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Harry will drive me into an early grave!

16 replies

PinkSparklyPussyCat · 27/03/2023 17:32

We were back at the vet this morning with his Lordship as we noticed his back legs seemed week and he was stumbling. Because he has heart failure we immediately thought of a blood clot and were convinced again that he wouldn't be coming home. The vet is as sure as she can be that it's not a blood clot and more likely a flare up of his osteoarthritis. As we can't increase the metacam she's suggested we try solensia and we have agreed.

I'm worried about potential side effects of the solensia but I don't think we have any other choice. He's uncomfortable rather than in pain at the moment and I don't want him to get to the stage he's in pain. It's also not his time to go yet, he proved that by running down the garden this afternoon and trying to fight the neighbours cat through the fence! He's eating, drinking and toileting normally and still taking me to the toilet whether I need to go or not. He's been asleep in the sun this afternoon and somehow managed to get under the BBQ like he usually does in the spring/summer.

I don't know what I want from this post really, just to talk about him to my fellow cat lovers I suppose!

Harry will drive me into an early grave!
Harry will drive me into an early grave!
Harry will drive me into an early grave!
OP posts:
Toddlerteaplease · 27/03/2023 18:02

Oh Harry!

Isheabastard · 27/03/2023 18:18

How old is he? Bless him.

I had a dog with arthritis and I’m pretty sure that doggie massage helped. I used to do it myself. I’m wondering if a far gentler version would help Harry?

My cat went through triaditis and we nearly lost him. He recovered then he became diabetic which I learned to manage. Finally on his last day, I came downstairs to find him looking for a mouse he appeared to have “lost”, he spent the morning lying in all the sun patches then had a seizure and died.

Sad as it was to lose him, he had had a very good life, and it was a fairly quick end. At the time of the triaditis they had scanned him and found a suspicious mass, so the fact he lasted another 18 months I consider a win.

PinkSparklyPussyCat · 27/03/2023 22:30

Harry is about 18. He was a stray before we adopted him so we're not 100% sure but it's about right.

I don't think Harry has the temperament for massage. Let's just say I value my limbs too highly to try!

They are such a worry, I'm glad you had the extra 18 months with your boy @Isheabastard

When I got in from the gym tonight he had to accompany me to the bathroom so he's still doing his normal things. He hasn't eaten all his food tonight but I wonder if he's worn himself out today - vet visit, fighting, prowling round all afternoon, it takes it out of an old boy!

It's looking like we might have to cancel our holiday next month as his 2nd solensia jab will probably be right in the middle of the holiday. Never mind, he's worth it.

I'm struggling a bit at the moment as we're waiting to find out if my husband needs a hip replacement and I'm stressing about both of them. Perhaps I could get them booked in together!

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FormerlyPathologicallyHappy · 27/03/2023 22:46

Would an electric heat pad help his comfort?

PinkSparklyPussyCat · 28/03/2023 12:18

That's a good idea, I'll have a look.

He has his first solensia injection tomorrow so fingers crossed it works!

OP posts:
Toddlerteaplease · 28/03/2023 12:28

My two love my heated throw. You could try one of them. And if he doesn't like it. At least you can use it.

FormerlyPathologicallyHappy · 28/03/2023 12:39

He’ll use it if you say it’s not for arthritic pussy cats it’s for mum.

PinkSparklyPussyCat · 01/04/2023 09:04

Harry had his solensia jab on Wednesday and thankfully there don't seem to be any side effects.

He's still really wobbly but doesn't seem to be in pain - if he stumbles he just carries on walking as if nothing happened. I'm a bit worried about his eating as he'll now only eat tuna cat food which I know isn't great for his kidneys but I need to get his meds down him somehow and I think he's earned the right to eat what he wants now.

He's still doing everything he used to do, just wobbling when he does it, so I don't think it's his time yet. At least I hope we're doing the right thing.

Harry will drive me into an early grave!
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Selttan · 01/04/2023 09:10

Glad he's doing better.

It's so hard when they get older - my old girl at 19 needed some extra help and I would've done anything as long as she wasn't in pain.

Purplecatshopaholic · 01/04/2023 09:15

Aww bless Harry, he’s a darling. It’s so tough when they are sick, I know how you feel.

Pixiedust1234 · 01/04/2023 09:43

Sending some love to you both. Hes beautiful ❤

AllTheOtherCats · 01/04/2023 11:13

The heat pad suggestion by one of the PP's is a good one. I bought the one in the photo I've attached (from Amazon) for my boy and it really helped his pain. He was attached to it! It uses little electricity and can be safely left on for hours. Harry is such a lovely cat. Such a cute little face

Harry will drive me into an early grave!
Motnight · 01/04/2023 11:19

Harry is a handsome boy!

You seem to be a really sensitive, sensible person, Op. I think that you will know when it is Harry's time to go.

PinkSparklyPussyCat · 01/04/2023 17:17

We had another scare this afternoon. He came down the garden to see what we were talking about (he’s still a nosy sod!) but his back legs kept giving out. We were both in tears ready to make the phone call to the vets when all of a sudden Harry shot past us and ran indoors as fast as he could! He’s since finished all his food and taken to his bed. Harry lives to fight another day and DH and I are another step closer to a breakdown!

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LostCats · 01/04/2023 19:37

Oh @PinkSparklyPussyCat sending him much love and best wishes from the LostCats 🐈‍⬛🐈❤️

PinkSparklyPussyCat · 01/04/2023 20:27

Thank you. He's curled up in his bed now ignoring his dinner as I obviously got it wrong again! While he's not in pain we carry on - hopefully if the weather gets warmer it'll help him as he'll go out more. He went out again earlier and had a feral moment and looked at the 6' fence as though he was thinking of climbing it so there's life in the old mog yet!

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