I took the cats to the vet this week for their annual check-ups. Two kitties are doing well; the third is not. He’s lost weight; he’s got a heart murmur; he’s coughing; he has fluid in his lungs; his kidneys are smaller; and he’s “side-breathing,” which I gather means that he’s using his abdominal muscles to help him breathe because his lungs aren’t working well enough to do it on their own.
The vet says he has both kidney disease and congestive heart failure. The tricky thing, she said, is that the treatment plans for those two things are opposite—and in fact, treating one could push the other one over the edge. Georgie is 15 years old, and she said even if we did a bunch of testing to discover exactly how bad each situation is, it would still be difficult to get a treatment plan that would…well, that would WORK.
I croaked out something about how long would he….? and she said it could be months or it could be weeks (she did not say years), that it could happen suddenly or that he could start struggling to breathe. It’s so smart of them to keep boxes of tissues handy. I mouthed “Pain?” and she said no, not usually, but that he could start panicking and feeling like he’s drowning, and if that happened we might want to “keep him from suffering.” She said if he seems okay now (he does), we can just, as she put it, “enjoy each day with him.” But that if he seems to be struggling and suffering, we could “bring him in.”
Here’s the part that got to me: she said we didn’t need to do the usual vaccinations. She put away the little filled needles. Doesn’t that sound like a “hospice” kind of move?
Here’s another part that got to me: he’s very allergic to fleas, and he recently apparently got bitten by one because he has a huge itchy patch. I asked if he could have a shot of whatever they gave him last time to make the itchiness go away faster, and she said it would put too much strain on his heart. She said it could just…and she snapped her fingers and pressed her lips together.
So now we are on full kitty-spoiling mode. Does he want some cheese? A chip? Ice cream? Kitty treat? ANYTHING? He’s always liked people food but we didn’t like to let him have very much of it, but now that seems like an unnecessary limitation, if the situation is so dire that he’s not going to have vaccines.
He likes to sit on my shoulders, which can be inconvenient. But what’s a little inconvenience? What’s a little claw-puncture here and there, between friends?
(And incidentally, if you’re trying to conceal a double chin in a photograph, I highly recommend using a cat.)
Now and then I see a post with the theme “What makes you feel like a grown-up?” The answers are always so cool: when I started doing my own taxes; when I realized no one was going to clean up that barf except me; when I bought my first set of dishes; when I had to start paying for things like furnaces and roofs; when I started buying pictures for the walls instead of posters.
And this is another one for me: When I had to make a decision about a pet’s life. It’s hard to be responsible for deciding whether someone else lives or dies, and when the suffering justifies the intervention, and this is the first time I’ve had to do that. Georgie was the first kitty I adopted on my own, as opposed to my parents adopting a cat for the family. And he’s the first pet I’ve had on my own who’s been in this situation: I’ve never had to make end-of-life decisions before, or wonder what is supposed to be done with the body. Do we….bury it in the yard? The last time any kitty of mine died, it was a family kitty and my parents handled it entirely.
I’m fretting, too, about how to talk about it with the kids. I had a brief talk about death with Elizabeth the other day, and it didn’t go well: she immediately started talking about how she didn’t want any of us to get any older because we might die, and about how after her BIRTHDAY would SHE be old enough to die, and so on. Ack.
On the other hand, I’m grateful to have this warning. The vet said that with heart disease, sometimes the first sign of it is when the cat dies. I am glad to have this time to give Georgie extra treats and pettings, and to take his photo, and to be extra sweet to him. Want to sleep on my favorite blanket in the sunshine? And can I bring you a Pounce treat?
Ohhhh, so so sad. Georgie is a beautiful little guy. Love his restful lion look in the second photo.
Aw Georgie!!
He is a beautiful kitty, and so lucky to be with such an awesome owner :)
Hi Swistle – I am sooooo sorry to hear about Georgie’s prognosis. You are certainly making his remaining time comfy & cozy.
