May Have To Put Down My Sweet Cat....

[rkmerley]

I adopted my first 10 year old baby 3 months ago at a petsmart shelter, and the employee advised me that they took her to the vet to get checked out. She had constipation issues so she had a prescribed med to deal with that, and so on. She was pretty underweight compared to how senior cats should be. She quickly became the love of the family, to the point we can't even remember our lives before her.

Three days before we took her to the vet because she was having bladder issues... and the vet told us she had liver disease among other things (yellow ears, with jaundice but barely seen unless under direct white light), dehydrated to the max, underweight, they couldn't even take a blood sample because the vein wouldn't give, and "she probably has other issues as well". At our house, compared to the shelter, she'd eat and drink so much but apparently she wasn't retaining anything.... she's suffering, and continuing to suffer. Now I'm just questioning why the first vet didn't see it, because our vet told us she'd been suffering like this for a long time... my poor baby. She seemed so happy, she'd meow and thrill, she'd follow us and just simply sit with us (she hates playing), but deep down inside her organs were shutting down.

I'm sad, I'm angry, I can't stop crying every half hour. I do not regret adopting her in the slightest nor do my family. I'm so honored to have met her. I'm going on Monday to say goodbye... I don't know how to go on from there. But I'm staying by her side until then.

 

[les26]

I am so sorry to hear this horrible news, is there nothing at all that can be done? I can't believe she would have gotten a good report 3 months ago to now be so sick, I am so sorry this is just awful. I am not doubting your vet but is there nothing else that they can do, are they sure that putting her down is the only option?

I am so sorry this is happening, God bless.....

 

[Furballsmom]

She seemed so happy, she'd meow and thrill, she'd follow us

Hi - I'm with Les26. This behavior, plus eating like a little piggy doesn't sound like a cat who's system is shutting down.
Let me ask a question, do you have her weight from when you adopted her 3 months ago as compared to now?
Just a note, the liver is an organ that can repair itself. If she has gained weight, even a little it might be that a good probiotic like tummyworks, and continued good food and a loving environment could bring this cat back.
How, exactly, is she suffering? Did your vet explain that? Is she diabetic? Does she have worms?

 

[rkmerley]

Hi - I'm with Les26. This behavior, plus eating like a little piggy doesn't sound like a cat who's system is shutting down.
Let me ask a question, do you have her weight from when you adopted her 3 months ago as compared to now?
Just a note, the liver is an organ that can repair itself. If she has gained weight, even a little it might be that a good probiotic like tummyworks, and continued good food and a loving environment could bring this cat back.
How, exactly, is she suffering? Did your vet explain that?

We are thinking that too, actually we are quite confused about it as well after a day of sobbing uncontrollably. She was about 5.1 pounds when we adopted her now she is around 4.6. The doctor said she seems to be at advanced stages. She seemed to be stressing putting down the cat, actually they were even going to do it the same time and said not to wait on it because it looks like she will go downhill this week alone... she even asked her colleague her opinion as she walked out of the room with my baby, apparently that doctor had thought the same thing.

The weight, not to mention when they took out the needle her skin began to swell. Her spine is also sticking up from her fur. She has ascites and her stomach is kind of bloated... but it's all liquid weight. her poo is also rock solid. she'd had constipation issues for a while, but we thought it was getting better. from what we learned, apparently it is not. then the severe jaundice and yellowing of the ears and belly with veins that aren't actually normal from what we learned.

 

[rkmerley]

I am so sorry to hear this horrible news, is there nothing at all that can be done? I can't believe she would have gotten a good report 3 months ago to now be so sick, I am so sorry this is just awful. I am not doubting your vet but is there nothing else that they can do, are they sure that putting her down is the only option?

I am so sorry this is happening, God bless.....

Thank you, I've been praying to God all weekend for her.
I'm going to see on Monday. She brought up a few things but she said ultimately there's not much because this advanced stage of liver disease is incurable... i'm crying just to think about this because there wasn't much to go on, but from what I had learned cats like to pretend everything is fine to us.
She's just one sick cat said the doctor.

 

[Furballsmom]

Gracious sakes honey, I'm so sorry!!
This is just incredible.

 

[rkmerley]

Gracious sakes honey, I'm so sorry!!
This is just incredible.

