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Old girl with ckd and skin cancer, how do I know it's time?

6 replies

LapCatLicker · 01/08/2017 12:35

She's 17 now and was diagnosed with ckd and bowen's in situ carcinoma last year. She deteriorated quite quickly with the ckd but once on the meds (benazapet) she seemed to stabilise and coupled with the renal food seemed to reach an equilibrium where her weight was stable and she seemed well. Her skin cancer doesn't seem to bother her but the lesions are getting bigger.
Because of high urea levels she now gets ranitidine syringed down her throat every day, which she hates, but it helps stops her from vomiting bile.
My worry is that she's feeling unwell and we don't know because she's such a sweet, mild-mannered thing. She's started vomiting more often and this usually has a huge blade of grass in it. She has stopped going outside much and no longer toilets outside. Every few days she pees outside the litter tray and I'm not sure if she just has bad aim or can't quite make it in time. She constantly meows unless she's asleep or on a lap and is just incredibly needy. Her claws have gitten really long and sharp and they keep getting stuck in blankets and clothes. Is thus because they don't get worn down outside?
However she still grooms herself and is eating her food normally.
Sorry for the long post. The vet hasn't given ger a blood test in awhile as there is nothing more we can do for her medication-wise. They say it's just a waiting game so no point traumatising her with needles etc.
How do I know if it's time for her to he pts? I would hate to keep her going when she's unwell or in pain. Anyone else had a ckd cat?

OP posts:
LapCatLicker · 01/08/2017 12:37

Gah. Sorry for typos. On my phone.

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FedUpWithBriiiiiick · 01/08/2017 14:23

No advice sorry, but just wanted to give you Flowers and a big un-MN (((hug)))

LapCatLicker · 01/08/2017 14:34

Thanks fedup.

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stressystressy · 01/08/2017 15:59

With a CKD cat I'd say that once they stop eating and appear to be in the "meatloaf" position much of the time then it's time to consider putting them to sleep. There are many, many medications, supplements, and treatments (subcutaneous fluids at home for example) which can prolong the life of a CKD cat, and for as long as they appear happy, then I don't mind doing those things. The interventionist approach is not for everyone though.

Essentially what ends up happening is that the toxins in their system build up so that they feel as though they have a hangover. Fluids and prescription food can keep this at bay, but eventually you'll see them go downhill. A vet will likely offer to keep the cat in for several days of IV fluid therapy and that can really perk them up (however that is expensive and not a cure - my girl passed 18 days after a stay at the vet for IV fluid therapy). Keeping them properly hydrated at home is key (no dry food).

Has she been checked for a UTI with her missing the box?

Shannith · 01/08/2017 16:03

My old 20+ year cat had the same. Better a week too early than a day too late.

I did not know this at the time and I wish I had.

She sounds wonderful and has had a wonderful life FlowersFlowersFlowers

LapCatLicker · 02/08/2017 09:37

Thanks @stressystressy and @Shannith. We've already decided not to intervene too much if she's going downhill anyway. She was a rescue cat at 7yrs and must have had early trauma because one of her back legs was broken and didn't knit back together properly. Because of this we don't want to subject her to too much at the vet. The last time she had a uti she was peeing all over the house so I don't think it's that.

Unfortunately she is a fussy eater and only likes the dry renal food, we get her to take her tabs with a bit of natural chicken cat food but she only ever eats a small amount. She gets water top ups twice a day and will go out and drink from the puddles in the light wells in our deck after it rains.

It sounds as though we just have to keep a close eye on her. She hasn't started the meatloaf thing yet so hopefully that means she's feeling relatively well at the moment. If only she could talk! Although I imagine she'd be like my great-aunt Dorothy who never, ever stopped talking....

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