Hi all,
It's been a tough couple days. I have a 17 year old Bengal, girl. She had a routine appointment 2 weeks ago for updated rabies and check up blood work. She was fine 3 weeks ago. Was lethargic after the appointment, but it was always normal as she gets super stressed out going to the vet. She'd usually perk up after 3 or 4 days but didn't this past week.
Got home from work on Friday and noticed she was breathing a little deeper and not eating much anymore. Kind of panicked and took her to the emergency vet. They said her lungs sound good, but an xray showed fluid building up in her chest . They offered to do a tap to get some fluid to test it, but I know how stressed she gets so I decided to just take those findings to my regular vet and let my cat rest from that visit.
I talked some things over with the regular vet the next day and it pretty much doesn't look great. She is 17 years old. She has had a heart murmer most of her life. She had started medication for hyperthyroidism last year. When she goes to the vet, she gets so stressed out that her heart rate doubles and she gets worked up to where her tongue is hanging out her mouth trying to catch her breath. The vet said she could try to pull some of the fluid with mild sedation, but it could be tricky because she DOES NOT like being held down by strangers. The vet is afraid to try to use anesthesia because she might not be strong enough to survive that given her current conditions. The vet and emergency vet said that even if they do get a sample, the 2 major things would be some kind of lymphoma or heart failure. Both the vet and emergency vet also said blood or pus are least likely to be the culprit given her age and condition.
I've been mentally trying to process things this weekend and spending a lot of time with her. She eats very little and while still follows me around sometimes, she just flops down on the floor and zones out. Her breathing has been heavier ever since I noticed Friday (it hasn't gotten worse, but it will). Yet, there are times she acts normal such as cleaning herself and using her box correctly. She used to be very vocal but hardly says a peep now. I'm guessing she is too weak to. Of course I read things on the internet that I could get the fluid drained, but most people say it comes right back anyway and the main causes could mean further treatments and stress to her. My vet and family members all seem to think I'd prolong the inevitable by trying to start a bunch of testing and treatments, to maybe get another month or couple of months?
I guess I'm posting this as sort of a release for myself. Do my thoughts and judgments make sense to others? I keep thinking, will I have done enough if this is it? Should I have done all of those tests and treatments? But the stress from that could take her too. I guess this is normal for everyone to go through, you always second guess yourself. During these tricky times, I think I've found a practice to come to my home to let her go. That's the only thing that's made me feel better.
Thanks for reading and I hope this all made sense. My mind has been a little out of it this weekend.
It's been a tough couple days. I have a 17 year old Bengal, girl. She had a routine appointment 2 weeks ago for updated rabies and check up blood work. She was fine 3 weeks ago. Was lethargic after the appointment, but it was always normal as she gets super stressed out going to the vet. She'd usually perk up after 3 or 4 days but didn't this past week.
Got home from work on Friday and noticed she was breathing a little deeper and not eating much anymore. Kind of panicked and took her to the emergency vet. They said her lungs sound good, but an xray showed fluid building up in her chest . They offered to do a tap to get some fluid to test it, but I know how stressed she gets so I decided to just take those findings to my regular vet and let my cat rest from that visit.
I talked some things over with the regular vet the next day and it pretty much doesn't look great. She is 17 years old. She has had a heart murmer most of her life. She had started medication for hyperthyroidism last year. When she goes to the vet, she gets so stressed out that her heart rate doubles and she gets worked up to where her tongue is hanging out her mouth trying to catch her breath. The vet said she could try to pull some of the fluid with mild sedation, but it could be tricky because she DOES NOT like being held down by strangers. The vet is afraid to try to use anesthesia because she might not be strong enough to survive that given her current conditions. The vet and emergency vet said that even if they do get a sample, the 2 major things would be some kind of lymphoma or heart failure. Both the vet and emergency vet also said blood or pus are least likely to be the culprit given her age and condition.
I've been mentally trying to process things this weekend and spending a lot of time with her. She eats very little and while still follows me around sometimes, she just flops down on the floor and zones out. Her breathing has been heavier ever since I noticed Friday (it hasn't gotten worse, but it will). Yet, there are times she acts normal such as cleaning herself and using her box correctly. She used to be very vocal but hardly says a peep now. I'm guessing she is too weak to. Of course I read things on the internet that I could get the fluid drained, but most people say it comes right back anyway and the main causes could mean further treatments and stress to her. My vet and family members all seem to think I'd prolong the inevitable by trying to start a bunch of testing and treatments, to maybe get another month or couple of months?
I guess I'm posting this as sort of a release for myself. Do my thoughts and judgments make sense to others? I keep thinking, will I have done enough if this is it? Should I have done all of those tests and treatments? But the stress from that could take her too. I guess this is normal for everyone to go through, you always second guess yourself. During these tricky times, I think I've found a practice to come to my home to let her go. That's the only thing that's made me feel better.
Thanks for reading and I hope this all made sense. My mind has been a little out of it this weekend.