I remain zen but things are getting dicey. Mort remains unwell. I thought he was turning a corner after his initial steroid shot but this is not the case. He has barely eaten anything in the last three days and it doesn’t look like he’s used his litter box much either. He hadn’t touched any kibble in a while, he only nibbled at pate from a can (I ended up throwing most of it away). I got him some of that cat-treat stuff in a tube and some chicken broth for cats and still, he only nibbled.
Yesterday I found him curled up in a pile of towels with poo stains all around his butt. His rear end was a mess with diarrhea and litter and his little butt-hole was raw and inflamed. I tried to clean him up with some warm wet paper towel but it was killing him and there was a little blood when I was finished. It’s only been five days since he was at the vet’s and I feel like a shit thinking of calling him back now for what I know would be the worst.
Adding to all of this is that I have a house inspection tomorrow. Which means I have to spend time getting the house in order and not paying attention to Mort. It also means I have to have him and Bob out of the house for the afternoon tomorrow so that should be fun too.
The awful, horrible side of me thinks it would just be better for all concerned if I got him to the vet this afternoon but I feel guilty just thinking it. I have this anxiety that the vet will hate me for giving up so quickly.
He’s curled up in his usual spot on the back of the couch right now. I’d just as soon let him sleep there for a little while more.
If there’s something more they can do to help him stay both alive and comfortable, that needs to be done right now. If there’s only one thing left to do to help him: it looks to me like you’ve reached the time to do that.
I think you should call the vet. He’s not eating or drinking. He’s in pain. You did what you could to help him. If the vet has anything else to try, now is the time. Your vet will definitely not think less of you. In fact, if it’s time to let him go, they will let you know. I know how hard it is to make this decision. Sending you and Mort my best wishes.
He’s been drinking water and I just checked his bowl and it looks like he ate about half of his soft treat and broth, so that’s good. I’ll keep an eye on him and his litter box.
Ok. Vet said if he’s picking at his food and drinking water there’s still a chance he can be treated. I’ve got to go get some prednisone him and see if he responds anymore. I’m to give another call the first of next week. Nothing about this is easy.
I wish Mort and you the best. I know from recent experience how hard this is. I agree with thorny that if things don’t get better don’t wait on calling the vet.
It totally sucks, but sometimes it is the right decision. I’m still recovering.
Mort ate most of his dinner last night and all of his soft treat breakfast today. Yay. He takes his prednisone pills well - then again, I’ve developed quite a decent pet-pill technique I call just jamming it right down his throat.
He’s been eating like a horse, so that’s good. I’m not sure his GI tract is producing solid matter on a steady basis right now, but he seems a little brighter. He sat there and let Bob lick his face the other day, that was a first.
