Advice on my dear cat Mittens (long)

[Deelight]

Thats fantastic news it is really good to hear she is eating and keeping it down , and happily purring. I am really happy to hear she is doing much better.

 

[bee*]

If she is eating the gravy on her food, I wouldn''t worry a huge amount about the amount of liquids that she''s drinking. Cats tend to drink a lot less if they''re on wet food/or if there''s gravy on it.

 

[Lorelei]

Excellent! It must have been the ribbon, sounds like she is well on the mend now!

 

[Harleigh]

Hi Matilda,

I am so sorry to hear about your precious kitty...you know I feel for you, and I commend you for being so aware of her needs. I hope that it was just the ribbon causing stress to her system and that she is back to her normal self in no time. I will pray you have many more memories with her.

 

[VRBeauty]

MW:

I''m so glad to here she''s doing better. I hope this was just a blip in the road!

 

[matildawong]

Hi everyone,

Mittens was able to enjoy the last month and a half after her sickness/ribbon incident fairly well. But she is again declining. She is not eating much (we''ve tried everything) though she will drink milk and water.
I''m taking her in to the vet tomorrow and we''re going to check her creatine (sp?) levels compared to February''s. This should give us an idea of what we''re looking at.

I have told the nurses that we are hoping for a "comfort" plan. I keep telling myself how I was so happy to have some extra time with her after she was so sick. And how I should be thankful for that time should we have to let her go.

But then I keep thinking, ''what if I''m totally overreacting. Don''t overreact.''
And then I think, ''wait, she isn''t EATING. She''s yeowling at night. That''s indicative of kidney failure.''

You can see, I am doing this screwing-with-my-own-mind thing.
I will know more tomorrow, but I did want to put an update in here. And thanks for just letting me use this place to put down some of my thought overload.

 

[movie zombie]

i''ll be thinking of you. it is so hard to let go.........

movie zombie

 

[matildawong]

thanks movie zombie.

I appreciate your reply -- it''s like seeing a little light in the darkness.

.. Ok, that sounds a little maudlin and weird! I mean it''s a comfort. Thank you!

 

[Harleigh]

Hi Hun,

I am so very sorry to hear Mittens is not feeling well again. Please feel free to come here and let your thoughts out...that''s what we''re here for, and many of us really DO understand.

Sending hugs your way, and prayers that your visit to the vet is a positive one. Mittens knows you love her, and I''m certain she will appreciate whatever you and her vet decide is the best plan of action.

I''m sorry you''re having to deal with this so soon again. You''re in my thoughts...please keep us posted.

 

[movie zombie]

and i''m so very glad you had some more time with her. may i suggest taking something familiar to the vet with you tomorrow, perhaps a favorite toy or blanket. it will be comfort to her and to you.

movie zombie

 

[AmberGretchen]

Matilda - thank you for updating us. I will also keep my fingers crossed for you and Mittens at your vet visit, and I know that Harleigh is right - as a loving cat owner, I''m sure Mittens knows how loved she is, and that you and the vet will make the best choice for her, whatever that may be.

 

[sumbride]

Thanks for the update on Mittens. I''m so glad you''ve had this time with her, but I know it must be so hard to be where you are. So many of us have been through it too and this place can be so comforting when you''re hurting. We''re here for you!

 

[matildawong]

Well we went to the vet today. The plan was to have some bloodwork done and to see how we stand. Mittens was very dehydrated (the guilt! but she was drinking so I didn''t consider it) and after a quick check-up, the doctor advised me that rather than take blood, taking home sub-q fluids, an antibiotic for her gums that look infected and with orders to force feed her.

Anyhow, we know she has kidney disease, and if she doesn''t eat her body will start to mobilize fat which is bad. And she may not be able, even with fluids, to hydrate properly. The doctor has her own 18 yr old cat with kidney disease -- she says he has good days and bad days.

So I am in the same situation I was before we went. I think I was hoping for a magic answer on when to let her go. And there isn''t one. The vet said to make a list of all the things she loved to do in her life. As I cross them off and she no longer enjoys things, I might be able to get a sense of how her quality of life is.

I think my decision is this: I will give her fluids and try all foods (she licked some canned salmon in water tonight) and see how she does. If she does not resume eating, I will let her go.

I''m terrified of two things: Force feeding her. I don''t want to put her through that, even though the vet says I have to try. And two, that in an effort to make sure she doesn''t suffer, I''ll put her down before it''s necessary.

