# So it looks like my brother has a cat after all \[Update - cat had to be put to sleep\] **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [June 8, 2020, 9:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-it-looks-like-my-brother-has-a-cat-after-all-update-cat-had-to-be-put-to-sleep/855273 "2020-06-08T21:46:54Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Malleus\_Incus\_Stapes](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/malleus_incus_stapes/32/3293_2.png) [@Malleus\_Incus\_Stapes](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Malleus_Incus_Stapes)\ **Post date:** [June 8, 2020, 9:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-it-looks-like-my-brother-has-a-cat-after-all-update-cat-had-to-be-put-to-sleep/855273/1 "2020-06-08T21:46:54Z")
When I was looking for a companion for [Pie](https://photos.app.goo.gl/UBcjA9Tj8uWhpBW28), I went to my friend the Cat Lady’s house to check out one of her organization’s foster litters (which had a kitten named after out late, loved [Mystery](https://www.flickr.com/photos/9624983@N05/3669241435/in/album-72157623434119688/)). For some reason, I took my brother along. [Merlin and Mystery](https://photos.app.goo.gl/QJ3B3tQfsxcpduRZA) came out to play; the other two hid behind the toilet the whole time. I fell in love with Merlin. My brother, unsurprisingly, fell hard for Mystery. He wanted to adopt her, but we had arguments about Logistics, mostly the division of cats as people in the family moved. It was quite possible that he would end up with another three cats, and I told him four was too much. He reluctantly conceded my point. In March, he mentioned he was feeling lonely and I mentioned that all the litter except Mystery was adopted and he said to heck with Logistics anyway. And we called the cat lady and went shopping and did all the things-- I even had a SD post full of cat pictures ready to write-- and then, on the day of the adoption, it fell through. So Bro decided, forget the cats, he was going to temporarily move back in with us. He’d have _us_ and _our_ cats for company. And so we changed tacks and started talking Logistics for Brother coming home, and we figured that was that. But no. Saturday, Bro is walking home from his friend’s house, and he sees a cat. And the cat is purring and rubbing against him and he’s giving it scritches. And then a truck pulls up, and it’s the cat’s owner, and the guy says, more or less, “Do you want him? I’m moving to Florida and I’m looking for someone to adopt our cats.” By Sunday, Bro had the cat. His name is Punny (pronounced “Poony”) and he’s ten years old and suuuper mellow. Perfectly copacetic about being taken by a stranger and confined to an apartment. Oh yeah, and Bro’s more or less scrapped the moving-back-in idea, just as I was starting to get my head around him abruptly dropping the get-a-cat-and-stay-put idea. We’re thinking about trying, at the suggestion of our family therapist, some sort of experiment to see if Punny would get along with the three cats at home. Just in case we do end up in a four-cat situation somewhere along the line. [Here’s Punny.](https://photos.app.goo.gl/XH6sEfxgmXiVJgUt9) [Here’s Punny looking greyed-out in the sunlight.](https://photos.app.goo.gl/FGmfXMpbGVfhLgAc6) I’ve sternly ordered my brother to keep the photos coming, but that’s all I have so far. ---
**Author:** ![running\_coach](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/running_coach/32/15836_2.png) [@running\_coach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/running_coach)\ **Post date:** [June 8, 2020, 9:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-it-looks-like-my-brother-has-a-cat-after-all-update-cat-had-to-be-put-to-sleep/855273/2 "2020-06-08T21:55:55Z")
Adopting an adult cat earns extra awesome points. ---
**Author:** ![panache45](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/panache45/32/64_2.png) [@panache45](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/panache45)\ **Post date:** [June 8, 2020, 10:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-it-looks-like-my-brother-has-a-cat-after-all-update-cat-had-to-be-put-to-sleep/855273/3 "2020-06-08T22:06:37Z")
> [@running\_coach](#): > > Adopting an adult cat earns extra awesome points. Agreed. The best cat I ever had was 7 when I got him. He lived to be 16, and I miss him every day. ---
**Author:** ![Malleus\_Incus\_Stapes](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/malleus_incus_stapes/32/3293_2.png) [@Malleus\_Incus\_Stapes](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Malleus_Incus_Stapes)\ **Post date:** [June 10, 2020, 1:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-it-looks-like-my-brother-has-a-cat-after-all-update-cat-had-to-be-put-to-sleep/855273/4 "2020-06-10T13:41:54Z")
[more](https://photos.app.goo.gl/V5YvzgvwxZ1rJgk4A) [pictures](https://photos.app.goo.gl/m83eCqz5CYPY6VFY9) Gosh, he’s so cute. I can’t wait to go over and see him in person. ---
**Author:** ![Dung\_Beetle](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dung_beetle/32/7945_2.png) [@Dung\_Beetle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dung_Beetle)\ **Post date:** [June 10, 2020, 2:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-it-looks-like-my-brother-has-a-cat-after-all-update-cat-had-to-be-put-to-sleep/855273/5 "2020-06-10T14:23:57Z")
He looks like a lover! My cat had that toy/scratcher thing too. They’re great. ---
