JellyBean2605 Posted December 4, 2016 Share Posted December 4, 2016 My old cat Ozzy is nearly 14, hardly has any teeth left and has been getting rather thin over the last year. Recently one of his eyes went bloodshot and we noticed he was not his usual self so whisked him down the vets. Vet did a blood test which ruled out a few things (thyroid and kidney problems), then said next step is an ultrasound to look for heart disease or cancer. Me and hubby were unsure so said we'd see how he gets on. we've increased his food (he can only eat soft food and is incredibly picky), He seems well in himself, a bit quiet but doesn't seem in pain, his eye is still bloodshot. I'm wondering if it's worth doing the ultrasound, if it is cancer there's nothing we can do anyway as he has a heart murmur and wouldn't survive surgery. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cat tails Posted December 4, 2016 Share Posted December 4, 2016 (edited) Food wise: you can try other soft foods like cooked chicken, cooked fish etc. As you say he is an older cat so I wouldn't worry too much about what is good/healthy. My old cat lived on bacon and milk for the ladt few weeks and loving it. Vet wise: I would voice these concerns to your vet and ask if there is anything, like a drug, that could relieve any pain in case he is in pain. Sounds like you don't really want to tinker too much on Ozzy and just make sure he is comfortable and loving life. My old cat was on some liquid painkillers due to a tumour in her jaw for the last weeks. Increased her activity and appitite immensely and she (and we) had a blast those last few weeks. Vet opted to remove half her jaw to remove the tumour, but she was 16 and that wasn't an option for me. Edited December 4, 2016 by Guest Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mullethunter Posted December 4, 2016 Share Posted December 4, 2016 I think probably doing nothing except spoil him and keep him at home as long as you're sure he's comfortable is the right thing to do. I like to think that is what I'd do because I wouldn't put him through a general anaesthetic or nasty drugs at his age (ours are 14 too), but if it came to it I'm not sure - I might end up having the ultrasound anyway just in case there is something either easily treatable or causing pain / damage you can't see. Sorry that's not much help...good luck Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Olly Posted December 5, 2016 Share Posted December 5, 2016 Some vets - and mine is one - are very focused on diagnosis and treatment, sometimes you need to step back and see the bigger picture. I think you should ask the vet what the ultrasound might reveal and then think about what you may want to do about the possible outcome. My cat is 14, has thyroid problems and is losing weight - I have given up trying to make her eat special diets, as long as she eats and is happy (and doesn't have another attack of IBS! ) I'm not going to force the issue. I certainly wouldn't put her through surgery or any invasive treatment at her age. If the ultrasound might help the vet to prescribe pain relief or similar then it might be worth doing. If its only purpose is to show whether there's a condition that might only be resolved by surgery, and you wouldn't want to take that route, then decline. I find I always have to ask 'what's the point' or my poor cat would be having blood tests every time I go there (I should add that they're very good vets otherwise). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chickencam Posted December 9, 2016 Share Posted December 9, 2016 We had a similar issue last year but complicated by poor breathing we had the ultrasound which revealed a huge tumour pressing on her lungs. The vet was keen to send her to a specialist for surgery because she was only 10 but the surgery would have been very invasive with a difficult recovery so we decided to bring her home give her treats and say goodbye over the next 24 hours. We the had her PTS because her breathing was difficult. It was an incredibly difficult decision because she was still eating well and looked ok until you saw how thin she was and how laboured her breathing was. We felt that we couldn't explain her treatment to her or the pain of recovery so we couldn't put her through it. Good luck with finding the right path for you and your cat Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lewis Posted December 12, 2016 Share Posted December 12, 2016 If you're unsure I would go back to your vet for a chat and see what they advise. They may explain that the ultrasound will give them a better idea of what's going on and how to manage him. It could be that he has a tumor or fluid on the lungs which can be managed medically or that he is given painkillers or steroids to make him more comfortable at home should you decide surgery isn't the right thing for you. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
