Alternate title: Some Tough Vet Visits Recently
I have mentioned in my recent series on vaccinations that even if you don’t get annual vaccinations for your pets you should take them for a wellness exam every year. In all honesty, we haven’t always done this with our cats. Since they have become indoor cats, we didn’t take them if they didn’t need vaccines and were healthy.
But as they have gotten older, Sam is now almost 13 and Conrad is probably 17 or so, we had changed that practice and they’ve gone every year. We found out this year just how important that is for both cats as well as the dogs.
First of all, our beagle Cricket didn’t get any vaccines this year but when she had her wellness exam, our vet found that she has a heart murmur. He was not overly concerned about it, but concerned enough that he wants to re-check her in a few months. Now we know to watch for a cough to develop, but other than that she can keep doing her normal activities. It’s a treatable condition, and I feel better knowing what to watch for so that we can get her in immediately if that cough does develop.
We took both cats in a couple of weekends ago, and it was a tough visit. We found out Samantha is hyper-thyroid. She hadn’t exhibited any symptoms that we picked up on, but our vet noticed a couple of things (the condition of her coat and the fact that she had lost a pound or so) and felt we should have a blood test to check her thyroid. We did so immediately and the tests came back positive. Now Samantha is on medication and will be re-checked in a couple of weeks to see if it’s working, and then an adjustment will be made to the dosage if needed. I feel relieved that this was caught before Sam did start to show worrisome symptoms.
We honestly considered not taking Conrad in. Conrad is more than showing his age; he has accidents in the house, he doesn’t groom himself, and he frequently walks in circles and doesn’t know where his limbs are at all the time. Only the latter things are new. The former things have been discussed with our vet at past visits and he was found to be in good health, with old age only leading to those problems. The reason we thought of not taking him in was our fear that they would tell us it is time to let him go. But the walking in circles had me concerned, along with some bouts of diarrhea (again nothing completely new), and we knew we had to find out.
Our worst fears were confirmed. The vet felt his issues were neurological and that the only way to confirm that would be through an MRI. We are not going to put him through that considering his age and overall health anyway. Our vet suggested it was time to consider his quality of life, due to the many issues he has. That was no surprise to us, because we were already doing that. But it actually helped us to know that making that decision was imminent, and the right thing to do. We left the vet’s office feeling sad but at least less guilty for having the thoughts we’d had that it might be time.
Conrad is still hanging in there. Actually it was kind of funny when we were loading him into the cat carrier to leave the vet’s office and he was putting up a bit of a fight. I commented to my hubby that maybe that was a sign that he wasn’t ready to go yet. There has been more than one time since that visit that we were sure the vet was right and it was time to let him go. Then he’d bounce back. He’s a spunky old guy. I’m trying not to agonize over the decision too much but to take it one day at a time, keeping him comfortable and showing him love, and have faith that we’ll know when the time is right. Right now he’s been having a pretty good spell so I’m feeling a bit more optimistic.
So take your pets for their annual exams, especially if they are older. Sometimes the visits can be tough, and the news might not be what you want to hear. But it’s also good to know exactly what’s going on and to put your mind at ease that you are doing everything you can to keep them as healthy as possible.
I’m so sorry you’ve had so many tough vet visits lately. I’ll be sending extra love Conrad’s way!
Purrs and prays to dear Conrad from all of us. We are glad that Samantha got diagnosed so now the good treatment can begin. Yes, seeing the Vet is so important. I just wish I could go annually instread of evrey month or so.
Like Jodi, I call the vet (or text him) for almost every little thing, especially with Callie and Shadow. Thankfully, they’re both very healthy girls. We’ve been lucky so far — knock on wood — that any and all tumors I’ve found on them have been benign or just fatty. Considering the fact that two of Shadow’s littermates (that I know of, maybe more) had osteosarcoma, I don’t mess around. If I find ANY bumps or lumps ANYWHERE on her, I get her in to have them checked. Same with Callie. Between their age and their breed susceptibility to so many things, I just refuse to take any chances.
And, as vigilant as you are — especially now that you know what to watch for — I believe you’ll know when Conrad is ready. It’s sad, yes, and it hurts your heart deeply; but he’s had a good life with you and he knows he has been loved. That’s all our animals ask of us is to be loved and cared for.
Even though we hate going to the vet, we totally agree that we need to go at least once a year…if not more. ‘Specially now that we’re getting a little older.
We’re sorry to hear about Conrad. We hope you have some more good time with him. Purrs….
Thank you for this post and the importance of annual vet visits even if your not getting vaccines, so many things can be found. Good luck with the treatment on Sam they do so well on medication. And Conrad, prayers for you to keep him comfortable and have him for longer times.
Conrad is adorable. It looks like he is well loved, and it looks like he knows it!
I know the struggle you are feeling with Conrad. It was the same with Tino – he didn’t have anything acute wrong with him, it was just age. Knowing when in that scenario is even harder. The thing that really settled it for me was the nightime restlessness. Tino had always slept through the night, but now he was up and pacing and walking in circles much of the night. He didn’t know where he was or what he was doing. I knew he was lost and lonely and knew it was time. Whatever you decide and whenever, it will be the right call.
I think if I missed an appointment – Doodle Doc would pay us a house call – I am more diligent about taking them to the vet then I am about myself. LOL Great post, excellent insight.
This is such an important topic.
Sweet Conrad, getting old just sucks!!!! 🙁
ღ husky hugz ღ frum our pack at Love is being owned by a husky!
This is such an important post and you are so right! I am so anal about taking Dakota and Cody to the vet, (but I guess that is a GOOD thing!) They tend to go in much more than for just their annual visits.
I am so sorry about Conrad, but you are right, the vet confirmed that you might have to make a painful decision soon (I KNOW how hard that is) and I agree with you, Conrad will let you know when it is “time”, just like my Bobo did. It is the most agonizing decision ever, as I know you know. Thanks for being such a loving and responsible pet parent xoxo
Thank you, Caren, for such kind words, I really needed them right now. xo
Believe it or not I’ve even heard after a certain age, you should have them checked every six months. I’ve always gone with the annual visits and with the health concerns we’ve had this past year, it seems like we are having quarterly visits. 🙂 We do get reminders via e and snail mail when it’s coming up for someone’s visit.
Like you I think knowing what to watch for is a good thing, a lot of people might not call if their dog started coughing (I call for everything LOL) and they might then miss an important symptom.
I’m sorry to hear about Conrad, my mom had a cat that lived to be 20 and when she started hiding and not eating we knew it was time. I know you will know when that time is.
Samantha I’m glad the vet diagnosted it early and I hope the meds will help you. I’m so sorry for Conrad … that’s the hardest thing ever… hugs to you and potp for Conrad…
To me Conrad still looks like a kitten sleeping in that picture. I am sure you will know when the time is right. My Dad’s old kitty had a thyroid issue that she developed later in life. She lived many years with the medication. She also had high blood pressure and needed meds for that too. I think she was 19 when he had to say good bye to her but even in old age, she did well on the meds.
Mom never used to take her cats to the vet, but in Germany with her friend being a vet, she got in the habit of taking all pets at least once a year. So sorry about all the issues, the getting old is so difficult. Conrad seems like such a nice fellow. As long as he is not in pain, I would enjoy his company and just give him lots of loving. Hope Cricket will be alright too. Mom has her paws full with senior Katie and we can’t imagine having more than one senior. You and your furs are in our prayers and thoughts.
Thank you, Emma, for thinking of us. I’m not sure what we were thinking getting so many animals at the same time/same ages. Well, we weren’t thinking ahead, I know that! But we’re here now so we’ll just do the best we can.