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Playing chess with the reaper

Posted: Thu Aug 15, 2019 9:26 am
by Mollycat
For the second time in 2 months, my Bobby has come within 24 hours of the end, and won a reprieve.

Last night he was going from one litter tray to the other - sometimes he changes his mind about which one to use - and back again, so I watched him do this a couple of times, checked the trays, and to my alarm there were only peanut-size clumps of pee. He carried on like this for a full half hour with some yowls in between while we waited for time to scoot off to the vets, the dog and other cat were quite upset by his distress too not to mention the hoomans. I didn't think he would be coming home this time. If his kidneys had finally failed for good ...

Our vet was wonderful. She felt for a blockage and couldn't find one, which would have meant goodbye as he wouldn't survive sedation. Her hunch was a bladder infection that had got so bad because it had been masked by the steroids he is on. His temp was 42.3C / 108F and his ears were actually red by the time we got there. She was confident we could get on top of it so he spent the night on IV fluids and had a dose of painkiller, vitamin B and another 2 week antibiotic shot. He is responding, he has had a pee which was the key in factor.

I was tearing up with guilt last night, did we do the right thing or should we have let him go? I had to put my faith in the vet that it wasn't his kidneys having shut down, that he wasn't going to spend 24 hours in pain and distress for nothing. Thankfully the vet was right. We don't have forever, but for now he has cheated the reaper a second time.

Re: Playing chess with the reaper

Posted: Thu Aug 15, 2019 1:00 pm
by Lilith
Good old Bobby! :D

Plenty of lives left yet, but all paws and tails crossed here that he doesn't have to use up any more.

You must be exhausted ...

Re: Playing chess with the reaper

Posted: Thu Aug 15, 2019 1:21 pm
by lilynmitz
It's so hard when you lurch from one medical crisis to another, but I'm pleased to hear this one was quickly dealt with. I hope you will continue to have happy times together for a good while yet.

Re: Playing chess with the reaper

Posted: Thu Aug 15, 2019 4:10 pm
by Mollycat
Thank you both so much for your kind supportive words. Yes I am emotionally and financially exhausted, I've had to run to Mother and her savings account this time and she may be able to cover Molly's 6-8 week post-iodine checks ... 6 months after treatment ... I hope.

She keeps saying I should insure them but insurance would have paid out between a third and a half of what the 3 animals have cost us in less than 2 years, and premiums at 9 and 6 years old when I got them would already have been through the roof, never mind now at 12 and 15! It would have ust been even more depressing that we paid out all that and still had to find most of the actual bills ourselves anyway.

I'll be off to pick up the furry bag of bones shortly, and then to deal with Molly bulying him because he smells funny!!! I swear whenever he leaves the house she thinks, Great, I'm going to be an only cat again!

Re: Playing chess with the reaper

Posted: Thu Aug 15, 2019 8:39 pm
by Mollycat
Well we brought Boo home at 6.30 this evening, vet was happy that his fever was down and he had peed but I was concerned to hear he had not eaten and had peed outside the litter, but ok we took him home. He was silent as he had been on the way in, most unlike him, and when we got home he did his usual tour sniffing, but something quickly became not right. He was rapid breathing and after a while he was not settling and it was as though we weren't there. Molly who normally is hostile when he comes home, wasn't at all. She has been watching him and at times following him around. He is straight back to in and out of the litter trays producing tiny hazelnut pees, then tours favourite bed spots but can't settle. Also his back legs seem wonky, but then he must be very weak now.

When he started open mouth panting I rang the out of hours vet for advice and what signs to look for to bring him in. Sadly they don't do their own out of hours any more which was one of the reasons I chose them, and OOH don't have access to their records, but the vet advised me as best she could. Boo hid under the bed, I was just glad he had settled a bit, he has come out, still pacing and visiting the trays but at least seems to know we're there and we get a raised tail greeting. But unless the litter tray visits calm down we really have no option but to prepare to send him on his way in the morning. It might well be the pain meds making him so restless, but that doesn't change the bladder problem starting again the moment we got him home.

Seemed so positive when we went to pick him up, it makes it all the harder now.

Re: Playing chess with the reaper

Posted: Thu Aug 15, 2019 10:59 pm
by lilynmitz
I’m so sorry to hear of both Boo’s and your distress, there isn’t much anyone can say to make this easier. He knows he’s in his safe and familiar place with people who love him, and I know you only have him in your heart and mind, whatever decision you make tomorrow. I hope you can both have a peaceful night. X

Re: Playing chess with the reaper

Posted: Fri Aug 16, 2019 12:29 am
by Lilith
I'm so sorry to hear. Yes, as Lilynmitz says, home is where he'll want to be, no matter what.

Thinking of you both, love and hugs, Lil x

Re: Playing chess with the reaper

Posted: Fri Aug 16, 2019 12:18 pm
by Mollycat
Thank you both so much, I have just come back from the vets. They have a candle on reception with a notice, if this candle is lit someone is saying goodbye to their beloved pet ... today the candle was lit for me and Boo.

We had a lot of cuddles this morning, my partner got to say goodbye before he left for work. It was all as perfect as it can ever be. And Boo's legacy is 13 litters of fluffy bundles of Ragdoll and all their babies, and I have left his final scatter of cat litter all over the bathroom for partner to swear at one last time tonight. Goodnight my Boo, check mate, you played well.

Re: Playing chess with the reaper

Posted: Fri Aug 16, 2019 12:22 pm
by booktigger
I'm so sorry to hear this, RIP little one

Re: Playing chess with the reaper

Posted: Fri Aug 16, 2019 2:47 pm
by Lilith
Aww Mollycat, so sorry to hear. (((hugs)))

Sleep tight, Boo x

Re: Playing chess with the reaper

Posted: Fri Aug 16, 2019 2:54 pm
by alanc
Very sad to read this.He put up a good fight and you did all you could for him.

Re: Playing chess with the reaper

Posted: Fri Aug 16, 2019 5:58 pm
by lilynmitz
So sorry to hear this. What a hole they leave in our lives. Sleep well Boo. Take care Mollycat. xx

Re: Playing chess with the reaper

Posted: Fri Aug 16, 2019 6:10 pm
by MooBag
So sad to read this Mollycat, ((hugs)) to you.

I love the idea of the candle being lit at your vets, what a beautiful idea.

RIP brave Boo.
xxxx

Re: Playing chess with the reaper

Posted: Fri Aug 16, 2019 7:44 pm
by Mollycat
Thank you all so much for your kind comments. I've only told my mum and three friends so far and bizarrely got two lots of beautiful flowers!

Yes I love the candle idea, to let other patients know to please be quiet and respectful. I can't fault the vet practice in any way - the vet I asked for who knew him best, who talked to the one who treated him on Wednesday this morning, on her lunch break because these things can't wait and all appointments are fully booked. Everything ready on arrival, all the time in the world before and after to say goodbye and be ready to drive home, a drink, and you don't have to pay now. They have a garden, too, mostly for dogs, I hoped the rain would hold so Boo could go there but it didn't.

Re: Playing chess with the reaper

Posted: Fri Aug 16, 2019 7:55 pm
by booktigger
My vets have one of those candles too, I think ors a lovely idea

Re: Playing chess with the reaper

Posted: Sat Aug 17, 2019 7:32 am
by fjm
I am so sorry. Sleep well, Boo, after a long life well lived.