Cat Going Blind

RacyRed

((((((Hugs Miro)))))))

Don't blame yourself. We cannot wrap them in cotton wool and it sounds as if your kitties have good, happy lives - that is what is really important. !5 is a very respectable age too!

Enjoy the time you have left with your little one. Maybe invent to new games using things with bells or that make some other sound to keep her (and you) entertained?

foreign_correspondent

Miroslav, it is not your fault - in cancers there is generally a genetic predisposition to the illness - and as Lowis said, I think in past years people would just accept that the cat was old and in failing health and the illness itself would never have been diagnosed unless there was an obvious tumour...

15 is a good age, and I am sure your cats have a lovely life with you - there is nothing you can do to stop the inevitable passing of time, and the impact of ageing - it happens to all living beings - the shame being that for cats and dogs their lives are short compared to ours.

But them, as Sir Walter Scott said "The misery of keeping a dog is his dying so soon. But, to be sure, if he lived for fifty years and then died, what would become of me?" - I am sure the same applies to cats!

laurel7172

We know when we take them on that we'll outlive them. It isn't something I put too much thought into when I adopted two beautiful kittens 17 years ago, but this pain, unfortunately, is part of the equation-part of the deal.

Snoring next to me on the sofa is my lovely old cat, who also, almost certainly, has a tumour. Whatever it is, it's growing rapidly, and he's booked for an exploratory operation on Wednesday. If the vet finds what she expects to find, he won't be waking up.

I want him to go before he feels any pain, but not a moment sooner than necessary. I think I've got it about right, but I'll never really know. The exploration is more for me than for him, I think. I need to know we did absolutely everything we could.

Don't know what to say, really, or even why I've said this, because nothing will really help. But it hurts so much because we love them so much, and love like that is never to be regretted. Not that that helps me much right now-or yesterday when I needed a lot of deep breaths and blinking to retain some dignity in the supermarket-the catfood was on multibuy, but I only need one box...

Take care X

foreign_correspondent

But it hurts so much because we love them so much, and love like that is never to be regretted. Not that that helps me much right now-or yesterday when I needed a lot of deep breaths and blinking to retain some dignity in the supermarket-the catfood was on multibuy, but I only need one box...

Beautifully put - it is because we love them that it hurts so much - but at the same time, it means they have lovely lives whist they are with us!

I am glad I am not the only one to have been a bit 'overcome' in the pet food aisle - after my last dog died, I found myself wandering down there absent-mindedly, then having to take a detour to the freezer aisle to have a moment and compose myself.

lowis

foreign_correspondent wrote: »

Beautifully put - it is because we love them that it hurts so much - but at the same time, it means they have lovely lives whist they are with us!

I am glad I am not the only one to have been a bit 'overcome' in the pet food aisle - after my last dog died, I found myself wandering down there absent-mindedly, then having to take a detour to the freezer aisle to have a moment and compose myself.

i'm with you both on that one. i still can't look at a tin of Waitrose Tuna & Tiger Shrimp In Gravy cat food without getting a bit teary - it was the only thing my little girl would eat towards the end. People must think I am mental!

MrsE_2

laurel7172 wrote: »

Snoring next to me on the sofa is my lovely old cat, who also, almost certainly, has a tumour. Whatever it is, it's growing rapidly, and he's booked for an exploratory operation on Wednesday. If the vet finds what she expects to find, he won't be waking up.

I want him to go before he feels any pain, but not a moment sooner than necessary. I think I've got it about right, but I'll never really know. The exploration is more for me than for him, I think. I need to know we did absolutely everything we could.

I think you gotta be really brave & unselfish to do the right thing for your pet.
Ted died last year suddenly at 7 & a half (vet thinks it was a cat heart attack), it was sudden & all over in seconds. I'm grateful he never suffered in his life & I always hoped that had he because ill I would have been brave enough to let him go quickly & quitely without suffering.

As much as we treat them like children, they are not human & do not understand medical treatment & prolonging of life to try & beat an illness. They are just suffering. If an animal is not healthy then I think its the bravest thing & kindest thing to let them slip away peacefully.

And now I'm crying again because I still miss Ted:(
The kittens we got are lovely, but they are not Ted.

RacyRed

laurel7172 wrote: »

We know when we take them on that we'll outlive them. It isn't something I put too much thought into when I adopted two beautiful kittens 17 years ago, but this pain, unfortunately, is part of the equation-part of the deal.

Snoring next to me on the sofa is my lovely old cat, who also, almost certainly, has a tumour. Whatever it is, it's growing rapidly, and he's booked for an exploratory operation on Wednesday. If the vet finds what she expects to find, he won't be waking up.

I want him to go before he feels any pain, but not a moment sooner than necessary. I think I've got it about right, but I'll never really know. The exploration is more for me than for him, I think. I need to know we did absolutely everything we could.

Don't know what to say, really, or even why I've said this, because nothing will really help. But it hurts so much because we love them so much, and love like that is never to be regretted. Not that that helps me much right now-or yesterday when I needed a lot of deep breaths and blinking to retain some dignity in the supermarket-the catfood was on multibuy, but I only need one box...

Take care X

This is one of the most heart rending posts I have ever read on here. I'm in tears for friends missed but as you say,

"love like that is never to be regretted"

Thank you. And my thoughts are with you.

