Topic: I think Tiffy hasn't got long left (Read 18661 times)

Gill (sneakiefeline) · « **Reply #32 on:** September 14, 2008, 18:46:47 PM »

My thoughts with you

Desley (booktigger) · « **Reply #31 on:** September 14, 2008, 18:36:41 PM »

i am sorry that he isn't seeming any better, your last post brought a tear to my eye. IT might still be worth doing bloods just so you know you have done everything and that it truly is the right time, it sounds like the constipation could be causing the not eating. You are both in my thoughts.

Sam (Fussy_Furball) · « **Reply #30 on:** September 14, 2008, 18:32:47 PM »

... I'm so sorry. I hope you and Tiffy can have a good evening together hun.

Philip · « **Reply #29 on:** September 14, 2008, 18:17:39 PM »

He has been sick again. He tried going to the toilet but couldn't go due to constipation.

I can't bear this anymore.

I'm going to make the appointment for tomorrow evening to send him to the bridge.

I have just phoned work and told them.

Philip · « **Reply #28 on:** September 14, 2008, 17:49:18 PM »

Thanks.

Went out for a cycle ride down the sea front to try and clear my head and think only to find a huge motorbike rally going on.

Have given Tiffy another 100ml subcutaneous fluids and some famotidine to help with sickness.

I think I need to know his blood urea nitrogen (BUN) levels. Also if he is becoming anaemic. His gums don't look pale. Maybe also his potassium levels are low.

He has been sick today. I think he has a high BUN level or uraemia and its making him feel sick and grotty. Usually subcutaneous fluids help by diluting the toxins and giving any remaining kidney function assistance in clearing these toxins. I had to treat all my clan with stronghold due to fleas and wonder if that has had any bad effect on him.

He still doesn't look any better. I'm all over the place right now. I wish I didn't have to work tomorrow.

Gill (sneakiefeline) · « **Reply #27 on:** September 14, 2008, 17:36:17 PM »

I am so sorry to hear about Tiffy and understand exactly what you are going through and it breaks my heart

I wish I could think up some nice words to make you feel better but know they dont exist.

Sending all my thoughts to you and Tiffy

Gillian Harvey · « **Reply #26 on:** September 14, 2008, 15:31:54 PM »

Sorry Phillip,

Its so hard isnt it? I felt that my Suzie with CRF had rallied, the day I'd actually made the appointment for the vet to come and put her to sleep. Suzie had stopped eating so I'd been hand feeding her, but she was still drinking. Then she stopped drinking too, and I felt it was the time. But on that morning the vet was due, Suz suddenly got up, went outside and had a really good long drink - and it had me wracked with indecision, so much went through my mind - but I knew I couldnt just wait to see if she rallied, only to see her go down again, so she was pts that morning and I know I made the right decision.

My thoughts are with you, I know you'll do whats right for Tiffy

Angeladeedah · « **Reply #25 on:** September 14, 2008, 15:02:44 PM »

Aw, I am sorry to hear about Tiffy. Hope he's doing better today. My thoughts are with you.

Philip · « **Reply #24 on:** September 14, 2008, 13:17:46 PM »

Thats similar to Jemilla. I made the decision when I got back from work and she had been incontinent (both) and couldn't stand up anymore.

Tiffy isn't that bad as he is mobile, drinking and going to the litter tray, but if I wasn't feeding him myself, then I don't know.

I think I need to see how he is today and think again in the morning.

Its so hard isn't it. You have all the "what ifs" going through you're head. What if I make the decision and he would had rallied round. What if I left him to see what happens and he gets really bad and suffers. I don't feel in my heart he has told me yet. Its weird. Yesterday I felt he had told me and then I wasn't sure anymore. I totally knew Jemilla had told me.

When you love a pet so much. The most important thing I guess is not allowing you're emotions which are at breaking point cloud you're judgement. But its such a final decision. You cant go back. You cant change things.

ginge66 · « **Reply #23 on:** September 14, 2008, 13:06:54 PM »

Hi Philip, during Nigel's last days he wouldn't even hardly drink let alone eat and the final straw for me was when he fell in the pond I realised then I couldn't let him carry on any longer.. and thats when I made the phone call. There were many times prior to that he would stop eating and i would think this is it and then he would perk up again, its so difficult isn't it x

Philip · « **Reply #22 on:** September 14, 2008, 12:59:19 PM »

Thank you all.

