Choosing quality of life over quantity for Lucy….

This topic has 19 replies, 15 voices, and was last updated 11 years, 5 months ago by Kiplings_cat.

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8 November, 2012 at 3:09 pm #53490

ecbrown
Participant

We had to resort to a long acting steroid shot to control Lucy’s stomatitis yesterday. Steroids can shorten the life of a cat by leading to diabetes or infections. Since we met her we’ve researched all sorts of alternatives but this disease can have so many contributing factors and so many alternative treatments that it is impossible to pursue them all. We hoped surgery, excellent nutrition and supplements would be enough. But 8 weeks past surgery she was still drooling and when the vet tried to open her mouth wide to see the back of her mouth she screamed and about jumped out of her skin. The back of her mouth (and throat, I suspect) are beet red. The vet said (and I agreed) that we couldn’t let her continue in pain. So he gave her a depomedrol steroid shot and a prescription for an antibiotic (the one Deb’s kitty Red uses.) The spots where teeth were removed do look better so hopefully the extractions helped some. It just doesn’t seem to have helped the back of her mouth and throat.

When the vet said it was time to consider quality of life over quantity I about lost it and was weepy for much of the day yesterday. Today I am feeling more optimistic. Though steroids can have dangerous side effects, some cats use them for years without complications. Just FOUR HOURS after the steroid shot I saw Lucy give herself an amazing all over bath. She hadn’t been licking or grooming herself (or rarely had been and never thoroughly) because of the mouth pain. Today I’ve seen an increase in grooming as well. It’s nice to see her enjoy that normal cat experience.

We’re hoping she continues to feel better and better.

8 November, 2012 at 3:13 pm #755398

Anonymous
Inactive

(((Lucy))) (((ECB))) What a hard conversation to have with your vet, but a necessary one. I personally believe in quality over quantity for all beings, including humans, although I realize not everyone will agree with me on that.

8 November, 2012 at 4:11 pm #755399

katthays
Participant

{{{{{Lucy and ECB}}}}}

8 November, 2012 at 4:25 pm #755400

Buttercup
Participant

Oh ECB,that is definitely a conversation that is necessary but Lucy’s positive response to the steroid means that she needs more time. See how she does. You might need to adjust a few things to make her life much more comfortable. On the other hand I think also that she will let you know if it’s not working but please give her some time. {{{{Hugs}}}}

8 November, 2012 at 4:56 pm #755401

ecbrown
Participant

We’re definitely not at an “end of life” point right now. We just so wanted to avoid steroids because it feels like “Welcome to the first day of the end of your life.” But if it is the only way to make her feel better then it is the right thing to do. And she could still have many happy years left depending on her body’s response to the steroids.

8 November, 2012 at 6:18 pm #755402

linda
Participant

I agree with all of the above ecb. You and your family are giving her such a wonderful loving life. You saved her from a much shorter unhappy life.

and btw, thanks for the Way of the Cats blog info. I’m finding a lot of good info, especially with our newest additions (in quarantine tho they are)!

8 November, 2012 at 6:24 pm #755403

Jeankit
Participant

Hang in there hugs for you. Whatever is best for Lucy is all that matters.

8 November, 2012 at 6:38 pm #755404

Leeny
Participant

The only thing I have to add to what everyone else has said is this. An editorial in a veterinary journal for feline practitioners said that, although their patients are constitutionally incapable of conceptualizing quantity of life, they have a highly refined appreciation of quality of life. The improved quality is what matters to Lucy.

8 November, 2012 at 6:43 pm #755405

ecbrown
Participant

Awww, I like that, Leeny.

I’m glad you are enjoying the wayofcats blog, Linda. It is quite a jewel, I think.

8 November, 2012 at 6:53 pm #755406

CheetahBoysmommy
Participant

If steroids improve Lucy’s quality of life, even if they shorten it in the long run, then steroids are the way to go. Her life may be shorter, but she’ll be happier and you’ll get to enjoy her company for a while more.

8 November, 2012 at 6:56 pm #755407

AZDEBRA 5/27 & crew
Participant

Small cheers for the steriods working for Lucy, don’t want to scare her by shouting.

