Leukemia is now worse.

Ushyna · New member Joined: 13 Apr 2007 Posts: 13

My cat Smokey was doing pretty good until now. We took him to the vet and they made tests, also a bloodtest. The leukemia is destroying his blood. The vet wants to give him a blood transfusion, prednisone and an antibiotic for an infection on his forehead. He doesn't have enough red or white bood cells, not enough oxygen.
All this would cost ca $ 350.00, we already spent $154.00 last week.
Smokey is not in pain but he only weighs 8 1/2 lbs, very skinny.
He still goes in and out of the house, likes to lay in the driveway, doesn't act much different than before. He is pretty good about laying on his pee-pads so when he pees it always goes on it.
We don't know what to do. We don't think he would live much longer anyway, even with the blood transfusion (there is some risk invoved in that), we just want him to live his live out naturally and when we see he is suffering or in pain, take him in to have him put to sleep.
The vet wants him to have the bt to build up his blood some but it won't last very long.
What should we do ?

Chessmind · Posted: Tue Feb 05, 2008 5:38 am Post subject:

Hi and welcome to Auspet. I think you are right to just let him be and should you feel he is suffering have him put to sleep.

Unless things have changed, there is no known cure for FeLV. Vets can try a combination of treatments such as antibiotics, vitamin-mineral supplements, anticancer drugs and blood transfusions. Not all cats will respond to any of these treatments and the ones that do, it just makes them more comfortable and may prolong their life, but it isn't a cure.

Personally if my cats had this I would just let them live out their remaining lives as is. Then once I felt they were suffering, I would have our vet come out to our home and have him/her to put sleep. Most vets will do this for you.

I think you should listen to your heart and let that guide you. It's so hard when we know we can't cure our fur animal that we love so much.

Since you do let your cat out if there are other cats around he could transmit FeLV to them too. It can be transmitted by saliva by sharing water and food bowls, cats grooming one another, and cat bites.

I wish your cat all the best. That must be very hard for both of you. Sad

sunset05 · Posted: Tue Feb 05, 2008 3:00 pm Post subject:

I'm sorry your kitty is so ill. I agree with Chessmind. Follow your heart in what to do. It's always a difficult decision to know when it's the right time to let a kitty go.

Take care.

vene · Super Senior Member Plus Joined: 25 Mar 2004 Posts: 4298

It's a very difficult decision to make. I really don't know what I would do if I were in your situation. I think I would most likely leave my kitty and make him as comfortable as possible and then put him to sleep when it's time. Big hugs for Smokey and your family.

Mary_NH · Posted: Tue Feb 05, 2008 10:15 pm Post subject:

I had a cat growing up who had feline leuk and it was horrible to watch her fading away. This was before the vaccine was available to help prevent it.
I urge you to not let your cat outside as this is a HIGHLY contagious disease and any cat she comes across, who is unvaccinated, is going to catch this killer disease. You could easily create an epidemic in your neighbor.
As stated there is no cure for this disease.

Ushyna · New member Joined: 13 Apr 2007 Posts: 13

We finally had Smokey put to sleep on 2-14. It was very hard saying good bye but it was time for him to go.
When he went out he usually stayed in the garage or in the driveway.
We have another cat "Mohrchen" German for "Blacky" he has been immunized against this desease and will get another booster shot soon.
But he is not like Smokey, there is no other cat like him, he was very laid back and trusting, he was my baby.

REST IN PEACE, SMOKEY

halaroo · Posted: Thu Feb 21, 2008 1:03 am Post subject:

I'm so sorry for your loss.

Chessmind · Posted: Thu Feb 21, 2008 5:46 am Post subject:

I am so sorry for your loss. I understand how hard this must be for you. I have been there too. Smokey was very loved by you and he is no longer suffering. I really am sorry. It's so hard to lose one of our fur amimals. Crying or Very sad

Chezza · Posted: Thu Feb 21, 2008 7:40 am Post subject:

I am so very sorry for your loss, my heart goes out to you, losing a loved pet is so hard.. Remember all the god years you had, and how much he was loved, he will know how much he was loved too. xxxxxx Big Hugs ((((((hugs)))))))

HDrydr · Posted: Thu Feb 21, 2008 10:09 pm Post subject:

I am very sorry for your loss!! Losing a beloved family member is very difficult for everyone. Know that you did the best for Smokey and provided him the loving family he deserved. I have had to put several loved 4 legged friends to sleep and it never gets easier. Remember all of the good times you shared and all of the love that Smokey gave you. Very sorry!! Hang in there.