So sorry to hear about "Lucy", your parents' cat. Is she a senior cat? It could be she's just winding down with old age, if she's in her late teen years. Have your parents had her check by a vet, especially blood work?

 

She's fifteen.

We did take her to the vet and had pretty extensive bloodwork done. Unfortunately the vet was only able to tell us what wasn't wrong - not her liver, not her kidneys, etc. - but wasn't able to come up with a definitive diagnosis. Other than the fact that she is anemic, the tests didn't really show anything.

She's on antibiotics and Prednisone and had sub-q fluids, but so far has made no improvements. Unless she takes a dramatic turn for the better during the night she'll be off to the vet again tomorrow for another attempt.

 

The CBC was normal? No out of range WBC?

I don't know. Probably best for me not to play vet and just let you know I'm thinking of you and your folks and especially Lucy right now. Hope she's staying comfortable.

 

Yeah, the only abnormal result from the bloodwork was the anemia, which the vet found surprising as Lucy appears to be so ill.

Thanks for the well wishes. We're doing our best to make her comfortable.

 

Aww poor Lucy. I hope she feels better. Must be frustrating not knowing what the cause is. At least she is with people that care very much about her.

 

Lucy will definitely be in my thoughts tonight, I hope perks up and feels better by the morning. It really sucks as they get older and they get sick. Hoping for the best for Lucy, poor old girl.

 

I am so sorry and my thoughts are with Lucy and her family. It really hurts to see your loved one very ill.

 

Blakeney Green, I'll leave you with a link for a specialized online group with the single focus of feline anemia.....for the past 13 years now, they have been providing practical advice and info to others who are struggling with this scourge - and, anemia is just that, most especially when the cause is undetermined. I know that these people have literally been lifesavers, because their collective knowledge far outstrips that of individual, general practice Vets. Anyway, they are there if wanted/needed: Feline_Anemia : Feline Anemia Users Group

 

I'm so sorry Lucy is not well. I hope she feels better soon!!!

 

I remember Lucys story! Sending healthy prayers and energy for the sweet girl. So sorry this is going on. She is in excellent hands with you and your parents taking care of her!

 

keeping you and lucy and your parents in my thoughts and wishing you improvement very soon. we have a 15 yr old named lucy as well, so i'll be thinking of you everyday!

 

how is Lucy today? sure hope she is better! let us know, thinking of you guys.

 

Huggs and kisses...hoping she feels better soon

 

Thanks for the well wishes, everyone! (And Stryker, thanks for the link - I'll check it out!) My family appreciates it.

Unfortunately I don't have a positive update today.

Lucy went back to the vet for a second round of unsuccessful tests. At this point there is no clear next diagnostic step. There's always another test possible, but since it would become increasingly invasive and would be essentially at random, the vet told us that in her professional opinion the stress on Lucy's system from more medical procedures would outweigh the small possibility of more tests turning something up.

We've taken Lucy home and are trying to make her comfortable. We will continue her medications, and I've been syringe feeding her to make sure she's getting some nutrition. We hope she will take a turn for the better and pull through, but the vet thinks that most likely she has reached the natural end of her lifespan, which may have been shortened by a tough early life.

Thanks again for your support. It means a lot.

 

I'm so sorry, I was wondering about how Lucy was today. Cherish the time you have left with her and hard as it will be, be with her when it's time to say goodbye. She knows she is loved, and I'm sure she is comforted having her family with her right now. Will be thinking of you and Lucy and your family.

 

I am so sorry for you and hope that Lucy can have some quality time life. It's so good for her that Lucy is with a loving family.

 

Do you have a photo of Lucy?

 

I'm so sorry to hear that Lucy's not doing any better. I'm sure she appreciates not having to go back to the vet and having you all to care for you. Sending my best wishes to Lucy and you and your family.

 

A final update on this situation:

I had to make the sad decision to have Lucy put to sleep this morning. She had briefly showed signs of rallying and we were hopeful, but yesterday she took a turn for the worse and seemed sicker than ever. We had been syringe feeding her, but this morning she appeared to be unable to swallow and her breathing was labored. I decided that at that point it was time to let her go, because I didn't want to prolong her suffering. My parents are out of town but I called them and they agreed with the decision. The vet also thought this was for the best.

Lucy passed away peacefully at the vet's office. I stayed with her and she didn't seem upset or afraid, just tired and ready for a rest.

Thank you all for all the support during this difficult time for our family.

I do have some pictures of Lucy (in happier, healthier times) saved on my phone. Once I figure out how to upload that to the computer I'll post a photo of her. She was a very pretty calico cat and a sweet, loving pet for many years.

 

I stayed with her and she didn't seem upset or afraid, just tired and ready for a rest.

She probably was quite tired and ready to rest. Off to the bridge she runs now. Heartfelt sympathy to you and your folks in your time of grief. Give M & Z some hugs from me too.

 

I'm sorry that Lucy went to the Bridge today. You did all that you could for her and in the end you made the kindest decision.

Many hugs to all of you.

 

Oh no, I'm so sorry.

 

I am sorry for you and your family. RIP Lucy. It sounds like she was ready to go and it is definitely an act of mercy to allow her. I hope your pain is eased very soon.