mom had a rough morning, Sam took a bad turn yesterday

[Bendy Kitty]

Sam is the 19 yr old foster mom took in from the shelter she volunteers at. He is a big orange tabby, very sweet tho he doesn't care for kittens. He and his 15 yr old friend, Fluffy, live in a room all their own.
Last night Sam couldn't walk, and when mom carried him over to the food dish he was not hungry.
When she checked on him this am, he could not stand up. She has made a vet appt for him, it is at 3pm today.
She noticed he was dehydrated and gave him 60cc of SQ fluids. This has helped a lot. He began drinking again and ate some of the canned food she gave him.
He hasn't shown any sign of being in pain, and he purrs and gives slow, muted, headrubs.
His legs just fold up under him - a four legs he is kind of elbow shuffling to walk.
Mom left a msg for the shelter and Cheryl (director) called back. Said this had happend a couple months ago and with SQ fluids and amoxycillin he bounced back. But he is very old, so we will see what happens.
Mom is going to ask the vet to run a CBC and Kidney panel on him.
at least the SQ fluids made a big difference! She will give him another dose soon to keep him going.

Bendy kitten

[Bendy Kitty]

his temp was 97.5
CBC mostly normal, they said it was probably cancer
gave him a shot of steriods, B complex, and Penicillin
mom will be giving him SQ fluids 300 - 360/ml/day in two doses and coazxing him into eating this weekend.

If he perks up by late Sunday and is able to be a cat again, great. If not it is time to let him go.

He can't even stand up.
He is currently contetly sleeping on a heating pad with a towel over him. Mom just gave him 160ml of SQ fluids, warmed.

he did eat about 2oz of food earlier, she got some A/D food for him.

he is not in any pain, and he looks very comfy.

Bendy kitten

[Bendy Kitty]

Mom spent the evening with him in her lap as she watched a movie. She was just going to sit with him but he looked up at her and meowed and tried to get up. So she picked him up and he relaxed.
He was breathing shallow by the end of the movie, dehydrated again. Mom gave him another 120cc of SQ fluids.
She has always been told that dehydration is a horrible way to die, so she will keep giving him fluids.
He started breathing better shortly after he got them. She put him back on his heating pad with a towel as a blanket. His ears are warm but his feet are not.
We'll just have to see what the morning brings.

thanks

Bendy

[Alisa G]

I'm so sorry for Sam. Did the vet check his heart? Heart problems can cause problems walking in old cats.
I saw his pics at the CW board--very handsome guy. I hope he feels better. Thanks for making him comfey.

[critters]

fluids, I would, too. The rest is up to him now. He sounds all toasty wrapped up in his heating pad! Good luck.