Update on Clansy

dianam

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Hello, everybody --

You might recall my original thread "Can someone, please shed some light..." about my male cat drooling and not being quite himself. I also expressed my fears about having brought to him the dreaded FIP virus on my clothes and shoes after visiting with a friend whose cat seems to have all the symptoms of that horrible sickness.

My cat shook his head and took his front paws to his face every time he ate, as if trying to dislodge some food caught between his teeth. An oral problem was immediately suspected and I set an appointment with the vet for this past Thursday. One hour before the appointment, I took out the pet carrier and, as soon as my cat saw it, he hid somewhere in the house. After looking for him and unable to find him, the appointment with the vet had to be cancelled and a new one set up for yesterday.

Yesterday I managed to get my boy in my bedroom and I closed all doors. Once I got ready, I tried to put him in the transporter. He hissed at me, he ran, he jumped and he threw himself against the doors trying to escape. My heart sunk. I did not want him to think that he was being punished. He was sort of feral when I first adopted him but I could pet him and he would rub against me when I was at the computer. His violent reaction to my intention to put him into the pet transporter caught me by surprise.

At the vet's office, he was calm but I warned the doctor about the tantrum that my boy had thrown and I said that I was afraid he might bite her. The vet's assistant took the boy out of the transporter and he was very docile.

As soon as the vet examined him she told me that either a tumor or a fractured jaw was the culprit. If it was a tumor, she said, the only alternative would be to put him to sleep because it is a very painful condition. I was shocked at the news of a fractured jaw and I thought about the way my boy threw himself violently against the doors, trying to avoid the cage. I felt guilty even though all I wanted to do is seek medical help for him.

The vet told me that she needed to sedate Clancy for a more throrough examination. She, then, presented me with a form of consent for treatment and possible surgery in case my guy needed to have the jaw steel wired. Of course, a $150.00 "deposit" at front was required (who knows how many times the vet has been burned by people dumping their pets on her)

Today I received a report about Clancy.

He, indeed, has a cancerous tumor that has eroded his jaw (hence the original thought of a fracture) and the vet has recommended euthanasia.

I have asked the vet to keep my boy comfortable (she offered the choice of an antibiotic) during the weekend. On Monday, God willing, I will pick him up and bring him home for a few hours to see his female companion of about eight years who is very depressed and missing him. Then, I will take him to an specialist even though the vet does not recommend it.

I wonder sometimes if all that glorious happiness that our pets bring into our lives is worth it when, in the end, we have to part with them in the worst way.
 

pat

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I am so very sorry. I understand some of what you are feeling, it is one of the hardest parts of loving pets.
 
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dianam

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Originally Posted by Pat & Alix

I am so very sorry. I understand some of what you are feeling, it is one of the hardest parts of loving pets.
Thanks, Pat & Alix.

I am naive so I will be taking my boy to a specialist on Monday. This is so heart breaking. I have lost pets in the past and it has always been very sad.

I still hope for a small miracle.

Thanks again.
 

kittenkiya

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Oh dear God, I know what you mean. But in spite of all the pain we suffer because of our love for them......it only proves our wonderful humanity.....that we can hurt, grieve and feel pain for our loved animals.

People were made to love. Our animals know it, we all feel it. It shows up the very, very best in us, even though it hurts. I am so proud to be a part of a group of people, here on this site, that love so much, that care so much. The whole world could learn a lesson from us, if it chose to. Love and hugs and kisses, and soothing headbuts and loving licks from KittenKiya's Clan.

 

pushylady

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Originally Posted by KittenKiya

Oh dear God, I know what you mean. But in spite of all the pain we suffer because of our love for them......it only proves our wonderful humanity.....that we can hurt, grieve and feel pain for our loved animals.

People were made to love. Our animals know it, we all feel it. It shows up the very, very best in us, even though it hurts. I am so proud to be a part of a group of people, here on this site, that love so much, that care so much. The whole world could learn a lesson from us, if it chose to. Love and hugs and kisses, and soothing headbuts and loving licks from KittenKiya's Clan.

That is so true.
I hate to think about the inevitable death of my pets - who doesn't? But when that time comes, I'm going to have the comfort of the years we've spent together and all the love we shared.
I'm so sorry about Clancy.
 
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dianam

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Thanks, KittenKiya!

I do believe that animals are better than some so-called human beings and I also believe that pet lovers are good people.
 
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dianam

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Originally Posted by pushylady

That is so true.
I hate to think about the inevitable death of my pets - who doesn't? But when that time comes, I'm going to have the comfort of the years we've spent together and all the love we shared.
I'm so sorry about Clancy.
Thanks, PushyLady.

Clancy is a very noble boy. If the worst should happen, he would leave a tremendous void in my life and in the life of Chloe, his companion of several years. She is already missing him --Clancy is at the vet's clinic over the weekend-- and she is looking for him all over the house. I don't go out at all just to keep her company and to comfort her.

Thanks again.
 

yosemite

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I'm so sorry to hear about your sweet Clancy. Our thoughts and prayers are with you and Clancy during this difficult time.
 
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dianam

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Originally Posted by Yosemite

I'm so sorry to hear about your sweet Clancy. Our thoughts and prayers are with you and Clancy during this difficult time.
Thanks, Yosemite.

I still have one more card to play. I am taking my sweet little guy to a specialist. I am only asking for a little miracle.
 

booktigger

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I am so very sorry to hear this, and I will pray that the specialist has better news for you. It is the hardest part of having cats, but you sound like the kind of person who will do the best thing for him, however hard it is, and that truly does mean a lot.
 
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dianam

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Originally Posted by booktigger

I am so very sorry to hear this, and I will pray that the specialist has better news for you. It is the hardest part of having cats, but you sound like the kind of person who will do the best thing for him, however hard it is, and that truly does mean a lot.
Thanks, BookTiger.

Tomorrow is going to be a big day for Clancy (and for me) Sometimes we get so desperate that we expect vets to be able to walk on water. My heart is heavy but at least I am trying all possibilities to save my sweet boy.

I had a conversation with the daughter of a friend who is a vet. She answered most of the questions I had when I first came to this forum. It was the kind of lenghty communication that we can't have with a regular vet because their time is gold.

Thanks again.
 
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dianam

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Originally Posted by jcat

I'm so sorry to hear Clancy's diagnosis, and will keep both of you in my thoughts.
Thanks, JCat

My boy will be two days tomorrow away from me, at the vet's clinic. Most likely he did not eat and the poor thing looks emaciated. Tomorrow is a big day at the specialist.

Thanks again.
 
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