My cat Monkeydo, who had exploratory surgery 14 months ago to correct a non-working gallbladder by draining fluids (6 cups) from his distended bile ducts, resizing the common bile duct and reattaching it to his duodenum, started to be less interested in food or water about a week ago. His back felt bony and he had lost a pound since his October 1 checkup. This past Saturday's ultrasound revealed small pockets of fluid on his abdominal lining or membrane. The internist let me watch as she probed. She aspirated white fatty matter from one of them. It was loaded with white blood cells / bacteria under her microscope. Her diagnosis is peritonitis but not FIP as we know it. She said it's more commonly seen with an injury or a perforation or leakage of the intestines, gallbladder, bile ducts, Etc. He's had no injuries. She did blood work but her assistant forgot to send it in so it's not back yet.
He's getting 300 mL of fluid a day, pain meds and strong antibiotics inserted into the fluids at home with me. He also gets transdermal Gabapentin and Mirataz for appetite and Cerenia if needed. His abdomen has doubled in size since Saturday. And now his weight is up 1 pound. I've gotten him to eat a little tuna and tuna juice, some kibble and treats over the past three days. Enough to sustain life. Does anyone have any experience with this type of inflammation? Vet said last night that if I am not opting for another surgery, which should be scheduled immediately, I should consider euthanization. Her suggested treatment is exploratory surgery to see what's going on and repair it if possible. I don't want to put him through that again. I know from the last time I won't get back the same cat. He has had 14 months of discomfort, hunching, nausea, vomiting, because the 2020 surgery was a patch, not a fix. But it did save his life. I don't want to paint his life as miserable. It's not. But it's not perfect. This past year he has been a loving lap cat who enjoys his food, my company and napping with his cat friends. He purrs for me but stays in the closet now where I set his food and blanket. He's not in pain. He's defecating, urinating and eating a little. I don't know what to do. It's not like I can get euthanasia services on demand during Thanksgiving week. I certainly don't want him to go too soon. Any advice? I am floundering here and so sad. It's overwhelming and never gets easier. Thanks.
He's getting 300 mL of fluid a day, pain meds and strong antibiotics inserted into the fluids at home with me. He also gets transdermal Gabapentin and Mirataz for appetite and Cerenia if needed. His abdomen has doubled in size since Saturday. And now his weight is up 1 pound. I've gotten him to eat a little tuna and tuna juice, some kibble and treats over the past three days. Enough to sustain life. Does anyone have any experience with this type of inflammation? Vet said last night that if I am not opting for another surgery, which should be scheduled immediately, I should consider euthanization. Her suggested treatment is exploratory surgery to see what's going on and repair it if possible. I don't want to put him through that again. I know from the last time I won't get back the same cat. He has had 14 months of discomfort, hunching, nausea, vomiting, because the 2020 surgery was a patch, not a fix. But it did save his life. I don't want to paint his life as miserable. It's not. But it's not perfect. This past year he has been a loving lap cat who enjoys his food, my company and napping with his cat friends. He purrs for me but stays in the closet now where I set his food and blanket. He's not in pain. He's defecating, urinating and eating a little. I don't know what to do. It's not like I can get euthanasia services on demand during Thanksgiving week. I certainly don't want him to go too soon. Any advice? I am floundering here and so sad. It's overwhelming and never gets easier. Thanks.
