The Feline Thread

[jmsquared]

Dec 30, 2011 15:57:12 GMT aeromanda said:

Thanks so much Silje. I'm still in the hospital but my husband said that Hemmie seems a little better today and his temp was down to almost normal this morning. Maybe he will kick this thing after all.

Oh Aeromanda, I've just caught up with all this. I hope Hemmie is still improving and that maybe the test was wrong. All on top of your operation too. *sends positive vibes and big, big hugs to you all*

[aeromanda]

The Hemmie report for the day: he still has a slight fever but it has been down at this level for a few days now so I'm hoping it will break soon. Other than that, he is eating and acting as well as he has been over the last two weeks.

Dit, don't feel like a bad kitty mommy. It can be so hard to tell when cats have something wrong with them. They don't display it overtly the way most dogs do. It is especially tough if your kitty has a chronic condition. I've had one of my kitties have their claw grow into their paw and it took me a while before I noticed it too. Glad to hear your kitty is ok now though.

[devil-may-care]

I hope the news continues to be good for Hemmie! We're all pulling for you!! ;D

[dit]

Hope Hemmie is keeping OK. Chloe seems much more settled and has asked for happy fuss today, which is good as she was originally feral and has always been a bit reticent. She's eating well too. Fingers crossed - she's an old girl, but I want to keep her as long as I can, without being unreasonable for her sake.

[rx7]

Cats! I'm not a cat person, but I don't mind them. Where should I begin?

I used to volunteer at an animal shelter, working with the small animals(I love rabbits and guinea pigs) and I tended to the cats at times.

I was in charge of a wonderful medium haired black cat named Sam. He was great to me, would always curl up in my lap when I went to his enclosure. I spent a few hours brushing out his fur and he loved the attention. I come in the next week and he's been shaved! I was so mad and I think he was too.

My brother(a car mechanic no less), had a 5 year old Russian blue/Siamese cat he named Spazz. He had several nicknames I shouldn't repeat! He was a nice cat, I loved watching him and my brother play together. They had their own special game. Spazz liked to sit in whatever car my brother was working on because it smelled like his human and my brother would joke the cat was supervising him.

Spazz got into paint one day and left the side of my brother's then Jeep Cherokee covered with paw prints! He chased his toys around and they eventually found their way beside the dishwasher all lined up in a row. Spazz would sit on top of the fridge and bat at your head as you walked by. No problem for me as I'm not 6 feet tall!

Spazz met his end by a car, just like James's cat. When one animal departs, another one comes in. My brother got a kitten he named Dexter. His ex girlfriend also left him a cat, a black and white mellow female who's 13, and has no teeth. I think her name's Guinness. Dex is a gray and white with black striped tabby cat, FYI.

Dex and Guinness fight. A lot. It's not violent, but if Dex is bored, he'll get her going and my brother says it's more entertaining and cost effective than cable! If my brother doesn't get up on time he'll get a paw in the face, at nighttime, both cats like to cuddle up with him, but if one sees the other, there's a fight.

Dex is a hunter and I was there at the house one day when he brought in a dead toad. If he's outside when my brother goes to bed, Dex picks out my brother's window and launches himself at it in order to get in. The result is a lot of swearing, but he opens up the window and lets in the little monster.

Guinness is a little sweetheart. She'll cuddle with you and purr nonstop.

[aeromanda]

I have sad news. We took Hemmie to the vet today because the vet wanted to recheck Hemmie's white cell count. He said that he was 98.9% certain that we are dealing with FIP. Then he noticed that Hemmie's belly was distended (I had noticed this but was thinking...or maybe hoping is a better word that his bloating was being caused by the prednisone he is on.) The doctor withdrew some of the fluid to see what we were dealing with and what he got was a dark yellow fluid that is characteristic of FIP. So, from here, it is just a matter of time; we are going to lose him. The vet told us, if not in so many words, that we should put Hemmie down. But I told him I just couldn't do it yet. I know I am being selfish by keeping him around but I need a little more time to prepare myself so soon after losing my other fuzzy babies. We decided to bring him home and keep him comfortable. And he does seem comfortable and the vet said it was ok so long as he is still eating. So, now we just wait. It probably won't be too long. I can not tell you how absolutely broken hearted I am. Hemmie is my baby, he is my little joy and I don't know how well I am going to do putting him down. I am completely devastated! I know it is cliche to say this but it is just so unfair! He's just a baby and he doesn't deserve this! More than anything I wish there was a cure for this!

[Vivienne]

There are no real words to comfort but you've had each other to love and that is what you must remember. Not to sound brash but maybe it will happen at home.I know it rarely does.I know we were all pulling for Hemmie that it wasn't FIP. You guys are in my thoughts.Paula

[meimichan]

I'm so sorry about Hemmie aeromanda. And losing so many of your other furbabies this past year. Brutal as hell.

*gives him a few pats* Poor guy.

[dit]

So sad to read this. Stroke Hemmie for me.

[devil-may-care]

Oh aeromanda, I am so very sorry to hear about Hemmie. I've been hoping against hope that the tests were wrong and that Hemmie would pull through. I just can't believe this is happening. No one should have to go through what you are. It is truly heatbreaking.

