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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

Handhold needed! My cat has gone from fine to death's door

25 replies

EvelynSalt · 31/03/2022 09:23

I've never posted in this topic before but follow along and enjoy the pics of your lovely cats.

Our mog found us last year - he was a voluntary stray (turned out his owner lives a road away but he disappeared when a new neighbour moved in with cats) who was living in next door's garden. With me working from home, he started to visit and eventually he moved in and we adopted him (with his previous owner's blessing).

Anyway, back story done! On Tuesday he wasn't himself at all. Yesterday he was still off colour so I took him to the vet. It turns out he has terrible anaemia, which is symptomatic of something but we don't know what.

We are waiting for bloods to come back but it sounds like there will be more tests needed, possibly a blood transfusion. He's 11 and very much a garden cat, he's a good hunter and very independent.

I'm in bits today trying to figure out what to do. Instinct is to say yes to all of the tests and transfusion...but part of me wonders if that's just selfish and to let him go. I can't stop crying - thank god for home working on days like this!

What would you do? It's so hard to know

OP posts:

SallyWD · 31/03/2022 09:27

I'm so sorry to hear this. It's scary and heartbreaking how quickly cats can go downhill. As for what to do, I would really follow the advice of your vet. They will know whether it might be related to a treatable condition and therefore worth doing all the tests - or whether it's probably something sinister. I hope they can guide you. Sending love.

Allergictoironing · 31/03/2022 10:08

I would wait until they get the blood test results back, which will give an indication of which (if any) further tests are needed.

Depending on the blood test and possibly any further tests, your vet should be able to determine the cause of the anaemia. THEN would be the time to think about whether you should let him go, as it may well be something comparatively easily treatable.

The transfusion, if needed, is usually done to give you more time to make a diagnosis of the cause so is A Good Thing unless the initial results are conclusively very bad.

Original poster

EvelynSalt · 31/03/2022 10:25

@Allergictoironing

I would wait until they get the blood test results back, which will give an indication of which (if any) further tests are needed.

The transfusion, if needed, is usually done to give you more time to make a diagnosis of the cause so is A Good Thing unless the initial results are conclusively very bad.

Thanks so much for this, it's really helpful to get advice. He's such a bruiser, I'm really hoping he pulls through

OP posts:

PenguindreamsofDraco · 31/03/2022 12:43

I had this scenario, I posted about it last week. After an ultrasound identified a blockage and his RBC dropped again, DCat is having part of his colon removed as we speak Not sure yet whether there's a foreign body causing internal bleeding or if it's abnormal for another reason, I'll find out later.
I asked the vet, would you do this surgery if it were your cat. He said unhesitatingly yes, so I went ahead.
It's so hard though, trying to do what's best for them not us

Original poster

EvelynSalt · 31/03/2022 12:59

@PenguindreamsofDraco I'm so sorry, I hope the op goes well. I'll keep my fingers crossed for you.

Not good news here sadly, it looks like there's a mass on his liver. They'll do one more test under anaesthetic but the outlook isn't good. I think we might be going to say goodbye tonight.

He started out as the ultimate Not My Cat and the house is now like a puzzle with a missing piece. Trying to keep in mind how happy he's been the last year or so.

OP posts:

Yoyokitten · 31/03/2022 13:44

I'm so sorry Penguin and Evelyn. These cats do worm their way into our hearts don't they.
Hoping for the best outcome for both your beautiful cats

Toddlerteaplease · 31/03/2022 14:32

My cat did this. Absolutely fine one day and on deaths door the next. She had pancreatitis/triaditis. Not sure how she survived, I found out later that she wasn't expected too. But she did and bounced back very quickly. So paws crossed got your cat.

Toddlerteaplease · 31/03/2022 14:33

I would have the tests and treat what ever is treatable/ easily reversible. But if it was canvder or major organ failure then I would PTS.

Toddlerteaplease · 31/03/2022 14:35

So sorry just read the update. We had this with our parents cat. It was a huge shock as he'd never shown any sign of being unwell. We didn't wake him up from the anaesthetic.

TheLongRider · 31/03/2022 14:43

I'm so sorry. You've been a fantastic cat owner, that's such a kind thing to do for him. Whatever decision you make for him will be the right one.

PenguindreamsofDraco · 31/03/2022 15:00

Unfortunately bad news here too, also likely cancer. Vet had already brought him out of anaesthetic and telling me not to make hasty decisions, wait for the results next week and give him a few months of decent pain relief for a good quality of life.
I've always said absolutely no way would I do chemo etc for a cat but he's only 5

Original poster

EvelynSalt · 31/03/2022 16:01

@PenguindreamsofDraco I'm so sorry to hear that, five is such a young age. I hope your cat is comfortable and pain free x

OP posts:

PenguindreamsofDraco · 01/04/2022 08:17

@EvelynSalt, have you made any decisions yet?

Original poster

EvelynSalt · 01/04/2022 09:42

[quote PenguindreamsofDraco]@EvelynSalt, have you made any decisions yet?

I should be picking DCat up later. I'll see. He's a grouchy outdoorsy boy and daily pills and litter trays are not him. I have the feeling I'll be making the tough call sooner rather than later, which just breaks me. But that's pets isn't it, we have to do what's best for them not us [/quote]
We made the decision to let him go last night. I was able to hold him and give him stroked while he went, which seemed to calm him. To be honest as soon as I saw him I knew he needed to go, he was very poorly. Absolutely gutted but he was happy and well until the very last moment thankfully.

I really hope your cat pulls through, I'm sending all of my good vibes your way

OP posts:

Solosunrise · 01/04/2022 09:45

Just came on here to see how he was doing. So sorry to read this. My very best wishes to you all

PenguindreamsofDraco · 01/04/2022 09:47

I'm so sorry

TheLongRider · 01/04/2022 09:52

I'm so sorry for you all. Thank you for making the decision for him.

Want2beme · 01/04/2022 17:11

EvelynSalt sorry for your sad loss. Sounds like he had a great life with you and your family

PenguindreamsofDraco · 03/04/2022 18:46

Made the tough decision this end this afternoon. God they just break your heart dont they.

SheldonesqueTheBstard · 03/04/2022 18:53

I’m sorry.

Independent as he was, he found you. And you loved him. And you let him go. Without fear. Without a prolonged period of pain. But with love.

Your little puzzle piece will always be part of your family puzzle 🧩

lljkk · 03/04/2022 20:23

Pudmyboy · 03/04/2022 21:35

So sorry, please remember he chose you and you loved him, he was looked after and loved to the very end

Original poster

EvelynSalt · 04/04/2022 15:14

Thank you so much for your lovely messages, it's been such a help reading them.

@PenguindreamsofDraco I hope you're doing alright x

OP posts:

Yoyokitten · 04/04/2022 16:22

Oh Penguin and Evelyn, my heart is breaking for both of you.
You did the right thing, the final act of love for your gorgeous boys. Take care

Easterbunnyiswindowshopping · 04/04/2022 16:51

We lost our boy who went downhill quickly 2 years ago. His ashes are under a dcat shaped planter in the garden.
Sorry for your loss op.

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