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Original poster

My 16 yr old lovely tabby has haemolytic anemia

45 replies

Mxflamingnoravera · 13/06/2021 20:29

My soft as a brush, gentle old boy has been losing weight and drinking loads of water.

I took him to vet two weeks ago, blood tests have returned haemolytic anaemia. He is on steroids now, strong dose, is eating like a horse, drinking gallons, pees in his sleep (I found him asleep on the kitchen table in a puddle of pee) and is very lethargic. He has the odd perky day and I think all is well but then, today (hottest day so far) he sat and stared at his water bowl for two hours without moving.

The vet said he could have chemo but that would make his poo toxic and he's an outdoor cat.

I know I have to face up to the inevitable, but wondered if anyone here has nursed an elderly cat back from this ? Or any advice?

How long do I keep on with steroids before I say enough? (He's had a week on minimal dose and from yesterday increased to max).

I stopped paying pet insurance years ago so cost is a factor, but his quality of life is more important. I will nurse him as long as it takes if there's a good chance of him recovering.

OP posts:
Toddlerteaplease · 13/06/2021 20:54

To be Honest at 16, I think I'd be thinking of PTS. It's horrible for them to be in continent. If he's lethargic, he's clearly not feeling great.

Original poster
Mxflamingnoravera · 13/06/2021 21:10

The vet has not broached this yet which is why I'm asking,

I think toddler that you're right. I'm inclined to try the stronger drugs for a week (he's only been On them far a day ) and if he's still like this then make the decision.

OP posts:
AramintaArrowsmith · 13/06/2021 21:22

I'd be putting him to sleep tomorrow tbh. Where is his quality of life now? Sitting in front of his bowl just staring for hours is heart breaking as is lying in a pool of his own wee. Cars are fastidious and he will be greatly distressed by this

I know it's awful and sad but really, it's your duty to him to do it now really under the circumstances you describe. Don't leave him to suffer further

Aquamarine1029 · 13/06/2021 21:24

I would be putting him to sleep as soon as possible. It's hard but it's the right thing to do. His quality of life is suffering horribly and it's not coming back, I'm afraid. At his age I would never put him through chemo.

decisionsincisions · 13/06/2021 21:32

So sorry to hear of your old boy being unwell. To be honest, as with the above posters, I'd consider PTS. At 16 he's had a long life. I would imagine that the long life was a very much loved life if you were able to identify a change in his behaviour so soon and got him the consult and treatment he needed. Even your willingness to try treatment shows your love for him. It's so shit, but try to think of it from his point of view. He's old, he doesn't understand what is going on and he doesn't need to be put though a tough treatment.

Love him and make your judgement call on his quality of life. Best wishes.

Cleverpolly3 · 13/06/2021 21:32

I would not prolong the indignity for a cat
They are proud clean animals and to be falling asleep in their own urine is not what you would want for them

I know how heartbreaking it is so understand you are searching for a miracle but at 16 I would say with this now is the time to say goodbye to him and send him on his way with no more pain
If he goes downhill very quickly it will be even more traumatic

I always think you can see and tell in their eyes
With my little cat I knew

Sending you both love as it is so so sad 💐

Lou573 · 13/06/2021 21:36

Agree, at 16 he’s reached a good age already. You could prolong it a bit but at what cost?

elfycat · 13/06/2021 21:43

Vets IME rarely help you decide when it's time to let them go.

I put a cat through surgery only to be told by the vet that he had been surprised after seeing the blood results before surgery that I didn't PTS at that point. I may have shouted at him about the lack of information he gave me to make my decision. She had leukaemia, just knackered bone marrow rather than the contagious kind. I wouldn't have put her through surgery.

You might need to be the one to broach the subject. 'Do you think it's time?' is a question I've asked before. If he requires strong steroids and there's discussion of chemo I think you're getting to the end and with animals we don't have to prolonged the inevitable.

I'm sorry. I love cats and I hate the bit where they decline. Flowers

Elmo311 · 13/06/2021 21:57

I'd try him on the higher dose of steroids and see if he perks up. If not PTS. You should see results fairly quickly I think, so if they aren't helping you'll know soon.

