Hand hold please - worried about my boy

[ittybittyluna]

Some of you may remember that last year we offered a permanent home to our ninth foster cat, Humphrey, after we nursed him through an operation to remove his eye. He is bad tempered, sheds hair everywhere, is fussy as anything, but I adore him (maybe even more than my boyfriend!)

When his eye removed the vet said he needed dental work done, and that would be done at the same time. Unfortunately during his op he reacted badly to the anaesthetic and nearly didn't make it. Vet said we needed to keep an eye on his teeth, and that they were reticent to put him under again. It was also discovered that he was MUCH older than originally estimated (aged around 8, rather than 3).

Fast forward to this week and he has gone rapidly downhill. His teeth are clearly causing him pain, and after a vet appointment today he goes in for a dental on Monday. Since the eye op we moved him to a nearer vet practice who have his notes, and want to investigate why he did so badly under general anaesthetic last time. They are slightly worried that he may have a heart condition. Ultimately they have warned us that he may not make it through the op, but not fixing his teeth is not an option (and of course we want a permanent solution to his dental issues).

Basically Monday is full of unknowns and I'm bursting into tears every half an hour thinking that I'm going to potentially lose my lovely boy who's been through so much Any reassuring tales of weak hearted cats making incredible recoveries after dental work would be much appreciated.

He seems to be. Supervet extended his pain meds and antibiotic coverage for another week to make sure. He's eating well so his mouth doesn't seem to be giving him any trouble which is reassuring.

He's actually is really good condition so hoping he'll stay that way. I'll keep Thrive in mind for the days he decides he's had enough of his raw mix. He's a fussy beast.

Extended pain meds might be the thing for him then. (If supervet is OK with that of course.)

I'm sorry to hear the latest update. I will say though I've fallen in love with Humphrey - he's gorgeous.

I'm a raw feeder too and much prefer it if they'll eat it but my cat with lymphoma goes through phases of being off his food and then Thrive is the only thing he'll eat. If his mouth is less sore now the standard adult chicken one would work too. You can buy it cheaper from Zooplus. As cat foods go it's pretty good quality

Thanks witwoo , when he came to us six months ago he went through a period of not eating after his eye removal surgery. We burned through a bunch of different foods (all of which he turned his nose up at). Eventually he started eating again only to develop skin allergies which is what led me to raw. He now dances around my feet at dinner time but still gets fussy after a while on the same batch (I DIY the batches). He will occasionally eat other food just for novelty value I think so having something else in the cupboard which is high protein and not full of fillers is a good shout.

Thanks pink, he has been a fairly grumpy chap since he arrived, and affection is very much on his terms. I do believe he is a bit happier with his mouth sorted though. We do think he's rather handsome too, and they call him "the lion" at the vet

cozie I'm hoping that when his cystitis abates and his mouth has healed we can take him off the pain meds and watch him closely. Supervet says that as long as he is going about his regular "cat business" then we needn't worry. Just keep a close eye on him for any changes. He is currently of five doses of medication a day poor boy.

Gosh. That's a lot of meds.

Good luck to the lad.

PS- he's a lovely boy.

He's such a beautiful boy- and an amazing colour xxx

Humphrey exceptionally beautiful! What a marathon for you both, though. Glad you are wading through the meds ok and everything is heading in the right direction.

He's taken a turn

He had a check up yesterday and and is off his pain meds and sedative (for cystitis). The vet was happy with his progress but had more bad news. His bloods and urinalysis had come back and his kidneys are completely useless, he is in end stage renal failure due to a flare up of his FIV. The usual treatments for these type of blood results would severely repress his immune system, and given that he has a bladder infection and a healing mouth it is not recommended. His temperament also excludes him from being admitted and given IV fluid as he is so aggressive to the vet staff even under sedation. The vet encouraged me to take him home, restrict his protein, phosphorous and salt, or see if he'll take a prescription diet, and make sure he drinks. If we let everything settle down he may show some signs of recovery, if not then having him PTS would be the kindest option.

I brought him home and he's not happy at all. Curled up in his favourite spot, nibbling at food and not drinking. I am at home measuring out fluids for him and encouraging him to take watered down cat milk. Going to get some Thrive for him later witwoo. I know if he drinks he'll feel better. In between crying for him - I don't think I've ever felt pain like it.

Oh no, I'm so sorry. Poor Humphrey and poor you. I'll be keeping everything crossed that he starts to recover but, if he doesn't, he's had a lovely life since he was lucky enough to live with you

I'm very sorry. I've had a cat with end stage renal failure myself.

Oh, I do feel for you both. What a horrible shock, but the vet seems really together with the good advice. Massive good luck and thinking of you.

How's he doing today?

So sorry to read that you and your beloved cat are going through this.

I lost my precious boy on Thursday to renal failure, so I have an idea as to how you feel. He was 18 though and I am managing to find some comfort that he was lucky to have a long life before he reached his end.

I know how it feels to have all these decisions to make- what treatment to consent to, what to feed, how to feed. I also know that desperate frustration when they won't eat and drink. My heart goes out to you.

You know your cat best. You will make the right decisions for him.

Sending you a big hug.

So after my last tearful post he continued to get worse. I got home from work on Thursday and he had not eaten or drunk anything and was hiding away under our bed. My partner and I decided to try and nurse him over the weekend and if he didn't improve then we would take him to the vet to be PTS. We withdrew all efforts to give him antibiotics as he was so miserable, and tried to tempt him with cat milk and chicken.

It turns out that by refusing food (and subsequently medication), it became apparent that he was starting to feel better, and by early evening on Friday was tentatively eating, and came to find me to curl up on my lap. Through sheer relief I called a close friend who asked if he had been taking any medication, and could this be a side effect. Lo and behold, he was suffering identical side effects to those warned against.

He is gradually getting better and his appetite has returned. He slept on the bed with us for the first time since before his teeth were giving him pain so I know he's feeling better. He is still an ill cat, but his time hasn't come just yet. Thank you all for your kind words and support. I really appreciate them all.