Kathy,
I'm so sorry you're going through this. Our kitty, Priss, went down a similar road (although her cancer was in her abdomen). If Fluffy appears to be in pain, the vet should have other painkillers that might be worth trying. I know that at the end of Priss' life, we just tried to keep her comfy and bought her favorite treats (like shrimp from the seafood counter at the grocery store) to tempt her appetite.
I hope Fluffy surprises everyone and bounces back.
*hugs*
SM
Thank you for the links. I read each one all the way through and have been shedding the tears that have been trapped inside me. I cried for your pain as well as my own.
I'll bet Simba will welcome Fluffy at the Rainbow Bridge as well as his mother, Ginger, who went there years ago. Fluffy will have four legs instead of three, will be able to do all the things he can't do now.
Kathy
Thanks, Chrisy.
I think Fluffy is the same as your cat with the pain medication.
I just called the vet, and the one I talked to said that some cats react that way to the morphine derivative that was used in his oral surgery, though his eyes shouldn't still be dialated today. He said that Fluffy should improve, and to let him know if he doesn't.
He said that if the lump is indeed a tumor, it could be pressing on his brain and causing problems, or he was showing discomfort; his behavior could be from a number of things. He said that the cytology report could take several days to come back, but that he (they) will give me a call as soon as they get the report, so we can figure out what to do next. He was very kind; brought tears to my eyes.
He also said that Fluffy should have been started on Clavamox this morning, so I had to drag him out from under the bed, wrap him in a towel, pry his mouth open, and shoot cold liquid down his throat. Now he's in the closet in his bed, which is an improvement.
My Avonex has been delivered, so I could go back to sleep. I'm pretty awake, though. Maybe I'll take a nap after lunch.
Kathy
I'm so sorry to hear about Fluffy.
((((((((((((((((((((Big Hugs)))))))))))))))))))))))))))
this is how it started with my late cat ,Simba, he was 13 years. I got Simba to eat by meat flavor baby food level 1. you can mix her med in it. I fed Simba with a baby spoon
the following are some links about Simba hopefully it can help it you and your beloved Fluffy.
http://www.medhelp.org/posts/Cats/my-cat-will-not-eat/show/959879?personal_page_id=970803
http://www.medhelp.org/posts/Multiple-Sclerosis/update-off-topic-my-cat-Simba/show/1021556?personal_page_id=970803
this one is very sad. I still can't read it without breaking down. but as pet owners, we knew this was a possibly when we adopted them in our families.
http://www.medhelp.org/posts/Cats/the-dreaded-day-has-come-for-Simba-/show/1016721?personal_page_id=970803
I am sorry to hear about this. I am hoping that the vet calls you with news that it isn't cancer. But, if it is, you know that often the hardest choices we make for our furkids are the most kind.
I would like to speak to his behavior last night - my cat, who is 12, doesn't handle pain medication very well, and exhibits the same kind of behavior that you are describing. It may be that Fluffy just doesn't handle the pain meds very well. I would definitely mention it to the vet.
I am sending you both hugs and crossing my fingers for a different diagnosis.
Chrisy
Ugh, what a night! Fluffy never got to the drowsy from anesthesia point; he was up all night, standing up, running here and there. His eyes were very dialated and he didn't seem fully present. His body kept twitching. Keeps twitching. No snuggling up in bed for him.
I wasn't supposed to let him exert himself, so I tried to keep him from running down the stairs. He kept heading for them, I'd carry him down, he'd sit in the litter box a while, eat some dry food, then stare down the hall at the lights on the stereo. I tried to sleep on the couch, but he'd meow really loud, sounding like he might barf, but he didn't.
Finally around 12:30 he peed, then around 1:30 he pooed. I figured he was done with downstairs, took him back upstairs, and went to bed, tired enough to try and ignore his meows. He ran past me and down the stairs before I could catch him, I followed to make sure he was OK.
