Update on the cat

pinkneon · 06-09-2016, 07:59 AM

So the cat's owner is away til Monday (yay!) but I went to feed the cat this morning and noticed a little blood near his bowl. I checked his legs and things in case he had a little cut but could't see anything - though it could have been hidden by his thick fur. I took him to the vet (he had an appointment anyway) who had to sedate him slightly as he was incredibly agitated. His fur has mostly been shaved off, and he is covered in sores and abcesses. A couple look infected. He is a very old cat so at this time the vet is wary about what treatment to give him. We still don't know what is causing the abcesses but he has more than I ever knew. He's been given antibiotics til Tuesday morning as his owner is not back til the evening on Monday, and the vet will be phoning the owner to make sure the cat is taken in on Tuesday. I am unsure if the cat is suffering - like a lot of animals he is good at hiding pain. He still limps a bit and hates being stroked, probably because he is in pain. He has also been given some pain killers as the vet thinks he has arthritis. If he is still poorly on Tuesday then the vet will suggest to the owner about whether or not it is in his best interests to be put to sleep ... I couldn't make that decision myself today - although I don't want him to suffer, he isn't my cat and the owner is out of the country so I couldn't ring to ask. The vet will do a home visit every day til Tuesday to see how he is, and take him in if necessary. I have decided to allow him in the lving room so I can stay with him, and because I am not having any visitors over the weekend who could have an allergy. I didn't want him to be on his own. He is sleeping right now, in a little patch of sunshine on the living room floor. I am worried about him. The vet has said if he feels the cat is still suffering on Tuesday and the owner refuses to take him to the vet, he will make a decision himself about what is best. I am not actually sure if he is allowed to do this, but to be honest would support his decision as I don't want the cat to suffer and the vet is medically trained, whereas the owner isn't!
Anyone who has read my previous posts about the cat will know the owner has refused to take him to the vet on many occasions, and is currently of the belief the cat "will get better on his own". He has been reported to several animal welfare organisations - such as the RSPCA - from the vet and also a friend of mine who called for me as I was too scared to. So they are aware and will support the vet with whatever decision they make on Tuesday. If the vet feels the cat needs to go in, and the owner refuses it is likely they will take the cat anyway. I hope he is going to be ok, but to be honest after seeing the amount of abcesses and sores on him today (which made me burst into tears!) I honestly don't think he is going to survive much longer. I also bought him some soft cat food, as he is really struggling with the biscuits, and plus I can hide his tablets in it! Though he is usually quite good at taking them anyway

So he's not a very happy boy and I feel very guilty because I feel like I should have pushed the vet issue more or something. Personally, if he'd been my cat I'd probably have had him put to sleep today, as the vet doesn't think he will recover and he is in pain

Poor thing
Last night he was extra friendly towards me, and was rubbing his head on my legs most of the evening!

Pebbles82 · 06-09-2016, 09:03 AM

Oh this is very difficult. Poor cat. You did the right thing taking him along. Maybe he's not ready to go yet if he's rubbing up against your legs. I wonder why he has all these sores. It's very difficult if you live with someone who does things you don't believe in (or doesn't do them). There are a lot of people I think, who think cats can just look after themselves, because they are independent and can stray, but when they get older they need care. Glad your vet has taken things in hand.

peasypea · 06-09-2016, 09:08 AM

How sad, poor puss cat

Thank you for looking after him and caring, what a shame the owner doesn't seem to.

pinkneon · 06-09-2016, 09:28 AM

Serendipity, we don't know what is causing the abcesses and sores - it's possible he got bitten by a flea/tic or even some other animal and it got infected and untreated so got worse. He could just as easily cut himself on something ages ago and it hasn't healed. Or the vet says it could just be because he is getting old. Before his fur was shaved, it was all matted and he couldn't clean it properly. Shaving it off will also make him a little cooler and hopefully help him to heal a little better as he won't be sweating as much. He looks so sad now

I think when they rub their heads on you it is partly their way of "marking" you as theirs - so basically he owns me!

I wish I knew how to help him ... I am going to sleep on the couch in the living room tonight so I can check on him during the night. I don't think he will get cold unless the temperature drops tonight, but have given him a blanket anyway and can always turn the heating on for him if he needs it. It sounds silly but I am a little afraid of touching him because he has hardly any fur left and some of the abcesses are leaking (from the antibiotics). I think if he is still ill on Saturday I will take him back, and let him stay in. At least that way the vet can try giving him treatment, and if it doesn't work then they will be in a better position to speak to the owner on Tuesday. I dunno ... Poor thing. He's not his usual self at all

Pebbles82 · 06-09-2016, 09:41 AM

Has he no fur left at all now then? I'm sure the antibiotics will make him a bit more comfortable. It is sad - we once had to have a cat put to sleep that was riddled with worms. She had always been wild since being a kitten - her Mum ran away and had the kittens in the woods and by the time they found them they were really wild. She was also a big hunter and went on massive killing sprees every night. We wormed her as usual but she got thinner and thinner. Our vet then said it was because she kept killing and eating all these birds and animals and it was too far gone.

Anyway - different story. Your cat sounds like it needs some real tlc. I'm sure he would appreciate a blanket - if it doesn't stick to the sores - are there any dressings on them? I know you can get this spray on second skin type dressing for human wounds. Something tasty to eat or drink maybe.

How do you think the owner will react if he knows the vet has been coming round?

pinkneon · 06-09-2016, 09:54 AM

He still has fur on his head, and small, thin patches on his body. Pretty much all of his fur was matted, and the vet thinks the matted fur was because of the abcesses and because the cat douldn't clean it properly. I gave him a soft blanket that had like a thin materiel on one side and something warmer on the other (I call it an all weather blankie LOL). He has a dressing on a couple of places as they were really oozing but I have to remove those later. The vet wants the abcesses to drain and covering them will make him itch if he gets hot - kind of doing what fur would do!
As for the owner ... To be honest, I don't care anymore whether he is annoyed about the vet coming over or not. I am fed up of his attitude! It annoys me that he can see the cat is unwell yet he refuses to take him to vet! So I am risking a lot - eg, having somewhere to live! - but right now I think the cat's welfare is more important than that!

barley · 06-09-2016, 12:33 PM

How dreadfully sad, I'm so sorry to read this

Lots of good vibes coming kitties way, I really hope he's more comfortable now. And a big hug for you too!

Pebbles82 · 06-09-2016, 02:57 PM

You are doing well looking after the cat. I was wondering about that - yes it's hard to take a risk to do something right if someone may ask you to live somewhere else. Do you have security of tenure where you are, if you don't mind me asking? ie a tenancy agreement or some kind of right to live there?

pinkneon · 06-09-2016, 03:37 PM

No, am staying with "family" ... Am waiting for housing!

Pebbles82 · 06-09-2016, 03:47 PM

I don't think they will throw you out if you're waiting for housing, but it sounds like it would be good to have your own place. It's not always easy sorting housing though - I know that! Hopefully the cat owner who has an attitude will not take much notice of what's happening with the cat and the vet. He might be glad someone else is just sorting it out.