When the time comes that he goes over the Rainbow Bridge, you may want to consider cremation. When my 18 1/2 year old cat from childhood passed, I had him cremated with his favorite blankie. The ashes are in an urn with his collar/tag on the outside. When we moved, I didn’t have to worry about leaving Taffy “behind” – he came right along was placed back on the same display ledge that looks out a window. And I can still jingle his collar and remember him instantly, even thought he’s been gone more than 10 years.
My heart is aching for you. I lost my beloved cat of 17 years, almost 3 years ago, and I still think of him every day. I am glad you have this special time with Georgie…you will cherish it forever. Give him some pounce for all of us!
I love the picture of Georgie on your shoulder.
Oh, poor Georgie. I hate it when beloved pets get old and sick. I’m sure he has had a very lovely life with you.
Ohh poor kitty. I’m so sorry. That is awful :( I’m glad you have time to give him some extra love, though. Hugs.
I’m so sorry about all this. Enjoy this special time with him, as weird as that sounds. Some of my fondest memories of my animals was of their last few days, when we just lived to make each other happy.
I’m so sorry, and I understand completely about this decision feeling very grown-up. Last January was the first time I had to make that decision, for my sweet Blue cat. It was particularly hard because we had adopted him as an older cat, so we had only had him for 3 years. It felt cruel that we had so little time with him.
Good luck talking with your kids; I can’t even imagine.
And enjoy spoiling Georgie like crazy.
I am so sorry! We went through this exact same situation last year and it was so difficult. We had a few weeks too, which was really helpful in preparing our kids. I HIGHLY recommend the book Desser, the Best Cat Ever. http://www.amazon.com/Desser-Best-Ever-Maggie-Smith/dp/0440417740/ref=pd_bbs_sr_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1239893590&sr=8-1
It was much more appropriate for younger kids than some of the other books I had heard of, like the 10th Good Thing About Barney. Cat Heaven was also helpful, but I think that depends on your family beliefs.
We wound up deciding to put our kitty down after about three weeks of a serious decline because I couldn’t bear the thought of just finding him one day, particularly since my husband travels a lot. One phrase that I think I got from Moxie that was helpful in explaining to the kids that clearly P was very sick and that while they stayed with their Aunt we would take him to the Dr. and “help him die.” They were both very insistent that they able to see him at peace, so we brought him home and did a backyard burial/funeral with the kids rather than cremation. I knew that they had very strong feelings about seeing him and burying him because of reading the Desser book repeatedly and discussing it with them. And even though it was one of the hardest things we have ever done (and even though we had to plant some flowers on top of P so that our two year old would stop things like “It’s raining and P is outside. i go with my shubbel and dig him up!”) it was the right decision for our family.
I am so sorry for you and your family!
Poor, sweet Georgie. I’m so sorry you and your family are having to go through this.
I’m so sorry. I have now lost two dear pets and it’s hard, even though you know that it will most likely happen, and that you might have to make the call to end their suffering.
Hugs to you. I know it’s so hard. Enjoy your time with him and give him lots of tuna and snuggles.
Oh, now I’ve gone and cried this morning – at least I can blame it on the pregnancy hormones. I only hope when it’s my sweet Gumbo’s time, I’ll be able to handle it with as much grace as you.
Oh no! Poor Georgie! I’m so sorry. But glad that you have a little advance warning and can spend some time spoiling him and enjoying the time you have left together.
What a beautiful baby! I love that dusty orange color. I’m so sorry he’s ill.
I’m sorry about your cat. That really sucks. And it is amazing how much a part of a family that pets become.
Just an FYI, my families bassett hound had congestive heart failure last year. We decided to do basically what you are doing and we could tell when it was time to make that awful decision pretty easily. So I think you’ll know when she is in too much pain. And also we had the vet come to our house to do it. It was better for her and better for me (although with the kids you might want to rethink that).
