Cat and anxiety

[Dodo21]

Hello everyone, Approximately 2 weeks ago my eldest cat has been diagnosed with heart failure and risked to die. Fortunately, the vets managed to stabilise him and now he is back home with us. We have to medicate him twice a day and we are aware he is at high risk and the vets informed us that that he has weeks or months left. My cats are a big help for my mood and my anxiety and this abrupt situation affected my mind and my body significantly. Pain is kicking me, I am not sleeping much and I am in constant fear of seeing the cat deteriorate, suffering or die in front of me. Moreover give him medications is a nightmare and I am scared to hurt him. I am so happy to have the chance to spend some more time with him, but sometime I feel like my heart is also failing. Is there anyone who can give me advice/suggestions/wise words on how to live through this challenging moment? Thank you in advance. 🩵

[fmlife]

with our cat we crush up the tablet and mix hide in food, then crush a treat biscuit over top this is the easiest way of giving meds for us,

what heart breaking news, the interesting thing is this no one knows the exact moment.

we were told our cat was going to pass year last May he had a brain moment where rushed to emergency vet, not our own vet, they said may not last night, he still here, we are thankful for every day.

while its very destressing, its best to take it day by day, if see getting worse ring the vet to discuss,

live the day not the expected,

gentle hugs

[Dodo21 in reply to fmlife]

I am so glad to hear your cat is still with you and thank you very much for your kind words. It is getting a little bit better with the medications since we are using the liquid form instead of the tablets.🧡

[CheetieCat]

It's so difficult isn't it? I had 4 cats, now 3 as I had to put my wee 16yr old to sleep in January, her kidneys totally failed and even though I knew it was coming it's still so hard.

My best advice to you is try not to worry about hurting him, you're not, you're doing everything you can to keep him well and keep him with you as long as possible.

Mine would forgive you anything if she got a treat afterwards so always had plenty in. Try to enjoy a day at a time with your wee furry & spoil him rotten. Hope you have a lot longer with him 😊

[PinMartin]

Hi I know exactly how you feel.Cats are such a support and good friends especially when you’re Ill and in pain. I had to look after my cat Max when he was dying of heart failure. Enjoy the time you have with your cat and I’m sure you won’t hurt him. Wrapping my cat gently in a towel helped us deal with giving pills. Staying as calm as you can may help your Fibro flares. Calming music helps me. Take care ❤️x

[Dodo21 in reply to PinMartin]

I am sorry for Max. My cat has exactly the same problem. The diagnosis was so tough to accept because he looked completely fine and normal and either we and the vets (during his regular checkups) didn't notice he was developing this awful condition. Music is really helpful and also re-watching my favourite and comforting shows on Netflix. Thanks a lot for your kind words🧡

[denny_the_wench]

I am SO SO sympathising with you - I've had a horrible flare-up since my cat first had a bout of Pancreatitis in October then almost immediately afterwards had a severe bout of diarrhoea at Xmas (still ongoing!) which meant he lost 1/3 of his body weight in a week, was walking around the house pooping as he walked and had to spend nearly a week at the vets on drips, steroids, scans & blood tests - all of which came back negative! I've been tearing my hair out and my fibro & anxiety has gone into overdrive... Maybe it's because we don't speak their language, but I swear it's worse when a pet is really ill than when a loved one is!

All I can say is spend the time with him, lots of cuddles and reassurance, he's probably not enjoying the meds (I know mine doesn't). Try grooming him first perhaps, gently and calmly? I have a comb which I use on mine and he loves it... it chills him out first so he takes his injections better.

I DO hope the both of you start to feel better soon - Hugs from me & Ziggy (yes that's him in my profile pic)

cat calming comb

[Dodo21 in reply to denny_the_wench]

You described exactly my same feelings. I am really sorry for Ziggy. I hope he is getting a little bit better now with his gastrointestinal problems. And I totally agree when you say it is more difficult with pets because we can't speak their language. Thank you very much for your kind words. 🧡

[fmlife in reply to denny_the_wench]

oh my what a terrible time,

we asked vet for some buscopan for cats were prescribed some synbiotic dc caps (protexin)open capsule sprinkle on food when cat was having issues totally sorted the unwanted freeness, we were on the old 4 flavour 11plus food, they just changed recipe, guess what happened with new n improved. we now trailing many foods brands to find the one he can deal with. not a lot of choice at his age

he also on vitamin b crush tablet and mix in food.

his first med was pro-kolin enterogenic by protexin

puppy pads are a friend in this. to save buying many tins of the pink carpet animal spray foam cleaner.

hope you both feel better soon..

[Yassytina FMA UK Volunteer]

It’s so sad when our pets get ill or old , even more so when we know their time of passing maybe near🙁it’s very hard , take each day and if you really feel your lovely cat is struggling talk too the vet. Sending you hugs as I ve been there and remember this feeling xx

[Dodo21 in reply to Yassytina]

Thank you very much for your kind words. 🧡

[izzykirk3]

I lost one of my dogs last November suddenly. It hit me really hard and my mood dropped to the lowest ever. All my aches and pains surged and my mood dropped a lot. I phoned my GP who sent me to counselling, I have to admit that after 3 sessions with her my anxiety lessened and I was able to get back to what is normal for me. It is so difficult when your pets age and become ill but speaking to someone who understands can be so helpful. Try to enjoy him while you can and take comfort that you are doing everything to help him.

