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Post by miranda on Dec 25, 2018 12:01:55 GMT
Update: Well we're just back from saying goodbye to our sweet girl. Another 24 hour vet was able to take her today and do the ultrasound. There was a mass in her stomach as well as another mass in/around her pancreas. There were no options other than letting her go, which I guess was sort of a blessing - no decisions to agonize over. Thank you peas for all the stories, it's hard to be entrusted with these little lives and try to decide what the best course of action is. Our hearts are heavy, but I at least know we did the right thing for her.
Original Post:
Merry Christmas right?!! Sorry to dump this here, but I have no one to talk to right now and always second guess my thoughts where my pets are concerned.
We have an almost 10 yo cat who stopped eating over probably late Saturday early Sunday. Occasionally she'll turn her nose up at her food for a day so I wasn't overly concerned, but was watching her. Tried a few things yesterday then took her to the 24/hour vet.
Possibilities at this point are obstruction in small intestines or mass around that area. We'd need an ultrasound to get further info, but being Xmas that isn't possible. They'll try to get an appt with one tomorrow and we'll have to take her and then return her to their care for results.
Obstruction may obviously progress prior to that so they're watching and considering. Seems to me they're leaning towards mass with what they're doing and how she's responding. I feel she gets stressed out of her environment although they say she's doing well stress wise. I'm concerned the move for ultrasound will stress her because she doesn't travel well.
So here's the thing and I feel like maybe i'm jumping the gun. Things mentioned so far regarding the possible mass are lymphoma or a pancreas mass. Removing lymphoma and treating (chemo) would give her time. I've never been one who I would think would consider that option in a cat because mine don't travel well (as most don't I think.) I feel like i'd really lean against that even though she's fairly young because she's a poor traveler and I feel like we'd be back to where we are today in a short time.
So i'm considering options and feeling bad either way. We could call and try to move her later today for an ultrasound (not sure that is an option given the holiday.) According to vet they'll try to feed and if she eats without vomit, they'd lean towards it not being an obstruction. That would leave us to ultrasound and considering surgery to remove mass. I'm going down the path of is this all too much? Am I getting way ahead of myself and need to wait and see what an ultrasound says? Her quality of life is my concern. I feel horrible that she's hospitalized and question whether days from now we're going to have to choose to put her down if we don't want to put her through chemo (not sure if surgery alone would be recommended or even a good idea.) I think i'm definitely overthinking every aspect. I just hate the long delays while i'm sure she's not feeling great and start to consider putting her down because if they lean heavily in toward not obstruction I kind of feel like we're headed towards euthanizing her. Thoughts? Anyone dealt with similar possible diagnosis'?
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Deleted
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Jun 2, 2024 14:23:51 GMT
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Post by Deleted on Dec 25, 2018 12:28:15 GMT
I'm so sorry you're dealing with this. I know it's way easier said than done but take a deep breath and try to wait till you have a proper diagnosis before you start thinking the worst. Good luck to your kitty.
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Post by gryroagain on Dec 25, 2018 13:05:07 GMT
Oh, I’m sorry. But don’t lose hope, my old cat got super sick, no eating , diarrhea, she lost like 3 pounds in 2 days, and they ran a bunch of tests and suspected lymphoma. We opted not to do the ultrasound (all tests were fine, at that point no kidney failure, no anything else they thought likely) as it was very pricey and she was 16. We took her home, I had to syringe feed her, but she got 100 percent better- it was just a bug or something, nothing serious. She lived to 21 and just died this past summer. So it may not be that, it is possible!
That said, I had a very similar situation with our lab years ago. She had a mass on her butt, our vet biopsies and it was cancer. But, too close to her sphincter for surgery. Referred us to a university vet hospital about an hour away. They did laser surgery but wanted to follow with chemo...but she was 8, the drive was hellish in city traffic, she hated it SO MUCH going there. We opted to cross our fingers and pray they got the margins, because repeated visits often...we just couldn’t do it to her. It turned out they did get it all, she made it another 6 years, but even if it had not turned out that way I would not have done differently. It’s about quality of life, not just quantity, for me with my pets.
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Post by Zee on Dec 25, 2018 13:05:21 GMT
I think you're getting ahead of yourself. I would wait until the ultrasound to see what's going on before making any decisions about end of life.
I'm sorry, I know how hard it is to make these decisions. I know you said she's a poor traveler but I would take her to an emergency vet that will do an US today and surgery if there is an obstruction and her condition worsens. I would not do chemo on a cat, so I understand your concerns, but you don't have to decide that right away.
