Topic: my best friend in the entire world isnt doing good

[bucky katt]

Hamish, my oldest cat has been losing weight lately so i got him into the vet yesterday and got some blood work and pee testing done. turns out that his liver enzymes are pretty high. he isnt exactly a kitten anymore (nearly 14) and i would hate to put him through anything that is just going to prolong his life without quality of life. the next step is one of 2 things, they want to do x-rays and to get a sample of his liver with a big needle. the other alternative is to try treating his symptoms with an anti biotic and a steroid and see where it goes. Hamish is an absolute little bastard about being pilled so thats going to be a major stress on him as well, probably as much as the needle thing. I dont want to lose him but if his quality of life isnt going to be good i wont keep him alive just because it will hurt me to lose him. #$%* this is hard, i'm having a tough time deciding what is the right thing to do. thanks for the forum that allows me to vent my problems.

[CycleRanger]

His kidneys are probably failing. That's how old kitties go.   

My kitty died last year. He was 16 or 17. 

[Inigo Montoya]

It is hard to lose a pet like that. I have a cat that is almost 10 myself and I know when he goes, I will have a house full of crying females. Well I will probably have a few tears too

When it comes to animals always needing vet attention, unless they are still spry and fun, sometimes it is best to let them go, hard though it is.

[BeSeeingYou]

Sorry to hear this, Bucky.  I think you need more info to make a decision.  14 seems a bit early from my experience but kidney failure is one big factor in old cats but it also can go on for years.  My 19 year old tuxedo cat has been in this mode for a few years now and he has been slowly losing weight as old cats tend to do.  Recently he really dropped some but now he has put it back on and seems normal.  I think he has elevated liver enzymes but if I remember they are not too extreme.  He has been deaf for about 2 years now but otherwise seems to be hanging in there with no obvious problems.

[bucky katt]

kidneys were my first thought too. the vet said the fact that he's his usual ornery self and is eating and drinking ok means it probably wasnt, and it isnt. i'm taking him for x-rays monday to see if his liver is inflamed and showing tumors, if so i'll get the biopsy done. i wont do anything like the daily injections of fluids like i had to for my giant tortie i lost a few years ago. if it's cancer i'll just keep him comfortable as long as i can. some cats do age different from others. my wifes daughter in law had an orange tabby that was 24 when she had a stroke and had to be euthanized, she was as active as a cat 1/3 her age right to the end. Hamish in the past couple opf years has started getting grey/white around his muzzle and a bit of arthritis i've been treating with cosequin for cats. he still runs and plays and abuses his siblings and doesnt act like he's in pain. it may be something that can be treated with meds the doc says. i'll know more monday

[bill440cars]

   Jeff, I can feel your concern about Hamish. My Sam was almost 21yrs old when we lost her. By that time, she had gotten deaf (her meows were like Screams to us), had some arthritus, kidney couldn't control her bladder and stayed outside because she loved being out there. I made her a house out of an enclosed litter box (installed a plain cheap porchlight in it for the warmth, put some small mats that Karla had made in it, attached an old towel over the entry of the box and placed it so the wind and rain couldn't blow directly into it). She loved it. I would check on her now and then and find her sound asleep in there quite often. Our pets become better than SOME family members and deserve the dignity as well. Lots of Luck with your situation Jeff, I feel for you AND Hamish (feel like I actually know him!)

                                 Take care, Bill
       

[Jerry Rxman Griffin aka MuthaF'er]

Fuzz,

Sorry to hear about your budd! My Squeaky was 15 when I did him "the favor". Talking about a best friend! I know what you mean. He seemed to be asking for my help on that day. He began with an over active thyroid. Dwindled from 20lb to 7lb over the years. I managed to get it stabilized at that point and he lived a few more years but they weren't the best. I got a call to come home. He was having a very difficult time walking. Glazed eyes. Those glazed eyes asked me to please help and I knew what was coming. Took him to the vet. On top of the thyroid issue were kidney failure and diabetes. The vet said they could keep him alive longer but that it wouldn't do him any favors, just me. I couldn't do that to him. It was my place to help him. He had given me the best 15 years I'd had. I held him in my arms as the vet did what was necessary and he peacefully went to sleep and laid his head down on me as always. Making me very sad to even think about it. Decisions are difficult but don't make one until all the vet results are back.

Jerry 

[CycleRanger]

He began with an over active thyroid. Dwindled from 20lb to 7lb over the years. I managed to get it stabilized at that point and he lived a few more years but they weren't the best.
Jerry 

Yeah, my cat also had the hyperactive thyroid for probably at least 7 years.  Two pills a day kept him going.

[azuredesign]

Seems like trying some antibiotics first,even if it's a pain to dose your cat, is what I'd do before writing him off. I'm still wounded from losing my two guys within two weeks of each other over 2 years ago. I'd do anything to have them here now, although I agree, maintaining quality of life is key. I really hope it works out! Good luck!