Today he has gone and had a good drink at his water bowl.

Still wouldn't eat, but I have fed him.

He went and used the litter tray so he's getting about.

He is letting me fuss him.

I really don't know right now. The not eating has happened before, but he had uraemic ulcers on his gums. This time he hasn't.

Maybe he cant smell the food.

I have so much to, think about today. I ask whatever higher power there is up there to help me do whats right.

ginge66 · « **Reply #21 on:** September 14, 2008, 12:56:08 PM »

Hi Philip, so sorry to hear about your cat. I went through something similar thing with my old cat Nigel last year, I just know how your feeling its absolutely heartbreaking

as you say so many ups and downs. The hardest thing for me was actually making the decision but strangely enough once I had made the decision I felt strangely calm and I stayed with him at the vets and it was very peaceful. I am sure you will know when the time is right and you can reassure yourself he has a long and happy life.
Thinking of you during this difficult time and sending you lots of

sixfurballs · « **Reply #20 on:** September 14, 2008, 12:45:25 PM »

Afraid I don't have anything useful to say but just wanted to say how

I am and send hugs to you both.

Debsymiller (Rufus' mum) · « **Reply #19 on:** September 14, 2008, 11:52:03 AM »

A big

from my fur-family at this sad time.

Sam (Fussy_Furball) · « **Reply #18 on:** September 14, 2008, 11:42:49 AM »

Oh Philip hun I don't know what to say ... Can't offer any advice I'm afraid but just want you to know you and Tiffy are in my thoughts and prayers and Foxy, Zephyr and Rossi are all sending lots of healing vibes and kitty kisses to you both

Desley (booktigger) · « **Reply #17 on:** September 14, 2008, 10:31:15 AM »

i hope Tiffy has a better day today Philip, but we all know you will do the right thing by him when he lets you know. 3 years with a CRF cat is really good, and you should be proud that you have given him such a long, happy life.

swampmaxmum · « **Reply #16 on:** September 14, 2008, 10:23:55 AM »

my thoughts are with you this morning Philip. I hope the sun is out where you live and that you and Tiffy can have a gentle time in the warm sun. sending lots of big hugs again.

Topsy Turvey · « **Reply #15 on:** September 14, 2008, 07:13:11 AM »

and thoughts to you Philip and Tiffy.

Maddiesmum · « **Reply #14 on:** September 14, 2008, 07:08:40 AM »

You and Tiffy are in my thoughts.

Michelle (furbabystar) · « **Reply #13 on:** September 13, 2008, 23:23:29 PM »

Oh Philip my heart goes out to you

I havent been in your position (yet) so can't fully imagine how you are feeling.
Thinking of You xx

Philip · « **Reply #12 on:** September 13, 2008, 23:20:41 PM »

No mark. He is on amlodipine. I also give famotidine when he feels sick.

He wont eat renal specific foods so I add phosphate binders.

ems · « **Reply #11 on:** September 13, 2008, 23:12:08 PM »

Oh Philip

Sending you

I can't imagine how you must feeling

You know that we are all here for you, Tiffy and all of your gorgeous babes

Sending lots of love and best wishes from me and my girls
xx

Philip · « **Reply #10 on:** September 13, 2008, 23:09:56 PM »

I cant help but cry when I read everything you lovely people have wrote.

Tiffy has gone to the water bowl about three times this evening and drank....First time all day.....

Living with a cat with CRF is an emotional rollercoaster. When they crash you feel so low. Then all of a sudden they bounce back. Its been like this for 3 years. I haven't been able to take a holiday because I couldn't. I haven't been able to entrust his care to anyone...No matter how good or qualified they may have been. Its just I know him the best. I couldn't have coped if having been away something had happened.

When Monday comes I Will do whats right. I feel he will tell me in his own little way.