Oh, Swistle. I want to give you and Georgie a hug. This is never an easy situation to deal with, but I know you’ll do what’s best for Georgie. In the past I’ve felt torn after hearing what the vet has to say – on one hand I want them to “give it to me straight” but then it’s painful to have to hear it. Like you, I believe in spoiling the kitties and doing what you can to keep them comfortable, especially when they are not feeling well.
Aww – I’m so sorry. I went through it a couple of years ago with my cat (also – the first pet that was “mine”) and it was rough. **hugs**
Just one more reason it sucks to be a grown-up. I haven’t had to make THAT kind of decision yet…but I do own 2 cats and 2 dogs, so 4 days in my future will be very very dark.
Enjoy your time with him – I recently made the decision to not find out whether the swollen lymph node on one cat was cancerous, since I wouldn’t have been opting for kitty chemo anyway. I see that cat in a whole different light now.
Aw Swistle, I’m sorry that your kitty is sick. I can attest to the special-ness that is wearing a kitty around your neck :) Mine used to lay up there and purr and drool.
Handling his remains is a personal thing. I particularly like the idea of cremation – scatter his ashes outside in his favorite sunning area, or near a bird bath.
He is a lucky cat to be loved so much.
So far the only babies I’ve had have been dogs and cats, so this made me extremely sad. I hope you guys get a lot of good quality cuddle time left with him. The picture of him on your shoulder broke me.
Awww, sick pets are so hard. :( Georgie has had a nice life with you and I know you’re making his last months sweet too. Sometimes it sucks being a grown up.
Aw, Swistle, I’m sorry. I hope that he hangs on, suffering free, for a while longer.
My dog injured herself over Christmas and the vet said they’d have to do surgery if the steroids didn’t help. I can’t afford dog surgery, but my dog is only 7 years old. I was heartbroken, thinking I’d have to put her down because it was obvious she was in pain. Fortunately the medicine worked and she seems as good as new.
Your cat looks so sweet snoozing on your shoulders. Best wishes.
So sad. I’m sorry to hear this. I think it probably is a great thing for you to know though. I know I would want to.
I’m so sorry. Mine just passed away in Jan. after being sick since the previous Easter (at least). She was almost 19 when she died. We knew the weekend she died that she was going downhill and kept debating whether to take her to the vet. In the end, we kept her home and I held her all evening after the kids went to bed and she died in my arms. We live across the street from our church and the kids asked the priest to come over a pray the night before that (he came in his pajamas!). We drove back from our rental to our house in VA to bury the cat with our other animals we’ve buried there.
Just spend your time loving him!
Ah, Swistle. I’m sorry. I had to do that with both my dad’s dog (the day after christmas) and my own furry baby, Chloe the cat. It really does suck.
The pictures are beautiful and I love that you are giving him the spoiling hospice that a good friend deserves.
xo
Oh no Swistle! I’m so sorry you are having to deal with this. Georgie is so handsome and sweet. I love orange kitties.
Oh man. It is so awful having to decide things like this…and wondering if they’re suffering, etc. I know it is hard. I am sorry. And you’re right…it totally makes grownuphood seem real. And shitty. Poor kitty….Poor Swistle.
Huge Pet lover here (dogs and cats alike, even turtles) and I am so very sorry about Georgie. We once had a “Kitty Smith” who became an insulin dependent diabetic. He didn’t suffer for long, but the decision to help him into the next world is indeed a hard and painful one. Love him up and enjoy each day…as we should in all situations always. Kind of reminds you to stop and smell the roses, not yell and over re-act at the little mishaps in life, right?
Sorry, Swistle, this stinks. I am glad you are getting some time to give Georgie some extra love and treats.
Poor little guy…I just love orange cats. I can’t remember ever meeting an orange cat that didn’t have the calmest demeanor. I’m so sorry for you. I do second the idea of pet creamation. I’ve hat all my pets creamated b/c I just can’t stand the thought of having them in the ground. You get a small bag of ashes to keep or scatter.
Oh, Georgie!
Remember when he jumped on my shoulder? I still laugh about that.
The vet will help you make the decisions. Our vet was wonderful about it.
Hugging you & Georgie long distance!