Sorry you're going through this. It is hard to let go sometimes. X

Original poster
Mxflamingnoravera · 13/06/2021 22:43

Thanks all I'm with Elmo on this, I'll give him a week in the Steiger drugs and if he's still weak, I'll move to PTS.

OP posts:
Original poster
Mxflamingnoravera · 13/06/2021 22:43
  • stronger drugs!
OP posts:
Umbra · 13/06/2021 22:49

I'd do it now. Better a day early than a day late.

viques · 14/06/2021 09:01

What will a week of the stronger drugs achieve?

If it is a cure then go ahead.

If it is for a weeks respite from incontinence and staring at food then fine, but what do you want to happen the following week. And what will the respite week achieve both for you and the cat.

I think you have to decide who really benefits from an extra week of “perked up” life.

The cat.

You.

The drug company.

romdowa · 14/06/2021 09:05

Sounds like it's time to let go. Our vets are fantastic and they always put the welfare of the animal above money and have told us when we are wasting our time and our cash. Sadly I've also had experience of vets who will bleed you dry even when there is no hope. Steroids long term will cause their own problems for your little friend and with his body struggling so badly I think they will only make him sicker. He has had 16 years but it sounds like it's time to release him from him suffering.

Toddlerteaplease · 14/06/2021 12:17

I always think you can see and tell in their eyes
With my little cat I knew

Yes, I realised one day that the light had gone.

Original poster
Mxflamingnoravera · 14/06/2021 15:14

He's not ready to go yet, he has a spring in his step today. The steroids will allow his red blood cell count to recover. I'm watching him carefully.

OP posts:
Elmo311 · 14/06/2021 17:46

It's easy for people to advise PTS in these circumstances, and that isn't wrong at all. But I understand why the OP wants to give this a try and I'm sure that if he deteriorates they will make the decision to put him to sleep.
Sometimes, the "what if's?" Are the difficult ones and after having a pet for 16 years I can understand why the OP would like to keep them a little longer, if they can be made comfortable, and have a quality of life, even for a short while.

It helps to process what is around the corner, and enjoy the time she has left with him.

Good luck op, I hope he perks up and you get some more time with him where he is happy and enjoying the sunshine x

Original poster
Mxflamingnoravera · 14/06/2021 22:26

elmo thanks, you've nailed it, I do need a bit of time and he is rallying. He is one of two brothers and they've always been a duo, I never imagined he'd go first, the other was a runt that grew to be a bully and as tabby has become weak, the other has got stronger after major dental work last year. Old tabs is the softest, gentlest cat I've ever known, his bro is the opposite (but has his soft moments but they are fewer as he gets older).

OP posts:
Elmo311 · 14/06/2021 23:17

I was a Veterinary Nurse for 15 years, so I get you.
Old tabs sounds lovely, give him a cuddle from me.
Glad he's rallying, here if you need support x

Original poster
Mxflamingnoravera · 17/06/2021 18:24

Update, Tabs has put on 600g in the last 2 weeks. Today he bounced down the stairs with his brother for brekkie. He's getting more struggly when try to give him his pills, I think he's feeling stronger and less hopeless. I'm full of hope that Saturday's bloods will show an improvement. He's not ready to go yet.

OP posts:
KatyMac · 17/06/2021 19:07

This is awful to suggest and I am sorry but is it possible her has been eating the contaminated cat food

It affects their blood count which to my un medical eye looks similar

Chihuahuacat · 17/06/2021 19:10

Echoe @KatyMac what food are you using? I posted a thread here the other day.

Applaws / Ava and Sainsbury’s hypoallergenic have been recalled due to potentially causing Pancytopenia in cats - which is reduced blood count.

Original poster
Mxflamingnoravera · 18/06/2021 08:19

The cat food causes depleted white blood cells. My cat has low RED blood cells, his WBC's are attacking his red.

OP posts:
userxx · 18/06/2021 08:44

@Chihuahuacat there was a lady on her recently who lost both of her cats suddenly and she thought they had been poisoned. After reading the article in the news I thought of her straight away.

@Mxflamingnoravera hope the blood results are good news.

Chihuahuacat · 18/06/2021 08:47

@userxx definitely - the Facebook group for people affected is growing daily and in the hundreds. It’s a huge tragedy.

@Mxflamingnoravera glad to hear it’s probably not the food. Hope it all goes well

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