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- Nov 6, 2023
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Hello All,
I am having a really difficult time since my cats passing on friday . Sorry this is long bare with me.
My cat was 15 1/2 years old. Overall as far as l knew he was healthy. Two years ago he was diagnosed w hyperthyroidism. He would get his blood drawn every 6 mos to check his thyroid and kidneys etc. He was normal every time. Vet always said he looked great for his age. Chance was a very vocal cat. Sometimes way too vocal!!
He will pace around house meowing all hours. I figured this was an old age dementia thing as well. He did this ehen his thyroid was high but it never stopped once we controlled it.
I did take note about 6 mos ago his breath began to smell bad and he would have bouts of sneezing episodes. He chewed his food fine & never acted like he could not eat. Bit l did note l eould bring this up at his next visit.
About 3 weeks ago, l noticed he was quieter than normal. Then l took note he seemed to not eat when l put food out. Its not uncommon for him to walk away from his food bowl, he is a very picky eater!
I decided since he wasnt himself and close to his thyroid check anyways to call vet and let them know l wanted a full exam when he gets his blood drawn.
I got an appt 2 days later. The vet drew blood and examined him. I mentioned his teeth. He looked and said, "well these are not the worst teeth l have seen". I mentioned his breath, he said bad breath could also be an underlying issue like kidney problems. The next day, his blood work came back and it was all normal except for dehydration and anemia which the vet said would be common since he was not really eating or drinking. He said the next step would be to possibly get some x rays or an ultrasound. I told him he was eating a bit and drinking again and the vet said okay lets give it a few days then.
But A few days later he seemed to get worse. He had pus in his eyes and nasal discharge. I called the vet. He said lets get him an antibiotic injection and fluids. Perhaps he is getting an URI. He said wait about 2 to 5 days and if no improvement lets move ahead w xrays. He also gave me a food stimulant. My cat seemed to be just okay. Still accepted pets but rarely moved from the bathroom which is not a place he usually lays. I could get him to eat with assistance. Syringe water he would lick. Breaking up food by handing it to him. He loved the nutri cal so he would lick that off a spoon. But he was still lethargic and never meowed too much. I decided to call the vet last Monday and left a message. When the vet called back l told him what was happening. He asked me if he was eating and I said yes but w assistance. I said I don't know my guts telling me he is in pain or dying. I questioned euthanasia. He said let's not make any drastic decisions right now. Continue to give him the home care & I would give him a few more days since he only received the antibiotic injection 5 days ago. By wednesday my cats paws were swelling and he was no longer eating or drinking and my gut told me he was very ill & dying. He had dropped down to 5 pounds too.
I called Wednesday to ask if I could bring him in to put him down l didnt want him suffering anymore and his weak state told me he was very much done. They told me that they did not have any appointments until Monday. I was really upset l knew he wouldnt make it. I had to call around to find a vet who would take him sooner. The only one I could find could take him friday morning.
I drove my cat 25 minutes to an animal hospital. I was only there 10 minutes. As l sat talking to the vet tech, my cat jolted his head back making a choking noise. The tech grabbed him from my arms and screamed for a dr. Five min later They walked back in the room with my cat wrapped in a blanket and said that he had passed. I fell to the floor. The vet explained to me that his heart had just stopped and that those noises he was making were normal in death and he felt no pain.
Needless to say, I am devastated beyond words. This was not how it was supposed to end. But I joke and say that my cat always did things his own way & he was bound to go out on his terms.
My heart feels like l failed him & didnt do enough.
Was it his teeth that caused a bacterial infection? Was it undetected heart disease? Was it cancer?? I will live life never knowing ehat took my cat down in a short time.
I have regrets. I have anger. I guess all normal emotions with grief.
Chance was my baby for 15 years & l honestly thought he'd be with me for a long time. I am trying to navigate such a traumatic experience and its been very hard moving forward.
I am having a really difficult time since my cats passing on friday . Sorry this is long bare with me.
My cat was 15 1/2 years old. Overall as far as l knew he was healthy. Two years ago he was diagnosed w hyperthyroidism. He would get his blood drawn every 6 mos to check his thyroid and kidneys etc. He was normal every time. Vet always said he looked great for his age. Chance was a very vocal cat. Sometimes way too vocal!!
He will pace around house meowing all hours. I figured this was an old age dementia thing as well. He did this ehen his thyroid was high but it never stopped once we controlled it.
I did take note about 6 mos ago his breath began to smell bad and he would have bouts of sneezing episodes. He chewed his food fine & never acted like he could not eat. Bit l did note l eould bring this up at his next visit.
About 3 weeks ago, l noticed he was quieter than normal. Then l took note he seemed to not eat when l put food out. Its not uncommon for him to walk away from his food bowl, he is a very picky eater!
I decided since he wasnt himself and close to his thyroid check anyways to call vet and let them know l wanted a full exam when he gets his blood drawn.
I got an appt 2 days later. The vet drew blood and examined him. I mentioned his teeth. He looked and said, "well these are not the worst teeth l have seen". I mentioned his breath, he said bad breath could also be an underlying issue like kidney problems. The next day, his blood work came back and it was all normal except for dehydration and anemia which the vet said would be common since he was not really eating or drinking. He said the next step would be to possibly get some x rays or an ultrasound. I told him he was eating a bit and drinking again and the vet said okay lets give it a few days then.
But A few days later he seemed to get worse. He had pus in his eyes and nasal discharge. I called the vet. He said lets get him an antibiotic injection and fluids. Perhaps he is getting an URI. He said wait about 2 to 5 days and if no improvement lets move ahead w xrays. He also gave me a food stimulant. My cat seemed to be just okay. Still accepted pets but rarely moved from the bathroom which is not a place he usually lays. I could get him to eat with assistance. Syringe water he would lick. Breaking up food by handing it to him. He loved the nutri cal so he would lick that off a spoon. But he was still lethargic and never meowed too much. I decided to call the vet last Monday and left a message. When the vet called back l told him what was happening. He asked me if he was eating and I said yes but w assistance. I said I don't know my guts telling me he is in pain or dying. I questioned euthanasia. He said let's not make any drastic decisions right now. Continue to give him the home care & I would give him a few more days since he only received the antibiotic injection 5 days ago. By wednesday my cats paws were swelling and he was no longer eating or drinking and my gut told me he was very ill & dying. He had dropped down to 5 pounds too.
I called Wednesday to ask if I could bring him in to put him down l didnt want him suffering anymore and his weak state told me he was very much done. They told me that they did not have any appointments until Monday. I was really upset l knew he wouldnt make it. I had to call around to find a vet who would take him sooner. The only one I could find could take him friday morning.
I drove my cat 25 minutes to an animal hospital. I was only there 10 minutes. As l sat talking to the vet tech, my cat jolted his head back making a choking noise. The tech grabbed him from my arms and screamed for a dr. Five min later They walked back in the room with my cat wrapped in a blanket and said that he had passed. I fell to the floor. The vet explained to me that his heart had just stopped and that those noises he was making were normal in death and he felt no pain.
Needless to say, I am devastated beyond words. This was not how it was supposed to end. But I joke and say that my cat always did things his own way & he was bound to go out on his terms.
My heart feels like l failed him & didnt do enough.
Was it his teeth that caused a bacterial infection? Was it undetected heart disease? Was it cancer?? I will live life never knowing ehat took my cat down in a short time.
I have regrets. I have anger. I guess all normal emotions with grief.
Chance was my baby for 15 years & l honestly thought he'd be with me for a long time. I am trying to navigate such a traumatic experience and its been very hard moving forward.
