This just isn’t right. He’s only four years old. We brought him in to the vet yesterday morning because he got really sick on Sunday. They kept him at the vet’s office and have been trying to rehydrate him and give him antibiotics for the past two days. I just talked to the vet a few minutes ago and he doesn’t know what’s wrong. He said he doesn’t know how much more he should do if he’s just going to die anyway. I’m just in shock at this point. This is a cat who just a few days ago was healthy as a horse. I just don’t know what to do, except sit here and love my other two “babies” like there’s no tomorrow.
I’m so sorry, yellowval. 
I lost a cat who was only 4 years old once and that makes it a lot harder. You feel like they are too young…like you should have 10 more years with them. You and your kitty are in my thoughts.
That’s terrible. Especially not knowing what caused it or how to treat it.
Does he go outside? This time of year, there’s all kinds of chemicals on plants and grass. I hope he gets better.
You mentioned antibiotics, so I’m assuming kitty has a high white blood cell count. I’m also assuming they’ve checked his kidney values and his blood sugar and all were normal. Diabetes and kidney disease can both dehydrate a cat really quickly if not under control.
Thank you all for your concern.
They think it might be his kidneys. They wanted to run a panel on him this afternoon and he was so “depressed” that they weren’t able to draw the blood. Later, they finally did get some, but their machine wouldn’t process it so they still don’t have any answers. He’s been prone to urinary tract infections in the past. There was a ton of blood in his urine at first, but that has improved somewhat.
He’s strictly an inside kitty, so it’s not that.
All we can do is wait until tomorrow. I still haven’t been able to tell my husband yet. He’s supposed to be calling me back!
I’m so sorry your cat is sick. I hope the vet is able to help soon.
<sending you good thoughts>
Aww. I hope they figure out what’s wrong and can treat it.
Despite all the good vibes everyone sent, my middle cat, Pants, died yesterday morning. This is the first I’ve been less than hysterical enough to write about it. My husband went to see him at the vet’s yesterday morning before he went to work and instead ended up bringing Pants home and staying there with him. There was nothing more the vet could really do, and we didn’t want him dying alone in a cold, hard cage. I was able to get out of work at about 10 a.m. and he perked up his ears at the sight of me and died about 15 minutes later. I think he waited for me to come home and say goodbye. We brought him out to my mom’s farm and buried him on the site where our old barn used to stand. Mom plans to plant wildflowers there. We marked his grave with four rocks – one for each of us who will miss him at home. I buried him with his favorite toy, the plastic ring from the top of a gallon of milk. We’ll miss him dearly.
I’m sorry, yellowval it hurts so much to lose a companion.
You and your husband did the right thing by Pants. I’d much rather my cats died at home than at the vet’s, too.
I’m so sorry, yellowval. It really hurts to lose a pet, especially so young.
Oh, I’m so sorry. My sincerest sympathy and hugs to you, your husband, and your other cats.
I’m so very sorry about your kitty.
I’m sorry, yellowval It’s always hard when unexplainable stuff like this happens…
We fellow Minnesotans are keeping you, hubby and furry family in our thoughts…
Elly n’ the nofair household
I’m so sorry. Kitties are amazing creatures.
I’m sorry yellowval! I hope your little kittie feels better soon.
Aw.
Dang.
{{{{{{{{{yellowval}}}}}}}}}
I’m so sorry.
That last post of yours had me crying. I don’t know what I’d do if I lost one of my precious lil’ bastards. It’s good you got to say goodbye.
I hope it quits hurting soon.
Thank you all so much. It means so much to me to have a place where i can go and express how I feel among fellow animal lovers. Some people don’t understand, but many Dopers do, and for that I am grateful.
I write a weekly column in the newspaper I work for, and I plan to write about Pants and what a beautiful, special boy he was, next week. I think I’ll have to write it at home over the weekend. I hate crying at my desk.
Again, thanks for all the love. I needed it, and you have all helped to lift my spirits!
yellowval, I know nothing can make you feel better, but you’re not alone.
May you soon be able to celebrate the joys of your life with Pants and put aside the sorrows.
Julie
PLEASE don’t give up. 3 months ago I went through the exact same thing as you did. My cat was hospitalized for a week… she was dry heaving, wouldn’t drink, wouldn’t eat. Got a FIP positive test result back, too. I cried and cried… I was so sure she was going to die.
But, guess what. She started eating on the 7th day, came back home, and never got sick again. She’s extremely active and has gained all her weight back. In fact, she’s a lot more playful than before.
My suggestion… get bloodwork done. I advise against taking a FIP test because it really depressed my spirits… FIP tests for any kind of coronaviri, not just the FIP virus. When you get the bloodwork done, quiz the vet on every criteria… globulins, lymphocytes, etc… http://www.purinaone.com/catcare_cond_atoz_article.asp?Seed=621&ArticleNumber=8
Don’t give up. I know every minute your fur baby is suffering is agonizing… but don’t give in yet. It cost me $800 to keep her hydrated and hospitalized, and it worked out great in the end. {{{yellowval}}}