Oh Swistle. This just hurts my heart. We had to make the horrible decision to put our cat Chester down a while back. This post just pulled my heart strings because Georgie looks exactly like Chester. Give him lots of love and extras while you can. As for explaining death to the younger ones there is an awesome book by Fred Rogers (Mr. Rogers) called When a Pet Dies and Lifetimes by Bryan Mellonie and that really seemed to do the trick with my daughter (4 years old).
Aw, Georgie. Sweet kitty. He’s going to have a wonderful rest-of-his-life.
Oh Swistle, I am so sorry. I have been there and it wasn’t fun. Scooby was the first cat I got when I moved out of the house. She went to college with me, she was beyond being just a cat. At the young age of she got a huge tumor on her liver and there was nothing to do but wait. I had another 2 months with her and I was so glad that I did because I cherished every day. I didn’t go out with friends much and I stayed home as often as I could because I knew my time was limited (this was before husband and kids). The worst part was waiting for the “right time”. I didn’t want to make her suffer just because I was selfish and couldn’t bare to part with her, but I didn’t want to end her life one moment too soon. In the end, I just “knew” they day when it was time to let her go. We’d been through so much together, I stayed in the room with her while the vet put her to sleep. She was scared at first but she looked up at me to make sure I was there, then when she knew I was, she rested her little head in my hand and let herself go. It was simultaneously the most beautiful and most heart wrenching moment of my life. I still cry about it writing this, 10 years later.
I’m totally not helping, am I? I am so sorry.
:(
Oh, I’m just so sorry to hear about your boy. My heart hurts for you, but it sounds like you have a very compassionate vet. I’m sad for you that you will have to talk to your kids about this, it’s heartbreaking. I look forward to hearing how you approach it, because all of us pet owners could use the help. Please give Georgie two treats and a bowl of ice cream for me.
I am so sorry to hear about your baby! Animals are babies to. I had to put my childhood pet down when she was 15 3/4’s old. It still miss her like crazy and she is been gone for 5 years. Spoil him rotten!
Oh, Swistle… he’s beautiful. I told my husband something similar when we had to put one of our dogs to sleep last year: I wished there was a grow-up around to make the decision. I fervently wished that same wish again last month when we had to put another of our old dogs to sleep. It never gets easier, and I miss all of my pets very much. Spoil that kitty to your (and his) heart’s content. These final moments are the most precious of all.
What is it with death these few days?!? April is Not My Friend this year.
Oh, what a sweet kitty! And what a lucky kitty to have such a loving family to go through his life with. Thinking of you –
Swistle,
That is beyond awful. I am so choked up right now I can barely get through this. I too have a cat, his name is Gus, he too is orange like Georgie. He is only just 7 but thanks to your story I think I’ll be able to appreciate him more and snap at him less. we would be lost without eachother.
I know what you mean about “Adult Decisions” I had to put an 8 month old puppy down after she was attacked by a pit bull who had pulled her under our back fence. I was only 19.
My heart is with you and I wish you and your family all the love and luck in the world. give Georgie a treat for me. Hell, give him 10.
Thanks – now I feel really old!
;-) I’ve had to make the decision a few times in my life with my beloved kitties (4 total). I agree with the vet on skipping the shots. My mom lost her beloved Tinker faster than expected from a rabies shot. It put an end to his kidneys – maybe heart. He was 16 in about the same shape as Georgie. When my Timmy hit age 12, I stopped with the vaccinations since he was an indoor cat. He recently went from heart problems and it was quick. He’d lost weight, but his poor lungs were full of fluid. I knew his time was near so I waited until Saturday to take him to the vet. By then, he was panting a little and more when we got to the vet since he was scared. Since I was prepared, it went ok – although I still cried. He was my baby afterall.
This is such a hard situation. I hope he has many happy months of spoiling, and peaceful passing. What a sweet kitty!
So sorry to read this! I had to make the same hard decisions with my dog Sarge. He had similar symptoms as your Georgie. It was the hardest thing I’ve ever done and I still think about him everyday.
