Purrs In Our Hearts - Cat Forum UK
Cat Health & Behaviour => Health & Behaviour General => Topic started by: Gillian Harvey on July 08, 2007, 12:00:34 PM
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Suzie hasnt really made any improvement since the steroid jab etc at the vets on Friday, in fact I think she seems worse. She's behaving very oddly and howling, suddenly letting out a blood curdling howl intermittently through the night and day, when I go to her, she seems disorientated. She hasnt eaten for herself since Wed night, so I started syringe feeding Liquivite which she seemed to accept readily, I thought that was encouraging. But, this morning she wouldnt accept it, she obviously doesnt want it. She hadnt drunk much either, although I've still been giving her the 80 ml of subQ fluids every day - this morning she did drink quite a lot, was at the water bowl for a good 5 mins - again I thought that was a good sign, but theres no interest in food, and she seems so weak.
I think I know in my heart that this is the end, she had 4 good weeks, and I mean really good weeks, after being on the drip at the vets and then having the fluids at home, when she was acting pretty much normally, eating well, and doing her usual trick of leaping onto my back when I'm bending over cleaning the litter trays or something, taking me completely unawares!
If the steroids etc she had at the vets havent made any difference this time, I can't see that theres anything else to try - she could have IV fluids on a drip at the vets again, but if it only buys her a bit more time, probably just weeks - is it right to do? I know the answer I suppose really - I mean, only to have her go downhill again like this - I couldnt bear it. I can hardly see through the tears to type this, and actually typing the words is bringing it all home, that I've actually got to let her go.
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Oh Gillian , i'm so sorry hun. :'( I know exactly how ya feeling and it is one of the hardest and one of the most loving decisions to make for our beloved babes. When it came time for my Benny lad, he knew and so did i that he and i couldn't let him go on in pain if there is no change of getting better to have a good qulaity of life.
What does your vet say?
We will be here for ya. My love and thoughts are with you. :Luv: :Luv: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug:
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Oh, Gillian..! :hug:
Hunny you've fought so hard and bravely. But you always know in your heart of heart when it's time and I think that's what you're telling us.
It's the hardest thing we have to do for our babies, but it's also the noblest thing.
Sending love to you and yours.
Julie, Jumpy and Tilly
:blow kiss:
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Maybe she is suffering with senile dementure? Just thinking what you said about the howling etc. JS has a cat with this and she says that her cat has been doing it too, also getting confused etc.
Its a hard thing to be going through and you will know whats right in your heart.
Please get better Suzie :)
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Oh no :( I'm so sorry to read this. I'm still hoping that she will pick up, but sadly it does seem that there may be nothing further that you can do for her. I know you'll do the right thing by her if she seems to be suffering. Will be thinking of you both :hug:
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So sorry, you have a very difficult decision ahead of you.....my thoughts are with you both x
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:hug: sorry to hear about Suzie, thoughts and prayers are sent your way :hug:
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So sorry Gillian. We're all here for you. Whatever decision you take you are doing what is best for Suzie. She's had such a grand old time with you. A wonderful pud.
Thinking of you :hug:
And Suzie :hug:
Ruth and Lexy
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So sorry too. Take care of both of yourselves. xxx
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So sorry Gillian, it's a heartbraking decision to have to make. Whatever happens we are all here for you :hug:
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Sorry Gillian..I am very glad you've had an excellent month though :hug:
It could possibly be the crf affecting her blood pressure or quite possibly toxins building up in her system beginning to affect the cns.
It wont be an easy decision for you to make but i know you'll make the right one :hug:
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I am so very sorry to hear this, we are all here for you and will support you as much as we can .
Give Suzie a stroke from all of us :hug: :hug: :hug:
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Sorry to hear about Suzie , Gillian. Hopefully there is some improvement today. Good luck with whatever decision you have to make :hug:
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Thannks for all your kind words and support. I'm waiting for the vet to ring me. Suzie kept hiding herself away yesterday afternoon and evening in one of the beds in the garage. She came indoors in the evening and I sat her on my lap for a bit and when I went to bed she seemed settled on a bit of vetbed on the worktop. I woke up about 4 am and she wasnt there, found her in the garage again, so I bought her indoors, bed and all, and took her into my bedroom, after shushing all the others out, and shut the door, so she wouldnt be disturbed. She stayed there until I got up.
