PetLover2007
10-29-2007, 04:34 PM
Hi and help PLEASE,
Gypsy, who is an elderly rescue cat, the vet has her as 11, but I think she's possibly older, I don't know how old she was when I got her and I've had her over 10 years, has been sick for about two weeks now. She was steadily losing weight, not sure why, and then developed a horrible upper respratory infection which just won't go away. She's on two very strong antibiotics that don't seem to be making the slightest bit difference.
Her symptoms are not eating, not drinking, dehydrated, severe drainage (yellowish) from her eyes, clogged nose (no drainage there), and wheezing when she breathes. Plus she is not herself, will not purr, turns and looks away from me when I go try to pet her or spend time with her, of course she's also mad at me for giving the sub q fluids and force feeding her, but she's always been a very friendly, loving cat and she's totally withdrawn and solitary. Doesn't want anything to do with anyone. I have no idea what to do anymore. She has been to the vet three times now, and they are concerned that at her age, and weight (5lbs, compared to 10 a year ago) she just can't fight this. I am getting steroids today to try to control her symptoms somewhat better, hoping that if I can do that maybe she'll eat and gain some energy.
When I spoke to the vet today he told me her prognosis is very bad, that most cats would be fully recovered by now with the protocol she's been under, and that he's very concerned she has kidney issues (her levels aren't great) and possibly cancer. I just want to shake a magic wand and make her better. I will do anything possible that I can afford (I'm running out of money, she's been VERY expensive (three days inpatient) and I just can't afford to do much more, I had another ill kitty a few months ago who was over 1k, something entirely different, totally worth it, don't get me wrong, I don't begrudge my babies anything, but have to keep a roof over our heads.)
I am feeling super guilty too, I have a large home and the cats stay upstairs in one area(they have free roam but with dogs they don't like they stay together upstairs), with someone that lives here with us but who really didn't keep an eye on her well. I normally go upstairs to his quarters and spend time with my cats, but haven't been able to because I've been sick and in and out of the hospital, and I'm still very ill and not at all where I normally am. So I have been totally neglectful in that sense, I am so angry with myself because I'm afraid I would have caught her illness sooner and taken care of it sooner. I love her so much, she's my last cat from a group of three, the other two were lost to renal failure years ago. I have two other cats, and I have dogs, but as any pet lover knows they are all our babies, equally, and one doesn't make up for another. I love her, individually, and , having the vet tell me the prognosis is very dire is so scary and saddening I haven't stopped crying all afternoon. I am truly at a loss as to what to do. I knew when it was time with my other two kitties, Pancho, and Zachary, Zach literally started dying at home, and I rushed him to the vet, and Pancho had just given up and I was keeping him for myself, not his quality of life, and they were both about 16+ when they passed away. It took me over three years to find the right urns and put them to rest in my mantel.
Ok, I am going all over the place, I apoligise, I just have no one to talk to about this and I'm going insane with worry and stress. If anyone has any advice I would gladly take it. Gypsy can't even get from the floor to the couch, when she tries to do it she falls. And still doesn't cry. She's not crying, not mewing, not purring (she normally has a HUGE motor), not making eye contact with me, I am wondering if she's preparing herself.......again, any advice is very welcome, please. Thank you so much in advance. I'm crying too much right now to keep typing and make any sense, but will be glued to the computer to try to find help and advice.
Marcia
Mom to rescues: Gypsy kitty
Spooky kitty
Isabella AKA Kitten Little
Maxie Bichon
Princess Silky terrier
Calli Shiztu
Lenny The Taco Bell Doggie *smile*
Chili Pepper Patagonian Conure
Gypsy, who is an elderly rescue cat, the vet has her as 11, but I think she's possibly older, I don't know how old she was when I got her and I've had her over 10 years, has been sick for about two weeks now. She was steadily losing weight, not sure why, and then developed a horrible upper respratory infection which just won't go away. She's on two very strong antibiotics that don't seem to be making the slightest bit difference.
Her symptoms are not eating, not drinking, dehydrated, severe drainage (yellowish) from her eyes, clogged nose (no drainage there), and wheezing when she breathes. Plus she is not herself, will not purr, turns and looks away from me when I go try to pet her or spend time with her, of course she's also mad at me for giving the sub q fluids and force feeding her, but she's always been a very friendly, loving cat and she's totally withdrawn and solitary. Doesn't want anything to do with anyone. I have no idea what to do anymore. She has been to the vet three times now, and they are concerned that at her age, and weight (5lbs, compared to 10 a year ago) she just can't fight this. I am getting steroids today to try to control her symptoms somewhat better, hoping that if I can do that maybe she'll eat and gain some energy.
When I spoke to the vet today he told me her prognosis is very bad, that most cats would be fully recovered by now with the protocol she's been under, and that he's very concerned she has kidney issues (her levels aren't great) and possibly cancer. I just want to shake a magic wand and make her better. I will do anything possible that I can afford (I'm running out of money, she's been VERY expensive (three days inpatient) and I just can't afford to do much more, I had another ill kitty a few months ago who was over 1k, something entirely different, totally worth it, don't get me wrong, I don't begrudge my babies anything, but have to keep a roof over our heads.)
I am feeling super guilty too, I have a large home and the cats stay upstairs in one area(they have free roam but with dogs they don't like they stay together upstairs), with someone that lives here with us but who really didn't keep an eye on her well. I normally go upstairs to his quarters and spend time with my cats, but haven't been able to because I've been sick and in and out of the hospital, and I'm still very ill and not at all where I normally am. So I have been totally neglectful in that sense, I am so angry with myself because I'm afraid I would have caught her illness sooner and taken care of it sooner. I love her so much, she's my last cat from a group of three, the other two were lost to renal failure years ago. I have two other cats, and I have dogs, but as any pet lover knows they are all our babies, equally, and one doesn't make up for another. I love her, individually, and , having the vet tell me the prognosis is very dire is so scary and saddening I haven't stopped crying all afternoon. I am truly at a loss as to what to do. I knew when it was time with my other two kitties, Pancho, and Zachary, Zach literally started dying at home, and I rushed him to the vet, and Pancho had just given up and I was keeping him for myself, not his quality of life, and they were both about 16+ when they passed away. It took me over three years to find the right urns and put them to rest in my mantel.
Ok, I am going all over the place, I apoligise, I just have no one to talk to about this and I'm going insane with worry and stress. If anyone has any advice I would gladly take it. Gypsy can't even get from the floor to the couch, when she tries to do it she falls. And still doesn't cry. She's not crying, not mewing, not purring (she normally has a HUGE motor), not making eye contact with me, I am wondering if she's preparing herself.......again, any advice is very welcome, please. Thank you so much in advance. I'm crying too much right now to keep typing and make any sense, but will be glued to the computer to try to find help and advice.
Marcia
Mom to rescues: Gypsy kitty
Spooky kitty
Isabella AKA Kitten Little
Maxie Bichon
Princess Silky terrier
Calli Shiztu
Lenny The Taco Bell Doggie *smile*
Chili Pepper Patagonian Conure