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The litter tray

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Original poster

We're all close to tears... hoping DCat gets better.

28 replies

Westcountrylovescheese · 19/05/2012 15:14

DCat rescue so we're not sure his age, over 15 though.

A couple of days ago he suddenly became lethargic and wouldn't get up. Yesterday he was so bad we went for an emergency vet appointment as he hadn't got any better and seems to have lost all strength in his back legs. Vet spent ages with him and we've had urine and blood test which are ok for a cat his age. They did further blood tests for which we were meant to get results today but no news yet (I've tried calling them). Vet sent us home with him saying to give him TLC and keep an eye. He was given antibiotic and anti inflammatory jabs....

We're with him now and it's killing us. Our normally living but grumpy cat is lack lustre, we have to help him in the litter tray and he is dragging himself about. We've just done a wet wipe bath as he is matted and covered in his own faeces (he's not good at allowing us to help). I am sat outside with him in the sun with a brolly held over him for shade.

Close to tears though and need hand holding as we have to just wait and see till at least Monday as the vet can't do anything yet.

I'm also 28 weeks pregnant so am a bit hormonal....

OP posts:
Sparklingbrook · 19/05/2012 15:17

West. Hand to hold here.

Original poster
Westcountrylovescheese · 19/05/2012 15:27

Thank you... although that did start more tears... It's the not knowing that is hard, we can't do anything to help except hold him when he tries to walk and keep him comfy. One good thing is that he is still eating. But he is suffering so much...

OP posts:
Sparklingbrook · 19/05/2012 15:29

Is he going to be ok til Monday West? He doesn't sound good.

topknob · 19/05/2012 15:29

I am so sorry :( xxx

crazynanna · 19/05/2012 15:32

so sorry Sad

Original poster
Westcountrylovescheese · 19/05/2012 15:42

He is bad. No better or worse than when he saw the vet though... vet wants to see him on Monday if no improvement. There was the option of keeping him in but vet thought best at home where he is most comfy and happiest as they wouldn't be treating him, just monitoring. He hates vets and catteries so it feels right from that point if view. It's just hard on us to watch.

Luckily our vets is a vet hospital so there is always someone there if we need them. He is fully insured so we're not worried on that front (also a very loved cat so wouldn't worry anyway).

He is fast asleep now in the shade of the brolly I am holding over him! While I mumsnet with the other hand. DH has just suncreamed my back and bought out drinks. This is DCat's ideal afternoon if he were well...

OP posts:
Sparklingbrook · 19/05/2012 15:45

Sounds like the vet knows what he's doing plus reassuring you can see the vet before Monday if you need to.

If he is fast asleep I am guessing he isn't in pain. i am a bit envious of your weather, it's horrid here. Sparkling Cat is upstairs asleep, all curled up.

Original poster
Westcountrylovescheese · 19/05/2012 15:53

No I don't think he is in pain when lying down, it's whenever he moves. It feels like he is giving up, he is so down, but I want to convince him not to...

Weather has turned beautiful this afternoon in the south west...

OP posts:
timtam23 · 19/05/2012 22:53

really sorry he's ill. I have 2 elderly cats and it is so upsetting when they're ill & helpless isn't it? hope you can keep him comfortable & at home with you until Monday.

Original poster
Westcountrylovescheese · 19/05/2012 23:03

He's awake again and I've taken him to the toilet. Poor little boy fell over in his tray so he had to be held up to go. He's taken two steps in the living room and fell down. He's lying there purring away... hoping that is a good sign. We just don't know if we are best to encourage him to walk or not, every step you can see hurting him so much. Sad

OP posts:
topknob · 20/05/2012 20:30

I know it is the next day but I would really hope you took him to the OFH vets, or that he is comfortable now xx

Original poster
Westcountrylovescheese · 20/05/2012 21:00

Hi, he's still with us at home, he's stable and comfortable and doesn't appear to be in pain. Still eating but no better with his back legs and he is still weak. He seems slightly more happy (very slightly) but essentially not much better or worse. He is 'allowing' us to help him in the litter tray and he is trying a little harder at pulling himself along. We get blood test results tomorrow (hopefully) but we'll definitely be speaking to vet tomorrow if not seeing him. We're at the stage now where we are resigned to the fact that this may be the end... he's comfortable but his quality of life has reduced. We are trying to keep his stress levels to a minimum and I am glad we pushed the vets to doing the extra tests that we are waiting for and that he is at home. We're treating him like a Prince, as he deserves...

Thank you all for your support, this has been a hard weekend for us seeing DCat go so quickly downhill, hand holding has helped.

OP posts:
topknob · 20/05/2012 22:06

You are doing the best for him as hard as it is, hope you all have an ok night x he has every right to be treated like a prince x

MrsGrumps · 21/05/2012 13:30

Any news yet?

Original poster
Westcountrylovescheese · 21/05/2012 17:58

No test results still, been told tomorrow now. Apparently it's because they were taken Friday night so it can take longer. Spoke to vet and we agreed to postpone his appointment till tomorrow as he is stable and we'd rather keep his stress levels down. Vet thinks best to wait till we have the results so that we can properly discuss next steps...

He's still sad and sleeping mostly... we're still playing nursemaid.

Possible reason could be heart (blood clot) or a long word beginning with N. Trying hard not to google.

Thank you all so much for caring with us.

OP posts:
topknob · 21/05/2012 19:40

Poor boy. Good luck for tomorrow xx

ripsishere · 22/05/2012 07:46

Crikey, he does sound like an ill boy. Hope your vet can sort you out today.

Sparklingbrook · 22/05/2012 10:01

Thinking of you today West.

bumbleymummy · 22/05/2012 17:33

Just saw this. Thinking of you and your lovely boy and hope things go ok for you today.

Original poster
Westcountrylovescheese · 22/05/2012 21:09

Well, we are back from vets and they are going to try one more thing. Blood tests results were near perfect although there was sign of some infection... So he is there for a 24 hour burst of fluids and antibiotics to see if that helps. The hope being that he'll get well enough to fight whatever is happening inside.

Hated leaving our little boy there but the vet was smitten and he reckoned all the nurses would be too. He's so so poorly still but we've been given some hope, all fingers are crossed...

OP posts:
bumbleymummy · 22/05/2012 21:10

I'll keep mine crossed for him too.

Sparklingbrook · 22/05/2012 21:16

Fingers crossed here too.

Original poster
Westcountrylovescheese · 23/05/2012 17:40

We said goodbye to our little boy this afternoon... he continued downhill and it was the best decision in the end even though it's so very hard. Hopefully he's in a better place where you only have to eat the jelly bits and it's always bed time.

Sad
OP posts:
bumbleymummy · 23/05/2012 17:45

:( so sorry to hear that west country. :( He was very lucky to be rescued by you and have so many years of being loved and looked after.

ripsishere · 23/05/2012 17:58

Sad but sometimes it's for the best. You know you made the proper and dignified decision for him.
I know where there are some new kittens if you are interested