Our cat is poorly, she is about 19 years old. We got her as a rescue cat from the R.S.P.C.A. over 16 years ago. She has been part of our family for so long and has been challenging to say the least. We could not even pick her up when we got her as she was so unfriendly. She has mellowed over the years but can still be fiesty especially on her annual trip to the vets for flu jab and check over.
She is deaf, has slight cateracts and a slight heart murmur. This was the diagnosis at the beginning of June this year. Over the last few days we noticed that she was a bit wobbly on her back legs when standing still. With being so old her muscles are naturally weak but some days she runs around like a kitten. Long gone are the days when she could jump onto the 6 foot garden fence but she can manage the 3 foot wall. She likes to be on the wall to be brushed.
When talking to my neighbour I mentioned my concern over her the other day. She reassured me and said that they often have off days. Today I noticed that she was lying in an unusual position for her like the lions at Trafalgar Square, once on the patio then at the foot of the stairs. This is one of her favourite places to sleep lately. As it was really warm and we had not yet had any rain as forecast I left the back door open to keep her cool. She sat on the back door mat in the same position for a while. Then the rain came down heavily so I closed the back door. She went back to the bottom of the stairs. A while later she had gone outside to drink out of the watering can we keep topped up as she prefers it that way. I went into the kitchen and heard her meowing at her cat flap. Her face was pressed up against the flap. I opened the back door to let her in and she walked in unsteadily. This was when I noticed that her belly looked quite swollen. I felt her to see if she reacted to check if she was in pain but she seemed to enjoy it. Then she stood with her head facing the corner of the door and wall.
I made an urgent appointment at the vets and was there within 20 minutes. The young lady vet tried to examine her but touched her back legs. She must have some arthritis as she tried to attack the vet. I think she was shocked but I had already told her that she is fiesty and that it usually takes two vets to try and cut her claws. Last time they only managed one paw and I did the other a couple of days later when she had calmed down. She asked loads of questions and said she could not do a diagnosis if she could not examine her. She callled on our regular older vet and he checked her over with no problems.
He seems to think that she is retaining fluid and that in four legged animals it goes to their belly rather than legs as in humans. Her gave her an injection and I have to give her tablets for 14 days. They want to see her again on Monday at 4 pm.
She staggered to her food bowl when we got home and ate some of her food. I managed to give her the tablet. My husband came home and could not believe how unwell she looked. She has never really ailed anything before. Never had one flea even though we have never used flea treatment. Other cats keep their distance as she was so tough! Then I had to let our two daughters know she is not well. Our youngest who is in Scotland at Uni is her Mam as she was her 8th Birthday present. She has been missing her so much and we have to email photos regularly. We bought fish and chips for tea and gave her a small amount which she ate. She is still at the bottom of the stairs and I keep checking she is alright. Putting the water bowl near her to have a drink but scared to leave it incase she nods off with her head in the water.
My husband says she will probably be better in the morning when the medicine starts working but I think he is just trying to reassure me. I would hate for her to suffer and hope that she goes peacefully if it is her time. As our eldest daughter said, "she couldn't have had a better life, she has been well looked after". I don't want to leave her on her own so it looks like it is going to be a long night. Sorry for such a sad post but they do say a problem shared is a problem halved. I think it has helped me in some small way writing it down. Will update as and when I can. Thanks for reading, this forum is a comfort for so many pet owners. x