Alis girls Posted January 30, 2016 Share Posted January 30, 2016 The cat I posted about in other thread has low platelets. The vet isnt sure why may be the fact he has some kidney disease - not awful but there none the less. We have insurance but as we have claimed in the past its not going to cover all treatment. Vet wants to scan, x ray and if its cancer operation and chemo. more than most humans get offered and big bucks. My old cat had a huge thyroid and we were adv to have it removed - big mistake - she died soon after the op in post op period. We have decided to put him on the kidney food and we can get meds to help the kidney and if he appears to be in discomfort we will do the necessary. Hes eating, going out and doing his patrol of garden and sitting on your lap and snoozing on our bed. I am sure many will disagree with our ways to deal with this but I dont want him pulled about and for what. If he was a young cat I would do more but hes anything between 11 and 15 - we may never know. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Olly Posted January 30, 2016 Share Posted January 30, 2016 I'm sorry to hear it. Personally I wouldn't put any animal through chemo, it seems wrong to me when they can't understand the process. As treatments progress it's understandable that people want to try the options but I'm always reminded of the adage 'Ours to preserve, but not to strive officiously to keep alive'. An operation after an injury or where there's a very high likelihood of success is one thing, but on a cat of this age I wouldn't want to risk it. None of us is immortal, and I'd do exactly what you're doing. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alis girls Posted January 31, 2016 Author Share Posted January 31, 2016 Thanks Olly - I am somewhat confused anyway in how they do an op or chemo on a animal with low platelets - wouldnt it bleed to death? Or do they give some sort of meds - i have never heard of animals having blood transfusions. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cat tails Posted January 31, 2016 Share Posted January 31, 2016 An operation after an injury or where there's a very high likelihood of success is one thing, but on a cat of this age I wouldn't want to risk it. None of us is immortal, and I'd do exactly what you're doing. Same here. I would only consider these treatments in very young healthy cats, but have refused treatment on a jaw tumour on my previous cat. She was about 16. Doc did prescribe a liquid painkiller then, which would also slow down the growth of the tumour. Amazing stuff! She was a lot happier and active than since quite some time before. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Blackrocksrock Posted January 31, 2016 Share Posted January 31, 2016 You are doing exactly what I would do also. Enjoy him while you can and cats amaze you he may be perfectly fine for a long time. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Grandmashazzie Posted January 31, 2016 Share Posted January 31, 2016 I agree totally.As said do what you can but I wouldn't put him through surgery etc. PS I know dogs can have blood,when my dog was ill the vet asked me to bring my other dog in to use her for blood transfusion.I wonder do they do same for cats. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Olly Posted January 31, 2016 Share Posted January 31, 2016 My former vets used to have a lovely black cat that lived there, it has been left there for treatment and then the owner never collected it. The vet surgery adopted it, but used it for blood transfusions when needed! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dancing cloud Posted February 1, 2016 Share Posted February 1, 2016 Totally agree that it's not always in your pet's best interest to treat no matter what. It's a hard choice and you have to consider the impact on them and their quality of life, and you know your own pet best. With my Tozi-cat I was told untreated he may have weeks, may have months but would not have years. I considered the treatment for him as an individual was worse than the illness and, four years later, I had to make that final decision - after four years of him being thoroughly loved and cared for and not traumatised in any way. I would make the same choice again. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alis girls Posted March 2, 2016 Author Share Posted March 2, 2016 Our boys on his way to vets for a check up and blood test. Was not impressed at no breakfast. Will update when hes back. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alis girls Posted March 2, 2016 Author Share Posted March 2, 2016 Hes put on some wt which means meds are working. Hes waiting at vets to do a pee bladder was empty. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Groovychook Posted March 2, 2016 Share Posted March 2, 2016 Pleased to hear that the medication seems to be working. Hope his blood test news is good. They'll never do a pee when you want them to, will they? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alis girls Posted March 2, 2016 Author Share Posted March 2, 2016 No not like his mum - being of a certain age - peeing on demand aint a problem Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Groovychook Posted March 2, 2016 Share Posted March 2, 2016 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...