Sitting with very ill cat

Sitter Questions, Advice & Chat
21

Thank you all for your messages and advice, but among all for the kind support. I’ve really felt it in my heart.

This morning I messaged the HOs providing the information on how the Sit cancellation policy works (I indeed thought that they were not aware on how it works).

They came back to me saying that they wouldn’t leave me with nowhere to stay. If they had cancelled their holiday, they were going to offer me use of the holiday home where they would go spending their holidays (which is still in the same Country).

I felt such a relief and great appreciation.

Later during the day they messaged me saying that the cat finally made it to the toilet.

The cat is very subdued today and not eating much but hopefully she’ll improve now her bowels have moved. At least it means the clock is reset with regard to any advice to put her down. They’ll keep me posted.

I could definitely feel the relief and excitement through the message.

I have mixed feelings about the news. Of course I’d be happy to see her again and I hope that there is further improvement, but I’m not expecting a miracle. The poor little thing has been bombarded with a lot of medication, more than I used to administer last year. I don’t know if this further struggle is worth it for a few more days or weeks to live… I’m just thinking out loud here.

Certainly, I wouldn’t share these thoughts with them. She is their cat and without any doubt I’ll follow all the instructions that I have to adhere to.

I’ll chat with them tomorrow again asking if they’ve talked with the Vet in the meantime and if there is any new procedure on the care.

22

How long is the sit for @Mokina? Does that make a difference at all?

23

Hi @temba Initially, I was invited for a 13 day sitting (starting this past Tuesday). However, because 4 days of those were overlapping with my current sitting, they were going to get a paid local minder for the first days and I would then start from this Saturday. The couple postponed their departure, no local minder had been called.

The sitting is for 9 days, not too short, not too long either.

When we were on the phone I told them that I wouldn’t probably do it for any cat, but because I know her already, I’d like to offer care to her. They said the same thing, that they wouldn’t take any sitter, but because they were happy with me last year, they’d like me to provide support for her.

I had a very open conversation and I was quite direct in asking what if further complications arise during my staying and/or if she might pass away. I’ve been told that in that case they would get as soon as possible, they’ll be just 4 hours away. Also that in that scenario I wouldn’t be blamed for anything.

In the meantime I’ve been told that the cat had a really good evening yesterday. She ate very well, incl the lactulose, and moved around as much as has been normal lately, going from lap to lap on the couch & out to the kitchen for drinks. She was as alert as usual this morning; drinking but not interested in food. Hopefully, she will eat again this evening. No further bowel movements yet.

24

@Mokina That’s great the communication is so good between you both. It really helps where it’s a repeat sit. It’s also reassuring they will only be 4 hours away in case puss takes a turn for the worse.
Well done on being such a compassionate person. I hope the sit goes well for everyone, especially puss.

25

Thank you so much @temba :folded_hands:

Also, because I was meant to enter the house independently anytime during the day while they would have left for their holidays in the morning, I asked to wait for me.

Considering the very delicate situation, I’d like to see her with the HOs and go through the detailed daily routine with them.

They’ll leave soon after the handover, presumably very short time after meeting in the house. They really can’t wait to leave.

The Vet said to continue as they are and to keep her updated. So they’ll be in touch every day while they’re away. If she continues not to have a bowel movement, we (the HOs and I) will liaise and just see how well or otherwise she seems.

26

Well done for saying you needed a handover with them. I’m a little surprised about their eagerness to get away. At least all is in place with vet, hosts and you.

27

I know, I’m surprised about that too @temba that’s what I initially enquired about here on this page.

Both of them are retired and they don’t have a flight or an accommodation booked, they’re going to their family home where they can go any time of the year. I wonder if they think that I’m the only sitter on this planet and that it’s now or never for their holidays :smiley:

Hopefully there won’t be any mistery behind!

28

How’s the elderly cat doing? Are you managing ok with the demanding duties?

29

Hi @MTBer

I arrived yesterday afternoon. The handover lasted an hour or so and then they left on their holidays.

I can see that the cat is going through quite a lot of change since a year ago when I sat for her and she was apparently well.

I was informed about her state of health only four days before the arrival, but I could see from the routine notes that this has been going for at least a month.

Besides, I wasn’t told about the arthritis. The cat is suffering from reduced mobility on the back legs, she can still walks but with difficulty and she can’t groom herself. That means that she cannot clean herself after toilet. I have to do it for her.

I can also see one of her front legs being injured, the HO said probably from some of the recent treatments at the Vet, but she’s not sure.

She has been suffering from sever constipation. She did some poo after more food eaten in the last days and with more lactulose, but the last time she had diarrea twice.

She’s taking a lot of medication for her bowel, arthritis, itchy skin and is administered appetite stimulant.

I have to keep a diary of all the food that I serve with or without medication, day, time, weight the food and then weight any possible leftover. Most importantly, if she’s been to the toilet or not.

The Vet actually didn’t advise to do it, but the HO wants to record all of that. I’ve been sending these pages to her every day.

