Re: My Friends Cat Is Sick URGENT ADVICE NEEDED! PLEASE HELP!

1. 72

   AEvansposted 13 years ago

   My friend has a cat that was originally a stray, she has no idea of her age and has had her for 3 years. She was diagnosed with diabetes but now she is losing her bowels constantly and when she walks she is off balance. She stills eats but cannot make it to the litter box like she used to.
   
   She would like to know if she is in pain. If she is in pain should she put her down. She does not know what to do because her heart is torn. She wants her to pass comfortably but does not want her to suffer either.
   
   
   Please be honest because she has to make a very serious decision and it is all based on the responses received. She is putting it out to the hub team members so she can make a rational decision.

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2. 69

   Cagsilposted 13 years ago

   I would certainly suggest taking the cat to a vet or the local animal shelter to be checked out.

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3. 61

   katiem2posted 13 years ago

   I have to agree with Cagsil.  The poor dear it could be the food, or something entirely different.  I do hope the cat is better soon.  Katie

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4. 59

   knolyourselfposted 13 years ago

   I just posted the following but it got diverted to a dead-end page. Never seen that before. So I post it again.
   "If in pain would probably make painful noises. Sounds like needs antibiotics. A vet should be able to determine if kidney disease or the like. Assuming nothing can be done, I would put her down. It is a shot
   and go to sleep, completely fast and painless." Sorry AE.

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   1. 72

      AEvansposted 13 years agoin reply to this

      IT's ok your comments are valued and she asked me to post it and get advice. She said everyone on HP responds so promptly and the direction everyone is giving is going to determine what she should do.

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      1. 87

         IzzyMposted 13 years agoin reply to this

         http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Diabetes_in_cats
         
         Knowing nothing about diabetes in cats, I looked it up and the instability in walking is a common symptom which apparently can be reversible given special vitamins and a low carb diet.
         Your friend will know better what she can afford to do. I doubt if the cat is in pain, but it must be miserable, specially when it can't reach its litter tray - clean cats hate being dirty.

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5. 83

   camloposted 13 years ago

   AE, the cat really needs a vet, the sooner the better. I really hope it turns out to be nothing too serious, but your friend can't know until she has taken the cat to a vet.

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6. 72

   AEvansposted 13 years ago

   Thank you for all of your answers. About a month and a half ago she was diagnosed with Diabetes and the medicine is so expensive she can't afford that either. It has been down hill since then. I know it is going to break her heart to put her down, but she needs to consider it because she can't even make it to the litter box.

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   1. 79

      Sufidreamerposted 13 years agoin reply to this

      Try to have the cat checked with a vet, if possible, because it could be many things.
      
      As Izzy pointed out, the diabetes and related conditions are reversible, but financial considerations are sadly part of the decision.
      
      If it is related to the diabetes, and your friend cannot afford the insulin, special diets, and vet's fees, it may be best to let the cat go - doing nothing isn't an option. Cats don't always let you know that they are in pain
      
      Your friend sounds like a wonderful person who has given a stray 3 years of love and companionship. We have had to go through this many times, so our thoughts are with her - it is a tough decision

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7. 88

   mistyhorizon2003posted 13 years ago

   She could try talking to a rescue centre or charity and ask them if they can help her out, or if they will take the cat on, in order to treat it and re-home it. This is possibly the only option for someone who has an uninsured pet that needs treatment from a vet. I sincerely hope her cat makes a full recovery, whatever it takes.

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