Mabel the Cat - swelling up
Discussion
Ok, without going into a ful history my little mabes is having a few problems. the latest two are her breathing is now so forced her whole body is moving. that trip to the vets resulting in no help received, just told she is old...
Now her whole abdomen has started to swell up and one leg is bigger than the other. I suspect her Lymph nodes are inflamed and we are off again to the vets tonight.
My question is can this be treated or am I yet again going to be told that there is nothing that can be done. I can't find what I need to know off the internet.
I hate taking her to the vets as it terrifies her and she regularly wets herself in fear. I suspect we are having our last moments with her and I don't want to put her through it if she doesn't have much time but on the other hand If I can help her I will do all I can. I just want to cry every time she has one of her moments. Friday night she had what I suspect may have been a fit and we had to gently pin her down with a blanket and sooth her as she writhed about on her back. She was right as rain 5 minutes later.
Now her whole abdomen has started to swell up and one leg is bigger than the other. I suspect her Lymph nodes are inflamed and we are off again to the vets tonight.
My question is can this be treated or am I yet again going to be told that there is nothing that can be done. I can't find what I need to know off the internet.
I hate taking her to the vets as it terrifies her and she regularly wets herself in fear. I suspect we are having our last moments with her and I don't want to put her through it if she doesn't have much time but on the other hand If I can help her I will do all I can. I just want to cry every time she has one of her moments. Friday night she had what I suspect may have been a fit and we had to gently pin her down with a blanket and sooth her as she writhed about on her back. She was right as rain 5 minutes later.
I can't think of a nice way to say this but please understand I really know what you are going through and I am really, really sad just typing this. I would ask the vet to come to your house to save Mabel the stress of going out, and see what s/he says. If it is time to let her go then you can do so in her own surroundings.
I know. I just believe the good times are still outweighing the bad times. My OH says she is being quite chirpy this morning.
I did speak with the Vet last time we were there to ask about the end and when do you know it is time. He has said you will just know it. I just don't know it at the moment and this is why I can't let her go yet. I do know that it will be a home visit though as I can't face her last moments to be in a place that she is scared.
I did speak with the Vet last time we were there to ask about the end and when do you know it is time. He has said you will just know it. I just don't know it at the moment and this is why I can't let her go yet. I do know that it will be a home visit though as I can't face her last moments to be in a place that she is scared.
I hate to say it but difficulty breathing and swollen abdomen is suggestive of heart failure, this causes fluid build up on the lungs and ascites (fluid) in the abdomen. (or possibly a tumour) These are not good signs and your vet will advise you but please be prepared for the fact that they may suggest the one thing you won't want too hear. I hope they can do something and that I am completely wrong, all the best to you both.
See if they'll do a visit but when you phone just say she is very poorly and you don't know what to do for the best, they should understand enough from that.
See if they'll do a visit but when you phone just say she is very poorly and you don't know what to do for the best, they should understand enough from that.
Edited by bexVN on Monday 16th July 10:26
Believe me the afterwards is something I have spent possibly too much time worrying about. Do think about cremation (individual) if you are thinking of wanting her to stay close by.
I already have an urn that I ordered last yr from a website (when I thought I was losing Fitz) It is the hardest thing to think about but I feel a sense of relief knowing that I know what I want for my little friend (and my other elderly cat, his best friend) ahead of that dreaded day.
The last thing I want to do is upset you but I really want to just help make things a bit easier for when the dreaded time arrives
I already have an urn that I ordered last yr from a website (when I thought I was losing Fitz) It is the hardest thing to think about but I feel a sense of relief knowing that I know what I want for my little friend (and my other elderly cat, his best friend) ahead of that dreaded day.
