I felt like I needed a place to vent because it's hard for someone in my situation to be open with other people, face-to-face. I just can't do it. So behind the relative anonymity of the Internet and this forum, I hope I can talk about my cat's health. I'd like to start off by saying I'm relatively young, so I haven't had to deal with any major tragedies like the death of a parent or other family member. I can easily say this is the worst I have ever felt about anything, so please don't compare this to anything else, because there is no way for me to understand. Let me tell you a little bit about my cat as well as myself. I have never had a pet before this little kitten found his way into my backyard. Before him, I had never understood the bond that a person could share with a pet. He is only about 2.5 years old, is an outdoor cat, and has been healthy, active, and playful all his life. But unfortunately the circumstances have changed. My cat was recently diagnosed with FIV, which is exactly like HIV, but for cats. This disease was spread to my cat due to him getting into a fight and getting scratched by another neighborhood cat that has the disease (damn neighbors and their neglect for their pets). FIV really doesn't have any symptoms, but he is very susceptible to disease, causing him to be lethargic. He rarely eats, he rarely drinks, and his trust for me and the rest of my family is shaken. He is afraid of everyone else outside of my immediate family, as he won't even be in the same room as someone he doesn't recognize. So when the only people that have ever taken care force him into a cage, drag him into an unfamiliar place, and subject him to a series of tests, he began to have a hard time allowing us to be around him. The vet told us to administer medicine to him in the form of liquid, but it became increasingly difficult because he hated it so much. His breathing increased and his heart rate increased. After doing a bit of research I found this to be caused by stress, the stress of being afraid of everyone around you and their intentions. I've decided that I don't want to give him the medicine anymore because it basically only prolongs the inevitable for weeks at a time until he becomes infected with another disease. But I've also decided that I will not put him to sleep, simply because there is no way that I will be able to put him in a cage, listen him to meow in fear, put him on a table, and watch a vet kill him. My thoughts are to just let him pass peacefully while I comfort and love him as much as possible as he nears death. So that's how I will lose the only pet I ever had, and I now realize that the emotional toll in watching a loved creature suffer and eventually die. I'm sure many of you have experienced something similar, and I encourage you to share your stories. Or if anyone has words of advice, I will gladly listen.
There's no advice dude. When you love your pet like a family member, this is the inevitable dark moment that comes.
I personally have never got attached to a cat, but a dog I have. I once went on a hike and my dog went with me, well I gave him water and such but I think it was way too long for his old legs. (He was about 13 years old) I had him since I was like 3 and was my only dog. My best bud. On the hike, he stopped walking and was just laying. I couldnt get him to walk for anything. Not water, not food nothing. I didnt use a leash due to fact I had him trained to listen to me. I could tell he was exhasuted, so I picked him up and put him on my back and carried him back home. He didnt fight it like most dogs would. 2 days later he died and I blamed myself for it till I realized it was just his time to go. He was my best bud, and it brings tears to my eyes thinking about it.
Cats are way more independent so if you dont give them much attention they're fine. You have to get close to your dog because they are stupid and they dont know how to entertain themselves like cats.
For this first time in my life, I honestly don't know what to do. This isn't a game, it isn't some problem in school that will pass, and it's not something that time can cure. He used to sleep right next to my monitor. He used to sleep on my lap. He used to sleep on the chair right next to me. I'm worried that I will reach my hand to my sides and pet him while he slept on the chair, and he just won't be there.
That really sucks, similar thing happened with my dog. He was a big dog who has survived cancer and even had his leg removed. He was 19 years old and still doing well until the next door neighbor began keeping and feeding a pair of weasels under their house. The weasels carried a virus that infected my dog and killed him.
I used to have 2 chickens in my back yard believe it or not, we always fed them and let them roam wherever in our back yard, and we fed them alot, which of course lead to pile of poop every where you stepped, untill one day this dog from my neighbors made a hole in the fence and got in and killed them, at the time I was only in the 2nd grade, I cried over them.
