Sick Little Kitty

Discussion in 'Free Thoughts' started by superstring01, Apr 28, 2010.

  1. superstring01 Moderator

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    My old trusty friend, a cat, is very sick.

    Upon adopting my two cats, I promised myself that I would take good care of them, give them a nice home and a comfortable life. . . BUT, that nature's inevitable ravages would be treated with no more than pain killers and a quick and un-agonizing exit from this world when the time came.

    Yet. . . there I was, hauling my stinkin' cat, Oliver, to the vet at 8am yesterday to get "checked out" because he was pissing blood and acting very sickly. Back again this morning for MORE treatment. Have I stepped across some line that I swore I'd never cross? Damnit! I think so. $350 later, my cat is home, hopefully healing on a series of difficult to administer medicines and pissing all over my house. And I've taken TWO sick days to boot!

    Would I do this for a dog? Without question. It's not that I think less of cats. . . it's just that. . . that. . . they aren't dogs.

    ~String
     
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  3. visceral_instinct Monkey see, monkey denigrate Valued Senior Member

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    And?

    That's how I feel about humans...
     
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  5. Crunchy Cat F-in' *meow* baby!!! Valued Senior Member

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    You love your kitty and you know it.
     
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  7. Enmos Valued Senior Member

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    Why would a dog deserve care more than a cat? You took it in, so it's your responsibility.
    By the way, don't put it through surgery and all that stuff if there isn't really a good chance it will recover. I made that mistake once and I still feel stupid for it. My poor kitty.. :bawl:
     
    Last edited: Apr 28, 2010
  8. sandy Banned Banned

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    God bless you for doing that. I have done the same thing for my pets spending thousands(!) of dollars. It is SO worth it. You do your best for your furry friends. They are like our children.
    When they start peeing in the house I set up a little area for them in the kitchen or family room with all their stuff until they are better or going to pet heaven.
    Is Oliver's problem UTI or bladder? I hope he is all better real soon.

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  9. superstring01 Moderator

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    Of course I love my cats. I'm an animal lover. When I finally get my dream house, I want two goats, five chickens, a few ducks, a rabbit, a dog and a few cats. I want a friggin' zoo! I've always just considered myself to be a dog man, though and I'm just a little stunned that the furry critter had me worried enough to rush to the emergency vet for treatment. I thought I'd be able to check out when the time came. And. . . well. . . I was wrong!

    Enmos. Re-read that statement. Did I not do just that? As I stated, I'm a dog guy. Responsibility for an animal's well being extends up to solid, safe care, good food and a loving home. There is no ethical obligation to pursue extensive medical care. While there is no shame in rushing a loved animal to the vet, I just never figured myself to be that person.

    I won't be paying for surgery. He gets one more vet visit and that's it. After that, I have a dose ketamine which will sufficiently sedate him and my father will do the dispatching. If I can't bring myself to do that, then I'll let the vet do it for a hundred bucks.

    He has bladder "crystals". They are painful to pass and cause bleeding and kidney infections. The bladder has been drained thoroughly, he's just in a lot of pain. So I have some pain killers and antibiotics to get him through the next week.

    ~String
     
  10. MacGyver1968 Fixin' Shit that Ain't Broke Valued Senior Member

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    String...I hope your pussy feels better.

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    Losing a member of the family totally sucks...if it comes to that. You are a kind man with a kind heart...and I know you will do the right thing.
     
  11. Enmos Valued Senior Member

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    Well, it's sounds like you're second-guessing yourself because it's a cat.

    Uh? Of course there is. You have an ethical obligation to care for it as well as you reasonably can.

    Because you can't afford it, or because you think the cat is not worth it?

    If there is a good chance of complete recovery through surgery (or any other procedure that may be costly) you should do it. You owe your cat that.
    But if you do decide to 'euthanize' it, for gods' sake, let the vet do it.
     
  12. superstring01 Moderator

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    I'm just stunned at my change of heart.

    No. I have no ethical obligation to pursue medical treatment for the onset of diseases which would have occurred in the wild and killed him by this time. A broken leg? Yeah, I'd get that fixed. Something I caused? Yep, that too. But most cats in the wild don't live long enough to experience the bladder crystals that occur in old age. It's a never ending battle of treatment that may well extend until he dies. That fact, and the overall cost, tells me that I have to make a decision. That is the extent to "reasonable" that I go.

    Cost, of course, Enmos. I'm not a wealthy man. Jesus. Are you seriously trying to pick a fight because I'm opening up and explaining that this whole thing--cost and the thought of losing my cat--is killing me? Seriously, go fuck yourself, man!

    ~String
     
  13. Enmos Valued Senior Member

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    My apologies String. I wasn't picking a fight though, but I can see that I was being insensitive.
    I hope everything turns out well for your kitty.
     
  14. Kennyc Registered Senior Member

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    Yes. And glad to hear from the OP that kitty is better. I think you should do what you can -- within reason and then yes, a swift exit. It should be the same with humans as well.
     
  15. Kennyc Registered Senior Member

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    Much like but not nearly as extensive as the stage we have reached with humanity -- eliminating diseases, wonder drugs and pain killers and machines to keep the body breathing even if the brain is dead.....
     
  16. sandy Banned Banned

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    This is not uncommon in male, neutered cats. Was the main part of his diet dry food? How old is he? I can certainly understand and empathize where you're coming from. I think if I had to do it all over again I may not do real extensive treatment for my old cats, either. Hope you are getting some peace and rest.

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  17. visceral_instinct Monkey see, monkey denigrate Valued Senior Member

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    Great to hear he's getting better.
     
  18. superstring01 Moderator

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    I'm actually stunned. He seems to be getting better. He's been pretty spritely today, came out and drank a full bowl of water (and a big one at that) and--while I was out grocery shopping--tracked piss filled kitty-litter-mud all over the house (my computer desk, the couch [covered in blankets] and kitchen tiles). I've never come home to such god awefule mess and been so thrilled to see it. When I saw that he drank an entire bowl of water and ate some of his food, I realized that the worst must be passed.

    Ahhhh. . . animals.

    ~String
     
  19. Kennyc Registered Senior Member

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    Great news!
     
  20. kira Valued Senior Member

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    It's about time to post pic of the little kitty! Oliver, I hope you get well soon...!

    Cats aren't as loyal as dogs, but they are wayyy cuter.. possibly the cutest (together with rabbit).
     
  21. kira Valued Senior Member

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    Which one is the cutest among the three: dogs? kitten? rabbit? The answer is one of this below:

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  22. TFL ʞǝǝƃ ɐ ʇsnɾ Registered Senior Member

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    I'm afraid I must disagree; ferrets are the cutest.

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    Glad that your cat is getting better.

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  23. superstring01 Moderator

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    This is the little rat in a den (made with the lid of a litter box and his favorite pillow + an old blue sheet). He's severely traumatized by being force fed medicine. It is an unpleasant procedure for the both of us.

    I have a needle-less syringe that I draw the fluid into. I wrap him in a large towel immobilize his legs. My boyfriend holds him while I grab his head and force the syringe almost down to his throat and then squeeze. I then have to hold his head until he swallows (its either that or not breath). I can imagine that his medicine tastes horrific. He gags and hisses.

    I'm sure he thinks he's being punished, tortured and harmed. . . but it's for his good. He doesn't know it, so he's been cowering in fear for three days now (mostly hiding out in the litter box). So I pulled the lid and put it on a pillow so that he hides there instead of on the litter.

    ~String
     

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