Spencer, my moggie. Desperate.

Box_Of_Frogs

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So after a totally blocked bladder that almost cost him his life, Spencer went back to the vet last Weds for a check up. I'm a bit miffed coz he was supposed to be having ACP injections weekly for a few weeks to make sure his bladder was emptying properly (cos there is no way for a lay person to tell with 3 cats and a cat flap). Also, he was supposed to be coming home with special muscle relaxant tabs that I could have given him regularly to ensure the same thing but without the trip to the vet being necessary. But vet said he was doing fine. No ACP nec. Withdraw the Metacam by giving on alternate days until Sunday then stop altogether. Job done. Broken moggie mended.

EXCEPT. 36hrs after I reduce the metacam, Spencer is back lying all day on the wet grass, won't come indoors (coz he has an urge to pee), stopped eating again, lying in unusual places tucked out of sight indoors. Really, really not himself.

Here's what I fear. He's not blocked, just his entire urinary system so traumatised that it's struggling to cope. If I take him back to the vet, he will be kept in again and he will HAVE to have further investigations and procedures. I promised him - and me and vet agreed - that it wouldn't be fair to do that again. Plus every further catheterisation further traumatises his urethra. I think enough is enough. Everyone tells me that he will let me know when he's had enough. But sometimes it's not that clear. Sometimes it's borderline.

How do I know? What do I do? How can I help him? Should I press on? Half of me says, that's enough. A quiet dignified pts in my arms at home. Better a day too soon than an hour too late works for cats as well as horses. But half of me just doesn't know.

Help {can't find smiley weeping like idiot at pc}
 
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What an awful situation...could you call the vet and ask him what he advises, tell him to be brutally honest about prognosis etc, and make a decision from there?
Must be horrible to see your cat like that, they're such dignified creatures. Good luck with whatever you decide to do.
 
I'm so sorry to hear about your poor cat, how awful for you. Is it the thing they get when crystals forming in the urinary tract? If it is that then it is a common thing with cats. 2 of mine over the years have had it. Although its more common in male cats it can also effect females. If it is this then I would say go back the vet as its very treatable. Once the initial problem is resolved a change of diet usually keeps it from recurring. Or is it a different problem altogether?
 
Really sorry to hear this. I'd say you'll need to speak to the vet and see what he suggests. If he's not blocked it could be that he could restart the tablets but you won't know what's feasible until you speak to the vet.
 
Ring the vet, see if you can just try re-starting the medication or does he have to be unblocked first? If he has got to have further investigation and you don't think he would cope, think again... There was a small chance that my siamese cat might have recovered from the kidney problems she had but I knew that she wouldn't have lasted 5 minutes kept at the vets so I had her PTS to home and have never regretted that decision.

Fingers crossed for the poor lad and ((HUGS)) to you.

C x
 
BoF, I feel for you and Spencer.

have a honest talk to your vet asap, for Spencer's sake.

I know it sounds contrived, but you do know when it is time. My cat was pts a month ago and I knew on the Sunday that it was her time, no doubt about it. She was pts on the Monday.

2 years ago, another cat of mine was diagnosed with a 'mass in his abdomen'. The vet recommended pts there an then, although he was not in pain at that time, but he soon would be. Magic went off his food, tinkled in the feed shed and started to vomit. He could not jump up onto his favourite hay stack and no longer wanted to play. 3 days later he was pts with dignity and love.

It is the hardest decision you will ever have to make, but you will know when it is time.

I really feel for you, because I have also been there and there is no definite answer to what is right.

Another dose of ACP might work and its worth a try, if your vet is in agreement.

My thoughts are with you and Spencer x
 
Cipolino my 8 year old was perfectly healthy ( if a liitle thin) one day and the next had to be PTS due to complete kidney failure. He didnt suffer for long and Im still upset at his death.The only other sign apart from him being thin was the sudden stench of rotting fish on his breath.The smell is caused by ammonia circulating instead of being broken down by the liver and flushed out via the kidneys.If it were me, I would have him PTS asap.Its unfair to let him go on specially when there is no hope of a recovery
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. A big hug from me and whats left of my cat population. Mairi.xx
 
Having had one of my cats PTS at the beginning of June I am sending you lots of ((((HUGS)))) I don't know how you know, but you will know when its time to call it.

I would seek a second opinion and ask for their absolute honest opinion. It may be as simple as a longer course of treatment needed or maybe its more complex, you can but ask
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You can PM me and I will get my OH to answer/advise what he would do if that helps you. He is one of the best small animal surgeons in the South West having second opinions from all over the country so I am sure he should be able to give you some help or piece of mind.
 
Thanks all and huge thanks to DB. Have PMed you - such a wonderfully kind offer. Have restarted Metacam and Spencer has (maybe) picked up a tiny bit. Hard to say. Managed to get about a dessertspoonful of food into him this afternoon. He's very restless and unsettled though and doesn't know where to lie. I think this is because he hurts somewhere. And I don't know where. And I don't think he'd cope with another week in the vets in a tiny box with invasive procedures. It's breaking my heart. I swear my 2 neds understand as Sunny was superb in my lesson this afters and really tried his heart out for me despite the temperatures. And even The Coloured Tart was sweet and nuzzly as if she understood mum needed a shoulder. Thanks everyone. Will post further news.
 
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