Elderly cat - feline orofacial pain syndrome

Dear Cat

You´ve probably noticed that I´ve been posting a lot of questions about Scarlett recently - she is about to turn 18 and I think is nearing the end of her life. I´ve read your fact sheet which was very helpful. However, I am now worrying about what to do in the short term. Last night I thought would be her last night and she would be euthanised today, as on and off all last night she was suffering from major facial ticks. She is a Burmese and the vet diagnosed mild and occasional FOPS after a tooth extraction. I think the escalation was prompted by the fact that I´ve been giving her syringes of lactulose twice a day after taking her to the vet with constipation. When I called the vet, he said to try her on phenobarbital for a day or two, and she has now had her first dose. But I am feeling really uncomfortable about this and feel I have gone from trying to give her a comfortable old age with quality of life, to just keeping her alive. She doesn´t eat enough for it to be easy to give crushed pills in food, but it seems cruel to open her mouth twice a day to pop in a pill. (The vet says her appetite may well return once if the phenobarbital has any beneficial effect - she was eating well until 5 days ago).

Any advice, however tough, welcomed.

Thanks, Cassie

From the topic:

02. Vet Chat

Report

Comments

Post a comment in this discussion:

07 Jan 2009 19:17

Cassie

Thanks, Cat. Scarlett was euthanised yesterday. My vet was extremely sympathetic and considerate. The phenobarbital did stimulate her appetite and she ate well for a few days. With the vet´s help, I even managed to reduce the dose so that she was less drugged and confused. And there were several evenings when she sat on my lap and purred and seemed almost her old self. But I think her whole system was failing and yesterday her digestion failed - she was straining to poo and throwing up, and her F.O.P.S. started up again. So she reached a very clear end of the road. Thanks again for your advice.

Report

28 Dec 2008 10:50

Cat the Vet

Hi Cassie,

It is always difficult when you have an older animal and they start to suffer with problems. There is always that thought in the back of your mind about when to call it a day and many people worry about making that decision and leaving it to late. What it all comes down to is the animals quality of life. Is life still a joy, as it should be, or has it become a stuggle? When you have had an animal for a long time and know them well, you can tell when their sparkle has gone and life is a chore. Does she get up in the morning to great you or does she just lie where she is? Is she still keen to eat or does she have to be tempted? Is she concerned about her own comfort, or does she just lie in a corner?

Whether you are at this stage with Scarlett is really for you to judge and, as I say to people often, although the decision to say goodbye to a beloved pet is never an easy one, when it is the right thing to do, you do know in your heart you are taking the correct path. The phenobarbitol is an appetite stimulant and may help to pick her up, but it will take a couple of days to kick in. If she can cope with being tableted twice a day for a few days without too much stress it may be worth a try but at the end of the day you are the one which knows Scarlett the best and it is your feelings and instincts which are the right ones.

I hope this is helpful

Cat

Cat

Report