I've had the most upsetting night, or should I say morning. I noticed my boy cat has been acting a little weird and meowing very loudly the past couple of days. The other night he spit up some mucous and then he was fine. Then this morning at about 2:30 a.m. he went into convulsions and had blood all over his face. I've never seen anything like it. I thought that my cats were chasing a bug, but then I realized it was my boy cat convulsing and banging his body around the room. It was a nightmare!  I wasn't feeling good because of a headache and backache, so I took a sleeping pill. I was so out of it, I didn't know what to do, so I called my neighbor and we took him to the emergency care facility for animals. He's there now getting his blood drawn and they're watching him. I have to pick him up at 9 a.m. and take him to an animal neurologist. This whole thing will probably cost me about 2-3 thousand dollars. There goes my vacation money again. It happens every year. I'm going to stop planning vacations, because whenever I do, there's a crisis in my family.  I've been crying all morning and needed to vent. I hope you don't mind. I'll let you know how he's doing later this today. I'm so sad, because my animals are truly my children and all I have.

Hugs,
Ciara

They don't judge us, they know when we want to "just cuddle" and they like us are fastidious about cleanliness. They have the best tongues.

You can have it all honey bun. You can take care of your loved one and go on vacation. There are lots of things you can do that don't cost money. Hiking, camping. Swimming in the ocean or a lake, turning off your phone and making a scrapbook, going to a public library (well I can't, I have too many overdue books), art museums are free on some days and galleries are always free.  I love to listen to live music. Down at the beach in Venice there is live drumming and people really get into it and dance. Street musicians always love an audience. I will sometimes just sit and listen and just listening can be a rewarding experience for the musician. As a provider it is very important to have shared moments with another individual where there is no need for you to do anything. I like to spend time in cemeteries. They are excellent places to grieve, to let things go, or to spend time contemplating. Nobody will even think of bothering you there.

I hope everything works out. It’s always a bad sign to have the blood with convulsions. At some point the vet is going to ask you if you can let the cat go. Think about it before they ask you so you are prepared. Animals can't communicate easily their pain, but what is important is that he doesn't suffer. A chronic, long term illness would be hard for you and him. A diagnosis is good because it is half of letting go. I'll say a little prayer for your pet.

"When you walk through a storm,
Hold your head up high,
And don't be afraid of the dark.
At the end of a storm,
There's a golden sky,
And the sweet silver song of a lark.
Walk on through the wind, Walk on through the rain,
Though your dreams be tossed and blown...
Walk on, walk on, with hope in your heart,
And you'll never walk alone.......
You'll never walk alone.
Walk on, walk on, with hope in your heart,
And you'll never walk alone.......
You'll never walk alone."

http://www.arkinc.org/petloss.htm

It's frustrating because they can't tell us how they're feeling until they're really ill. Instinct tells them not to let any potential predators know they're weak.

Ask your vet about pet insurance. You can get it for animals under 10 (12?) and for animals without serious pre-existing conditions. It's about $30 a month.

One of my cats had a mammarian tumor I wanted removed to prolong her life. It was about $1700 when all was said and done. It took too long in my opinion for the insurance company to reimburse me, but they reimbursed me $800 for the year. Every bit helps.

Be well...

ALONE AGAIN


I wish someone would tell me
What it is that I've done wrong,
Why I have to stay chained up
And left alone so long.

They seemed so glad to have me
When I came here as a pup
There were so many things we'd do
While I was growing up.
                 
They couldn't wait to train me
As companion and as friend.
They told me they would never fear
Being left alone again.
             

The children said they'd feed me,
Said they'd brush me every day,
They'd play with me and walk me,
If only I could stay.





But now the family hasn't time.
They often say I shed.
They won't allow me in the house,
Not even to be fed.


The children never walk me.
They always say, "Not now!"
I wish that I could please them.
Won't someone tell me how?






All I have is love, you see,
I wish they would explain,
Why they said they wanted me
Then left me on a chain.

Have U Ever Thought

If U can start your day without caffeine
If U can get going without pep pills

If U can resist complaining & boring
people with your troubles

If U can eat the same food everyday and
be grateful for it

If U can understand when you’re loved
ones are too busy to give U anytime

If U can overlook it when something goes
wrong  through no fault of yours & your
LUV ones Take it out on U

If U can take criticism & blame without
Resentment

If U can resist treating a rich friend
Better than a poor friend

If U can ignore a friend’s limited
Education and never correct him

If U can face the world without lies &
Deceit

If U can conquer tension without medical
Help

If U can relax without liquor

If U can sleep without the aid of drugs

If U can say honestly that deep in your
Heart - U have no prejudice against creed,
color, religion or politics

Then my friends U are almost as good as

Your DOG or Cat !!!!!!!!