8 November, 2012 at 7:16 pm #755408

Buttons
Moderator

I have to agree with everything everyone has said as long as Lucy is happy and comfortable that’s all that matters..

One thing EC could you ask your vet about a herbal remedy called “goldenseal” from what I’ve read there are examples of it being used to reduce the stomatitis flare ups. Apparently its great stuff and i can be bought in any good health food shop. I would diffenately check it out with your vet if it reduces flare ups then maybe even if she still has to have steroids injections it might mean she might not need as many injections.

8 November, 2012 at 9:12 pm #755409

Skyron
Participant

I had a kitty who was on steroids for many years. Yes, her life was much shorter than what our other cats make it to – she only made it to 12, while everyone else seems to make it at least to 20. But it gave her the quality of life she wouldn’t have had otherwise.

I know you’ve probably researched the crud out of this topic already. And I think I may have mentioned it to you beforen but I’m gonna say it again – the kitty sites dedicated to dealing with FIV+ kitties has a ton of info on stomatitis – if anyone would be in the know about new treatments, it would be them.

9 November, 2012 at 1:03 am #755410

ecbrown
Participant

Thanks for the ideas, Buttons and Skyron. We’ve tried a supplement with similar properties as the goldenseal. It did help some for a time, but in the end couldn’t keep up with the disease, I guess. She will continue to take some supplements while she is on the steroids. So, like you said, hopefully it will help her need less shots.

I haven’t specifically gone to FIV sites but I’ve found some pretty serious discussions out there and there is a latest, greatest treatment that seems sort of promising. There is a clinic in Dallas that will work long distance with your vet and ship meds that are their own blend (and don’t include steroids.) They have a great reputation. The monthly expense might be too much for us, but something we are considering.

I feel bad now that I see what normal grooming is like for her. She is so CLEAN today after just 24 hrs of normal grooming. I mean, she wasn’t filthy before but she’d get little bits of dried drool on her (and I chose my battles as far as trying to clean her.) Bless her heart.

9 November, 2012 at 3:52 am #755411

JerseyJoan
Moderator

{{{Lucy & ECB}}} Many good wishes for you.

9 November, 2012 at 1:14 pm #755412

chlondon
Participant

I am sending my best thought your way. I hope you win this battle! Just remember that there can be roller coaster days, ups and downs. Hopefully this is an up trajectory for Lucy and you!

9 November, 2012 at 2:20 pm #755413

st3phsm0m
Participant

@ kilroy I agree with you. Quality over quantity. I know of a little girl who’s 3 and has been battling brain cancer since 14 months. If she was a cat we’d all agree it’s time to help her cross the bridge. I realize that’s an extremely controversial subject, but really how much should this poor girl suffer in the name of treatment? She can barely walk now and is in constant pain. Not to mention she’s a pin cushion. I think we treat our animals more humanely than we do ourselves in that area.

9 November, 2012 at 3:06 pm #755414

Anonymous
Inactive

I’m so happy to hear that Lucy Wucy is cleaner and happier now 🙂 Wonderful start to a day.

9 November, 2012 at 4:55 pm #755415

Leeny
Participant

ST3PHSMOM–there comes a time when treatment is no longer prolonging life, it is just prolonging death. I believe when that time comes, it’s time to stop the battle and reduce the pain of the dying process as much as possible. This includes comfort for the parents who are watching their young child die. As for myself, I intend to put in my living will that, unless it is done for a specific therapeutic purpose for a defined period of time, I am not to be put on life support.

11 November, 2012 at 3:49 am #755416

Kiplings_cat
Participant

If Lucy needs long-term steroids, could she be on a different immunosuppressant? Last time Polly was scratching her skin raw, she got a course of cyclosporin instead of steroids b/c she has some heart disease and cyclosporin doesn’t cause the fluid/electrolyte shifts. They do similar things in humans too, cyclosporin and azothiaprine are used as steroid-sparing agents for many autoimmune diseases.

I used to call steroids “the best of drugs, the worst of drugs” with apologies to Dickens…
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