Unwell Siamese - any help appreciated

[RustyPaperclip]

I have an 8 yr old Siamese, no previous health problems apart from getting in the odd scrap. On Monday night we noticed he had a very slight wheezy cough and we put it down to a possible hairball (although he has never had a problem before).

DH got home from work yesterday and found him laying on the back of the sofa, with very quick but deep breathing. He didn't want any food, and didn't want to move. He was trying to sleep but clearly was unable to settle. Before bed I wrapped him up in a blanket and put him on my pillow (we totally spoil love our cats as you can probably tell). In the morning he seemed perfectly well, he was running up and do the hallway screaming for his breakfast. Dh went to work after me and said he was still coughing badly and quite often but otherwise seemed fine.

I have got home tonight and he now seems worse than last night. I placed my ear on his chest and it sounds like he is hyperventilating. He has also started dribbling from his mouth. We can't think of any changes in the house which could have cause this reaction, and anything that could harm him is locked away. We did wonder if he has been spooked by something as he is a rather sensitive would, but this does seem an extreme reaction and doesn't explain his wheezy cough. Also, he is kept in during the day as we don't have a cat flap, so he couldn't have got hold of/eaten anything whilst we were working.

You need to do what's right for you (and girlcat )

Our two are now 9.5 and 12. The older cat was bought when our original male died (kidney failure the day after we got back from holiday - he was only 9 - tried for a few days to rehydrate him to see if the kidneys would kickstart before bringing him home for one last night - on shaky legs he went and re-visited all his old haunts one last time - he knew ) .

The young girl cat always wanted to play but old girl cat was having none of it . We decided to buy another male cat, so that we wouldn't have another big age gap. Unfortunately younger girl cat didn't like the new male interloper and wouldn't let him go near her. She was fine as long as the older cat was in between them, acting as a buffer.

When old girlcat died a few years later, it was funny to watch how young girlcat gradually tolerated boycat to come closer as she craved another cat's company. Initially back to back, so she could pretend that he wasn't really there, but gradually more and more entwined.

We've decided that next time one of them dies (touch wood, not soon ) we're going to get another sibling pair, so that we can enjoy kittens playing with each other and have company for the older cat.

Memo to self: need to put aside some savings for that eventuality! It** won't be cheap

I am hugging my girlcat on your behalf, she says thanks ever so because there can never be too many cuddles. I confess I am having a small weep into her fur.
I was in a position to have time off when my Siamese died (self employed- essentially one of the bosses) I was a workaholic at the time, but I couldn't have done justice to my clients (solicitor) because I was exhausted. Besides I had cried my eyes shut. But as cozie says, just murmur about a tough weekend and try to focus on the simpler tasks. Alternatively something taxing might prove diverting. Play it by ear.

I decided to take the day off work. I went out and bought a lovely rose in memory of my dear boy. Just when I think I am coping, it hits me again. I wish I could take comfort in the fact he didn't suffer, but I am sure he did.

We are looking around at different breeders, and we have decided that we love Siamese so much that we would like another one. If we don't get a kitten, we would love to give a home to another Siamese rescue. They are such special cats. Fingers crossed

I also bought some fish as a treat for our little girl. She keeps following me around and meowing if she can't find me

aww op i remember that pain in my chest which was just like my heart breaking - it went on for a good while x

you could contact a few breeders re re-homing any retiring breed cats.i was offered one years ago.good luck searching.

If anyone hears of a cat or kitten (any breed) that needs a home. Please think of us. We are Surrey/London based but willing to travel. We have a lot of love to give

I've got the name and number of someone who might know of any from "my" breeder - I'll PM them to you when I'm next on a PC (can't PM on the app )

Thank you, I really appreciate any help

We are looking around at different breeders, and we have decided that we love Siamese so much that we would like another one. If we don't get a kitten, we would love to give a home to another Siamese rescue. They are such special cats. Fingers crossed

I know a breeder of very special siamese. She runs the Old Fashioned Siamese Cat Club.

That was a lovely idea of the rose, Rusty. Today I was looking out at the sun and the blossoms and the blue sky and felt perhaps you could see the beautiful spirit of your darling cat there within it all.