She's come out into the garden, and she's sat and had a really long drink again - I keep thinking thats a good sign isnt it? - that she's still got the urge to keep herself going. I was convinced yesterday night that the right thing was pts, but today I feel if she could just get really stabilised again, but perhaps its already too late for that, I don't know now - I know I'm clutching at straws, so I hope my vet will help my decision.
EDITED, to say, the vet has just rung and he's helped me to see that pts is the best thing I can do for her now. Either he, or Jane, the practice owner, will be coming to the house after morning surgery.
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:hug:m Thinking of you both.. xx
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Thoughts and prays with you, Gillian. :(
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My thoughts are with you at this sad time, when the vet comes I am sure he or Jane will do a final MOT to confirm that the final act of kindness is the right option.
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Oh Gillian sending bug hugs and love to you hun. There are no words strong enough to describe how hurtfull it is for us to let a little one go, you are doing the most loving thing possible for her hun. WE are here for you. xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
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We're all here for you :hug: :hug:
Will be thinking of you today xxxx
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Gillian you have made a very brave and difficulty decision. My heart goes out to.
Will be thinking of you and Suzie :hug: :hug: :hug:
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So very sorry Gillian - thinking of you xxx
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My darling Suzie went to sleep very quickly and very peacefully about 20 mins ago, Jane discussed the options, such as trying IV fluids again, but felt it would just be prolonging the agony (both for Suzie and me), and that made me feel sure it was the right thing.
I feel relief that she's not suffering anymore, but just so heartbroken that I couldnt have had her for longer. She only came to live with me 4 yrs ago, but it felt as though she's always been with me. I thought she was already 14, but just looked at her pedigree cert - her 14th birthday would have been in about 2 wks time. I've also spelt her name wrong all this time - its actually Suzy - well in fact 'Snushee Champagne Suzy' (but I like the way I spell it!) - so here's to 'Champagne Suzie', I'm going to miss her so much, RIP my baby :RIP:
I'll tell her story and post some pics in Rainbow Bridge soon, but heres a pic that I love, only taken last year.
[attachment deleted by admin]
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Glad she passed over peacefully. You know in your heart you done the right thing for her.
:hug:
RIP Suzie, sleep well and let your mummy know you have arrived.
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Sleep well Suzie, forever in your Mummies heart xxx
Sending hugs to you Gillian xxx
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Hi Gill,
So sorry to read this - I know the pain believe me.
I'm Free
Don't grieve for me,
for now I'm free.
I'm following the path that has been laid you see.
I took the hand when I heard the call,
I turned my back and left it all.
I could not stay another day.
To run, to love, to meow or play.
things left undone must stay that way.
I found that peace at the close of the day.
If my parting has left a void, then fill
it with remembered joys.
A friendship shared, a laugh, a kiss.
Oh yes, these things I too will miss.
Be not burdened with times of sorrow.
I wish you the sunshine of tomorrow.
My life's been full, I savoured much.
Good friends, good times, a loved one's touch.
Perhaps my time seemed all too brief.
Don't lengthen it now with undue grief.
Lift up your hearts and peace to thee.
The Bridge wanted me now and set me free!
Rrest in peace Suzie :RIP: :candle:
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Thinking of you Gillian.
