I’m telling you this day has gone from bad to worse and it doesn’t appear to be likely to improve.
It started out with Ian vomiting the whole enchilada over me at his 4:30am feeding. There’s nothing like cold, vomit-soaked jammies against your skin.
Then I have this library-missing book-fiasco.
Ian is still having his colicky fits and nothing soothes him.
Now it’s Doos. Ever since his vaccination in late October he has been listless which is a symptom of hypoglycemia. Thus we reduced the insulin, saw no change, and were told to stop it altogether. After a week of no insulin, the numbers are still low. This alone would be joyous because maybe he’s in another remission. However, Doos has developed a reduced appetite, some periodic vomiting (clear), and an increase in his howling. He has always been a howler, but he seems to be doing more of it at night. My fear was he’s slowly starving himself. Sometimes animals near the end will do that. I talked to the vet today and discussed the situation. According to his last blood work in September he’s in early renal failure and has slight hyperthyroidism. These can account for the loss appetite/weight loss and vomiting. But it could also be pancreatitis or a tumour on the pancreas. It’s hard for him to be certain without having another blood panel and exam done. A possible remedy is to change his food for renal failure and give him thyroid pills. The cost would be about $13/mo more as opposed to approx. $170 for the test.
I’m in a state about this. On one hand are we being fair/humane to Doos? Are we feeding him meds in hopes of prolonging his life because I don’t want to say good-bye? On the other hand if we put him down now are we doing it prematurely? Maybe these meds will do the trick and his euthanization was done for convenience and finance? How do you know when enough is enough? He’ll be 17 in March and I know some ailment will do him in in the end. I keep hoping, and I feel guilty for admitting this, that he’ll die in his sleep and I won’t have to make the decision to put him down. But I don’t want him to die a slow and/or painful death either.
Help.
Unfortunately being an animal owner comes with the hard decision of whether to put the animal down or not. He has lived a long, loving life and has given you many years of snuggles. I know from patient’s experience that pancreatitis is painful, diabetes is wracking on the system, loss of appetite it harsh on the innards and a thyroid problem is not fun. At least a human can tell you they are in pain or what they need and can understand what is going on. An animal can only suffer and wonder why they are going through what they are going through. Do you want this for Doos? I can understand if the cat was young, but…..
Think about him and not about how much you would miss him. Your decision, it is hard and I feel for you. 🙁
Boy do I sound like the Grim Reaper or what! Just try to be fair to the cat is all I am saying (or trying to say anyway).
All I can say is what I’ve been saying all along: we’ll know. Or more specifically, you will know. Unfortunately, I’m not around him as much, so I can’t add my opinion too strongly. I have noticed that he has perked up since discontinuing the insulin, and we have to be happy about that.
Thanks Steph. The trouble is that we don’t know what’s going on inside. He’s not in any apparent pain. He’s still eating and drinking, just less. He’s not confused or unable to move/jump. All of which make it difficult to determine what the right thing is to do. I’ve decided to do the thyroid pills for a month and see if there’s any change either way. I’m thinking he’ll either go downhill or pick up within that time frame and it’ll be clearer what the choice will have to be.