[Dodo21 in reply to izzykirk3]

I am really sorry for your loss. Pets are part of our families and it is really hard to loosw them. You are right, sharing your thoughts, feelings and emotions with someone can really make the difference. Thank you for your kind words. 🧡

[buddy99]

The only advice I can give is to enjoy every minute with your cat. It is so super hard to let them go. They are just as loved as any person in our life (sometimes even more so) and we lose a piece of our heart when they go. My Shadow is 22 years old and still fairly healthy for his age, but I know his days are numbered. I know it is not a huge consolation, but just like me, you know that your cat is in his last days/weeks/maybe months and you can prepare. It would be a much bigger shock to suddenly lose him unexpectedly (would be for me, anyway). Allow yourself your grief and pore all your love on him every day. Everything on this earth has a beginning and an end. We usually celebrate beginnings and grief ends but both are part of life. We can not control these things, we just have to let it flow and make the best of it. My heart aches for your pain. Take good care of yourself ❤️

[Dodo21 in reply to buddy99]

That's absolutely true, death is part of life and we should accept it and in the meantime be focused the present moment and try to make the best of it. Today I am feeling a little bit better than yesterday, and I am improving my medication skills. All the kind replays I am receiving here are so comforting and helpful. Thank you so much 🧡

[buddy99 in reply to Dodo21]

What we should do and what we can do are not always the same thing, but we can try. Hang in there and try to look at the wonderful times you and your cat had and are still having. I'm glad you are feeling a bit better already

[Broadfield]

I feel your distress. Our beautiful dog is near the end and it's so difficult to watch. But you have to remind yourself constantly that you have given cat the best life, that cat is a happy cat to be with you, that your loving arms will help cat through to the other side gently and peacefully. You may be loosening the body of cat but never the soul as they live on in our heart's.

During this time be kind to yourself, take things at a slower pace, spend lots of time cuddling, reading and listening to music. Don't do anything that will stress you out. Love to you and cat.🤗

[Dodo21 in reply to Broadfield]

So sorry for your dog, you can really understand my feelings. I hope your dog can stay with you as long as possible and he is not in distress nor pain. Love back to you and him/her and thank you for your kind words. 🧡

[Oshgosh]

I know how this is a difficult time for you,it gives you an opportunity to spend time with him.tell him what a special cat he is,my cats have always loved praise.when my K had to be euthanised at the height of the pandemic,we couldn’t go in with her.

The vet was really helpful “do you want me to bring her out afterwards. “ I said yes.he brought her out wrapped in my nightie,he said it would be about 5 minutes.

It was a really helpful gesture.I hadn’t been able to hold her cos she had had a lump on her side,so didn’t want to be cuddled.

My surviving son cat is nearly 16, he’s been on kidney food for some time

.

He’s always been a bit of a renegade,medication,vets visits etc a real challenge for us.

Sorry for rambling I started this post with the intention of recommending something which has helped with medication.

Webbox made a product called lick-e-lox it’s in the treat section.,various flavours.

I put it on a large spoon - if it’s a capsule it’s easy,you just open it,and sprinkle it onto the lik-ez-lid

If it’s a tablet, I crush it before I open the paxkaging roll it with the rolling pin.

Mix it up and put it down.

My cat hasn’t worked it out yet,he purrs when he eats it. I always prepare it when he’s gone out,don’t want to arouse suspicion.

We keep praising our cat,telling him he’s the best.

It’s a really difficult time for you.I’m thinking of you

[Dodo21 in reply to Oshgosh]

My cat can smell every kind, form and shape of medication even in the most smelly food. He managed to eat or lick everything but the tablet. It is getting a little bit better now with the liquid form and an oral syringe and treats before and after. I am so sorry for your K, it must been very tough during the pandemic. I am going to proceed with euthanasia for him as well, if and when he will deteriorate. I firmly believe it is the right and kinder choice and I definitely don't want to see him suffering. Thank you for sharing your experience with me. 🧡

[Chloeblue]

Hi I know exactly how you feel. When my last cat got very poorly, I couldn’t eat or sleep. He was in and out of the vets and it stressed him so much, so I made the heartbreaking decision to ask the vet when the time came to have have him pts at home in his own surroundings. I didn’t want him to suffer. I’m so glad I did this and took comfort in the fact he didn’t stress. I was devastated to lose him but also felt a sense of relief. We need to remember the joy they bring us every day they’re with us. Every time I go through this I swear I’ll never have another but I do.

[Dodo21 in reply to Chloeblue]

Yes, I know what you mean. Unfortunately, it is the sad part of having and loving pets. But, as you said, we must focus on all the good and precious memories we shared with them. I am appreciating every single day I can spend with him and we are spoiling him as much as we can. Thank you for sharing your experience with me. Big and gentle hug. 🧡

[Elaine200756]

So sorry to hear about your beloved cat Dodo. In situations like this just take one step at a time. Baby steps. You don't have to take on the whole situation, it's overwhelming. Sometimes it's not just one day at a time but one hour or one minute at a time xx 🤗

[Dodo21 in reply to Elaine200756]

Thank you very much, Elaine. It is exactly what I am trying to do. Stay in the present moment and be grateful for every minute I can spend with my cat. Thank you again for your kind words, I really appreciate and feel all the love and compassion all of you are sending to me and my cat. It is truly helpful and soothing. Xx

[Elaine200756]

Thank you Dodo, there are some good people on here xx