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Expert: - 6/14/2010


Question

Shadow
My 13 year old female Tortie Persian lost most of the function of her rear half over 2 years ago due to deteriorated disks. She has been plagued by frequent bladder infections and tested and treated using a number of different antibiotics. However the infection always returns often during treatment. The infection remains localized and she runs no fever nor has any other symptoms of distress. She's a bright eyed, happy, albeit, crippled, diaper wearing kitty. I realize she's been living on borrowed time for the last year and a half but her doctor (who is currently on vacation) has been amazed by her spunk and general good health.
The problem we're having now is odor and urine burns. I can't see putting a kitty who still has a good quality of life down due to minor issues.
This is thinking way outside the box, but has anyone ever used a catheter with bag full time on a cat? I'm thinking it would clear up the minor problems such as odor and sores (which have been a recent thing) and could possibly be a way to perhaps flush the bladder. Perhaps even administer localized antibiotics?
I can find no information on this so don't know if it's possible. But I'm wanting to try anything for this little girl who just doesn't want to give up.
Thank you for your thoughts on this,
Lynne

Answer
Lynne,

I have been thinking about this long and hard, and I expect, you will not like my response.
Personally, I do not feel any cat would put up with a catheter and bag arrangement and enjoy any quality of life.  At age 13, Shadow is close to the end anyway (the expected life expectancy of a healthy indoors cat is 12-15 years), and, with chronic kidney failure, she is doing much better than expected, but it just may be time to let her go.

I believe nature is telling you her quality of life is beginning to deteriarate and it may just be time to let go before she gets really miserable.  I know it is hard (believe me, I have been through it), but, I believe, you have done all that can reasonably be done and expect her to retain some quality of life from now on.

I hate to give you this kind of advice, but, in my experience, I think, from what you have described, it is time.

Concerned regards... Norm.
    Questioner's Rating
    Rating(1-10)Knowledgeability = 8Clarity of Response = 9Politeness = 10
    CommentThanks Norm. I do appreciate your concern and advice. I realize Shadow would seem to be a candidate for "her time." However her kidneys are fine and this is a kitty who still plays, purrs and enjoys life. I have been preparing myself for the inevitable for almost 2 years but Shadow seems to have other plans. That's why I'm looking for ways to make her comfortable until she decides it's time.


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Norman Auspitz

Expertise

I can answer most non-veterinary questions about cats. My particular expertise is pedigree cats, breeding and showing. However, I am versed in feline behavior, cat breeds and their characteristics, general feline husbandry, and the like.

Experience

I judged for the Canadian Cat Association from 1975 until 1982. I am currently an approved allbreed judge for the Cat Fanciers'' Association (the world''s largets cat registry), and have been judging for them since 1991. I have been breeding pedigreed cats since 1971 and have been exhibiting pedigreed cats in shows since 1970. I obtained my first pedigreed cat in 1970 and have never looked back. In 1971, I obtained my first Abyssinian which has become my primary breed. In addition, I have bred Manx and Persians. Currently, besides the Abyssinians, I am also breeding Maine Coons.


Organizations
Cat Fanciers'' Association, inc. (CFA) and the Manx, Maine Coon, and Abyssinian breed councils. I am currently Abyssinian breed council secretary.

Publications
Cat Fancy Magazine, The Abyssinian Chapter in The Cat Fanciers'' Association Complete Cat Book, and Articles for various editions of The Cat Fanciers'' Association Yearbook

Education/Credentials
I received a B.S. from Drexel University in 1968, a M.Math from University of Waterloo, in 1970, a Ph.D. from University of Waterloo in 1975, and a MBA from McMaster University in 1980. I received my approved allbreed judging status in the Cat Fanciers'' Association in 1999.

Awards and Honors
We have produced a number of Cat Fanciers'' Association (CFA) National winning Abyssinian and Maine Coons. We have produced a number of Abyssinian and Maine Coon Distinguished Merit females (an award for a top producing cat), including the first Distinguished Merit Abyssinian in the red (sorrel) color. I am the CFA Abyssinian breed council secretary and belong and/or hold office in a number of cat clubs. I am also a member of the CFA Judges Association.

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