Someone PLEASE tell us our elderly cat isn't dying? Can cats get colds?

[expatinscotland]

DH took in a stray Persian cat about 6 years ago, so we don't know his exact age.

Our vet in Edinburgh said he was quite elderly, perhaps a teen.

Well, he's really not doing well.

He's eating and drinking, but he's very weak, lost weight and sleeping loads.

He's very, very snuffly and can't manage but very weak miaows.

He let DH hold him for ages tonight and he doesn't normally at all.

We'll take him on Monday to whatever vet we can find in town, but we're obviously very worried that this is it for 'Smokey'.

Can cats get colds?

Poor wee man!

So sorry Expat, I lost my cat last year to cancer and it was really upsetting - he died in my arms too and I'm just glad he went feeling safe and loved. I'm sure your puss felt that too.

Oh no. I didn't read this thread before as I was worrying about my cat and I knew I would cry. Just had to click on today and are so very sorry for your loss.

so sorry expat. I remember how choked I was when our family cat died of kidney failure at 18. At least he is no longer in pain and it must have been comforting to have you there with him right til the end.

So sorry, Expat. We've had a couple of Colourpoint Persian cats as well as moggy cats. It's so hard when they go.

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his eyes! oh! the vet sedated him before giving him the final injection. i was holding him waiting for the sedative to take effect and he was looking at me with those big, round amber eyes. i thought he looked scared - probably my imagination but i just kept stroking him and finally he gave this final weak miaow. he was purring very oddly - he had stopped purring this morning.

i know he was so ill. on the way over, his breathing was so shallow and laboured, i was afraid he'd die en route.

he was skin and bones.

i tried to take my mind off it tonight, making very veggie sauce and some brownies, but now i can't stop crying.

i know he was old, this vet agreed he wsa a teenager and being a pedigree they don't have the life expectancy of a moggie, but he was such an old gentleman and such a good natured cat.

sorry expat

They leave such a void don't they.

We're going to leave it till we get the ashes back to decide what to do.

Because Smokey didn't realy get to enjoy the move here, it's possible we will lay his ashes to rest at a pet cemetary in Edinburgh.

The corner where he was laying dying I have lit and candle and said a prayer, so his soul will not be bound to that spot, because he deserves the freedom of knowing no pain.

I'm really cut up about his death.

How are you today? And the rest of the family?

Poor Smokey! Are you all OK besides?

I'm so sorry to hear about poor Smokey, it is really hard. I hope you are all doing ok.

It's still been hard today.

Was doing okay, and glad Smokey isn't suffering, and the neighbour came by and rang the bell.

DD1 came running out and said, 'Oh, hiya! I thought maybe it was Smokey at the door.'

you have done the right thing expat
smokey died purring - so much better than in pain in the night alone
x

Thanks, Otter. That was what kept me going. He was just laying in a corner by the heater. I'd put a fleece blanket there for him, but I didn't want him to die alone.

His breathing just got sooooo slow, weak and laboured. The whole time DH was driving to teh vet's I just kept telling him to hang in there and it'd be over soon.

We know he was old. He lived a long life for a pedigree.

We know there's another cat out there for our family - that Smokey would want another cat to have a home the way we gave him and Pepsi when they were strays/unwanted.

We feel that cats chose us and not the other way round, so when the time is right it will happen.

But I just miss him.

at your dd

I have been waiting a year now for a new cat to arrive! I have never gone out shopping for one either. Poor dd1. It is hard to understand.