The last thing I want to do is upset you but I really want to just help make things a bit easier for when the dreaded time arrives
Your vets may have an urn/casket to choose from. I just wanted something different. This was the company I ordered from. I had to email the guy and he was really helpful.
www.cremationurnsdirect.co.uk
What can happen can vary a bit depending on many factors but our main concern is always to make it stress free and peaceful for the pet (and then the owner)
Usually we give an injection into a vein in the front leg and it is very very quick. Personally I try not to hold the pet too much and make sure the pet can see their owner and the owner can keep fussing them whilst the vet injects the liquid.(if it is done at the surgery we put a catheter in, away from the owner, then we bring the pet back to the owner for the injection, this way there is no chance of the pet jumping when the injection is given, much nicer for the owner, the pet and the vet and often no nurse is needed which keeps it more peaceful)
If the pet won't allow this then we give a little sedation to relax them it takes a bit longer but it's calmer for the pet.
Occasionally when a pet is very collapsed and poorly the veins are too difficult to locate so we sedate first and give the injection into the kidneys. It is also very quick.
I hope this helps and is not too much info and I still hope it is not needed yet.
The injection is a very strong barbiturate so is just a very hefty overdose of an injectable anaesthetic. It stops the heart very very quickly. Sometimes after the heart has stopped there will be small movements and even where it looks like a breath is being taken. These are all reflexes which can be a shock if you aren't warned beforehand but they will have already passed away.
www.cremationurnsdirect.co.uk
What can happen can vary a bit depending on many factors but our main concern is always to make it stress free and peaceful for the pet (and then the owner)
Usually we give an injection into a vein in the front leg and it is very very quick. Personally I try not to hold the pet too much and make sure the pet can see their owner and the owner can keep fussing them whilst the vet injects the liquid.(if it is done at the surgery we put a catheter in, away from the owner, then we bring the pet back to the owner for the injection, this way there is no chance of the pet jumping when the injection is given, much nicer for the owner, the pet and the vet and often no nurse is needed which keeps it more peaceful)
If the pet won't allow this then we give a little sedation to relax them it takes a bit longer but it's calmer for the pet.
Occasionally when a pet is very collapsed and poorly the veins are too difficult to locate so we sedate first and give the injection into the kidneys. It is also very quick.
I hope this helps and is not too much info and I still hope it is not needed yet.
The injection is a very strong barbiturate so is just a very hefty overdose of an injectable anaesthetic. It stops the heart very very quickly. Sometimes after the heart has stopped there will be small movements and even where it looks like a breath is being taken. These are all reflexes which can be a shock if you aren't warned beforehand but they will have already passed away.
Edited by bexVN on Monday 16th July 11:53
Also, vets have been through it hundreds of times before so will understand the emotional side, and will offer you a back exit to save you walking past everyone else in bits. Take someone to hang on to. This is unfortunately the small downside of having a wonderful pet
Christ it's setting me off...
Christ it's setting me off...
Ok have looked into a lot of her symptoms and am ready to be told what to do by the Vet.
Have cried pretty much all day. I am terrified of giving up too early. I don't want to let her down.
I couldn't even click on the final purchase for the urn.
s
t, st, st. Maybe I should be on Mumsnet, this is a very depressing thread!
Sorry people.
Have cried pretty much all day. I am terrified of giving up too early. I don't want to let her down.
I couldn't even click on the final purchase for the urn.
s
t, st, st. Maybe I should be on Mumsnet, this is a very depressing thread! Sorry people.
Lady Muck said:
Ok have looked into a lot of her symptoms and am ready to be told what to do by the Vet.
Wait and see what the vet says. Remember that you will decide what to do in the interests of Mabel, not yourself, so you will do the right thing.Do not worry about anything else as yet, just concentrate on being strong and able to speak to the vet with a clear head.
Jasandjules said:
Lady Muck said:
Ok have looked into a lot of her symptoms and am ready to be told what to do by the Vet.
Wait and see what the vet says. Remember that you will decide what to do in the interests of Mabel, not yourself, so you will do the right thing.Do not worry about anything else as yet, just concentrate on being strong and able to speak to the vet with a clear head.
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