r/FIVcats • u/peachymilktea_k • 3d ago
can my cat still be saved?
My older cat started to have this smell from his breath, drooling brown drool, wouldn't even when he wanted to, and also lost a lot of weight. Whenever he would try to eat, blood would come from mouth to one vet, and at first, they gave him antibiotics, and I fed him through a syringe, but he wouldn't get better. My cat was scheduled tooth extraction before they did any test, but I took him to a second vet. They ran test and bloodwork and said that my cat had fiv and also his liver and kidney issues. They said that I could hospitalize him for about a week and hope he gets better but it wasn't likely, flush out the toxins and give him antibiotic and anti-inflammatory shot, lastly to euthanize him. The vet said his condition was bad, I chose to do the flushing out plus shots to bring him home to be with him a while longer, but he still won't eat. I want to believe that he can be saved , but I don't want him to suffer when nothing can be done. At the same time, I don't want to give up and euthanize him if he can recover and also live longer while having a healthy and happy life. I don't know what to do
Edit: On a way home from the vet, the cay was active and meowing in his carrier, but now he seems low energy. Don't know if that will change in the morning.
Edit 2: I wanted to add my cat was an indoor and outdoor cat, but ineday he came in and just suddenly started being in this condition, he's older but he could still move around very well, run and climb trees. So that's why I think theirs a chance he could recover maybe. He wasn't sickly and was a fat cat about 2 weeks ago before everything happened
Edit 3: I have a feeling I may have to let him go, but I just want to know if there's any hope for him
Edt 4: My cat at a few links of delectable, but some ended up falling out his mouth. He ate some, but then he refused more and went back to sleep....
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u/PaxonGoat 3d ago
What are his lab values?
Kidney issues could be very mild or could be life threatening
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u/peachymilktea_k 3d ago
They vet didnt give exact values said his liver and kidney values were high. That their was toxin build up and that was what the flush out was for, but it would just build up again. They also said that even with giving him fluid and drinking what a lot, he absorbs it and not staying hydrated. They also said that his blood cell production was trying to create blood cells but it was having a hard time
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u/beneficialmirror13 3d ago
Get the bloodwork report from the vet and post it and people can give better advice.
I would say if the cat is not stage 3-4 CKD or other issues like heart disease then dental cleaning and extractions should be done. Infected or bad teeth can cause a lot of health issues for cats.
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u/PaxonGoat 3d ago
Are you saying your cat was also anemic? What was the hemoglobin?
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u/guesswho502 3d ago
What supportive meds is your cat on? Pain meds and an appetite stimulant? He likely needs pain meds for the teeth issues to be able to eat, regardless of anything else going on
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u/Specific-Shock-7766 3d ago
The vet should have given you a paper with the lab results. Could you go to a 3rd one with those results. I never trust a place where I can't get my cat's information... Kidney and liver values could also be from dental disease, removing them could help out. Also, not eating is bad for the kidneys and most of all liver. Rush him to a 3rd vet.
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u/ChoiceWriting9442 3d ago
Girl, I think it's time. I'm sorry. Please don't let him suffer any longer.
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u/Qbeliever2023 3d ago
My cat just passed away from the same thing. It came out of nowhere. Terrible smell, drooling sometimes would eat sometimes not. I didn’t want to euthanize and I was certain I could get her better. After all of the steroids and antibiotics she had about two good days then spiraled.
I decided to just be with her and hold her at home so she would feel comfortable. I would never make that choice again. It was horrible. Yes she knew I was there but the process is something I will never forget. Vet gave me some medication to comfort her but just seeing her go through the process was very difficult. I wish you luck and love in your decision ❤️
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u/Hyprincess25 2d ago
My 18 year old cat had really high liver enzymes on his bloodwork about 1 1/2 years ago. The vet said if he was her cat she would euthanize him because he would just get worse. I came home and researched everything because he looked to be in excellent health. I found a supplement on Chewy that is not a prescription drug called Denamarin. I called my regular vet, and she said it’s a very safe supplement and it wouldn’t hurt to try it but to give him 1 per day. In 3 months she did his bloodwork again and was shocked that ALL his numbers were perfect. He also had been prescribed Hill’s KD (Kidney Care dry) and loved it. My FIV cat liked it, too, and the vet said that was fine. I bought a great pill popper on Amazon and gave him the Denamarin every day and eventually every other day, and 1 1/2 years later he is doing great. I’m so happy I refused to listen to the other vet. You could try it and maybe talk to another vet for an opinion.
If he has dental issues I would see when a vet thinks he could get those taken care of as that could definitely be why he isn’t eating. Many FIV cats have dental issues.
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u/Hyprincess25 2d ago
My FIV cat had stomatitis and had to have a full mouth extraction. She was having trouble eating because it’s very painful. A dental specialist for cats put her on a 5 mg generic zyrtec called Cirtraline daily with a small dose of gabapentin plus low dose Prednisolone to get her pain down until she was healthy enough for the extractions. 7 years later she is super healthy, weaned off the Prednisolone, and fat and happy and still prefers dry food over wet.
I’d talk to a different vet who knows FIV is not a death sentence and see what they think. Good luck. I know how excruciating it is when they have trouble eating, but my cats are both proof that euthanasia was not the only solution. Best if luck to you and your kitty
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u/SmallOrange 3d ago
My cat had mouth issues that developed into feline orofacial pain syndrome. She had to have a feeding tube for a while so we could stabilize her and get her well fed, hydrated and medicated. It helped get weight back on her and she was soon eating on her own and we took the tube out.
I had her on an antiviral, gabapentin and phenobarbital but the condition of her mouth never really improved.
I had to have her euthanized last week after fighting all this for three years.
I would ask the vet about pain management to see if that helps. But if it doesn't, it may be time to let kitty go.