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The litter tray

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

Original poster

[gulp] It may soon be time to say goodbye to SoupKitten

207 replies

SoupDragon · 29/05/2013 14:21

She has a fair amount of fluid on her abdomen - according to the vet there are a few possible causes and pretty much all of them are bad.

She was found in a gutter as a tiny kitten with cat flu, eye infections and mites which left her with a few problems but has spent nearly 5 happy years here with us and FatCat.

Waiting for the results of £250 worth of blood tests but have primed toe children that she is unlikely to be with us much longer.

[wail]

OP posts:
Original poster
SoupDragon · 04/06/2013 09:17

No, I had to sleep diagonally. I moved her to one side but by the time I'd got in myself, she'd reinstated herself right in the middle.

OP posts:
cozietoesie · 04/06/2013 09:28

As it should be - and it will do her the world of good to sleep with her person.

Smile
Original poster
SoupDragon · 04/06/2013 09:43

But trying to sleep on my Macbook whilst I am trying to MN is a Step Too Far [glares]

OP posts:
BIWI · 04/06/2013 09:48
Grin

SoopDoggyDog reminds me of Text from Dog

And obviously the cat takes up most of the bed. Surely you know your place by now, Soupy?!

Original poster
SoupDragon · 04/06/2013 09:52

I love those texts. :)

SoupDoggyDogg is, apparently, unrepentant this morning. Clearly he knew I'd talked to the vet receptionist yesterday about rehoming him.

OP posts:
ExitPursuedByABear · 04/06/2013 11:21

Brilliant texts!

MissStrawberry · 05/06/2013 18:13

How is SoupKitten today?

Original poster
SoupDragon · 05/06/2013 18:39

Bloody annoying! She seems to be following me, yowling.

Perhaps more fluid there. No news though.

OP posts:
Original poster
SoupDragon · 05/06/2013 19:16

Aaaagggghhh!

Liver function tests were, apparently, fine. FFS. Slightly impaired but really nothing.

Back in on Friday for a heart scan with more sedation. They don't like to drain fluid off as it can upset the balance of something or other. If it's not causing breathing problems, it's best left, apparently.

I'm not prepared to pay £xxx for a specialist referral which is the other option. If they can't find what's wrong, I would be tempted to leave it and see what happens.

OP posts:
cozietoesie · 05/06/2013 19:25

I'd agree.

ClaraOswald · 05/06/2013 19:30

Unless she shows she's uncomfortable, I'd probably do the same

MissStrawberry · 05/06/2013 19:49

StrawberryCat1+2 have their paws crossed for her.

greenhill · 05/06/2013 20:01

As long as she is happy and isn't suffering I agree on the wait and see what happens approach.

Original poster
SoupDragon · 05/06/2013 20:13

It's so bloody frustrating! She is clearly ill.

I'll get them to check her teeth when they have her sedated to see if they are likely to be causing her problems eating.

OP posts:
cozietoesie · 05/06/2013 20:23

Extremely good idea. Most of Seniorboy's troubles seem to come from teeth. He had a big GA procedure for them a few years back but since then he's had a couple of (long lasting) ABs to counteract some gingevitis. Made a huge difference to him.

MissStrawberry · 07/06/2013 10:51

How is SoupKitten today?

Original poster
SoupDragon · 07/06/2013 11:35

Starving! :) Dropped her at the vet (again) 30 minutes ago for another cardiac scan.

OP posts:
Original poster
SoupDragon · 07/06/2013 11:35

She's definitely more bloated than before though.

OP posts:
MissStrawberry · 07/06/2013 13:09

Yay for hungry.

Not so much the bloating.

She's not pregnant, is she??

Original poster
SoupDragon · 07/06/2013 13:20

If she were pregnant it would have been a miracle as she was spayed 5 years ago :)

It's heart failure. Hypotropic cardiomyopathy (or something like that). He drained of about 3/4litre of fluid and we'll start with diuretics to see how they go. In fact, it's a dog drug, not actually licensed for cats as yet, but is the best bet.

Realistically only has a matter of months but will be comfortable, will look at teeth but an anaesthetic to fix anything is not recommended with the heart problem.

Much as expected - ie life expectancy very limited - but at least there is an answer now.

OP posts:
Original poster
SoupDragon · 07/06/2013 13:21

The question is: How do you fatten up a cat who probably has dodgy teeth? Without fattening up FatCat?

OP posts:
StealthPolarBear · 07/06/2013 13:21

I'm sorry. Glad there is some treatment she can have to give her a bit more time. Sounds as though she has had alovely life

Original poster
SoupDragon · 07/06/2013 13:27

I'm fine with it - I pretty much said goodbye when I started this thread, it was only a matter of when it happened. I'm hoping that this may mean she will simply not wake up one day rather than me having to make a decision to PTS.

OP posts:
greenhill · 07/06/2013 13:38

YY At least you have an answer now Sad hopefully the diuretics will alleviate the bloating and she'll get a bit of appetite back. If she is a happy cat, that's what counts in the end x

BIWI · 07/06/2013 13:46

I'm glad you have a diagnosis - you know what you're dealing with now.

With our cat, we had to feed her little and often. Sheba make 50g pouches of food which seem to be very wet, so were easy to eat (Tweety had problems with her teeth too). Does SoupKitten like milk? Can she tolerate it? Tweety used to really enjoy that, although I didn't give her very much at a time.

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