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Join our community of cat lovers on the Mumsnet Cat forum for kitten advice and help with cat behaviour.

Original poster

I am worrying about my cat again [sad].

684 replies

TheOriginalFAB · 19/04/2011 12:27

She just took ages to get half up to then settle down and didn't seem to know what to do with her front right paw. Then after a minute she got down off the sofa and went out of the room.

She is 16. Her kidneys are failing, she has arthritis and has hypoestesias. She is on 4 tablets a day and special food. I am taking her for an extra check up this evening as she wasn't very well at all last week and had lost weight. She looks like she might have lost more Sad.

The vet said we are not at that point yet but part of me worries we are but he doesn't want to say as he knows how potty I am about her. She did play a bit yesterday though and is eating the new food we had to buy her after refusing to eat anything else.

OP posts:
Original poster
TheOriginalFAB · 08/11/2011 10:20

Not got the hang of this curling up and chilling. Since 9am I have cleaned out the Guinea Pigs, tided the garden getting rid of broken toys and putting all others in boxes and all the GP's toys and run in the garage to dry. Put a wash load on, hoovered and mopped the kitchen and utility room floors and got changed.

FABCat has just been to have some more breakfast and a drink. She was a bit slow getting up Sad.

OP posts:
Onemorning · 08/11/2011 21:26

((hugs))

Original poster
TheOriginalFAB · 08/11/2011 21:33

Naughty cat scratched FABBoy tonight. He didn't even touch her, I think she thought he was playing the chase my finger game DH and I used to play when she was younger, and she reached out and stabbed him with a claw. I did tell her off for that as she has been getting away with all sorts lately. DS2 is okay, I wiped it with an antiseptic wipe and put some magic cream on it. She will be watched very carefully and the children will be reminded again to give her space. I was sat right next to her but it all happened so quickly I couldn't do anything.

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Original poster
TheOriginalFAB · 09/11/2011 07:58

Oh crap Sad. FABCat really went to town on the paper over night. Why aren't the pain killers helping her yet? She has been on them for over a week and on the new double dose since Saturday. Why does it take a week for the new amount to work when she has already been on them in a lower dose? Confused.

OP posts:
Jux · 09/11/2011 22:47

Oh crap, it's shit isn't it?

Onemorning · 10/11/2011 09:48

How's FABcat doing today, Fabby? x

Original poster
TheOriginalFAB · 10/11/2011 11:01

well overnight she has torn paper again but not as bad as the previous night. DH thinks it could be habit and does it because it is there. I am wondering whether to take "HER" paper away to see if she does it to any others but then what if it is her only way if dealing with pain? [worried]

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MyLittleFluffball · 10/11/2011 11:26

Hi, are you certain that the tearing paper indicates pain or is it just a new habit? My (healthy) 14-year-old cat loves tearing up cardboard boxes (we have two cats - one extremely healthy one and one terminally ill one).

My cat is dying of terminal cancer - she will have to be put to sleep tomorrow - and the advice everyone has given me has been absolutely right - you just know when it is time to put your cat to sleep, because it is when they are suffering, and you don't want them to suffer.

I think you should definitely focus on enjoying the time you have remaining with your beautiful cat, and you will know when she is suffering, you don't need to question it/ wonder. It is a very sad time when our beautiful cat companions reach the end of their lives.

Original poster
TheOriginalFAB · 10/11/2011 11:31

No, I am not certain but as it is a new thing my vet thinks it could be a sign of pain. I also think it is as I touched her gently when she was doing it the other day and she went for me.

Sad I am so sorry to hear that you are about to lose FluffyCat tomorrow. I really appreciate you posting on my thread at such a difficult time for you.

Sometimes I feel she is trying to tell me something but I don't know if she is suffering [thick emoticon]. She sleeps a lot, sometimes cries over her toy, makes funny noises when asleep and comes looking for me at times.

OP posts:
Onemorning · 10/11/2011 14:19

Fluffball, so sory about Fluffycat. Big hugs to you both x

And big hugs to you and FABcat, Fabby. xxx

Original poster
TheOriginalFAB · 10/11/2011 17:10

Grin I just recorded her on my phone playing football with her toy and a leaf Grin.
DS1 has rigged up my old laptop so the kids are having their tea watching her on catcam Grin.

OP posts:
Jux · 10/11/2011 19:38

Fluffball, so sorry. Do come and tell us all about her when you can.

I'm glad other people are coming onto this thread. Things can get entrenched and accepted without question - vet says tearing paper indicates pain, therefore it indicates pain. Then other people come along and say not in my cats. And so I remember I have had inveterate paper tearers before, just playing. Like the sound, like the exercise, like the smell, who knows, but definitely playing.

FAB, she may just get a bit bored and it passes the time while you're out or asleep. Now that would be fab, wouldn't it?

Original poster
TheOriginalFAB · 10/11/2011 19:55

Yep. I am thinking of setting up CatCam in her room so I can see what she does when I am asleep.

OP posts:
Jux · 10/11/2011 20:32

That'll be interesting. I wonder if I can do that with ours.......

Original poster
TheOriginalFAB · 10/11/2011 20:51

FABCat just tore at some paper so I picked her up for a cuddle. I then tried to help her get down and she hissed at me. She is now sat next to the paper. I don't know what to do with the blooming madam. Doesn't she know I am worried about her?!

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Jux · 10/11/2011 22:19

Are you sure you understand the nature of the relationship? You do know that you are staff don't you?

Original poster
TheOriginalFAB · 11/11/2011 10:14

LOL!! I really need a giggle today.

She was sick in the night. I don't know what to do. Yesterday teatime she was playing with her toy and a leaf. I don't want to be taking her in for every thing she does but then she has been ill twice this week (one each end) and the ripping of paper is getting more often and we still don't know it is pain/playing relating. I am sure the vet will speak to me but I am wondering if I am being OTT tbh. I take the responsibility of having her a bit too much maybe.

OP posts:
Original poster
TheOriginalFAB · 11/11/2011 18:03

This cat is really messing with my head HmmGrin. I am ignoring her from now on. She has eaten every last bit of her tea in one go. That never happens.

OP posts:
Jux · 11/11/2011 18:06

Putting you in your place, eh? They are cheeky little things, aren't they? Maybe the new dose of medication is having an effect?

Jux · 11/11/2011 18:07

Fluffball, how are you?

Original poster
TheOriginalFAB · 11/11/2011 18:33

We have to go back to the lower dose on Sunday and tbh we haven't noticed any difference on the 2 levels so hopefully she will do okay.

MyLittleFluffball - how did it go today?

OP posts:
Jux · 11/11/2011 20:34

Why so?

Original poster
TheOriginalFAB · 11/11/2011 20:57

What do you mean?

OP posts:
Jux · 11/11/2011 22:48

Sorry, just why do you have to go back to the lower dose?

Jux · 11/11/2011 23:00

Stupid question, I've just worked it out. They affect kidney function, is that it?

How does she respond to all these 'interventions'? Does she mind going to the vet? Does she object to taking her medication?

My little Euclid found tablet taking so stressful, and vet visits too, that it formed quite a large part of our decision to let her go... She is in our garden alongside the lovely Tish and Fat Poocat, with several very large koi in case they get the munchies in their daisy field.WinkSad Nice Rose tree growing there, one with perfect scarlet roses which cover the ground when the petals fall. 'Tis beautiful.

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