this is so depressing

[ratcreature]

Poor Kieran has started to have trouble with his balance and with walking because of the growing tumor in his ear. He can't manage the stairs in his cage anymore, so he just uses the lowest one of the six levels, and all his favorite places, like the hammocks, are now inaccessible to him.

The vet already talked about the euthanasia option on Tuesday, but Kieran still eats (though less, even though I try to entice him with tasty, cooked food, like scrambled eggs and mashed potatoes), and he still wants to come outside the cage, though he's now more falling/stumbling outside than properly climbing the ramp. So he still takes interest in things, even though he has trouble getting around sometimes. He also has trouble with grooming, because now when he tries to reach his back or his lower belly and his genitals he falls over (so now the poor guy can't masturbate anymore either, which has to suck). But since I wash his feet with lukewarm chamomile tea before putting the salve for the bumblefoot sores on twice a day anyway (chamomile is good as a mild antiseptic so that's better to keep the sores clean than just water), it's not that much more effort to check and wipe his private parts down as needed too.

Still, it's clear that the deterioration is not nearly as slow as I had hoped. :(

Comments

[king_touchy]

Poor little guy. My thoughts are with you.

[ratcreature]

Thanks. It's just heartbreaking to watch how he tries to do things and then fails and falls over and such, and then after a while he just doesn't do things anymore, like with the stairs. Three days ago he still managed at least one now he doesn't try to climb anymore. It's rather similar to how people get old and sick and just loose mobility and abilities and then are understandably frustrated. But as long as he still eats and seems to enjoy some things, I'm going to help him cope.

[king_touchy]

That is how I cared for my elderly cats and dog. As long as they were eating and responded to love and attention, I did what I could to keep them comfortable and happy. We had varying times together, but I think it was all quality.

[marinarusalka]

Poor Kieran. And poor you, I know it's tough dealing with a sick pet. {hugs}

[ratcreature]

Yeah. It's especially depressing when you know that it won't get better so you basically are doing hospice care nursing with the added unwelcome responsibility to judge when go for euthanasia. :(

[lilacsigil]

Poor little guy. And I'm sorry you're left with that hard decision, too.

[ratcreature]

Thanks. It's always difficult to judge.