*** Please Read *** Advice needed...

[Ladyamanda]

Hi. I am unsure exactly what I hope to find here in terms of advice, but I figure it can't hurt to try.

I have a 13 year old Maine Coon, Nik, who has become very ill in a very short amount of time. Last week I thought he looked like he might be losing weight, but yesterday it became clear that it's much more than a little. He used to weigh about 19 lbs, but he can't weigh more than 10 now.

Nik was still eating and drinking, to the best of our knowledge, and as our funds are SEVERELY limited right now, instead of bringing him in, I called our vet yesterday afternoon. He has taken care of my pets for over 20 years, He returned the call this morning.

Based on Nik's age, history and current symptoms, he said he is sure the problem is either diabetes, his thyroid or kidney failure. I asked about tests to confirm and he said that with limited funds and unless we were prepared financially to treat a, b or c that there wasn't much point. (I am paraphrasing, he was kinder.) I asked him about some kind of payment plan and he said that the clinic didn't do that - it was handled through the client's credit card company. I told him we didn't HAVE a credit card and didn't live on credit. He said that was smart. (Uhhhhhh.....)

He said the only logical option was to euthanize him. They were only open for 30 minutes longer this morning and I was unprepared for that, to say nothing of my husband, who is actually Nik's human. The conversation ended. I called another vet after some rapid, and perhaps not too clear thinking, and scheduled an appt for 12:30 monday. And then I started surfing the web.

I came across this site, and after a good cry upon reading how diabetes basically starves them to death, decided to post. It is hard to ask what I really want to know.

Nik isn't really eating now. He stands over the water bowl and acts like he wants to drink, but makes a short half-hearted attempt. We have tried everything we can think of today to offer him. A $10 can of CatSure went nowhere. He licked some juice off a ... whoever makes those "appetizer" things, but didn't eat any. At 6 pm he drank the water from a drained can of tuna - not much but a good bit. Did the same thing about 9 pm. He ate 10 treats about 7 pm and 8 more treats about 9:30. About 10:15 he vomited all that up.

We have (had??) decided that, in light of everything, the first vet was right, and upon second opinion Monday, we would probably be saying goodbye to him during that appt. Now I am just praying he lasts until then.

This morning he was affectionate and purring like crazy from all the attention. But in the last few hours the purring has stopped and he just wants to lay near us. I can't believe how awful he looks and how fast this has happened.

I keep thinking about how I read that starving to death is a cruel way to die. Is that what is happening right now??? He isn't hiding like I've heard and seen before. I don't know how to tell if he is hurting!! Should I call the 24-hour line and say goodbye now without the 2nd opinion / confirmation on Monday?

Our biggest and only concern right now is that he isn't suffering.

We're just not sure what to do.

Thanks for reading and taking the time...
Amie

 

[Donna & Shiloh (GA)]

Dear Amie. I'm so sorry your cat is sick. Short of doing a full blood panel, it is hard to even guess what is wrong. Has your cat been drinking and peeing more? That is the usual giveaway of diabetes. It could be something simple, or something like cancer. If you have no money for even the blood panel, you certainly don't want your cat to suffer. Pepcid AC 1/2 of a 10 mg tablet, twice a day, may help with nausea until you decide what to do. Donna

 

[Cheryl and Winnie]

Donna is right, there is no way we can say what his dx is w/o some bloodwork.
Here is a list of groups/organizations that provide financial aid for pets. Perhaps one of them can help you help your kitty.

http://felinediabetes.com/vetbills.htm

although you say you don't live on credit. there is a credit care card for pets ( listed on this site) that has helped many get through emergencies w/ their pets. I have not used it, but there is no interest for a set period of time IF you pay it off during that specified time period. I don't know your situation. But perhaps that is something you can consider if none of the other groups are able to help. I would contact them all though, you never know where you might find help !
I would also check w/ your local rescue group / spca if there is a fund for pets of folks in need.
I know there is one for the city near where I live.

Diabetes is treatable, as is thyroid disease. Cats can live a very long time w/ kidney disease if the right supportive care is given. Of course, it may be something other than the 3 things your vet guessed about.

I'm sorry your kitty is sick.

 

[Ladyamanda]

Thank you both for your fast responses. It's really appreciated.

Yes, lots of drinking and peeing. Those symptoms are actually how i found this site. I do trust my vet, and i am sure he is right about it being one of those three, but would REALLY like to have it confirmed before making a final decision.

I am not sure how fast the financing options you guys mentioned could help, but between that and my own family / friends, I plan to spend a lot of time on the phone tomorrow. This one is truly in God's hands.

I guess, more than anything, I just wanted to make sure that he wasn't feeling terrible pain right now. Have read about using a syringe to try and get some water in him, but hesitate to put him through even that.

We are taking shifts overnight to be with him and make sure he is... Well, as comfortable as he can be. As mine starts in a few hours, I should try and sleep. I will post again with news when i have it.

Thanks again,
Amie

 

[Cheryl and Winnie]

another thing you could do WHICH WILL NOT DIAGNOSE YOUR CAT but will point you in a direction, is go to the drug store and pick up a human glucometer.
many are free after rebate. it's the strips that are pricey. you need one that using strips that sip and take a small sample of blood.
Walmart has there own brand -- relion and there strips are less espensive.
you will also need a lancing device and some lancets ( sometimes the device is included w/ the meter along w / a few lancets make sure to check )
that way, at least you could see what his BG reading( we test the edge of a cats ear. if you decide to do this post back and we can give you instructions on how to test) is and determine if high blood sugar is contributing to his health issue. ( this alone will not diagnose --- sometimes infections and other health conditions can raise BG this is why it is important to get a full chem panel and exam by a vet)

another way of seeing if high BG is involved ( but would again, not necessarily mean diabetes for the same reason listed above ) would be to pick up some glucose urine test strips at the pharmacy and see if there is glucose in his urine. It will point you in a direction. but again, cannot be used to give a diagnosis. You might wish to get the strips that test both the glucose and ketones.

If you read this thread :
viewtopic.php?f=28&t=31896&p=331452#p331452

I posted a list of ways to entice a cat to eat. perhaps that might help.

I wish you luck in getting help for your cat.

 

[Venita]

Amie,

Where do you live (city,state)? Perhaps one of us lives nearby and can come over with a glucometer and test Nik's blood glucose.

The credit option that was mentioned actually is a type of credit option, which most vets make available. An example is Care Credit. You apply and are accepted or denied on the spot.

You can syringe water and wet food into Nik. Just go slowly, and make sure the water and food is room temperature. A pate wet food will syringe best. You also can try an all-meat baby food (meat and broth only, NO ONION). Some cats will lick food off their person's fingers.