Not so happy cat thread

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Posted: Tue Jan 29, 2008 8:58 am

This is Amadeus:

A few weeks ago he started loosing weight, yesterday he got diagnosed with Leukosis.
This is bad, very bad. He doesn't seem to be suffering a lot from it (yet), but we're facing having to make a decision we really don't want to make. Sad

Posted: Tue Jan 29, 2008 9:10 am

I am sorry to hear this.
Having lost two cats, after them living with us for many years, some years ago, and being there when one of my friends' cats got his injection I know how it feels.

As said, I am sorry that you have to face this decision.

I know it's easy to say and hard to decide, but you should from now really keep an eye on your little tiger. One of ours didn't show any symptoms, but one day he was hiding in a corner, all smelly and stuff. When we took him to the vet there were no options.
Please don't let it get that far with your cat, if you see him suffer it's better to make the hard decision early, than letting him suffer.
As said, I know it's easy to say, but I think it's true. We all don't want to suffer, and animals shouldn't need to suffer too if it's avoidable.

So, again, I am sorry to hear that your kitty isn't a happy chap.

Posted: Tue Jan 29, 2008 9:39 am

Much as I do joke about cat bowling, I did lose a cat two years ago to cancer. She was quite an old cat, but it doesn't make it any easier. If the old boy is suffering at all, I think the only desicion you can make is to cut that suffering short. If he's not, then leave him be for as long as possible. I hope you find the courage to do the right thing by him.

Posted: Tue Jan 29, 2008 9:56 am

I agree with Mugatu.

As a family we have owned several cats over the years, and I am usually the one that ends up taking them on that final journey.

I think that, as animal "owners" (you never own a cat - it just decides to put up with you) we have a responsibility to look after any animal we chose to adopt and to ensure that they don't suffer. This last point is difficult, and I have seen many animals in obvious pain and distress who are that way purely due to lack of courage by their owners - because if they don't make a decision, eventually they won't have to. And the only consequences are for the animal concerned.

I wish your moggy well and happiness in his remaining time.

Posted: Tue Jan 29, 2008 4:29 pm

What a horrible diagnosis. I bet it was confirmed by a high white blood cell count. Was this a viral infection? Was Amadeus an outside/inside cat? Could he have caught it at the vets? Are these viruses floating around your house?
We have a red point Siamese named Leukocyte. Its always been thin but a few years ago it lost half its weight. The diagnosis was kidney failure. Hundreds of dollars later and after a month of a special diet that it now refuses to eat, Leukas is still going. I hope the best for Amadeus.

Not quite a Newb Joined: 14 Jul 2005 Posts: 41

I'm very sorry, Wokabo.

Posted: Tue Jan 29, 2008 4:41 pm

Very sorry to hear it.

Our own little cat died yesterday at the age of 4.

She woke up in the morning with breathing problems, turned out to have massive kidney failure, fluid on the lungs and so on. We got her to the vet straight away but it was too late; the stress of the trip & the examination was too much for her.

Being a very sneaky character she had managed to hide her symptoms very well until it was too late (we had no idea she was so ill, even the previous day as she was still begging for people food, following us around the house and so on).

I was a cat hater but my wife convinced me to give it a try anyway, and this sneaky little cat was just perfect for us. we'll miss her loads.

Posted: Tue Jan 29, 2008 4:44 pm

I'm sorry about your cat Wokabo.

I've had cats all my life and it never gets easy to lose a furry pal. Crying or Very sad

Posted: Tue Jan 29, 2008 5:01 pm

I really sympathize with Firehouse & Wokabo.

This handsome fella is my Leo.

He was killed on Christmas morning by a speeding driver. Leo was only two years old.
We had to keep the news from the children all day long, so as not to ruin their Christmas day, but that was futile as it was an awful atmosphere without the little fella.

We collected a new cat from a rescue centre on Sunday morning, a beautiful young lady with a very confident personality.
We had planned to name her...............Lotta... Very Happy

But switched to Lola at the last minute.... Wink

Posted: Tue Jan 29, 2008 7:15 pm

wokabo, Firehouse and Simba. I am so sorry. These critters enter our lives and hearts and it is so hard to imagine being without them.

Love Amadeus for as long as you can and let your love guide you to the right path and time.

