We Almost Lost Our Baby  

Having a pet is a wonderful experience, in my opinion. It teaches us how to care for, and be responsible for 'someone' totally dependent on us. Yes, there are many people in our lives too, who need our care and attention, but there is much benefit in loving and caring for animals as well. Thanks for your response, and welcome to myLot.

Hi Goodie,

Thanks so much for your response here. She's still not quite herself, but we're watching her very carefully, and sure hope to have her with us for a few more years. Take care.

Hi gabs,

Thanks so much for your concern and support. Anna Belle is holding her own here, although she's still not back to herself yet. I remember Gissi's illness, and am so thankful that he pulled through. The two of you deserve to have many more special years together. Big Hugs back to you.

Hi Grandpa Bob,

Thanks so much for your prayers and support. She's still not herself, and isn't eating and drinking yet as she should be. We have to chase her down with a syringe, in order to make sure she's getting enough water.

I'm so very sorry to hear about your Spooky, and I can't read what you've written without tears streaming down my face. Here I go again. I'm so worried that this will be our experience as well, and don't know if I'd even have the courage to be there, and do what you did for your kitty. I think I'd have to be 'wheeled out' of the place, as I'll be a basket case.

Thanks again. Hugs to you.

Hi GRANDPA BOB...what happened to your Spooky reminds me a bit of my Tommy. I've had pets all my life since I was five years old...so I've had many a death in the family from my "babies"I have no idea what happened to Tommy, and he wasn't an old cat. He and another cat, Mickey were buddies, like brothers. One night, very late around 3 in the morning I was still awake lying in bed reading when all of a sudden I hear this "coughing" sound...like the way a cat sounds coughing up a furball. At first I paid no attention but then got up from bed walked over to where the sound was coming from which was right near the entrance door. It was Tommy gasping and having some kind of seizures...maybe a cat's version of respiratory or cardiac arrest????? Never will know..and the thing is he was fine that day, playing around, chasing Mickey his pal. It would have done no good to have brought him to a vet...it happened so quick and since the ONLY 24 hours vet place is in Manhattan (at that time anyway) it would have taken to long to take him there as we're a distance away.
I felt completely helpless not knowing what to do for him...I kept saying his name out loud over and over again to let him know I was at least nearby for him and I gently pulled him on my lap...it was all over in about fifteen minutes. Months and months later Mickey died...there was nothing wrong with him either...at least not physically/medically...but I just know he died as he had pined away for his friend Tommy

You have brought tears to my eyes here as well Grandpa!

I was there for my Tippy (Dog) When she had to be put down...
I sat on the floor and she fell asleep with her head in my lap...
I wouldn't have had it any other way!!!

I do hope you get another cat someday! :)

Thanks for sharing as always Grandpa!

~Heavens~

Oh my pye, you've reduced me to tears too. I'm so sad to hear about your Tommy and Mickey. When you're an animal lover, it's almost impossible (for me, it's not possible), to read or hear about such experiences, and not be moved. Hugs.

These are both such sad stories, GB and Pye.

I'm so sorry to hear about your 'baby.' I'd never even thought of pets getting pancreatitis, but know it's a horrible thing that humans can get. You're right about the ER vets, as they are amazing. We dealt with several of them over the two day period, and each one was just as nice, and caring, as the next. In fact, some 'people doctors' could take a lesson from them. Sad really, as this shouldn't be the case. Thanks for your prayers and support. Take care.

Hi weemam,

I'm very sorry to hear about Shep. When we have pets, we set ourselves up for this kind of sorrow, but yet they bring such joy into our lives. I'm dreading the day when we lose our beloved kitty, and am so hoping that she'll completely recover this time.

I will say a special prayer for her pal xx

Thanks so much. She's doing a lot better now.

Hi pye,

I just had to jump in here, and answer this. It's wonderful that your 'Bobbie' recovered, and went on to live another 15 years. Sorry though, to hear about Boomer. If you read Grandpa Bob's response here, he's given a very graphic description of what it was like to say goodbye to his beloved kitty. I can't read it without crying, and am so worried that this will be the case with our 'beautiful girl.' We so want her with us for a few more years, at least. She hates drinking from the syringe, and my daughter is persistent at chasing her down with it. It's funny, but she switches her tail at us, while purring at the same time.

I can see what you're saying, about the possibility of her thyroid condition and meds triggering off the pancreatitis. All of the vets involved, including our own, have said that one has nothing to do with the other, but it still makes me wonder.

Thanks for your thoughts and prayers, and I'll let you know how she's doing. Hugs to you too.

I added a comment under GRANDPA BOB as what happened to my Tommy reminded me of what he went through

So sad to hear of Tommy and Mickey!

Thanks though for sharing with Grandpa and all of us here!

~Heavens~

I love that word "furbabies". That says it all!
If I may borrow that word from you so now I can call mine that. My daughters get upset when I say that the furbabies are my kids. I think the girls get a bit jealous that the cat and dogs are welcome to sleep in my room...but they aren't. LOL

Thanks, pye. I've added another comment for you under Grandpa Bob's response.

I love the name 'furbabies' too Boppie.

Hi heavens,

You're welcome. It's always so sad when these decisions must be made. It is too bad that vet's care isn't more affordable, as so many just can't provide long term care. This has made us very aware that she could have another episode, and there won't be a positive outcome. We're just taking one day at a time, and enjoying the time we have with her. Thanks for sharing here, and Love and Hugs to you too.

You are welcome Mom and you know I am here!

~Heavens~

I had no idea that cats could get pancreatitis. I just never even thought about it, although I know it's a very serious thing with humans. A lady that we know, runs a 'cat hotel' where she cares for people's cats, while they're away. She told me that she herself had pancreatitis last winter, and she lost 50 pounds. She was also in hospital on IV, and thought she wasn't going to make it. She said she can totally relate to how these kitties feel, when they come down with this.

That's very interesting about the food. Anna Belle has eaten the same food for years, and has never had a problem. We didn't even feed her soft food at all, because of her sensitive tummy. She also never goes outdoors. The only different thing was her 'thyroid meds,' but the vet doesn't think this has anything to do with it. I'm glad to hear that your baby is still with you. That's a really good age.

Thanks for your prayers and support. I'm trying my best to be strong, but many days I just look at her and tear up. It seems like we've been fighting this for a lot longer than we actually have. She has about three more days left of her antibiotics.

Take care.

Hi Transdisc,

Thanks so much for your understanding and support. It means a lot to me. I 'know' about some of your sad experiences with beloved pets, and now I can really relate. We lost pets under various circumstances when I was growing up, and it was truly awful. However, now that I'm the adult here, and therefore the decision maker, it adds a whole new painful dimension. Thanks so much for sharing here. Take care.