Erinia
Member Since 2014
When is it okay to euthanize? I know I don't post here a lot, but I'm feeling really lost and upset.
Maahes is diabetic, and most likely has IBD/lymphoma. There are also mast cell tumors here and there that I'm monitoring. Despite excellent glucose management, methyl B-12, and a steady diet of low carb canned food and Young Again Zero carb, his diabetic neuropathy never improved. He vomits at least once a week (if not 2-3 times), and at least once every two months he vomits 15 times in a row. Other than that, he never seems nauseous, and typically runs back to the food bowl to refill his stomach. He used to weigh 28 lbs, and is down to around 13 now. His latest blood work had many abnormalities.
But, the final nail:He also has a very advanced case of stomatitis that literally came on suddenly. I took him for a dental cleaning in late 2014, and everything was fine, and not six months later, he's developed that terrible disease. I managed to afford getting 3 teeth extracted, but getting the rest of his teeth removed is simply not financially possible (credit isn't an option, unfortunately). This really has upset me because he's the one cat I have that gets routine dental care at least once a year for 5 years, on top of at least 2 comprehensive appointments a year. I have spent thousands on him and just don't have anything left. Yes, I've done pulse antibiotics to help manage this.
Yesterday I had to wipe his mouth because I noticed some food had crusted. His breath nearly knocked me out. I did restart his clavamox (which he promptly vomited) and have doxy to use as a back up (I'm...well stocked) Last night, I noticed blood on my sheets where he curled up. Naturally, I panicked. I know it came from his mouth, and most likely because I agitated it. Logically I know that the antibiotics are going to help, and he'll be right as rain in a week, but at the same time, how can I keep putting him through this?! I'm even doubting the clavamox and considering a covenia shot since it makes him less likely to have GI upset. Last time he had a course of clavamox, the poor guy got poop all over himself.
Does he seem like he's in pain? Not really, especially with how advanced the dental issue is. This cat has a voracious appetite! He gets around pretty well for a cat walking on his hocks, and will manage tip toe walking when he is sufficiently motivated. He bites when he's decided that he's done being pet. He even manages to jump astounding distances (up into the cat tree). His behavior hasn't really changed. He's always been lazy, but he's purring, pooping, peeing like normal. He has never played. Grooming has always been trouble for him, and he's due for a bath.
I can sit here and justify why I shouldn't euthanize, but at the same time, I know he's got to be suffering with the dental crap, and is just hiding it well. There is no way I can justify spending $1300 that I don't have to remove teeth for a 50/50 chance at complete recovery when all the signs are pointing to lymphoma, and a diminished quality of life anyway, and likelihood that the surgery will NOT add years to his life considering all of the other health crap.
This cat is my child. He is my heart. I just don't know what to do any more. Any advice? Words of wisdom?
Maahes is diabetic, and most likely has IBD/lymphoma. There are also mast cell tumors here and there that I'm monitoring. Despite excellent glucose management, methyl B-12, and a steady diet of low carb canned food and Young Again Zero carb, his diabetic neuropathy never improved. He vomits at least once a week (if not 2-3 times), and at least once every two months he vomits 15 times in a row. Other than that, he never seems nauseous, and typically runs back to the food bowl to refill his stomach. He used to weigh 28 lbs, and is down to around 13 now. His latest blood work had many abnormalities.
But, the final nail:He also has a very advanced case of stomatitis that literally came on suddenly. I took him for a dental cleaning in late 2014, and everything was fine, and not six months later, he's developed that terrible disease. I managed to afford getting 3 teeth extracted, but getting the rest of his teeth removed is simply not financially possible (credit isn't an option, unfortunately). This really has upset me because he's the one cat I have that gets routine dental care at least once a year for 5 years, on top of at least 2 comprehensive appointments a year. I have spent thousands on him and just don't have anything left. Yes, I've done pulse antibiotics to help manage this.
Yesterday I had to wipe his mouth because I noticed some food had crusted. His breath nearly knocked me out. I did restart his clavamox (which he promptly vomited) and have doxy to use as a back up (I'm...well stocked) Last night, I noticed blood on my sheets where he curled up. Naturally, I panicked. I know it came from his mouth, and most likely because I agitated it. Logically I know that the antibiotics are going to help, and he'll be right as rain in a week, but at the same time, how can I keep putting him through this?! I'm even doubting the clavamox and considering a covenia shot since it makes him less likely to have GI upset. Last time he had a course of clavamox, the poor guy got poop all over himself.
Does he seem like he's in pain? Not really, especially with how advanced the dental issue is. This cat has a voracious appetite! He gets around pretty well for a cat walking on his hocks, and will manage tip toe walking when he is sufficiently motivated. He bites when he's decided that he's done being pet. He even manages to jump astounding distances (up into the cat tree). His behavior hasn't really changed. He's always been lazy, but he's purring, pooping, peeing like normal. He has never played. Grooming has always been trouble for him, and he's due for a bath.
I can sit here and justify why I shouldn't euthanize, but at the same time, I know he's got to be suffering with the dental crap, and is just hiding it well. There is no way I can justify spending $1300 that I don't have to remove teeth for a 50/50 chance at complete recovery when all the signs are pointing to lymphoma, and a diminished quality of life anyway, and likelihood that the surgery will NOT add years to his life considering all of the other health crap.
This cat is my child. He is my heart. I just don't know what to do any more. Any advice? Words of wisdom?