 

[Gypsy]

I''m sorry honey. I have no advice. But lots of sympathy. ((HUGS))

 

[matildawong]

Thanks Gypsy. You are sweet.

I do have a question for anyone who has been here and doesn''t mind sharing: Did you choose to go in when your beloved animal had to be put down?

I always said I could never do it, but I feel it''s the right thing to do in Mittens'' case (if it comes to it.) But I''m really, really scared.

 

[bee*]

I''m sorry to hear that mittens is declining. I would try force-feeding her a small bit, a lot of times they will start eating on their own accord after a tiny bit has been given to them. In terms of people staying, I will definitely stay when Amber''s time comes. I always used to think the same thing as you in that I could never stay, but now working in the vets, the animals always seem to be more peaceful when there owners there and for me personally, I don''t want Amber to be with strangers when it happens.
I know that it''s very hard to go in with your pet, but it is very quick and they aren''t in any pain. Sending lots of hugs to you and mittens.

 

[matildawong]

thanks, bee*. I appreciate your input on your experience -- it really reassures me.

 

[rainbowtrout]

I had to force feed my kitten for almost two weeks. It really isn''t that bad and we got through it. You aren''t pinching their nose shut, just squirting liquid food in their mouth for them to swallow, just be careful nothing goes down their windpipe.

I have to say MC didn''t mind so much the force feeding with a syringe, and I have heard vets say we imagine a feeding tube to be way more inhumane than it actually is. but you have to do what your heart tells you.

 

[justjulia]

Date: 4/16/2008 3:00:18 AM
Author: matildawong
Thanks Gypsy. You are sweet.

I do have a question for anyone who has been here and doesn''t mind sharing: Did you choose to go in when your beloved animal had to be put down?


I always said I could never do it, but I feel it''s the right thing to do in Mittens'' case (if it comes to it.) But I''m really, really scared.

I had to do this with my something-teen old precious cat around Thanksgiving when it was discovered she had jaw cancer. I could not physically be in the room. I said my goodbye and then went outside while my husband stayed in the room with her and the vet. I was there when my older dog had to be put to sleep after a stroke some years ago and chose to do so because my children were there and I needed to be in there with everyone. My heart goes out to you.

 

[sumbride]

There''s also a high calorie gel that you can use as part of the force feeding. When I was told to force feed my cat, we tried the gel but in the end, we hand fed him tuna and that made him the happiest cat on the planet. I don''t know if tuna would be more harmful to Mittens though since you''re dealing with kidney failure. I don''t want to give you bad advice.

I did go in to the room when we put Max down. My DH and I were both there, though he didn''t want to look during the process, but it happened so fast that he did. It wasn''t as bad as I thought it would be, but it wasn''t easy. I just knew I had to be there and like you say, it felt like the right thing to do. With Max, he was so weak that he had no problem just laying on the table while I petted him, and he was purring up until the last minute. The vet explained the process and that helped put me at ease, but it was still a bit of a surprise that it was over so quickly. I felt him exhale his last breath into my hand and he was gone. My DH didn''t realize for about 30 seconds that he had passed, but when he did he began to sob. I held it together until I got home.

It''s not easy, but if you can do it, I do think it helps with the process and it''s nice to know your cat has you with her at the end.

 

[sumbride]

Also, as far as how you know when to do it, I worried about that too. I agonized for a while, and then one day he was having a really good day, but the next day he was crying and weak and I knew that was it. He kept trying to hide in the closet. That''s a really good indicator that it''s time. I may have waited longer than I should have, but I wanted to be sure. He knew, he let me know, and I didn''t feel guilty, but it was still hard.

 

[matildawong]

Thanks JustJulia and sumbride. I''m sorry so many have had to go through this.

sumbride, your post set me off crying but I feel reassured that I do want to be with Mittens, so thanks for sharing and helping me decide.

 

[Loves Vintage]

Date: 4/16/2008 2:53:47 PM
Author: matildawong
Thanks JustJulia and sumbride. I''m sorry so many have had to go through this.

sumbride, your post set me off crying but I feel reassured that I do want to be with Mittens, so thanks for sharing and helping me decide.

I''m so sorry to hear that Mittens is not doing well. It can be a very scary decision to make, the first time that you decide to stay with your beloved pet to say good-bye. I''ve had to do it myself a few times over the past few years, and each time I am more sure it is the right decision for me. Each time I either had my cat on my lap or was able to sit beside my dog, petting them as I always would. It is very, very peaceful. It is the most generous gift you can give your pet when it is time. My best wishes to you during this difficult time. Your sweet Mittens has had a very happy life, I''m sure, with you by her side. You will make the right decision for her when it is time.

