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Join our community of cat lovers on the Mumsnet Cat forum for kitten advice and help with cat behaviour.

My poor Lennie

34 replies

NotHooray · 05/03/2024 19:54

I'm not sure what I am hoping for from posting this but I need to get it out, I am so sad and I think fellow cat slaves will understand.
On Sunday my lovely boy started being sick, and by Monday morning was clearly unwell. A trip to the vets unearthed anaemia and potential liver function issues so he stayed in overnight last night. He took a turn this morning and became unresponsive for a short while. Cue a transfer to the veterinary specialists, they have found internal bleeding in his abdomen, a mass on his liver and clotting problems. He's had a blood transfusion to help his red blood cell count which was initially very low. The ultrasound showed the liver problems but they can't aspirate the mass on his liver for testing until the hemorrhage is controlled.
I'm just broken. He went from seemingly well on Sunday morning to this. I feel like I should have noticed something was wrong beforehand.
I'm so scared we're going to lose him. He's my little shadow - always stomping all over my desk while I'm trying to work, seeking out a warm lap to snuggle and sleeping on my pillow like a hat at night.
Has anyone else experienced this sort of issue in their cat and had a happy outcome?

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DrunkenElephant · 05/03/2024 20:01

I don’t have any experience but I am so, so sorry you’re going through this. Your post just oozes love, he’s a very lucky cat.

For now, he is in the right place. Cats mask really, really well - you wouldn’t have known and you took him in as soon as you saw he was unwell.

I’ll be keeping everything crossed for you and your boy x

Leafytrees · 05/03/2024 20:06

I'm so sorry to hear this. Also no experience but you couldn't have known any sooner than you did. Cats just get on with it until they can't any longer. How old is Lennie?

Compash · 05/03/2024 21:09

Oh what a worrying time, you must be in bits... the poor wee soul. They really do mask well, and go downhill very fast. You've got him veterinary help so promptly, you're clearly a loving cat Mum, and he really is in the best place for now. Sending you all best wishes.

NotHooray · 05/03/2024 21:18

Leafytrees · 05/03/2024 20:06

I'm so sorry to hear this. Also no experience but you couldn't have known any sooner than you did. Cats just get on with it until they can't any longer. How old is Lennie?

He's only 8 which makes it seem so much worse, he should have many years left 😔

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NotHooray · 05/03/2024 21:18

Compash · 05/03/2024 21:09

Oh what a worrying time, you must be in bits... the poor wee soul. They really do mask well, and go downhill very fast. You've got him veterinary help so promptly, you're clearly a loving cat Mum, and he really is in the best place for now. Sending you all best wishes.

Thank you so much x

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NotHooray · 05/03/2024 21:19

DrunkenElephant · 05/03/2024 20:01

I don’t have any experience but I am so, so sorry you’re going through this. Your post just oozes love, he’s a very lucky cat.

For now, he is in the right place. Cats mask really, really well - you wouldn’t have known and you took him in as soon as you saw he was unwell.

I’ll be keeping everything crossed for you and your boy x

Thank you so much, trying to remember that but the house feels very quiet without him tonight x

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letthemalldoone · 05/03/2024 23:46

He's young to have these issues. I hope his relative youth will stand him in good stead. Sounds like you have good and proactive vets too.

I know the feeling - their very presence in the house is so strong isn't it. We lost our last boy just over 2 years ago, and we were very lucky because he was at least 20, although he was a stray of around 8 when he found us.

Sending love and best wishes to you and your lovely Lennie. Hopefully you will have better news in the morning x

NotHooray · 06/03/2024 09:23

letthemalldoone · 05/03/2024 23:46

He's young to have these issues. I hope his relative youth will stand him in good stead. Sounds like you have good and proactive vets too.

I know the feeling - their very presence in the house is so strong isn't it. We lost our last boy just over 2 years ago, and we were very lucky because he was at least 20, although he was a stray of around 8 when he found us.

Sending love and best wishes to you and your lovely Lennie. Hopefully you will have better news in the morning x

Thank you so much. No news overnight (which is good) now just waiting on their morning update and trying to keep positive.

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Compash · 06/03/2024 09:31

Thinking of you this morning, hope you get positive news; but whatever it is, I'm sure you'll do the best for your boy.

We lost our dear lad last summer at the age of 8 - one minute fine, next he had mouth cancer and it was a matter of about a fortnight from diagnosis to PTS... We miss him dreadfully - he was a funny, loving cat, full of character, a regular clown and my little nap buddy - but because of that, we were rather glad it was quick and he spent the majority of his life having an absolute whale of a time!

These well-loved cats are very lucky, they live the best lives... 🤗

NotHooray · 06/03/2024 09:44

Compash · 06/03/2024 09:31

Thinking of you this morning, hope you get positive news; but whatever it is, I'm sure you'll do the best for your boy.

We lost our dear lad last summer at the age of 8 - one minute fine, next he had mouth cancer and it was a matter of about a fortnight from diagnosis to PTS... We miss him dreadfully - he was a funny, loving cat, full of character, a regular clown and my little nap buddy - but because of that, we were rather glad it was quick and he spent the majority of his life having an absolute whale of a time!

