i will do fluids in a heartbeat for a cat--until they make it clear that they no longer want it. i remember being really upset with a kitty who just would not let me administer fluids, because i KNEW it would make her feel better--she was clearly terminal (at 22!), and it was the holistic vet who came over later that day to send her home who pointed out to me that it was a clear message from the cat that she was ready to go, and did not want any more intervention. so when they fight really hard, and use up enormous amounts of energy they don't have to spare, against my help, i honor that. i guess it really depends on what the condition is, and whether or not there is a real possibility of turning the situation around. even tho we never really can know for sure.... i have come to believe, tho, and this is MY opinion, that it is better to send them on one day too soon, than ten minutes too late, if that ten minutes mean they are suffering.
i don't for a minute mean to imply that it's EVER an easy decision to make. On 1/30/07, Belinda <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote:
I agree sometimes you come to a point where you have to consider letting them go but in my opinion and my opinion only assist feeding and fluids are in NO way going too far. ANY cat that doesn't feel well for whatever reason can and most likely will stop eating, and dehydration makes a cat feel like sh*t, so they will not eat. Same as anyone or anything that doesn't feel good not eating is the first thing that happens. I don't eat when I feel like crap, don't know many people that do. To not try and assist feed or give fluids when dehydrated to me is not trying the simplest things to turn a cat around. Many, many times a cat that looks like crap and isn't eating because of dehydration will go right to the food bowl once they are hydrated again, I've seen it and heard of it over and over again. I also don't know of many cats that love or even like assist feeding but most will adapt to it eventually. And for me if they don't and it is too stressful I will ALWAYS try a feeding tube because I know personally how great they can be and indirectly know many, many cats that have been saved and are alive and well 5, 6 and more years later with NO hint of the problem that caused the inappetence. Sometimes cat develop anorexia for unknown reasons, they aren't even sick but obviously if they aren't eating and nothing is done to intervene they will get sick and die. Just wanted to make an argument for the other side which I have personal experience with. sometimes doing all that is medically possible is NOT the correct choice for the cat, tho it may be what seems right for us. i always ask the critter--and when they make it clear that they no longer want to be treated, and fight assisted feeding and fluids, -- Belinda happiness is being owned by cats ... Be-Mi-Kitties http://bemikitties.com Post Adoptable FeLV/FIV/FIP Cats/Kittens http://adopt.bemikitties.com FeLV Candlelight Service http://bemikitties.com/cls HostDesign4U.com [affordable hosting & web design] http://HostDesign4U.com ------------ BMK Designs [non-profit animals websites] http://bmk.bemikitties.com
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