Thank you in advance for any advice. I haven't owned a cat before but I've been looking after my partner's cat for over a month because she requires a lot of attention and I work less often, so can take care of her. She has a complicated medical history and I'd appreciate any advice on how to best look after her.
She was adopted in April as a healthy 9 year old, developed non-healing ulcer of right ear in September. Biopsy in early November showed squamous cell carcinoma, already spread to lymph nodes so elected for palliation. Biopsy/ulcer site healing ok, but source of irritation for her - always shaking her head, picks at it rarely. On twice daily opioids, previously on NSAIDs but has anaemia so stopped.
Despite biopsy in early November, cat was very happy and stable until this week. Eats two wet tins and snacks (ham, salmon, mackerel, chicken, sardines, creamy handfed satches) throughout day, very affectionate and smoochy. 1 week ago diagnosed with UTI and on twice daily antibiotics, always peeing large volumes on floor, but still very happy cat. 2.5 days ago her behaviour changed, very sad and withdrawn, flinches on contact, eating less. Found an aural haematoma, went to vet last night for drainage, vet started her on twice daily corticosteroids. Vet advised that while aural haematomas come back after drainage, wouldn't be for awhile or I could just apply lignocaine cream.
This morning very smoochy and happy but throughout the day I've noticed her haematoma is getting bigger again and she started acting funny again, so will go back this week for another drainage. This procedure causes her massive distress...
Prior to 3 days ago, she was 100% happy and comfortable. She'd shake her head a bit, but clear from her loving, active and outgoing behaviour and great appetite that she was happy. Now I'm worried about getting her back to that baseline, she deteriorated so quickly. She's maybe 60% back to where she was - not touching wet food but happily eats those handfed creamy satchets (I think she's having trouble with solids), some smooching but then also some hiding under the table. That's atypical for her, prior to 3 days ago she'd follow me everywhere, constantly snuggling or rubbing.
Today she's done some weird things. She had an episode of heavy, fasting breathing and huffing, which made me think she was in pain, but then she began meowing loudly (she never meows) and ran around the apartment in circles (she never does). And then she suddenly very affectionate. Then another episodes where she was lying flat huffing and breathing fast, her pupils were incredibly dilated and she wasn't responsive to voice, her tongue was hanging out and her legs were shaking. She's usually very engaged, only non-responsive when she's in pain. And then after that episode, she became very affectionate again.
If she keeps requiring drainages then I think it's time for her to pass on, because the drainage and any procedure really is extremely upsetting for her. In the meantime I'd love any advice on how to make her as comfortable as possible, get her feeling like herself again if possible. She's on antibiotics which I hope will clear up the infection, just started the corticosteroids, and I'm increasing her twice daily opioids to three and then four times daily, the maximum dose. I've been keeping her appetite up by offering an enormous array of foods, like fresh fish. She doesn't like toys. I'm also not sure about those two episodes she had today and what they mean. I haven't owned a cat before and I'm having trouble discerning what some of her behaviours mean.
Thank you for any help.
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from Pets https://www.reddit.com/r/Pets/comments/eaesdo/advice_on_looking_after_sick_cat_with_cancer_and/
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