My cat doesn't feel well and I feel like a bad cat-mom - Day 3 - Post #32

[FergieTCat]

My elderly cat has been listless for the past few days. She hasn't been eating but she has been drinking. Her coat looks off and she most of yesterday hiding under my bed.

Of course I'm taking her to the vet this evening. I know it's not my fault she doesn't feel well, but I still feel awful. I failed my watch.

This year has been so stressful. Why does everything have to happen at the same time?

 

[bicker]

I'm sorry that your cat isn't feeling well. I'm going through the same exact thing, today. Kaliope is 18+, and has diagnosed heart disease. We've had her on meds for about 3 months, since some sort of incident in February. She's been "fine" since... "fine" being a relative term, given that she is an 18 year old cat. Today, for the first time I can ever remember, she didn't greet me by the bedroom door when I woke up; didn't burn my ear up with her complaints about having to wait so long for her breakfast, and when I finally did feed her, she showed no interest whatsoever.

She's very fragile. She was once 16 pounds (when she was on coridizone for a chronic rash), but now she's probably dipped below 6 pounds. The beating of her heart seems to be becoming something that is difficult for her, and nothing other than turning back time is going to stop that progression completely.

I was going to take her to the vet today, but my vet is out until Wednesday, and my wife couldn't be with me to take Kali to the on-call vet, and I know that there is really only two decisions possible: either just bring her home and keep her comfortable, which is what we're already doing, or give her peace. I don't think I could do that alone, not even having the comfort of a vet I know.

And she shows some signs that she wants to stick around a bit longer. I let her into the bedroom for the first time in a long while. She loves to play in the shower -- really lick it dry -- after my shower. We keep her out because then she tracks wet pawprints all over the house. (We have wood floors.) Well I let her in today, and she seemed happy. She's jumping up onto chairs, and hasn't crawled into a corner to hide (like most cats who feel like it is time for them to go do). So maybe it is just a very bad day. When we're that old, we'll probably have some pretty bad days too, and yet we may want to stick it out another couple of days to see if there are a few more good days we could get in, before we go.

These are her last days, I know. 18 years, she's had a great life and we've had a great time together. But I don't think today is the right day to let her go.

So sorry to hijack your thread like this. But the point I wanted to make was in response to what you said, "I know it's not my fault she doesn't feel well, but I still feel awful. I failed my watch." Don't think like that. If your cat is elderly, then you surely have given it a much better life than most.

Best wishes, for both of us to get through this difficult time.

 

[FergieTCat]

I'm sorry to hear about your little friend. It's tough being a pet owner!

Thank you for that, though. I am waiting for some of my own medical test results as well and I feel worse for my cat than I do for me.

She's going to be 17 and I've had her since she was 3, so we had a good run together. My brother had to give her up for adoption (Hence the names. I don't think I would have named two cats Fergie and Diana!) and I am their second home.

I'm trying to think positive thoughts. In any event, I hope the vet can make Diana feel better because she does seem miserable.

 

[castmemberb4]

It's tough when an animal is sick and can't tell you what's wrong
You're doing the right thing now hope Diana is feeling better soon

 

[Imzadi]

I'm sorry your kitty is sick.

Don't wait too long on this. I'm sure as a long time cat owner, you know cats can go down pretty quickly once they show signs of sickness. One person here said her cat was sick for a while, the day she should have taken her cat to the vet, she went to class instead. By the time she tried to take the cat in, it was too late.

 

[FergieTCat]

I'm sorry your kitty is sick.

Don't wait too long on this. I'm sure as a long time cat owner, you know cats can go down pretty quickly once they show signs of sickness. One person here said her cat was sick for a while, the day she should have taken her cat to the vet, she went to class instead. By the time she tried to take the cat in, it was too late.

I didn't want to leave her today, but I had to come to work -- I was out Friday because of my own medical issues. I hope by the time I get home she isn't significantly worse.

