Ophelia had a whole day in the vet today. She had more blood tests done, her blood pressure was monitored throughout the day and she had x-rays done. A busy day for her.
She now has more medication: the same tablets for her blood pressure, tablets for her extremely low potassium levels, and a paste I need to buy from the chemist to help with her constipation. She now needs medicine morning and night. This does make me much less inclined to go away or stay elsewhere overnight much. It was much easier when I could say “please fill her bowl in the morning and she’ll be fine.” teknohippi and evil_hamster have been fabulous at feeding and medicating her when I have been away in the last month.
We could see all the arthritis in her elbows, and areas along the spine where the vertabrae are starting to fuse slightly. This is all part and parcel of being an old Burmese.
She also has a fair amount of gunk in one of her lungs which is why her breathing sounds so wheezy sometimes. Nothing which needs anything done until such time that she gets worse and starts coughing a lot. Did you know that cats have five lungs?! And it is usually the same one which gets clogged up first.
So that main concentration this month is the constipation. Apparently that is a side effect of kidneys not functioning fully and of being old. I need to feed her foods with fibre and water retaining properties – the vet suggested creamed corn or canned mashed pumpkin! It will also be causing her pain with the arthritis.
She has another appointment next month at which time her potassium levels will be reassessed and we will discuss pain relief for the arthritis. That is where things will start to get tricky and more and more will focus on the question of quality of life – how much do we do and will the relief of medication be worth the side effects for her. Apparently the ideal would be to put her on Cortisone. It would ease her arthritis immensely and help open her lungs up. However that carries the risk of onsetting diabetes. It could also shorten her life span and diabetes almost definitely would.
The current prognosis is 24-36 months, all going well with medications. It’s actually a really good prognosis but it still makes me feel very sad and want to cry. Tomorrow I will wake up and be grateful once more that she is still with me and may remain so for up to three more years. Tonight I reserve the right to wallow a little in missing her and dreading her no longer being in my life and praying that when she does move on she goes in her sleep so I never have to make *that* decision.
I know this sounds pathetic, particularly to any non-cat owners, but she is my companian and has been since I was 14. She is beyond just a pet. It will tear my heart out to have her leave and when/if I do have to make the choice it will be one of the hardest things for me to do.
*shakes self*
I love the vet. I don’t like having to consider all the possibilities.
Oh hon, I know how you feel. It is a heartbreaking fact that we are programmed to outlive our well loved companions. Such an unfair side to the relationship. You have every right to be saddened by it and dread her loss. It is not pathetic – it is beautiful that you care so much for her. I wish there was some way I could make it better. Hugs.
They are never ‘just a pet’. You’ve already cherished the time you’ve had together – do the same with however much is left.
Old age in pets is so hard to deal with. I cried for a week when we finally had to put my dog down at age 13 (the dog was 13, not me). I hope the two of you enjoy your time together as much as possible.
Ummm. thankyou for the update. Apart from that, right now, I really don’t have words for you (and crying at work is bad). Suffice to say, hugs to you and the little one. If you need anything/want to talk/whatever, call.
We had to put Mitsy down last year… but there was no other choice because she was in so much pain…
I’m sorry you have to face the possibility one day. *hug*
Enjoy your time with her. She’s such a beautiful girl.
*hugs*
My boys send their love.
Babe. Please accept these cyber hugs until I can be there to give you some real ones.
All I can offer is a hug and luck. I hope that the love and support you have around you is enough to help you through this.