Cats with Feline Leukemia (sad update)

[Desiree]

Yesterday, our furbaby, Chloe took a real bad turn. She has feline leukemia (sp?) but has never had a spell this bad. She pretty much stopped eating on Thursday and has been lethergic for about a week. Well yesterday I was actually getting ready to go to the gym (first time in a week), when I heard her yeowling. I ran in there and she was drooling and still yeowling. I ran to wake Chris up and we tried to get her to stand up but she was too weak and immediately laid back down. We brought her water and food to her (that's when we noticed that she had not been eating). Anyway, she wanted nothing to do with the food or water. We had also noticed she had been a little unsteady on her feet lately. Clumsy even. So that was the last straw. To the vet we go. She didn't have any fever. She was dehydrated and the vet wanted to keep her overnight and put IV fluids in her. We went and checked on her last night during visiting hours and she still looked lethargic. She is still not eating either. I'm just so worried about her. She's never had a spell this bad. She's gone without eating for a day or two before but then she usually perks up and is fine. Oh the vet did discover that her gums and tongue were very pale too. I'm hoping we run into the vet today to get more information about the blood tests. The girl I had asked last night during the visitation hours about it didn't seem to give me a straight answer about it. I think she was just a vet tech though, maybe even a student. I'm not even sure she pulled Chloe's chart up when I spoke with her.

Anyway, I guess my question is that I'm wondering if anyone else has had any experience with a kitty that had had feline leukemia. Chloe is 6 years old. We found her outside our apartment about 5 years ago and we've known since the first vet visit that she had the disease. She's had her ups and downs and this by far has been the worst of the downs.

 

[Sleepy]

Are you sure she did not have a seizure? This is exactly how my cat acted when he had one (he had cancer).

 

[Desiree]

I'm not sure but I guess it's possible. She had been laying on the window sill for about 3 days straight now. I was running back and forth yesterday morning cleaning up a little bit before heading to the gym. It was during one of those times that I heard the yeowling and saw the drooling. When we go to visit her today I will find a vet and question him to see if there is a way for him to check to see if she had one.

 

[ugadog99]

I am so sorry. We just had our baby Meeko (not yet one) put down on Friday. It was the most horrible day. Three weeks ago she was feeling great. The decline was rapid and it was feline leukemia.

 

[Desiree]

I'm sorry ugadog99. Feline Leukemia sucks.

 

[Meriweather]

We lost one to Feline Leukemia several years ago
Worst experience I have ever been through. She went downhill rapidly over a week.
She was too far advanced when diagnosed for the treatment to help.
She stopped eating, yeowled a LOT and was a miserable little furbaby.

Wishing you and your furbaby the best, Desiree.

 

[Desiree]

Well we got a call a little while ago saying she was having trouble breathing. We rushed to the vets office. Got there and she seemed to have evened out and was ok but still in the same position she was in last night. We visited for a bit and seemed optimistic so we left and planned to go back at noon for the visitation. Well not 10 minutes later they called back and just told us that she passed away.

Just wanted to let you all know and to say thanks for all the good thoughts.

 

[gradtchr]

 

[kdibattista]

I'm so sorry

 

[justhat]

Sorry to hear that about your kitty. At least she's out of her pain now. We lost a kitten to feline leukemia a few years ago and it's just as painful now as it was then. We adopted her from the Maryland SPCA at 8 weeks old and found out about a month later that she had feline leukemia and we were devastated. They had the nerve to tell us we could return her and get a new kitten. Like you can just exchange a cat like that. Well we got her in May and she died right after Christmas so she wasn't even 10 months old. It was so sad, she was totally fine from May till right before Christmas, then all of a sudden one day she just fell off of the kitchen counter. We took her to the ER vet (it was Christmas Eve) and he said he had never seen a cat that anemic and otherwise sick that was still standing. They tried various treatments but nothing worked so we eventutally took her home hoping she'd just pass away with us. Unfortunately it didn't work so we had to bring her in to be put down, which was so hard, but seeing her suffer was worse. It pains me to hear of other cats going through this too, I wish they could find a cure.

 

[Meriweather]

So sorry for your loss.
She is not suffering now.

 

[Dan Murphy]

So very sorry to hear that about Chloe, Des. So very sad. My best for you, Chris and Dev. Know that she is there at the bridge, no more aches and pains...........

Rainbow Bridge

Just this side of heaven is a place called Rainbow Bridge.
When an animal dies that has been especially close to someone here, that pet goes to Rainbow Bridge.
There are meadows and hills for all of our special friends so they can run and play together.
There is plenty of food, water and sunshine, and our friends are warm and comfortable.
All the animals who had been ill and old are restored to health and vigor; those who were hurt or maimed are made whole and strong again, just as we remember them in our dreams of days and times gone by.
The animals are happy and content, except for one small thing; they each miss someone very special to them, who had to be left behind.
They all run and play together, but the day comes when one suddenly stops and looks into the distance. His bright eyes are intent; His eager body quivers.
Suddenly he begins to run from the group, flying over the green grass, his legs carrying him faster and faster.
You have been spotted, and when you and your special friend finally meet, you cling together in joyous reunion, never to be parted again. The happy kisses rain upon your face; your hands again caress the beloved head, and you look once more into the trusting eyes of your pet, so long gone from your life but never absent from your heart.

Then you cross Rainbow Bridge together....​

Author unknown...​

www.petloss.com

 

[ugadog99]

I am so, so sorry. We just went through this on Friday. I know my Meeko and your sweet kitty are waiting at the bridge for us. They are out of their suffering now. Feline leukemia is such a horrible disease. I pray that one day there will be a cure. The worst part for us is that our other two kitties await the same end someday. Right now they are feeling fine, but I know how rapidly the disease progresses. Again, I am so sorry.

 

[disneynutt1225]

I'm so sorry for your loss.

 

[Pea-n-Me]

I'm glad you got to be with her before she went. So sorry.

 

[sleepyone]

So sorry.

 

[JESW]

So sorry about your kitty!

We had to put Henrietta to sleep several years ago due to FL...

Jill

 

[escape]

I'm so sorry for your loss, Desiree.

I've lost 2 cats to this horrible disease. I, too, am hoping for a cure or at least for now, a better vaccine.

May the warm and happy memories of your little kitty bring you some peace and comfort during this difficult time.

 

[Desiree]

Thanks so much everyone for your kind words of support. Needless to say it has been a very rough day. Chris and I got out of the house for a few hours and that seemed to have helped some. We've decided to have Chloe creamated so we can keep her with us at all times. We had thought of burying her in our backyard but since we're unsure at this point if we're going to even be in this house permanently or buy something elsewhere within the next few years so we opted for the creamation.

Devyn (our dd) was at her dad and stepmom's this weekend so we went over there and told her also.

I always knew this day would come but I sure didn't want it to be this soon. I guess I should be fortunate though since we did have 4 wonderful years with her.

RIP my beautiful kitty.

 

[luv2nascar]

I'm so sorry for your loss. We all certainly love our fur babies.