Think my kitty has reached the end and it is scary

Status
Not open for further replies.

pearl99

Pearl, my labrador who loved cats. RIP.
Top Cat
Joined
Aug 28, 2016
Messages
3,090
Purraise
11,399
Location
Colorado, USA
Thanks! Actually they did give me some Gabapentin for her last appointment and it did make a little difference for her. The doc I work with will be in tomorrow and I'm going to give a call again to go over the possibility of draining this.... at least give it one good chance maybe. Talk about if her bloodwork a couple weeks ago was favorable for anesthesia, if it came to that, etc.
Sounds like a plan :).
 
  • Thread Starter Thread Starter
  • #22

Ocean Planet

TCS Member
Thread starter
Adult Cat
Joined
Jun 2, 2019
Messages
156
Purraise
303
Location
Virginia
Can you ask if its okay to give gabapentin before the procedure?
Its used as a mild sedative for stressful vet visits
My thoughts are if this is due to heart condition, getting the fluid out and then maybe maintaining her with heart meds for a little while
It is so hard :( heart goes out to you
I will ask. It's just a matter if it would not be good to mix with whatever they would need to use and she is already down on energy from no appetite anyway.

At first we thought it wouldn't be a good idea to go this route due to her stress.... but I dunno. Maybe it's worth a chance... It's keeping me up nights going back and forth, that's for sure.
 

pearl99

Pearl, my labrador who loved cats. RIP.
Top Cat
Joined
Aug 28, 2016
Messages
3,090
Purraise
11,399
Location
Colorado, USA
It's tough with having choices that can have the result of things going downhill for all of them. And the unknown.
Hope that talking it over tomorrow with the vet helps. Just going with the gut feeling is what I've done, and know you've made the best decision for you all.
 
  • Thread Starter Thread Starter
  • #24

Ocean Planet

TCS Member
Thread starter
Adult Cat
Joined
Jun 2, 2019
Messages
156
Purraise
303
Location
Virginia
Spoke to my vet. I'm taking her in Friday late morning to attempt to drain the fluid to make her feel better for a while longer.

Plan is to giver her some Gabapentin to calm her down. A little the night before and a little in the morning. They will then put her under more mild sedation and attempt to draw it out. If she cooperates... we are good.

If she throws a fit and gets too squirrely, we'll have to decide between using anesthesia or just stopping. The vet did say she has a genuine concern that she could handle anesthesia given how stressed her heart is, so, another tough choice :(
 

gilmargl

TCS Member
Top Cat
Joined
Feb 12, 2013
Messages
1,855
Purraise
4,817
Location
Germany, NRW
Spoke to my vet. I'm taking her in Friday late morning to attempt to drain the fluid to make her feel better for a while longer.

Plan is to giver her some Gabapentin to calm her down. A little the night before and a little in the morning. They will then put her under more mild sedation and attempt to draw it out. If she cooperates... we are good.

If she throws a fit and gets too squirrely, we'll have to decide between using anesthesia or just stopping. The vet did say she has a genuine concern that she could handle anesthesia given how stressed her heart is, so, another tough choice :(
Thinking of you and Girl Cat. I know how hard it is for you. No-one can make these decisions for you but I'm sure we're all with you whatever you decide. Try to enjoy a few peaceful, loving sessions with Girl Cat before Friday.
 
  • Thread Starter Thread Starter
  • #26

Ocean Planet

TCS Member
Thread starter
Adult Cat
Joined
Jun 2, 2019
Messages
156
Purraise
303
Location
Virginia
I definitely have been and will spend more time with her. Wish I didn't have to work so I could do that more, but don't we all wish that sometimes! ha.

Here she is by the way. Picture is a few years old but she is the same, just thinner.

This makes me feel better to at least try this first step Friday. I hope we don't need to go further than the basics but we will see in the moment how it goes.
 

Attachments

pearl99

Pearl, my labrador who loved cats. RIP.
Top Cat
Joined
Aug 28, 2016
Messages
3,090
Purraise
11,399
Location
Colorado, USA
I definitely have been and will spend more time with her. Wish I didn't have to work so I could do that more, but don't we all wish that sometimes! ha.

Here she is by the way. Picture is a few years old but she is the same, just thinner.

This makes me feel better to at least try this first step Friday. I hope we don't need to go further than the basics but we will see in the moment how it goes.
Such a pretty Girl Cat. I'm glad you feel better, I think I would have done the same. This is tough, and we're all thinking of you all.
 
