My 16yo cat is ill

[ChiefEverythingOfficer]

We have her booked to see the vet tomorrow (earliest appointment).

My beloved girl has been having episodes of vomiting and diahorrea since December. At this time blood test looked ok. A little weight lost but she perked up after ABs and pain relief.

She then had an episode of quite awful diarrhea - vet suggested nil by mouth and slow intro of bland food. She perked up again.

During this she was mostly her usual chatty self, very affectionate (this cat falls over herself to offer kisses and purrs at any opportunity). She never really lost her appetite and began eating beautifully again.

This last week she has had an episode of bloody diarrhea as well as vomiting and is now eating very little. She is finding hidey holes and is clearly not herself. She has gone from nicely padded to feeling very bony.

At her age, what can be done? I have an awful feeling this may be the beginning of the end for CEOcat and I honestly can't bare to even think about it

No real reason for posting (perhaps hoping for stories of miracle recoveries of older cats).

This moggy is my special friend.

[KatesMott]

Hi, no advice as such just a handhold. Im going through similar in terms of potential end of life stage with my 17 year old best friend, only she has a formal diagnosis. Thinking of you and hoping for a good outcome. Either way please do feel free to get in touch if you need to talk or would like some support in anyway. It's awful to see our beautiful pets unwell ❤️

[ChiefEverythingOfficer]

Thank you. I am sorry to hear about your pet. A dog or a cat?

Really grateful for your response. 🌺

[KatesMott]

A cat, cat tax picture of her attached 😻(that was her last night) We lost her sister at 17 in September last year after she bravely battled pancreatitis for a number of years so still not over that. They are the most wonderful creatures.

All you can do whilst you wait for a more conclusive idea of what is going on is be there for her, which you clearly are. She sounds wonderful, and very loved.

[fourmonthstogo]

Oh my gosh @KatesMott she looks so much like my 17 year old, whom I'm terribly worried about. For the last couple of days she's reduced her food intake massively, and is much less active. I'm off to buy some chicken for her in case that sparks interest in food, and then off to the vet if it doesn't 😥

[fourmonthstogo]

@ChiefEverythingOfficer A handhold for you too - I'm sorry that you and your cat are going through this

[Sunshineandrainbow]

Sorry to hear this.

Have you tried her on some sliced chicken. I buy it for my cat to give as a treat. It might settle her tummy.

Hope she is OK and feels better soon.

[caringcarer]

No advice but cuddle her lots and tell her you love her. She will know and understand.

[KatesMott]

@fourmonthstogo So sorry to hear you are worried about your beautiful girl too. Appetite can reduce with old age and less activity but a vets appointment definitely sounds like a needed reassurance too.

As per @Sunshineandrainbow try things like chicken, turkey etc or stronger treat foods like tuna and mackerel in spring water as sometimes loss of smell can be an issue. I also always leave a bowl of dry food upstairs and downstairs each day so that she can graze at any point if she feels like it.

At these later ages also take as many photos, and videos of things like their quirky purrs and ways of chatting, as you can. Memories are so precious. ❤️

[fourmonthstogo]

My cat did manage a couple of small bits of the chicken I bought her, I warmed it up a little which makes it smell more tasty apparently, so you might want to try that @ChiefEverythingOfficer
But I think my girl is having mouth issues, as she looks to be struggling- she only has one tooth left though! I've got a vets appointment this afternoon

[KatesMott]

That's positive at least @fourmonthstogo Let us know how she gets on at the vets. Thinking of you both

[fourmonthstogo]

It's not good at all, she's lost loads of weight and the bloods show anemia with red blood cells not regenerating, so suspected internal bleeding, cancer/tumour. It's so very sad.

[ChiefEverythingOfficer]

@fourmonthstogo

It's not good at all, she's lost loads of weight and the bloods show anemia with red blood cells not regenerating, so suspected internal bleeding, cancer/tumour. It's so very sad.

So sorry to hear this.

We had a similar appointment outcome. Likely a gastro cancer. She isn't strong enough to be sedated for imaging, so the vet has given palliative treatment (steroids, anti-nausea). Hopefully this will give us a little more time - but she will need to eat. Just focused on keeping her comfortable and happy now.

Hope your beloveds are having an ok day.

[fourmonthstogo]

Oh @ChiefEverythingOfficer , I'm so sorry. It's devastating. I hope you manage to entice her with something to eat.

[KristaTenBrinke]

At the page https://theonlineveterinarian.com/diarrhea-cat-2/ you can find out a lot of tips and tricks about diarrhea in cats. Hope your cat will be fine soon!

[KatesMott]

@ChiefEverythingOfficer and @fourmonthstogo I am so so sorry to hear this. My darling girl has cancer too, a second more aggressive primary was diagnosed just before Christmas on top of a tumour we have been treating with chemo for two years now. Its so so hard but the most important thing is to love them and be there for them.

Also, if at all possible and affordable it can be arranged when the time comes for them to be helped to go to sleep at home, minimising the stress of a vets trip. I did this in September when it was her sisters time and it made the hardest of times much more bearable.

Enjoy every second you can with your beautiful little souls. Take lots of pictures and videos, offer them all of the usually restricted treat foods they want and try and make time for yourself too.

I syringe fed with this when my other cat wasn't able to eat, she enjoyed it and it ensured she had some nutrients each day
Liquivite Cat Food (Pack of 12... https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B086K1FPCS?ref=ppx_pop_mob_ap_share&tag=mumsnet&ascsubtag=mnforum-21

I have some left and would be more than happy to send to you both for free if you want to DM me but also understand you may not be comfortable sharing your addresses. Please also feel free to reach out at any point if you need some support or just to talk. Thinking of you and your wonderful cats ❤️