Saddle Thrombus Seeking Advice

[JoeGarza]

I woke up Sunday to may cat of 16 years being paralyzed in his back to legs. My best friend has been perfectly healthy up until this point so this has been extremely difficult. I took him to the vet as soon as they opened and I read of saddle thrombus before going in and brought it up to the vet. The xray came back fine so it wasn't a spinal injury. I left my baby with them to stay over night. The following day I came back up and they said all they have done was give him an antibiotic and the vet things it' kidney failure.

His kidneys have nothing to do with his legs not working, low temp, no sensation in the back, but a blood clot does! I insisted we get him treated for a blood clot but he is pushing back saying because of his low temp, it may kill him. Today the blood test results will be back. Maybe his temp being low doesn't work well with the vasodialator. However, leaving him in his current state is just taking away further from the chance he will live! He's breathing heavy, not eating or drinking. Isn't accepting syringe feeding.

If the doctor won' give him the heart medicine, should I take him else where? He' made it 2 days and I'm fearing any longer and I may have to put him down soon if he doesn' recover. Advice would be appreciated.

Thanks,

 

[Columbine]

Hi, and welcome to TCSI'm so sorry it's under such sad circumstances.

My old boy had a saddle thrombus (described by my vet as a spinal stroke) in early 2017. The sad truth is that there simply aren't effective interventions available, either surgically or with medication. Your boy is highly unlikely to regain feeling in or use of his back legs.

As far as his kidneys go, sometimes with older animals multiple organs start failing at the same time, often with little prior warning. Given your boy's age and condition, I can well believe that his kidneys are struggling too. My old greyhound went through this; he managed pretty well with congestive heart failure for several years, then suddenly, almost overnight, his kidneys started to fail too. It's just what happens with elderly animals.

No one can tell you what the best move for your boy is, but I can tell you what I would (and did) do. I chose to let my boys go peaceully, before their quality of life deteriorated further. To me, this is the final gift I can give them.

For what it's worth, one of my childhood cats suffered a stroke, and with him we chose to take him to a specialist hospital for more extensive treatment. He died one day after going there, away from his family and in a strange place. I so wished that we'd let him go here, and had been able to say goodbye and be with him in those final moments. Having experienced that once, I would never make that choice again.

I am so, so sorry your boy is so sick. I'm not trying to tell you what is right for you and your boy - ultimately you have to trust your own instincts - I'm just saying what I have done (and would do again) in a similar position.

 

[JoeGarza]

No I completely understand you and appreciate it. I want this kind of advice. It' a very emotional time I would love to have many more years with my best friend. But at the same time, I have to do what's best for him. Hes calm for the most part right now. Just laying peacefully and has tried getting up to move a handful of times but just can't. But when I go to move him or pick him up. He cries. I know he's hurting. The vet just called. The results are back but they won' say over the phone and they want me to bring him in. I'm assuming at this point euthenizing may be his best option . At least I got to spend one last night sleeping next to him.

 

[Columbine]

I am so, so sorry. These decisions are always heartbreaking. You and your boy are in my thoughts

 

[JoeGarza]

Thank you. I appreciate it

 

[duckpond]

I just wanted to say i am keeping both of you in my thoughts. Do keep us updated with how your cat, and you are doing. Sending you guys my best wishes!

 

[JoeGarza]

Thanks for all of your support. I just got back from the vet. I ultimately decided to put him down. Based on the blood tests he had coronavirus. Multiple organs seemed to be failing. The doctor recommended putting him on steroids to help with the liver and kidneys. But my concern there is, those medicines are liver toxic for us as humans and if his are already weakened, it may just make things worse and have to see him suffer more than he already has. And since we would be giving an aggressive dosage, it didn't sound likely for my baby.

 

[Columbine]

I am so, so sorry You made the right decision, which was also the hardest. My heart goes out to you.

 

[duckpond]

I am so sorry. It is never easy. Sending you peaceful thoughts!

 

[1 bruce 1]

Thanks for all of your support. I just got back from the vet. I ultimately decided to put him down. Based on the blood tests he had coronavirus. Multiple organs seemed to be failing. The doctor recommended putting him on steroids to help with the liver and kidneys. But my concern there is, those medicines are liver toxic for us as humans and if his are already weakened, it may just make things worse and have to see him suffer more than he already has. And since we would be giving an aggressive dosage, it didn't sound likely for my baby.

So sorry =( Multiple organ problems/failure, on top of coronavirus, on TOP of paralysis would be a lot to treat, and a lot for even a young cat to deal with, let alone a cat of 16 years.
I'm so sorry this came on so suddenly.

 

[mservant]

The TCS team would like you to know that we are so very sorry for your loss. No matter how much or how little time we have with our fur friends it is never enough and making the decision that they have suffered enough is hard.

Threads are locked after someone has suffered such a loss, as a sign of respect. We invite you to place a tribute at http://www.thecatsite.com/f/19/crossing-the-bridge as an enduring testimony to your best friend.