The kidney workup came back normal and the CBC came back normal, if indicative of an FeLV positive status (slightly anemic, slightly elevated white blood cell count, all normal for an FeLV positive cat). The doctor was able to rule out infection and kidney problems, leaving two real options: either Growler had suffered a traumatic injury to her spine (and one which didn't show up on an x-ray and which would require invasive testing to diagnose), or the FeLV had invaded her bone marrow and in particular her spine. The doctor stated that he had only seen the latter happen once in an FeLV cat, but the symptoms seemed similar.
The pain meds and steroid only made a minimal difference at first and gradually, her condition worsened. She was confined to a crate for crate rest but even still, she got to a point where she wouldn't move and where if I pinched her back feet she made no effort to pull them away. She still had neurologic function in the legs and feet, but she was otherwise in too much pain or too weak to respond. Her condition was stressful to witness and began, I believe, to distress the other animals in the house. Even Wynnie, a hostile cat at best, worriedly passed Growler in the crate and occasionally paced by her. I made the decision this morning not to subject her to invasive testing as treatment would likely not be without risk, and would likely be lengthy and painful with no guarantee of success. I felt she had suffered more than enough and the best I could do was help her to her final rest and peace from pain. It was not a decision I took lightly; Growler is the first animal I have ever personally had euthanized. She was my special little girl, my feisty little runt and mama's kitten. I will miss her sweet little face so very much. She was my first lap cat and my first real taming success. I didn't want to let her go, but I guess Zest needed her more. Melissa in NJ
