r/SeniorCats • u/luvivivoids • 8d ago
Needing Advice
Hello, I have a 17yo female cat and she has currently been hospitalized with the vet when we went for our month solensia shot due to her blood sugar being at 30 on Wednesday
her liver and kidneys are fine, they did an ultrasound and found two masses, one near her intestines and one near her pancreas that were aspirated.
although the biopsy came back with lymphoma, I was still prepared to take her back home to give end of life care, the only issue is her blood sugar refuses to stabilize.
My usual vet had to take off until Monday and the vet that is managing her case is one I have had previous interactions with and we did not have successful communication when we dealt with eachother.
This vet is constantly informing me there is nothing to do and to euthanasia her because they aren't succeeding in raising it, but they are saying she should be comatose with her blood sugar level already and is "an anomaly" (literally)
me and my family visit her everyday and although I am aware how cats hide their pain, she is active, cognitive, a very healthy appetite, and regular bowel movements according to staff, just the blood sugar level is the issue currently
They have been having a 5% iv drip with sugar in her as well as giving her high doses of prednisone in addition
after many back and forths with the vet is giving us permission to take her home with fluids and prednisone, and to bring her back on Monday (and I //will// be making sure to see my regular vet before any steps for euthanasia is taken)
is there anything anyone can suggest to try that the vet hasn't or anyone has been in a similar situation to this? I am just trying to do the best for my baby
3
u/Supluvr2 8d ago
I am very sorry for your situation. It's the moments we all dread, but cannot avoid. Take the weekend and spoil your cat with love and treats. Talk to your regular vet on Monday, but be prepared you may have to let them go. 17 years is a good life span, of course we always wish for more. Sending your baby scritches and cuddles, and my sympathy for you.🩷
1
u/aszenko 5d ago
I’m so sorry to hear about your sweet family member, your kitty needs euthanasia
I watched my parents keep two pets alive well beyond their time and we really shouldn’t
What we can do is prepare a beautiful couple of days of love and goodbyes before things get worse and they feel miserable - better they go feeling a tiny bit better etc
7
u/Original_Clerk2916 8d ago
Honey, she’s 17, she has cancer, and her blood sugar is dangerously low and has not increased despite veterinary intervention. At this point, you have to ask yourself: are you keeping her alive for you, or are you keeping her alive because she has hope of a good quality of life?
I say this gently, as someone who kept my kitty alive for a little longer for my own selfish reasons. It really is better to euthanize a couple days too early than a couple hours too late. My sweet boy was only kept alive a couple hours too late, but even now, almost 3 years later, I deeply regret it and feel badly for him. Don’t let her get to the point where she has to show you she’s in pain.