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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.

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Original poster

Urgent! Poorly cat help/advice needed

38 replies

TellMeALittle · 08/07/2015 09:46

Hello,

I've been left looking after my parents cat whilst they are on holiday.

They took her to the vet before leaving as Miss Daisy had lost weight and was subdued. She is 14 years old and the vet diagnosed cancer (they could feel tumours in the stomach area.)

The vet said she could go on for months and said to bring her back to be put to sleep if she appears to be in pain or deteriorates.

Well my parents have been away for a week and return this Sunday coming. I'm doing my best to get her to the weekend as I don't want to have her put to sleep if I can avoid it.

The problem is she isn't eating, although is drinking small amounts of water. I've been tempting her with gourmet cat food (mon petit brand) and Sheba, which she was wolfing down up until a couple of days ago.

I can't bear to see her wobbling around weak, and I feel selfish and cruel making her hold on!

So any advice for what you'd do in the circumstances?

I was planning on trying some fresh white fish/salmon/tuna or anything else to get some food into her. As once she eats she does perk up.

I feel dreadful and don't know what to do. Also would cream or cat milk help?

Sorry any advice would be hugely appreciated.

My db and dsil are away with them and I'm looking after their cat too, who is 18 and so strong in comparison.

Miss Daisy was the runt of the litter and has always been tiny and weak looking, so this contributes to her appearance.

OP posts:

cozietoesie · 08/07/2015 10:08

I think I'd be taking her to the vet today. It may be that you're called upon to make that hard decision but someone might have to. It would be a loving thing to do if it came to it - and it sounds, with stomach tumours and her stopping eating, as if it might have indeed come to it.

googoodolly · 08/07/2015 10:39

I think it would be kinder to put her to sleep, rather than leave her suffering another four days until Sunday

Could you ring your parents and explain what's going on and ask them what they want to happen? I think it would be selfish to make the cat hold on, but I can understand they would want to say goodbye.

What a horrible situation

slippermaiden · 08/07/2015 10:52

I would ring your family if you can to see what they say. And make an appointment at the vets to get her seen. If it's the kindest thing to do then no one will be upset with you. Xx

cozietoesie · 08/07/2015 11:39

What did your family say to you before they left on holiday? (They must surely have realized that there was at least a possibility that she might take a turn for the worse.) Are they, for instance, phoning regularly to find out how she is?

Original poster

TellMeALittle · 08/07/2015 12:38

Thanks for the replies.

They said they'd understand if I had to have her put to sleep, whilst they were on holiday, before they left.

They are on a cruise and have been phoning, and due to phone tomorrow. When I last spoke to my dm, Daisy had been eating well and drinking lots of water. It's just like she is no longer interested in food for the past couple of days. I've been going in 3 times a day as she'll eat freshly opened food (but not the timer food that she had been prior.)

She is coming to me for cuddles and meowing/purring.

I was hoping that if I could get her to eat again she'd perk up. And if not then a sign she is ready for sleep.

I feel cruel for not giving her a chance, but cruel if I don't take her to the vet.

I might just take her to the vet after school, and see what they say.

Thanks again for the help.

OP posts:

cozietoesie · 08/07/2015 12:52

Ah well. If things don't go so well, then maybe try to contact your DB or DSIL in some way tonight so that they can prepare the parents if/as appropriate ? (It sounds as if they already know what might happen though.)

Let us know how things go - there are usually people around to talk to until quite late.

gamerchick · 08/07/2015 12:56

I would take her to the vet.. If she's suffering she will purr.. It's a self smooth thing.

Take her for a once over at least but be prepared. I'm sorry man.

GobblersKnob · 08/07/2015 12:59

I think you are doing the right thing getting advice form a professional.

It may well be that the vet can prescribe strong pain killers that will buy her a little more time without being pain free and you can spoil her rotten for a few days.

googoodolly · 08/07/2015 13:08

You're doing the right thing taking her to the vet.

