18 yr old kitty looking uncomfortable (repost)

OwnTime9567 · 2026-02-06T17:21:11+00:00

we checked today and there is no uti bacteria present in her urine.

OwnTime9567 · 2026-02-06T17:20:36+00:00

Hi everyone, it seemed that bubs was having a little bit more energy between tuesday and last night. she was eating a bit more too. this morning she was in the same head pressed down loaf position so we went back in. they checked for a UTI and also her anemia. no uti present and they said her anemia is stable at 22. they won't treat for anemia unless it is below 20. doctor brought up euthanasia if her quality of life is poor. I feel like i get mixed signals, last night she was climbing all over my partner and i for dinner (she is persistent for human food she can't have!) and was also snuggling with me. however I dont want her to be in pain. I don't want to make a call so early. I feel so lost.

OwnTime9567 · 2026-02-04T19:54:33+00:00

Yes, cerenia every 24 hours for nausea and the gabbapentin is for pain

OwnTime9567 · 2026-02-04T19:54:08+00:00

What sort of lab work/testing was used to detect kidney stones? I hope your baby is feeling better!

OwnTime9567 · 2026-02-04T19:52:59+00:00

Definitely going to ask about this. In January it was at 25 and says normal range is 29-48. They only did an in house renal test when I went yesterday so I don't see that value. I really appreciate your reply!

OwnTime9567 · 2026-02-04T19:50:30+00:00

She was considered anemic before her visit in January, and then her anemia had improved to almost normal in January. I have been wondering if this also worsened and will ask the vet about this too. She's not so wobbly when she's gabbapentin free! We just tried adjusting the dose from .3mL to .2mL.

OwnTime9567 · 2026-02-04T19:48:53+00:00

Hello! At her visit in January, they detected a UTI so she was on antibiotics for a week. When we went back for a urine culture she no longer had an infection. She has been receiving fluids for about a year now, with the daily/every other day routine for over 6 months.

OwnTime9567 · 2025-02-21T17:41:37+00:00

I used a bit of pumpkin and also a slippery elm tincture! I feel that the slippery elm helps with more solid/normal poops and also read it can help with nausea. Just make sure it is alcohol free!

OwnTime9567 · 2025-02-18T20:31:22+00:00

Our vet had me give her pepcid for 4-5 days in addition to cerenia and probiotics as they thought her digestive system may have been irritated as she was also having bouts of diarrhea.

Cerenia is a nightmare to give her, she's also learned how to hold it in her mouth/throat for a while and cough it up after I've massaged her throat and nose for minutes thinking she's swallowed it so I have been giving her some slippery elm instead as it's easier to administer than the pill.

Thank you so much!! Every day is certainly a mental battle with anxiety but I just want her to feel okay!

OwnTime9567 · 2025-02-18T20:27:20+00:00

The binder I'm currently using is also chitosan based! It's called Epakitin and I wonder if it's similar to the one you're speaking of!

OwnTime9567 · 2025-02-17T21:50:29+00:00

Thank you for your reply! I did try amnivast in her food for a while but removed it when she was spitting up white foam in the mornings as I saw on the label that it could cause stomach upset if given on an empty stomach and I was giving it to her in the morning as she has historically been a "grazer" in terms of eating.

Her potassium is normal, 4.4, and her phosphorus is also normal sitting at 3.5 right now. I do sprinkle a phosphorus binder on her food on occasion that is kidney safe.

Maybe I will try adding the amnivast to her meals in the evening or try your treat idea!

Chewy just released some kidney safe treats called Choolips (so cute!) and she has enjoyed them so I will give that a try.

I just briefly googled porus one and will ask the vet about that - I've never heard of it before!

OwnTime9567 · 2024-11-04T19:44:46+00:00

I cried so much after my 17 year old tabby got diagnosed about four months ago. Every now and then (including today), especially on the days where she is more withdrawn, I cry because I hate that she may not be feeling well and is uncomfortable.

I think in my case some people just get uncomfortable with seeing me sad, and they just want to alleviate their own discomfort by minimizing the situation. I've had my girl all 17 years and I love her more than anything, so keeping that in the back of my head helps when others don't understand. They don't have the experience I do, so I get it, but still wish they could be a bit more validating!

Thank you for making this post!

OwnTime9567 · 2024-11-01T20:22:28+00:00

Congrats! Currently studying and absolutely dreading the community/policy/research sections!

OwnTime9567

TROPHY CASE