**Author:** ![ZipperJJ](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/zipperjj/32/211_2.png) [@ZipperJJ](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ZipperJJ)\ **Post date:** [June 10, 2020, 2:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-it-looks-like-my-brother-has-a-cat-after-all-update-cat-had-to-be-put-to-sleep/855273/6 "2020-06-10T14:37:49Z")
Wow, what a cool twist of fate. They were meant to be together! My best friend and his family just went to pick out a kitten. They came home with four. They wanted a girl but one of the boys was super super playful with his son, and they didn’t want to break the group up, so now they’re a cat pack family! One of them kinda looks like Punny. They are very sweet babies with white fur with different colored markings (which is cute cuz their last cats were two identical black cats. I can tell these ones apart!) ---
**Author:** ![Malleus\_Incus\_Stapes](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/malleus_incus_stapes/32/3293_2.png) [@Malleus\_Incus\_Stapes](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Malleus_Incus_Stapes)\ **Post date:** [June 24, 2020, 7:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-it-looks-like-my-brother-has-a-cat-after-all-update-cat-had-to-be-put-to-sleep/855273/7 "2020-06-24T19:32:22Z")
UPDATE, now that I’ve got my account working again: my brother was sold a lemon. Something I did not know when I wrote the OP: Punny had last been to the vet in 2012. That’s _eight_ years. For reasons I’m not entirely clear on, my brother asked for Punny’s records, got the above response, and just brought him home the next day anyway, without insisting that Punny at least have an exam first or something. Results from the vet: Punny has a respiratory infection, a mouth infection, and bad teeth. Also he’s dehydrated and constipated. Expensive results, because _of course_ Punny has no insurance, and he can’t get it without a vet checkup. The good news is, I guess, that the bloodwork came back okay. There were some elevated counts, but that apparently was from the dehydration. A course of antibiotics is fairly simple to do; the only really tricky thing is the teeth. So, uh, we’ll see how things go. ---
**Author:** ![thorny\_locust](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/thorny_locust/32/431_2.png) [@thorny\_locust](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/thorny_locust)\ **Post date:** [June 24, 2020, 8:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-it-looks-like-my-brother-has-a-cat-after-all-update-cat-had-to-be-put-to-sleep/855273/8 "2020-06-24T20:16:23Z")
Sounds like Punny very badly needed to get out of where he was, and into the household of somebody who takes care of their cats properly. I’m glad your brother took him; he might not have lasted much longer otherwise. If his kidneys and liver and heart are basically or at least mostly OK, he ought to be fine once treated. They might have to pull the teeth; but he should still be able to eat OK, and it presumably won’t matter if it messes up his hunting skills. ---
**Author:** ![Malleus\_Incus\_Stapes](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/malleus_incus_stapes/32/3293_2.png) [@Malleus\_Incus\_Stapes](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Malleus_Incus_Stapes)\ **Post date:** [June 25, 2020, 2:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-it-looks-like-my-brother-has-a-cat-after-all-update-cat-had-to-be-put-to-sleep/855273/9 "2020-06-25T14:57:12Z")
> [@Malleus\_Incus\_Stapes](#): > > The good news is, I guess, that the bloodwork came back okay. There were some elevated counts, but that apparently was from the dehydration. A course of antibiotics is fairly simple to do; the only really tricky thing is the teeth. I spoke too soon. Punny has… something in his intestines that _may_ be a tumor or _may_ be fluid or _may_ be hardened poop and there’s no way to tell without more expensive tests, so the vet told my brother to take Punny home, and if he’s not better in a week it’s probably cancer and he’ll need to e put down. (Or so I gather; my brother’s texts were rather terse). ---
**Author:** ![thorny\_locust](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/thorny_locust/32/431_2.png) [@thorny\_locust](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/thorny_locust)\ **Post date:** [June 25, 2020, 8:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-it-looks-like-my-brother-has-a-cat-after-all-update-cat-had-to-be-put-to-sleep/855273/10 "2020-06-25T20:29:58Z")
Poor Punny! At least he’s had a short time of, presumably, good food and pats; and will, I presume, get as much more of both as is suitable. And maybe he will be better in a week. We can hope. – is there any treatment sensible to give in case it’s just hardened feces? ---
**Author:** ![Malleus\_Incus\_Stapes](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/malleus_incus_stapes/32/3293_2.png) [@Malleus\_Incus\_Stapes](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Malleus_Incus_Stapes)\ **Post date:** [June 26, 2020, 5:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-it-looks-like-my-brother-has-a-cat-after-all-update-cat-had-to-be-put-to-sleep/855273/11 "2020-06-26T17:48:19Z")
> [@thorny\_locust](#): > > And maybe he will be better in a week. We can hope. – is there any treatment sensible to give in case it’s just hardened feces? It would seem not, since they just sent the cat home. Bro said last night that he seems bit better (and sent a [new pic](https://photos.app.goo.gl/fs1sm8UsCudcVUxL6)). Meanwhile, at the Stapes household, [Enigma](https://photos.app.goo.gl/Eod5YrnPNT7kDvVH7) is feeling poorly. When it rains it pours, I guess. ---