Many hugs to you and your kitty.
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Post by Spongemom Scrappants on Dec 25, 2018 13:07:08 GMT
What a worrisome thing to be dealing with during the holidays. I'm sorry. I think lainey is correct though -- you have too many 'what ifs' right now. |
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Post by LilyRose on Dec 25, 2018 14:50:22 GMT
I’m sorry you’re having to deal with this right now.
I will tell you my experience with my cat Katy, 10 years ago (so my memory isn’t totally sharp anymore). She was 10 at the time, so not young, but not a senior. Katy had a tumor in her intestine. The symptom was her vomiting, often, what looked like a diarrhea-like substance. There was no ultrasound, the vet could feel something in her belly and suggested exploratory surgery. He called during the surgery to say it was a tumor and that her intestine was nearly fully blocked. A few more days would likely result in total blockage and imminent death. My option was to let her go now, or he could remove the tumor to buy her some more time. I was surprised by the call at work, and stammered out a “go ahead and remove it” because I had no time to think it over. After, he told me it was an (I think) adenocarcinoma. She was still terminal. He offered chemo, but told me that for this cancer it wasn’t very successful. Because this cat was so traumatized by vet visits, chemo was never a consideration for me, as it would mean multiple visits and blood tests.
She wound up living an additional 6 months, but had I known that was all, I would have chosen to let her go. In hindsight, it was not quality time, and she lost weight until she looked like a little concentration camp kitty. Every day I’d come home from work and wonder if this was the day I had to decide to let her go.
I’ll also throw out another experience my parents had with their dog who had a blockage due to strings he ate from a throw rug. Thanks to a bad vet, surgery was delayed for days. When the vet finally operated, he too called to say it was bad and that removing the blockage would likely not save the dog. They told him to continue, but the dog did not survive.
So I guess my advice, especially if surgery is indicated, is to assess your options in advance so that if you get a mid-surgery call you will be prepared with decisions. Also decide if chemo is something you would consider.
Hugs to you for a sucky situation. Please keep us posted.
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Post by revirdsuba99 on Dec 25, 2018 15:53:48 GMT
((((((((((((HUG))))))))))))) For you kitty to feel better if possible..
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lurkyloo
Full Member
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Dec 5, 2018 6:53:08 GMT
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Post by lurkyloo on Dec 25, 2018 16:37:52 GMT
I know exactly what you’re going through. At 10 years old my sweet cat stopped eating. She fell very ill and spent three days in the ER vet on fluids while they waited to see if she was going to live or die. Couldn’t see any obstruction. On the 3rd day, she got sassy, started eating, we never found out what it was, and she lived to be 18.
She did develop a bit of pancreatitis later in life, but during that emergency event, her numbers were normal.
Keep hope. Yes, she’s stressed, but she can handle it. Cats are amazingly resilient. Ask if they can give her some buprenorphine as a pain killer and a sleep aid.
Thinking of you and your kitty. ♥️
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Deleted
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Jun 2, 2024 14:23:51 GMT
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Post by Deleted on Dec 25, 2018 16:43:25 GMT
I’m sorry.  . I’m sure the vet will provide you with guidance once they know more from the ultrasound. |
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Post by birukitty on Dec 25, 2018 22:13:09 GMT
I'm so sorry this is happening to you especially right now. I also know how difficult it is not to let your mind race ahead and think about all of the "what if's" and think ahead. But honestly what that does is lead to negative thinking because you are thinking now about worse case scenarios and that leads to stress-more stress that isn't good for you-you've got enough to deal with right now. So my advice is to take a deep breath and try to clear your mind. And every time it starts going in that direction say to yourself, "Stop-we aren't there yet. I don't have all of the information yet to make those decisions." Tell yourself that as many times as you need to and redirect your mind. I believe it's much better to take each step at a time once you get the information from the vet. Then once you get each piece of information make your decision with your vet about how best to proceed forward. As far as pets not traveling well I get that. Jesse my Siamese hates the car ride to the vet. I get an earful the entire car ride. And you haven't heard a cat complain until you've heard a Siamese howling.  But to me that isn't enough for me to stop treatment. I know there are things (sedatives, feliway spray) that can be used to calm him down during car rides. But that's me. You are you and you need to make the decisions on a treatment plan with your vet-what works best for you and your cat. I wish you peace and will pray for your cat for a healthy outcome. St. Francis is the patron saint of animals. |
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peabay
Prolific Pea
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Jun 25, 2014 19:50:41 GMT
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Post by peabay on Dec 25, 2018 22:16:21 GMT
No advice, just I'm sorry you're dealing with this stress (and expense!) at this time. Sending positive thoughts and vibes.