I appreciate that thank you. I'm going crazy. We adopted two kittens after her and they follow her around like no tomorrow.. it's definitely not going to be the same.

 

[Furballsmom]

The thing that keeps going through my mind is that she found such a wonderful home with you

 

[rkmerley]

The thing that keeps going through my mind is that she found such a wonderful home with you

You are so kind, thank you Now I am crying again

 

[Furballsmom]

I dont know, but would you want to speak with a vet in a different clinic?
How is her behavior these past few days, i mean, you know this cat, does it look to you like she's "going downhill?"

 

[rkmerley]

I dont know, but would you want to speak with a vet in a different clinic?
How is her behavior these past few days, i mean, you know this cat, does it look to you like she's "going downhill?"

I am very curious now to do so after you mentioned it. I will look into that tomorrow morning. Because the two doctors in that clinic said to do it, I didn't think to question it. She is mostly as shes always been. Like she's very withdrawn, but she likes to sit where there are people. Lately she's been sitting on her own. Though she has been going off and hiding in places, the last time I couldn't even find her and freaked out. She also has been peeing outside the litterbox. One time I followed her and I saw her look into her litter box, walk passed it, then pee in the corner of the room. She also didn't have quite a good appetite back then, but the shelter said that was normal for cats to be depressed in shelters. We bought a new giant litterbox the day after, only to find out this news.... she can walk, but it's a bit awkward with her bloated belly. IShe shouldn't be losing weight especially since she's not active, that was definitely the first sign. She weighs less than one of my kittens!

 

[Artscats]

I adopted my first 10 year old baby 3 months ago at a petsmart shelter, and the employee advised me that they took her to the vet to get checked out. She had constipation issues so she had a prescribed med to deal with that, and so on. She was pretty underweight compared to how senior cats should be. She quickly became the love of the family, to the point we can't even remember our lives before her.

Three days before we took her to the vet because she was having bladder issues... and the vet told us she had liver disease among other things (yellow ears, with jaundice but barely seen unless under direct white light), dehydrated to the max, underweight, they couldn't even take a blood sample because the vein wouldn't give, and "she probably has other issues as well". At our house, compared to the shelter, she'd eat and drink so much but apparently she wasn't retaining anything.... she's suffering, and continuing to suffer. Now I'm just questioning why the first vet didn't see it, because our vet told us she'd been suffering like this for a long time... my poor baby. She seemed so happy, she'd meow and thrill, she'd follow us and just simply sit with us (she hates playing), but deep down inside her organs were shutting down.

I'm sad, I'm angry, I can't stop crying every half hour. I do not regret adopting her in the slightest nor do my family. I'm so honored to have met her. I'm going on Monday to say goodbye... I don't know how to go on from there. But I'm staying by her side until then.

If it's not too late there's a great book The Herbal Cat that was written by a traditional vet who went holistic. And I've used many of his treatments to good effect. The No. 1 herb for liver disease is milk thistle, even my traditional local vet suggests it. In fact most vets have a synthesized version of it. And sub q fluids will help with the dehydration, which is probably why she's constipated. Also a good natural laxative would help start things moving. If he can stabilize her I believe it's worth trying. Please consider.

 

[Furballsmom]

Was there any kind of blood test?
mikameek didn't your kitty have serious troubles as well?

 

[1 bruce 1]

Good Lord, I can't even imagine your pain. I am so so sorry.
I wish I had magic words to make this better but I don't. But I do wish I did.
So we adopt senior pets that are vet checked and deemed suitable for adoption and soon thereafter, they are found to have a serious issue that can't be fixed. BTDT..
It's hell on our hearts and hell on our souls. There is absolutely no getting around it. IDK what causes this type of disease, but it was not you're fault.
Lots of fluffy, adorable kittens and super crazy fun active young cats, I'm sure, were available but you chose this older little one and that means you have a BIG heart.
We've taken in some forever fosters that were aged "?" In one case, it was an ancient dog from death row.
Vet guessed "ancient" as an age. Another vet we know well on a personal level said "Methuselah called...he wants his dog back." We had a good laugh, but this little dog was OLD and we knew it. All we could do was offer 2 square meals a day, a comfortable bed, lots of love and pats and praise, and leave it at that. One day this dog fell asleep and died. Our guess on her age was 10-110. Who knows? It doesn't matter. Their last months, weeks, days are full of love, and they KNOW this, and appreciate it. Don't let anyone tell you otherwise, because they're FOS if they try to convince you otherwise.
Whatever happens, folks here know your feelings of anxiety, worry, stress, panic, etc. You're not in this alone.
You're kind people for taking this little cat in. Remember that.