That sucks. I am very sorry that you are going through this. I have been around animals most of my life. I had a dog that I raised from a puppy. I got her when I was 12. That dog taught me about unconditional love. Do not let this experience sour you on animals. They add to the quality of your life. I still miss my childhood dog. At present, I have 2 dogs, 3 indoor cats and a stray that stays outside that has adopted us as we feed him and provide him with affection. Animals are great. As much as it hurts now, when you have an animal for years, in retrospect it is so worth it.
Death is part of life. It sucks...but you will grow from this. You will really appreciate some things a little more...for cats...and for you.
Its situations like this that build strength and character. We've all had to endure our Old Yeller moment 2nd'ing what Refman said, animals or people, it really is better to have loved than to never have loved at all.
I will disagree with you on one thing: Time will indeed cure your heartbreak and you will get over it. Dying is a part of life and losing loved ones is something that happens to everyone. Deceased friends, family members and pets will occupy a special place within your heart, but time will ease the pain, allow you to cope with the loss, move on and "regain your step". You must do this because as you get older, more losses will come. But go ahead and grieve now.
I'm 34. I had a cat from the age of 16 until 2 years ago. When he died, I'd had him for half my life, including my entire adult life. He was my friend and my roommate and I miss him, still. He was fine until I notice he wasn't eating or drinking much of anything, and he got to be very lethargic. He was losing weight and so I took him to the vet. I especially knew there was something wrong when he didn't fight being put into his carrier for the trip. He hated car trips and vets, equally. The vet treated him, got him fluids intravenously, and he got some appetite back. They kept him overnight and were going to release him back to me the next day, in the afternoon, after they'd observed him for 24 hours. I expected he was going to be OK; they'd prescribed him some medications to take but I was fine with that. Unfortunately and unexpectedly, his heart stopped. I got a call at work and they told me to come right away. I did. They had him on a machine to keep his heart beating for an hour and a half, while I stood there at the table and said my goodbyes. Ultimately we took him off the machine and gave him an injection to speed his death. I'd been willing to do whatever it took to prolong his life, for my sake, but when it was time for him to go, I wanted him to go as peacefully as possible, for his. Which is all a long way of saying that I know what you must be going through, and it's not easy. Remember that whatever happens, your cat's going to be scared and in pain. It's your job to help his passing be as humane and peaceful as it can be. That's the best way you can show your love for him, now. At least you know what's coming and can plan for it, instead of it coming as a surprise.
I'm sorry that you are going to lose your kitty. I know I will be an emotional mess when my cat goes through the same things. Hugs to you and a belly rub to your sick cat.
i had a dog that i bought in college, everyone loved this little dog. it was everyone's favorite dog because it was so damn cute. after i graduated, i didn't have a lot of free time so therefore i couldn't take care of the dog like i wanted to. my job being what it is, i was transferred to japan. the night before i was leaving, i spent an hour or two just petting her and being with her. the very next morning, the day i was leaving, she had a heart attack, and died. she was relatively young, but being such a small dog, her heart must have been weaker compared to bigger dogs. in a way, i'd like to think that she knew that i was leaving the country, and that she'd have to live without me (with my family) and she died. fortunately, it wasn't a painful death (at least i hope not), but still to this day... over 5 years after, i still haven't gotten over it. i don't think i could ever own another dog because i can't go through the pain of losing an animal that i had a bond with like a father and a daughter. as i type now, i feel very sad and weak. i feel the OP's pain, he or she will probably never get over the pain, and everytime there's a reminder like this, you'll feel that pain, and in a way feel responsible for the loss.
About 10 years ago I had a cat that I had owned for 14 years. He started to have a hard time breathing and $3000 dollars later (test, treatments to keep him alive) I had to put him to sleep. It was probably the best pet I ever had and the hardest thing I've had to do, but I wish I would have done it sooner considering the money I spent and delaying something that had to be done. It turned out to be a heart problem.
I have four cats (plus a dog) and I know exactly how much attachment you feel to your pet. My sympathies are with you. If I might make a suggestion: some people who lose a pet to which they were very attached get another pet right away, thinking it will fill a void. Try to avoid that. Give yourself time to grieve and really let go. Then, you can truly devote all your love and attention to another pet who needs a good home.
