Ellenantula
Arachnoking
- Joined
- Sep 14, 2014
- Messages
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I had to euthanize my 12 year old cat Zuri this morning. I consider 12 very young to lose a cat.
Many months ago I took my cat to the vet for allergies, she was given a cortizone shot and a Convenia injection (long-term antibiotic).
She didn't really rally, but the sneezing stopped but her appetite decreased a bit (which was fine since she's always a bit tubby. Her appetite returned not long after sneezing treatment.
Then one day some weeks back (?) ago (not looking up her vet records for this post) her left paw just went limp and numb. The vet felt she had pulled a muscle or something higher up since the paw was examined and clearly uninjured (she's an indoor cat).
Zuri couldn't even feel it when the vet squeeze her paw or pulled on her toes. The vet put her on Prednisone pills, then on follow up visit maybe 3-4 weeks ago, vet gave her a second course of Pred, but this time in liquid form. The idea was to reduce any inflammation causing numb paw. Zuri was getting around fairly well, still loved cuddles and sleeping with me but definitely lacked her usual appetite (would eat and drink, but much less than before).
Her limp paw had actually seemed improved (she had been more walking (to litter box, to food/water; and to me: Zuri was making some easy jumps to sofa to sit with me (but she had not jumped up on piano since the original left paw went numb). So, she knew her paw/leg wasn't right and was just working with it and not trying anything too challenging. While I gave her the last of the Prednisone (second course stopped maybe 2 weeks ago or so).
Then tragedy.
Returned this morning to vet, emergency -- Zuri was inexplicably paralyzed. She could not walk when I woke up this morning. I tried to assist her but her body just seemed limp. No sign of any injury, again. But she had chosen to sleep on a large pillow I keep on floor for her (a fave daytime sleeping spot) but had pooped and vomited on that pillow. I kept trying to help her walk, but she just couldn't -- just fell over with any attempt. She let me hold her in my lap, and purred (although sometimes they purr when in pain) but she acted like she enjoyed the attention.
I held her knowing the vet might suggest euthanasia; I was afraid even before we went to vet there'd be nothing to try.
The vet was at a complete loss what more to do -- clearly problem was neurological and Preds again was apparently not an option. I asked if there was anything else we could do -- but even I realized total paralysis was pretty bad -- she could barely hold her head up even. Vet had no help offer -- would not say if it was result of medications (like the Convenia which takes a few months to completely leave system) or if Zuri had had a stroke or possible brain tumor or something somewhere pressing on nerves.
Zuri could not even take a step to show vet how paralyzed she was. I'd try to stand her up on vet's floor and she'd just fall over on side. She wasn't even able to manage to walk in circle (which I associate with a stroke). It was such a hard decision to make.
I had felt she was rallying from numb paw. She was scratching a bit on her scratching post she loved. She was easily making jumps onto the sofa. I felt she might even be eating a bit more. But apparently something else neurological occurred overnight.
I feel so very alone right now. I am spoiled to having her batting my hand as I type; but mostly her love of cuddling with me on sofa. And now tonight, she won't be there snuggle on my pillow with me.
I had to euthanize my 12 year old cat Zuri this morning. I consider 12 very young to lose a cat.
Many months ago I took my cat to the vet for allergies, she was given a cortizone shot and a Convenia injection (long-term antibiotic).
She didn't really rally, but the sneezing stopped but her appetite decreased a bit (which was fine since she's always a bit tubby. Her appetite returned not long after sneezing treatment.
Then one day some weeks back (?) ago (not looking up her vet records for this post) her left paw just went limp and numb. The vet felt she had pulled a muscle or something higher up since the paw was examined and clearly uninjured (she's an indoor cat).
Zuri couldn't even feel it when the vet squeeze her paw or pulled on her toes. The vet put her on Prednisone pills, then on follow up visit maybe 3-4 weeks ago, vet gave her a second course of Pred, but this time in liquid form. The idea was to reduce any inflammation causing numb paw. Zuri was getting around fairly well, still loved cuddles and sleeping with me but definitely lacked her usual appetite (would eat and drink, but much less than before).
Her limp paw had actually seemed improved (she had been more walking (to litter box, to food/water; and to me: Zuri was making some easy jumps to sofa to sit with me (but she had not jumped up on piano since the original left paw went numb). So, she knew her paw/leg wasn't right and was just working with it and not trying anything too challenging. While I gave her the last of the Prednisone (second course stopped maybe 2 weeks ago or so).
Then tragedy.
Returned this morning to vet, emergency -- Zuri was inexplicably paralyzed. She could not walk when I woke up this morning. I tried to assist her but her body just seemed limp. No sign of any injury, again. But she had chosen to sleep on a large pillow I keep on floor for her (a fave daytime sleeping spot) but had pooped and vomited on that pillow. I kept trying to help her walk, but she just couldn't -- just fell over with any attempt. She let me hold her in my lap, and purred (although sometimes they purr when in pain) but she acted like she enjoyed the attention.
I held her knowing the vet might suggest euthanasia; I was afraid even before we went to vet there'd be nothing to try.
The vet was at a complete loss what more to do -- clearly problem was neurological and Preds again was apparently not an option. I asked if there was anything else we could do -- but even I realized total paralysis was pretty bad -- she could barely hold her head up even. Vet had no help offer -- would not say if it was result of medications (like the Convenia which takes a few months to completely leave system) or if Zuri had had a stroke or possible brain tumor or something somewhere pressing on nerves.
Zuri could not even take a step to show vet how paralyzed she was. I'd try to stand her up on vet's floor and she'd just fall over on side. She wasn't even able to manage to walk in circle (which I associate with a stroke). It was such a hard decision to make.
I had felt she was rallying from numb paw. She was scratching a bit on her scratching post she loved. She was easily making jumps onto the sofa. I felt she might even be eating a bit more. But apparently something else neurological occurred overnight.
I feel so very alone right now. I am spoiled to having her batting my hand as I type; but mostly her love of cuddling with me on sofa. And now tonight, she won't be there snuggle on my pillow with me.