 

[mikameek]

Hi there! While my cat is younger than yours, I was in a really similar place with her! She has liver and gallbladder issues (so bad the vet told me that I needed to put her down because her liver was failing) and she lost a lot of weight. She went from 7.5 lbs when I got her to 5.8 lbs in a month. She stopped eating and wasn't pooping either (but I was never told she was constipated, they told me it was from the lack of food). Mika was SO jaundice, she was almost orange. Attached is the picture of her after she got out of the university hospital.

I STRONGLY recommend you get another opinion. If I hadn't, I would have never found this community nor would I have my cat. Do you have any university teaching hospitals near you?

I also want to add that your cat needs blood work done. I read that it was difficult because of her veins but I would hope that a vet would be able to hydrate the cat and try again. I think its important to know where the levels are at. Especially your ALT, ALP and bilirubin levels. (ALT and ALP are liver enzyme levels and bilirubin is what causes the yellowing with jaundice)

 

[rkmerley]

If it's not too late there's a great book The Herbal Cat that was written by a traditional vet who went holistic. And I've used many of his treatments to good effect. The No. 1 herb for liver disease is milk thistle, even my traditional local vet suggests it. In fact most vets have a synthesized version of it. And sub q fluids will help with the dehydration, which is probably why she's constipated. Also a good natural laxative would help start things moving. If he can stabilize her I believe it's worth trying. Please consider.

I've tried to search for this book, but I can't find it. I heard there is a Holistic vet in my area however and it is definitely something we will look into especially the milk thistle! Thank you so much!!!!

Was there any kind of blood test?
mikameek didn't your kitty have serious troubles as well?

There wasn't a blood test because the vein collapsed when she tried to take blood i suppose because the severe dehydration! thank you for also tagging her! it was exactly what i needed!

Good Lord, I can't even imagine your pain. I am so so sorry.
I wish I had magic words to make this better but I don't. But I do wish I did.
So we adopt senior pets that are vet checked and deemed suitable for adoption and soon thereafter, they are found to have a serious issue that can't be fixed. BTDT..
It's hell on our hearts and hell on our souls. There is absolutely no getting around it. IDK what causes this type of disease, but it was not you're fault.
Lots of fluffy, adorable kittens and super crazy fun active young cats, I'm sure, were available but you chose this older little one and that means you have a BIG heart.
We've taken in some forever fosters that were aged "?" In one case, it was an ancient dog from death row.
Vet guessed "ancient" as an age. Another vet we know well on a personal level said "Methuselah called...he wants his dog back." We had a good laugh, but this little dog was OLD and we knew it. All we could do was offer 2 square meals a day, a comfortable bed, lots of love and pats and praise, and leave it at that. One day this dog fell asleep and died. Our guess on her age was 10-110. Who knows? It doesn't matter. Their last months, weeks, days are full of love, and they KNOW this, and appreciate it. Don't let anyone tell you otherwise, because they're FOS if they try to convince you otherwise.
Whatever happens, folks here know your feelings of anxiety, worry, stress, panic, etc. You're not in this alone.
You're kind people for taking this little cat in. Remember that.

Bruce, thank you so much for your kind words and your story. Your message is very heartfelt and loved, I smiled tearfully just reading through it. I have always been attached to senior cats. My whole family wanted kittens, but I was adamant on that. There's just something about them that makes my heart take. It was harder to get attached to my sisters kittens then it was to Callie. Even put in this situation, it still has not deterred me from getting another senior.

Hi there! While my cat is younger than yours, I was in a really similar place with her! She has liver and gallbladder issues (so bad the vet told me that I needed to put her down because her liver was failing) and she lost a lot of weight. She went from 7.5 lbs when I got her to 5.8 lbs in a month. She stopped eating and wasn't pooping either (but I was never told she was constipated, they told me it was from the lack of food). Mika was SO jaundice, she was almost orange. Attached is the picture of her after she got out of the university hospital.

