What bugs me is that things got so much worse after the trip to the vet. That is why I've not called the vet again and why I hesitate to bring her back, even for that final decision. She slept on my lap last night, got up for food, water, and her box (though shakily). At one point she came up from where she was curled at my feet and curled up on my lap and purred herself to sleep.

This morning she got up, ate a bit then vomitted. Now I don't know what to think or do. The only vet available on a Sunday will be the emergency clinic and that is NOT where I want her to spend her last moments.

Sorry I'm going on this way, but I guess I just needed to tell someone else all about it and maybe hear your ideas. Thanks and delet if I should not have posted this here.

[Auntie Debbie]

Sounds like she needs some hospitalization if she is to survive. Has your vet done bloodwork on her when you were there? Just because she has hyper-t doesn't mean she might no have other issues at this point.
I would go to the emergency vets. Even as her last moments could be eased by injection rather than waiting for peace. Sometimes whatever is ailing a sick cat can be a horrible way to go. Euthenasia by a vet is quick and painless.
Either way, please have her seen by someone. She may have something treatable, but you won't know unless she's looked at.
I will keep her in my prayers.

[Traci]

You MUST call your vet and explain Mini's symptoms to him.

The fluids oftentimes leak from the injection site, this is nothing to worry about..they will leak if kitty is severely dehydrated or that there is not much room for the fluids to disperse, or if too much fluids were given in one area only.

You need to find out exactly what happened during the struggle with the fluids....was she hurt by handling?

You said she went in for a thyroid check, but was a bloodwork done? Does she also have another primary condition, such as renal failure? If renal failure, the weakness in her hind limbs could be from low potassium, in which this can be supplemented on your vet's advice.

If she wasn't eating since last Wednesday, your vet should have offered you a temporary diet to entice her with, advised sub-q fluids at home, and possibly offered an appetite stimulant at that time to encourage her appetite.

You also need to tell your vet about the eye, it could be a result of hypertension or some other condition that needs addressed.

Please don't wait on this...call your vet and tell him your concerns. It's impossible to determine if it may be time to let her go, it may only be a set-back that may simply require minimal treatment or an adjustment in her thyroid medication, or a temporary dietary change, etc. If you don't get her rechecked, she may decline rapidly, don't let that happen.

[Guest]

Thanks to you both. Mini had full bloodwork done about two weeks ago. The vet we saw on Friday felt that no matter what was going on, there was no simple means of diagnosing it and the most likely she was just failing either because of heart damage from the thyroid or something else we couldn't see. She didn't offer much hope. The fluids were just a "something to try" attempt. I'll take all of your advise to heart and make a decision. Thanks once again for being here.

[Traci]

I'm not sure if it's just your words or if your vet isn't experienced. Renal disease, heart disease, etc most often does show up in bloodwork, but other diagnostics may be needed to detect heart problems, etc...such as an x-ray and/or ECG...hypertension can usually be diagnosed upon physical exam findings and an ECG or even blood pressure check. It was incumbent upon your vet to ensure those conditions were ruled out.

If you are not comfortable with your vet, see a NEW vet immediately and opt for further diagnostics if necessary. I'm not encouraging you to put kitty through unneccessary diagnostics, I am encouraging you to get agressive with your vet to ensure the diagnostics available and warranted for Mini have been utilized. Her weakness and anorexia are concerning....again, this may be something easily treatable, but you need to get her rechecked to rule out those possibilities in order to offer her the best care and most effective treatment. If you are concerned for her well-being or handling in the clinic, request or demand that you are present during her examination/etc....your presense may have a calming effect on her, but the important thing is ensuring that nothing is going undetected/untreated.

[Guest]

Thanks again. Only fair that I stop back and let you know that I took her to the emergency clinic and they put her down....

I'm going to find a hard to place cat for adoption very soon. It would be the nicest thing I can do in her memory.

[Auntie Debbie]

I'm so sorry she is gone. I know that couldn't have been an easy decision and I will certianly keep her in my prayers to find peace across the bridge.
I wish you the best with your new kitty when you get her or him. That would be a wonderful tribute to her memory. Just allow yourself and any other family members or pets time to grieve before bringing home a new kitty. As the saying goes (or something to that effect), when one door closes, another one opens.

[Jodi]

I'm so sorry for the loss of your cat. Just take comfort in knowing that you gave her a long, happy life and that Mini knew how much you cared for her. (((Hugs))) Safe journey over the Bridge, Mini...

[Guest]

Thank you thank you. No, It was just Minii and me for the last 16 years or so... well most of it, it was Minimum and Maximum cat at first when I found her under my back porch with her three kittlings. We found homes for the kittens, but Mini needed me...And then my ex got Maximum in the divorce...yeah, bad joke.

Mini has been with me as I lost my home, my marriage, my sister, my mother, my career, and a good chunk of my health. I've known she was slowing down all year, and I've been mourning bit by bit...first the lustre of her coat, then the *beep* of her ears when she could no longer hear me, then the sound of her as she did her evening self panic...bouncing off the walls of our apartment. She almost got us evicted once. Such a little cat pounded so loudly when she scampered. And then, this last week, the eyes that suddenly seemed to turn inward. I'd seen that before in people I love. No, the apartment is too quiet. I still jump thinking she's dropped off the couch. I need the life around me.

It is time to take in another cat. She or he will not be Mini, but I'm sure, I will learn to love again.

Here is my Mini as I choose to remember her http://www.flatfrodo.net/hat/MINI_MEsm.jpg

Thanks again for being here

[Auntie Debbie]

Awwww, she was so beautiful!
As you said, your new kitty will not be Mini, but will have it's own purrsonality and needs. It's so easy to love again and there are so many out there needing love. I'm looking forward to your post when you do find that special kitty.
Mini will love you all the more for caring for another kitty some day!