Miroslav

RacyRed wrote: »

((((((Hugs Miro)))))))

Don't blame yourself. We cannot wrap them in cotton wool and it sounds as if your kitties have good, happy lives - that is what is really important. !5 is a very respectable age too!

Enjoy the time you have left with your little one. Maybe invent to new games using things with bells or that make some other sound to keep her (and you) entertained?

I don't blame myself as such. I guess i'd find it easier if I found a reason and could take the blame, in some strange way.

She has started eating out of my hand which she enjoys

foreign_correspondent wrote: »

Miroslav, it is not your fault - in cancers there is generally a genetic predisposition to the illness - and as Lowis said, I think in past years people would just accept that the cat was old and in failing health and the illness itself would never have been diagnosed unless there was an obvious tumour...

15 is a good age, and I am sure your cats have a lovely life with you - there is nothing you can do to stop the inevitable passing of time, and the impact of ageing - it happens to all living beings - the shame being that for cats and dogs their lives are short compared to ours.

But them, as Sir Walter Scott said "The misery of keeping a dog is his dying so soon. But, to be sure, if he lived for fifty years and then died, what would become of me?" - I am sure the same applies to cats!

I wouldn't change having these cats for 15 years for anything else. I just think it's sad they live so little time. I've been waiting for this for years, but it's even harder than I could ever have imagined.

laurel7172 wrote: »

We know when we take them on that we'll outlive them. It isn't something I put too much thought into when I adopted two beautiful kittens 17 years ago, but this pain, unfortunately, is part of the equation-part of the deal.

Snoring next to me on the sofa is my lovely old cat, who also, almost certainly, has a tumour. Whatever it is, it's growing rapidly, and he's booked for an exploratory operation on Wednesday. If the vet finds what she expects to find, he won't be waking up.

I want him to go before he feels any pain, but not a moment sooner than necessary. I think I've got it about right, but I'll never really know. The exploration is more for me than for him, I think. I need to know we did absolutely everything we could.

Don't know what to say, really, or even why I've said this, because nothing will really help. But it hurts so much because we love them so much, and love like that is never to be regretted. Not that that helps me much right now-or yesterday when I needed a lot of deep breaths and blinking to retain some dignity in the supermarket-the catfood was on multibuy, but I only need one box...

Take care X

How did it go on Wednesday? I hope your worst fears didn't come to light...

Miroslav

lowis wrote: »

don't feel guilty Miroslav...cancers are the biggest killers of pets these days. i have had a rabbit die of cancer 4 years ago and a cat die of cancer last year, and one diagnosed with cancer last month.

i guess the rise in cancer-related deaths is probably due to not only factors in the environment of which we have little control (i.e. phone masts on the roof of my building!), but the fact that vets now have the ability to detect many more types of cancers than some years ago. i remember a couple of my mum's cats suddenly becoming thin and scraggy and then getting weak...but back in the 70's this was just generically labelled 'old age' and you put the cat to sleep.

i hope you little baby has quite some time left with you yet, it sounds as if she will have the most wonderful time with you taking care of her. don;t feel bad. you gave her a safe and secure home x

Sorry to hear of your pets

I think her time is nearly up. She's very thin now, although eating lots and being generally happy. She sits near me all the time now, when before she was more independent albeit still very loving.

She's had a great life, I know it, but i'm someone who always thinks I can do more.

Fire_Fox wrote: »

Do come over to Purrs, it's great! I'm sure there is nothing that you did wrong, it's just one of those sad things. Try to think about all the things you know you have done right, all the love and practical care you have given them and made their lives content. :A

When I find the strength I may do. Be a bit strange starting talking to new people

geminilady wrote: »

Miro please do not blame yourself i am sure there was nothing you could have done to prevent it.Everything dies sometime and yes it hurts but the saying its better to have loved and lost than never loved at all counts with animals too.I am sure you do not wish you had ever got your cats they have given you years of pleasure and from what i see you have been a loving careing sp? owner.Maybe you could try ways of getting rid of your anger like beating pillows or the punchbag at the gym?my son goes running when its dark and i have noticed he is a lot better tempered since he started.

I'm happy we've had all the cats for so long. Losing two in a year though is going to hit hard. 6 months today (Thursday) that we lost the first. Seems like yesterday and she's sorely missed.

A little kitten found it's way onto my porch today when I opened the door and refused to leave Was ever so cute and I had to pick it up and put it out. I wanted to keep it, it was gorgeous and purred it's little head off

Well, flatmate is not getting my wrath as much at the moment. I have a bad mouth so can't talk much Not that i'm a majorly vocal person anyway, but she's doing my head in :rolleyes:

laurel7172

Miroslav wrote: »

How did it go on Wednesday? I hope your worst fears didn't come to light...

Thank you for asking. Unfortunately, no happy ending. The mornings are hardest-waking up without a furry face being shoved in mine demanding his breakfast, still pausing to make sure I don't catch his tail in the bathroom door. I still wonder where he is and look up for him-sometimes I even think I see him out of the corner of my eye, but it's just wishful thinking and shadows.

I went through this with his brother. I know it gets easier, but it doesn't help much now. I'm glad he didn't suffer-it was, relatively speaking, an easy way to go. I would have liked a few more years from both of them. But I would always have wanted a few more years. I would never have been ready to let them go.