**Author:** ![thorny\_locust](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/thorny_locust/32/431_2.png) [@thorny\_locust](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/thorny_locust)\ **Post date:** [June 26, 2020, 9:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-it-looks-like-my-brother-has-a-cat-after-all-update-cat-had-to-be-put-to-sleep/855273/12 "2020-06-26T21:26:24Z")
> [@Malleus\_Incus\_Stapes](#): > > Bro said last night that he seems bit better (and sent a [new pic](https://photos.app.goo.gl/fs1sm8UsCudcVUxL6)). Aw, he looks very much like one of mine! Except older and sadder. I hope he feels better soon. Or at least eventually. And best wishes for Enigma! ---
**Author:** ![Malleus\_Incus\_Stapes](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/malleus_incus_stapes/32/3293_2.png) [@Malleus\_Incus\_Stapes](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Malleus_Incus_Stapes)\ **Post date:** [June 30, 2020, 8:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-it-looks-like-my-brother-has-a-cat-after-all-update-cat-had-to-be-put-to-sleep/855273/13 "2020-06-30T20:06:53Z")
Good news: Punny has poopied! And he’s actually eating a bit. I’m starting to feel a bit hopeful. (Also Enigma is… getting better by small increments. I’m giving him subcutaneous fluids and anti-nausea injections, and it seems to be helping. Still spending most of his time hiding in the basement, though). ---
**Author:** ![Helena330](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/helena330/32/531_2.png) [@Helena330](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Helena330)\ **Post date:** [June 30, 2020, 8:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-it-looks-like-my-brother-has-a-cat-after-all-update-cat-had-to-be-put-to-sleep/855273/14 "2020-06-30T20:28:56Z")
You have the coolest family! And Punny is beautiful. I love those bonnet kitties. ---
**Author:** ![thorny\_locust](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/thorny_locust/32/431_2.png) [@thorny\_locust](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/thorny_locust)\ **Post date:** [June 30, 2020, 9:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-it-looks-like-my-brother-has-a-cat-after-all-update-cat-had-to-be-put-to-sleep/855273/15 "2020-06-30T21:16:49Z")
I was a bit afraid to look at the thread; but am now relieved. That may be cautious good news, for both of them; but it is good news. ---
**Author:** ![Malleus\_Incus\_Stapes](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/malleus_incus_stapes/32/3293_2.png) [@Malleus\_Incus\_Stapes](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Malleus_Incus_Stapes)\ **Post date:** [July 6, 2020, 12:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-it-looks-like-my-brother-has-a-cat-after-all-update-cat-had-to-be-put-to-sleep/855273/16 "2020-07-06T00:41:30Z")
I’m afraid to report that Punny is not doing well. He hasn’t been eating and he’s spending all day hiding. I’ll keep you updated. ---
**Author:** ![thorny\_locust](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/thorny_locust/32/431_2.png) [@thorny\_locust](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/thorny_locust)\ **Post date:** [July 6, 2020, 4:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-it-looks-like-my-brother-has-a-cat-after-all-update-cat-had-to-be-put-to-sleep/855273/17 "2020-07-06T04:01:37Z")
Ooof. Not good at all. Another vet visit, maybe? ---
**Author:** ![Malleus\_Incus\_Stapes](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/malleus_incus_stapes/32/3293_2.png) [@Malleus\_Incus\_Stapes](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Malleus_Incus_Stapes)\ **Post date:** [July 6, 2020, 9:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-it-looks-like-my-brother-has-a-cat-after-all-update-cat-had-to-be-put-to-sleep/855273/18 "2020-07-06T21:17:21Z")
Bad news. “It looks like Punny will have to be put down by the end of the week. The cancer has taken over his intestines.” ---
**Author:** ![thorny\_locust](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/thorny_locust/32/431_2.png) [@thorny\_locust](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/thorny_locust)\ **Post date:** [July 6, 2020, 10:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-it-looks-like-my-brother-has-a-cat-after-all-update-cat-had-to-be-put-to-sleep/855273/19 "2020-07-06T22:16:38Z")
Oh, poor cat. At least he’s had some comfort in his last days. If your brother hadn’t taken him, he might have wound up deserted out on the street – it doesn’t seem that his previous humans had been properly taking care of him; and if they were moving they might just have left him. ETA: how’s Enigma? ---
**Author:** ![Malleus\_Incus\_Stapes](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/malleus_incus_stapes/32/3293_2.png) [@Malleus\_Incus\_Stapes](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Malleus_Incus_Stapes)\ **Post date:** [July 6, 2020, 10:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-it-looks-like-my-brother-has-a-cat-after-all-update-cat-had-to-be-put-to-sleep/855273/20 "2020-07-06T22:48:28Z")
> [@thorny\_locust](#): > > ETA: how’s Enigma? Enigma seems to be back to health in the sense of eating a drinking and all that. Still acting weird, though, like he’s got cat PSTD. Super skittish. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-it-looks-like-my-brother-has-a-cat-after-all-update-cat-had-to-be-put-to-sleep/855273.md?page=2)