Overall she looks fine. She’s quite alert, she sleeps, but she’s also quite aware and moves around in the house (I guess that the appetite stimulant gives also more energy). I can see that she has a very strong appetite.

To be honest I don’t feel really happy in providing all this medication and all this food to this poor little cat. I can see that she eats like a horse, I’ve never seen a cat eating so much food in such a short time, it shows that it is not a natural appetite. I’m just doing what I’ve been told to and try to give her as much care as I can. She loves company and cuddles.

30

@Mokina you are clearly an amazing person. I hope this goes as well as it possibly can for you, but does sound extremely difficult. All the best to you.

31

Oh myyy. This would be hard to watch my own cat go through almost as much as a strangers. It’s so hard to make end of life decisions for elderly pets. :broken_heart:

You are giving the owners a gift by taking the best care of their sweet old cat while they take a little getaway.

I hope you get through the sit OK, leaving sweet old kitty in the same condition (or better but this seems unlikely) as you found her.

32

How’s the kitty @Mokina ?

33

Agree with @KC1102 “If the responsibilities of the sit change in any way from the time of confirmation, sitters have a right to cancel.” - completely unfair/ unethical to expect you to take on this level of responsibility for a pet give this is a holiday homestay platform. If responsibilities change contact THS right away - they can see the message thread, which is why I keep all communication about the sit on THS - and let the host know these responsibilities were not advertised and agreed to. Cancel and find a sit you’ll enjoy!! This experience is for you to enjoy.

34

Thank you all for your very kind messages and support.

I wasn’t expecting a miracle, but it seems like a miracle actually took place… or at least, this is how I see it.

On the first days the kitty didn’t have any bowel movement, every evening I went sleeping worried and wondering if I would see her again the day after.

I got instructed to increase some of the medication. After 3 days she did her poo, normal, no diarrea and after that she’s been to the toilet every day. This is amazing, last year when she was in better health conditions and with the same medication, she wouldn’t do her poo on a daily basis.

We have reduced the medication for her bowel and it seems like we’re now back to a sort of normal routine.

I made it sure that she would have plenty of cuddles and lap time, especially in the evening. Perhaps this worked more than the medicines who knows? I am sure your positive and encouraging comments have done a big share too, I am thanking you all for that :folded_hands:

This is the last evening, tomorrow morning I’ll be leaving. I won’t be seeing the HOs.

I am now wishing her a long healthy life :folded_hands:

35

I’m so pleased the sit worked out @Mokina. Very worrying but the medication finally worked. You have looked after and loved that dear cat in its owners’s absence with compassion. They have much to be thankful for.

36

Thanks for the update @Mokina . You’ve looked after the kitty so well . Keeping her comfortable and administering meds .

Have you been able to enjoy the sit ?

37

Thank you @Silversitters and thank you also for asking me the question.

There were many tasks involved like as you mentioned administering medecines, then preparing food with and without medication, top it up, checking at different moments during the day if the kitty was eating. Weighting food, weighting any possible leftover, recording it all, checking and cleaning two litter boxes, cleaning, checking that she wouldn’t go out because she had to be monitored. Unfortunately, I am not as fast as I used to and it is also difficult to trace a line “Do I have to prepare food for the little cat or for me?” “What was I supposed to do?” I had many moments like that :grinning_face:

However, said all that, we had our chill out moments especially in the evening. The little cat is a very gentle and sweet creature, she wants and needs human contact and I could see that. That repaid for all the work done.

I was also able to get a couple of hours for myself, especially during the days when she was getting better. I could do plenty of walks in nature which helped me to disconnect from all the tasks, but also to reflect on this as sooner or later it will happen to our dears and ourselves.

The HOs have a beautiful house with a very lovely garden. I loved just sitting outside, having meals, enjoying the calmness, listening to the birds singing, looking at the blue sky… It just felt like the perfect place, I didn’t want to go anywhere else.

I was tempted to ask the HOs if they wanted to catch up on the days they had missed of their holidays. I didn’t have other plans and I could have stayed for a little longer if it was ok for them. I wasn’t asked, I didn’t suggest that either. I guess it was right that way.

I was delighted that the litte cat got better in the end, but still she is under the influence of a lot of medication and it is not certain what it might happen tomorrow. I thought it was better that they would get back at the end of the sitting.

Yesterday I left the house. Today they called me, we had a long conversation on the phone. The little cat will be visited by the Vet this week, mostly for her arthritis. They’ll call me and let me know of the outcome.

38

I hope they give you an exceptional review @Mokina :hugs:

39

100% agree with @temba - I hope you receive the review you deserve @Mokina - reading about your sit made me a little emotional.

It wasn’t the most straightforward sit, but you’ve handled it with such grace and gentleness. I’m glad little cat was so well cared for - and I bet the hosts were so grateful for everything.

I’m really hoping little cat makes some positive progress - please let us know - I’m sure I’m not the only one waiting for an update!