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Original poster

I think this might be FABCat's last thread

766 replies

JustFabulous · 03/08/2012 13:11

This morning she was coughing and has also had a sloppy bowel accident outside. She wasn't interested in breakfast even though I didn't come down until after 9 and she wasn't about when DH left at 7. He normally feeds her before he goes. I had to put the plate under her nose to get her to come and ear.

Her back legs are a bit wobbly and I will take her for a jab on Monday to hopefully get some relief. She didn't wee over night so that is postiive but when I was comforting her when she was coughing it really hit me that she is very old and isn't my baby anymore Sad.

She has lasted for DD's birthday but I am not sure she will make her own Sad.

I have just put a towel on the sofa for her to sit on, just in case, but she wasn't impressed and has jumped down on to the floor.

My cat is getting to the end of her life and I am not sure I will ever get over it Blush.

She means the world to me, is the only thing in the world that is 100% mine, and I will miss her so much.

OP posts:
Original poster
JustFabulous · 06/10/2012 16:24

I guess I have been reasured by hearing about cats being 21 or 23 on the vets books and a friend has a cat who is 21 so compared to them she isn't old [stupid person emoticon].

I am going to keep a very close eye on her and wait for my vet to come back, unless there is any change.

If I am prepared to mop up after her every morning is the fact that she is weeing a sign of it being time?

Sorry for all the questions, you must all be sick of me.

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cozietoesie · 06/10/2012 16:37

No. I'm not sick of you at all. I know what it's like.

I think your OP said it all, really. Her time is likely coming and you have to be there for her.

Let me tell you about the cozie household. People say ' Oh I could never have another cat after Blooter......' But I know that when cozieseniorboy goes - be it tomorrow or in two years time - I'll have another boy as soon as puff. It won't be a cold substitute - it will be a salute to the glorious times I've had with the past boys.

Original poster
JustFabulous · 06/10/2012 16:43

I have already promised the kids we will get 2 kittens as I hope it will help them get over the loss. I love cats and dogs and we can't have a dog yet so cats it will be. Totally happy if FABCat hangs in for a good long while yet though.

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Wolfiefan · 06/10/2012 18:41

Not sick of you at all. You sound not just strong but a lovely cat mummy. Age doesn't tell you everything. I knew a cat who lived well into its twenties but another who died (not an accident) before he hit double digits. You are doing the best for your pet.

Original poster
JustFabulous · 06/10/2012 20:14

She is asleep next to me and what has just stuck me is how glossy her fur still looks. She is so beautiful. I really wish I knew how to put a photo up as I would love for you all to see her. You have all helped me so much I can't even think how to thank you all.

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QueenofJacksDreams · 06/10/2012 20:19

Fab I've been lurking here since the beginning you and FabCat have a connection

Original poster
JustFabulous · 06/10/2012 20:36

I don't know why, Queen, but reading your post just immediately made me think about the guy I was with when I got FABCat and how he kicked her so I made plans and left with her. I had nowhere to go but knew I had to leave. I would do anything for her but when I took him back and then finished it she was what got me through. The vet said I know her so well and that is how I picked up that she was ill with kidney disease so quickly and now the cancer. She has now lived with me for 18 years and one day ShockGrin.

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Awkwardsquad · 06/10/2012 21:21

I don't know if I can express myself very well with this so I apologise in advance if I am clumsy in any way. It's just... our two cats (sisters) were nearly 21 when they went. Towards the end, we were asking each other the questions that you are asking - is it time? Are they suffering? It was so hard - we so did not want them to be suffering and so did not want then to go before they needed to. I am upset just remembering it.

But - at the very end, their quality of life was gone. It was in just a very few days, from some quality of life to really none. Not eating at all, or eating a tiny bit then ill. Constant cystitis. Discomfort and not able to settle at all. With one of our lovely cats, she started to smell - kidneys had failed. Letting them both go was so so difficult but the right thing to do for our cats, and we knew when it was time.

If Fabcat still has some quality of life - still eating, still going out, still interacting - then maybe not quite time? But you will know, because you know her.

