Hello
I found this site while researching a bump on my 16 year old Merlin's bottom.
Joined Dec. 27th but haven't posted.
Merlin was a rescue in 2003. He literally reached out from his cage and cried for me when I walked by. He was not adoptable as he had just been brought in - but I put my name on him.
Two days later the shelter called and asked if I still wanted him...that the shelter had come down with kennel cough and they were putting all the cats to sleep !! (that's LA County in California for you) I said of course I do ! So weeks of nursing him through that - oh he was so pathetic, I didn't think he would make it.
But he did !
We bonded like I never have before - Even my parrots that I had for 30+ years.
He follows my every step be it kitchen or bathroom. He plays fetch. He loves new food dishes.
Loves to lay on his back in my arms and get belly rubs. He reaches up to touch my face.
Anyway, I took him to the vet, they did blood, urine and a needle biopsy.
All came back fine, except the biopsy - cancerous cells...so surgery performed Dec.8th.
They couldn't remove it all due to the location. (He's such a good boy with his e-collar)
We chose (of course) to have the histopathology run...adenocarcinoma. Need to make an appointment with an oncologist.
Merlin had his stitches removed on Dec. 23 and everything looked good. He was a little dehydrated so he got some sub-q fluid.
His Dr. called late morning of the 26th (Tuesday) to check on him - he's such a good boy and made a good impression on them with how tolerant he is - he was fine.
That evening tho we noticed he was staying up in the front room where I work instead of being with us, we figured ok, he needs some space. He still came to bed with me that night.
He slept all day Wednesday (didn't eat his morning wet food) and that evening he wasn't interested in eating either. Thursday morning I decided he was not eating (dry food out all day and wet food given twice a day) and I noticed the litter box only had a couple of clumps to be removed.
He needs to eat so I sent hubby to get baby food. He still wasn't interested so I started syringe feeding him. He seemed to perk up a little bit and he still came to bed with me.
Friday he stayed by my feet all day at my desk (I work from home). I kept syringe feeding him and watering him...he was not looking good. After work he stayed in there again, not coming out with us.
I kept going in to check on him, he seemed to just be withering away. So, ok, I'll get him to the Dr. in the morning. He still came to bed with me that night.
During the nights I wake up several times and give him a pet, just something we do...
I noticed tho he wasn't moving to his other spots and only changed positions twice during the night. He stayed curled up at my tummy.
In the morning my heart was breaking, I knew my boy was in bad shape. He was wobbly and limp. I called his Dr. and ended up a blubbering mess trying to tell them details. They said to come right in.
They examined him, everything felt fine, not constipated etc...so we decided to do a blood draw. When the Dr. came back in the room I knew from the look on her face that my fears were correct.
She said Merlin is in kidney failure and that his numbers were off the charts.
She said we can not help him.
So, my beautiful boy, my soul kitty...I held him for his final sleep.
The pain is unbearable right now.
I found this site while researching a bump on my 16 year old Merlin's bottom.
Joined Dec. 27th but haven't posted.
Merlin was a rescue in 2003. He literally reached out from his cage and cried for me when I walked by. He was not adoptable as he had just been brought in - but I put my name on him.
Two days later the shelter called and asked if I still wanted him...that the shelter had come down with kennel cough and they were putting all the cats to sleep !! (that's LA County in California for you) I said of course I do ! So weeks of nursing him through that - oh he was so pathetic, I didn't think he would make it.
But he did !
We bonded like I never have before - Even my parrots that I had for 30+ years.
He follows my every step be it kitchen or bathroom. He plays fetch. He loves new food dishes.
Loves to lay on his back in my arms and get belly rubs. He reaches up to touch my face.
Anyway, I took him to the vet, they did blood, urine and a needle biopsy.
All came back fine, except the biopsy - cancerous cells...so surgery performed Dec.8th.
They couldn't remove it all due to the location. (He's such a good boy with his e-collar)
We chose (of course) to have the histopathology run...adenocarcinoma. Need to make an appointment with an oncologist.
Merlin had his stitches removed on Dec. 23 and everything looked good. He was a little dehydrated so he got some sub-q fluid.
His Dr. called late morning of the 26th (Tuesday) to check on him - he's such a good boy and made a good impression on them with how tolerant he is - he was fine.
That evening tho we noticed he was staying up in the front room where I work instead of being with us, we figured ok, he needs some space. He still came to bed with me that night.
He slept all day Wednesday (didn't eat his morning wet food) and that evening he wasn't interested in eating either. Thursday morning I decided he was not eating (dry food out all day and wet food given twice a day) and I noticed the litter box only had a couple of clumps to be removed.
He needs to eat so I sent hubby to get baby food. He still wasn't interested so I started syringe feeding him. He seemed to perk up a little bit and he still came to bed with me.
Friday he stayed by my feet all day at my desk (I work from home). I kept syringe feeding him and watering him...he was not looking good. After work he stayed in there again, not coming out with us.
I kept going in to check on him, he seemed to just be withering away. So, ok, I'll get him to the Dr. in the morning. He still came to bed with me that night.
During the nights I wake up several times and give him a pet, just something we do...
I noticed tho he wasn't moving to his other spots and only changed positions twice during the night. He stayed curled up at my tummy.
In the morning my heart was breaking, I knew my boy was in bad shape. He was wobbly and limp. I called his Dr. and ended up a blubbering mess trying to tell them details. They said to come right in.
They examined him, everything felt fine, not constipated etc...so we decided to do a blood draw. When the Dr. came back in the room I knew from the look on her face that my fears were correct.
She said Merlin is in kidney failure and that his numbers were off the charts.
She said we can not help him.
So, my beautiful boy, my soul kitty...I held him for his final sleep.
The pain is unbearable right now.