I’m not even going to try and answer that one… but if you are a cat hater… you’ll want to click away now…
Our 6 year old cat, Captain (Chinese name: 隊長), was just diagnosed with stage 4 renal failure - stage 1 would be the beginning stage… stage 4 comes just before death.
It is irreversible and it is very sad.
Over the last several weeks we noticed Captain drinking more water, eating less, losing some weight… and a few other symptoms of renal failure, however, we didn’t realize they were symptoms at the time. The weather was getting warmer (a lot warmer) so it made sense that he would drink more and be less active, etc.
We took him to the vet about 2 months ago and there were no signs of this trouble. So apparently the kidney problems came on very quickly and progressed rapidly. It is extremely unusual for a 6 year old cat to have renal failure although it is common in older cats.
The kids are, of course, broken-hearted… it isn’t fair for this to happen to their beloved pet. Angie and I share their sadness.
He won’t live more than 2 more weeks at best. Our local vet recommended that we just bring him home and said that he will pass away peacefully. However, some online research seemed to indicate that the end would be quite painful and the consensus was that euthanization was recommended. When we contacted Captain’s original vet (back in Yonghe where we used to live) he concurred with what we found online.
One way or another… Captain will be gone soon…
Sad times now… here’s a couple pics from Captain’s better days…
4 responses so far ↓
1 Jon Ralls // May 27, 2008 at 9:50 pm
Sorry about Captain, Scott. I’m sure it is going to be hard on all of you all. It is hard to lose a pet because they become a part of the family and the routine. Do you think you will get another cat after awhile?
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2 Mr. SQJ // May 28, 2008 at 12:40 am
I doubt it. We probably shouldn’t have had one in the first place since my mother-in-law is allergic to cats! Actually it wasn’t part of an evil plan to keep her away… she said she probably couldn’t make the trip any longer so we didn’t think it would be a factor. However she’s been able to come over at least 3 times since then.
Another factor in us not getting another cat is that we have our home service coming up at the end of the year and we’d have to find someone to keep the cat during our time away.
Thanks for your concern… it really is pretty tough on all of us.
3 lea // Jul 10, 2008 at 11:58 am
My 17 year old cat “Miss Kitty” died 5 months ago from a a year long fight with kidney disease. I did everything I could to keep her alive, including giving daily injections of subQ fluids and her inability to use the litterbox. She died peacefully in her sleep in her own bed at my home. I buried her in my parent’s flowerbed in the backyard. To say I was heartbroken is an understatement. No one knows what losing a pet is like until you actually go through it. It was a huge loss and I cried for months. Finally a neighbor convinced me to get a kitten. It helped - a lot. The kitten is very different from my last cat. We have not “bonded” deeply yet, but as she is still a baby, it will take some time. I stopped by my parent’s house today and went out to the backyard to see “Miss Kitty’s” grave. I cried the whole drive back home. There are simply some things that cannot be replaced. Even if it is as simple as a long term love between a human and a cat, it was love, in the purest form.
I hope this isn’t as hard on you as it was on me. I wish you the best.
4 Conner // Aug 15, 2008 at 7:18 am
I read your very sad message and I can relate to the pain you are going through. My cat died yesterday and it really is a pain that only other people that have animals in their family would really truly understand. My heart hurts unbearably because of the unconditional love that she showed us. She died in my arms as we were rushing her to the vet. You must be in so much pain just knowing that furry child of yours is leaving, but, I truly believe in my heart that Captain is going to heaven and when you get there your sweet cat will be there to greet you with all the love he has always shown you in its purest form. I believe this not because it makes me feel better and of course it does, but, I have always believed in “different levels of heaven”. Your beautiful Captain will be there and he is happier than he has ever been because his health will be restored. God bless you and your family.
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