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Deesandy
Member
09-27-2003
| Tuesday, January 27, 2004 - 10:09 pm
My mom has a cat who is 14 years old. He has lost a lot of weight and has stopped eating and drinking, socializing, etc. He has been to the vet twice and has had $500.00 of treatment but it has not helped. He is on medication still. I feel so sad. At one point do you decide what is best for the kitty? He was always so loving and full of life. I wish I could be there with my mom right now.
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Costacat
Member
08-02-2002
| Tuesday, January 27, 2004 - 10:19 pm
I always go by the point when the cat's quality of life has deteriorated. It's a very tough decision, but if the cat seems to be in pain, or no longer seem to enjoy life, then it is sometimes more humane to euthanize him. This is always the hardest decision to make. I wish our four legged children could tell us what they want us to do! Dee, tell your mom that I am so sorry her cat is doing so poorly. Do the vets know what is wrong?
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Herckleperckle
Member
11-22-2003
| Tuesday, January 27, 2004 - 10:22 pm
First, I am sorry. Pets are members of the family. And it is very difficult emotionally. I dealt with a beloved dying dog. When he could no longer drink, I decided that it was just unfair to keep him alive for ME. My vet concurred. And I took this wonderful dog to the vet to have him put to sleep. It wasn't easy. I still remember every haunting detail of that event. Are you far from your mom? It would be good if she had someone with her if she decides that is the way to go and that she wants to be there.

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Gidget
Member
07-28-2002
| Tuesday, January 27, 2004 - 10:39 pm
I am so sorry Deesandy. Losing a pet is so hard. Have you spoken to the vet in terms of pain associated with the condition? Pain is always a big factor with furry babies. Especially with cats it is important to be able to groom. You can certainly help him with that but if he is losing the ability to keep himself clean that is another unhappy state for a kitty. Your vet can really help guide you... tho they will not make the decision, usually. If you know his particular condition you may be able to research about it on the net to get a better idea of what kitty is going thru. Also ask your vet about the long term prognosis. If he/she believes kitty has a limited time left he/she may permit you to give kitty extra special treats that will at least get him eating a little. Sometimes when cats are ill they respond to hand feeding/watering too. Worth a try. You might want to post in our cat folder too. I can't remember if it is under gen'l discussion or community. But there are a lot of cat lovers and mommies and daddies of furry friends who have a lot of experience and will certainly give you all the advise/warm shoulders they can. What is his name by the way.
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Deesandy
Member
09-27-2003
| Wednesday, January 28, 2004 - 5:57 am
Hi Everyone. I have not spoken to my mom today so I have no new news yet. Her cat's name is Shadow. He is the offspring of a cat I used to have. I am in Florida and they are in Michigan. The town they live in is every small and I honestly doubt the vet there has a clue as to what is wrong. My mom was told that Shadow has an infection. I guess I am feeling guilt (again) because I moved away from home four years ago and have left my mom to be on her own. Oh, she is married, but my father is not what I would consider a partner in life. He does his own thing and leaves my mom to do her own. He always puts himself first. He will not be there for her during this difficult time and basically will tell her to get over it because Shadow is just a cat. I have called my brother to alert him of the situation so I hope he comes through for mom. But you know the saying "The fruit doesn't fall far from the tree"? That applies to my brother. Shadow is a Tuxedo cat by the way. I may post a picture of him. Thank you for your kind words. Shadow may be just a cat, but he is loved nonetheless.
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Pamy
Member
01-02-2002
| Wednesday, January 28, 2004 - 6:21 am
Deesandy,,you and your Mom are in my thoughts and prayers. Sending good kitty thoughts to Shadow
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Reader234
Member
08-13-2000
| Wednesday, January 28, 2004 - 6:37 am
{{Hugs}} deesandy, it is a difficult time.
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Deesandy
Member
09-27-2003
| Wednesday, January 28, 2004 - 7:10 am
I guess I should start a "I hate my father" thread because when anything like this comes up it brings all kinds of emotion to the surface. Of course I love my dad, but I hate him too. It's not like he didn't like Shadow and vice versa...
