My girl is going downhill fast

My husband and I went to the then-local shelter 12 years ago because we wanted to get a cat. When we got there, they had just gotten in two Maine Coon kitties, who were about two, I think -- a brother and sister -- that they had rescued from a so-called breeder. The lady said that where they were kept was in an area where their elimination was so thick that they were walking on it. The fur of both brother and sister was so matted that it was pulling away from their bodies in some spots. The female was missing a tooth and was much, much smaller than her brother, and they were the same age. Anyway, we couldn't take both because where we lived we could only have one, and we fell in love with Rose and have had her with us ever since. She is seriously the absolute sweetest cat I have ever had, and until recently she has slept with me every night for the last 12 years.

She has always been really thin, at her heaviest she's been just under 8 pounds. The vets have all said that they're not concerned since it's been a typical weight for her. Now, however, at about 14 years old, she's so thin that I can feel her bones; and by my calculation of a tear weight, she's down to about 6.5. She doesn't sleep with me anymore, and she basically lays under the bed. I think she really has a hard time getting up there. I know she favors her front feet a lot, and when she's sitting, she holds one or the other up. I've taken her in for the weight and the paws. For her paws they took x-rays and an ultrasound, and the results were inconclusive, but they told me to pick up some glucosamine. As for weight, they did some labs and found that she had a lower liver function. She throws up all the time. I plan on taking her to the vet again to see what else may be going on, but I just don't know what else to do. I'm really trying not to be a neglectful owner for her when I say this, but at what point do you say enough is enough? This is breaking my heart and I feel so torn. I'm almost sure she's in pain from her paws, she sleeps under the bed all day and night except to eat, drink and use the litter box, she can't keep food down, she's skin and bones. On the same token, I'm not made of money. I don't know how much I can afford to spend... What would you do?

Also, I have fed her Iams since I got her, sometimes I would get the hairball remedy, but after she turned about eight or so, I've been getting the mature kind. I tried Blue Buffalo for a bit and she wouldn't touch the stuff. My dog wouldn't even eat it. What do you feed your Maine Coon? Kibble of some sort? Raw stuff? Supplements?

Quality of life has to be the main factor , lots of older cats have renal failure or thyroid problems I take it that all were tested when she had her bloods done & they found out about her liver ? If she is having problems with pain in her limbs which you obviously have picked up on why didn't they trial her on something to see if it would help, yep glucosamine is good but that is a supplement & doesn't really help when things are as bad as she seems to be, could be why she doesn't want to get up on anything again,too painful, vomiting food all the while not good either, try her on some wet food little & often as that is very often easier to digest then kibble & give her fish / chicken types as they are easier to digest than red meats but I think you really need to go have a good talk with the vet, write out a list of "want to knows" along with what you know is wrong with your babe & then do what you think is best for her & you, why do they have to get old,good luck.....xxx

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Originally Posted by jckkerrison

Quality of life has to be the main factor , lots of older cats have renal failure or thyroid problems I take it that all were tested when she had her bloods done & they found out about her liver ? If she is having problems with pain in her limbs which you obviously have picked up on why didn't they trial her on something to see if it would help, yep glucosamine is good but that is a supplement & doesn't really help when things are as bad as she seems to be, could be why she doesn't want to get up on anything again,too painful, vomiting food all the while not good either, try her on some wet food little & often as that is very often easier to digest then kibble & give her fish / chicken types as they are easier to digest than red meats but I think you really need to go have a good talk with the vet, write out a list of "want to knows" along with what you know is wrong with your babe & then do what you think is best for her & you, why do they have to get old,good luck.....xxx

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I don't know why they didn't suggest something more. They didn't give me a prescription for the glucosamine. They just suggested I go to Petco or somewhere similar and pick something up off the shelf. Don't know if that's normal or not, but that's the direction I was led. I'll be taking her in again to do a full panel on her and pursue our options for her at that point.

Thank you so much for the input and the support!

If you have the option voice your concerns & ask to see another vet / more senior vet,you deserve to have more informed answers & with glucosamine you need to know strength & daily dosage even though it is an off the shelf product, to be honest in all the years I worked at a vets we gave it out for dogs but can't remember giving it for cats so can't help you on that one, I do hope for your babes sake you can get a better outcome, even if it is the worst as long as you know the problem it makes it slightly easier to cope but hope they can give her a longer better quality of life....x

I took Rose in yesterday for a full panel and some radiographs. The panels came back fine -- no kidney or liver issues, and everything else looked good in that area. There were no masses in the radiographs or anything else that they took note of. I requested some meds for pain and joint healing as well as something to increase her appetite since she's dwindled down to almost nothing because she hides all day long. If I'm to help her with pain, which seems to me to be the main reason she's hiding because she can hardly walk, it looks extremely painful for her, then I have to give her meds -- at the very least the one for pain. At this point, if she even comes out to eat she runs away to hide if she hears someone even breathe. I really don't want her to be in pain and I would like to help her paws heal with some joint supplement(s), but if I do, it's going to be on somewhat of a permanent basis; and she hates it so much that she's avoiding everything altogether. What kind of life is this for her? I'm just sick to my stomach about this -- just absolutely sick. I feel it may be time to put her down because I don't want the last bit of her life to be filled with the dread of getting pills or fear of me. She's been my baby for 13 years. I just can't stop crying at the thought of losing her..

Brilliant news that her blood profile & radiographs came back all clear, have they given you anything for her pain ? Over here we have a product called Metacam which is a liquid pain killer & mine will take it straight down the hatch, ok can cause kidney problems in the long run but if your animal needs it that isn't an issue is it,also nutri gel plus is a paste that builds them up & encourages them to eat, another item that tastes good & they will eat with no problem,some mainecoon biscuits have glucosamine in it too so another easy route for getting extra supplements into her. I know it is hard but she will also be picking up on you being upset which in turn will upset her, with everything else clear sounds as if she should have some quality of life left with some help along the way ,the other is a one way trip but sadly we know also that it has to come but what are your vets saying, I am sure they wouldn't let her continue if they felt she was suffering that is what they are there to stop so perhaps you need to stick in & give her whatever they recommend I am sure if you tell her it is this or the end she will go for the "this"......xxxx