Losing my friend

I came across this site tonight whilst searching the Internet for answers. Anything I could find to save my Rosie's life. Last Wednesday I took her to the vet for her annual check up to be told she has less than 6 months to live. We had been treating her for an over active thyroid for a few years but now it seems as if her kidneys are suffering and she has an enlarged heart. She has gone down hill from that visit. She still eats but drinks quite a bit more and has become very slow. No longer charging around the house. I thought at 16.5 years she was just an old lady but the vet tells me that's not the case. I feel it's only a matter of days and I might have to make that decision myself if she becomes uncomfortable. Anyway I know I am rambling but the thought of losing my best friend is quite unbearable. I don't know what I am going to do with myself. I feel as if she has been my reason to "be" and without her who am I ? After reading some posts on other sites I wonder why my cat never had X-rays or tests to see if anything like this was happening. It's just the most distressing time and I thank anyone who reads this because I know that here someone will understand.

Yes, we all understand what you are going through   Did your Vet not offer any suggestions as to things you could do to extend her life if she does, indeed, have kidney disease and/or heart issues.  Many older cats develop kidney disease, and what they usually need is a change in diet and more fluids, and somethings that helps.  As far as the heart issues, depending on what they are, there are medications that might help. 

If it's any consolation, must cats with kidney disease are not diagnosed until their kidneys are pretty much shot.  They don't show their symptoms until it's almost too late .  That's when they start drinking lots and lots of water and usually begin very thin pretty quickly.  It happened to my Sven almost overnight, it seemed.  But he lived for 3 years after his diagnosis (he was diagnosed at age 13).

I am so sorry you and Rosie are going thru this.  I would seriously talk to my Vet about things you can do to help her.  Here is a website with everything there is to know about kidney disease:  http://www.felinecrf.org/index.htm

Unfortunately, there are far too many of us who understand what you're going through, having had very similar experiences. All I can advise you to do is take things one day at a time, and cherish each and every one of them. There's really no way of predicting just how many of them are left. Rosie needs to feel your love right now, not your despair. Although it might seem like the end of the world as you know it is approaching, you will carry on, fill Rosie's last days with love, and hopefully open your heart and home to another needy cat in the future, who won't replace Rosie, but who will make you laugh again.

Just a quick update!! Rosie is still here!! After reading mrsgreenjeans link I dumped all of her food recommended by the vet and bought some tasty looking holistic stuff!!! I know she is not going to get "better" but she is eating drinking and doing everything she used to do!! She is happy and we are blessed with every extra day. Thank you both for your kind words

that she continues like that for a long time to come!

great news!  Now, did the Vet give you any pills or anything for the heart condition?

continued vibes for Rosie

I'm so pleased she's improved. I'll move Rosie into the health forum now
 

No the vet gave nothing for the heart condition...He said it was enlarged and had a massive murmur. His opinion was that she would soon have a heart attack or a stroke I am still giving her the meds for the thyroid condition. I feel as if I am on borrowed time with her but I have to say she really seems to be acting like her old self.

I know exactly what you're going thru...I told my cat "when you go, I go"  because after he's gone i'll have no real purpose anymore.  of course, I know I will go on with my life.  so, its nice to read about how rosie has gotten somewhat better and is acting like her old self.  I know what a good feeling it is when you help your cat overcome something like that even if it is only temporarty. It gives the rest of us hope that our cats can sometimes bounce back from the gravest of conditions. 

My cat only lived for 7 years. She had kidney disease. She was throwing up thick green foaming stuff. I took her to the vet. They only gave her som estiasa so she can sleep there until she died. It was aug 16 of last year. She died at 6:15 pm. Im still upset by it. I rescued her 8 yrs ago from kfc parking lot in tipton, in during the pork festival. She rode on my back and shoulders all the way home for 7 miles. She was sick all her life. It was cold and raining all weekend long. She was out in it. Thats what makes me mad. Im sorry aboit your kitty. I have losing animals. Then i lost a senior cat last christmas. Yep 2 in 4 months