Pet Illness :(

FarleyUK

Hi all,

Bit of a depressing post I'm afraid.... My nearly 14 year old cat, who I've had since he was a kitten, has taken a turn for the worse; started with a limp in his rear left leg before xmas, now he's got a constant nosebleed for the past 5 days, is coughing a bit, and I've discovered a lump on his left front shoulder.

Been to the vets about 6 times already this year with him, x-rays on his rear left leg showed nothing major, but now he's in the vets for x-rays on his head and shoulder, a needle biopsy and blood tests.

The poor little guy is still eating and purring away, but I feel really sorry for him - have had to keep him confined to a room since xmas due to his leg.

Not sure why I'm posting this here, but I'm a complete wreck today; not even had any results yet, but I've fallen apart emotionally; he's helped me through so much (death of my brother, sister having a brain hemmorhage, 2 serious relationships ending etc.) and I just hate seeing him like this. Hopefully the vet can find out what the issue is and then I'll at least have the information.

I know a lot of people will say "He's just a cat", but he's been my little buddy for 14 years - he's so much more than a cat to me.

As well as that, my cousin had a heart attack last week, and my sister is now back in hospital for tests on serious stomach issues. This year has been utter sh!t so far...!

Anyway, sorry for the splurge - feels a bit better having written it down though.

MattBanshee

Fingers crossed and lucky poos for you and your pal.

underdog

I don't think (I hope) anyone here would say he was just a cat. They are part friends, part companions and part children. We love them and care for them, and so are emotionally attached to them. They are always there, when humans find it too hard or too much hassle to be with you then your dog/cat/parrot or whatever is there for you.

I broke my heart when my dog died a coule of years back, I mean genuinely found life empty for a long time after. So no it's not just an animal.

I wish you both the best of luck at vet.

punchesjudy

Really sorry you're going through this. 

My cat got really sick around September last year and it was honestly one of the hardest things I've ever gone through. I was a complete mess. 
She thankfully got better after lots of vet trips and days on a fluid drip but I still worry everyday that she's going to get sick again. I've been giving her so much attention since she's probably sick of me. 

I know it's hard to stay strong and positive but you have to try. Cats are strong little things and the fact yours is still eating sounds like a good sign to me (mine stopped eating and drinking completely) hopefully you can find out what's wrong quickly and get him on the mend. 

Once again, sorry you're going through this with both your cat and family, hopefully things improve soon. 

RandallFlagg

Our 2 cats are now 6 and 7 and have distinctly different personalities and really are integral members of our family, I can't take them to the cattery when we go on holiday as I get too upset, I can't imagine how you are feeling, you have my utmost sympathy.

FarleyUK

Thanks all, appreciate the kind words and lucky poos

I've got to play at - of all things - a funeral tomorrow as well; if it was any other gig I'd probably have cancelled it, but the show must go on as they say...!

Moominpapa

underdog said:

I don't think (I hope) no one here would say he was just a cat.

^^ This.   They are never 'just a cat', 'just a dog': they are part of the family and it is absolutely natural to be distraught when they get sick.

CHRISB50

Best wishes man. I hope your cat pulls through. 

He looks like my Oscar. 

Cats are fucking awesome, but black ones particularly so. 

All the best. 

Whitecat

This is terrible. Sorry to hear it - one of our two cats was ill a couple months ago to the point where it got really worrying as he wasn't eating or drinking at all and constantly vomiting up nothing... but after a couple trips to the vet and a few "experiments" he recovered 100%. He's just 7, but at the time we couldn't bear the thought of anything getting any worse. Fingers crossed for you.

Alterlifeson

Sorry to hear about this. They really are a part of your life, especially after such a long time. Just think of all the joy that he brought you over those years, and the attention you gave him. 

Hope for the best at the vets.

Neill

I totally understand how you feel, if that helps. 

One of our dogs was at death's door earlier this year with a sudden attack of peritonitis. For about 48 hours it was touch and go and if she hadn't pulled through it would have been the end of the world.  It might sound over dramatic but I don't think there are many things worse than witnessing a furry friend with a serous illness.

From experience I think it does help if you know what the problem is, so let's hope you get some news from the vets soon.  

Phil_aka_Pip

I know exactly how you feel. Best wishes to you and pussy. he looks a little like hendrix did.

breakstuff

Fingers crossed from a fellow cat lover.I've got four,and they're all considered part of the family.They give us so much joy.

Yours is a lovely looking thing too.

Strat_a_tat_tat

He's a cutie.

Hope you get good news from the vet.

rawk100

Hope things get sorted out with him soon. Think all you can do is wait for the results and take advice from the vet.

BRISTOL86

As a fellow cat lover I’m keeping everything crossed for you. Just a cat my arse, I love my cat more than most people I know

Panama_Jack666

Sorry to hear it mate. Our cat was ill last year to the tune of 2 grand with kidney failure. It was an awful time and made me realise how attached I was. 

It looked like she was on her 9th life and the prognosis was grim. I had lost hope she would recover.

However, after weeks of being hooked up to a drip and lots of meds, she made a recovery (as much of one as possible!) and is now back home. It's not as straight forward as it once was with her but she's happy and reletively healthy!

Keep your chin up and stay positive!

usedtobe

Fingers crossed!

jellyroll

The younger, immature me would have been one of those who said "he's just a cat." But having had a dog for 4 years now, I completely understand. Feel free to offload here. Hope the cat does well. 

Sporky

We've spent a jolly long time breeding companion animals, and we've changed in the process too, so it's absolutely right that you see your cat as being a chum, not just a random furry interloper.

Best wishes to you both.

guitarfishbay

Best of luck to all of you