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Daydreamer
Member
09-28-2003
| Wednesday, January 28, 2004 - 9:25 am
I'm so sorry about your Mom's cat. I had to put my beloved cat, Willie, to sleep almost 4 years ago and I still miss him terribly. He had been sick with kidney disease, heart disease and asthma for a couple of years. He was doing well on medications but his condition started to deteriorate. He was 14 also. The deciding factor for me was when his lungs filled with fluid for the second time in 2 weeks and he was having trouble breathing. He had also stopped eating. I asked the vet what he would do if Willie was his cat and he said he would not let him suffer any more, as the heart disease was causing him to fill up with fluids but his kidneys needed a different type of fluids to keep him alive. In other words, the two conditions that he had were basically working against each other. His little body just couldn't take any more. It was the hardest thing I ever had to do, but I didn't want him to suffer any longer. I will keep you, your Mom and Shadow in my thoughts and I hope she will get the support she needs at this difficult time. I remember my Mom asking me why I was crying over a cat and telling me to get over it. That hurt me terribly.
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Colordeagua
Member
10-31-2003
| Wednesday, January 28, 2004 - 11:22 am
It's been 38 years since my beloved beagle had to be put to sleep due to a malignant tumor. I still shed tears over him. His last collar hangs on my bedpost.
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Teachmichigan
Member
07-22-2001
| Wednesday, January 28, 2004 - 11:52 am
Deesandy....where in Michigan? I'm on the West side near Lk. Michigan..is that close enough to be of any help? I've had to put one kitty down...and it was horribly sad, but having 2 dogs and 2 other kitties did help to keep me distracted. Now when it comes to one of my dogs, I know I'll be a basket case! Anyway, if I'm close enough to help out, I'd be happy to do what I could.
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Deesandy
Member
09-27-2003
| Wednesday, January 28, 2004 - 12:16 pm
Spoke to mom... Shadow is getting worse. He doens't want to be touched. My mom doesn't want to take him to the vet because she knows that they will suggest putting him down. She wants to take the chance that he will recover on his own or to let him die at home. I believe that if he is in pain then she should take him in. Mom is still in denial I think. My A.H. brother never did call her or stop by. He lives 10 minutes away from her. Out of all the cats we have had, Shadow has been the sweetest. The sad part of all of this is that when he is gone, mom will not get another pet. She spends so much time alone now that it makes me sad all the way around...for her and for him. Thank you for all of the kindness y'all.
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Deesandy
Member
09-27-2003
| Wednesday, January 28, 2004 - 12:20 pm
Teach, I just sent you an email. You are an angel! Thank you. Sandy
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Deesandy
Member
09-27-2003
| Wednesday, January 28, 2004 - 2:58 pm
Shadow died at 3:30pm.
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Sillycalimomma
Member
11-18-2003
| Wednesday, January 28, 2004 - 3:04 pm
(((((((((((((((Deesandy))))))))))))))))))) I'm so sorry to hear this. It is good that he passed at home though I guess, hopefully he was not in pain and calmed by his surroundings. Give you momma some time to greave, she may say she doesn't want another pet now, but change her mind with time and the healing of this loss. Hugs and Kisses XOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXO
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Calamity
Member
10-28-2002
| Wednesday, January 28, 2004 - 3:05 pm
Oh, I'm so sorry Deesandy. Hope your Mom is coping okay. I'll say a prayer for Shadow's spirit.
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Reader234
Member
08-13-2000
| Wednesday, January 28, 2004 - 3:27 pm
{{{HUGS}}} to both you and your mom... it is a sad time...

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Daydreamer
Member
09-28-2003
| Wednesday, January 28, 2004 - 3:40 pm
I'm so sorry Deesandy. When I read that your post I burst out in tears. I hope that he went peacefully. My thoughts are with you and your Mom and I have said a prayer for Shadow.
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Lauram
Member
01-03-2003
| Wednesday, January 28, 2004 - 5:33 pm
I am so srry for you and your mom!!   