 

[Imzadi]

I hope I didn't sound accusatory or blaming. I certainly didn't mean to come off that way if it sounded like that. (You know how DIS threads take a turn into a way different direction as people jump on the OP. )

 

[FergieTCat]

I hope I didn't sound accusatory or blaming. I certainly didn't mean to come off that way if it sounded like that. (You know how DIS threads take a turn into a way different direction as people jump on the OP. )

It's not you, it's me. I must say, this just hasn't been my year and I'm upset that I can't seem to keep juggling all of my balls in the air (so to speak).

 

[BamaTigger]

My elderly cat has been listless for the past few days. She hasn't been eating but she has been drinking. Her coat looks off and she most of yesterday hiding under my bed.

Of course I'm taking her to the vet this evening. I know it's not my fault she doesn't feel well, but I still feel awful. I failed my watch.

This year has been so stressful. Why does everything have to happen at the same time?

Oh im so sorry. Im a pet parent as well....and its heartbreaking when one of your furbabies doesnt feel well.

I had my Tink very sick before with fatty liver disease, got her well after force feeding her every 4hrs for 3 weeks with a syringe....after she got better i lost her 4 months later due to cancer and had to put her to a peaceful sleep.

Its good that she is at least drinking water. That will keep her hydrated.

Prayers to your baby. Let us know how she is doing.

 

[alliecats]

Just checking in to see if there is any news on your kitty? I hope it is just a mild bug or tummy upset. Sounds like there are a lot of loving cat owners on this board!

 

[castmemberb4]

Just checking in to see if there is any news on your kitty? I hope it is just a mild bug or tummy upset. Sounds like there are a lot of loving cat owners on this board!

Yes please give us an update

 

[Cat0727]

Hope your kitty is okay

 

[Silent1CB]

When our first cat started showing signs as you describe, we took her to the vet. Turned out she had kidney disease and was very very sick. Vet explained that animals do a wonderful job of hiding illness so they don't appear weak to other animals & become prey. But unfortunately, that doesn't help us humans realize they are ill. We fought really hard to try to bring her back, but she only lasted another 2 months. She had some of the highest toxin levels in her the vet had seen in a while. Honestly, we probably should have let her go then.

Drinking lots of water is a sign of kidney disease. Horrible disease. We've lost 2 cats to it now.

I hope your kitty isn't as sick and that there is a chance for recovery even at that nice old age.

 

[mickeysaver]

This sounds exactly like what happened with my dear departed BC. BC died from kidney failure. By the time I took her to the vet she was so far gone, they said that it would be a matter of days. She waited to see her other mother before she passed away. She actually rallied when Gabby came home from one of her many business trips. She laid on the sofa on the Sunday that Gabby went to the airport and never got up on her own again. Our other girl kitty sat with her all night and all day while I worked. My only regret was not taking her in sooner to be put to sleep, but we were short staffed and there was just no way to get her to the vet and be at work too. I still carry quite a bit of mama guilt about it, but I know that she is in a better place and hanging out with other old furbaby friends from our home that passed before her. She was our first furbaby as a couple and neither of us will ever forget the joy that she brought to our lives. BC was the most beautiful black cat that ever was. (Just don't tell our new girl Jack Jack that, she too is a black cat. )

 

[Imzadi]

She waited to see her other mother before she passed away. She actually rallied when Gabby came home from one of her many business trips.

My only regret was not taking her in sooner to be put to sleep, but we were short staffed and there was just no way to get her to the vet and be at work too. I still carry quite a bit of mama guilt about it,

Sounds like Gabby & BC really needed to see each other before BC went, so don't feel any guilt.


I felt bad for leaving my kitty for 4 days & 3 nights a couple weekends ago. The nights are when she'd notice me gone the most, as that's when she gets special kitty treats from me. The person I wanted to look in on her was away, too.

The last couple times I had to go away, and not for so long, she'd still wander over to the door, for several hours after I was home and cry, like she forgot I returned home. I'd have to call out to her, and then she'd run over to me. It breaks my heart knowing she probably does that when I'm away.

She's only 8, but I feared coming home and finding something may have happened to her while I was gone.

 

[FergieTCat]

Thanks for all the concern. You made me feel a little less crappy.

