Darwin is an 18 year old male grey tabby, he has had renal failure for 4 years. I give him subQ fluids regularly, and on his last visit a month ago they recommended to up the frequency.
They also recommended a drug called Adequan to help with his mobility issues. He's been stumbling around and has trouble getting up sometimes. I was discussing how I can't get him to take any medication, pills, liquids, he doesn't do well with any of it. The only thing that works is a B12 shot that I can put in the subQ line, it has a little plug that lets me put the B12 into, so it mixes and is really easy. The vet recommended the adequan for this purpose.
When I finally gave him the injection, I didn't notice any changes right away. But later that day he refused to eat, and the next day the same. I went to the vet thinking he was tired of his food, gosh after 4 years of the same kidney diet who wouldn't be? I also thought maybe he was just on his last leg, but I wanted to try some new food. He ate some, but I was still worried. He looked to be in discomfort, and didn't want to do the things he normally likes, go outside etc.
The next day it hit me like a ton of bricks. The new medication. It had to have had a negative effect, I mean he was obviously not himself lately. I call the vet and of course she's not there that day, so I have to wait till the next day. She says that I wasn't supposed to inject the Adequan into the line. When I picked up the medication, when we were discussing it, at no time was I told this. Even the bottle didn't say anything like that, just the dosage and frequency. I'm feeling guilty for not asking, and watching him tears my heart out.
I gave him more fluids that night, and noticed his swollen lip. I looked closer and I once again got hit by a ton of bricks. He has a sore on his mouth, that's why he isn't eating. I took him to a different vet that was open till 10PM and they said it was cancer. I mentioned the Adequan and I got a bad feeling from them like they were dodging the issue. They said it was just a coincidence, it might be an infection but it was likely cancer. They based this on the physical examination and a couple x-rays (they had to do it unsedated so they said the x-rays weren't as good).
They gave me pain meds and antibiotics for him. I gave him the pain meds, very small oral medicine, I was able to give it to him. The antibiotic was about 4x the amount and I tasted it accidentally, it was foul. I couldn't bring myself to torture him with that. I took him to see the primary vet the next day. They gave him an antibiotic shot. When they saw the x-rays the other vet took, they couldn't make any determinations. They recommended euthanasia. This all feels really wrong to me, I'm at fault for not giving the medicine correctly, but I feel like I should have gotten some instruction. Now it seems like they just want to brush this all away and I am so torn. I want to end his suffering, but if it's an infection and will clear up I could be making a dire mistake.
TL/DR: My 18 year old cat could have cancer, or an infection, and I have to make a decision. Further complicated by my guilt from possibly causing it, and poor communication with the vet. I want him to get better if it's just an infection, but if not I want to do the right thing.
They also recommended a drug called Adequan to help with his mobility issues. He's been stumbling around and has trouble getting up sometimes. I was discussing how I can't get him to take any medication, pills, liquids, he doesn't do well with any of it. The only thing that works is a B12 shot that I can put in the subQ line, it has a little plug that lets me put the B12 into, so it mixes and is really easy. The vet recommended the adequan for this purpose.
When I finally gave him the injection, I didn't notice any changes right away. But later that day he refused to eat, and the next day the same. I went to the vet thinking he was tired of his food, gosh after 4 years of the same kidney diet who wouldn't be? I also thought maybe he was just on his last leg, but I wanted to try some new food. He ate some, but I was still worried. He looked to be in discomfort, and didn't want to do the things he normally likes, go outside etc.
The next day it hit me like a ton of bricks. The new medication. It had to have had a negative effect, I mean he was obviously not himself lately. I call the vet and of course she's not there that day, so I have to wait till the next day. She says that I wasn't supposed to inject the Adequan into the line. When I picked up the medication, when we were discussing it, at no time was I told this. Even the bottle didn't say anything like that, just the dosage and frequency. I'm feeling guilty for not asking, and watching him tears my heart out.
I gave him more fluids that night, and noticed his swollen lip. I looked closer and I once again got hit by a ton of bricks. He has a sore on his mouth, that's why he isn't eating. I took him to a different vet that was open till 10PM and they said it was cancer. I mentioned the Adequan and I got a bad feeling from them like they were dodging the issue. They said it was just a coincidence, it might be an infection but it was likely cancer. They based this on the physical examination and a couple x-rays (they had to do it unsedated so they said the x-rays weren't as good).
They gave me pain meds and antibiotics for him. I gave him the pain meds, very small oral medicine, I was able to give it to him. The antibiotic was about 4x the amount and I tasted it accidentally, it was foul. I couldn't bring myself to torture him with that. I took him to see the primary vet the next day. They gave him an antibiotic shot. When they saw the x-rays the other vet took, they couldn't make any determinations. They recommended euthanasia. This all feels really wrong to me, I'm at fault for not giving the medicine correctly, but I feel like I should have gotten some instruction. Now it seems like they just want to brush this all away and I am so torn. I want to end his suffering, but if it's an infection and will clear up I could be making a dire mistake.
TL/DR: My 18 year old cat could have cancer, or an infection, and I have to make a decision. Further complicated by my guilt from possibly causing it, and poor communication with the vet. I want him to get better if it's just an infection, but if not I want to do the right thing.
