Question:
My black polydactyl cat, Holly, who is only 1.5 yrs. old, is in acute kidney failure. She is at the vet now being rehydrated. I will be there first thing tomorrow and decide if I should bring her to the St. Hyacinthe Animal Hospital. Holly has had a tough life. Her siblings died in the cage at my vet at five weeks of age and she was the only one left so I took her home. At 7 weeks, she was so anemic from the fleas she'd had that she needed a blood transfusion. That set me back $1200 at DMV. She's been healthy since then. She doesn't like to be picked up and I try to respect that but I held her briefly last Sunday and she seemed fine. She's always been small but I am used to that as I have a healthy dwarf-cat who is 11 months old and 3.5 lbs. Well, when I picked her up today because she was walking funny and meowing, I nearly dropped her in shock. She is a bag of bones. When we weighed her tonight at the vet she was 3.6 lbs. She also has a URI that is quite severe. I asked the vet if sudden weight loss is possible and he said yes. I am still so unbelievably mad at myself though that I didn't notice sooner. Even so, my vet, whom I trust, told me that there is not much more I could have done even if I had brought her in sooner.

Please send prayers/positive thoughts. My cats are my babies and my heart is broken beyond words.

Lisa.

Answer:
Awww Lisa, hon, I'm so very sorry. I know how much you love your furbabies. This must be tearing you apart. My heart goes out to you. I thought this poem may be appropriate. (((((HUGS)))))
The Last Battle
If it should be that I grow frail and weak
And pain should keep me from my sleep,
Then will you do what must be done,
For this -- the last battle -- can't be won.
You will be sad I understand,
But don't let grief then stay your hand,
For on this day, more than the rest,
Your love and friendship must stand the test.
We have had so many happy years,
You wouldn't want me to suffer so.
When the time comes, please, let me go.
Take me to where to my needs they'll tend,
Only, stay with me till the end
And hold me firm and speak to me
Until my eyes no longer see.
I know in time you will agree
It is a kindness you do to me.
Although my tail its last has waved,
From pain and suffering I have been saved.
Don't grieve that it must be you
Who has to decide this thing to do;
We've been so close -- we two -- these years,
Don't let your heart hold any tears.

-- Unknown

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PLEASE do not be mad at yourself! You did a million times more for this baby than most people would have ever done and if not for you, she would have had no life at all.

Thinking of both of you!

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OMG I'm so sorry to hear about Holly! My thoughts and prayers are with you both!

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im so so sorry

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Oh Lisa...good thoughts coming your way and Holly's way and PLEASE don't be mad at yourself...weight loss can be so sudden and drastic (speaking from experience with a previous elderly cat) there is no realistic way to tell.

Believe your vet.
((((Hugs.))))

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The Last Battle ...

Bmd--(tears) that's the most beautiful poem I've ever read.


canine14--I'm soo soo sorry for Holly...



Godspeed Holly

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Canine14 I am so sorry and my prayers are with you Holly
I hope she gets better.

BMDLuver, that poem is beautiful !!
When I had to make the decision to put my cat down, I did it out of love for her, and I stayed with her until the end. I have also made a promise to each and everyone of my cats, that when thier time comes, I will be there until the end, I do it for them, as I know they need my comfort and support more then ever.

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I'm so sorry to hear what you are going through, my thoughts and prayers are with you and Holly, That poem was beautiful BMD, was trying to get through it without tears, impossible

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Lisa honey, I have beaten myself with that same stick too. You could not have done anything more for this little one. You have done everything in your power for her. Sometimes the weight loss is so sudden, that you just cannot see it.

Our thoughts and prayers are with you and Holly.

My office is close to DMV. Let me know if you need company tomorrow.

I had to put down my 14 yr old golden about 6 months after I moved here. I did not know anyone in Montreal. I went with her at 9 am to the vet, put her to sleep and went to work for the day. No one should have to go through that alone. I am here if you need someone

If she has to go to Rainbow Bridge, remember she may have had a short life, but her time with you was the best quality time (and love) that she could have

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I am so sorry to hear that... Please don't feel bad... you gave this kitty a wonderful life even if it turns out to be shorter than expected. Hugs to both of you.

Lyne

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Thank you everyone.

