mistersmom
Junior Member
Abita Springs, LA
Posts: 3,749 
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Post by mistersmom on Jul 17, 2016 1:55:29 GMT
I had to unexpectedly say goodbye to my 13 year old Casey today. I've been out of the house for the last week or so recovering from surgery at my mom's house. When I came home yesterday, I noticed there were a few piles of diarrhea in the litter boxes. One pile was on the floor near the box and that's when I noticed the extent of blood in the stool. I took him to the vet this morning and the prognosis was not good. From the vet report: Highly suspect lower GI (colonic) bleeding mass based on sudden onset, weakness, anemia, and protein counts. Given age and location of bleed, prognosis grave to guarded for surgery. Medical care for lymphoma type mass/process carries poor prognosis with possible time with oral medications, but blood transfusions will likely be needed. His blood work was all out of whack too. I asked the vet what she would do and she recommended euthanasia. It was all so sudden, I was in complete shock as was my son who had brought us to the vet (I can't drive yet). I had them give him fluids and some meds to hopefully get him comfortable enough to make it through the weekend and made an appointment for Monday morning to be euthanized. However, after bringing him home for a few hours, it was obvious he was not comfortable so I had my mom bring us to the emergency vet this afternoon to put him to sleep. I probably should have just done it at our regular vet this morning but in the long run I think how it all worked out was best. My son was adamant that he did not want to be there when it happened so again, it was probably best. Shane got to say goodbye to him at home (Casey was technically his cat - he was Shane's birthday present when he turned 6) plus I got to spend some time with him and tell him goodbye as well. He was in my arms when they administered the drugs. It's times like this that make me wonder why we do this to ourselves. Why do we bring these animals into our lives and love them for so many years only to end in heartbreak when they have to leave us? Of course I know the answer to that but that doesn't make it hurt any less. I know he will be there waiting for me on the other side.     |
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nhg
Junior Member
Posts: 2,429
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Post by nhg on Jul 17, 2016 3:08:09 GMT
Aw, poor guy. I'm so sorry you had to make this decision. He looks like he was a cutie pie.
It's true. We have them for years and then they break our hearts when they have to go. I love all of our dogs but Brodie is my heart dog. Sometimes I look at him and wonder how I'll live through losing him one day. He's five now and I hope we'll get another seven years at least.
If it makes you feel any better, with the recent cancer scare of our dog Chloe, when we discussed what to do as far as getting her the surgery, I insisted that we'd try one surgery and that would be it. After going through the pain of cancer surgery and recovery myself it's something that I'd never do to an animal that doesn't know what's going on and why they hurt. I knew it was a means to an and and I still found it hard to tolerate. I think I had PTSD for over a year because of the painful procedures.
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Post by horselady on Jul 17, 2016 11:19:09 GMT
My sympathies to you and your family.. and "why do we do this." Cause we can, we give the love and care a devotion to an animal and than when it is time. no suffering no pain. and love to set them free .. that is why we do what we do. My arabian stallion, the love of my life had the same thing. poof in hours gone. .  |
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hugs
Junior Member
Posts: 2,647
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Post by hugs on Jul 17, 2016 13:59:41 GMT
Awww, I am so sorry Meredith, for you and your son. It is difficult. Casey is such a pretty pretty cat and not so small either!  I'm glad you were able to hold him through his passage. Our vet suggested against it for Schoenie, my puppy dog of 16 years because it might be a less than gentle passage, but I wonder... Gerald said Schoenie was the last dog but I can't live without one, or like now, one to look forward to loving on visits here or my visit home. I am not complete without a dog. And so we adopted Coda. I also have to admit that I feel a mission to home as many loving furry "people" as possible during my lifetime. I would feel remiss otherwise. But that is me and I totally get the decision to volunteer myself to heart break. We're funny people. And loving people. We have the connection to other animal species and we "can't not"  |
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Post by spirithawk06 on Jul 17, 2016 14:38:19 GMT
He looks like he had an awesome life with y'all. I'm so sorry for your loss.
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Terry
Junior Member
Central Illinois, USA
Posts: 1,466
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Post by Terry on Jul 17, 2016 16:12:41 GMT
I'm so sorry for your loss, Meredith. Casey was a beautiful kitty, and it sounds like you gave him a good, happy life, and in the end, you did what you knew was best for him. It's the hardest decision any of us ever have to make, but we do it for the love of our animals. RIP sweet Casey. |
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Valhallanite
Junior Member
Dutchess County, New York
Posts: 826
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Post by Valhallanite on Jul 17, 2016 16:13:04 GMT
Aww, I'm so sorry. That is such a heartbreak. I had to do the same for my pup about 5 yrs ago. Didn't want to put myself through that again ever. But here I am with my new goofball. The house is just not right without them. |
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Post by horselover4life on Jul 17, 2016 17:34:19 GMT
I'm so sorry Meredith.
My heart hurts for you and your son.
Casey had a great life with you...one full of love, affection, great care.
Lots of tears shed I'm sure....
....
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Post by carshon on Jul 18, 2016 14:20:13 GMT
I am so sorry that this happened. Words just never seem good enough or offer enough comfort. to you and Shane. We love them like family and losing a member of the family hurts. |
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kskatt
Junior Member
Posts: 833
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Post by kskatt on Aug 5, 2016 22:27:54 GMT
Just saw this and wanted to add my condolences. Saying goodbye feels like getting your heart ripped into shreds, and yet we still wouldn't trade one moment of the time we had with them.
I hope your heart is starting to heal, it is such a slow process. ooxx
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mistersmom
Junior Member
Abita Springs, LA
Posts: 3,749
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Post by mistersmom on Aug 8, 2016 20:59:37 GMT
Thanks everyone.
It's funny, sometimes I still find myself looking for him when I get home or wondering where he is while I'm watching tv (he was almost always glued to my side if I was on the couch). I got a card from the emergency clinic that put him down. They warned me it would come but it still hurt. They all signed the card but there was also an insert (actually 2) with Casey's paw print on a separate card. I will have to get a pic of it to show you.
I think Sophie is very lonely. She has never been a cuddler but she is now sitting in sight of me or even down by my feet and looking for more attention. She was always a talker but seems to be talking more since Casey left us. She's in no way what I would call distressed but I'm wondering if she is going to settle into being an only cat. I am thinking about adopting another when I get back from vacation in September but I really wasn't planning on doing that until I figured out where I would be living next year (I would rather travel cross country with just one cat). I don't know. I guess I will see how things are going when I get back. I normally just leave food and water for the cats when I go on vacation but since she is by herself, I am going to ask the teenager next door to look in on her every few days. Sophie is not really fond of strangers but I think if it is just her and I'm not around, she will warm up to Tobie.
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Post by horselady on Aug 9, 2016 11:26:55 GMT
I do the same .. feel and look for the one lost.. and perhaps getting another for her to be company,, after all give another love and a home that is well deserved. not to replace but to share your home and love.
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hugs
Junior Member
Posts: 2,647
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Post by hugs on Aug 10, 2016 12:13:19 GMT
Sometimes I refer to Coda as Schoenie. Loved ones stay in our hearts and minds for ever.
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Lipizzan
Junior Member
Europe, Croatia
Posts: 2,572
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Post by Lipizzan on Aug 31, 2016 7:34:00 GMT
I am sorry mm  |
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