I finally got a few (very few) hours sleep. Now I have to be up for my Avonex delivery, then I'll try to go back to sleep. Fluffy is at least sitting by my leg; last night he wanted nothing to do with me. I'm very tired and my brain is more foggy than usual.
Maggie, I really don't mind spending the money, but that $800 takes most of my savings, and I'm on Social Security Disability, which is not very much money. OK, yesterday's tests took 80 percent of a month's income.
I know that it is possible that some difficult choices are coming up, and I want to be prepared for them. I want that call in a couple of days to be good news. I don't want Fluffy to be in pain or suffer in any way
Stephanie, if it is sarcoma, I don't think they would be able to operate either, because of its location. I realize that if it is, the extractions and aspiration could have fired it up, too. It has swelled so much in the last week and a half already...
I did manage to get his pills down him this morning. I have to call the vet to be reminded when to start giving him his home antibiotics; they gave him an injection yesterday, and said I didn't need to start giving him the liquid form until ????
I'll also tell them about his odd behaviour and being awake all night, still awake, not lying down, etc.
Thanks for being here to hear me and caring about Fluffy and me.
Kathy
I'm hope dear Fluffy will be OKAY. Do keep us posted. I'll keep my fingers crossed that it will be good news for you and Fluffy.
I am sorry about Fluff and I am sorry for you. I have been on both sides of sick pet both having them and tending them and it is very sad.
Alex
Oh, I hope it's not sarcoma. Our cat that had cancer had a vaccine associated sarcoma. Our local vet said they are *very* aggressive cancers and he would not do the operation on her. (He was afraid if he didn't get it all the cancer would come back and grow rapidly.) We had to take her to a university vet school.
I know it sounds suspicious and they're checking to make sure, but it could be something else. When will they have the results?
I hope you get good news, and I hope if it's not good news that you're able to get some more good time with Fluffy.
Stephanie
I am so sorry to read your news about Fluffy. I know the fear that is in your heart right now. I'm sure you are snuggled up in bed with him by now. He should be over the post anesthesia effects by morning, hopefully he will be feeling better.
I know it's disheartening to spend so much money, and get such potentially bad news. But all of us animal lovers don't measure our pets' value in monetary terms. You will do what is best for Fluffy, because you love him.
My heart is sad for you both
(((hugs)))) & prayers
Maggie
I hope that it's not the worst outcome and that Fluffy get's better, thinking of you as I know that Fluffy is the world to you, and I can relate to your love for your cat. Sending hugs your way.
Udkas
Thanks Ren, that was a quick reply and right when I needed the positive thoughts. He did eat some dry food and I gave him a little water, and he looks a little better.
Kathy
I am so sorry to hear of this turn of events. I will be sending positive thoughts that this is a false alarm and prayers for Fluffy and you.
Hang in there!
Ren
Hi, latest update on Fluffy:
I called around 3:30 to see how he was doing, and was told that he had done well and was coming out of the anesthetic but they were keeping him a little longer for observation. They are really nice there. She said that I could pick him up at 4:15, and the doctor wants to speak to me about the two teeth that they removed.
I got in the car to drive down there, and the doctor called me; I turned the car off. She said that when she pulled the teeth, nothing drained out; no evidence of infection. She said that she thought that the lump is what pushed the teeth out and made them loose, which inflamed the gums.
She said that the lump was suspicious, and had aspirated a sample and would view the slides she had prepared. If they were more suspicious, she would send them to a lab.
I went to pick up Fluffy, and was asked to wait for the doctor in a room. She brought in an x-ray that she had taken "because they really wanted to know" at no charge for me. She pointed out that where the lump was it showed bony involvement, which meant that it didn't show fluid like pus or other normal signs of an abscess. That makes it very suspicious.
She's sending the samples off to the lab, and will call me with the results. It could be sarcoma, which would be very bad.
