The Upsetting News Thread

[JadziaKathryn]

Aw, I hope your cats are improving. It's just heartbreaking, isn't it?

[justTripn]

I know how hard it can be. We had an old cat that got very feeble--VERY feeble--including feeble-minded. That we finally had to put down. Poor little kitties. I figure it's about quality of life. When it gets too bad, it's time to let them go. They don't know what's coming and are purring to the end. Now you have room for a new little kitty who you can lavish attention on, one who will also be able to enjoy it.

Not that it will come to that. I hope your kitty responds to the antibiotics. I second the advice that people come first. Yes, you have a right to go to school!

Yes, I know . . . I hand out this hardhearted advice. It all makes sense, but it's so hard when it comes right down to it.

[Silverbullet]

I am a Cat magnet. I have had to put two Cats down and one Dog. I like Cats never thought of them as standoffish. I know how hard it is to see your Cat suffer but not wantig to let it go. I hope your Kitty Boo gets healthy again. But, Love sometimes if putting them out of their pain and misery. Last Cat I had put down had Cancer. Vet told me that in order to save her he would have to remove an eye and a Leg. she had rubbed a spot raw on her head to relieve the pain. It was the only kind thing I could do for her. First cat I ever had that would lick my hand like a Dog would

[Asso]

I understand you, Aquarius. Very much, believe me.

[enterprikayak]

Sad thread! Good thoughts to all.

[panyasan]

Aquarius, sorry to hear about your kittens. Mister Boo appears to me such a sweetie and I hope he gets better soon. Hope you get enough sleep and that your test - in spite of your lack of sleep and stress - has gone well.

[Bether6074]

I'm sorry, Aquarius, that your kitties are both sick. It's hard watching something that you love go through the difficulties associated with aging. I'm sure they both find it reassuring and comforting that you are there with them through this. I love cats too. Whenever I was feeling down as a kid I could always find acceptance with a warm furball. Kitties have a way of bringing out the love in me so I have always enjoyed their company. It's good that you are trying to keep them comfortable. I've been through this myself with my kitty. It's never easy. I hope your kitties recover from this and feel better. When the time comes, you'll probably know it. Hopefully you have some support with this from family members or friends. Take care.

[Aquarius]

Thank you, everyone.

It's been kind of a good news/bad news thing for Boo right now.

Sunday night he seemed to improve a little--wasn't laying all weird, and was a little more responsive to interaction with us--purring when we gave him ear scritchies and stuff like that.

As of Sunday night, there seems to be no blood in his urine any more, so it appears the antibiotics are helping him out there.

Yesterday he seemed even perkier, venturing out from his nest under the TV and into the rest of the living room, and eating a little bit.

This morning he actually ventured into the dining room.

So we went in for his fluids. Both of our regular vets listened to his heart and said that the arrhythmia is still there. I have a choice of taking him to a cardiologist, which will cost between $300 and $400, but may result in him being put on medication that will help his heart beat more efficiently. If I don't take him, his heart is going to have a hard time pumping when we give him the fluids, which he needs for his kidneys. The doctors said that if he was younger and had fewer other problems, they'd definitely recommend taking him to the specialist, but under the circumstances, it's hard to say if it would really buy him any time.

I don't have the money for the specialist.

We don't know how much time we have together. The doctors said that I've been the one keeping him alive for the last two years at least, that any other kitty just about under anyone else's care would've been gone a long time ago, but it's little comfort. He seems like his old self for the most part right now, just maybe weaker. Right now the ex and I are working things out so someone's always home with him, so he's going to stay with kitty while I'm at work this afternoon and evening.

Still haven't slept much, but we're doing the best we can.

Someone asked about his diet: my kitties have been on a strictly soft food diet for years. Elvis, my other kitty, has a history of diabetes. He was on soft prescription food for a while, as were my other two cats (Boo, and Coco, who passed away 2 years ago this December). Elvis quit eating the prescription food so I was advised by the vet that any canned food is better than dry in this situation, because it's lower in carbs. Elvis's diabetes went into remission, but I've continued to give them canned food to make sure it stays that way. When Boo was diagnosed with renal failure, he was on a prescription diet for that, but his finicky tastes made him stop eating that after a while, so as a "compromise" we've been giving both cats canned senior food, which the vet has said tends to be easier on the kidneys than regular food.

[enterprikayak]

Y'know, I really admire your devotion to your pets.

Lots of people just put em down at the first sign of serious trouble, and while that's something that needs to be considered for the end of the road, I think that a pet that has given years of devotion deserves the same in return from its human companions. They would do it for you, if it was in their gift.

