cat tired of living?

[tunaqueen]

Misty is a 14 yr old Siamese/tabby mix and has been with me since the moment he was born. He's been very healthy all his life and an indoor cat as well. The past month I've taken him to 3 different vets for tests and no one can tell me what's wrong with him. He just lays around and when he does try to stand and walk, he's weak and wobbly. His appetite is near zero, I've force fed him a few times, that caused him to get a brief appetite then he's back to laying down, all curled up and looking miserable. When he does try to walk, he keeps his hips low but I don't know if that's because he's stiff from laying in the same position or if he's having pain there. He doesn't want to be petted much, suddenly finds it annoying after 14 yrs of constant adoration. He loves everybody. He's been the best cat I've ever had the priviledge of being owned by.
I don't know what else to do. All 3 Vets said his tests come back normal. No infections, no fevers, no diseases, no "sore" spots that they can detect, etc. I can see by looking at him that he has "given up". He is back to retreating into dark, tiny places, as if waiting to die. It's breaking my heart. I don't want him to suffer and I have really limited resources. I was late with rent this month because I literally spent it all on vet visits & tests. I don't mind that, if I could find out what's wrong with him.
Is it just old age? Has he decided to leave me? Anyone else ever had a cat behave like this and if so, what did you find out? sorry this is so long, but Misty's my bud. I want him to stay on earth with me for awhile longer.

 

[maverick_kitten]

oh hun!!

i cant tell you any more than the vets can, but i just want to show my support and send you some vibes ))((

Hopefully he is just feeling a bit low or has a cold that he cant shake off and will be back to his normal loveable self soon.

All you can do right now is make him as comfortable as possible and let him know how much you love him. He has had a wonderful life being adored by you and if the worst should happen, he has had a better life than the vast majority of moggies born on this planet.

My heart goes out to you.

 

[satai]

I'm sorry, I don't have advice - TCS has a large membership, though, so I think it likely that someone has been through something similar and can advise you.

Has your vet talked to you about mood medication or your concerns that he is just tired of life?

Also, in your comments on the tests, you didn't mention if they had run x-rays to look at his hips. Is he artheritic?

Those are just some thoughts.

I am sorry that you and Misty are going through this.

 

[stephanietx]

I'm wondering if he might be suffering from arthritis as well. An x-ray will show that. If it hurts to move, then he's not going to want to eat or anything. Make sure arthritis is ruled out.

My 10yo cat was getting antisocial and moving stiffly several months ago. When she had to go in for a UTI, I had them x-ray her and sure enough, she's got some pretty bad arthritis in her hips. We started her on SynFlex and Cosequin and now, 3 months later, she's doing wonderfully.

Stephanie

 

[momofmany]

If this came on pretty sudden, have a specialist check his heart. This sounds a lot like the time when my Tigger had a thrombosis that was caused by cardiomyopathy. You can usually detect an irregular heartbeat (like a murmur) and sometimes it is very weak. The thrombosis was caused by a blood clot that broke loose and caused pain and paralysis in his back legs. He too quit eating for the most part and stooped low when he walked. It can be treated, so don't give up on him!

Please keep us updated!

 

[tunaqueen]

Thank you All so much! Your comments and suggestions are most welcome!! I am going to take Misty back to the vet again and this time have some xrays done. I hope it's neither arthritis or a heart condition, but if I have my druthers I'll take the arthritis. Heart problems at his age make me a little nervous. I just want my boy to be ok again. He hasn't had xrays, neither Vet thought he needed them but I think it's time to take a peek into what's going on inside. Thanks so much for your kind thoughts, everyone. Hopefully I'll post some good news soon.

 

[hissy]

I would ask that the vet refer you to a feline specialist. There are even online consults your vet can do after he sends the x-rays and lab tests to the specialist cost about $56.00 to do this

 

[kluchetta]

You've gotten some great advice here. I've also heard that there are some things that can stimulate a cat's appetite. (I believe a steroid shot?) People have had luck with that. Remember, a cat can't go too long without eating. In the interim, Gerber baby food #2 (meats) do a pretty good job tempting a cat's appetite. (make sure there are no onions or garlic in the baby food, but there shouldn't be in the Gerber.) Let us know what happens!

 

[coaster]

What about an anti-depressant, or a mild pain killer? Clearly there's something wrong with this cat, but if it's something that a vet can't diagnose because it doesn't show up on any tests, maybe you just want to try to alleviate the symptoms. If he feels better, he'll want to fight this.

