So sad and frustrated for relative's likely dying cat

ziggy'smom

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I'm so upset and aggravated over what's happening to this poor cat in the hands of his clearly uncaring owners. This cat, Jay, belongs to a relative but I know him pretty well after having him stay with us for a few months a few years ago. He's only seven years old and shouldn't be in such bad shape but he is. Apparently he started to have health problems about a month or two ago after he was on the run for two days. Jay stopped eating properly and lost weight, a lot of weight. After a while he had lost 3 pounds (although I suspect it was more) and by then his owners finally took him to the vet. He had some tests and it showed that he had an infection so he was given antibiotics as well as diazepam to stimulate his appetite (fyi diazepam is not the a very effective appetite stimulant and there are better ones). After that I heard that Jay was better and on the mend - the illness was over and in the past.

But the other day I heard that he's not well after all. Something is wrong with his kidneys and he's not eating or peeing and his owner mentioned the possibility of euthanasia if he's suffering. It sounds to me like he may be facing organ failure due to not eating and drinking and it's so frustrating because it could have been prevented. Jay should have been force fed, given sub-q fluids and a better appetite stimulant until he was able to take in enough calories on his own. There is no reason for a cat to go into organ failure due to lack of eating because of an infection. If treated early enough the treatment isn't that difficult or expensive but at this point it likely will be both. I can't believe that they waited until he had lost 3 freaking pounds before they took him to the vet! I guess they didn't know how serious it is when a cat doesn't eat but a little bit of research should have clued them in. Why didn't they do any research? Why didn't they take him to the vet when they realized something was wrong? Sadly they seemed much more concerned about their tires on their car than the life of their cat when my husband talked to them yesterday.

I wrote them a long email with suggestions yesterday and tried to convey to them how serious Jay's condition is. I hope they take it to heart but I have a feeling they won't. Why don't people care more about their pets? It's beyond me.
 

catwoman707

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That's the million dollar question so many of us would like the answer to.

Just like how is it possible for someone to own a cat, then move away and leave it behind to suffer and grieve...................it's so beyond my comprehension.

Have you considered asking them if they will turn the poor cat over to you?

If they truly love the poor guy, and can't afford the vet costs, maybe they will. That is if you and your husband are good with that.

He def. sounds like he needs help, but at 7 is likely not too far gone at this point.

Good luck, thanks for being such a caring person.

Stupid people!  
 

catsknowme

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  I am angry and sorry for poor Jay!!!!!  And yes, it happens so often!!  I like CatWoman's suggestion that perhaps you can offer to take in Jay.  I worry that if they let him go this long, they might even decide that PTS is too much of a hassle, and bottom line is that Jay not suffer.  I will pray for a miracle that either they have a change of heart OR hand Jay over to you or someone else who will give that deserving boy the love and dedication that he deserves!!
 

jodiethierry64

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I'm so upset and aggravated over what's happening to this poor cat in the hands of his clearly uncaring owners. This cat, Jay, belongs to a relative but I know him pretty well after having him stay with us for a few months a few years ago. He's only seven years old and shouldn't be in such bad shape but he is. Apparently he started to have health problems about a month or two ago after he was on the run for two days. Jay stopped eating properly and lost weight, a lot of weight. After a while he had lost 3 pounds (although I suspect it was more) and by then his owners finally took him to the vet. He had some tests and it showed that he had an infection so he was given antibiotics as well as diazepam to stimulate his appetite (fyi diazepam is not the a very effective appetite stimulant and there are better ones). After that I heard that Jay was better and on the mend - the illness was over and in the past.
But the other day I heard that he's not well after all. Something is wrong with his kidneys and he's not eating or peeing and his owner mentioned the possibility of euthanasia if he's suffering. It sounds to me like he may be facing organ failure due to not eating and drinking and it's so frustrating because it could have been prevented. Jay should have been force fed, given sub-q fluids and a better appetite stimulant until he was able to take in enough calories on his own. There is no reason for a cat to go into organ failure due to lack of eating because of an infection. If treated early enough the treatment isn't that difficult or expensive but at this point it likely will be both. I can't believe that they waited until he had lost 3 freaking pounds before they took him to the vet! I guess they didn't know how serious it is when a cat doesn't eat but a little bit of research should have clued them in. Why didn't they do any research? Why didn't they take him to the vet when they realized something was wrong? Sadly they seemed much more concerned about their tires on their car than the life of their cat when my husband talked to them yesterday.

I wrote them a long email with suggestions yesterday and tried to convey to them how serious Jay's condition is. I hope they take it to heart but I have a feeling they won't. Why don't people care more about their pets? It's beyond me.
I know how you feel. My sister had a 9 yr old feline, Little Man, who became ill.We don't speak but my niece said he just started having diarrhea. My sister didn't take him the vet and he died needlessly and suffering.
I will never forgive her!!!!!!!!
 
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ziggy'smom

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Jay died. They found him dead one morning a week ago. I'm just starting to get over being p'd off. I think by the time we found out that Jay was sick again he had already developed fatty liver which is what I believe killed him. Unfortunately they are very far away - a 3 day drive - so there was nothing I could do to help Jay so he suffered and died. RIP Jay!
 

catwoman707

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OMG that's so sad!! Just awful, to suffer and die like that. Ugh, very upsetting, I know.  
  
 

feralvr

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Why don't people care more about their pets? It's beyond me.
I will never understand it either. :shame:

I am so very sorry about Jay and the way he had to suffer and die. Sending you a big hug right now :hugs: :grphug: and may :rbheart: Jay :angel: rest peacefully. He is now free. I am sorry.......
 
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