I did the same thing with spoiling him rotten, too. I wouldn’t deny a 90 year old person anything they wanted, either, so why should my old friend miss out?
I don’t really go in for the heaven/hell thing – except for pets. They get their wings, for sure.
Sweet, sweet kitty. Spoil him everyday. I’m so sorry that you’re going to lose him.
I am SO sorry, Kristin. (It felt like a real-name moment.) This was good for me to read today cause my dog is driving me nuts again and I need to be reminded I do in fact like him. When I see him playing with our kids and laying in the sunny spot on the floor, I know it’s going to kill me when it’s time for him to leave us. I’m so sorry that time is coming for you guys. I hope he has a peaceful passing while sleeping, and that no hard decisions have to be made on your part.
Oh, I’m so so sorry. I have a cat too, and a dog, and i dread that time both for me and my daughter. (Fat, orange-striped 9-year old tabby). My cat I grew up with died of kidney failure but it was harder on my mom than on me – she had him all to myself after I went to college, got married, moved away.
However, I think you are doing all the “right” things and you will find a way to talk about it with the kids, I know you will.
Swistle,
Our family cat, Momma, is 13 years old, she’s had to have all her teeth pulled due to extensive gum disease, she weighs only 5 pounds, but still manages to purr like a kitten. My vet also did not recommend vaccines for her and we just enjoy every day with her until eventually one day, I’m sure she’ll breathe her last breath. Georgie is lucky to have such a great family.
I’m so sorry about Georgie.
When my baby, Pan, moved from hypertrophic cardiomyopathy to congestive heart failure, I decided that the CHF could stand for continued heart function as much as anything! He lived for nine months after that diagnosis, and I was, like you, grateful for the warning. I did everything I could to make him happy and comfortable. My main concern as the end drew near was that I wouldn’t “know” when it was time. Everyone said that you just know, but I wasn’t sure … and when the time came, I knew. No question.
As to what you do, I lived in a house with a yard when my last cat died, so we buried her in the yard. I don’t have a yard now, and I wasn’t sure if I wanted to keep his ashes or not. When I talked to my mother about it, she said I should get them, because if I didn’t and decided later that I wished I had, it would be too late. So I did, though I still haven’t figured out if I “want” them. (I’ve been ignoring them since November.)
Best of luck getting through it, and get all the cuddles you can.
So sorry to hear about your kitty. I haven’t read the other comments, so I don’t know if it’s been suggested, but a great book for kids about life/death is Lifetimes by Bryan Mellonie. It’s very gentle, explaining the life cycle and how every life has a beginning and an end. It’s what my mom always used to help my sister and I understand death and our pets/relatives.
Oh dear I’m so sorry. He’s such a gorgeous kitty and looks like he gets lots of loves.
I am so sorry to hear about your kitty. I actually just received an email from my mom an hour ago that my childhood cat (now almost 18) is in the beginning stages of kidney failure. I have been tearing up for hours about how hard these next weeks are going to be…and then i turn on my computer and read this. Good luck.
Oh Swistle. I’m sorry. I am full on bawling as I read this. I just had to be the “grown-up” about a month or so ago with the first cat my hubby and I got together. She was nearly 15 as well.
It is incredibly hard and the kids will probably handle it much better than you, as I found out. (I wrote about it here.One book that we love and read frequently is Cat Heaven. (I skimmed to see if anyone else had suggested it, but didn’t do a very thorough read through.) It is cute and the girls love to think of Smokey up on the counter in God’s kitchen eating tuna and whipped cream.
Spoil Georgie and enjoy the time and love you have with her. I’m hoping it is all goes smoothly and as painlessly as possible. We are thinking of you.
15 years is a good age, but why cant pets live as long as we do because they become such a part of our hearts and family that losing them is a very real pain to endure. You’re very lucky you can spoil Georgie and say some goodbyes.