Rusty, sorry if this has already been covered, but have you thought of planting the rose in a container, with some of your boy's ashes, so if you ever move house, you can take his rose with you?

And don't forget to be extra kind and gentle with yourself. x I'm glad you took a day off work.

Yes, I have bought a rose and a container. When we get his ashes back we will add some to the rose. I like the idea that we can always take him with us

That's a lovely idea rusty. I'm so sorry for your loss. It will take a long while. I cried reading your thread on the train home- it reminded me of my lost loves. Take care of yourself and don't feel guilty about looking at other cats. No one will replace him. Xx

Thank you Words it is very slowly getting easier, but I keep thinking I can see him out of corner of my eye or hear him miaow. If I had known he was going to die I would have kept him at home, he was so happy here. I hate the idea he might have been more distressed in the car. My mum thinks he chose to pass away before he saw the vet as he did hate going. I guess I thought there was still hope he could be saved. I had a lovely chat with my manager today who said that cats can leave such a massive hole in our hearts.

Yes I know love. I lost a very very special cat many years ago. He was a black and white moggie. I 'saw' him out of the corner of my eye for quite a while. I even had to get rid of the plastic mat with a cartoon of the felix cat on it as even that reminded me of him. I'm so glad your manager is so kind and understanding. I hope your job gets made permanent in time as they sound lovely. Give girl cat a special cuddle.
And also hugs to you troys mum, if you're reading.

Rusty

I cried for a week off and on when Twoago died. It can take a while. It's a true and heavy loss.

Girl cat is getting lots of special cuddles at the moment. I think she enjoys the attention as our boy was the more dominant cat. However we keep finding her crying out if she thinks she is left alone. This is why we think a kitten might help all of us. She also has a lot to love to give, in her own very special way. We always say that she would have been a lovely mum but it was never an option due to her physical problems

That's a good reminder Cozie. Grief - for beloved animals as for beloved humans - is not linear - it comes in waves and circles, then it gradually gradually gets easier. The trick at that point is not to feel guilty all over again because feeling better is NOT a betrayal of your lost loved one. They wouldn't want you to be sad forever.

I think that I am getting to the stage where I feel like the grieving is good in a weird way. I wouldn't be so upset if I didn't love him so much and every cat deserves that. A few months after I got him, he disappeared for a week and I was convinced he was lost forever. He came back to me then and came back back to me again when he was dying. We were lucky to have him. I know that we gave him a good life and that he was truly loved

Yes he came back to you. He knew he was loved. He was a very special boy and very lucky to be such a treasured cat.

Thank you Words I just hope we can provide a home to another special cat or kitten. To be honest I am feeling slightly overwhelmed right now as most of our cats came from a family member who unfortunately no longer works in rehoming cats. I used to love fostering kittens until they were old enough to be rehomed, but I am too sensitive to the potential loss right now. Hopefully one day

Oh weeping again with you- we believe our boy was making his way back to us, when he just suddenly went. I know that was best for him, he was a feisty boy- but anxious with it. He had a snappy crocodile motif on his vet records, but he never raised so much as a paw to either of us. He was a singular chap - he loved us two, but the rest of humanity, not so much.
You don't ever replace them- you just find space in your (broken) hearts for another one.

He loved us two, but the rest of humanity, not so much

This sums up our boy so much. He was my boy, but if he had a choice it would always be dh. I know he loved me and I was there for him when he needed me but he had a special bond with dh, and like you said, the rest of humanity, not so much. There were a few people he would tolerate though

Little girl is curled up on my shoulder like a pirate cat. She ate prawns tails as an after dinner treat so she is most content.

I find it hardest last thing at night and first thing in the morning. They were always the times he was most vocal and loving.

Sunday afternoon snooze for me. That's quite the ritual at cozietowers (to the extent that the boy is nearly always sitting on the bed waiting) and to my mind, there's no pleasure quite like a snooze with a Siamese when the weather's foul and chilly but the pair of you are tucked up and lying close, warm and long.

PS - it almost sounds as if Little Girl is setting out her requirements now that things have changed. Watch that she doesn't manipulate you under the paw.