barbkeith
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posted on October 30, 2001 07:28:26 PM new
Hi all, I just need some kind words of support or sympathy or something. I have an almost 20 year old cat named Samantha who I must take to the vet tomorrow. Today she stopped eating and threw up some blood. I know that due to her age this is a very bad sign. She has been with me since she was a baby and has seen me through many rough times. I'm amazed that both of us survived the abuse inflicted by my ex-husband (may he rot in he**). I know she doesn't have many days left and I'm so upset. I have 4 other cats and 2 dogs but she has always been my special baby. I told DH that I am not going to put her through a bunch of tests that aren't going to do any good anyway. But I will if they will help. Maybe I'm just getting upset prematurely and she'll be ok for awhile longer but something tells me that's not the case. Sorry I'm rambling. How do you make a crying sad face? Wish me luck tomorrow. Barbara
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rawbunzel
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posted on October 30, 2001 07:33:05 PM new
Good luck tomorrow Barbara. I am sorry about your kitty. You've had a good long time with her. How lucky you have been.
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bobbi355
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posted on October 30, 2001 07:33:25 PM new
Oh Barbara - I almost cried when I read that. I know you are hurting - and when a pet has seen you through really rough times .... well ... I can relate to what you're saying. Samantha has lived a long life, hasn't she? So many fond memories you'll have of her. Maybe there is something the vet can do, but if not, I'm sure you won't want her to suffer any longer than need be. Bless you and I'll think of you tomorrow (really). Bobbi
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nycrocker
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posted on October 30, 2001 07:40:35 PM new
Barbara  I am so sorry honey. I know the feeling, I have been there. I thought I would really have a nervous breakdown when my cat Johnny died.
You have given her a nice long life and she was lucky to have you for a Mommy.
There are too too many homeless cats running around (my neighborhood is crawling with them) and it's so heartbreaking to see them on the streets with no homes. Samantha was lucky to have had a nice home and so much love from you all this time.
I'm also sorry about the hell you went through with your ex. Been there too You take extra good care of yourself now and be extra good to yourself, okay? Come in here and vent anytime you need to. Email me if you want to talk. [email protected]
Many hugs to you
Rocker
[ edited by nycrocker on Oct 30, 2001 07:41 PM ]
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eleanordew
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posted on October 30, 2001 07:50:03 PM new
barbkeith - It's a very difficult thing to let go of a precious pet. I'll never forget what the vet told me when I had to have my 20 year old cat euthanized. She said, "Release is the last gift you will be able to give her."
It's hard, but you will know when it is time.
--
El
"The customer may not always be right, but she is always the customer."
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Zazzie
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posted on October 30, 2001 08:28:09 PM new
Don't be afraid to hold her in your arms if they have to put her down--special for her and you
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kraftdinner
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posted on October 30, 2001 08:32:21 PM new
{{{{barbkeith}}}}, I am so sorry. There's no better friendship like the one you have with a pet. If you can just focus in on what's best for your friend right now, it will help ease the pain of having to do what you might have to do. It'll still hurt, but we'll be here to help you through it.
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forgottenchild
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posted on October 30, 2001 09:06:52 PM new
My heart goes out to you. I went thru that earlier this year. My kitty got one of them cat diseases that infects the kidneys and we had to have her put to sleep. My and my husband was with her and boy did we cry and the vet cried along with us. Hopefully they can help her but in my case they couldn't but i know in my heart we made the right choice for her not to suffer anymore.
I am an animal lover and take in strays that come our way. I have buried 3 cats this year and two of my cats had kittens that i nursed cause all 4 of them were born sick and all 4 of them died last week when they were 3 days old. This has been a rought year for us with animals.
I have never had a cat live as long as yours has. I wish i could have that long with some of my babies. You must just have the magic touch.
My prayers are with you and your baby and hopefully it will turn out alright!
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hepburn
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posted on October 30, 2001 09:11:13 PM new
barb, I have a 20 year old cat too, and thank goodness he is still healthy and with me. I cant imagine how you must be feeling, but Im sure I will be in the same situation when Fatso gets that way. The only thing I can tell you is that samantha was loyal and true to you, and your best friend. Be the same for her when she needs you to do what must be done so she doesnt suffer. I firmly believe that dogs and cats and other animals go to Heaven, so think of her as playfully swatting at a nice mans white robe, as they both walk down a grass covered field. He will take care of her for you, until you meet again, sweety.
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bunnicula
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posted on October 30, 2001 10:27:00 PM new
My heart goes out to you, Barbkeith! It hurts so much to lose a beloved pet. Your cat has obviously had a long and wonderful life. Keep a positive attitude--it may be that you will still have some time left. But if not, I know you'll have the strength to save your cat from unnecessary suffering.
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barbkeith
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posted on October 31, 2001 03:24:07 AM new
Thank you so much for all the kind words. I know today is going to be a rough day and I'm trying to prepare myself for the worse. My vet opens at 10:00am and I plan to be first. This morning she is drinking water but still won't eat her favorite food (ham). I will let you all know what happens. She's just walking around meowing. Here is a picture of my Sam.
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december3
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posted on October 31, 2001 03:35:08 AM new
I hope things turn out better than you expect. It's hard to lose an old friend. I've got my fingers crossed that Sam still has a couple of her 9 lives left.
