Archive through December 19, 2002
TV ClubHouse: Archives: Cats (ARCHIVE):
Archive through December 19, 2002
Julieboo | Tuesday, December 17, 2002 - 02:10 pm     Help! I have a hard decision to make. My 11 (almost 12) year old cat is having big time breathing problems. I brought her in to the emergency vet over the weekend. (This came out of nowhere.) Anyways, they did xrays and found something way wrong w/ her lungs. Might be heart disease (tho they doubt that since the heart is of normal size.), might be infection or pneumonia. The vet says it doesn't look good. I've been giving her an antibiotic, but so far no change. The question is, should I put her to sleep? (Vet says it's totally my decision. And I was the one who brought it up.) I just don't want her to suffer. Any advice? (Another option is more testing, but vet already said her outlook isn't good, regardless.) Is putting her to sleep a selfish thing or a kind thing...??? |
Fanny | Tuesday, December 17, 2002 - 02:25 pm     Julie, I think you need more information. Is the vet you've been speaking with your regular vet or the ER vet who doesn't know your kitty? If you've been dealing with the emergency vet, can you get in quickly to see your regular vet and discuss the situation and test results with him/her? I'd want to know more than "it doesn't look good" before I made that decision. So sorry for you. ((((((Julie & her kitty))))) |
Pamy | Tuesday, December 17, 2002 - 02:29 pm     Julie..it is not selfish at all, it is a kind thing to do and one of the hardest things to do. ((Julie)) Please let us know, and come here for a shoulder to cry on, we all have been there and it helps to talk to others |
Julieboo | Tuesday, December 17, 2002 - 03:54 pm     Thanks. I think I will give the clavimax a chance to kick in. (Crossing fingers and saying prayers.) We saw the ER vet on Sun and our regular vet on Mon. I've also talked to the reg. vet a few times today. I just don't want her to suffer. It's so hard, cuz the xrays are so expensive and so it all the testing, and yet it's probably all for nothing. She looks extra sad, cuz they shaved her neck to get blood, and it makes her look really odd. Right now she's still breathing hard, but seems to be calm and almost comfortable. I guess I'll just wait for a day or so and see if the antibiotic works. Thanks for your words of advice and comfort!!! |
Fanny | Tuesday, December 17, 2002 - 04:01 pm     ((((Julie)))) Really hoping the drugs work for her. |
Halfunit | Tuesday, December 17, 2002 - 06:50 pm     Julie - this is just *me*, but as long as your baby does not seem distressed, I would give the antibiotics time to work. This could take 3-5 days in some kitties. Any behavior changes? Food, drink, cat box? Is she secluding herself at all? If everything seems normal, I'd let it ride and see your vet on Friday. <crossing my fingers the meds work> |
Sia | Tuesday, December 17, 2002 - 09:09 pm     I'm sorry to hear that your kitty's so sick, Julieboo. As long as she doesn't seem to be in distress, I would try and wait to see if she gets better. She might make a total recovery and have many more years left to be with you. If she is obviously in pain, though, then you will know when to make the difficult decision. Hugs and love to you both.
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Calamity | Wednesday, December 18, 2002 - 12:34 pm     Julieboo: I'm so sorry about your kitty. I don't want to play vet but one thing you might ask about is having a diuretic prescribed. We've had two cats that had chronic wheezy breathing with "coughing" spells. They were given Lasix (sp?) and it really helped each of them. Fluid buildup can make breathing difficult. Hope everything turns out okay. |
Webkitty | Wednesday, December 18, 2002 - 01:14 pm     Julie, my cats came down with a respiratory infection last winter out of nowhere too. They are indoor cats and have had all their shots so don't know how that happened either. The vet said we may have brought a cold germ into the house with us, and cats CAN catch a cold, and tend to be susceptable to respiratory infections. Anyway, P was so bad when he tried to meow it came out as a "honk". He was wheezing and had runny eyes and was just a mess. China wasn't so bad but couldn't stop sneezing and had the most pitiful look on her face. My vet gave them shots of Clavamox to get them started, and sent us home with the Clavamox drops and some Neopoly Dex drops for their eyes and nose. (I'm surprised the emergency vet didn't give your kitty a shot of antibiotics to get her started) It worked just fine and they bounced back in no time. (my cats are not old though) He also took xrays just to make sure and did some bloodwork too, so I know it can add up. If shes eating and drinking that's a good sign. Keep her warm and out of drafts and continue the meds, and hope for the best. Cats are resiliant with a little help. Hang in there. |