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Mags
Member
03-27-2002
| Wednesday, January 28, 2004 - 5:39 pm
Deesandy...I am so sorry. It is so hard when a furry child passes away. I thought of this poem, which I think has been posted here before. Just this side of heaven is a place called Rainbow Bridge. When an animal dies that has been especially close to someone here, that pet goes to Rainbow Bridge. There are meadows and hills for all of our special friends so they can run and play together. There is plenty of food, water and sunshine, and our friends are warm and comfortable. All the animals who had been ill and old are restored to health and vigor. Those who were hurt or maimed are made whole and strong again, just as we remember them in our dreams of days and times gone by. The animals are happy and content, except for one small thing; they each miss someone very special to them, who had to be left behind. They all run and play together, but the day comes when one suddenly stops and looks into the distance. His bright eyes are intent. His eager body quivers. Suddenly he begins to run from the group, flying over the green grass, his legs carrying him faster and faster. You have been spotted, and when you and your special friend finally meet, you cling together in joyous reunion, never to be parted again. The happy kisses rain upon your face; your hands again caress the beloved head, and you look once more into the trusting eyes of your pet, so long gone from your life but never absent from your heart. Then you cross Rainbow Bridge together....}
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Landi
Member
08-25-2003
| Wednesday, January 28, 2004 - 5:47 pm
i have never seen that before, and i sit here at work with tears streaming down my face. the rainbow bridge is how i always dreamed it would be. my heart goes out to you deesandy, i'm so sorry for your loss
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Lucy
Member
06-06-2003
| Wednesday, January 28, 2004 - 7:47 pm
Deesandy, It's always so hard to lose beloved pet. Shadow sounds like he was a wonderful kitty. You mentioned that he was a tuxedo cat..I've never met a tuxey that wasn't just as sweet as could be. Hugs to you and your mom.
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Deesandy
Member
09-27-2003
| Thursday, January 29, 2004 - 8:04 pm
From my mom: Thank you for remembering Shadow. He was alot more than a cat. He always knew if I was across the street at my neighbors and would get up and knock on the window. He would sit by my chair and wait for me to get up so he could show me what he wanted. He hid in the basement if a storm was coming. He played with his sister Jasper. He waited on the stairs to play with Grandpa. He knocked on the door to come in. He looked for me to take care of him and I feel awful that I couldn't save him. I see him everywhere I look and have to stop my self from opening the door to call him home. I will always remember him with love.
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Herckleperckle
Member
11-22-2003
| Thursday, January 29, 2004 - 8:17 pm
{{{Deesandy, your mom, and Shadow's spirit}}}
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Ketchuplover
Member
07-03-2002
| Thursday, January 29, 2004 - 8:25 pm
(((((Deesandy-her mom & shadow))))
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Mak1
Member
08-12-2002
| Thursday, January 29, 2004 - 8:41 pm
(((deesandy, your mom and shadow))) I know what your mom means about still seeing Shadow. My cat Boots died a year and a half ago at the age of 18 and I still see him from the corner of my mind's eye sometimes and half expect to hear him come running every time I use the can opener.
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Deesandy
Member
09-27-2003
| Friday, January 30, 2004 - 9:13 am
From my daughter: Shadow was grandma’s cat. He used to be my mom’s kitten whom was the offspring of her cat Hershey, and then my Uncle Dave raised him along with his sister Jasper. Uncle Dave moved away and grandma took both the kitties into her home. Uncle Dave moved back and he wanted the cats back too. Grandma let them go of course. However, Shadow kept walking across town to get back to grandma’s house. He missed her and he wanted to live there now. Uncle Dave did the right thing and he let both the cats return to grandma. She has had them for over ten years. Shadow is very smart. He would knock on the door when he wanted to be let in the house. He ran the neighborhood and everyone knew him. His striking good looks had all the ladies swooning over him, and I mean human ladies! He was friendly to all, including children. When I was at grandma’s house in the fall, Shadow played with me. I would copy everything he would do. If he laid down, I would lay next to him and put my hands in the same position he had his paws. When he walked, I crawled like I was a cat. I meowed at him. He was very sweet to me and I fell in love with him right away. Grandma is very upset of course. She loves this cat. He has been her friend and her company for over ten years. She has saved him from fights and from illness. He was her buddy. I wish I could be there to hug my grandma and make it all okay. I love you very much, and Shadow too.
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