[hug]

Original poster
JustFabulous · 06/10/2012 21:26

Oh cripes. She has weed overnight for the last few days and dd said the other day that she smelled Sad.

Today she stalked a pigeon Grin. See how roller coasterish it is?

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changeforthebetter · 06/10/2012 21:29

Hi Fab! Sad chin strokes for FabCat. As long as you are honest with yourself, you will know what is right for her. You know her best. I felt like that about ChangeCat 2 who basically only liked me. I knew him and I knew when his time was up. Take care and (()) (and the MN anti-hug police can do one!) Grin)

Awkwardsquad · 06/10/2012 21:39

Weeing overnight may be due in part to arthritis and discomfort/inability to use litter tray? A bit smelly because she can't clean herself? Our two would not have recognised a pigeon at the end let alone stalked it! And the smell was v distinctive and strong. I'm not trying to confuse or cloud matters - I really do know what you're going through. We thought it was getting to the end many times, then it got to the stage when we thought - that's it. Enough. She's had enough, time to stop. Time to rest.

You sound like a wonderful cat mum and she's had / having a great life. Whatever and whenever you decide, you'll be making that decision from love and that is all anyone can do.

Awkwardsquad · 06/10/2012 21:40

Bloody bollocks. Tears.

Original poster
JustFabulous · 06/10/2012 21:41

DH went to put her to bed and stood in a puddle of wee Sad.

Hang in there FABCat. Your lovely vet is back in a few days.

Thank you very much cftb. I so so so need a hug today. Have had a really tough day.

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Original poster
JustFabulous · 06/10/2012 21:43

Sorry to upset you A Sad.

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cozietoesie · 06/10/2012 21:53

JustFabulous

She smells? Would she like that?

I think you have to be tough here. Breaking your heart though it may.

Awkwardsquad · 06/10/2012 21:55

No! Upset myself! So sorry, this is not about me - I wanted just to let you know that I know what this rollercoaster is like. Whatever happens, you'll be doing it from love. Fabcat does sound fab and so do you.

Original poster
JustFabulous · 06/10/2012 21:58

The smell isn't all the time, just a couple of times since her last jab.

I started this thread in August, look how far she has come.

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Awkwardsquad · 06/10/2012 22:01

Exactly!

I gave my old girls a gentle wash with a warm damp flannel - perked them up and freshened their fur. Just a corner of flannel, a bit like a gentle lick iyswim

Awkwardsquad · 06/10/2012 22:03

'Exactly' @ 'look how far she has come'.

Not used to this posting lark Blush

cozietoesie · 06/10/2012 22:03

I recall, some few years back, when I went to the vets where my great border collie boy was in treatment. He was past everything. Just past it.

The thing I recall in particular was trying to calm down the vet. She couldn't stop crying. She'd known the collie boy socially (as well as clinically) and I was the one who had to stay strong and sign the papers.

Original poster
JustFabulous · 06/10/2012 22:03

She used to like going in the bath, but to drink from a dripping tap not washing Grin.

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Wolfiefan · 06/10/2012 22:05

We had a real roller coaster with our boy so I understand that.
Stalking a pigeon does not sound like a cat who is at the end if their road.
(At the end of wolfiecat's life I do believe a pigeon could safely have landed on his head most days. )
Wee and smell are yucky but I'd focus on ability to eat, play, cuddle and generally be a cat. When you get no more purrs then you know.
(Can I sneak in with a morsel for FABCAT? How about some hand flaked white fish?)

cozietoesie · 06/10/2012 22:11

Stalking a pigeon is the sign of a strong minded cat - she may be at the end but every instinct is to feed and hunt.

Let her go, Just.

Original poster
JustFabulous · 06/10/2012 22:18

I really can't do anything until my normal vet is back in 10 days, unless of course it is clearly time.

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Wolfiefan · 06/10/2012 22:25

Cozie. Pls stop pushing. You don't know and can't see the cat.
My vet helped us decide. I felt that was the right thing. An animal on its last legs really won't feel like hunting. It wouldn't have the energy.
Come on home FABCAT's vet! Hoping you won't be needed for a while longer though. (V sad face emoticon)