...but so far just a frightful, miserable thing to have gone through.    

Try to console yourself with the happier images of your time with him now; I'm sure he has given you plenty because cats usually do.  Don't let the memories of the worst times crowd away the reasons you loved him in the first place.

And try not to think that the very worst will happen just yet.  Planning for the worst does us no good when there's no plan to be made anyway.  All it does then is cause stress.  

Take NetMichelle's advice about the vacation.  There are things to do that don't cost much.  Do take a vacation, though, to cheer yourself up when this is resolved.  Otherwise you will be miserable.

/Zin

I am so sorry to hear this.  Having lost 3 cats myself, my heart goes out to you.  I hope he will be okay.
Pets offer so much unconditional love.

I have found that the number of pets or the devotion to them is a good indicator of a persons heart. Your's is obviously large & loving.
   I will pray both for your ailing "tom" as well as your comfort should the worst come to bear. I recently lost my beautiful Alaskan Malamute (my "big Girl" for 12 years)  Take solice with your other pets and remember as much as pets give us love, laughter and comfort they also sadly teach us how to let go.

  FR.

I always luved furry animals but I grew up in an apartment in NYC that didn't allow animals.Every now and then, we'd stumble upon a stray and treat it like it was royalty only to ship it out to the "country"... "to someone who was luving and could give the pooch or putty cat the care and space it required".Vr's heart was broken on more than one occasion...poor me...lol. I also finally found out the "hard way" through visiting with family and friends, dogs and cats that I was highly allergic(sneezing and hives,etc)so I went the tropical fish route...lol
tough to pet a fish.

Thank the man upstairs,I'm not allergic to the other kind of pussy. I guess I'm making up for all those deprived years.


Cheers!

-- Modified on 5/28/2004 9:31:49 AM

I know what you are going through - I've been a cat owner all my life and have seen it happen many times.  Cats do have a tendency to sort of go nuts and do this towards the end of their lives.  Very sad.  

Just put images from the good times in your head, you'll get through it.

I know exactly how you feel, as I have 2 dogs that are my babies.
(they are like my children,  since I never had children) I know how attached that you become to them, as mine are very sweet and bring me lot of joy and happiness.

Please, don't hesitate to call me, if you need someone to talk to, as I do understand what you are going through.

Take Care, Sweetie,

Big Hugs,

Kelly~




   

-- Modified on 5/28/2004 12:37:35 PM

Ciara, you have my sympathies and I hope everything works out for you. I am a cat person myself (I LOVE my babies!!!) and we have had some trying times in the last year. I have a 20 year old Siamese who got a terrible eye infection last Spring. We tried to treat it with anti-biotics etc, but it wouldn't get better. Eventually I was given three choices. I could take her to an eye surgeon who could operate (at least $1000) and continue meds (which had about a 30% chance of working), I could have the eye removed, or I could put her down.
We had already been going the med route for about a month. The poor thing was miserable. I had to medicate her 3 to 5 times a day and whenever she saw me she would run and hide under the bed. I was distraught because not only was she in pain, but our relationship was suffering. Sometimes they just don't know that what you are doing is for their own good. So I didn't feel it would be good to put her through an operation and more medication, when the chances of success were so low.
She was otherwise in good health, so I didn't think putting her down was a good option.
After  a lot of thinking and crying I decided it was in her best interest to just remove the eye. It turned out great. She has only one eye, but has adjusted beautifully and is good as new.
Two weeks ago, one of my kittens got a terrible upper respiratory infection that turned into pneumonia. That cost me a couple hundred dollars, but he is fine now.
Cats tend to be very resilient if they are treated well, much like children. Don't give up hope...he may recover and be good as new. If he doesn't, just know that you have the option to alleviate his suffering if it comes to that. It would be a very tough decision to make, and I hope you don't have to, but if you do, just be there with him to hold him. He knows that you love him. I hope that you have a good friend that you can lean on during this hard time. My best wishes are with you and your little buddy. xxx Octavia.

Recently lost a pet I had for 12 years. It's AMAZING how a little fur person can become such a intricate part of our lives. No matter what kind of day I had, she was always happy to see me. If I was depressed, she would always find a way to make me smile. I will never understand people who don't enjoy pets. Sadly, she developed kitty cancer and I had no idea until it was too late. She hid the symptoms...according to the vet.. and when they put her down,(she was sitting in my lap as they did this... ) my whole world began to crumble. Strange? I thought so. I was mourning an animal as if it were a human. As silly as that idea sounded to me at the time, I went thru the whole mourning process. Her ashes sit in a cherry wood box.

