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06 February 2007

Cat w/ IBD vent. Mrs Chewie acquired a cat several years ago - at least 8 or 9. The cat belonged to a woman who croaked. Disgusting story inside.[More:]

This cat is at least16 or 17 years old. She is a bag of bones, is not in pain, and still wants to eat at eating time.

However, she shits the most disgusting diarrhea lakes imaginable in the litter box, with equally overpowering odor. It is literally embarassing when we have people over if she drops a bomb b/c it stinks up the house.

Lately she's been having some pretty big accidents, though mostly at least in the vicinity of the litter box, not on carpet. Today's took the cake. She spewed a lake on the gridded tray we keep in front of the boxes to catch extra litter. I actually almost puked cleaning it up.
I've tried really hard not to pressure mrs chewie into euthanizing this cat. but at some point do the humans that cohabitate count?

She has a serious problem with euthanizing animals before they're ready.
posted by chewatadistance 06 February | 18:22
Have you talked to a vet? There may be a better food for the cat. Diarrhea that bad is not a sign of good health. You could try adding some cooked rice to her diet, if you put chicken broth or bouillon cubes in the water, she'll like it.
posted by theora55 06 February | 18:22
Do you have a photo of her? Preferably in tubgirl pose.
posted by essexjan 06 February | 18:23
Mrs chewie is a licensed vet tech and works at a vet specialty hospital. so we've kinda been through teh wringer on options. She is going to talk to one of the vets tomorrow to see if there's anything we can do for Ancient Cat.

We did talk about it over dinner and bawled at the table. The waitress thought we were nuts.

Here is a pic of Ancient Cat. Her name's actually Itsy. She is the gray one. She doesn't weigh anywhere near as much now.

≡ Click to see image ≡

posted by chewatadistance 06 February | 19:42
Poor Itsy & Moms.

I worked briefly at a vet, part time, and have an old cat I just took in on Saturday with a respiratory infection (he's probably fine).

The question lies in the "before they are ready" part, and from what I saw at my vet job, well, if you work there, you have to believe in and see the good in euthanasia. So my instinct would be to trust her judgement because she's around it all the time. I find it hard to belive a pro would let an animal suffer. It sounds like the cat is in a pretty bad place, and it won't be long, if that's any consolation. You did good raising the issue, it'll help the missus get prepared.

That's all totally fwiw, as I'm not living it - respectfully sorry if I over advised.
posted by rainbaby 06 February | 20:57
Been there. My late cat's IBD eventually turned into small cell cancer of the intestine, and she died of natural causes. But there were many smelly, messy months of cleanup before that. I thought about euthanasia, but I thought it would be morally wrong because the cat wasn't suffering, just making me suffer. I'm glad that Nature made the decision for me.

There was a steroidal medicine, maybe it was prednisone, I can't remember, that helped for a while.

There are no easy answers. I wish you all the best in this troubling time.
posted by matildaben 07 February | 01:43
Thanks you guys. Yeah I hope nature takes care of this one also. *sigh*
posted by chewatadistance 07 February | 08:46
Sucks anyway. I hate making that decision about a beloved pet. I had a friend who kept putting off the inevitable for her cat. The poor thing had no quality of life. At least your Ancient Cat is still active. I hope the vet can suggest something for the diarrhea to help. Good luck.
posted by redvixen 07 February | 18:47
Link to a really cool photo (not mine) || mmm....pork belly

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