Lugging your babies to the vet and worrying and sleepless nights are all hard work! Good for you Aquarius! If I was a cat, I'd want you to be my owner!

[Aquarius]

Thanks, enterprikayak. When most people get to know me well enough to know about my cats, one of the first things they usually say is "Jeez, it sure doesn't suck to be a cat at your house!"

They are spoiled. They are loved.

And I understand completely what you are saying, because the ex and I basically feel that for all the love and devotion and happiness they've given us, we owe this to them. As long as they act like they still WANT to be here, we will do everything in our power to keep them here. And everything I do for them doesn't feel like enough.

And it's never enough time.

[Linda]

Aquarius, I know how hard it is with a sick pet. We lost our Oriana six months ago after a month of critical care when she could no longer walk. Pets are family. But unlike the human members of the family, we have the option of having them put to sleep. It is hard to know when, and if, that should be done. I am still uncertain I did the right thing at the right time with Oriana. When she stopped eating, we force fed her. She hated the gruel the vet gave us to feed her by suringe. But she still liked nibbling at her treat foods. Whether we did the right thing by force feeding her, massaging her, tending to her bed sores, and putting her in diapers, I will never know. But I do know she forgave me because on the last day of her life she put her head in my hands (she had never done this before) and we sat there quietly. She knew this was her last day. She was comforting me and saying good-bye.

We are fallible creatures and can only do what we think is right and within our means and abilities. But I think pets are very aware of our feelings and intentions and respond to our compassion with their own great compassion. Good luck with your kitties, whatever you decide to do.

[WarpGirl]

I would NEVER consider poking my nose into the business anyone I have never met, but I would like to add my own well wishes. Perhaps because I deal with chronic pain every day, my personal inclination would be to make sure my pet would not suffer. Now if I could provide the attention and means to ensure treatment, I would absolutely do it. However if I knew that I simply couldn't provide the proper resources, I'd let my kitty and/or my dog go. In my mind it would be cruel and completely selfish not too do so. But I admit I would have a 5 star nervous breakdown as well. I guess I'm trying to say, that love will help you make the right decision.

[Linda]

WarpGirl, you have the tendency to be so absolutely positive or negative about things. I tend to fluctuate in the gray area between absolutes. Somethings in life you can never know some things for sure; you cannot reach an absolute about it. I accept that I have to live with that. At least that is what what has happened in my life. Whether you think I made the wrong decision or not in your view in my not putting Oriana to sleep - what I can be sure of is that we had compassion for each other. Both my vet and my husband did not want to put Oriana to sleep and wanted to see if we could bring her back to some quality of life. I would hope my family would do the same for me if I was very sick. But most likely I could tell people with words when I have had enough, Oriana could not. My father could and did tell us when he had had enough and we respected that. But with Oriana, I did the best I could. And though I will never be completely sure, I am at peace knowing I did the best I could. And if anyone is going to criticize that, I say walk a mile in my shoes. And that is something no one can ever do, only I can walk in my shoes.

[WarpGirl]

Linda you obviously had the resources to care for your pet. If I knew I had those resources I would do the same thing. But people and circumstances are different. And everyone has their own limit as to what they can handle. I wasn't criticizing you for your decision, or Aquarius for hers. I'm sorry if it seemed that I was.

[Aquarius]

While I do not have the resources to take Boo to the cardiologist, I to have the resources to try to make him comfortable. Rest assured, though, that if I had $400.00, little Mr. Boo's ass would be in that doctor's office before you could blink.

Our regular doctors tell us, though, that it might not make a difference, because of his age and because he has so many other problems.

Personality-wise, he's still here. I don't think he's ready to check out just yet. I think he'll let us know when he is. I may not deal with chronic pain every day (unless the slow emotional death of knowing that someone you love isn't going to be here much longer counts), but that doesn't make me any less inclined to make sure he doesn't suffer.

Last night I threw our couch cushions on the floor next to his nest, got out my sleeping bag and pillow, and slept right beside him. I kept my hand on him. When he moved, I moved.

The ex stayed with him while I was in school today. He'd taken another downturn after his fluids yesterday, but seems somewhat better today. We discussed a new strategy for the fluids. We're cutting the dose by a third, but we're going to do it every other day instead of twice a week. Hopefully if he doesn't get such a large quantity all at once, it won't put such a strain on his heart.

Today he got a good half hour of nonstop scritichies when I got home. I don't even remember the hour-long drive; every car, every mile, every minute was just an obstacle between me and Boo.

I also put my stature of Bastet over where he sleeps.

I'll probably sleep beside him again tonight. I don't know how much longer we have, I don't want to miss a moment.