So, I completly understand how you feel. I hope things work out for the best.

Dear Ci Ci,
I am truely sorry that your kitty is sick.  I completely understand how you feel...my animals mean the world to me and are my babies (4 cats, 7 dogs, goat, lizard, and a cockatoo) And just like you anytime I plan anything something goes wrong...right now all 4 of my pups have Parvo and treatment has went into the thousands so far.  I hope your kitty gets well fast and that the Vet doesn't milk you for all it's worth.  Take care and try to relax a bit...
In my thoughts and prayers
Katy

Don't know what I would do if something happened to on of them.

Very sorry to hear it CC. Ever since I lost my love and two small boys, my hunting dogs are my constant companions. I make a living as a medic. Sometimes I come home very late from a real bad call....and just let my dogs run. Working with the dogs and the pups is my way to 'vent' the day. I deal with death and suffering on a daily basis. Its nice to come home and play with a new pup and watch it mature into a fine grade hunter. these dogs are the closest thing to a child I will ever have. After I lost Robin and the boys, I do not have the heart to love another woman again.

Sounds like your pet has a GM or some other nurological dysfuction. Speaking from a medical point of view ONLY....(this is not going to be nice so sit down and be comfortable) I SUGGEST that you think twice about treatment/expense on something that may very well may not be treatable. Talk to the vet and see what she/he has to say. From what you discribe, it may be best to put the anamial down to end the suffering. Only your vet will have the right answers and only YOU can decide what is best for the anamial FIRST and YOU second.

I know this sounds cold. Believe me I do understand how you feel. I have spent as much as $7000.00 for a pup and not even know if it will hunt. My main dog alone is worth over $10,000. My last dog was the same. When she developed liver failure, I had to put her down. I refused to allow the vet to do it. It was my dog....my call....my responsibility. I was involved in her life from the tit to the grave. I put her down myself. She would never get better and only worse. You do not sound to me like you have this ability within you and I do not recomend that you do it. I'm only trying to show you that what is best for the anamial is not always what is easy for you.

Remember, only you and your vet can decide what is best. In the end, the last decision is up to you.

If you wish to talk, or need to 'vent' more, email me. [email protected].  Its a tuff time now...but you will get through it. Your anamial is very sick....and it has nothing to do with anything you did or did not do.

Chin up
Bob

Dear Ci Ci,
We have all had those moments, remember that
although he may be a pet, they are just like children and require many visits to the vet.
Next time, thank god that you were able to catch it in time. Things always happen for a reason.
Come to Miami and spend your vacation with us girls.
I know this is not going to make your pet feel better, but look on the bright side, at least you give a damn and he's truly lucky to have you as a friend.
Don't beat yourself up about something that can be replaced such as (money) I hope your pet gets better.
Best Wishes,
Vannessa

I know it's hard to put an animal down, and I will do it if I have to, but for now he's okay. He's only experienced one bad seizure, so we'll have to see over the next few months if he'll get better or worse. My cats really are my children, so whatever I can do to make them more comfortable I will.

Hugs,

Ciara

Hi,

I was glad to hear that you and your vet made a decision. Believe me, after I lost my love and two boys (she just up and left, after a promise of marriage/family) I know all to damn well what its like to have a pet for a companion. I raise/train the finest hunting dogs around. People come from all over the state to have me look at/work with their dogs. These dogs are my passion in life. While I will always find woman attractive and wish like hell I was not alone, I have never not been able to count on my dogs. You have heard about a boy and his dog????? Well, even when we are full grown men (boy have I grown too) and 43, I still just get a smile on my face when I see a new pup learn/master a skill. Each dog is different. Each one has a personality that is all there own.

Mine is a female with attitude. She is first and last, a hunter. If she is having a problem finding the bird....the look on her face when she nails it (she will almost always win...just a matter of time) is "....gottya fool.....". God help the hunter that misses a bird on the flush. She will look up at you with a glance that will freeze water, as if to say...."damn you....I am down here in the mud and snow...and you can't hit a stupid quail with a #$%^&*( shotgun? As  she brings back her bird (its suppose to be my bird....but she just lets me borrow it) she does a little 'victory dance' like a football player in the end zone. Its sort of a side-step trot dance move where she bobbs her head up/down as if to say........."yeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeessssss, I"m bad, I'm bad, I'm very bad......".  Now if I can just find a human female with the same type of attutide....life/love/ and great, mind numming sex....would be grand.

Hope all is well. Did they put the cat on any meds? Change diet?
Bob