- Joined
- Oct 11, 2021
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Good afternoon. It has been awhile since I posted, but I come to you in dire circumstances.
We have a 15 year old diabetic male cat. His name is Miller. Other than the diabetes, which was diagnosed 2 years ago, he has been generally healthy. Diabetes is under control with 3 units twice daily. He is neutered.
We brought him to the vet last Tuesday due to some excessive drooling. He was diagnosed with some bad tooth disease. They ran blood tests and took chest X-rays to determine if he was healthy enough for the needed oral surgery. He passed all tests on Wednesday, and the surgery was scheduled for October.
Two days later, on Thursday, we ended up at an emergency vet hospital. His breathing had become very congested, and the sound of his breathing was terrifying. At the emergency vet, he was diagnosed with an upper respiratory infection, most likely caused by the bad teeth. We were sent home with Clindamycin for the infection and some nose drops for the congestion. He was also given an injection of a broad antibiotic and sub cutaneous fluids.
Starting on Thursday night, he quit eating and drinking. Early this morning (Saturday around 6:30am), we were back at the emergency vet. He still had not eaten or drank anything since receiving the fluids Thursday night/early Friday morning, so about 36 hours.
They ran a full set of bloodwork and a set of chest X-rays. He had lost a pound (13.9 down to 12.9) and his sodium levels were through the roof. His X-ray also showed possible fluid on the lungs and a slightly enlarged heart, possibly indicative of heart disease. White cell count was also elevated. He was severely dehydrated.
We were given two options. The obvious one, euthanasia, or try to save him, at a cost of $4,000-$6,000. We chose to try and save him, meaning a couple of days in the hospital. That was at 9:00 this morning.
They just called, about 7 hours later. While they said he is “handling the intravenous liquids like a fighter”, his sodium levels actually went up, despite the fluids. Euthanasia was mentioned again, but it was decided to give him the night to see how/if he responds.
Are we hoping against hope here for a recovery? Or are we simply prolonging his suffering? The vet hasn’t come right out and suggested euthanasia, but having mentioned it twice, are we just not getting her hints? With the enlarged heart, and possible fluid on his lungs, and the highly elevated sodium levels, is there any chance for a meaningful recovery? Knowing what I have told you, if this were your cat…
We have a 15 year old diabetic male cat. His name is Miller. Other than the diabetes, which was diagnosed 2 years ago, he has been generally healthy. Diabetes is under control with 3 units twice daily. He is neutered.
We brought him to the vet last Tuesday due to some excessive drooling. He was diagnosed with some bad tooth disease. They ran blood tests and took chest X-rays to determine if he was healthy enough for the needed oral surgery. He passed all tests on Wednesday, and the surgery was scheduled for October.
Two days later, on Thursday, we ended up at an emergency vet hospital. His breathing had become very congested, and the sound of his breathing was terrifying. At the emergency vet, he was diagnosed with an upper respiratory infection, most likely caused by the bad teeth. We were sent home with Clindamycin for the infection and some nose drops for the congestion. He was also given an injection of a broad antibiotic and sub cutaneous fluids.
Starting on Thursday night, he quit eating and drinking. Early this morning (Saturday around 6:30am), we were back at the emergency vet. He still had not eaten or drank anything since receiving the fluids Thursday night/early Friday morning, so about 36 hours.
They ran a full set of bloodwork and a set of chest X-rays. He had lost a pound (13.9 down to 12.9) and his sodium levels were through the roof. His X-ray also showed possible fluid on the lungs and a slightly enlarged heart, possibly indicative of heart disease. White cell count was also elevated. He was severely dehydrated.
We were given two options. The obvious one, euthanasia, or try to save him, at a cost of $4,000-$6,000. We chose to try and save him, meaning a couple of days in the hospital. That was at 9:00 this morning.
They just called, about 7 hours later. While they said he is “handling the intravenous liquids like a fighter”, his sodium levels actually went up, despite the fluids. Euthanasia was mentioned again, but it was decided to give him the night to see how/if he responds.
Are we hoping against hope here for a recovery? Or are we simply prolonging his suffering? The vet hasn’t come right out and suggested euthanasia, but having mentioned it twice, are we just not getting her hints? With the enlarged heart, and possible fluid on his lungs, and the highly elevated sodium levels, is there any chance for a meaningful recovery? Knowing what I have told you, if this were your cat…
…run free Miller 
watch over your family.
