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Jan. 23rd, 2006
Some of you already know that Max's health has been declining over the last few months or so. He's lost a lot of weight. Though he eats well during a day he most often pukes up what he's had first thing in the morning. He's 20. He's been diabetic for almost 5 years. He's had more issue climbing into the litterbox and pees outside of it most often (hence, puppy pads underneath). Yesterday I noticed the poor guy in the bathroom struggling to poop and what came out looked weird (like kind of bloody to me, though I really couldn't tell).
Now, I know he's ancient. I'm never one for dragging on an animal's life past the point where they can get around, eat and be pain free. Still, all of these things added up and the fact that he hasn't been to the vet in a while, I wanted them to check him out today to rule out anything that would cause serious problems, pain, etc. Brian so lovingly volunteered to go since his work schedule can be a lot more flexible than mine. He even brought the poop sample that had been in our fridge since yesterday morning to be analyzed (in a ziplog bag, wrapped in paper towel, inside of a gladware container). So gross, but I've learned that's just the drill with a cat that's sick like this.
The vet ruled out any issues with his stool. I guess some blood here and there isn't something to worry about (as much as it would be for a human), it just happens to them sometimes. He's lost 1.5 lbs since his last visit (this is a good deal since he's a small cat anyway - he went from 9 to 7.5 lbs). The ordered bloodwork to see if he's got A) a thyroid problem or B) a change in his diabetes, causing it to not be regulated anymore C) normal getting old stuff. Treatment of the first would be expensive and require either surgery, a radioactive injection requiring staying at the vet for a week (we know Max wouldn't handle this well - staying over a day caused him to have a hunger strike and made his blood sugar drop dangerously low). Starting from scratch with treating the diabetes would also require long/numerous vet visits and a whole new try at a different drug regime. The poor guy is 20, and I know I'm not up for putting him through any of this (for both his and my sanity and comfort).
So we'll see what they say. I'd be amazed if he doesn't have a thyroid issue, given the symptoms that this site notes , he's lost weight, pukes, is weaker (litter box issues), has been increasingly more wheezy (he's had asthma too so it could be that, still, its a sign of a thyroid problem) and he's lost all of that weight. I don't think treating it even via a daily pill would be a good idea. Again, he's 20, and has the diabetes to tackle (and adding another drug into the mix - nobody knows what could happen).
I'll let you guys know what they say when we get the bloodwork back. Poor kitty! Whatever happens, I'd like to prevent him from being debilitatingly ill or in a lot of pain. I'd rather know what's eating away at him (be it thyroid, diabetes or age) so that I know what to look for when it starts to get very bad (if its not already).
God, this is so tough!
Now, I know he's ancient. I'm never one for dragging on an animal's life past the point where they can get around, eat and be pain free. Still, all of these things added up and the fact that he hasn't been to the vet in a while, I wanted them to check him out today to rule out anything that would cause serious problems, pain, etc. Brian so lovingly volunteered to go since his work schedule can be a lot more flexible than mine. He even brought the poop sample that had been in our fridge since yesterday morning to be analyzed (in a ziplog bag, wrapped in paper towel, inside of a gladware container). So gross, but I've learned that's just the drill with a cat that's sick like this.
The vet ruled out any issues with his stool. I guess some blood here and there isn't something to worry about (as much as it would be for a human), it just happens to them sometimes. He's lost 1.5 lbs since his last visit (this is a good deal since he's a small cat anyway - he went from 9 to 7.5 lbs). The ordered bloodwork to see if he's got A) a thyroid problem or B) a change in his diabetes, causing it to not be regulated anymore C) normal getting old stuff. Treatment of the first would be expensive and require either surgery, a radioactive injection requiring staying at the vet for a week (we know Max wouldn't handle this well - staying over a day caused him to have a hunger strike and made his blood sugar drop dangerously low). Starting from scratch with treating the diabetes would also require long/numerous vet visits and a whole new try at a different drug regime. The poor guy is 20, and I know I'm not up for putting him through any of this (for both his and my sanity and comfort).
So we'll see what they say. I'd be amazed if he doesn't have a thyroid issue, given the symptoms that this site notes , he's lost weight, pukes, is weaker (litter box issues), has been increasingly more wheezy (he's had asthma too so it could be that, still, its a sign of a thyroid problem) and he's lost all of that weight. I don't think treating it even via a daily pill would be a good idea. Again, he's 20, and has the diabetes to tackle (and adding another drug into the mix - nobody knows what could happen).
I'll let you guys know what they say when we get the bloodwork back. Poor kitty! Whatever happens, I'd like to prevent him from being debilitatingly ill or in a lot of pain. I'd rather know what's eating away at him (be it thyroid, diabetes or age) so that I know what to look for when it starts to get very bad (if its not already).
God, this is so tough!