my boy

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SpecklesandMe

SpecklesandMe

Member Since 2015
Here's the previous thread: http://www.felinediabetes.com/FDMB/threads/managing-bad-pancreatitis-anything-else-i-can-do.143595/
We are dealing with extremely severe acute pancreatitis with ascites.
We got new labwork last night and I was just told that I should schedule euthanasia. His albumin got lower since Mon (at 2.0 now, ref: 2.5-3.9). I have the prednisolone and was going to try it starting tomorrow (need washout period b/c he had 1 dose of Metacam today). He has ascites, and the pred might make it worse, but I was told nothing's going to make it better. What should I do? Should I keep him going to see what the prednisolone does or am I being selfish? I feel so awful. Tuesday is his 11th birthday, and I can't understand why this had to happen now. I've tried so hard to take good care of him to avoid these kinds of problems this early in his life (I mean some cats makes it to 20!). My heart is breaking into trillions of pieces. What should I do?
 
I am not familiar with ascites. First of all, you're not being selfish. You've being working tirelessly for a long time to care for Speckles. Please release any regrets, should haves and could haves and focus on what you have done because you've done more than most people would do for their cats.

Hopefully someone here can tell you if prednisilone can help with the ascites. If you get no answers, perhaps starting a thread with as Ascites and Acute Pancreatits with a 911 in the title would get some answers.

I wish I could give you an answer. It's not easy. Whatever decision you make, know you've made the right one. My feeling is if there's a chance it could work, try it. I can tell you prednisilone works well for CJ but she doesn't have other issues going on. So I can't give proper advice on that.

Wipe those tears and give yourself a hug. Breathe deeply. Get some rest. Sending lots of hugs.
 
Thank you so much. This is really hard.
I was told that the pred would make the ascites worse, but may or may not help the inflammation/pancreatitis. My understanding is that if his albumin drops any lower, the pred won't save him even if it starts working. If we hospitalize him, they might be able to stabilize the albumin, but if the pred doesn't work at that point, we might be in this same boat in a week.
 
Ascites is a fluid build up inside the abdominal area of the body. Sometimes, they can tap the fluid and drain it, however this can cause changes in the electrolyte and albumin/protein balances that can make things worse. Electrolytes help send messages and energy in and out of the cells.

Here is more info. It isn't a good sign.
 
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Wow, you're in such a difficult place, I know ... my heart aches for you.
None of us can really advise you on what to do, but I think we can all affirm, as Cat Ma did above, that you are not selfish, dear.
You will have to dig deep into your heart - calling upon your own intuitive sense, too - to find the answer than is the right one for your kitty, as no one knows him better than you do, given all the love and care and concern you've been providing him for so many years.
Sending you many hugs ...:bighug::bighug::bighug::bighug::bighug::bighug: - Robin
 
BJM said:
they can tap the fluid and drain it, however this can cause changes in the electrolyte and albumin/protein balances that can make things worse.
Click to expand...
They drained it on Monday. Do you think it's possible that it hasn't re-stabilized yet since the drainage?
 
Yes. I had one (Farrall) where she was having trouble breathing. My vet tapped it, then sent me to the Emergency Vet (MedVet ,Columbus, Ohio). They tapped it again as it had refilled in less than an hour. I wound up having her euthanized, as she couldn't breathe, it kept refilling.
 
Would diuretics help ease some of the fluid build-up?

((HUGS)) None of us who love our kitties want to ever give up. You are the only one who can tell what is the right thing to do and with your obvious love for Speckles you will make the right decision if and when the time comes. Prayers sent for you and Speckles
 
Diuretics may cause a potassium imbalance. You may be looking at 24 hour critical care hospitalization so they can monitor everything and it still may do no good.
From the link above:
"
Ascites is indicative of an underlying disease, the most common being:

  • Right sided congestive heart failure - Dilated cardiomyopathy, hypertropic cardiomyopathy, congenital anomality. As the heart becomes less efficient at pumping, fluid begins to build up which in turn builds up pressure in the blood vessels, which forces them to leak fluid.
  • Peritonitis (inflammation of the peritoneum) - Feline infectious peritonitis, bacterial peritonitis, chylous peritonitis. The immune response mounted by the cat damages the blood vessels, causing them to leak fluid.
  • Cancer within the abdomen - Some cancers can cause a blockage to the lymphatic system, (which drains fluids that are excreted via the urine), when a blockage occurs, excess fluid can not drain properly causing fluid to build up. Tumours may also rupture, leaking fluid into the abdomen.
  • Hypoalbuminemia - Liver disease can lead to a condition known as hypoalbuminemia. Albumin is a protein which is predominantly produced and secreted by the liver, the capacity of the liver to produce albumin drops as the liver fails. Kidney disease - Albumin is also lost when kidney function drops, the kidneys are no longer as effective at filtering and returning albumin to the body and instead excreting it out of the body via the urine. In both cases, decreased albumin levels lead to a drop in oncotic pressure causes fluid to leak out of the blood vessels, causing ascites.
  • Hemmorage/bleeding disorders: Trauma can lead to an accumulation of blood within the abdomen (hemoabdomen) ingestion of rodenticide can also lead to blood clot disorders, resulting in bleeding into the abdomen.
  • A ruptured bladder will result to urine entering the abdomen (known as uroabdomen).
  • Chylous ascites (chyloabdomen) is uncommon, but can occur as a result of trauma, heart failure, heartworm or tumours.
- See more at: http://www.cat-world.com.au/Cat-Health-Collection/ascites-in-cats.html#sthash.7BYsisHa.dpuf"
 
Just hugs and hugs and hugs...you know him best. We can't make that decision for you - that's between you and him. Not even between your vet and you but you and him. He'll tell you when he's ready to go. Until you've experienced it, that doesn't make sense but you're in tune with him enough to know. You're not being selfish - we all wonder that same way in your situation so we do understand all too well.

