UPDATE: He Died. My Cat is Sick

[Eeyores Butterfly]

My poor Makya has been sick for two weeks. I had a vet appointment last week, but I had to cancel it because of an after school meeting. He seemed to be doing better so I didn't reschedule it. Car rides stress him out, and I thought if he was doing better he didn't need it. He hasn't been throwing up, but then I noticed the last few days he has been kind of lethargic. I decided if he wasn't better by tomorrow to take him to the vet.

Well, when I got home tonight I realized he hadn't really moved form his position. I carried him downstairs to try to get him to eat and was alarmed to discover that he was having problems supporting his weight on his back legs. I took to the emergency hospital here, and they said he probably has fatty liver. Thankfully all the blood tests for infections were negative.

My boyfriend is being a real sweetheart and picking him up from the emergency place and taking him to the vet (the vet doesn't open til after school starts for me and the emergency place is only after hours, so they can't stay there.) I feel awful. I thought he was getting better so I didn't take him in. I didn't trust my instincts and instead thoguht I was overreacting. It sounds like this is reversible, if that is what it truly is (will have to be confirmed by the vet tomorrow.) It absolutely broke my heart leaving him there tonight. I feel like I've abandoned him. He must be so terrified.

 

[Planogirl]

Aw, the poor guy. I hope that he feels better soon.

Don't feel guilty. Cats are so hard to read sometimes.

 

[jwhtewolfd]

Some cats do get scared when they are in the hospital (mine do, and I work there), but he is where he needs to be to get better. Fatty liver disease (hepatic lipidosis) is a major concern when cats don't eat. It can happen fast, especially in heavy cats. A tell tale sign is if he was looking yellowish (jaundice) around his ears and eyes. He can recover from it (with lots of nursing, patience, time and proper care), but the problem remains to determine why he stopped eating in the first place.

Just a caution, not all vets are up to speed on "yellow cats." If your vet starts sounding hopeless, get a second opinion (preferably from a cat specialist). It will take time, money (don't skimp on diagnostics - get to the bottom of it) and maybe even a feeding tube, but it CAN be done. Good luck to you and your little guy.

 

[Danauk]

Aww poor guy, I hope he feels better soon.

 

[dizluvah]

I am so sorry about your kitty. We are going through a similar thing with our cat. Aug 18th we took him to the Emergency vet - he is severely constipated and is quite backed up. We thought he was getting better but we were wrong. Tues of this week I called the reg vet for an appt on Wed morning. The x-ray showed he still had the same problem, even worse than before.

I just wanted you to know you are not alone. Both of our kittys will be recuperating at home soon. I'll send you good vibes your way.

 

[manning]

Don't kick yourself. Cats are very good at concealing how they feel. It is part of their makeup. A defense mechanism from when they lived in the wild.

 

[jaycat]

I hope he gets better soon!

 

[Eeyores Butterfly]

Thanks! Believe me, they did not skimp on the tests (yowza that bill is high!). The feeding tube was placed today. The problem is that the Animal Hospital/Pet Resort where he is does not have round the clock care. They will see if he can stay there this weekend, but I may have to transport him back to the emergency clinic which does have round the clock after hours care but is not open during business hours so the pets can't stay there.

Aaron (my boyfriend) was a real doll. He fielded a panicked call from me last night about transpoting him from the emergency place to the animal hospital since I couldn't do it because of work. The people at the vet's told me how sweet he was and how he even gave Makya a little pep talk. Bless his heart. I think I may have some competition now.

I did stop by to see him today and he was pretty groggy from having the tube placed, but the vet seemed hopeful that he will recover.

 

[sunnyday123]

Poor kitty boo. We'll all say a little kitty prayer for him.

 

[BeachGirlFLA]

Aw...I'm sorry and I hope he feels better soon.

 

[jam217]

Your kitty looks just like mine! Hope he's feeling better soon.

 

[Eeyores Butterfly]

Makya passed away today. He was only four years old.

When I went to visit him this morning they told me his red blood cell count had dropped and they wanted him to be taken to the specialty clinic in Overland Park. My father took him while I was at work and by the time he got there it was too late.

Makya was my baby. Four years ago I was at the local ice cream place in Kirksville, eating on the patio with my roommate when the skinniest cat you have ever seen jumped on my lap and started purring. We smuggled him into our on campus apartment in my purse, and he stayed there for two weeks, at which point I took him to my parents' house. He quickly became friends with one of our other cats, Eowyn, and they have been inseparable. They would sleep together, play together, even groom eachother. When I moved, she came with us because they were best friends.

Some cats are very antisocial, Makya was not one of them. He liked to sit on your lap. If you dared to not let him in the bathroom when you went, he would stick his little paw under the door. He often joined me on my bed with the dogs at night.

Because he was a malnourished stray when I adopted him, my mother told me not to be surprised if he was not a long lived cat. I guess her prediction proved true. I didn't have Makya for very long, but for four years he brought joy into my life, and he had a loving home where he was well cared for.

I can't imagine living life with only one cat. I know that one day I will get another one, if nothing else, to keep Eowyn company. However, I told my mom I will wait until I finish unpacking my house. That will give Eowyn and I enough time to grieve (plus, it makes no sense bringing a little kitten in to a house that is only half moved into.) No cat will ever replace my sweet Makya, but hopefully in time a new cat will prove to be a good companion for Eowyn, whom I'm afraid will be lonely without her boy.

 

[Gina]

I'm so, so sorry... Losing an animal friend is so incredibly painful.

 

[Liz]

I'm so sorry for the loss of your kittty.

 

[disneyfav4ever]

I'm so sorry, I know how painful it is to lose a pet.

 

[luvflorida]

I am so sorry for your loss. It is so hard to lose a beloved pet.

I'm sure Makya knew how much he was loved by you.

 

[jam217]

I'm so sorry.

 

[Pixiedust34]

I'm sorry to hear about your cat. It's hard to say good-bye to a furry friend.

 

[mickeyboat]

So sorry, Jessi.

 

[The Mystery Machine]