Scratchy

Lost our kitty Scratchy on Friday afternoon to renal failure. He was only 7 years old.

It all happened too fast. We took him to the vet after noticing he had become lethargic over the past week. He had bad breath, was constantly smacking his lips, and just wasn't acting like his spunky self. He was still eating and drinking though. The vet immediately noted that he was dehydrated and had lost weight; they ran some blood tests. The results came a few days later: kidney failure. In the meantime, he became even more lethargic, barely eat or drank anything, and had a few accidents outside the litter box. I was devastated and scared, but the vet said with treatment he might be able to stabilize. They admitted him for 3 days of IV fluids to flush out the kidneys. We got updates several times a day, and he seemed to be tolerating things well. I was feeling more optimistic and was excited to bring him home, even though I know it would be a difficult road ahead with administering fluids, special food, medication, etc. Friday morning, they took another blood sample and called us with results. His kidney function had gotten worse not better. He had lost more weight, was not tolerating the syringe feedings, and was severely anemic. The vet said there was not much more we could do for him, but left it up to us to decide what to do next.

I'm still replaying everything in my mind and second guessing my decision, but we decided to put him to sleep. We said our goodbyes and I held him in my lap as he took his last breath. After reading more online about renal failure, I am wondering if I should have taken him home and tried some alternative approaches. I also feel heartsick that he had to spend his last three days being poked and prodded at the vets, scared and stressed, and away from his family. I wish we had more time with him!

We have 5 other cats and a toddler to keep us busy and surrounded with love, but I am missing Scratchy terribly. Despite always being a skinny runt, he was our alpha cat and seriously spunky! He was one of those cats that follows you around everywhere; he was always by my side! He was very friendly around strangers and very affectionate. He slept on my chest every night.

Sorry for the long post! Thanks for letting me share my grief and pay tribute to our beloved Scratchy.

So sorry to hear of your loss. He was far too young! RIP, Scratchy.

Oh what a beautiful boy he was. Kidney failure is such a sad thing. We try so hard, but it usually wins.

Try not to beat yourself up over his last few days, you just wanted to give him every chance to beat it.

To go to the Bridge in your arms gave him peace and no fear.

God bless you for loving Scratchy, and RIP beautiful boy.

Many of us understand how painful it is to lose a cat to renal failure. I think you did the right thing. My personal feeling is my cats lived a dignified life and I wanted them to die that way too. Try not to second guess yourself. As painful as it is, I am sure you made the right decision for your beloved Scratchy. I hope your memories will be sweet and comfort you in your grief.
Scratchy was blessed to have such a loving family and I am sure he loved you as much as you love him. Rest in peace beautiful boy.

I am so sorry to hear about Scratchy. I completely understand what you are going through. I just had to do the exact same thing with my 6 year old cat yesterday who also had kidney failure. It almost sounds identical, he started with slight dehydration, they gave fluids and we left him with the vet over the weekend for the IV to flush his system. We were supposed to do more bloodwork and pick him up this morning to try to take him home, but the vet called yesterday and said we had to come in and say goodbye. He couldn't move and was taking his last breath. I was so happy to be able to be there for him but now I feel such extreme guilt that there was something else we could have done. Please know you are not the only one feeling this way and I hope you find some comfort knowing you are not alone. I miss my baby so much and it just doesn't feel real. Scratchy and my Rex were just too young for this to happen.

Originally Posted by kristinlowman

His kidney function had gotten worse not better. He had lost more weight, was not tolerating the syringe feedings, and was severely anemic. The vet said there was not much more we could do for him, but left it up to us to decide what to do next.

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I am speaking from experience and I know you dion't feel like you did a good thing right now. But when you made the decision to let Scratchy go, you did the kindest thing you could possibly have done for him. I am sorry for your loss and my thoughts are with you.

I'm so sorry that your beautiful cat Scratchy died.

Oh dear, I am so very sorry for Scratchy. He was a gorgeous cat and so young. Life can be so harsh on those we love and just doesn't seem fair. You were a fantastic meowmy to your Scratchy and gave him a much loved life. RIP Sweet Scratchy

Thanks so much everyone for your kind words and support!

jordycat98 - I had read your post on the Health forum. Your story does sound eerily similar. So sorry for you loss. *HUGS*

My condolences. RIP, Scratchy.

I'm so sorry for the loss of your precious Scratchy. At least he is free of pain over the Rainbow Bridge now... RIP Scratchy.

I am so sorry for your less, I truly am. My Scully, whom I assisted to Rainbow Bridge six weeks ago aged eight and a half, could have been a brother to your Scratchy, nearly a twin but Scully had longer fur. Heartbreaking and too young. You did do the right thing. No mater what happens we always beat ourselves up that we should have done something different to help, but the truth is that we can only do our best. My feral Freddie was assisted by us to Rainbow Bridge on Monday, 21 March, advanced feline leukaemia, and I still have things I think could have been done differently. You will miss Scratch so much, even with 5 others and a toddler, but it does get easier, and you could not do anything more for him, Scratchy knows that he was loved and treasured, you showed him that every day. After six weeks I have come to realise that we all have a tenuous hold on life and we just have to appreciate that time that we had with them, our furbabies were special, but they were only on loan to us. He has no pain now, and you must think of that when you get sad, releasing him was your final gift of love, and Scratchy knows that.

Take care and be kind to yourself, Scratchy will always be with you.

Victoria

Wow! Talk about almost Deja Vu! Almost the same thing happened to my Oliver. Except it happened over the course of 3 days. Practically look the same except for the long hair...

I'm so sorry What a handsome boy Scratchy is

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I am sorry for you loss. I hope your heart heals quickly.

What a beautiful, beautiful boy! Renal failure is so frustrating and defeating. You did the right thing for Scratchy. We always feel guilty over their passing. But, you did all you could. It was just his time to go. Though it was much too young and unfair.

I'm really so sorry you lost this dear cat.


Robin