My cat has a brain tumor

[bug]

It's such a hard decision, Judy and one that I never like to make until I'm really sure. What has helped me see that I've made the right decision -- to let them go -- are the pictures I took near the end of my boys' lives. They looked like they knew it was time to go. I look back on their happy pictures and they look so different than their tired pictures. They have a sadness in their eyes and they look so very tired and ready to move on to their next life. It's easy not to see it when they're in your lap evey day but when you see the pictures, there's no question. Take a couple of pictures of Socks and look at them. There are things you will see if it's time. You will also know if it isn't.

[catwoods]

Warmth and stength to you and Socks, Judy.

[ranger]

What other appetite stimulates are there?  These was another one I tried that did seem to make her anxious and pace.  I thought the cypro did that too when my vet would give it to her but then I realized she would pace and anxious when we got back from the vet no matter what.

Oddly this is a new thing that started within the last maybe six months.

I wonder if I should take her to the vet or the er if I can't get an appointment.  Yesterday she ate 2 treats and a little bit of Authority Ocean fish cuts (this has wheat gluten in it so I don't usually feed it).  I shoved about 26ml of a/d and some Fancy Feast Chicken plus about 12ml of baby food. 

She has not pooped for about 4 days now so I am giving lacatulose again.

Her eye is still oozing and I'm still trying not to cry.  She still wants to sit with me and she used the scratching condo yesterday.

I guess I need to find another sieve the one I bought is the only one they had in the store. 

[merrihart]

*hugs*  Sounds like she is still at home in her heart then.

[tesla]

Judy, my vet prescribed the appetite stimulant Mirtazapine for Snowy since I'm not fond of the side effects from cypro.  It worked quite well for her without all the aggitation I used to see my other kitties exhibit on cypro.

I always use a hand mixer and stir the a/d or any other food I was mixing to get it super liquidfied which made it easy to syringe feed.  I just would get the larger syringes from the feed store or my vet. 

Continued prayers for you both......

[lesliek]

I was about to suggest the same thng as tesla, an immersion [or stick] blender. Its working great for Russell so far. Does Socks like liver or tuna ? Those are really smelly & could easily be pureed. I think if Socks is still having weeping from her eye & won't eat a visit to a different vet might be called for. Sometimes someone new sees things we or their regular vet don't.

[ranger]

I'm wondering if the weepy eye is affecting her eating/smelling?

Tesla that is the drug I tried before that made her pace.

Socks came and sat with me about an hour when I got  home until I started to give her medicine and food and then she left but she seems to want to be with me tonight.

The syringes come in different sizes but the tips are all small and regular food get stuck.

Have to do another feeding.

[catbird]

Judy do you have a blender or food processor?  You may be able to add a little liquid and puree the food very smoothly in there.  Also, a food mill sold for making baby food might help, if you don't have either a blender or food processor.  I've seen them sold fairly cheaply in many places.

Continuing to send good thought and prayers to you and Socks.

[tesla]

I found a couple of pulses from the hand mixer made it really smooth and I didn't have trouble then with food getting stuck.  Otherwise I had a difficult time using the syringe.  If I used food other than a/d I added a little water or baby food to the food then blended it for the same smooth consistency.

I was hoping we could find you another stimulant that might work.  Maybe you can discuss it with your vet when they get back from vacation. 

Like Lesliek suggested, sometimes it's worth seeing another vet for a different view if you are unable to see your regular vet.

{{{{hugs}}}}

[ranger]

Socks is still not eating .  She will only take a bite or two and runs from me when I come to her with a syringe of food.  It is getting harder to syringe the food.

I have an appointment on Monday morning with my vet.  I thought about seeing someone else but really I don't think there is anything else that can be done for her.

I'm  tired but if I can get her to eat I am ready to do whatever can be done but if she doesn't eat I just don't think I can do a feeding tube. 

Will she starve to death? Is that painful?

[lesliek]

Actually its not painful at all. When people are terminal & can't eat, that is exactly what happens. As they get weaker, they just drift in & out of consciousness. But if things aren't improving, it may be time to let her go. Prayers & positive thoughts for Socks to improve,and comfort to you if you have to say goodbye.

[catmom5]

Judy, she may be telling you that she's had enough. I don't know if this is painful for her, but if it was my cat and I thought s/he was starving to death, I would let him/her go. She's put up a valiant fight, as you have, but sometimes they simply cannot be healed this side of the Rainbow Bridge.

I hope I'm not speaking out-of-turn here, but I understand how hard it is to know when enough is enough. I think you have to think about her quality of life at this point and consider whether that's what you want for her.

Please remember that we are all here for you, whatever happens on Monday, and most important, Socks knows how very much you love her.

[JustMe]

{{{hugs}}} Judy and  Socks. 

[tesla]

{{{{hugs}}}} to you both.  I know how hard it is trying to decide what to do.  Prayers to you both.

[Meowli]

{{{hugs}}}

Meowli