Tips for nursing a sick cat

[wonko]

My oldest cat (of 3 in the household) is probably on the last few days of her 9th life :(

She began to struggle to walk on Friday morning, and we just heard from the vet that most conditions have been ruled out.  It's probably either cancer or stroke, and there aren't treatment options either way at this stage.

We had the option to hand her over to a clinic for IV and care this weekend, but decided to keep her at home.  She still purrs and flops her tail when pet, and though she can't move that much, takes a few steps here and there and is still interested in her food.  Monday, we'll need to make a decision.

Anyway, my question is if anyone has advice for how we can make her last days with us at home the most comfortable.  We've isolated her from the other cats in her own room, got her a shallow litter pan (her hind legs can't lift far off the ground) and we're giving her vet Rx-ed food.  We either sit with her or check on her every hour.  She has some of her favorite toys and playthings in her room as well.  She isn't grooming much anymore, but we're brushing her and using cat wipes on her.

I can't think of anything else, but would be glad to hear any ideas.  She's a rescue in her teens with pre-existing health problems.

Thanks.

[wonko]

Just an update:

Kitty is still with us!  What a trouper.

We did take her to the ER vet on Sunday, thinking she'd taken a turn, but the excitement perked her and and perhaps she was just extra groggy.

They did an exam and a blood pressure and said she's not in pain, they don't feel a blockage in her gut, and her BP is good so no internal bleeding.

It was nice to get a 2nd opinion from another vet.  They told us the same basic thing, that further diagnostics would not likely change what we can do for her.  So she's back home and getting lots of TLC.

She's either about the same or slowly going downhill, seems very tired and sometimes only can take a single step before falling.  But she usually perks up for part of the day, and still gets excited when she hears a can of food open.

Today we took her out of her isolation room to hang out in the living room.  Somehow, she jumped up onto the back of the couch, one of her fav spots.  Makes us nervous that she'll slip, but we're allowing it with close supervision.  She's purring and thumping her tale, and seems glad to be out here with us.

Thanks again for the help this weekend, it's a tough situation, a bit stressful to have a sick cat at home, but now we're seeing it as a good thing that we have some more time with her.  

[HelpinUtah]

One more thing, I used metacam for Daisy for pain.  Metacam is controversial as it can cause liver damage in cats.  But, since Daisy was already terminal we chose to give it to her and it made a HUGE difference in her last days. She actually perked up for another 2 weeks before we had to let her go.  

Just keep doing what you're doing and I'll keep her in my prayers!

You're a good mommy!  

Hugs,
Janet

[wonko]

Thank you.  We did think it was best to do what we can for her at home, the clinic is a last resort at this point.

This is the first pet I'm losing :(

HelpinUtah, I meant to offer my condolences on your recent loss.  Thanks for sharing.

[wonko]

Thanks for the ideas.  The washcloth sounds good, she may like that better than the packaged wipes!  Also to add more water to her food.  She's still intent on eating, but won't drink her water.

We tried bringing in one of the other cats for a visit, but she seemed scared of the sick cat and wouldn't interact positively with her.  We may try again later.

She got up on the (low) bed in her room, quite to our surprise!  She's also figured out how to use the litter pan despite some problems with her hind legs.  

We had her vet fax her records to a 24/7 emergency clinic, so if we can no longer keep her comfty before the vet opens on Monday, she has a place to go.

Stressful, and sad.  She seems to want to keep going, but her body just can't keep up.

[opus88]

bless you for deciding to keep kitty at home, they are so much more relaxed when in their own enviroment....a clinic is a stressful place for them. when theres nothing that can be done its in their best interests to keep them home and comfortable and loved.
Keep her hydrated and fed if she desires(they will naturally wean themselves off food and water as their time nears). As with people at the end I don't believe in forcing to eat or drink or IV's this only prolongs the death process for them, death is a natural process for the body to go thru, just keep her comfortable.
If pain develops there are meds your vet can supply for you at home.
bless you, you are doing a good job.

[HelpinUtah]

One thing I didn't do was isolate her from the other cats.  It was better we didn't because our two youngest would groom her and love on her.  But, that depends on the cats involved, I think.

[HelpinUtah]

I would give her wet food and add a little extra water to the food to make it soupy.  This way she will get in the fluid she needs and the food at the same time.  We gave our cat pain meds, Pro Gut (to help with sick tummy) and the vet gave her a prednisone shot to make her more comfortable.  

I would lay next to her on the floor and take a warm washcloth and wipe her face and her ears with it.  She loved it.  It makes them feel like they're being groomed.  

We also did the shallow litter pan without a lid.  

I think you're already doing a lot for her.  Giving her the love is so important!  

I'm so sorry that you're going through this with her.  We just lost our baby on Wednesday.  It's not easy.  My prayers are with you!