These well-loved cats are very lucky, they live the best lives... 🤗

Thank you for your kind message. Your little boy sounds wonderful, and I agree a life well lived is always a comfort. Len has been treated like a Prince in his 8 years which brings me a lot of comfort that if the worst does happen, he's known nothing but love and happiness. I don't want him to suffer needlessly but the vet is very upfront and honest so I'm sure she'll help us make any difficult decisions if they're needed x

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Heronatemygoldfish · 06/03/2024 10:19

Loads of sympathy from me - I fully understand where you are and hope he's responding to treatment.

We've currently got one that's nearly 11 and who has spent half the past week in hospital after turning overnight from an active and bolshy cat into inactive and not eating or drinking. Vets have no clue after a barrage of tests (apart from ruling out the usual nasties and noting his abdomen is blown up like a balloon and his temperature/nodes are up) and we're now spending hours trying to persuade him to eat. Still waiting for some bloods to come back. The worry is awful and we are desperate for him to recover.

Furry hugs and best wishes...

NotHooray · 06/03/2024 13:07

Heronatemygoldfish · 06/03/2024 10:19

Loads of sympathy from me - I fully understand where you are and hope he's responding to treatment.

We've currently got one that's nearly 11 and who has spent half the past week in hospital after turning overnight from an active and bolshy cat into inactive and not eating or drinking. Vets have no clue after a barrage of tests (apart from ruling out the usual nasties and noting his abdomen is blown up like a balloon and his temperature/nodes are up) and we're now spending hours trying to persuade him to eat. Still waiting for some bloods to come back. The worry is awful and we are desperate for him to recover.

Furry hugs and best wishes...

Oh I am so, so sorry you're going through this. I will keep my fingers crossed that you get to the bottom of it and he starts eating again and getting stronger x

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Compash · 06/03/2024 19:28

Hoping for good news for you and @Heronatemygoldfish ...🤞

letthemalldoone · 06/03/2024 20:38

@NotHooray any news of Lennie? x

NotHooray · 07/03/2024 06:47

letthemalldoone · 06/03/2024 20:38

@NotHooray any news of Lennie? x

I went to visit him yesterday and had a good chat with the vet. After his transfusion on Tuesday afternoon his levels have remained stable. From the ultrasound yesterday the vet thinks the blood in his abdomen is reducing (at the very least it's definitely not increasing). The plan for today is to do another ultrasound and see if the bleeding is still stable and if it is they may be at a point where they can aspirate the liver mass.
I was worried about seeing him as I didn't know how he would be but he was so much brighter than when I'd last saw him Tuesday. His coat is shiny, his eyes are brighter and he gave me big cuddles and kisses whilst purring like a train. I know he's not out of the woods yet but having seen him I'm confident that putting him through this treatment is worth it x

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DrunkenElephant · 07/03/2024 07:20

That’s a wonderful update! Keep getting better Lennie x

Puppylucky · 07/03/2024 07:21

Oh I remember Lennie- he's beautiful! Glad to hear things are looking up a bit and hope he continues to improve.

Compash · 07/03/2024 08:00

I'm glad he's feeling better in himself - as you say, a way to go for him, but it sounds like you've got a good vet. At least it seems he's more comfortable now.

Heronatemygoldfish · 07/03/2024 13:03

Glad to hear he's a bit brighter!
He sounds like he's going in the right direction...

letthemalldoone · 07/03/2024 16:31

Hopefully Lennie will continue to improve x

Compash · 08/03/2024 16:21

How's the wee man getting on today? Been thinking about you both! 🤗😻

CuteCillian · 08/03/2024 16:23

Hope Lennie is continuing to feel better and you can have a happy weekend together.

NotHooray · 08/03/2024 19:35

Compash · 08/03/2024 16:21

How's the wee man getting on today? Been thinking about you both! 🤗😻

Thank you!
He has continued going in the right direction. His platelets are still too low to aspirate the mass (but today they're at 60, as opposed to 10 yesterday and the vet said that there are lots of healthy new cells in there so he is definitely producing new ones). I have actually picked him up this afternoon and brought him home. He's to be readmitted on Tuesday morning for another blood test to see if they can aspirate the mass then depending on platelet levels.
Since being home he has eaten, drank, used the tray and given lovely cuddles. There's still lots of unanswered questions re the cause of this all, and he is on tranexamic acid, vit k and antisickness drugs but for the first time since this all started I can sort of see a little bit of light at the end of the tunnel. He isn't in pain and he is happy and acting pretty normally so I am confident we have made the right choices.
Thanks to everyone who's posted, it really has been getting me through some awful days and has been such a help. I can't figure out how to reply to the thread without quoting posts (new phone) and it won't let me post cat tax pictures sadly but I really appreciate all the help and well wishes! 😻

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NotHooray · 08/03/2024 19:35

Being a nosey bugger in the vets yesterday!

My poor Lennie
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Compash · 08/03/2024 19:40

He has white go-go boots! Adorbs! 😍

I bet he's sooo much happier to be home... enjoy the cuddles and the sweet catty presence... 🙂