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MurphyBird
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posted on October 31, 2001 03:35:13 AM new
Barbaram
I too will be thinking about you two today. Even though my username has "bird" in it, I also have a 16yr old cat that I've had since he was a kitten.
In 20 years I bet you've had some good times with her, remember those no matter what happens.
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labrat4gmos
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posted on October 31, 2001 04:02:48 AM new
I hope things work out for you and Samantha today! Maybe things will work out. I'll bet she had a great life if nothing can be done.
We had a kitty from first grade through college and beyond. What a joy she brought to everyone. Her name was Angel.
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kyms
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posted on October 31, 2001 05:15:11 AM new
She is beautiful. You are both in my prayers today.
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hepburn
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posted on October 31, 2001 08:31:44 AM new
Bump.
Let us know what the vet said, k?
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barbkeith
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posted on October 31, 2001 10:34:54 AM new
Hi all, Great news, the vet thinks she may have an ulcer due to being dehydrated which would be where the blood and lack of appetite came from. I have to start rehydrating her subcutaneously again every other day. After I got home the vet called and said that her blood work came back better than expected. Her kidney function looks better than last time. She still has kidney disease but it has not progressed. I feel soooo much better. More good news is that when we got home, she ate a little bit. Not much, but enough to make me happy. I really appreciate all the kind words. Animal lovers understand when a pet is sick, lost, or crosses over. I don't have children so my animals are like my children. Some people just don't understand that. My previous boss had a Springer Spaniel that he spent $5600 on and said it was worth every penny even though the dog didn't make it. He always let me leave early or come in late when it came to one of my babies. Thanks again to everyone. Barbara and Samantha  and Jesse, Ginger, Moo-moo, Connie, Big Baby, and Little Baby (aka Junior)
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RainyBear
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posted on October 31, 2001 10:37:28 AM new
Barbara, I'm glad your kitty will be OK. Cats are very special family members.
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snowyegret
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posted on October 31, 2001 10:37:36 AM new
Great news!
You have the right to an informed opinion
-Harlan Ellison
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Zilvy
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posted on October 31, 2001 10:41:50 AM new
Finally I am able to post, I was so fearful for your dear one because of her age...we did the subcutaneous rehydration on two cats for many years after they were diagnosed with failing kidneys (the first to go it seems) we were very successful. One cat was only 13 when diagnosed and lived to be 20 years old.
The other was 16 and also lived to 20 years.
What about special diet for your fur baby...something geared to older cats with kidney problems...how will you treat the ulcer?
I couldn't post earlier because I kept crying and couldn't think of anything helpful to tell you.
She is beautiful and thankfully she won't feel that needle...we used to make it a love time thing, with lots of stroking and petting and talking...they'd lean against us and purr or *talk* back! We used to put them on top of the dryer and had a hook to hang the bag with all the supplies on a shelf in the laundry alcove. Vet central as we called it. Good luck to you both!
[ edited by Zilvy on Oct 31, 2001 10:43 AM ]
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rowane
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posted on October 31, 2001 11:12:32 AM new
Barbara,
My 22 year old cat, Tom (pic below), has been suffering for years with kidney disease. I'm surprised that he looks a lot like Samantha, are you in Michigan? Tom had a tumor removed 3 years ago, and came through fine, though there were a few moments when I was feeling just like you did yesterday.
I 'found' him as a stray next to a rock in my front yard when he was a kitten. I think someone tossed him out of a car as he was much too young to be left alone by his mother. I know that when he goes it will just break my heart; it's the 'quality of life' that counts according to my veterinarian. You've been a great mom to Samantha, and hopefully will for many years to come 
[ edited by rowane on Oct 31, 2001 11:13 AM ]
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chococake
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posted on October 31, 2001 11:15:58 AM new
Barb - that's good news, so happy for the two of you. Please stop with the ham though. Too much salt.
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hepburn
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posted on October 31, 2001 11:21:07 AM new
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kraftdinner
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posted on October 31, 2001 11:55:47 AM new
barbkeith, I am just thrilled for you! Thank goodness it's not the end for Samantha. 
{{{{zilvy}}}}
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mcjane
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posted on October 31, 2001 12:01:19 PM new
Like Zilvy, I too can now post. I avoided even clicking on your subject at first, I just knew what it would be about, & then thought, I just have to.
I get so heartsick when someone is loosing a pet because I know the feeling all too well.
Some of the greatest loves of our lives are our pets.
Well now the sun is really shining. I am SO happy for you.
Jane
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december3
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posted on October 31, 2001 04:05:39 PM new
Great news. I've been thinking good thoughts about Sam all day.
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flynn
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posted on October 31, 2001 04:17:48 PM new
Awesome news! I'm going to be selfish for a moment, I sure hope my cats live as long as 20 years. We had a few live to 5 or 7, the last is at 10 right now.
When I read your post I started crying right away because I went back to the dark cold week 3 years ago this coming January when I had to put my Cockatoo to sleep after 2 operations. I held him in my arms while he looked up at me with his sad brown eyes. They injected him with the (whatever it's called). He closed his eyes to never again awake. It was the most horrible, yet touching moment I've ever experienced. The vet had to sedate me because I was crying so uncontrolably. To boot it was my 30th birthday, what a bday huh?
Anyway, I just had to share because as hard as it was to watch him go, I also knew, in my heart, that it was the right thing to do.
Angela
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