Sick 15 year old cat

Question
My cat is 15 and has been having difficulty with bowel movement for about 5 years.  She goes to the Vet on a regular basis.

We have been giving her Laculose for several years in order to keep her stool soft.  In the last year we have needed to add Cisapride, for colon movement, along with the laculose.

In August we were gone on vacation and she stayed with the Vet.  Since this time we have had her back at the Vet approximately 2 times a week for more problems.

First-when we returned from vacation and brought her home she could no longer hear.  We took her back the Vet drained infection off of the middle ear..we gave her medication and it seems to be cleared up.

Now, we have had to take her back for enema's because it doesn't appear the Cisapride is working...the stool is soft according to the Vet however it seems like the colon is not moving the stool at all.  We have increased the Cisapride to no avail...this past week she had a seizure (this is new as far as we know).

The Vet says it is sounding more and more neurological and has suggested perhaps we would want to take to an intern.  

I am really not sure what to do.  She appears happy and doing her usual things...she does urinate on the floor sometimes, but this is usually when her colon is full and we need to give her an enema...it seems it is a never ending battle to help her.  She has lost weight this year from all the problems...she weighted almost 8lbs a year ago and now weighs about 5 and half.

She has had numerous blood work this year and also had an ultrasound and everything if fine...in those areas.

When she was 8 she had a broken pelvis and at that time we lived in a rural area and the vet said she was going to probably die...we took her home placed her in a room with no furniture, cared for her as we were instructed and obviously that Vet was incorrect.  I am aware this injury is probably adding to her issues now...

Do you have any thoughts?  My concern with intern is I really don't want to subject her to more testing unless it is absolutely necessary...

Thank-you for your time and your thoughts.  We love her and want to do what's best for her.
Teri  

Answer
Teri,

Given the history, to me, it does not look good.  My speculation (and I am not a vet) is that the original pelvic injury probably caused some nerve damage and some arthritis.  Now, that she is 15 and geriatric, all of this is becoming more exaggerated.  It sounds to me as if she is going down hill.

I would take her to a specialist (on your vet's referral) for a consult and see what your options may be.

If the prognosis is really iffy and her quality of life is going down hill, you will have to make a difficult decision.  If the specialist thinks there is hope and you can afford doing what may have to be done, then you can see what you think is best.

In these situations, with my own cats, quality of life becomes paramount.  If the cat is getting by and seems to be happy, we continue.  If the cat begins to get depressed and the quality of life has deteriorated badly, then euthanasia is the option we choose.  Under any circumstances it is a difficult situation!!!!!

Please let me know how it goes.

Concerned regards... Norm.