Advice please. What if you don't agree with vets medications?

[Jottlebot]

Hi Everyone,

Long story short my 13 year old cat went to the vets in an emergency because she couldn't walk. Vet 1 diagnosed a growth in ear and referred to vet 2 for surgery. She was in hospital over an hour from home for a week.

Vet 2 diagnosed no growth, but found... she's had a stroke, has chronic kidney disease, high blood pressure, low red blood count and heart disease all of which are related and all of which have lead to the stroke. They pushed us and pushed us for more and more tests even though at one point it wouldn't make a difference to her treatment or outcome, but of course we agreed, we love her. I have no doubt they are right in what they have diagnosed, however...

Before she went to vet 2 there was about a 2 week wait and during this time she regained her ability to walk etc, but had a slight head tilt. Now she is on so many medications she is having nosebleeds daily, which have blocked her nose with blood so she chokes every few minutes. She's been off her food and today is very lethargic and weak. All of this must be the medications right?

We've been back to vet 1 and they weren't worried about the nosebleeds. They've told us to stop 1 of 4 meds (plus a special diet) for a week then give her a lower dose

I know the kidney disease or heart condition will kill her, but she is so so so so unhappy at the moment and I can only think its because of all the medication. I don't know what to do. She was very unwell before, but we didn't know it and I don't think she was suffering. I don't know if the rest of her life would be happier however long it is without all this treatment.

What do you think? We lost our first dog a few weeks ago because he was in constant pain and he had just given up. He didn't enjoy anything at the end. Quality of life is so important.

 

[plumsmum2005]

I am sorry for your cat but I would research the meds she has been given and see what that tells you.

 

[T00tsyd]

My heart goes out to you , this is such a difficult position to be in. My own feeling is that sometimes vets prolong life for the owners as much as the pets, and I can't help reluctantly feeling that the invoice is also a factor.

I lost my last dog at 13+ and before that a cat at 16. The cat had been on a downhill trajectory for some time but seemed content enough. He died lying in the sun in the garden in his favourite spot. My dog was also better some days than others and I knew that one day he would tell me it was time. He did when one morning he simply didn't get up. He looked at me with his beautiful brown eyes and I knew the time had come. The vet arrived and he didn't take his eyes from my face until he closed them. I felt it was right and that he was ready so although it was tough I knew it was on his terms. The same with the cat.

Both animals had seen vets but those particular vets were what I call sensible and pragmatic and while I wouldn't want an animal to suffer I felt I knew them best and could judge. The vet agreed.

If your gut feeling is that your beauty is being made worse then do your own research, accept that age is a factor and make what time is left as pleasant as possible for you both. I would personally put quality first. I hope you find your way through this.