It's been a long sad month
By Courtney
@Courtlynn (67085)
United States
June 6, 2022 2:07pm CST
Four weeks ago everyone started noticing our cat losing weight as he was getting real thin in his back by his butt.
Three weeks ago we took him to the vets closest to us that he's been to before for an "urgent appointment". Unfortunately they wouldn't even try taking him out of the carrier because of him being "aggressive" even though they're supposed to know how to handle animals like that. And then they used the excuse of 'closing in a few minutes so can't do any testing today, here's some anxiety meds bring him back in the morning'. All of which pissed us all off.
Anyways.. my fiancé kept trying to give him those meds that night and next morning, but he wouldn't take them. So we canceled the appointment. Then two nights later he wasn't being himself so we called the emergency vets about 30mins away and told them what was going on then left to bring him in. And as soon as we went in they took him and was able to put him on oxygen! Then they did a little sedation to do xrays, as he was "aggressive" to them too. (But at least they still did stuff to help him and figure out what was going on!)
Unfortunately, the scans showed what looked like cancer to them - though without a biopsy they couldn't make it a definite conclusion, and with his breathing the way it was a biopsy was out of the question. They said it could've also been asthma, but they didn't think so. Plus he also had a mass by his stomach, but they said that wasn't anything to worry about. So we made the decision to give him a 24hr steroid shot, which would help him if it was asthma or cancer - to give him a chance rather than putting him down right then as the vet said he may not make it the next 24-48hrs even with the steroid shot. And we got steroid pills to give him daily for a week (which was real hard for my fiance to give him but he was able to).
When we first got home and later that day it seemed like he was getting better, as he was eating and especially drinking more. But as the days went on he still wasn't going to the bathroom (pooping) or eating and drinking as much as normal. So we went back to the vet closest to us for his follow up about a week later and made sure we got a different vet, and she was able to sedate him a little to give him yet another steroid shot (this one lasting 1-4 weeks) as well as nausea meds and pain meds shots.
Well, seven-eight days later we called my brother over to see him because he wasn't really eating or drinking at all anymore, and still not pooping. And we were debating making that hard decision then. But when he came over he convinced my mom to give him the steroid pill once more to see if that does anything for his eating and drinking, at least.
It didn't.
And the next day he started wobbling when walking. So my mom, fiancé and I were talking about finally doing it, though we didn't want to.. when next thing we know the cat gets up from the hallway to go into my room under my bed and he's walking sideways! Going into the wall! So screaming and crying, I told my mom we have zero choice now. We have to do it. Call my brother and tell him to get here now if he's going with us like he wants to.
She did, and he quickly came. My fiancé grabbed the cat carefully from under my bed and we all pet him and talked to him while crying since we hate seeing him like this but also know what was about to happen and we didn't want to do it. Then after 15-20mins we got him in the carrier and left to the 24hr emergency vet we went to that helped us the most.
We got there and my brother who was holding the carrier/cat couldn't get out of the car. Then when we went in and they went to grab the carrier to bring the cat back for the sedation and catheter, he wouldn't let go of the bag and then was shaking his hands in place once he did - breaking down. (We were all crying though, except my fiancé).
Once they brought him back out to us to say our goodbyes, we ALL broke down over and over again. And I finally held him, for the first time ever (reason from childhood behind it) which made me even more sad that this had to happen for me to hold him.
After about two hours and lots of talking/memories, kisses and tears, the cat was waking up too much from the sedation and trying to wiggle out of the blanket and everyones arms so when the vet came back in again.. we had her finish. Then we spent the next 30ish minutes with him before finding the strength to leave.
A day later my mom got the call from Final Gift saying the cat was already ready for pickup (cremation) so her and I went for the hour drive the next day. As we didn't want to wait to bring him back home where he belongs.
Now it's been a week, today, since we had to do the hardest thing we've ever had to do. And it still hurts so much. Especially since we all still look for him when we walk into the house, get up / go to bed.. and all go to say "we're leaving kitty, we'll be back soon", "be good" etc when we leave to go anywhere. And seeing all his stuff in the house, and being in any part of the house since he was always all over the place..
But we did what we had to do. For him. To not make him suffer anymore than he had to have been, even though he wasn't showing it - especially with still being sweet to us but aggressive to vets and fighting to get in the carrier like normal.
RIP Mow-Mow/Kitty.
Photo is mine.
Do not use, save, etc.
16 people like this
16 responses
@snowy22315 (180693)
• United States
6 Jun 22
It is always sad to lose a family member. Human or animal...
4 people like this
@snowy22315 (180693)
• United States
7 Jun 22
@Courtlynn When your heart has had time to heal a bit you can get another kitty. So many need homes.
2 people like this
@Courtlynn (67085)
• United States
7 Jun 22
@snowy22315 my fiancé has already mentioned it. Even before the cat was gone. Because he loves animals/cats and has had his since he was a preteen, and is used to us having one now from having him for just under 10years.. but we dont know if we ever want another. We dont want to go through this again.
2 people like this
@Courtlynn (67085)
• United States
7 Jun 22
Apparently.. (never had a pet before so first time losing one).
2 people like this
@aninditasen (16389)
• Raurkela, India
7 Jun 22
I love cats and dogs but because of this painful separation I don't keep pets anymore.