I brought Diana to the vet and all her vitals checked out OK. The vet said just by looking at her, he didn't see any overt symptoms, but he thought it might be kidney disease. She was also dehydrated and needs fluids, and he wanted to run a few tests on her so she's spending the next night or two in the hospital. I'm worried about her, of course, but I'm sure she'll be fine there. The other pet-parents in the waiting room spoke highly of the doctor and the hospital.

I don't think Fergie knows Diana is gone -- either that or she doesn't mind being the center of attention.

 

[Imzadi]

Thanks for the update. I'm sure she's fine staying at the vet's.

 

[mickeysaver]

Sounds like Gabby & BC really needed to see each other before BC went, so don't feel any guilt.

Yeah, BC was always more Gabby's cat than mine. Gabby used to chase her around the apartment like she was a dog, which BC actually liked. She was a one of a kind for sure. We had to work through a lot with her when we got her because she was a feral cat who had obviously been abused. After about 3 years, she finally decided that she liked being picked up. She was my buddy while Gabby was out of town the last few years on her more time away from home than home schedule. BC in her later years was quite the snuggle kitty. I cried the first time I made popcorn, while Gabby was away, after BC passed because I realized for the first time in years, I didn't have anyone to share it with.

Trust me when I say that I totally understand the whole leaving the animals and worrying like crazy while you are gone thing. We now have 3 cats and 5 Chihuahuas. The dogs get boarded for the ridiculous rate of $170/night, why you may ask, well, it's because one of the dogs has serious allergies and seizures, one of the dogs has colitis, one of the dogs is still adjusting to life outside of an abusive breeder environment, one is just crazy, and the other is a wild and crazy almost year old pup that is still learning his manners. In other words, they need special attention and we know that PetsHotel will spoil them rotten and they will come home well fed, properly drugged, and happy. Worth every darn penny! The cats, well, they don't get boarded, but we leave out 3 to 4 extra large litter boxes and extra food and a 5 gallon waterer and a 2 gallon waterer. They can do well with that for up to 10 days without any problems. We have a friend that comes by every couple of days to check in on them, but they are always fine, thank God!

Thanks for all the concern. You made me feel a little less crappy.

I don't think Fergie knows Diana is gone -- either that or she doesn't mind being the center of attention.

Sorry that your baby had to stay at the Vet's office. I hope that she just needed some fluids and will bounce back without much trouble. You are not a crappy pet mama, you just have a full life like the rest of us and sometimes it gets in the way of being the pet parent that you want to be.

I will keep y'all in my prayers.

 

[Imzadi]

I cried the first time I made popcorn, while Gabby was away, after BC passed because I realized for the first time in years, I didn't have anyone to share it with.

Trust me when I say that I totally understand the whole leaving the animals and worrying like crazy while you are gone thing. We now have 3 cats and 5 Chihuahuas. The dogs get boarded for the ridiculous rate of $170/night,

I hear you! I spent an extra $150 on my flights and two hours traveling each way to a further airport as it was larger and had a later flight I could leave on, so Kitty would think nothing unusual, that I was just at work longer, for most of the first day. And it had a Sunday evening flight out after my seminar, which the smaller, closer airport, only 35 minutes away, didn't have. I got home at 1am. But, I didn't want to take a flight the next morning instead, which essentially meant I'd be away from Kitty another 11 hours.

 

[Silent1CB]

Thanks for all the concern. You made me feel a little less crappy.

I brought Diana to the vet and all her vitals checked out OK. The vet said just by looking at her, he didn't see any overt symptoms, but he thought it might be kidney disease. She was also dehydrated and needs fluids, and he wanted to run a few tests on her so she's spending the next night or two in the hospital. I'm worried about her, of course, but I'm sure she'll be fine there. The other pet-parents in the waiting room spoke highly of the doctor and the hospital.

I don't think Fergie knows Diana is gone -- either that or she doesn't mind being the center of attention.

I had a feeling it might be kidney disease for what you described. We've sure had our experiences with it. I wish you the best of luck and hope it was caught soon enough. If so, cats have been known to live for many more years with treatment. The key is catching it early. Our vet starts watching for it now around age 15 yrs during the Senior Wellness exam.

Will be thinking of you & kitty.