Another feline medical question

[widebody911]

My wife's oldest cat's condition deteriorated significantly today. Some time during the day, to put it simply, his left hind leg stopped working normally. He gets about 3/4 of the way through a step and it just folds under and he flops over. He seems disoriented - he just walks back and forth around the room, and he moves his head around like he's looking for something; like if he saw you toss him a treat and he was trying to find it.

We took him to the vet this evening, and they performed a variety of tests. Blood work was normal, ears were a little dirty but normal. Temp and BP are normal, and he's put on almost a pound since the last time he was in. They took an xray, and while there was no smoking gun, you can see where the vertebrae have some "growth" around them from arthritis. He responded "Ok" to various reaction tests, but he's weak. The vet suspects there might be some nerve impingement, but they can't know for sure without an MRI.

They gave him an anti-inflammatory and pain meds, and we're to follow up on Friday. For the most part he's just laying in middle of the floor looking bewildered. He wants to get up and get on the couch, which is his normal spot, but he just can't. His attitude right now seems like he doesn't want to be bothered; if you try to give him attention, he tries to move away.

Long story short, I think this is the end of the line. He's a little over 18 years old. We haven't really discussed it yet; we got home from the vet and Survivor was on. I imagine we're going to have a conversation about it soon, but I'm not going to press the issue. I think it's getting to the point where we're playing veterinary whack-a-mole; 2 or 3 months ago, he was sick because of some kidney thing. Before that it was a gastro thing.

If you think I'm off base or if there's something else we should investigate, let me know. He's been kind of gimpy for a while - he's been moving slower and slower for the past few months, although he still eats well and would still scrap with one of the other two cats if they got out of line.

What makes this really ugly is the stress my wife has been going through with her other cat. Way too much kitty-drama all at once.

There was another heartbreaking story playing out at the vet office; a family brought their elderly Golden in to be put down. When I say "family" I mean Mom, Dad, 4 kids and what looked like a grandma. The poor dog was trundled in on a blanket.

[Hydrocket]

The way the cat is looking around almost sounds stroke-like.

But it sounds like it's time to put the little guy out of its misery.

Good luck.

[ckelly78z]

At 18 years old, he lived a good long life and is currently on borrowed time. I don't think any heroic medical procedures at this point are going to do him any favors. Maybe the most humane thing to do is take him back to the vet one final time.

[Evans, Marv]

18 is decently old for a cat, and it might just be an accumulation of things going on inside that are caused by age. People also get listless and depressed toward the end. I'm sure the cat has had a good life and it might just be time to let it go. It's never a pleasant thing but in the end better for the cat, especially at an age when options are getting more limited by the day. I personally think it would be nice for us humans to be able to choose to go that way too when life gets to that point.

[t-tom]

He had a stroke! My 19 year old had one about 8 months ago acted the same way. He still has a little trouble getting around but is not in pain and still manages to scare the crap out of our little yippie dog. I've been giving him cosequin it's a joint supplement for cats it seems to help. As long as he's not in pain and still makes it to the cat box I'll keep tiger around as long as he can make it.

[svandamme]

If he's not in pain, if he can eat and at least take care of pissin' and poopin'.. I'de let him live.
Maybe setup an area where he can rest, is not in anybody's way, not bothered by anybody and doesn't have make big efforts to get form sleeping place to food to litter box area..

[t-tom]

My vet told us as long as he is eating and cleaning himself he's ok.

[widebody911]

Thanks for the support and advice.

This morning he's getting around slightly better, but he's still pretty gimpy and bewildered. He managed to climb up onto his favorite place on the couch in the front window and he's just relaxing in the sun for now. He still took a swing at the other cat this AM, so he hasn't totally given up yet.

[svandamme]

they are tough as nails

[widebody911]

Originally Posted by svandamme

they are tough as nails

Apparently this one is!