Oh Kelley - my heart hurts for you. I am so very sorry. Please know that your baby is at peace now.

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I just wanted to say that it was me that posted the reply to Donna's reply. I didn't realize I had not filled in my name.




thanks, Kelley

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Thanks for your reply. Unfortunately, the decision whether or not to treat Alice's kidney failure was taken out of my hands. I received a phone call from the EM clinic late the same afternoon. Alice had lost feeling in her rear limbs and had neurological signs. They felt that she'd had a stroke. The early stage kidney failure they discovered was just by chance and the other was the real problem. My vet said it was her heart--she had a murmer. My husband drove me down there and we had her euthanized. She had thrown a clot and had saddle thrombus along with neurological damage. I did not want to put her through any more suffering just for the slight chance, and it was very slight, that they could prolong her life. Her quality of life would have been questionnable at best any way. It was very difficult emotionally, but as much as I loved her, my decision was easy. I could not watch her suffer out of my selfishness to hold on to her for another day or so. When we got to the clinic my husband and I spent a few minutes alone with her. I kissed her and told her I loved her. I brought her blanket with me and layed her on it. She relaxed as we spent time together. She died with her head resting in my hand. It was very peaceful. We had her cremated and will have her ashes in a box in a discrete spot by a window. This is very comforting to me, and I would recommend it to anyone who loses a pet. I had her blanket cremated with her and a toy mouse put in the box as well. Her 2 favorite things.

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Well at first it wasn't easy for me to deal with this. Some days I would just be so scared and frustrated - now it seems it is so "normal" to be giving Callie her fluids, chasing her around with food (when she doesn't want to eat), etc. It's become so second nature for me (and Callie is pretty used to it also). This is such a personal decision that I don't really think anyone here can honestly tell you what to do or what not to do. I know there have been so many miracle stories on these boards. I have been treating Callie for over 2 1/2 years. I think you have to weigh all the pros and cons and what you feel in your heart is the best thing to do.

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Hello. I woke up this morning to find my 7 yr old tortie crouched under a piece of furniture and not wanting to move much. I rushed to the EM vet because I new something was terribly wrong. She was fine at 11 PM last night when I went to bed. They drew blood, took films, and diagnosed her with early stages of CRF. She has to stay there today for fluids and I'm picking her up tomorrow AM and bringing her to my regular vet. To top this all off I am 4 months pregnant. From what I have read, there is just no easy way to deal with this. I'm so afraid about having to treat my cat plus be pregnant (and care for a new baby in 5 months) that I'm already leaning toward euthanasia. I haven't discussed care with my vet yet so I am hopeful that Alice's case is mild. My husband and I were both laid off recently and our funds are low especially with a baby coming. Am I horrible to be thinking about not even treating this if it comes down to fluids daily or weekly? I love this cat dearly, and I have a calico cat who I raised with her who would miss her also. I really don't want to lose her, but I also fear extending her life just for me to eleviate my guilt. She is easily stressed and I don't see think she'll handle the fluids very well. Any feedback???

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