Fluffy is still all disoriented from the anesthesia and pain medication. I'm still disoriented from hearing that my little boy might have cancer, and paying over $800 for it. I haven't cried much yet; had to hold myself together to drive him home, tell my roommate, watch him stare at walls, the toilet, etc. He's spent time sitting in both litter boxes.
He's not supposed to eat wet food except for around his pills, very little water until tomorrow. He wouldn't take his pills tonight, but that's ok. I'll need to give him liquid antibiotics twice a day.
So, there you have it. He may have a cancerous lump right under his left eye. Who knows what's next?
Kathy
Kathy
The first thing I though was infected tooth tooth. Not only is pain involve with teeth but it messes with cats smell and a cat that can't smell will not eat.
An old trick to get a cat to eat is get wet cat food or dry and add water put it in the microwave for 5 seconds at a time until it is stinky then make sure it is cool this is important you do not want to burn the cats mouth. When you have stirred it and are sure it is cool see if fluff show interest.
Turkey baby food is also a cat pleaser again slightly heated.
Alex
Fluffy is a boy? Oy veh, I always thought she was a little girl. I am so happy that he is getting good care. Did they do blood work on him? I think we all care about Mr. Fluffy. He has certainly found a place in my heart.
I'll be waiting to hear the update.
Julie
Glad to hear fluffy is doing good... Will keep you in happy thoughts!!!
Maryellen
I am happy to hear that it sounds like Fluffy has something simple, albeit expensive, to fix. Will send positive thoughts your way to share with Fluffy.
Ren
Fluffy was happy to receive the gentle hugs; he really wanted attention last night and I gave it too him. I was afraid he was saying good-bye, but I hope he was saying that he knew I would help him feel better. Thank you all for your hugs, prayers, well wishes, and understanding.
I took him in at 9 am and saw a very nice woman vet. He's lost 2 pounds, so he's now a 14 pound cat instead of a 16 pound cat. She looked inside his mouth and said that he definitely needs a cleaning, possibly some extractions. She was able to take him right in, and his cleaning will be later today. He'll be on antibiotics.
There is a very small chance that it might be cancer, but he doesn't have the usual symptoms for cancer in that area.
The estimate for the work is close to $600, which is a huge sum to me, but I had to take care of my little boy. They'll call me when they know more.
I'm going to my once-a-month MS support group from noon to 2 pm today, and will probably be able to pick Fluffy up around 3:30 or so. I'll post another update when I get him home and settled in comfortably.
Kathy
I hope all is well with Fluffy. We have 3 cats in our house and they are such an integral part of our lives. We love our furbabies!
Sharlene
We have two elderly cats, too. One turns 17 this month and the other will be 17 in June. I know what you mean about not knowing something is wrong until it's *really* wrong. I've read, and heard from vets, that cats are like that and it's difficult to find things early with them.
We've been through all sorts of illnesses with them--one cat had cancer (spent two weeks at a vet school hospital for surgery), fell out a third story window (spent the weekend in the vet ER), and accidentally had her eardrum punctured by the vet (several days at their office for IVs), not to mention her on-going, chronic urinary problems. The other one is in chronic renal failure and it's now getting much more pronouned (he went from 16 lbs to 10!) and had a MAJOR infection right before christmas (back to the vet ER).
Anyway, I know how much you love Fluffy and I hope you are able to treat him. It's so scary when these things happen, but most of the time they're treatable (that's why our two kitties are still with us after that long list of problems!!)
Good luck and let us know.
Stephanie
Just wanted to wish you and fluffy the best.
Sending hugs to you both and hoping for a speedy recovery.
Mistylee
Oh, the animal lover in me aches for you. You're probably right about it being oral. I hope the vet is able to work wonders. Prayers will be said for you both. Love, Jan
Adding my prayers for you both. Maybe he just needs an antibiotic or something simple. I know how worried you are. I'll be hoping for good news when I check back tomorrow night.
Hugs t you both
Maggie