Jasmine is Struggling

gutterglitterxx · 05-28-2013, 11:31 PM

As some of you know, Old Lady Jasmine is really struggling right now. While I don't know her exact age, I do know she is somewhere around 2 and she has greatly slowed down over the last few weeks. And during the last 3 or 4 days, she has really taken a turn for the worse. In fact, on Saturday night, I said my goodbyes to her because I honestly didn't think she would make it through the night.

She is still fighting but she is now only eating baby food and slightly nibbling at yogurt drops. She has been spending most of her time sleeping and when she does try to move around, she is very unsteady on her feet.

As morbid as it may sound, and as much as I don't want to lose her on too of already losing Cheeto, I am sort of hoping she just drifts away in her sleep. I really don't want to stress her out with a vet visit if I don't have to. Plus right now I am alone and I have no car and can't get to a vet easily. I would have to take her on public transportation in order to get anywhere, which would be very stressful for her. So I am doing my best to nurse her at home for the next couple days. If she is still fighting (but obviously struggling) when I have access to a car again on Friday I will, without a doubt, get her to the vet at that point.

I have removed her shelf from her cage. I have also placed food and water near where she is sleeping and provided her with some extra shredded toilet paper in case she wants it. But even though there is water near her, she is insisting on walking over to where she knows her water bottle always is and it is not easy for her. It breaks my heart to watch her do it because of how unsteady she is, but she ignores the water I put near her.

Do you think I should move her into a "hospital" cage?
Or would I be better off leaving her in her familiar surroundings at this point?
And is there anything else you can recommend that I can be doing for her to make her as comfortable as possible?

Thanks everyone, in advance, for the input. I'm an emotional wreck right now and can use all the advice I can get.

evel_lin · 05-28-2013, 11:42 PM

Personally I'd leave her in her current cage rather than stressing her out by moving her. I'm sorry she's so frail right now

gutterglitterxx · 05-28-2013, 11:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by evel_lin

Personally I'd leave her in her current cage rather than stressing her out by moving her. I'm sorry she's so frail right now

Thank you for your answer. I really appreciate it. It can be so hard to decide what is best for them. I feel like she would be better off not being able to walk very far but, as you said, I don't want to stress her by moving her from her usual environment.

evel_lin · 05-28-2013, 11:47 PM

You've put drink closer to her so she's choosing to stick with her normal bottle. If she gets frailer then she may change. Perhaps give her more moisture rich foods close to her bed so she doesn't need to get water as often?

gutterglitterxx · 05-28-2013, 11:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by evel_lin

You've put drink closer to her so she's choosing to stick with her normal bottle. If she gets frailer then she may change. Perhaps give her more moisture rich foods close to her bed so she doesn't need to get water as often?

Okay, I'll definitely do that. I'll run out to the store tomorrow and get some cucumber. Thanks.

evel_lin · 05-29-2013, 12:00 AM

sounds perfect. She's a lucky girl to be so loved and cared for

ANGELBABIES · 05-29-2013, 01:56 AM

GG - you are doing everything you can to make her comfortable. You could try giving her water with a drop feeder if you have one. Or syringe - and just let the water droplets touch her mouth without forcing. Hope this helps. All the best with the little one. xx

gutterglitterxx · 05-29-2013, 10:47 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ANGELBABIES

GG - you are doing everything you can to make her comfortable. You could try giving her water with a drop feeder if you have one. Or syringe - and just let the water droplets touch her mouth without forcing. Hope this helps. All the best with the little one. xx

Okay, great. Thanks, I will definitely try this. Anything that might help the poor little babe.

Loobylou · 05-29-2013, 11:01 AM

This might sound like a daft idea but if she's still insisting on walking all the way to where the bottle is maybe you could push her house and nest nearer to the bottle. Not while she's in it of course but while she's over at her bottle.

Hope all goes well with her and if it is her time I hope she passes peacefully for you and you don't need to see her suffering.

gutterglitterxx · 05-29-2013, 11:46 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Loobylou

This might sound like a daft idea but if she's still insisting on walking all the way to where the bottle is maybe you could push her house and nest nearer to the bottle. Not while she's in it of course but while she's over at her bottle.

Hope all goes well with her and if it is her time I hope she passes peacefully for you and you don't need to see her suffering.

This is an interesting thought.

I just assumed I should leave her nest where it has always been. She has always been in an open nest. The only thing I did do was put one of those large bendy bridge/arch things over where she was sleeping. Just to give her a little more shelter in case she is losing warmth.

Thanks for the input.