I will syringe feed him again tonight and tomorrow and give some more subcutaneous fluids and see how he goes.

I have never seen him this bad before. So depressed and withdrawn. It really breaks my heart.

With Jemilla his sister, I battled for longer than I should have as I had never been through this before. I hope this time I will act at the right time. As you have said. The greatest gift of love is to let them go when there is nothing more you can do.

This is breaking my heart. Its good to be amongst others who know this agony.

Stuart · « **Reply #9 on:** September 13, 2008, 22:51:01 PM »

awww Philip

I know exactly how you are feeling just now

There is nothing really I can say to take your pain away, Like Tiffy, My Hamish was always there for me through the good times and the bad.
But in the end, he was diagnosed with having CRF and at that time, I didn't know He'd only be with me for another ten day's
I was racked with guilt for not noticing the sign's earlier, even now,at times,I still am

I know You have done your best for Tiffy, but if the will for Him to carry on is still there, he will show you. But if not, I know you will be left
with the Hardest decision of all

isn't anything else I can say, but I know your love for Tiffy will not let Him suffer in any way

My thoughts are with you

Gwen · « **Reply #8 on:** September 13, 2008, 21:46:40 PM »

No advice but just wanted to let you know we are thinking about you both

Mark · « **Reply #7 on:** September 13, 2008, 20:41:47 PM »

Sorry Philip - Tiffy is a gorgeous cat. I'm sure you will do what's best for him

Does he have Fortekor and low phosphorus food as well?

MrsR · « **Reply #6 on:** September 13, 2008, 19:55:41 PM »

Oh sweetie

we will all be here ok x

alisonandarchie · « **Reply #5 on:** September 13, 2008, 19:53:52 PM »

Thinking of you both

HaneyHarperIndyMum (Val) · « **Reply #4 on:** September 13, 2008, 19:08:01 PM »

Aw, I'm so sorry that you may need to face such a hard decision come Monday. Tiffy sounds like a wonderful cat who has had a marvelous loving life with you. To have a cat for that many years is amazing and I'm sure you feel like he's a part of you, which he is. Only you know when it will be time, as I'm sure Tiffy will let you know. Your last act of love to him is to help him cross over to Rainbow Bridge as pain free and easy as possible. Just know in your heart that this is truly the most unselfish act of love you can give.

God Bless Tiffy and you.

~~~edit~~~

I just wanted to say also that Tiffy looks like my Top Cat Haney's twin. Just beautiful!

JackSpratt · « **Reply #3 on:** September 13, 2008, 19:01:11 PM »

I think you do know when it's time - even when you try and deny it to yourself.

Three years is exceptional for a cat with CRF. Tiffy must be a real fighter.

swampmaxmum · « **Reply #2 on:** September 13, 2008, 18:59:10 PM »

I'm terribly sorry Philip. Nothing can prepare you for this moment. I hope that you manage to get some rest and some quiet, loving time with Tiffy this weekend. Whatever you decide next week, I'm sure that Tiffy knows how loved he is. Big hugs to you both. Words are so inadequate.

Philip · « **Reply #1 on:** September 13, 2008, 18:48:29 PM »

As some of you may know. My 19 year old Tiffy has CRF.

He has had it for nearly 3 years and I thought I was going to lose him then.

But my vet taught me how to give subcutaneous fluids and I syringe fed him and he came back from the brink.

The last few days, he has hardly eaten anything and is just lying there in the "sphinx" position. He isn't interested in anything. I have bought so many different types of food over the last few days its piling up.

I had given him subcutaneous fluids and syringe fed him today, but something seems different.

I don't know why, but I feel his time is near. I have spent the day in floods of tears, but I'm not going to let him suffer.

If he isn't any better by Monday, I feel I should think about this seriously. He has been in my life since I was 17 and I'm 35 now. He has been there through so many highs and lows and I love him very much. This is so hard right now.

I know 3 years with CRF for a cat is a really good innings. It doesn't stop the pain though.

God bless you Tiffy sweet heart.

Author Topic: I think Tiffy hasn't got long left (Read 18661 times)