More hugs,
 
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I recently went thru what you are going thru.....
you know best how her quality of life is.... It is the hardest decision, I know....
and you will have regrets either way.... that's a normal part of the grieving process... the what if's, the bargaining,
I set mine free and took on her pain..... and now I can look back and see that she was in pain for much longer than I thought,.
Your love for them continues whether they are here or not.
I hope she will give you a sign....
 
Sending Love and Light to you both- I can imagine how hard it is right now- I agree that you will know what is best- and to trust that knowing- she will let you know- and above all you have been doing the best you can for her- all with and out of love- and she knows that 100%
 
I'm so sorry for what you're going through. The decision you're facing is the hardest thing, but you'll know in your heart what the right thing to do is. We never want to cut them short even a day of their precious life, but we don't want them to suffer either. Whatever you decide, Speckles will love you and will appreciate all you've gone through with him.:bighug: Hugs.
 
You absolutely are not being selfish at all. You have been strong and determined and you jumped into action as soon as he got sick. None of us can tell you what to do, but Speckles will. As you know I'm going through something with Marshmallow right now. I think she will tell me by the end of the weekend what to do. If she rallies, I'll keep fighting for her. If she doesn't, well then I need to consider quality of life. I think if I were in your shoes, it might be worth a shot to try the pred for his pancreatitis. If the pred doesn't help, you'll know soon. And if you decide that's not the right path, then that's okay too.

No matter how long our kitties are with us, it's never long enough. Sending lots of love and hugs.:bighug:
 
Oh dear, my heart is breaking for you and Speckles. I'm so sorry you are facing such a difficult decision. Listen to Speckles; he will help you to know what decision you need to make. He trusts you to do what is best for him and knows that you love him with all your heart. You are not being selfish at all, you love Speckles and want him to stay with you if he can, but are brave enough to consider an alternative choice if that is the best one for him. Remember, love is forever. :)

Sending you both prayers, love and strength. :bighug::bighug::bighug:
 
Thanks all for your support. It means a lot. I am in shreds because we lost our boy today. Went to the ER vet and they couldn't stabilize him. New higher res U/S showed more evidence of cancer. I cannot believe this all happened, but I thought I'd post in case it helps someone in the future to read our threads and consider differential diagnoses. He was a really brilliant, wonderful boy. He took my heart with him.
 
I'm so sorry. He knows you love him.
Fly Free Speckles.
candle.gif
 
So sorry to hear that it was Speckles time to leave youcat_wings>o

Fly free sweet Speckles and land softly....there are many at the Bridge to welcome you and keep you company until the one you love most comes to be with you forever
you always said I was your angel...now it's time to get my wings.jpg
 
So very, very sorry that you lost your wonderful boy Speckles today. cat_wings>oSending many hugs to you ...
 
I am so so sorry that Speckles has crossed the bridge. You fought valiantly for him doing all that was humanly possible. May your memories of happy times give you strength to deal with this sad loss. The love between you and Speckles will always be there, in that special place in your heart.

:bighug: :bighug:
 
I am so, so sorry. Love is forever, and I have no doubt Speckles knew how much you loved him. He will live forever in your heart. May Speckles be blessed as he begins his new life at the Bridge. cat_wings>o

Love and strength,

Lucy
{{{hugs}}}
 
Oh AJ, I'm so very sorry. You fought valiantly for him and he knew how very much he was loved. I wish there was something I could say to make it easier. My heart hurts for you.
 
I am so sorry and saddened to hear this. What a few days that you have had. So much stress and heartache. I'm praying for peace of heart and mind for you and love for speckles, who will always be with you.
 
My heart hurts for you knowing your pain and your loss. You did so much for your dear Speckles, far more than most people would even try. You sought all possible help for him up to the very end. When the tears flow, may you find comfort in the memories and the love you gave Speckles. May you find peace knowing you did the very best you could and knowing you made the right decision. Speckles will indeed always be your guardian angel. He will always be with you.
 
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Oh I'm SO sorry it was Speckles time to cross....BIG HUGE LOOOOOOOOOONG Hug. Remember - he's not 'gone', you just have to hug him differently.

Soar high on your new angel wings sweet boy.....you're so loved....
 
I am so sorry. Hugs and prayers for you. Speckles is now pain free and forever grateful for your loving care. I feel your pain. I lost my beloved Pumpkin two years ago to cancer and went through similar experience.
 
Fly free, dear Speckles, on your beautiful golden wings. You are much loved. Land safely at the Bridge, where all of our GAs are waiting to welcome you.

In deepest sympathy,

Ella & Edward, Rusty, and Stu (GA)
 
I am so sorry. Speckles was a lucky guy to spend his life with you. You gave him excellent care and he knows it. Hugs to you.
Liz
 
I'm so sorry you lost your dear friend. They have such a special place in our hearts. Please know you did everything you could.
 
I am so very sorry to hear about the passing of your beloved Speckles. Wishing you peace as each day goes by and that a smile will soon cross your face as you think of Speckles rather than a tear. :rb_icon: :bighug:
 
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