Webkitty | Wednesday, December 18, 2002 - 01:21 pm     While I'm in the cat thread...... Kar, how is Stryder doing today? I hope the meds have kicked in and he is feeling well enough to eat and drink. I'm still thinking about him {{Stryder}} |
Halfunit | Wednesday, December 18, 2002 - 05:33 pm     Checkup report on sick kitties, please! |
Hummingbird | Wednesday, December 18, 2002 - 10:06 pm     "Stray Cat" Oh, what unhappy twist of fate Has brought you, homeless to my gate. The gate where once another stood To beg for shelter, warmth, and food? For from that day I ceased to be The master of my destiny, While he, with purr and velvet paw Became, within my house, The Law. He scratched my furniture and shed And claimed the middle of my bed. He ruled in arrogance and pride And broke my heart the day he died. So if you really think, oh cat I'm willing to relive all that Because you've come, forlorn and thin Well -- don't just stand there--come on in! ~Francis Witham~ |
Julieboo | Thursday, December 19, 2002 - 06:29 am     Hi Well Pocahontas is distressed. She breathes most of the time w/her mouth open and is really having a hard time of it. She is not eating or drinking. I've tried a/d food (from vet) on my finger and she won't go for it at all. The ER vet did give her lasix (sp?) and some fluid under her skin. Also a shot of antibiotic. I've put water in her mouth with a syringe, but she seems to hate that. So, it is with a heavy heart that I am headed to the vet right now. Most likely for the last time. Will write more later. Thanks for your words. I do feel guilty tho-because I could have them try more things like an oxygen cage and more tests, biopsies, etc. But I don't want to put her thru it and it is so expensive and the outlook doesn't look very hopefull anyways. I just don't want her to sufffer. I'm so confused. Hopefully the vet will help me decide. |
Rig | Thursday, December 19, 2002 - 07:49 am     {{julieboo}}. I'm so sorry to hear that there was no improvement. Peace. |
Bob2112 | Thursday, December 19, 2002 - 08:09 am     {{{JulieBoo}}}
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Webkitty | Thursday, December 19, 2002 - 08:13 am     Oh dear |
Julieboo | Thursday, December 19, 2002 - 08:21 am     I am sad today. I just came back from the vet. I had them put Pocahontas to sleep. I feel terribly guilty and sad--even tho I know it was probably the right thing to do. It was so sad to watch, she was so good thru it. I am just glad she didn't really know what was going on. It was very hard, because you think of what a wonderful cat she was and how much she gave us and also you think of the "what if's". Like what if she starts to get better, or what if a biopsy will tell us something. There were more tests, etc, we could have done, but the vet said even with all the answers laid out, (like what was it, how'd she get it, etc.,) the prognosis was not good. He did say it was a humane thing to do. (or am I just trying to justify it?) I just didn't want her to struggle. She was such a good cat. She put up with all of Ryan's rough hugs and pets and never so much as hissed at him...Even when he deserved it. |
Heyltslori | Thursday, December 19, 2002 - 08:32 am     I'm so sorry Julie.. |
Lucy | Thursday, December 19, 2002 - 09:18 am     Julie-I am so sorry for the loss of your sweet kitty. Please don't feel guilty, you did what was best for Pocahontas. Thinking of you and your family...{{{Julie and family}}} |
Weinermr | Thursday, December 19, 2002 - 09:21 am     Oh Julieboo. I'm so sad for you. {{{{{Julie}}}}} |
Halfunit | Thursday, December 19, 2002 - 10:27 am     Julie... I am very saddened by what you went through. I so wished that your kitty would pull through, but if there wasn't improvement, then you did do the right thing. Pocahontas is now at peace and is in good company in Kitty Heaven. |
Fanny | Thursday, December 19, 2002 - 10:32 am     I'm so sorry, Julie. You did the right thing. ((((((Julie))))))) |
Lobster | Thursday, December 19, 2002 - 08:00 pm     {{{{{Julie}}}}} |
Twinkie | Thursday, December 19, 2002 - 09:09 pm     I'm so sorry, Julie. Your baby is in kitty heaven along with a whole lot of kitties, romping and playing now. I have a baby up there too as do so many TVCHers. She is no longer hurting, honey. {{{Julie}}} |
Twiggyish | Thursday, December 19, 2002 - 09:47 pm     ((Julie)) This site has helped many people over the years. http://www.rainbowbridge.com/ All I can say is go and read a while, it will help. |
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