I don't know what to do about my cat (rant)

[TrogL]

Tyger is a big old tomcat I picked up from the pound to keep another cat company (actually they hate each other :shrug:). I was living in an apartment at the time. He was a pound cat and the writeup said he'd been found on a back road in the middle of nowhere. We eventually figured out that he was somewhat feral. Even though fixed, he would mark and cause other problems.

When we moved to the house, he was outside in the flash and gone for days at a time. He'd come home to grab a bit to eat then he was off again on cat business. I got used to seeing him every few days. When he actually shows up, he was extremely affectionate - loved to be held and petted, but then he'd get bored and wander off. (yes, I know I'm mixing my tenses)

One day I noticed he had developed a large lump on his chest. Other cat owners suspect it's cancerous. A week ago, I heard a bunch of meowing in the back yard and he eventually climbed out of a box and limped painfully over, favouring a front paw. I held the paw and tried to see if it was broken. He'd let me do anything I wanted, but couldn't put any weight on it. I picked some orange fur out of his claws. The vet said he'd probably been in a fight and pulled a bunch of muscles. He stayed in for a couple of days until he was feeling better then he howled the house down until we let him out.

This weekend we noticed he was peeing blood. There's little puddles of blood all over the back yard and when he came inside he piddled blood on the kitchen floor - something he wouldn't normally do. He is nominally house broken even if he does like to mark.

He was at least 6 years old when we got him, we've had him for another 7 so he's into triple digits in cat years. He's an outdoor kitty, more feral than not, who's been in waaaay too many fights, slept rough and likely been hit by a car to boot. He's probably got cancer, kidney damage and who knows what else. If he's got FeLV, I can't have him in the house peeing blood because the other cats will catch it.

Yes, it's his time. I know that. That's not what's upsetting me the most.

SAD has kicked in and I've been thinking a lot about death lately. I'm getting on in years. My mother's pushing 100. One of my sisters survived brain cancer but she's 14 years older than me so she's getting along as well. There's ghosts pacing the hallways.

I've been accused of being feral (it's Asperger's related). I'm fairly claustrophobic unless I control the space. I can cope with a certain amount of socialization but then I have to wander off somewhere to recover. The damn cat reminds me of me.

The last few times I've had to have cats put down they were indoor cats used to being around people and they didn't mind going to the vet. Tyger doesn't like being indoors at teh best of times, I doubt I'd ever get him back into a cage without losing fingers. He hates the vet's office.

I think the problem is I'm trying to do "theory of mind" stuff with a cat when I can't even do it very well with people. I don't want Tyger to be frightened or upset at the end - I want him to have peace. At the same time, I don't want him to die outside alone and in the cold unless that's his idea of a good way to go - outside in the wild. It certainly has its appeal and it's a known cat thing. At the same time, he's such an affectionate cat (when he feels up to it) that he might prefer to go in my lap if the vet will allow that sort of thing - many don't.

I don't know what to think or feel.

[malta blue]

1. ...

:hug:
I am sorry you have to go through this with Tyger. I really have no advice. All I can offer is good thoughts for a comfortable and safe passage, however it may be.
~Peace~

[some guy]

2. You have to take him to the vet.

At the very least, the vet can more properly diagnose the ailments. After that you can better assess if it really is "his time."

If necessary, having him put to sleep is more humane than letting him die outside, simply because the death is quicker and less potentially painful.

:hug:

[bicentennial_baby]

3. See if you can find a vet that will do a home visit

I know that some do. And goon on you for caring so much :hug:

[huskerlaw]

4. Wow, that's rough.

I'm sorry you have to go through this.

My advice is to take him to the vet. Maybe there is something that can be done for him, and if there isn't, it's a far more humane way to die than a drawn-out "natural" death. A few hours of unhappiness at being dragged to the vet is nothing compared to suffering for days/weeks/months outside in the cold.

:hug:

[Gonzo Gardener]

5. Can you ask the vet to come to your home?

I recently had to put down our 14 year old Siamese, Baloo, who had cancer. It was just his time.

It's such a hard thing to do, but IMHO the most humane thing you can do for an old friend.

[marzipanni]

6. Ask your vet if you could give Tyger a natural tranquilizer so the trip wouldn't be so stressful

I think cats can take homeopathic calming formula, for instance.

[Hoof Hearted]

7. Lot's of vets do home visits. Find one and I think you'll be much happier with your decision

That being said, how about finding out why the old guy is peeing blood and try to treat him if you can? Ditto on the cancer? Those could be benign growths you know.

I sure don't want to be offed for a simple infection if I can't talk, no matter how old I am.

Your family has some awesome genetics eh? Doesn't sound like you're going to be taking the long nap anytime soon. I'm sorry you have to go through this though. May you and Tyger both find peace.

[applegrove]

8. Go to the Vet for advice. He could have urinary tract problems. He may have to

go. Ask the experts. They go through this often and they will be able to give you the best advice. If your cat is as weak as you say he may not be able to defend himself like he used to and therefor would not be in a good "roam free" place when he is outside though his instincts might keep him outside.

[TrogL]

10. He's doing better today

I finally found his hidey hole. He's somehow managed to make a nest for himself inside the bottom part of my barbeque. One of the metal sides had come loose a bit and he squeezed himself in there. It's within two feet of the back door in a sheltered area. I think he's also crawling down under a pile of boxes partially covering a window well. The outer window pane is missing so it's probably nice and warm there.

No new blood spots, he's not limping and he ran across the yard so he may be feeling a bit better. If things are NOT crazy tomorrow, I'll take him to the vet.

[Blue Diadem]

9. He may have feline urinary tract disease.

That might explain the blood in the urine. Our dearly departed Sir Tom had a bout of it once. He had the crystal type but recovered fully and lived several years after that.

Have you tried one of those pet boxes, they are much easier to transport them in. They're cardboard carriers that open completely from the top rather than the regular cat carrier. We used them for my daughter's cat when she was so very sick and had turned completely wild from the pain. That poor baby had to be restrained with a fish net at the vets office until he could sedate her so he could examine her. Before I got one of the cardboard carriers, there was no way I could get her into a regular plastic carrier, so I used an ordinary box and cut some holes in it and put her in there.

We went through several vet visits, surgery, a horrible infection and ultimately the surgery didn't work so we had to put her down. As bad as her pain was, I was able to hold and pet her as she left us. RIP Sammy, I miss you.

Hugs to you. I know how hard it is.



http://www.peteducation.com/article.cfm?cls=1&articleid=214

What causes FLUTD?

Several factors can contribute to this disease including bacterial or viral infections, trauma, crystals in the urine, bladder stones, tumors of the urinary tract, and congenital abnormalities. In many cases, the cause is never discovered. Factors that may contribute to development of FLUTD include:

Not drinking enough water
A diet high in magnesium or other minerals
Too much acidity or alkalinity of the urine
Stress

[SOteric]

11. You took the words right out of my mouth...

My neutered male cat had the very same trouble about a year and a half ago. A quick trip to the vet and a few traumatic doses of the pink stuff and he was all better. Still a health and active cat to this day.