Back in early November, I awoke one morning to find that the hindquarters of my cat Annie were not working.
I called the vet, and they agreed to see her immediately. They diagnosed the problem as either X, Y, or Z; but to be sure, recommended a specialist in a nearby city. I asked them to make an appointment for me, and bundled Annie in the car and took off.
The specialist diagnosed the problem as a saddle thrombosis. Apparently, it can be treated if caught early enough, but I had no idea when this occurred in the night, and much time had been spent in taking her to the local vet and up to the big city to see the specialist. The prognosis was not good, and it was plain to see that she was not doing well, and so I reluctantly made the decision to have the vet humanely euthanize her.
I asked for her to be cremated privately, and I just this week received the ashes. Her ashes will be scattered back at the farm in whose barn she was born–my farmer friend has agreed that she should come home. The big city vet was kind enough to arrange a clay impression of her paw pads and a snippet of her fur. These I will keep, of course, but her ashes will go home to the farm.
Rest easy, Annie. You worked hard waking me every day, reminding me that the food bowls needed filling. You let me know when things were to your liking, and when they were not. And when they were, you purred a lot–how I miss those approving purrs! Dear Annie, enjoy your rest. I miss you.
I’m so sorry - exactly the same thing happenned to one of my cats a couple weeks ago. Such a shock - one moment he was fine, the next he fell down the cellar stairs and couldn’t get up. It was awful - he was in so much distress. We discussed it with our vet, a cat specialist of many years, who said that the many times he and other vets he knew tried to treat it, it only prolonged the misery, so we had him put down that day.
We only had Einar a year - he was a barn cat rescue of great personality. I posted here when we got him - poor raggy, skinny guy with skin problems, and was going to post a Christmas update to show how well he had recovered.
I haven’t started feeling better about this yet - condolences to you.
I am so sorry. I know this happened to another Doper’s cat a few years ago and I’d never heard of it before; awful. Hugs to all of you who have lost friends this way.
She was a lovely cat. I’ll give my Sapphire some scritches in her honor.
I feel your pain. Several years ago my beloved Maine coon, PoohBah, succumbed to the same disorder. I got him to the vet in 45 minutes, but it was already too late.
We just finished a bad year for cats, apparently; a couple of my friends and family saw much beloved kitties leave them in the last few months. It’s always so painful to hear of another cat whose time has come.
You have my deepest sympathy, and well wishes for future great days with many wonderful cats to come, when the time is right.
Our sorrows are shared as well, dear Spoons for your dear Annie.
It’s hard to know what to say to a friend at a time like this, but as our other friends have written, your wonderful and caring heart always has room for one more, right?
And just think! Your Annie, if she could speak, might say: “Thank you for caring for me, loving me and when you feel ready, please bring another baby into your heart and life”
Thank you SO MUCH for loving this precious little one!
If I can help in ANY way, please write and again, thank you so much for the time and the love you gave to Annie!