[bucky katt]

Seems like trying some antibiotics first,even if it's a pain to dose your cat, is what I'd do before writing him off. I'm still wounded from losing my two guys within two weeks of each other over 2 years ago. I'd do anything to have them here now, although I agree, maintaining quality of life is key. I really hope it works out! Good luck!

Hamish is going for tests on monday, xrays of his liver then if anything abnormal shows up a biopsy of that. i wont keep him alive if he isnt happy and comfortable. i love this cat more than any of the people in my life i think. i've known him longer than anyone else in my life

[Kframe]

Man that's rough.  I've been there and it sucks.   
Cats can be great friends. 
Hang in there. 
-K

[bill440cars]

Man that's rough.  I've been there and it sucks.   
Cats can be great friends. 
Hang in there. 
-K

          That's a fact -K, they sure CAN be great friends. One of my cats, Joy ( a large black female cat, maybe some Siamese in her), who has been mostly MY cat, has been overly attentive to me since Brenda passed away. I mean, when I sit down at the computer, she's there beside me, rubbing her head on my arm. tapping on my arm, looking deep into my eyes and meowing softly. She never went that far, til after Brenda was gone. Almost as if she's trying to comfort me. When I go to bed, she lays beside my feet or, if I let her, she'll lay on my chest. That makes it hard to breathe, sice I have asthma AND she is a heavy cat! Not trying to take away from your situation there Jeff, just adding to the ties you can get with pets.

         You take care of Hamish, however you need to, after all, like you said, He's family!    

[Ecosse]

Seems like trying some antibiotics first,even if it's a pain to dose your cat, is what I'd do before writing him off. I'm still wounded from losing my two guys within two weeks of each other over 2 years ago. I'd do anything to have them here now, although I agree, maintaining quality of life is key. I really hope it works out! Good luck!

Hamish is going for tests on monday, xrays of his liver then if anything abnormal shows up a biopsy of that. i wont keep him alive if he isnt happy and comfortable. i love this cat more than any of the people in my life i think. i've known him longer than anyone else in my life

so sorry to hear it bc. my heart truly goes out to you and your wee friend. and it takes a big heart to know what must be done and when. still, one hard m0#!@&fkng thing to be faced with.

fwiw: you may know of Pet Medicine Compounding. here's just one source but talk to the doc about it. http://www.drsfostersmith.com/general.cfm?c=9547&gid=270

my best wishes.



"Oh heavenly Father, protect and bless all things that have breath; guard them from all evil, and let them sleep in peace."

a prayer i say for animals at risk or in danger.

[bill440cars]

Seems like trying some antibiotics first,even if it's a pain to dose your cat, is what I'd do before writing him off. I'm still wounded from losing my two guys within two weeks of each other over 2 years ago. I'd do anything to have them here now, although I agree, maintaining quality of life is key. I really hope it works out! Good luck!

Hamish is going for tests on monday, xrays of his liver then if anything abnormal shows up a biopsy of that. i wont keep him alive if he isnt happy and comfortable. i love this cat more than any of the people in my life i think. i've known him longer than anyone else in my life

so sorry to hear it bc. my heart truly goes out to you and your wee friend. and it takes a big heart to know what must be done and when. still, one hard m0#!@&fkng thing to be faced with.

fwiw: you may know of Pet Medicine Compounding. here's just one source but talk to the doc about it. http://www.drsfostersmith.com/general.cfm?c=9547&gid=270

my best wishes.



"Oh heavenly Father, protect and bless all things that have breath; guard them from all evil, and let them sleep in peace."

a prayer i say for animals at risk or in danger.

           Really Touching Bill!     

[78 k550]

I hope it works out for the best. I put down a cat 17 and dog 17 at the same time that was very very hard.
I got another cat but no dog.

Paul

[rbmgf7]

sorry to hear that. my first cat is about to turn 15 and he stays at my parents house 800 miles away. last time i saw him (december 09) he was still up and at it but i'll be gone for a year come march. i'm afraid when i come back he'll be gone and i never got to say goodbye. i did notice he was losing some weight right before i left.

seems silly just being a cat but he was my first and truely my best bud.

[demon78]

I feel for you Bucky, I've had to put down cats many times and for me it doesn't get any easier, so I've gotten to the point that after Mrs McSniff packs in, no more pets ( she's getting old, tatty, and sleeps a lot) it wouldn't be fair to a new cat for me to leave them to be some one else's problem and I'm tired of watching other things die, so no more pets. Good luck with "wee Hammy".
Bill the demon.