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dald222
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 2,602 
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Post by dald222 on Dec 25, 2018 22:25:46 GMT
I am so sorry you are dealing with this |
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Post by Outspoken on Dec 25, 2018 22:28:26 GMT
I’m so sorry you are dealing with this. Waiting is so hard and the worry is so heavy. Thinking about you and sending you hugs.
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uksue
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 2,505
Location: London
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Post by uksue on Dec 25, 2018 23:23:57 GMT
I'm so sorry . I made the impossible decision to let my tabby go in April and still wonder if I did the right thing . He was 14, had been ill with kidney disease and developed a respiratory infection on top. He was so thin and very poorly . They wanted to sedate him to do an X-ray but they weren't sure if he would survive sedation . He was impossible to give medication to, and after talking to the vet I decided to let him go . I am crying again now just thinking about it .
I had already nursed a cat with kidney disease and after seeing the miserable quality of life he had, I swore I wouldn't put an animal through it - but I stlll have a nagging doubt . I do know that he died peacefully and was soon out of his pain however .
Sending you prayers for your kitty and the decision you may need to make .
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Post by gailoh on Dec 26, 2018 1:38:00 GMT
I am so sorry for your loss...hugs
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Deleted
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Jun 2, 2024 14:23:51 GMT
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Post by Deleted on Dec 26, 2018 1:45:49 GMT
I’m sorry.  |
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Deleted
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Jun 2, 2024 14:23:51 GMT
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Post by Deleted on Dec 26, 2018 1:47:24 GMT
I’m so sorry.
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Post by LilyRose on Dec 26, 2018 1:49:42 GMT
I’m sorry very sorry to hear the sad news. Hugs to you.
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Post by stampnscrap1128 on Dec 26, 2018 1:50:16 GMT
I am so very, very sorry. Unfortunately the most humane thing we can is the thing that causes us the most pain. Sending hugs of comfort to you.  |
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Post by mnmloveli on Dec 26, 2018 1:53:11 GMT
So sorry for the loss of your 4-legged loved one. It’s so hard to let them go when all they do is give us love and companionship. I lost my black lab on Halloween and still struggle every day. The holidays have been very tough.
Let yourself grieve while trying to remember all your good memories.
((HUGS)) to you.
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Post by alexa11 on Dec 26, 2018 1:54:43 GMT
I'm so sorry.
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Post by revirdsuba99 on Dec 26, 2018 1:59:16 GMT
So very sorry you had to say good-bye to you buddy. May you find peace over time!
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Post by Eddie-n-Harley on Dec 26, 2018 2:04:50 GMT
I'm sorry about your kitty.
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Gravity
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 3,230
Jun 27, 2014 0:29:55 GMT
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Post by Gravity on Dec 26, 2018 2:09:07 GMT
I am so sorry about your kitty.
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Post by crazy4scraps on Dec 26, 2018 2:49:20 GMT
I’m so sorry for your loss. They truly are part of the family especially after that many years. Hugs to you.
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ModChick
Drama Llama
True North Strong and Free
Posts: 5,062
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Post by ModChick on Dec 26, 2018 2:51:33 GMT
I am so very sorry to read your update. Hugs.
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janeliz
Drama Llama
I'm the Wiz and nobody beats me.
Posts: 5,633
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Post by janeliz on Dec 26, 2018 3:58:49 GMT
Aw, I’m so sorry. ((Hugs))
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Post by librarylady on Dec 26, 2018 4:13:02 GMT
I am sad for you that it ended this way.
Losing a pet is so difficult.
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Deleted
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Jun 2, 2024 14:23:51 GMT
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Post by Deleted on Dec 26, 2018 4:36:00 GMT
I'm SO very sorry about the loss of your furbaby.
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christinec68
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Posts: 5,135
Location: New York, NY
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Post by christinec68 on Dec 26, 2018 4:53:45 GMT
I am so sorry |
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. I’m sure the vet will provide you with guidance once they know more from the ultrasound. 
But to me that isn't enough for me to stop treatment. I know there are things (sedatives, feliway spray) that can be used to calm him down during car rides. But that's me. You are you and you need to make the decisions on a treatment plan with your vet-what works best for you and your cat. 
