Heroic measures for pets... I'm having trouble. UPDATED.

[zakatak]

Nicholas (15 y.o Balinese cat) isn't doing any better. He is now drooling and still vomiting, not eating, not drinking. This is not easy. I have a call into the vet (he is in surgery and will call me back). I know he will give me two options, ultrasound or hospitalization with IV fluids. I'm not sure what the ultrasound will show since his bloodwork came back within limits (i.e. white cells fine = no tumors). Xrays were normal too. That leaves IV in the hospital, but my biggest fear is that he will die alone in a cold, metal cage with nobody who loves him with him. That isn't even an option. I can't do that to him.

I will ask if they will give him another shot of anti-vomiting medicine and more fluids under the skin. That will take him another couple of days. Then, if he recovers, great. Otherwise, should I just let nature take it's course at home where he is loved? Man, this is hard. Cats are supposed to be able to rebound from Pancreatitis by 4 days (96 hours) and if they don't, it is hard to bring them back.

Any advice?

Thanks.

Karen & Nicholas (The King)

 

[mickeyfan1]

I wish I had advise, but all I can give you is sympathy. I hve 2 dogs that are getting old, and I know thier time will come. I couldn'y let them be in a cage, either. I would just keep them comfortable at home, and when they tell me it's time, take them to the vet and hold them while they go to sleep for the final time. I can't think of anything harder than losing someone you love, human or animal.

Hugs to you.

 

[DemonLlama]

Nicholas is beautiful.

Only you can make the decision of when to let nature take its course. The vet can possibly help with medication to make him comfortable.

I was holding my 19 year old Siamese, Alicia, with the same beautiful eyes as Nicholas, when we had to put her to sleep. Could I have tried to put her through more to keep her with me? Yes. But for me, I couldn't hold her here any longer.

My kids asked me if our pets go to heaven, and I firmly believe that they do. I told them that only people have the choice to return to God. Pets are joy, and happiness, and the very spirit of God, so of course they return to Him. It helped me to explain that to them, thinking of my beloved Alicia, and Shelby, and Lady. They won't be our furbabies, but their spirit will be there.


No real advice, but lots of

 

[Dan Murphy]

Always so tough when the days are short, Karen. When the time came for our dogs in the past, we seemed to know it and had the vet make them comfortable for their last. Empathy from your vet is so very helpful, as, same as with humans, our furry friends are family for sure. And Tori, Marie does also say she can not believe that pets do not go to heaven, she could not imagine a place devoid of our pets. I think so too, certainly in some way. There is a Rainbow Bridge.

 

[Tiggeroo]

I lost a 19yo cat a year ago. He was fairly healthy until the end. But in his last year or so his hearing and vision were getting weak. I had made a decision that at that age if it ever came to it, at his age I wouldn't do anything heroic. I would do anti-biotics, or minor things to help him over a rough patch but nothing more. It was hard. In the end you must do what feels right for you and your family.

 

[Christine]

I understand exactly how you feel. I would not want my beloved pet alone and scared in a vet's cage undergoing treatment. Do you think your vet would allow you to administer the IV treatments yourself? I had a dog that had slow, chronic kidney failure and my vet gave me the option of doing the IV treatments myself. When he showed me how to do it, it was so easy and my dog was very comfortable doing it at home. When you do the fluid treatments you don't have to use a vein, you just need to get it under the layer of skin and then hold them in your lap for about 20-30 minutes. I would suggest you ask your vet about this. Both you and your pet will feel a lot better doing things this way!

 

[CRB#33]

I'm so sorry.

I put my 16 year old kitty down this past August. He had a stroke and was turning in circles among other problems. We felt he was suffering and it was only for our feelings that we were keeping him alive. I held him in my arms as he passed.

That's not really advice, just my experience. Anyway, I just wanted to say I know how hard this is for you. I certainly agree with you not having him in a cage.

Take care! He is certainly a beautiful cat!

 

[DocRafiki]

Sorry, I haven't been following your story, so I'm not sure what's going on. If you have a definitive diagnosis of pancreatitis, fluids and antibiotics are the mainstay of treatment. If he hasn't eaten in 4 days, you have the issue of hepatic lipidosis (liver turning to fat due to not eating) to deal with. Hepatic lipidosis usually takes much longer than 4 days to get over, and unfortunately usually requires a feeding tube. I don't know if any of that is an issue with your kitty.

That said, I never want to see any pet dying in a cold cage away from its family. On the other hand, I don't want to see anyone dehydrate to death. Have you looked into the possibility of keeping the cat on fluids at home? A lot of vets don't think people can handle this at home, but it really isn't a big deal. That way you could have him at home in case it's his time, but you're still giving him a chance AND keeping him comfortable.

I've also sent home injectable medications. They're extremely easy to give when they're on IV fluids, your kitty won't have to be poked repeatedly, and the meds can keep him from being nauseated and from vomiting (as well as giving antibiotics through the most effective route).

Oh, and did the vet actually tell you that normal white blood cells mean no tumors? That is absolutely without-a-doubt not the case. You're right; if that were the case, there really would be no need for an ultrasound. An U/S would be indicated in non-responsive pancreatitis to rule out cancer, because if you find it, there really is no need to prolong the suffering.