When my 3 year old nephew had his cat put down, we explained to him that his cat was sick and the special animal doctor couldnt make him better so it died. He understands the concept of doctors (but not what a vet is) so he knew we’d done the best we could to try and help his kitty but he still occasionally talks about her (almost a year down the track) and how they couldnt make her feel better.
Is Georgie burmese, that colour and head marking is so similar to a burmese cattery I used to ‘catsit’ at and my burmese used to sleep on us in spots like our shoulders so I’m curious.
As a cat loving person my heart is breaking for you right now.
Oh, Swistle, I am so sorry. My heart goes out to you.
I can relate. . . my cockapoo has a heart murmur that’s getting worse. She had several weird episodes that I wrote about on my blog (The Fight In the Dog, I think is what I was calling the series). We got her on some blood pressure meds and that has helped, but we adopted her late in her life (she’s 10 now, we have had her two years) and she is also almost blind (the vet says about six months and she “might not be visual”). I know how hard and sad it is. . . The one thing you can know is that you are giving Georgie a wonderful life and he loves you very much.
I’m so sorry Swistle – I’m glad you’re getting a chance to shower love on him while he’s here. But man, there is nothing to make those situations anything but sad and difficult. Lots of love to all of you.
that’s no good. i’m so sorry about georgie. and he is so adorable!
Oh, Swistle. I am so sorry about Georgie. You are right; you are very lucky to have this time with him to spoil him and to prepare your little ones. (How? I have NO idea.) I had to take my 12 year old kitty in to the vet last year. :( So sad. I only had a few hours notice. He was so very sick and I had no idea.
I’m sending lots of hugs your way.
I am so sorry to hear about it; I’ve been composing an email, but I don’t seem to get very far. I’ve got a diabetic 19 year old Maine Coon (and a 17 year old miniature poodle, as well as a puppy), and I know how devastating it can be. Hug him, love him, and don’t hide it from the kids – they will know you are upset, and want to know why. Whatever you do with his remains (again… long email coming), make it a family ritual/ceremony – it does give closure. I’m not much of a believer, but I think the Rainbow Bridge does exist, and I like to think that several of my ‘kids’ are there causing St. Francis no end of troubles. Hugs to you. So many hugs.
I’m so sad for you. My kitty is 15 this year and I can tell he’s slowing down. I know when he goes that I’ll have to take a week off from work. My kiddo teases me that I love the cat more than her – well gee it’s close.
Hugs to you Swistle.
oh swistle, i’m so sorry. i always thought it was a bit odd to need tissues in a vet’s office.. until i found myself bawling into a handful of them last year when my cat got so sick. pets are definitely family members. georgie’s a lucky cat.
Just please know I’m keeping all of you close in my thoughts and heart…. This is hard… He is so so precious…
ooooh. Hugs for you and your kitty. I have a cat who is 15 I think (I always have to do the math based on who was my boyfriend/asshole at the time that I acquired the cat). I got him when I was 19 and had just recently moved out of my parents house. He and I have been thru Ev.ery.thing together. I lost my job recently so today I took my first mid-morning unemployed nap. I took off my pants and crawled into bed to watch the View while I dozed off. Inky proceeded to barf 2 turd looking hairballs INTO the crotch of my pants which were on the floor. LOL Why my pants? I don’t know. But I just rolled my eyes at him and gave him the milk from my froot loops.
Georgie looks really cool and cuddly. Hugs for you during this time.
Putting our dog to sleep was the hardest thing I’ve ever had to do. My grandma had died about a week before we put the dog to sleep and I was so much more distraught over the dog…..I think because the dog was part of my daily life & because I was the one deciding her fate. Its awful to go through but time does make it better and like you said, at least you have this time to enjoy him and spoil him.
Oh, I’m sorry to hear about George. He’s such a cutie! Good luck.
The best cat I’ve ever known/owned is going through health problems right now — in fact, the reason I’m up so early today is because I’m waiting for yet another round of test results. He has several things wrong with him which, honestly, since he’s 16 years old isn’t a surprise. He was doing so well until all of a sudden he acted weird, and we have since discovered he is hyperthyroid, has chronic kidney infections, a heart murmur, arthritis, and probably other stuff I’ve forgotten. It’s tough and it’s expensive.