If you need to talk or need a shoulder to cry on, I'm only a pm away.

*Massive Hugs*

[jmsquared]

Oh Aeromanda, I am so sorry to hear that. Am thinking of you and little Hemmie.

[pie]

I'm so sorry, Aeromanda. *gives Hemmie a nice long pat*

[ElerVim]

Aero, I'm so sorry you and Hemmie have to go through this. Your little furry knows that he has gotten the best of care from you. That is the best kind of love you can give him right now.
Hugs!

[aeromanda]

Thanks guys for all of the sympathy. It makes me feel better to know that I have people who care for me and my little Hemmie.

Not to sound brash but maybe it will happen at home.I know it rarely does.

It doesn't sound brash at all. In fact, on the one hand, I have kind of been hoping that he would pass at home. But, on the other hand, I don't want him to suffer at all and if his death is going to be drawn out and painful I will have to end that for him as much as I don't want to let him go. It is just a matter of waiting right now. We are taking it day by day.

[SiljeMari]

Oh no, I am so sorry to hear about this, aeromanda! I have been thinking a lot about you and Hemmie, and hoping with all my heart that it wasn't FIP..
As you said, it's unfair. Really unfair.
I wish there was something I could do to make you feel better.. But it's always hard to loose someone you love that much, I know that.
Both you and little Hemmie are in my thoughts.

*big hugs for both of you*

[aeromanda]

Finally, there is an end to Hemmie's sad story. His little belly was quite distended. On Thursday last week I noticed that he was trying to use the litter box but nothing was happening. The fluid was putting pressure on his bladder and making him feel like he had to go when he didn't. Also on Thursday he didn't eat very much and was very lethargic. So I called the vet and we took him in on Friday morning and had him put down. I can not put into words how much it hurts to have lost my little baby. I have been crying on and off fairly constantly since Friday. Over the years I have had many animals and I have lost many of them and have had to put some of them down when it was their time. It is never easy but I don't think it has ever been as hard for me as it was this time with Hemmie. We only had him for three months but I bonded with him instantly. He was my little angel and he followed me around every where I went. He cuddled with me constantly and gave so much love. I just can't believe that he is gone. The only consolation that we have is that maybe something good will come from his passing. My husband researched FIP online. He found out the UC Davis in CA is doing a study on FIP and working for a cure. They requested that vets send fluid and tissue samples from cats that have been diagnosed with FIP so that they can collect as much information as possible. Our vet agreed to participate in the study and send the requested samples. We offered to pay for shipping or whatever charges he incurred but he told us not to worry about it, that he was happy to do it for us. Here is our last picture with our baby. It was taken at the vet Friday morning.


Thank you everyone for being so supportive of me and my little Hemmie as we went through this. It was a very hard time and your words of support meant a lot!

[pie]

RIP little Hemmie. Such sad news. It doesn't make it any easier, but at least you can be (somewhat) comforted knowing that you gave him the best life he could have had. *hugs*

[meimichan]

*weeping with you*

I'm so sorry.

[dit]

I'm so very, very sorry to hear that you've lost your furry baby. Some cats are just stars, aren't they? At least you know that, while he may have had a short life, at least it was a happy one.

[jmsquared]

So sorry Aeromanda . It's very good of you to allow the samples to be sent, to help stop this happening to other moggies. That's a lovely photo of the 3 of you. *hugs*

[Vivienne]

Very many sympathies for the 3 of you. It's hard to be brave and do the "right" thing. Hemmie is with the kitty angels.

[aeromanda]

Thanks so much to all of you. Your good wishes and your sympathy mean a lot to me. It does help me and makes me feel a bit better. And the way I feel right now every little bit helps. Thank you.

[Mayfayre]

I remember so much what it was like when I lost my last cat to cancer. He was 13 but it was still way before his time. I'll ask him to meet Hemmie at the gates & keep an eye on him

Big hugs for you both.

[Wyvern]

Hemmie looks like my Harry-Cat. I miss him <3

I'm sorry for your loss, but I'm sure he'll have lots of new friends waiting for him *hugs*

[eolise]

Im so sorry for your loss, Amanda I was so hopeful all these weeks....
Ill be thinking of you.

[devil-may-care]

I am so sorry, aeromanda. You, your OH and your pets gave him a family and a wonderful home. *Massive Hugs*

I hope the samples your vet was so kind to send to the study will help cure this terrible disease.

[eolise]

Well said, DMC, I hope that as well.

Jeez, I constantely have to think of you, Amanda, whenever I hear the word cat or see one somewhere

I think, in my opinion, it would help you if you adopt another one asap. It will help you deal with your grieve.

[devil-may-care]

I thought I'd post a couple pictures of my guys.
This was the best Christmas present ever... a cardboard box with crumpled wrapping paper in it. It was their idea to tip it on its side.



Hamish looking dapper in his tie.



No wonder my puzzle keeps breaking apart.

[Vivienne]

cats are so easy to entertain, they entertain themselves!

[jacqui]

Such gorgeous kitties DMC ;D Our cat had hours of fun with the wrapping paper too, so did we watching her ;D