 

[gloriajh]

Originally Posted by TunaQueen

Thank you All so much! Your comments and suggestions are most welcome!! I am going to take Misty back to the vet again and this time have some xrays done. I hope it's neither arthritis or a heart condition, but if I have my druthers I'll take the arthritis. Heart problems at his age make me a little nervous. I just want my boy to be ok again. He hasn't had xrays, neither Vet thought he needed them but I think it's time to take a peek into what's going on inside. Thanks so much for your kind thoughts, everyone. Hopefully I'll post some good news soon.

This is so sad - he's really too young to be "old". I wish I could help you, and return your favor to me!

I'd ask about his thyroid, too - and most certainly, I agree about an xray - it may give you the answer of what you actually need to do, and help you know what your options are - but, I would really look into info about his thyroid - I understand that little gland controls a lot of things, including appetite, lethargy, heart - etc. - maybe the medical folk here could provide more info about the thyroid.

I'm thinking about YOU -- good, positive thoughts -- and your baby Misty!
Gloria

 

[gloriajh]

Originally Posted by GloriaJH

This is so sad - he's really too young to be "old". I wish I could help you, and return your favor to me!

I'd ask about his thyroid, too - and most certainly, I agree about an xray - it may give you the answer of what you actually need to do, and help you know what your options are - but, I would really look into info about his thyroid - I understand that little gland controls a lot of things, including appetite, lethargy, heart - etc. - maybe the medical folk here could provide more info about the thyroid.

I'm thinking about YOU -- good, positive thoughts -- and your baby Misty!
Gloria

I'm searching the internet about thyroid problems in cats, some of the stuff I've been reading doesn't seem to have the exact same symptoms that Misty is having - there is lethergy, there is depression, but, from what I read - ? --- I'll keep looking, though

.

Gloria

 

[tunaqueen]

Thank you Gloria! That's really nice of you to check for me on thyroid symptoms. I asked the 2nd vet about checking his thyroid before he ran tests and asked him about it after, he said his thyroid was functioning properly so...I dont know!
One small bit of good news, I roasted a leg of turkey for him and this time he actually ate 8 bites, pitifully murmering with each one, but he did have an apettite this time so THATS a good sign! He wouldn't touch a bite of food for over 24 hrs, and I had to hold him and force him to swallow a few bites of soft food the two times before that. He's still the same, physically, I can't tell if he's just horribly weak or in pain. When he does manage to eat something, he gets enough energy to walk, although it looks like it's taking great effort and he doesn't go very far.

Tomorrow he goes back to the Vet. I really hope he'll help Misty this time, or at least point me in the direction for someone who will. I won't have my baby suffer! Thanks again for the support, everyone.

 

[gloriajh]

I'm very interested in what the xrays show - and, what the vet says, keep us posted, ok?


There are so many things!
Did she eat any house plants that may have caused this?
Bowel obstruction from ? rubberbands, strings?
Could she have eaten some spoiled food?

I don't doubt that you've already gone through your own extensive list but?

OK, will be waiting to hear.

Gloria

 

[tunaqueen]

Originally Posted by GloriaJH

I'm very interested in what the xrays show - and, what the vet says, keep us posted, ok?


There are so many things!
Did she eat any house plants that may have caused this?
Bowel obstruction from ? rubberbands, strings?
Could she have eaten some spoiled food?

I don't doubt that you've already gone through your own extensive list but?

OK, will be waiting to hear.

Gloria

I definately will post the results...never know who may have this happen to their own loved one and like me, be searching for answers.

Misty's never been a fan of plants, but he IS a plastaholic. He loves the taste of plastic and will lick grocery bags like they're catnip popsicles. He'll pick locks to get at them. There's a chance he could have swallowed a piece, but he hasn't been coughing which I would sort of expect.
His food is changed twice a day and he drinks bottled water, my cats are spoiled rotten but I don't think the food was.....my other cat is behaving normally and hasn't shown the slightest sign of illness, he's still playing and eating with his usual gusto. I've been paying close attention to him too, just incase it's viral and contagious.
One way or another, I'll find out soon.

 

[gloriajh]

Thanks!

Hey, don't tell Misty I called him a "her", ok? :-)

"Spoiling" like that helps insure a healthier life - We try to do the same things and provide the best that we am able, too.

Best,
Gloria