Claire xx
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:hug: :hug: :hug: at this sad time x
RIP Suzie :'(
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i am so very sorry to hear this Gillian, it is such a hard thing to have to do, but it does sound like the right one, and one done with her interests at heart. She truly was a gorgeous cat, and she had a good 4 years with you. RIP little one, and big hugs to you
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Thinking of you Gillian :hug:
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Sorry Gillian :(
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Sleep well Suzie, RIP little one :'(
Big hugs to you Gillian, it sounds as though you did everthing you could for her, and letting her go was the kindest, but most difficult thing to do :hug:
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R.I.P ^Suzie^
Gentle hugs to you Gillian
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Im so sorry
RIP Suzie play well at the bridge
:hug: :hug:
love
Tab
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I've been following this thread and I'm so sorry Gillian :hug:
RIP Suzie, sleep tight babe, xxxxxx
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Gillian so sorry to hear about your loss. Suzie will be free of pain now and will be waiting for the day you both will be together but not before she plays hard at the bridge with her friends.
RIP Suzi:(
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So sorry to hear about Suzie
RIP beautiful girl
xxxxx
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:hug: :hug: :hug:
So sorry to hear about Suzy RIP beautiful girl x
Take care Gillian x :hug:
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Thinking of you Gillian. It's good that you know you did the right thing.
RIP beautiful Suzie.
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My thoughts are with you at this sad time.
xC
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RIP Champagne Suzie. Play hard at the bridge :hug:
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Thank you so much for all your kind words and your support, its really appreciated and its helped me get through the day.
Suzie leaves a real gap (NO, not one I'm planning to fill any day soon!!) - because she was such a big prescence, I don't know why exactly, can't really explain what it was about her that made her so special to me. Perhaps is was when she sat on my lap, she would always give her funny little mieow (always sounded croakey!), flop over so she was lying cradled in my arms like a baby and then reach up and touch my face with her paw - and purr for England ;D. But theres so many other things, that I keep remembering, i'll leave those for another time.
Yvonne, I love that poem - its so apt too 'perhaps my time seemed all too brief' it made me cry (again!)
I asked for an individual cremation for her, and now I need to think of a suitable memorial for her, I thought of a plant for the garden with her name, because she loved being outside.
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RIP Suzie, she'll be safe and sound at the Bridge by now waiting for you until you come to collect her :hug:
The Greatest Gift
I always knew this time would come,
From the very instant our eyes first met.
How I loved you then! How I love you now!
I made a promise then, and I will keep that promise now...
You will not suffer from a pain that will not heal;
You will not know the loss of a life remembered, now gone.
It is for me alone to make this decision,
The price for the bright joy and pure laughter
You brought me during the time we shared.
I am the only one who can decide when it is time.
When my hope dies, and my fear rides high,
Just when I need you most, I must let you go.
It is for you alone to tell me when you are ready
For without your guidance, I will not know
When to lay my grief, my guilt, my anger
My sorrow and my selfish heart aside
And give you this last gift, this greatest gift.
Your eyes will speak to mine, and I will know.
The pain of this moment is excruciating.
Tears stream down my face in a river of sorrow.
And my heart drowns in a pool of grief.
For you have spoken and I have listened,
And unlike other decisions I have made
This one brings no relief...no comfort...no peace.
For if there´s one thing you´ve taught me,
If there´s only one thing I´ve learned...
Unconditional love has a condition after all,
I must be willing to let you go, when you speak to me
I must be willing to help you go, if you cannot go alone.
And I must accept my pain so you can be free of yours.
Go easily now, go quickly now,
Do not linger here, it is time for you to leave.
Go find your strength, go find your youth.
Go find the ones who've gone before you.
You are free to leave me now, free to let your spirit soar
Rest easy now, your pain will soon be gone.
I pray I will find comfort in my memories...
In the dark and lonely days ahead.
I cannot say I will not miss you, I cannot say I will not cry.
For only my tears can heal my broken heart.
But, I promise you this; as long as I live,
You will live, alive in my mind, forever in my heart.
So I give you this last gift, all I have left to give,
And this will be my greatest gift...sending you away.
It is the measure of my unconditional love...
For only the greatest love can say,
"Good-bye, go find the bridge, we'll meet again,
Loving you has been the greatest gift of all."
Forever and Always... Until Rainbow bridge....