2 people like this
@Courtlynn (67085)
• United States
8 Jun 22
I'm not really an animal person, but I did love our cat and I miss him so much every day. The urn being here, isn't the same to me.
2 people like this
@Courtlynn (67085)
• United States
16 Jun 22
@aninditasen nothing to be brave about. Grief is normal.
3 people like this
@aninditasen (16389)
• Raurkela, India
9 Jun 22
@Courtlynn I know it's not the same. Lost lives do not come back. Be brave.
2 people like this
@LadyDuck (471500)
• Switzerland
9 Jun 22
@Courtlynn - Cats usually hide their problems. You think they are fine and you only know that they need help when usually is too late.
1 person likes this
@Courtlynn (67085)
• United States
16 Jun 22
@LadyDuck yeah that's what the vet said.
1 person likes this
@Courtlynn (67085)
• United States
8 Jun 22
Thank you so much. We certainly did do everything we could. Just wish there was something else we could've done!! And that cats weren't stubborn and hid not feeling well which I never knew they did until like 3 years ago when my fiancé mentioned it when reading something online, and then the vet mentioned it when we took him 3 weeks ago.
1 person likes this
@Deepizzaguy (102829)
• Lake Charles, Louisiana
6 Jun 22
Sorry for the loss of your cat. It is very hard for anyone who has to deal with the loss of a loved one in their final moments of life. Your cat is gone but never will be forgotten.
1 person likes this
@Courtlynn (67085)
• United States
7 Jun 22
No he will not. We had him just weeks short of 10 years.
1 person likes this
@Courtlynn (67085)
• United States
8 Jun 22
@Deepizzaguy I guess.. but cats can live longer. My fiance's cats are 18, 19 and 20. Although I think the average age for them is like 15 or 17.
That is true, I guess. But too soon for me to think that way maybe.
1 person likes this
@Deepizzaguy (102829)
• Lake Charles, Louisiana
7 Jun 22
@Courtlynn The cat lived a long life. My late mom said if you treat someone nice, when they pass away, you have the satisfaction that you took care of the person.
1 person likes this
@Courtlynn (67085)
• United States
7 Jun 22
I don't want anymore. My mom kinda does just not now. My fiance does but not just yet. Its sad.. i can't see another cat being here
2 people like this
@RubyHawk (99405)
• Atlanta, Georgia
8 Jun 22
@Courtlynn I know, it’s too sad to think about having to put another pet down.
2 people like this
@Courtlynn (67085)
• United States
7 Jun 22
We didn't. He was only getting worse and had to have been in pain without showing it. Thank you.
1 person likes this
@CarolDM (203422)
• Nashville, Tennessee
7 Jun 22
@Courtlynn I have been there and understand.
1 person likes this
@kaylachan (69677)
• Daytona Beach, Florida
7 Jun 22
I am so sorry about your recent loss. And, having to do the hardest thing ever. Sounds like he was a fighter right up until the very end.
1 person likes this
@kaylachan (69677)
• Daytona Beach, Florida
7 Jun 22
@Courtlynn I am sure he didn't want to go anymore than you wanted to put him down, but with how sick he was, that was the right thing.
1 person likes this
@Courtlynn (67085)
• United States
7 Jun 22
@kaylachan i know. And we keep having to remind ourselves that
@Courtlynn (67085)
• United States
16 Jun 22
Thank you. Still cant seem to not think hes here sometimes
1 person likes this
@tammys85 (30066)
• Baltimore, Maryland
17 Jun 22
@Courtlynn You're welcome, and that's understandable.
@Courtlynn (67085)
• United States
7 Jun 22
Was.. is.. will be.. ugh. Never been through this before and never want to go through it again. This sucks!
Thank you.
1 person likes this
@RasmaSandra (79858)
• Daytona Beach, Florida
27 Jun 22
It is always devastating to lose a cat or dog since we love them so very much, Just think of him now happy and chasing butterflies up above in the fields of heaven, He was a beautiful kitty,
1 person likes this
@Courtlynn (67085)
• United States
28 Jun 22
Thanks. I don't believe in heaven (or hell) or pets/people doing any of that after they pass.
1 person likes this
@kobesbuddy (78882)
• East Tawas, Michigan
6 Jun 22
It's a sad time in a person's life, making the choice to euthanize a pet. I had to do this five times, because my love was much stronger than anything else.
1 person likes this
@Courtlynn (67085)
• United States
7 Jun 22
We loved him so much and couldn't take seeing him like that anymore. He was never going to get better.
1 person likes this
@kobesbuddy (78882)
• East Tawas, Michigan
7 Jun 22
@Courtlynn This is what happened to four of my animals. They were suffering, with no hope of ever getting better. Teddy(dog) was 14 years old and Mindy was 18(cat). I had it ended, for them.
1 person likes this
@rairaianne14 (316)
• Quezon City, Philippines
7 Jun 22
It’s really sad to read posts like this. I have 2 dogs which I love the most and I know how it feels when our loved pets leave. I have 3 dogs which left us since I was a kid so it’s really painful. But then again it is to end the suffering of our loved pet. So still it is for the best. Hope you’ll get through this soon.
1 person likes this
@Courtlynn (67085)
• United States
8 Jun 22
Yes, that's the only reason we're making it through this.. knowing we did all we could for him and that we did it to help him not out of hate or anything.
1 person likes this