  • Thread Starter Thread Starter
  • #29

Ocean Planet

TCS Member
Thread starter
Adult Cat
Joined
Jun 2, 2019
Messages
156
Purraise
303
Location
Virginia
So sorry about your pretty kitty. I am going through almost identical circumstances, my boy is 18. It’s tough. Just wanted you to know you’re not alone
Hey, sorry to hear about your situation being similar. You just do the best you can and try to stay strong.

I've just been keeping mine relaxed and quiet. Hope nothing gets worse before Friday. She's been pretty much the same all week though. Now that I'm sitting around with her a lot, I'm hoping I'm not too late. All I do in this situation is sit around and judge every choice I'm making. It's terrible :(
 
  • Thread Starter Thread Starter
  • #31

Ocean Planet

TCS Member
Thread starter
Adult Cat
Joined
Jun 2, 2019
Messages
156
Purraise
303
Location
Virginia
Not the update I wanted to provide, but I let my girl go tonight.

I had finished a shower and was putting some things away and then went to find her. She was in the next bedroom against the wall and looked funny. I leaned down and she had her mouth open and her tongue out and was breathing pretty hard. I said, oh no, and went straight to the emergency vet to say goodbye.

It was time. I couldn't watch that anymore. At that point my gut said, " leave now and let her go with my hands around her comforting her instead of on a table tomorrow getting needles put in her by some strangers". The lesson is: Listen to your gut. As difficult as it was, it was peaceful.

This was my first animal that I've lost in my life that was "mine". I've even identified the stages that I went through in this. Maybe it will help someone else to read my experience as I see other people going through similar things. It's terrible in that some animals will pass suddenly while the majority seem to get sick for long periods of time (by sick I mean something terminal).

The first stage is you spend days/weeks/months trying to help them however you can. You can't sleep at times, you are sick to your stomach and you are always worrying and watching over every move they make. You judge yourself as to what you are doing if it is right or wrong the whole time. Every minute. The grief and sadness was high here.

The next stage is after you've let them go. You are in a state of shock, yet, there is suddenly relief. That's were I am at typing this. The suffering is gone. The worrying is gone. Everything you judged yourself about suddenly doesn't matter. You did the best you could. I'm not sad right now. Just numb and calm.

The last stage will be the most difficult of all and I'm just about to enter it. Knowing that the household is permanently changed of her company and all the sights and sounds that came with that. Knowing that I need to watch over my other 2 cats because they will soon notice in the next day or two something isn't right anymore. I don't know how long this last stage will last but I imagine the grief and sadness will return at quite high levels at this point in roller coaster waves. It's going to be devastating to navigate....

I appreciate all who have replied and sent thoughts in my thread. You are good people.
 

pearl99

Pearl, my labrador who loved cats. RIP.
Top Cat
Joined
Aug 28, 2016
Messages
3,090
Purraise
11,399
Location
Colorado, USA
I just happened to be on when this popped up. So very sorry for you. But also glad (if that can be used) that she was with you in your arms and it was peaceful. I can relate to knowing "it's time, I can't let this go on."
Yes, what a roller coaster. But the final act of love happened.
Thinking of you all, your other kitties, and whoever else in your household.

Edited to add- if you need additional support there are threads on here about kitties adjusting to the loss of one, if you wanted to do a search, or post a new thread if you need us to ask questions to, say what's happening or anything.
Thinking of you all!
 

cat nap

stand with ukraine
Top Cat
Joined
Jan 31, 2014
Messages
5,234
Purraise
2,583
I'm sorry for the loss of your beautiful Girl Cat, ...@Ocean Planet.
Hoping that the grief and sadness will not last as long, and that only the Good Memories and happy times replace the sadness.
She would want you all to be okay.

Run like the Wind, sweet Girl Cat, ....and look down on your family from time to time, to make sure they are doing well. :rbheart:
 

Norachan

Moderator
Staff Member
Moderator
Joined
May 27, 2013
Messages
32,669
Purraise
32,856
Location
Mount Fuji, Japan
I'm so sorry to hear this O Ocean Planet

It sounds like you made the right decision. I'm sure it was much less stressful for Girl Cat to pass away with you there to comfort her.

We always lock the threads when a cat passes away, so I'll lock this one now. If you would like to start a thread in Girl Cat's memory please do so in our Crossing the Bridge

Rest in Peace Girl Cat, you will be missed.
 
Last edited:
Status
Not open for further replies.
Top