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Join our community of cat lovers on the Mumsnet Cat forum for kitten advice and help with cat behaviour.

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Join our community of cat lovers on the Mumsnet Cat forum for kitten advice and help with cat behaviour.

The litter tray

Probably cat to sleep today - how to explain to 3 year old?

40 replies

Liskey · 29/03/2013 07:52

Me and DH in tears this morning, big banging noise at 5 this morning and came down to find cat in a bad state. Her eyes were staring and head tilted to one side and can't walk without shaking. She's been off her food for a week and took her to vets yesterday who gave anti-biotics in case of a virus as she felt gassy brought her home and she was playing and chasing off another cat in "her" garden. Went to emergency vet who suspected neurgiocal/stroke but could be something with kidneys/liver. Cat is 12 next week.

We're both in floods as we know if she's the same later we can't let her go on - how do we explain to our 3 year old - who loves the cat (and was pretending to be a cat already this morning).

OP posts:

Report

Sparklingbrook · 01/04/2013 20:32

You are bound to be a bit jittery Liskey. But she's eating which is always a good indicator.

Liskey · 01/04/2013 20:23

Cat still refusing Iams - but will graciously accept meat cat food so had to go and get some more this afternoon. She's looking a lot better today but me and DH are still not relaxed about her, keep going to check up on her.

OP posts:

Sparklingbrook · 01/04/2013 18:14

That's quite good for a 3 year old gobbin. If only we could do that and get another one. Awww.

How's the patient Liskey?

gobbin · 01/04/2013 13:23

My son when aged 3 saw a dead quirrel in the road here (we have loads of them!) Couldn't avoid seeing it as he was toddling down to the postbox with me, so we stopped and I said 'Awww poor dead squirrel'. He seemed to understand the 'dead' word without having it explained.

As we passed it on the way back, he said 'If we plant the squirrel in the woods, will it grow another one?' I had to explain that no, only plants could grow again, not animals. Cute though, and it's one of the phrases from his childhood I will always remember! He certainly had some concept of 'dead' and 'not coming back', however fledgling.

Liskey · 31/03/2013 09:44

DD would love those (I must not go to ELC!) She's been making do with her doctors' kit at the moment.

I went and got some spit roast chicken for the cat yesterday and DH has opened her a can of tuna (spoit much?!). She's eaten both now and has gone for a sleep on our bed - normally not allowed on there but me and DH are both ignoring this......Thank goodness for emergency vet and pet insurance!

OP posts:

Sparklingbrook · 30/03/2013 17:15

Your DD would love this and this I would imagine.

Sparklingbrook · 30/03/2013 17:10

Liskey great news! Phew. And awww at your DD playing vets. Better news for The Litter Tray.

Just hoping for dobby's cat to return now.

GoingGoingGoth · 30/03/2013 17:09

That's such good news!

Liskey · 30/03/2013 15:57

She's home! She seems a lot better, it seems to have been a kidney problem and Talisker has been on a drip and had her system flushed out. Had a bit of food at the vets but not had anything since she's been home at 14.00 so we're keeping an eye on her. Now sleeping on the spare bed in a patch of sun - DD playing vets with her toys.

Thank you everyone!

OP posts:

cozietoesie · 29/03/2013 17:41

A great malt as well. Not my Number One but I wouldn't say No to it on a cold and snowy evening!

She looks like a real honey.

Liskey · 29/03/2013 17:18

I knew Lillies were poisonous (got some given to me years ago which I had to throw away!). She could have got hold of anti-freeze but it's unlikely as she hates going out in the cold! She wanted cuddling and snuggles which has made me and DH feel a bit more positive.

Thanks everyone - photo of Talisker on my profile. She really is as sweet as she looks.

OP posts:

cozietoesie · 29/03/2013 17:11

Didn't know that Boojum. Could be any passing cat as well? (I don't have 'water features'. Just flowers.)

TheNebulousBoojum · 29/03/2013 16:59

Problem with antifreeze is that some people put it into ornamental fountains to stop them freezing up, it's sweet and if your cat has access to outside, she might have been poisoned that way.

TheNebulousBoojum · 29/03/2013 16:57

Just don't say that she's gone to sleep. My little brother got told that and he became terrified of people going to sleep in case they didn't wake up.

shallweshop · 29/03/2013 16:57

Really hope she responds to the treatment and she is back home with you soon. X

Liskey · 29/03/2013 16:49

Just back from emergency vets, cat has perked up a little, tests definitely show raised white blood cells and kidney problems. Vet was querying if she could have got hold of lillies or anti-freeze which we don't have. She's staying there on a drip and drugs for kidneys and reassing tomorrow after further tests for kidney function. Slightly more positive picture - though DD now asking where she is and wanting her back.

OP posts:

cozietoesie · 29/03/2013 16:47

Not sure I agree - much depending on the child and the circumstances. Interesting though, Lone.

Lonecatwithkitten · 29/03/2013 15:43

Nodney I know you did what you thought was right. However, there have been quite a few respective studies that have looked at children being told about bereavement whether it is pet or human. These have shown that we should always tell children the truth. Telling 'white lies' such as gone to sleep, gone on holiday can lead to other problems with children becoming fearful of family members going to sleep or going on holiday.
I always feel that one of the reasons we have pets is to help children to understand and experience bereavement before it is a close family member.

shallweshop · 29/03/2013 14:56

Oh liskey, I really hope the vet can do something for your cat. One of our cats had to be put down after a stroke when DD was 4. She insisted on going to the vet with DH (but they didn't stay in the room when the injection was given). When they came back we all had a good cry together and that night we said a little prayer to him in heaven.

Really hope there is a happy outcome for your kitty.

Nodney · 29/03/2013 14:48

So sorry OP. when my DS was 3, a kindly neighbour poisoned his beloved cat with anti freeze and the poor cat died. We were devastated, he was a gorgeous cat who loved our son. We managed to hide our grief and told our DS that the cat had gone on holiday. He asked for him a few times and then appeared to forget. I didn't think my 3 year old could cope with the finality of death x x

Liskey · 29/03/2013 14:44

Thanks - cat still at vets her tests show something is wrong with her kidneys but the vet wasn't convinced that was causing all of this. She's responsive but still listing to one side. Me and DH are going in later to see how she responds to fluids and see if there is any chance.

DD has founds some of the cat special treats and has got them out for when the cat is better.

OP posts:

Sparklingbrook · 29/03/2013 14:40

Hope you are ok Liskey. It has been a little bit sad on The Litter Tray this week.

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cozietoesie · 29/03/2013 08:48

Thanks for that, Lone.

Lonecatwithkitten · 29/03/2013 08:42

Obviously I see a lot of children with their elderly pets. Over 4 years of age I do think they should have the choice of weather to be there or not at the end. I find that they are very sad at the actual moment and then very matter of fact and asking for a new pet before they have left the consult room.

GoingGoingGoth · 29/03/2013 08:27

Sorry, nothing helpful to post as Dd was 4 month when our cat was put down, but just wanted to add our sympathies.

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