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| "Hi! What's up, Mom?" |
Last week, our eldest cat
Tilly started breathing heavy. We have spent a good thousand dollars on the two
cats so far this year. ~sigh~ But we knew something wasn’t right and just
couldn’t let this continue.
Besides, Tilly is doing so
much better after her E. coli infection was finally cleared up. She jumps in
laps, beds, wherever she wants. Her old mysterious warts have even disappeared,
we think due to that last successful antibiotic.
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| Her pattern baldness is a lot like a hyena pelt with that long ridge along her spine. |
So, I called the clinic
yesterday and (as often happens) they saw her the same day. Upon evaluation of
her breathing rate, the veterinarian recommended X-rays. Sounded good to us.
Not so good, I heard doctors
convene by the monitor right outside the closed exam room door and someone speaking
the word ‘heart’. My husband and I half expected that. Not surprising, the
images showed fluid built up around her lungs.
At that news the vet gave us options.
We ruled out seeing a
specialist after the fruitless efforts to cure Luna’s cancer in 2014. Younger
than Tilly, she lasted three months at the cost of thousands of dollars and a
traumatic surgery that almost took her life. I would never again subject an
animal to a radical mastectomy. ~shakes
head~ She sure did fight to the end, though, my little sweetheart.
At any rate, darling Tilly’s
third option involved discussing euthanasia. Ugh… Not yet.
We opted for the second
suggestion, having the doctor attempt a thoracic tap to remove excess fluid. Depending
upon the outcome, she suggested administering heart medication and a diuretic. Sounded
like a plan.
Our cooperative kitty ended
up having around 238 mL total removed from her chest! Unfortunately the fluid
was chylous, or milky, not indicative of heart failure. Cancer being one of the
main suspects decided us not to have the $120 test done on the fluids. There seemed
little point.
Prepared to take it day by
day, we brought her home where she is comfortable and content this morning. She
and I snuggled on the bed for a while. After meowing at my husband for
attention, Tilly is now sound asleep in a favorite cat bed by his desk.
We shall see what her checkup
shows in a week. Meanwhile I’ll give her a daily diuretic and a supplement to
reduce effusion in her chest. And we’ll pay close attention to signs of failing
health and/or poor quality of life. I would consider other fluid taps down the
road, but not to excess. We don’t want to be selfish and put her through unnecessary
stress and misery.
Have you heard of the
supplement called rutin?
I'm so sorry. I hope she gets better, and if not, I hope it's a peaceful passing.
ReplyDeleteThank you. She seems to be comfortable, the picture of relative health. We are blessed to be home full time to monitor her. Take care!
DeleteI am so sorry your beautiful girl is sick. I will be praying she has more time with you. XO
ReplyDeleteThank you. That means a lot.
DeleteOh no, I'm sorry. No I have not heard of that. Will look it up now.
ReplyDeleteThank you for the kind words. She's acting perfectly fine (!?), though we aren't raising our hopes too high. The supplement was not easy to find. No local stores seemed to have it, so we ordered online and it arrived yesterday. Fingers crossed her appointment goes well in a few minutes.
DeleteNot heard of that supplement but Darla my heart goes out to you. This hurts reading about this. I am like you, I don't see putting them through treatment that would only prolong life for a couple of months, quality not all that well, and then you still have to say good bye. I know that I will be facing that with Dakota, my best bud one day soon. But I would not put him through treatment when I have already been told that I would not do any good. I will cry my heart out but I will let him go as I sit with him when the time comes and yes, I will take the steps I need to take before I let him suffer. I will keep your baby girl in my prayers and thoughts, and you and hubby also. I am so sorry. I wanted to ask you a question when I came to your blog today but now I feel bad about it. But I would like to know what you think of something I wrote. Would it be possible for you to send me your email address to pjack@bellsouth.net? If you are up to it .....thank you.
ReplyDeleteSorry to be so late in reading this. Time sure flies. But I have sent you an email and wish you all the best. Thanks, my friend, for all the kind words.
DeleteHaven't heard of the supplement. Back when we had pets, Vets really didn't "treat" the way they do now. You pretty much played through, and when you could tell they were in pain you put them down. It's so different now. People spend tons of money on their pets with doctor bills. I know some even have pet insurance. A tough decision for sure. I hope she has some quality time with you. Sorry you have to go through that, but I applaud you not wanting to be selfish. Continue to base your decisions on her well being and you know you'll make the right decision at the right time.
ReplyDeleteThank you1 ~hugs~ Be well, my dear.
ReplyDelete