Oh Swistle, I’m actually crying! Hug him for me.
Sweet Swistle, I feel your pain. I have an orange kitty boy that just turned 15 also. I’ve had him since he was 6 weeks old and he is the fuzzy love of my life. He’s just been diagnosed with a very hyperthyroid which we are treating with meds, but I worry that it was/is masking a kidney problem, which it can do (as I learned with my other cat a few years ago). I DREAD the day I have to make the decision about his life. It certainly does suck being the adult sometimes.
Hugs to you and your sweet Georgie. Love him the best you can now and you’ll know what to do when the time comes. He’s a lucky boy to have you.
I’m not really even a cat person, and you brought me to tears. Hang in there, Swis.
Swistle, I had three oriental shorthair cats that I ADORED. 2 Christmases ago, I had to put to sleep my youngest kitty Chloe’ quite suddenly. It all happened in one day and I didn’t even know she was sick. It was HORRIBLE. I cryed off and on for weeks. Now my two older cats are starting to get all kinds of health issues and I have to think about when/if I’ll have to make the same decisions for them. Cats are something special. They fill a place in your heart that humans can’t. I know how you feel about your Georgie, and I hope you still have many days to enjoy with her.
I’m so sorry. :( He is gorgeous.
I had to put my sheltie to sleep after 8 years. She, too, was my first animal on my own and she was my “first” baby. I loved her so much. It was by far the hardest thing I’ve ever done. I still miss her and she’s been gone almost 2 years.
A month after I put her to sleep I found out I was pregnant. We named our daughter Bayley, after my sheltie Baleigh (pronounced the same way). Isn’t it amazing how people can love their pets so much?
*HUGS*
Georgie is such a beautiful, loving boy.
Sending hugs and chin scritches to both of you, all the way from Over Here.
xx
Thank God for Kitty Heaven. <:) and also :(
Georgie is beautiful. Animals who are sick make me cry harder than anything; I’m sorry you’re going through this (and will have to try to explain it to your children as well).
Sweet kitty is lucky to have you with him, loving him and easing his last days. We lost a favorite bunny recently. It hurts, but the time we had together was wonderful.
Oh poor little guy. I know how hard that is… I’ve gone through it with two of my kitties since being on my own — once of which I’d had since fifth grade.
Good luck with the kids. That may be the hardest part. But you will KNOW when it’s time, if it gets that far. It just becomes so obvious…. I hope that doesn’t happen for a long time for you, however.
We had to rush my 6 year old dog to the emergency vet at 2am last week after his vaccinations. It’d been about 48 hrs and he hadn’t snapped out of the funk and it was really worrying me, he could barely walk and had to be carried (yelping with pain) up/down stairs.
Once we got to the emergency vet, he told us that he sees 5 or 6 pets a WEEK with horrible post-vaccine symptoms, and sometimes they need to be put asleep.
I started googling when I was worried and found lots of pets that have vaccine side effects, sickness, diseases, and need to be put asleep.
The emergency vet was VERY anti-vaccine. He said that they are a way for vets to make money, by giving them more often than needed. Most of the yearly ones theoretically last 3 years, and it puts undue strain, pain, and stress on the pets to get them so often.
So, your vet might have just been realizing that your old cat doesn’t need to go through the unnecessary suffering of vaccine recovery, not necessarily a “hospice” or “she won’t be around anyways” kind of a view.
The vet we went to said that he needs a rabies shot every 5 years b/c of his exposure level and that it is a VERY painful vaccine, moreso than tetanus. He said his entire arm is bruised and almost unusable for 2 days after the shot, and he needs to sleep it off for about a week, sometimes with horrible joint pain. Your vet might just be sparing Georgie that!
Either way, good luck! I know it’s hard, I lost a cat of mine very suddenly to an anuerism and we had no preparation!