Very sick Kitty

[bedaley]

Today is the day I am taking my sick Kitty Clyde to the doctor for possible euthanization (taken out of his misery).  Well when I woke up to feed him he got up and walked away from the food dish and went over and sat on his new disc ball toy.  Also his brother was lying right next to him on the pillow and they both were looking at me as to say "He or I am doing better please wait.  He was diagnosed with Lymposarcoma or FIP.  He has not been active very much for the last week.  Please send response if you can quickly, because his appointment is at 10 am.  I will inform vet. of what I am writing.  Hoping maybe some pain meds and more antibiotics and more feeding will help him get better.  What should I do?

[zodiacqueen]

Yes, as much as I hate to tell you this-the best thing to do since he's having so much trouble breathing is to put him to sleep.  The breathing will only get worse.  I don't know if you've ever had pneumonia, but I have and it really s u c k s!  I felt like I was suffocating and my fever was 106 degrees (no exaggeration).  If your cat feels anything like I did, he's suffering and needs to be put to rest.  He does not have any quality of life left and he doesn't want to eat or drink.  It really is time.

If you love him, then give him this final gift!

Hugs and Peace

[PrettyKitty1]

When they go they're already suffering too much. It'd be best to put him to sleep before the suffering gets a toll on him and he decides to give up. It's pretty sad. I am so very sorry. If you could arrange his passing with the vet in your house it'd be better. Do you think the vet will refuse to go to your house to put him to sleep?

One more thing, you know your cat. Please don't put him to sleep while he is still aware and happy. If he stops grooming, playing, seems to be in pain and his overall health goes downhill then, for his sake, it's best to let him go. I wonder when the day incurable diseases like FIP can be cured will arrive.

Again, I am so sorry..

[bedaley]

Hey Clyde is still with us and still getting worse.  I got the food, pain medicine and medicine for appetite.  He still is not eating and his breathing is really sounding conjested.  Today is Sunday Jan 4, 2009.  Another sad day for me.  I wondering if cats with FIP disease ever just pass away on their own at home, and how long does it take?  Not that I am in a rush for him to go.  I just think he would prefer to be at home when he goes.  I do have narcotic pain meds to help make him comfortable.  This is a real trip.

[zodiacqueen]

It sounds like you've got everything covered!  I will keep you and Clyde in my prayers.

[bedaley]

It is done.  I will get all the things you mentioned.  The doctor gave him some pain medicine.  Right now he is under the bed.  If I try to force too much he goes under the bed because I can't reach him there.  I will also check his breathing.  It seems like earlier this week he was have a little difficulty breathing.  When I try and give him water from a bowl he will kinda lay his nose in it.  Sometime he will finally began to sip, most time not.  The doctor gave me someTramadol (50mg) for pain and cut each pill in 4 pieces.  He said that we should discontinue giving him antibiotics.  The disease is in his abdomen per the doctor.  He is losing about a 1/2 a pound a week.  He is now 8lbs.  Instruction for the meds are 1/4 twice daily as needed for pain.  As far as keeping him comfy.  He has all his favorite blankets, pillows, and people and his brother for him to rest on.  I have been keeping the heater on so he doesn't get too cold.  Also he is still having a fever.  It started out at 105 and now it is down to 103.  Still a bit high for a cat.  His little muscle are very week.  Last as far a today goes he has eaten very little and drank no water.  Thank you again for your reply.

[zodiacqueen]

Hi, thanks for the update!  I am sorry that the news wasn't better!  We were hoping for a miracle!  

What you should do now is to make sure that Clyde is as comfy as possible-kitty bed with a self-warming blanket or hot water bottles, get some syringes to force-feed water to prevent dehydration, and get some turkey and ham babyfood and some chicken broth (low sodium).  There are some meds that I hope your vet gave you to make your cat more comfortable.  I think that prednisone will be helpful and will cut down the inflammation.

You really need to watch his breathing like a hawk.  With this condition the abdomen and lungs can fill up with fluid causing breathing difficulties.  I would even go as far as putting your ear to his lungs-you'll be able to hear it.  You should not be able to hear any wheezing or gurgling.  If you see or hear anything, it may be time to put him to rest.

If you need us, we're here.  Some of us have insomnia and are here too much :D

[bedaley]

Thank you for responding, sorry about the short notice.  I just found this forum.  I didn't have him put down today.  2 days before Christmas is when I took him in to have blood work done for some test.  The next day (1 day before christmas) the doctor called back and said FIP and lymposocoma were the two possiblilites, but he was waiting for one more test to come back.  He also explained to me what was happening with his body.  So today (l day after christmas) I called office and said i am not sure about having him euthanised and would like to have him checked because he seemed better.  The doctor agreed and confirmed today that it is definitely FIP and that he is seriously affected by the disease.  Also on my way to the vet. I put clyde in his carrier and he meowed all the way to the vet.  He hasn't been vocal in a long time.  Even when he wasn't sick he doesn't meow much unless he is really trying to get my attention.  So I am happy I found this web page. and definitely value everyones responses because I don't know what to do.  I know he is still withering away.  According to medical books it probably won't be much longer for him.  I am thankful to feel I have gotten connected to people who understand and will take the time to listen to me and give gentle positive feedback.  If someone out there has experienced a cat dying from FIP I would like to hear from you also

[PrettyKitty1]

How did the vet come up with the FIP diagnosis?

[zodiacqueen]

Hi, sorry that no one got a chance to respond in time.  You only gave us an hour to respond, and many of us on this forum are not that quick.

I hope that everything went smoothly for Clyde!  I am also wondering why your vet did not give you a definite diagnosis for him.  I don't think that's fair when vets start guessing like that-FIP or lymphosarcoma.  When they start guessing without further testing, there's a chance that the vet might make a misdiagnosis or wrongly diagnose your cat with something that might actually be treatable/curable.