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So sorry, Gillian :hug: RIP Suzie - play hard at the bridge :Luv:
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I'm so sorry Gillian. She was a truly gorgeous cat and hopefully soon you can look back on all the wonderful times you shared together and smile rather than cry. We're all here for you whenever you need us. She'll always be with you in spirit even though she can't be with you in the fur anymore.
Take care
xxxx
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I thought of a plant for the garden with her name, because she loved being outside.
http://www.ultimategifts.co.uk/a_rose_named_after_you%20buy%20now.htm
Gillain have a look at this site, you can have a rose named after her.
Michelle xxx
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So sorry for the loss of your Champagne Suzy, somehow the time we have is never long enough but hey leave a pawprint in our hearts for ever
You had to make a very hard choice one that gave her peace and one that leaves you with an empty lap.
Only ever borrowed but a pawprint in your heart forever.
I have a memorial garden for ours and each one hs a flower for their time and each year when its their time its like they are with us for a brief moment again and it makes me glad that I was owned by them even if in a couple of cases time was to short but they are part of the Clan Cats and will always be my furrkids
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Hi Gillian - hope that you are ok, well not feeling too bad. So glad that you liked the poem, for a lovely plaque I can personally recommend the lady in the link below. Take care :hug:
http://stores.ebay.co.uk/The-Kitten-Coven
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Really sorry to hear this, Gillian.
The grief is a heavy price to pay for the joy of their company but it's an exchange we gladly make, over and over.
Thoughts are with you. :hug:
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RIP Suzie, you will be so missed.
I am so sorry for your loss and thinking of you :hug:
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I'm so sorry. You did the right thing for Suzie because you loved her, even though it was the most difficult for you.
She went knowing she was loved and appreciated, and that's a wonderful thing for an animal to know at any time of their life.
:care: Hope you're coping.
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So sorry Gillian, I've only just caught up with this.
Suzie had beautiful blue eyes :Luv:
:hug: to you and also I wanted to say that thanks to both your dedication and involvement giving her all her injections of fluids and her being such a good patient has given you both this very good past month together, If you hadnt tended her so lovingly and dutifully she wouldnt have had this.
RIP Suzie
:hug:
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My thoughts are with you in this very sad time Gillian :'(
R I P Suzie :Luv:
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Oh Gillian, more sad news, so very sorry.
Thinking of you.
Jas
XX
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Gillian, I'm so sorry. :hug:
I'm thinking of you.
RIP beautiful Suzie xxx :Luv:
Play hard at the bridge.
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Very sorry to hear this news :'(
RIP Suzie
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I'm so sorry. Just logged in now. RIP little one.
thinking of you too.
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Thanks again everyone for your lovely messages.
Helen, thats a beautiful poem too, thank you. I hope the part where it says 'only my tears can heal my broken heart' is right - coz there are bucket loads of those.
I like Michell's idea of naming a rose after her, and Liz's memoral garden idea, there was a particular part of the garden she really loved to sit. I've looked at those plaque's Yvonne mentioned and there were some poems on there that really struck a chord particularly this one, its so true, I don't want the memories - I only want her.
They say memories are golden, well maybe that is true.
I never wanted memories, I only wanted you.
A million times I needed you, a million times I cried.
If love alone could have saved you, you never would have died.
In life I loved you dearly, in death I love you still.
In my heart you hold a place no one could ever fill.
If tears could build a stairway and heartache make a lane,
I'd walk the path to heaven and bring you back again.
Our family chain is broken, and nothing seems the same.
But as we are called one by one, the chain will link again
:hug: to you and also I wanted to say that thanks to both your dedication and involvement giving her all her injections of fluids and her being such a good patient has given you both this very good past month together, If you hadnt tended her so lovingly and dutifully she wouldnt have had this.
Lynn, thats given me a lot of comfort, thank you.
Yesterday was horrible - its when I really started to sink in, that I'm never going to touch her and stroke her again, and all the memories of her last few days caught up with me. Of course I've got alll my other cats who are just as special in their own ways, but I just want my Suzie back.