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I am so sad right now (cat related)
My cat (Shelby) has been living at my parents for the past few years, as she liked to hang out in the garden so much and was not happy in an apartment. Now I live across the country, and it seemed unfair to uproot her when I moved by that point. She has been very happy there and her and my mum are great buddies (when my mum was going through cancer, Shelby stuck by her side all the time, and anytime my mum goes away for work, she sits in her suitcases not wanting her to leave!)
My mum emailed me this morning to let me know she has gotten incredibly sick the last few weeks. She has hyperthyroidism, which she takes pills for, and has been deaf for a couple years and has some mild arthritis, but is very happy, very affectionate and loving and still ate like crazy.
In the last few weeks has stopped eating as much - except to take tiny tastes of things and my mum has been giving her some milk to get some calories into her. My mum says it is like she has dementia about eating. She is also now having trouble breathing, coughing fits of some sort and this morning she peed herself too while trying to get comfortable in her bed.
Apparently she weighs very little - this cat used to weigh nearly 20 lbs! I saw her last year at Christmas and she was about 7, but mum says she is even less now.
My mum was up all night trying to hand feed her, and is taking her to vet today or tomorrow (as soon as she can get into one we like and who knows Shelby). She is going to try and tempt her with some of her favorite marscarpone (sp?) cheese today, which she loves, but I am expecting the worst.
My mum is heartbroken, and I am heartbroken. I got her at a really tough time in my life, 16 years ago, and she was my only roommate for many years too! It is hard not even being able to be there, and just asking my mum to give her all my love and cuddles and tell her she was an awesome cat and I am going to miss her. I asked mum to make sure she has her "baby" (as stuffed lion she has dragged around since a kitten) when she goes.
I am so sad that I won't get to see her one last time, and the last time I ever got to see her was a year ago, though I got lots of time to hold her and snuggle with her then. I am so sad I won't be there when she goes.
This sucks. I am at work and in tears with my office door closed.
Re: I am so sad right now (cat related)
Currently Reading: Don Quixote by Miguel De Cervantes
Thanks guys.
It is very much appreciated.
I am so sorry.
I do have to wonder, though, why I didn't read anything about seeing a vet.
"My mum was up all night trying to hand feed her, and is taking her to vet today or tomorrow (as soon as she can get into one we like and who knows Shelby)."
Kuus, from my original OP:
My mum was up all night trying to hand feed her, and is taking her to vet today or tomorrow (as soon as she can get into one we like and who knows Shelby).
My mum just got back from a two-week work trip two days ago, and while she was eating less before she left she was still drinking milk and tasting things, but she really took a bad turn in the last few days, apparently to point my mum has to hand-feed her and she is having the coughing fits.
She wants to get her in to her regular vet, as he knows Shelby well (has been her vet for about 15 years or so) and her health issues.
When I say I expect the worst, it is as I expect he is going to tell mum it's time (if she does not go beforehand).
I am so very sorry to hear about your kitty's failing health. You know that I am a stickler for animals and it breaks my heart that you are going through this rough time.
Your kitty knows how much she is loved and you've been a great Kitty Mommy. Your mom will be there to comfort her when she crosses The Rainbow Bridge. I know you wish you could be there, but you will be in spirit. I don't have any doubt that your Shelby knows how much you love her.
I'm so so sorry. (((hugs)))
Yeah, we really want our regular vet because of his familiarity with her (and he is very compassionate towards the pets and their owners). I don't have very good experiences with some vets, to be honest, so would rather she see someone she "knows", too, especially if he is going to be the one helping things end peacefully for her. Also, we are pretty sure this is a case of her old age is catching up to her and her other preexisting health issues are as well. If she had a broken leg or something, of course we would go into the emergency vet.
I know rabbits will just up and die if they are stressed or in pain, so yeah, with my rabbit I tended to just go to the emergency vet right away if something was off.
Oh this is so sad.
I'm so sorry.
Yeah that's right my name's Yauch!
Thank you all.
Shelby was put to sleep yesterday morning. My mum, stepfather, and sister were all wih her - along with her "baby" - her stuffed lion, and she was in her own cat bed. The vet was certain it was time; her heart and kidneys were shutting down - a progression of her hyperthyroidism it sounds like.
Mum said it was like she held out until my mum came back from her latest business trip as on the weekend Shelby was still running up the stairs and then as soon as mum came home she was done. No surprise as they were great buddies.
I am very sad, but happy she was surrounded by so much love when she died and had a great life. Now, as my husband said she's back in the flow or kitty heaven or wherever kitties go! I have so much work on my desk but think I will go in and bring it home as I am likely to cry a few times today. Yesterday I did not find out until after work and could distract myself all day.
She was such a pretty cat and full of character and affection. We were very lucky to have had so many years with her!