 

[AmberGretchen]

OH sweetie, what a horrible situation for you and for Mittens - I''m sorry there wasn''t a more clear answer. I think sumbride is right that Mittens will let you know when its time - you know Mittens best and you will know. All of my childhood kitties that had to be put down, they let us know, each in their own way.

I also commend you for deciding to be there with Mittens at the end - I truly believe you won''t regret this and that its the right thing to do. Mittens will feel how much you love her right up until the very end, and her passing will be as painless and dignified as possible - its the best final gift you can give her.

 

[matildawong]

I don''t know what I would do without each and every one of you. Thank you so much.



...also, Mittens remains stable. Not much food intake though I may try to force some. Too bad I don''t drink anymore...that would really help in this situation.

 

[sumbride]

I''m glad I was able to help you make the decision. Part of loving is letting go, and when you have to make this decision, you do it out of love. Mittens will know that.

I wanted to share another thing that helped me... Somebody told me to ask for the vet to make a cast of the pawprint. They were happy to, and it helped me so much when I got it in the mail a few days later when I was missing him so much. To be able to hold that in my hands again was a nice reminder of him. Some people say they can''t have such a thing around, but I have to say that it really helped me. And even now when I look at it a year later, I''m glad I have it. I can put my fingers where his paws were and it''s like a touchstone.

 

[matildawong]

Sumbride, I just saw this post of yours -- and I''m so very sorry I didn''t see it sooner. I would have thanked you immediately! The pawprint idea is the best thing I''ve heard and if my vet doesn''t do something like that, I think I may try to do one at home or something.

Thank you so much. Incidentally, I thought I could send you a quick personal note of thanks by clicking on "subscribe" to you. So now I''m subscribed to you and I don''t know what that means. Hee!

 

[matildawong]

My latest update: Mittens is doing the same. As my vet said, there are good days and bad days. I find foods she''ll eat and nibble at, we give her the sub-cutaneous fluids, and she has a bed I made for her (she used to sleep on my bed but prefers her own, low spot now).

I cherish the time, though I must admit I am an emotional mess inside. It was easier to be strong when she was so sick. Now that she''s stable, I think every little thing is a crisis. Does that make any sense? It''s hard to convey it in writing.

Anyhow, the newest thing: She won''t get all the way inside her litter box. She leaves her back half OUT of the box. We put towels/old bath mats/etc all round the box and you know, I love her so much I''ll just keep doing that. Have any of you ever dealt with this issue?

My biggest fear is that I''m missing HUGE red flags that she''s in pain. But both me and my bf think she''s (as of this minute) still got a quality of life that''s worth living.

 

[LittleRock]

MatildaW- I''m just now reading your post for the first time. I am so sorry you and your beloved pet are going thru this. I lost my precious cat to kidney disease. She was 11. Had I read your post initially I would have suggested the x-ray as well. I always wished I had a second opinion on my cat''s diagnosis. I took her into the vet one day cuz she wasn''t hungry and keeping quiet most of the time, but never seemed in pain. I put her to sleep that night. And I always, always have regret about not taking her home and spending more time with her. Like I said, she never seemed in pain. I was with her in the room when she fell into a deep sleep. It''s still hard thinking about it. My advise would be to let go when you and Mittens are ready. Don''t let anyone rush you. You''ll know when it''s the right time.

Hugs to you,
LR

 

[Harleigh]

Hi Molly,

I''ve been thinking about you, and I''m glad to hear Mittens is still hanging in there. I had the same concerns about Maverick as he had stopped using his litter box for awhile there. I worried that maybe I wasn''t keeping it clean enough, that he might be mad at me, I just figured it must be ME. When I took him to the vet, they said everything was fine, and he did start using his box *most* of the time, but he had some accidents here and there. Sadly, he just wasn''t himself and was also losing a lot of weight, and again the vet just said he was getting old. Unfortunately, as you know, he didn''t last much longer after that, and I still worry about missing if he was in pain, what else I could have done, and still mourn his loss.

I feel so much for you, and I hope that this time witih Mittens is as special to you as can be. She knows you love her. Please come back here and keep us posted, and I''ll keep you and your dear kitty in my prayers.

Hugs to you and her both.