[bucky katt]

I feel for you Bucky, I've had to put down cats many times and for me it doesn't get any easier, so I've gotten to the point that after Mrs McSniff packs in, no more pets ( she's getting old, tatty, and sleeps a lot) it wouldn't be fair to a new cat for me to leave them to be some one else's problem and I'm tired of watching other things die, so no more pets. Good luck with "wee Hammy".
Bill the demon.

i feel the same way. i lost my sweet little calico Ilse last week of may 2007, my Horse Onyx 2 weeks later to the day, then Berlios my giant tortie the following march. after this crop of critters goes i dont know if i'll ever get another either. no fair that they dont live as long as we do is it? Callie and Asparagus are both 4 next month, Macavity is 5 next month, Rocky is 8 next month, Bucky is 10 in july and Hamish will be 14 in June. the dog is the anti-christ 

[lynchj]

Hey Bucky,
 sorry to hear about Hamish  . You will do the right thing for him one way or another, it's never easy losing a best friend and cats make some of the best friends in the world. My 18 year old Abbey (she only has one fang so we call her Bucky) has a hyperactive thyroid and has lost a lot of weight, we give her medication in an eyedropper, she hates it but it keeps her going. It won't be long but she is still happy, warm and fiesty. 
Just think of all the fun and laughs that you have had because of Hamish and the good times kind of erase the bad, eventually. It's not how long they live that's important, it's how good of a life they have that really counts. I'm sure you have given him an awesome life.
Jack

[bucky katt]

Hamish has the beginnings of cancer in his abdomen/stomach wall. the vet gave me prednisone as it usually will cut the inflamation down in this type of tumor. Hamish will have a good life here with me as long as he's comfortable. i feel like i've been kicked in the balls i'm hurting so bad from this news. when i think about all the good times and bad times i've been through with this cat i just want to cry.  he's off right now abusing Macavity and running around like a maniac so it's pretty obvious he feels good still. the vet couldnt feel anything by palpating his abdominal area so maybe i'll have the old bastid around for a while longer.

[Jerry Rxman Griffin aka MuthaF'er]

Sorry to hear the diagnosis   

[Ecosse]

so sorry bucky.

take a cue from our wee friends and live in the moment. he doesn't know his fate (none of us really do) so he just gets on with things.

these critters are a gift in so many ways and i'm glad that hamish has the most caring human he could hope for. i think you're a blessing to him as well.

my prayers to hamish.

[fastbroshi]

  Sorry hear about your buddy.  Enflamed liver?  Yeah Jack Daniels will do that to a cat, lol.  Sorry just trying to lighten it up a bit, you said he was ornery.  I've always had cats around my house and can relate.  My father had a cat he adored just "go away" one day and not come back.  He's been trawling the internet ever since for a cat that has the exact same markings.

my wifes daughter in law had an orange tabby that was 24 when she had a stroke and had to be euthanized, she was as active as a cat 1/3 her age right to the end.

  Holy hair ball, so that cat was 168 friggin years old?!!  Wow, If I live to be that old half of me if not more will most likely be cyborg.  He was all "cat"....right?

[bucky katt]

 Sorry hear about your buddy.  Enflamed liver?  Yeah Jack Daniels will do that to a cat, lol.  Sorry just trying to lighten it up a bit, you said he was ornery.  I've always had cats around my house and can relate.  My father had a cat he adored just "go away" one day and not come back.  He's been trawling the internet ever since for a cat that has the exact same markings.

my wifes daughter in law had an orange tabby that was 24 when she had a stroke and had to be euthanized, she was as active as a cat 1/3 her age right to the end.

 Holy hair ball, so that cat was 168 friggin years old?!!  Wow, If I live to be that old half of me if not more will most likely be cyborg.  He was all "cat"....right?

right until Miss Kitty had a stroke just a month before she would have turned 25 she was active and playful. when Linda was deployed, to Gitmo the first time then Iraq the second time we took Miss Kitty in and she was the ruler of my house, all 6 of my cats including 18 pound gus were totally under her rule. Hamish will be the 6th pet i've lost to cancer over the years starting with my first cat, an ornery old (21 years old) calico in 1995, i lost Stanley (named after stanley clarke) in 1997, Ilse my calico in 2007, onyx my horse also 2007. i understand that cancer in cats isnt at all uncommon. i get really attatched to these little peckerheads and it hurts every time i lose one.

[bill440cars]

      Losing one of our PETS is never easy, IF you REALLY are into them!

      In the 38 and one half years Brenda and I were married, we'd lost 6 cats and 5 dogs. And then there was Whiskers (I called him "Whiskey"), who just went off one day (like he used to do, ever now and then), never to return. Brenda used to say that he realized that we were gonna have him "Fixed" when he came back this time! Anyway, that was the plan, but he never returned. Presently, we are down to 2 cats (Molly Belle, the Calico and Joy, the big black female (that I believe has some Siamese in her) and Cocoa, the Rat Terrier.

     Jeff, my heart hangs heavy with your situation man. Prayers for Hamish AND ffor YOU , in having to deal with however it turns out.