Fred, the most amazing cat I have ever known

Help & Support for those who have lost a beloved cat
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Ruth
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Fred, the most amazing cat I have ever known

Post by Ruth »

fred came to us at the age of 8 weeks. He was a semi feral cat from the local hospital and had been nicknamed " lee the flea" because there were more fleas than kitten. Most of his fur had fallen out and because he had been trying to survive on his own had a tummy like a cannon ball, filled up with leaves and rubbish that he had managed to scavenge.
Flea problem sorted and enema given he then became anaemic from all the bites so iron tablet time.
By the time he was 6 months he was diagnosed with epilepsy which we managed well with tablets.
He was never an energetic cat but preferred to sit and watch, and if the mood took him launch an attack on an unsuspecting visitor.
By a year he had developed a slight cough, asthma was diagnosed and it was now inhalers as well as tablets.
He was such a fighter, you only had to look in his eyes, which were the brightest green, to see that there was no way he was giving up on life.
He then collapsed and after being rushed to the vets we were told he had a collapsed trachea, which is extremely rare in cats.
Steroids now...he never made a fuss about taking his medication, he just looked at me as if to say " I'm not giving up so neither are you".
A few years passed and his breathing got worse, we decided to take him to a specialist in Hamps
hire who would insert a stent and open up his airway. We saved the money, just under £5000 and took him thinking this would be a whole new start for him but fred had other ideas!
He didn't have a collapsed trachea, many tests later revealed he had cystic fibrosis, apparently the only cat to have ever been diagnosed with this.
No more steroids it was now massage 5 times a day to clear his chest. Many times I would look into his face and those same determined, feisty eyes looked back at me, determined not to give up.
All the time his good days way outnumbered his bad I was determined to give him the life he wanted.
Then one day he became so very ill. This wasn't his breathing it was something I had never seen in poor old Fred. He was diagnosed with acute pancreatitis, there was nothing I could do for him so kissing his little face I let him slip across to the rainbow meadow to be with all my other furries.
The vets originally said that he wouldn't live to be more than 18 months and he was 6 when he passed.
I just wanted to share a tiny portion of his story as he was the most beautiful, feisty, strong willed amazing cat that I have ever known.
I still think of you every day Fred.
Aug 2008-June 2014 RIP x
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This was the last photo I took of him a couple of weeks before he died.
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Last edited by Ruth on Sun Mar 29, 2015 4:33 pm, edited 1 time in total.
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bobbys girl
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Re: Fred, the most amazing cat I have ever known

Post by bobbys girl »

Thank you for telling us about Fred. What an amazing cat! He might have drawn the short straw when it came to health. But he was SO lucky to have found you.

You gave him the best life he could have hoped for and I'm sure he gave you so much in return.

RIP Fred, play happily at the Bridge.

PS I LOVE your avatar.
nanny pamy
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Re: Fred, the most amazing cat I have ever known

Post by nanny pamy »

What a lovely post. And what a lovely life you gave him.
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greenkitty
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Re: Fred, the most amazing cat I have ever known

Post by greenkitty »

Goodness I remember Fred's story from the old forum. I know how hard you tried for your lad.

RIP lovely Fred x
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Crewella
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Re: Fred, the most amazing cat I have ever known

Post by Crewella »

He does sounds an amazing cat, and he was lucky to have you fighting his corner with him. I'm so sorry he finally lost the battle, but it was a fight well fought. xx

Rest in peace lovely Fred.
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