My Poor Little Kitten!

[Mayonnaise]

So sorry to hear about your kitty. That's a really difficult choice to have to make.

8^(

[Belgarion42]

I just got off the phone with the vet. They've run some test, and found an elevated white blood cell count and high biliruben levels (jaundice). In a cat this age, the main concerns from these are (a) an infection, (b) a blockage of one or more organs, or (c) cancer. So, the vet is going to put Smilo on an IV drip today with fluids & antibiotics, and then tomorrow we're going to have an ultrasound done to see if there are any blockages and/or tumors. Once we get these results we'll know what we're dealing with and how to proceed.

Thank you all for your support & encouragement.

[Belgarion42]

Well, she's home now. They have narrowed it down to 2 things. It's either IBD (like IBS in humans) or cancer of the intestinal tract. They gave her a shot this afternoon that'll help if it's the former. It should start taking good effect in the next several hours.

Basically we were told that if she perks up and shows interest in things over the next 48 hours, and if she starts eating & drinking again, then it's IBD. We'll have to give her more medicine, but she should get better. If she doesn't do those things then either (a) it's the cancer, or (b) she's gone too long not eating & drinking and is unrecoverable. In that case, we'll have to take her back, and that will be it. There's nothing else we can do at that point.

So, the next 24-48 hours are the most critical. Please keep us in your prayers during this time.

[Big Wallaby]

Keep us updated.

[scrappindisneygirl]

My thoughts are with you and your poor little kitty. I know exactly how you feel. We just found out that our almost 15yo kitty, Herman, has an intestinal mass. He still eats and drinks with no problem, but he loses control of his bladder occasionally, most likely from the pressure of the tumor, but at least goes on the tile floor and not the rug. Then he looks at me with an "I'm sorry" look in his eyes. It breaks my heart, poor little guy. I know he doesn't have much longer, but I'll support him as long as he doesn't seem to be suffering. Hugs to you.

[February]

Well, she's home now. They have narrowed it down to 2 things. It's either IBD (like IBS in humans) or cancer of the intestinal tract. They gave her a shot this afternoon that'll help if it's the former. It should start taking good effect in the next several hours.

Basically we were told that if she perks up and shows interest in things over the next 48 hours, and if she starts eating & drinking again, then it's IBD. We'll have to give her more medicine, but she should get better. If she doesn't do those things then either (a) it's the cancer, or (b) she's gone too long not eating & drinking and is unrecoverable. In that case, we'll have to take her back, and that will be it. There's nothing else we can do at that point.

So, the next 24-48 hours are the most critical. Please keep us in your prayers during this time.

Thinking of you. . .

Bru

[NessaMcTastic]

I'm very sorry to hear that. I just put down two of my cats not too long ago. I hope she gets better.

[reendan]

oh no, I hope kitty is responding to the meds. We have 4 cats currently and over the years have lost 3 others at various times. It is so hard as they are such a part of the family. Sending lots of prayers your way.

[Princess Susi]

Everyone here knows what I went through last October (still am going through...) when we lost our furry kitty *son* Orion to cancer. He was also diabetic. I can so empathathize with you now and I am praying for the best outcome. Having a Vet Tech degree gives me some insight into the probabilities of what could be possible. Your doctor sounds like he is correct in the treatment strategy. I pray for IBS for you and Kitty.

I had a long talk with Orion last night.. I know I sound insane, but I needed to connect with him. I miss him so much and I needed to just have a moment with him. I think her heard me and I know he is still with us in this house. I have some eerie but interesting and heartwarming stories about him from our vacation. Truly. He was there with us and I will share it on my vacation thread.

Prayers are being said in our home for you tonight. I LOVE kittys and they are my life. I will keep you and kitty in my thoughts and prayers...
Susi

[Belgarion42]

She's been drinking water several times today. It's only been small amounts, but she has. So far, she hasn't eating yet, but we offer her food every hour or so. She's also still very weak, but since she hasn't eaten, that's no surprising. Still she's gotten into & out of the bathtub on her own a couple of times, which was pretty impressive to me. She's also been sitting off and on.

I talked to the vet today and he said we really need to give it until Monday morning to see if the medicine will work. If she's getting better by then, we can work on a treatment plan. If she's the same--or worse--then we have to fase the reality that she's not going to improve.

The fact that she's drinking and showing some energy gives me some hope, but we don't want to get our hopes up too high and then have them dashed, or get to where we think she's improving, but she either really isn't and it's in our minds, or she is but only slightly and not enough to really make a difference. It's a delicate balance, and I'm sure we're not doing it well, but we're trying.