Feeling heartbroken

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vic23
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Feeling heartbroken

Post by vic23 »

My 12 yo cat Daisy has been through so much in the 16 months since we got her. Nearly a couple of weeks ago, I noticed that she was slightly wobbly when walking. A few days later we were due to go on holiday and I was worried about her, so I took her to the vets the morning we left. The vet said I can see it is her back legs causing the problem and he increased her steroids that she was on for sickness to a higher dose for inflammation. I agreed that we would follow this until we came back from holiday and reassess. Whilst we were away, my inlaws were looking after her and they contacted us last Wednesday to say she had started dragging her back end, so they took her the vets. He prescribed Tramadol three times a day, which they were unable to get down her with food. We arrived home yesterday and she can now barely stand or walk. She manages to get about slowly, but it is horrendous to watch. So, I called the emergency vet last night and he said bring her in first thing this morning. I did so and the vet says he is confident it is the base of her spine and her hips causing the pain and all we can do is control the pain and see if it improves her quality of life. We have tried getting the tablet down to still no avail and the only option left if this doesn't work is to put her to sleep. We are devastated - she has declined so so rapidly from being a mobile happy cat to a cat who can barely move. The vet said it isn't worth doing x-rays etc as she is not fit enough to have any corrective work if this is even possible. We are going to carry on trying to feed the tablet, but even if we get them in her, they may just make her 'high' apparently and she will only sleep etc. I just feel like I can't cope with this situation..at all. I don't want to lose her and find it impossible to even think about putting her to sleep but we are rapidly running out of options.
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Lilith
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Re: Feeling heartbroken

Post by Lilith »

Oh Vic, I'm so sorry to hear.

I'm no veterinary expert but others will hopefully be able to advise if there's something more that ought to be done. Just want to send virtual hugs and everything crossed here in the hopes that Daisy gets through this, all the very very best to you both x
LittlePenBigHeart
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Re: Feeling heartbroken

Post by LittlePenBigHeart »

Oh my goodness, I'm so sorry to read this. It's just the most awful thing to have to see your beloved family member in pain and knowing you can't do anything about it.

I'm afraid I can't tell you anything that might be able to help and I have no shared experience that might be of use to you. What I would suggest, however, is that you look at hiring a specialist. When our cat took ill with HCM, we wouldn't have kept him going so long were it not for the cardiologist to whom we were referred. Perhaps there's a specialist who might be able to help you?

Honestly, I hope you find some hope from somewhere. If not then I wish I could say something more comforting but it's better to have a cat who was allowed to pass as comfortably as possible than a cat who is struggling in severe pain every day. Spoil her as much as you possibly can for now.
Antonio
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Re: Feeling heartbroken

Post by Antonio »

Hi Vic, when I started reading your post I felt a kick in my heart.
I might be wrong and probably there's some background info that I don't know, but the first thing that came to my mind was that Daisy might be suffering from the same disease that my Lola had.
Did the vets run some thorough blood test? Did they test the electrolytes?
My Lola had something similar and her potassium level was very low. At first it was around the minimum value then it got lower than that.
Please, before doing anything else, check her electrolytes and let us know!!! Please!!!
booktigger
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Re: Feeling heartbroken

Post by booktigger »

I'm so sorry to hear this, I would see a different vet, and Antonio's suggestion of bloods is a good one, especially with her vomiting history. Goodluck
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Ruth B
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Re: Feeling heartbroken

Post by Ruth B »

So sorry to read this, it must be awful to see her like that.

I can't add much but to reiterate what other have said about getting bloods done, I also think that the x Rays might be a good idea, at least it might tell you more what is wrong with her, even if nothing can be done to cure it, just knowing can help.
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Mayday21
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Re: Feeling heartbroken

Post by Mayday21 »

Hi Vic so sorry to read about your lovely Daisy & agree with Antonio, Ruth & Booktigger. Hope your managing her meds. Such a worry & one feels so helpless. Keep us posted & lots of fusses to your girl. Two posts I've read this morning which have tugged at my heart. Vivian
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