Like a PP said, purring isn't necessarily a sign of happiness. A lot of cats purr to calm themselves down so it could be a sign that she's in pain I'm afraid

Best thing to do is get a professional opinion, but I think that considering her age and lack of interest in food, they might suggest putting her to sleep as the best option.

Original poster

TellMeALittle · 08/07/2015 13:54

Thanks again.

I'll update after the vets. At least they'll be able to make a proper judgement.

OP posts:

Original poster

TellMeALittle · 08/07/2015 13:58

I didn't realise they purr when in pain. So thanks for letting me know.

OP posts:

SirVixofVixHall · 08/07/2015 14:12

I agree -vet. The vet will have an idea of how things are progressing, and whether it is kind to leave her a bit longer. I assumed you are with her though, it sounds from the later post as though she is alone and you are popping in? She may be less perky partly to do with being alone. An old, sick cat in pain or discomfort is not going to like being alone. Could you stay over or pop in more often?
Tempting foods might be very finely chopped freshly cooked chicken or fish, or something like chicken liver. But if she has abdominal tumours she may feel full and so not want to eat.

googoodolly · 08/07/2015 15:02

Purring isn't ALWAYS a sign of pain, but in this situation it could well be. Cats purr when they're happy/content but they also purr to calm themselves down and to comfort themselves.

I hope everything goes okay at the vets, I know it can't be easy

Original poster

TellMeALittle · 08/07/2015 15:24

I'm in floods of tears, I'm just about to take her. She won't eat fresh salmon and isn't able to walk properly now. There are flies round her as she was in the garden.

OP posts:

cozietoesie · 08/07/2015 15:31

It sounds as if it might be her time. All the best.

SirVixofVixHall · 08/07/2015 15:39

Oh poor little thing. It does sound as though it might be time to let her go. I am so sorry.

Original poster

TellMeALittle · 08/07/2015 17:24

She was put to sleep as her kidneys were failing. The vet said it was the best for her.
I'm so upset. Don't know whether to tell my mum when she calls or tell her when I know she arrives in Southampton, so before getting home.

I hope I didn't cause her any unnecessary suffering.

OP posts:

cozietoesie · 08/07/2015 17:46

From the sound of things, I think you did the right and loving thing. It's very hard but it's the final good action we can take for them.

Can you speak to DB or DSIL before you speak to your Mum?

googoodolly · 08/07/2015 17:57

Oh, OP you absolutely did the right thing.

Fluffycloudland77 · 08/07/2015 18:34

You did the right thing, I wouldn't want my cat to suffer.

girliefriend · 08/07/2015 18:38

you absolutely did the right thing, your parents wouldn't have wanted you to prolong her suffering anymore. It was her time.

Poor puss.

My guess is you won't be able to lie to your mum when they call (i.e. say everything is fine) so telling the truth is probably for the best.

timtam23 · 08/07/2015 19:53

So sorry TellMe
As others have said, it definitely sounds like you made the right decision for Miss Daisy.

code · 08/07/2015 20:53

I'm so sorry how hard for you. You did the right thing by her. I would tell your mum, it sounds as though they won't be shocked and they are bound to ask about her.

SunnyAgain · 08/07/2015 21:08

What a tough decision to have made, but I'm sure your parents will be glad that you were there to keep a close eye on their cat in their absence, rather than a neighbour just popping in once a day and not really giving attention to the cat's wellbeing. Very sad for you and your parents but I think you did as much as you possibly could, and made the right decision at the right time.

Original poster

TellMeALittle · 08/07/2015 21:20

Thanks for all the lovely messages.

I held her in my arms as she fell asleep and I comforted her the best I could. The vets are keeping her as my parents would probably like to bury her in their garden.

Everyone was so nice at the vets. They gave me a room to wait in as I was upset and to keep her away from the busy waiting room. And I left through the back door, as I was a sobbing mess.

Had to walk through a busy town centre carrying an empty cat carrier, crying my eyes out.

I couldn't park at the vets, when I got there and realised I had no money for the pay and display, but a lovely woman paid for a ticket for me as I was upset.

OP posts:

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