I have pain in my heart and sorrow in my soul for my poor girl. I work with children and ironically sometimes counsel them on dying. I often use pet loss as a means of bridging the communication gap. I once, at a workshop, heard the most beautiful story. There was once a very tight-knit family in Illinois. The children were adults and out of the house when the mother was diagnosed with cancer. Instead of holing herself up or wallowing in pity, she carried on until she was bedridden. Even then she would entertain her kids in her room and laugh with them at old memories. A priest asked her right before she died how she could be so positive. She said that all her life, she had taught her kids how to live, and now she was going to teach them how to die.

Our pets also teach us to die.

Lisa.

PS: Goldengirl, thanks for the thought but my vet is in NDG. She was treated at DMV as a baby. I would rather be alone with her when her time comes. I will breathe right next to her nose so her last breath is mine.

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I understand Lisa, I was using DMV as a reference so you knew where I am located. I will be thinking of you and Holly tomorrow.

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Prayer's and positive vibes coming your way from Ciara & I.

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Sending you all my prayers/positive thoughts.

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, it's so hard to be going through this. Positive thoughts for you and your kitty.

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My heart goes out to you, I cannot say that I know how you feel but my thoughts are with you.
The post where you said you will breathe next to her nose so her last breath is yours has tears running down my face. That alone, shows how much you love her. Please don`t beat yourself up, I am sure Holly doesn`t blame you.
I`ll be thinking of both of you today.

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I am thinking about you and your precious kitty! I hope everything works out!

To look a little on the bright side - a very good friend of mine - her cat went through something very similar to Holly. Dewy was very thin and fraile; he had crystal in his urine, and was not going properly. On Christmas Eve they had to call their vet out of church to take him in. He was very near death... but has since pulled through.

Things can take a turn for the better. Please don't give up!!! Hugs and many thoughts going your way!!!

Answer:
Oh dear Im so sorry. Most of us had to do the same at one time or another and it never ever gets easier. We are here for you if you would like to talk.



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Holly had an ultrasound today and the results are very bad. Her kidneys are HUGE and are inflamed. They supsect FIP or cancer. She is only 1.5 and they told me that even if they continue with fluid therapy and she seems to do better, she will not live to her 2nd birthday. HEr kidneys are simply finished. I sat with her all day and petted her head. I told her I was sorry. I hope she understands.

Because she is not in pain, my two regular vets, the specialist and I decided to continue fluid therapy and then wean her off of it over the weekend. On Monday, if she makes it, she will come home. They suspect her next crisis will happen almost immediately (within a few days). At this point, I will euthanize.

My heart hurts more than I can say. I had the hardest time saying goodbye to my dear girl. I authorized that if overnight or tomorrow she is extremely suffering and they can't reach me, then they should end her misery. I want to be there when she breathes her last, and as I said, I will breathe it with her, but I cannot let her be in agony either.

Continued prayers/thoughts please. I am devastated.

Lisa.

Answer:
Lisa there is nothing more for me to add,except I am very sorry for you and Holly..and don't beat yourself down,these unfortunate things happens to good people.
I've always spent my cats final moment with them,no matter how painful it is.Holly will pass peacefully,with your loving face next to her..

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I am so sorry to hear about Holly.

This friggen site should come with tissues :(

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*passing the kleenex tissues around*



Again I am so sorry for what you and Holly are going through...you have stopped at nothing to ensure her well being. FIP is a very ugly virus...there are no winners. You have gone above and beyond and I am sure she knows that too.

My prayer's are with you, your family and of course Holly...Gods Speed.

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Oh, I am so terribly sorry. Such a young age your girl is, overcame such obstacles in her short life -what a sad and overwhelming heartache for you.
My prayers are going out to you at this difficult time..

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I am so sorry. Please take comfort in the fact that she had a happy life with you, no matter how long it was......

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Canine- If/when the time comes for euth can your vet come to your home? Perhaps if she/he can't someone can. I would imagine it maybe more comfortable for you both and you won't feel rushed.

((((hugs)))))

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Tears are running down my cheeks as I read this thread! Lisa, I know what you are going through as I lost my Puss-Puss 11 days ago. You are not alone! We're all here for you Cflat, that is an excellent idea. 25 years ago, my vet came to my home to euthanize Den-Den2 while I held him in my arms. I will always be grateful to him that he allowed Den-Den2 to spend his last moments in a familiar, loving environment.

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If the vet doesnot do home euthanazias, PetFriends does it as a regular part of their services

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