Cats Update: Buster

Those of you who’ve come to my house, have met my cats – about 15 years old, brother and sister, lovely personalities. Buster & Suzi.

Alas, things are not so good with Buster.

Long story short: he has thyroid problems (enlarged) and heart problems (racing, elevated blood pressure) and liver problems (enlarged, 2x tumors – slow growing) and abdomen problems: all of the above causing fluid to seep into the belly and bloat him up like a furry water balloon.

A couple of weeks ago I took him to the vet, they ultrasounded him (innuendo abounds: shaved pussy, lube) and drained him. They took a litre of partly-bloody fluid from his belly, he arrived weighing 3.9kg, and left weighing 2.8kg.

And now it’s back.

He’s booked in for another visit on Thursday, it doesn’t look good. My opinion is that while his post-treatment quality of life is good, he should live; and he still plays with dangly things, and sleeps, begs for tickles, etc. When he’s bloated, not so much, but that’s the point of treatment – for so long as the vet agrees.

Once he’s in pain or listless… that’s another story.

Anyway: there are people here who would like to know. I think he will last out the week, I doubt he will last out the month, I seriously doubt he will make November.

Hugs, all.

[Update:] Thursday: He’s been drained again, a bit less than a litre this time because when they approached that amount he started to show signs of discomfort and distress, and they did not want him to go into shock. He’s home now, sitting in the garden on a cushion in the sunshine, for a while at least… Thank you everyone for your kind words and experiences, it helps me a lot, really.

Comments

12 responses to “Cats Update: Buster”

  1. Jim

    Sorry to hear that, Alec. *hug*

  2. Sorry to hear this, Alec. I have 3 pets at the moment: an 8 y/o dog with epilepsy (infrequent, not medicated) and two cats (8 and 14, both diabetic on oral meds).

    Several years ago my dog (black Lab) developed mass cells cancer – inoperable – and one leg swelled to 3x normal. When the cancer spread to the other leg, her prospects of A Good And Happy Life were over; things were only going to get Much Much Worse.

    It was a difficult decision, but I surmised the kindest thing I could do for her was to allow a dignified exit, so … her last visit to the vet was scheduled.

    I was a complete wreck for several days after that. Not good times. I’ll be thinking about you and Buster.

  3. bridget

    I’m so sorry to hear this. Buster rules – he’s so affable. I always think of him as a blue cat . Big hug to both of you.

  4. Carolyn

    Hugs to you, Alec, and to Buster and Suzy from Shadow, Sunshine, and me.

  5. 🙁

    Hugs from down under..

  6. Em

    I’m sorry to hear about Buster. We can sympathise completely.

    *hugs*

  7. Sorry to hear about Buster.

  8. Ivonne

    Remember the happy times. Buster would want it that way. Ivonne

  9. Stephen Usher

    Poor Buster.

    I take it that there’s no way of putting a drain in his thorax?

    I s’pose it wouldn’t really work, come to think of it, as you’d have to keep Buster in all the time so as to make sure that it was kept clean.

    I’m just wondering how Suzi will take it once the inevitable does happen.

  10. Valerie

    I’m sorry to hear about Buster, he’s always such a sweet cat. This also sounds a lot like FIP, which prednisone often helps. best wishes & hope you can enjoy your remaining time with him.
    Valerie

  11. rac and grum

    ugh. honey sends a comforting lick and cuddle, as does the fishtank. Tea and flapjacks await when needed.

    🙁

  12. Lisa

    My sweet boy Rolf had very similar symptoms as a result of a thymoma and kidney problems. We managed to keep him happy for quite a while. We were happy too, to keep him with us. You will know when that changes.

    Take care,

    Lisa.

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