I can't say that I'd highly recommend the ultrasound (that would depend more on your situation since it's a high-cost, low-yield test), but I would definitely recommend the at-home IV fluids.

Good luck.

 

[Stimpy]

You have my sympathy. I really hope he recovers.

We went through a similar thing with our 11 yr old cat, Stimpy, about 1 1/2 ago. I was really expecting him to be one of those 20+ yr old cats. He had the same thing, out of no where started vomitting green and yellow, wouldn't drink or eat. After several attempts at the vet and many tests and procedures we decided it was time to let him go. They said they could try surgery but he's chances weren't good at all. I also was very afraid of him dying in surgery or at the vets office alone. Having the surgery would have only prolonged it for a few months or days. After giving it a lot of thought we decided not to do the surgery since he was already in so much pain. We took him home for a few days and then decided it was time to let him go.

We were able to find a vet to come to the house to put him to sleep. When the time comes for our other 2 cats, we would do the same thing. I was able to cradle Stimpy on his favorite blanket in my bedroom and I knew he wasn't in any pain anymore.

I also agree that there is a place for animals after we die and look forward to meeting my pets on the other side.

I'll be thinking of you today and hope you do get some good news.

 

[Dan Murphy]

In reading the thoughts here, I recall how sad it was, being with Keemo and Tanya at their last, but could not imagine it any other way.

 

[grinningghost]

Nicholas is a beautiful cat. I wish I could give you advice, but all I can offer is a hug.

Special thanks to DocRafiki for being there once again for a DISer in need.

 

[katerkat]

Oh, Karen! I'm so sorry he's not doing better. Is there anyway to get the fluids in him at home, like DocRafiki said?

Honestly, I would do anything to save my boys...but I also couldn't let them die alone in a cage. More than without me - I honestly don't think the boys could deal without the other. Tycho can't even nap in the afternoon until he checks on his brother!

I really, really hope Nicholas gets better and you have a few more years with him.

 

[WilmaBud]

Nicholas is, indeed, beautiful. I'm so sorry you're going through this with him. It's so painful and confusing, isn't it? I think you should talk to your vet and share your concerns. I'd definitely try the IV route and more antibiotics, if needed.

I can totally understand your hesitation in hospitalizing him. I took my Barney to the vet 3 1/2 years ago because he was acting strangely. They did an exam and told me they'd like to keep him overnight, but they thought he'd be fine. Well,
3 hours later, they called to tell me he had died. I was not only in shock, but I was so devastated that I wasn't with him when he died. If I had known his situation was that dire, I would have never left him there alone. It took me a long, long time to get over that.

I'm keeping you and your kitty in my prayers. Good luck.

 

[sammi]

Nicholas is truly a gorgeous boy. I'm truly sorry for all that he's going through and I really have no advice as I know how hard this is but please know that we are all thinking about you and Nicholas....{{{{hugs}}}}.

 

[zakatak]

Oh man... I took him into the vet again. They wanted to repeat the blood work because his creatinine(sp?) was high which indicates something with his kidneys. Anyways, the vet didn't seem to think he was on his last legs, in fact he wouldn't put him down at this point even if we wanted. So that might be good??? He did talk me into letting him stay overnight for IV's (fluids, antibiotics, something to settle his stomach). He is also going to check his mouth and throat for any blockages, tumors, etc... He said he's about 80% sure he wouldn't pass on while there and that I can take him home tomorrow.


He will be sedated so he will be semi-comfortable there. His brother is there getting nuetered today, btw. I have to go back later and pick him up, so I can check on Nicholas then (around 5ish).

The other things I considered with keeping him there overnight were Kadek (who tortures him) and the kids (7, 5 & 3). Watching them watch Nicholas is heartbreaking. I really hope these IVs give him the strength to get better. These kids have no idea how sick he is.

Thank you for all the hugs and good thoughts. I will let you know how he is doing when I pick him up tomorrow. Until then, he needs some "get well, you ol' fatty!" vibes!

Karen & Nicholas

 

[ZachnElli]

I hope he continues to get well!! I am going through the same kind of things with my 12 year old golden, if it's not one thing it's another. I really thought I was going to have to put her down in December, but she got better! (it was a stomach bug) But now she's losing some hair and has an ear infection. Get better Nicholas!!

 

[Laura]

Nicholas is a beautiful cat! Sorry, I thought he was a Siamese when I read your previous post about it.

I'm glad to hear the vet isn't sounding so negative. And I hope he bounces back soon!

 

[Stimpy]

The vet does sound encouraging! I hope he gets better soon!!! Best Wishes for all of you.

 

[Stimpy]

The vet does sound encouraging! I hope he gets better soon!!! Best Wishes for all of you.

 

[DocRafiki]

Definitely good news that the vet hasn't given up hope. And if he mentioned creatinine and didn't mention other abnormalities, I'm assuming the liver is ok -- great news! Creatinine will usually go down with the fluids -- no big concern there unless it doesn't respond.

Good vibes for a happy reunion w/the family