I STRONGLY recommend you get another opinion. If I hadn't, I would have never found this community nor would I have my cat. Do you have any university teaching hospitals near you?

I also want to add that your cat needs blood work done. I read that it was difficult because of her veins but I would hope that a vet would be able to hydrate the cat and try again. I think its important to know where the levels are at. Especially your ALT, ALP and bilirubin levels. (ALT and ALP are liver enzyme levels and bilirubin is what causes the yellowing with jaundice)

WOW!!!! WHAT!!! From all the stories I've heard, this is the most comforting one of all. From the beginning I've felt pure anxiety and dread. Now there's a sliver of hope and I'm adamant on trying more now. I am trying to get the number of my friends vet and look at reviews to other places. Even if I have to pay a few grand I am okay with that. I just didn't want to see her suffer. I will keep you posted!

I live in Toronto, and I'm not aware of any teaching hospitals! But I will look into that as well thank you!!!!

 

[1 bruce 1]

Hi there! While my cat is younger than yours, I was in a really similar place with her! She has liver and gallbladder issues (so bad the vet told me that I needed to put her down because her liver was failing) and she lost a lot of weight. She went from 7.5 lbs when I got her to 5.8 lbs in a month. She stopped eating and wasn't pooping either (but I was never told she was constipated, they told me it was from the lack of food). Mika was SO jaundice, she was almost orange. Attached is the picture of her after she got out of the university hospital.

I STRONGLY recommend you get another opinion. If I hadn't, I would have never found this community nor would I have my cat. Do you have any university teaching hospitals near you?

I also want to add that your cat needs blood work done. I read that it was difficult because of her veins but I would hope that a vet would be able to hydrate the cat and try again. I think its important to know where the levels are at. Especially your ALT, ALP and bilirubin levels. (ALT and ALP are liver enzyme levels and bilirubin is what causes the yellowing with jaundice)

 

[Furballsmom]

 

[Artscats]

I adopted my first 10 year old baby 3 months ago at a petsmart shelter, and the employee advised me that they took her to the vet to get checked out. She had constipation issues so she had a prescribed med to deal with that, and so on. She was pretty underweight compared to how senior cats should be. She quickly became the love of the family, to the point we can't even remember our lives before her.

Three days before we took her to the vet because she was having bladder issues... and the vet told us she had liver disease among other things (yellow ears, with jaundice but barely seen unless under direct white light), dehydrated to the max, underweight, they couldn't even take a blood sample because the vein wouldn't give, and "she probably has other issues as well". At our house, compared to the shelter, she'd eat and drink so much but apparently she wasn't retaining anything.... she's suffering, and continuing to suffer. Now I'm just questioning why the first vet didn't see it, because our vet told us she'd been suffering like this for a long time... my poor baby. She seemed so happy, she'd meow and thrill, she'd follow us and just simply sit with us (she hates playing), but deep down inside her organs were shutting down.

I'm sad, I'm angry, I can't stop crying every half hour. I do not regret adopting her in the slightest nor do my family. I'm so honored to have met her. I'm going on Monday to say goodbye... I don't know how to go on from there. But I'm staying by her side until then.

I hope you got my last msg. The book is "Herbal Cat Care" by Dr Randy Kidd

 

[mikameek]

WOW!!!! WHAT!!! From all the stories I've heard, this is the most comforting one of all. From the beginning I've felt pure anxiety and dread. Now there's a sliver of hope and I'm adamant on trying more now. I am trying to get the number of my friends vet and look at reviews to other places. Even if I have to pay a few grand I am okay with that. I just didn't want to see her suffer. I will keep you posted!

I live in Toronto, and I'm not aware of any teaching hospitals! But I will look into that as well thank you!!!!

I know exactly how you feel. I felt sick knowing that my baby was in pain and so sick. I didn't give up hope because I really felt like I could do something for her. It is vital to get her blood work done so you can find out WHAT organs are sick and how badly it is. I wouldn't consider putting your cat to sleep till you find those things out.

If you don't have university teaching hospital near, a new vet (especially one a friend or someone else you trust really likes/trusts) will be just as good. Milk thistle is great for the liver. Also, make sure you get calories into her. Syringe feed if you need to. That will also help with the liver. Kitten food has more calories.

Please do keep us updated!