Chestnut: update P 4 #60 Jan 31.

[Freedom]

Chestnut is not doing well, all he does is eat and sleep. He is the bedroom with Mandy. She sits in front of the heater; in the chair, up on the cat perch to look out the window; and sprawls out on the floor.

Chestnut is constantly curled up in a tight ball in one of the pet bed cubes. When I had him out for his meds this morning (I do that in my bathroom) I set him on the floor to walk around a bit. He stood and looked around, went to the door (about 2 steps) and sat down. His hind quarters are quite weak.

His URI is clearing up a bit, but he is still quite congested.

The vet said to keep on the meds regimen (which involved lowering the dose of prednisone as of tomorrow) and see if there is any change. If he is worse at the lower dose, put him right back up and let her know.

But there doesn't seem to be any change / improvement with the prednisone, so whatever ails him does not have an inflammation component -- which slipped discs would have for sure. So not looking good, and the vet is pretty down about this as well.

[Medusa]

Oh I'm sorry about this, Sandy. It's so frustrating not knowing for sure what's going on w/our furkids. We'll pump up the volume on our prayers here and will do it w/o ceasing. Keep the faythe.

[Freedom]

Thanks, Mary, and you are so right, it is frustrating because we just don't KNOW what is going on with him.

[phesina]

Sending prayers and good wishes and healing energies to dear Chestnut.

Love, Pat and kitties

[Freedom]

Thanks fo all the payes and wishes.

This evening, I went in and vacuumed in that bedroom. Mandy has a routine, she sits at the very top of the cat perch while I do the room; then she hops down and sits in a corner while I clean the perch.

Chestnut stayed curled up in the pet cube on the floor, while I worked around him. He did raise his head to see what I was doing, but then just settled back to sleep.

This is NOT like Chestnut at all, he HATES the vacuum. Normally he snarls at it a few times, and then moves to another spot. As I work from room to room he continues to follow me around the house. And periodically reminds that vacuum who is boss!

I wish I knew what more to do for him. I just can't see spending $1200 for the MRI. Am I wrong? Maybe I need to rethink this?

[Catty1]

I don't suppose there is a vet school near you that might do it for less?

Hugs and prayers for Chestnut!

[Freedom]

I don't suppose there is a vet school near you that might do it for less?

Hugs and prayers for Chestnut!

No . . . . Thanks for the hugs and prayers for my orangie!

[krazyaboutkatz]

Sandie, I'm so sorry to hear that he's not much better. No, I don't think that you're wrong for not spending $1200 on a MRI. It sounds like it would still be inconclusive any way.

What I've learned to do with my cats is to only have tests done on them that are necessary to help diagnose illness or health related problems and to also know when enough is enough. Then I try to make them as comfortable as possible until they let me know when it's time to let them go. I'm not a rich person and I have to also remember to not let my finances get out of control. Of course only you can make this kind of decision and if you do decide to pursue more tests then there's nothing wrong with this either. I hope that Chestnut's health will improve and also his quality of life. Lots more prayers and positive thoughts are being sent his way.

[Freedom]

Thank you.

[cassiesmom]

Continued prayers and good thoughts for Chestnut!

[kaycountrygal]

I'm sorry your Chestnut is still not up to par. Sometimes it's hard to know what to do or not do and vet bills can add up quickly. Hope he gets better. Kay

[Medusa]

It's never wrong to consider your finances, especially in this economy, b/c you have others to consider as well. I know very few independently wealthy people who would think nothing of a $1200 MRI. That's a major decision. If I feel that it will help me get to the bottom of things and it's an affordable expense, then I do it. Before Boo died last November, I spent $860 on procedures to warm him up and keep him comfortable and I don't regret doing it. However, it didn't last and 24 hours later I was faced w/the same decision. If I had spent another $860 and could have some assurance that the procedure would last more than 24 hours, I would've done it but to put Boo through all that again and again...no. Plus I'm not made of money. I couldn't have done that for long. I have other furkids to consider. Somehow you'll make the right decision, Sandy.