GA Fly free, Elsie

We recently noticed our cat Elsie felt light when we picked her up, so we weighed her and realized she had lost over 2 lbs in the past several months (now weighs around 10 lbs). She also seems more subdued and spends more time sleeping and resting than she used to. Took her to the vet and he could not find anything overly unusual on physical exam or routine blood tests--he said her serum proteins are a bit low, but no problems with BG, kidney, liver, thyroid etc. She is 5 years old.

I am taking her to her cardiologist next Friday to get a recheck on a slight heart murmur that was noticed a few years ago... there were a few abnormalities noted on her previous heart exam but nothing that really alarmed them, and no one has ever heard it through the stethoscope since it was originally detected, so although I'd say that's the most obvious thing to check out, it's not like it's a huge red flag at this point.

Although I suspect we'll end up back at the vet for imaging of some sort, can you think of anything I should be researching or asking them to check? Thank you!! We are worried about our sweet girl.

 

Hi Jennifer,

I'm sorry to hear that Elsie hasn't been herself lately. Here's a body condition chart. How does Elsie measure up? How is her appetite?

At times like this, I wish they could talk to us so that we'd know how to help.


Mogs
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Is she eating? Did the vet rule out pancreatitis?

 

Thanks guys. I am sorry I didn't get back to you... I think I have just not really wanted to think about this any more than I had to.

It's a bit hard to tell because she's long haired, but I would say she's definitely in the under ideal range at this point. She feels like skin and bones when you pick her up.

We couldn't do much before her scheduled cardiologist visit on Friday; she's been hiding most of the day for a few weeks now, although she will come downstairs at mealtimes and beg mostly for treats, then eat more or less of her usual wet food depending on the day. She drinks from her water dish after having treats, which is unusual for my cats as they have always had wet food only.

Her cardiologist observed the same heart sound that they did a few years back (I think they said a valve that doesn't close completely) but said it was stable and shouldn't be causing major problems. However, they checked her abdomen a bit with whatever imaging they were doing because the doc said it seemed distended despite her weight. They observed what they think is a fluid-filled sac in there so I think we all know what that means and to my limited knowledge would be consistent with the blood findings of slightly low protein. They wouldn't tell us any further interpretation and we are to take her to an internal medicine specialist to figure out exactly what type of mass it is. I also fear this is progressing very quickly because the regular vet a few weeks ago said he didn't feel anything unusual about her abdomen during the exam.

I'm just so sad. The reality of this is coming down on me and I live in fear that she's in terrible pain while we try to get these appointments, or that we're going to find her dead any day. She's only 5 and the sweetest cat.

 

Could it be a borderline thyroid issue? Or are there any new stress-producing issues going on? New cat, new furniture, have you rearranged the old furniture, anything new at all? Cats can weird out about the darndest things, and then they brood and get depressed.

 

I've just been reading about thyroid disorders because Saoirse is mildly hypothyroid. In my reading it did touch on thyroid imbalances having an effect on heart health as well as the better-known effects on metabolism and energy levels. Maybe ask your vet to check again?

I live in constant fear, especially over Saoirse. I really, really feel for you, Jennifer.


Mogs
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Unfortunately, we had her examined by ultrasound this morning and she has abdominal cancer that started in the spleen. I guess this is pretty rare in cats, especially given she's only 5. We are so heartbroken even though it didn't really come as a surprise given what had been ruled out.

So I guess at this point we are looking at palliative care and understanding the signs of when we may need to help her say goodbye. The vet suggested asking our regular vet about prednisolone, and she has mirtazapine (since she's gotten so thin and a bit finicky) which I had been hesitant to give, but vet said she does not appear to be in pain so I feel better about starting that. What else would you recommend? I know nothing's going to "cure" her but is there any "holistic" stuff that might make her feel a bit better?

Thanks again for your advice and support. <3

 

I am saddened by the diagnosis. Keep her comfortable util it is the right time.

 

I am saddened to hear about Elsie's diagnosis. She's so young ...

Cherish every moment.

 

Thank you all so much again for your support. Unfortunately we lost Elsie this afternoon. Her regular vet reviewed the ultrasound report and suggested we could do a chest x-ray and draw some of the fluid in her abdomen to make sure we understood what we were looking at. I went in for that appointment this afternoon and unfortunately she had begun bleeding profusely into her abdomen and was far worse even than she had been on Tuesday when she saw the specialist. We pretty much had the option of trying a splenectomy immediately to stop the bleeding--which even so he predicted might buy her only a few months as he suspected the cancer had spread throughout her abdomen--or take the afternoon to say goodbye and return to euthanize this evening as he felt that "it was a matter of hours, not days" for her if we did nothing. Needless to say, I was shocked because although very thin, she had seemed better the last couple days and had been out and about downstairs, eating fairly heartily, etc. Heck, when I sent her back for surgery (which we elected to try since she pretty much had a death sentence anyway) she was purring and ate some treats. I was scared but per the vet expected she would at least recover from the surgery even if her long-term prognosis was not good. However, once they got in, they discovered that the original cancer had likely been lymphoma and her abdomen was a mess. He now felt that she might not survive the recovery so I chose to let her go rather than put her through that pain and stress.

I'm glad she appears not to have suffered but so sad that it all happened so fast. I know her sister will miss her. We are about to go to the vet and "say goodbye" although she is already gone.

Thank you again for your thoughts, prayers, and support.

 

Oh Jennifer, I'm SO sorry...cancer sucks! BIG HUG looooooooooong hug....

Soar high on your new baby angel wings sweet Elsie....landing softly back in Mama's and Papa's broken hearts...

 

Oh, Jennifer ...

No words. Just tears ...



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So Sorry for your loss. Prayers and Hugs to you and your family.

 

Aww Jennifer. So sorry for your loss. Elsie will be waiting for you when you cross over. It just wouldn't be heaven without our furry friends. Fly free, sweet kitty. No more pain.

 

I'm sorry Jennifer, you took good care of Elsie here. God will take good care of her now so hopefully you can find some peace in knowing that she's in his arms.

 

My heart goes out to you Jennifer (((HUGS)))

You did everything you could and made the loving decision not to have Elsie suffer any more. Elsie is pain free now. Keep close your special memories to give you strength and peace at this sad time.