Bad news about kitty

[Eireann]

I had to take her in for a checkup today, so they could run more blood tests.

Her platelets, leukocytes, and now red blood cells are down. She tested positive for the feline leukemia virus years ago, and the vet warned me at that time that it could blossom into the condition itself. This may have happened now.

I've been giving her the medication the vet gave me. He suggested that we wait a few days to give it time to work. He did say that, despite the blood results, she looks better than she did last week. He gave me some food, too.

So now here I am, watching her drink water out of her bowl, and wondering how on earth this can be happening. She's alert, she's walking around, she follows me into the kitchen and meows for food, she's acting just the same. How can it be that she might not be here in a week from now?

And how many more deaths have to happen around me? With Plaidman's passing last month, that's six. Yes. Six since the beginning of 2008. The others were family members and the kitty I got just two weeks before I got the kitty who is now sick.

I asked the vet if he could put me to sleep, too.

[monolayth]

I am so sorry honey. I wish I could make things better.

[Kara]

I'm sorry. I don't even know what to say, other than what I said on FB. I'll be hoping for the best, it's a good sign she's acting normal.

*major hugs*

[Dilorenzo]

Oh no, Eireann. I'm so sorry you have to go through this.

My wife and I had to do the same for our first cat a few years ago, only with no warning. All done and decided in a emergency visit to the vet when she fell down and started shaking.

There's not a person on earth I'd wish to have to go through that feeling, so I can only hope that you won't have to. You and kitty are in my thoughts.

[Eireann]

Right now, she's relaxed and curled up on a chair. I had to walk over there and pet her just after typing the previous sentence. How much more do I have to lose? I've had this girl for more than ten years. She's moved from apartment to apartment with me. When boycat had to be put to sleep, I opened the bedroom door so she could join me at night (and she did).

I sent a digital picture of her to my mom, years ago. Mom loved it. I thought that someday, she would visit me and see the kitties for herself. She never did.

I watched as my kitties grew older. They would twine themselves around my ankles when I got food. They would meet me at the door, then turn and walk in tandem to their dish so I could feed them.

When I took boycat to the vet, I thought the vet would tell me to leave him there a couple of days while they worked on him. Instead, the vet told me that his kidneys were failing. I went there with a live cat; I came home with a dead one.

My parents are both dead; my last grandparent died two years ago; there has been so much loss and heartache these past few years that I don't know why I'm still on this earth.

[Cat]

I'm so sorry you (and kitty) are going through this. Good thoughts are being sent you way.

*hugs*.

[blas]

I am so sorry to hear this news.

Hugs and treats for your kitty.

[MoonCat]

So sorry. I've been through it too many times. It never gets easier. I hope that she stays with you for a while...don't give up yet.

[Sapphire Silk]

Eireann, I'm so sorry.

Let's look on the bright side. Right now, kitty's doing fine.

Take it one step at a time.

[teh_blumchenkinder]

My parents are both dead; my last grandparent died two years ago; there has been so much loss and heartache these past few years that I don't know why I'm still on this earth.

I heard someone say once that "you're still here to find love again."
But, for right now... you're sad. You're hurting. You need to take time to take care of yourself, because this is just as much an injury as a broken bone. (or worse...)

[Sonoma]

Sending hugs and good thoughts.

It's encouraging that she's acting normally. Keep up the good thoughts.

[Mikkel]

I'm sorry. I hope it's just the infection she had.

[Eireann]

I don't know. She's still rubbing up against my other kitty, still leaning into my hand when I pet her, and still eating from my finger. Whenever Other Kitty goes to the food dish, my baby joins her there to eat. But the food in that dish is dry food, and she's been dropping it on the floor. The other food is wet, and she does better with that, though she still doesn't like to chew, I think.

I've mixed the wet food with water so that it's the consistency of soup. She's just lying there, looking cute. And she's not even as active as she was this weekend.

I keep telling her that I love her. I've apologized for the times when I lost my temper. I tell her how much she means to me. And I tell her that I want her with me, here, for at least ten more years.

[depechemodefan]

I'm so sorry to hear about your kitty But I'm glad she doesn't seem to be in pain.

[Tora]

I recently adopted a cat. One of the forms gives you the option of testing your cat for the virus that causes feline leukaemia. I had to pick the No Test option, because if he had tested positive, they would have to euthanize him.

Reading your comments and seeing that you've had this pet for ten years is amazing to me. And what a fortunate cat, that they had those ten years with a loving owner before this terrible thing happened.

I'm sorry to hear about this. I've only had my boy for a few days now and I'd be heartbroken if I lost him. I'm sorry to hear about all of it. I hope things get better for you soon.