Hey guys,
Just wanting to get things off my chest. Have two male cats, one 13 and the other 12. This forum has been amazing to me in terms of support as age takes over both of them.
My 12-year old tabby started developing all the telltale signs of neurological issues three weeks ago: twitching/hind leg tremors, lethargy, and then the occasional aloofness. A week after, he started developing wobbly legs in the rear and struggled to use the litter and jump up the sofa/bed. Fast forward to two weeks thereafter (current), he can no longer walk or stand up. He is very lethargic and often meows which I associate is pain and tiredness. He is constantly urinating and defacating on himself. Yet my boy still shows rigor in his eyes but he's telling me it's time. My mother is elder and takes care of my cats as I have to often travel for work so I took him to the vet today and it didn't take the vet more than 5 mins to make the diagnosis. I feared it was something neurological, but you go into that environment grasping at even a glimpse or sliver of a hope will prevail. Alas, it didn't...
I suspect I will have a few days/week with him before I have to put him down. It's absolute agony as for the last four years I have been unable to care for him directly given my job. Other side of the coin is he has been a blessing to my mother whom is elderly and lives alone. I often worry about her own well-being and these two boys have undoubtedly been a blessing to her. We have given him such an amazing life and he in return has bestowed us 10X that in terms of his love, presence and by gosh some amazing jumps with the wand in his youth. I hold him my right arm as I write this shedding tears as I write this. I'm a guy, touting myself as a pretty strong one at that, but I can't help but breakdown from this.
Lastly, please hug your cats/family/friends knowing that there will be a time where we all depart. Don't take it for granted. I wish them all a long life full of happiness and lots of canned food (the cats and even maybe some weird friends) Thank you again for giving me this platform to discuss. I am sure I will come back to time after time to remember. I wish you all nothing but the best.
-Neil
Just wanting to get things off my chest. Have two male cats, one 13 and the other 12. This forum has been amazing to me in terms of support as age takes over both of them.
My 12-year old tabby started developing all the telltale signs of neurological issues three weeks ago: twitching/hind leg tremors, lethargy, and then the occasional aloofness. A week after, he started developing wobbly legs in the rear and struggled to use the litter and jump up the sofa/bed. Fast forward to two weeks thereafter (current), he can no longer walk or stand up. He is very lethargic and often meows which I associate is pain and tiredness. He is constantly urinating and defacating on himself. Yet my boy still shows rigor in his eyes but he's telling me it's time. My mother is elder and takes care of my cats as I have to often travel for work so I took him to the vet today and it didn't take the vet more than 5 mins to make the diagnosis. I feared it was something neurological, but you go into that environment grasping at even a glimpse or sliver of a hope will prevail. Alas, it didn't...
I suspect I will have a few days/week with him before I have to put him down. It's absolute agony as for the last four years I have been unable to care for him directly given my job. Other side of the coin is he has been a blessing to my mother whom is elderly and lives alone. I often worry about her own well-being and these two boys have undoubtedly been a blessing to her. We have given him such an amazing life and he in return has bestowed us 10X that in terms of his love, presence and by gosh some amazing jumps with the wand in his youth. I hold him my right arm as I write this shedding tears as I write this. I'm a guy, touting myself as a pretty strong one at that, but I can't help but breakdown from this.
Lastly, please hug your cats/family/friends knowing that there will be a time where we all depart. Don't take it for granted. I wish them all a long life full of happiness and lots of canned food (the cats and even maybe some weird friends) Thank you again for giving me this platform to discuss. I am sure I will come back to time after time to remember. I wish you all nothing but the best.
-Neil