Dang it. I told myself I wasn't going to tear up.... Sad

That Kinks song always gets into my head whenever I see or hear the name Lola. Walked like a kitty, but barked like a dog. Smile

Posted: Tue Jan 29, 2008 7:40 pm

Sorry for your pain in losing these pets. Sad

Posted: Tue Jan 29, 2008 7:45 pm

My sympathies go out to you. As a cat owner and lover I know how hard it is to say goodbye. I was on vacation in the middle of an ocean when Booker T. Cat had a seizure and needed to be put to sleep. Thankfully my friend Sallie was there to be with him as he departed this world but I have felt guilty all these years for not being with him. He was my friend and companion for 18 years. He was the most gentle of souls and is greatly missed to this day.

Posted: Tue Jan 29, 2008 10:13 pm

@Connie:

we found this cat 4 years ago, he would have been about 1 year old at that time. He was close to skin over bone, and limping around on 3 legs, caused by torn knee ligaments.
He quickly settled in and got to his normal weight very quickly, and got an operation to fix the knee.
When we found him, he must have been out on the streets on his own for several months, probably dumped by previous owners. Maybe he got the infection then, apparently the virus can linger in the body for months or years before popping up again (he got his yearly inoculation for Leukosis, apparently at no alas).

Anyway, thank you all for your support, Amadeus is running around like a young horse at the moment, but we don't know how long it will last.

Posted: Tue Jan 29, 2008 10:50 pm

My first cat, Foster, was diagnosed with FIP when I was in kindergarten or first grade. He was brought to us as a kitten by his mother, who I'm told was not looking too good herself. We had him since I was a baby and he was healthy as a horse up until a week before he died. He probably had the FIP virus the whole time and we never knew it. Had we known, he could have been treated to extend his life. He had to be euthanized and I think a little part of me died that day.. I still miss that cat. He treated me like his own kid. Tucked me in at night, gave kisses on request, scolded me for misbehaving, kept me from under the cabinets, waited for me to come home from school.

Posted: Tue Jan 29, 2008 11:22 pm

About 6 years ago I lost a cat, Opie. His death was fast and unexpected. We had put up with each other for 5 years. He drove me insane and I am sure I did the same to him. Very Happy

I am not even a pet person, but I miss him. My thoughts are with wokabo.

Posted: Wed Jan 30, 2008 2:05 am

@Firehouse and Simba: I'm really sorry to hear about your loss. My thoughts are with you.

It's always hard to lose somebody, no matter if it's a animal or a human, and let's face, humans are actually also just animals, so there's not really a difference.
You love your cats as much as you love your family, and they are part of the family.

@Chibuike: I lost my dad a few years ago while being more than 10000km away. But at least I managed to visit him for a few weeks, to be there for him as he always was for me, not too long before.

Posted: Wed Jan 30, 2008 4:13 am

I feel your pain. Its never easy to lose one.

Posted: Wed Jan 30, 2008 3:01 pm

You have a very beautiful cat Wokabo, and I wish you both strength.

I've had cats all my life and lost both my childhood cats within 12 months of each other, both on my birthday, I'm sure they conspired !

The two I have now are pushing on a bit and I swore I'd never have any more when that day finally comes around, but I know I will, they are fantastic stress relievers and genetically engineered to be bloody irresistible Wink

Posted: Fri Feb 01, 2008 9:03 am

my little monkeys
[img] http://www.4freeimagehost.com/show.php?i=817567890f5d.jpg [/img]

chunky and mom. (mother and daughter)

Baiting Guru Joined: 19 Mar 2007 Posts: 2628

It's always difficult when a much loved pet gets ill.
We've had to make that decision a few times so sympathies

Posted: Fri Feb 08, 2008 8:08 am

update:

Amadeus has been living a happy life, we've been pampering him the last 10 days, and his condition seemed to be improving a bit, even gaining some weight, but yesterday he let us know it was enough. Fever went up sky high and he lost all interest in life, so last night we brought him to the vet, who had him put to sleep. We knew it was coming, but it was sad and hard to have to say goodbye.

Posted: Fri Feb 08, 2008 8:37 am

Sorry to read the sad news Sad

Find solace in knowing the furry fella is no longer suffering, and thank him for sharing his home with you.

Posted: Fri Feb 08, 2008 8:54 am

My condolences too, Wokabo, on the death of your dear furperson.

Posted: Fri Feb 08, 2008 9:33 am

I'm sorry to hear this news Wokabo.

The only consolation is that Amadeus is no longer suffering, and that you gave him a warm and loving home so that he was happy throughout his life..... Crying or Very sad

Posted: Fri Feb 08, 2008 9:34 am

My thoughts are with you. As I have probably said before, it is always hard to give the last farewell to someone you love, no matter if he has 2 or 4 legs. A pet truly becomes a member of the family over time, and is not less respected and loved as anybody else. Thus it's hard to say goodbye.

My condolences to you and your family, who have lost a beloved member from your midst.