Furious Seasons

October 11, 2009

My Sick Cat, My Rollercoaster

My wonderful cat Katie took ill last Wednesday evening, drooling all of a sudden and rapidly losing several pounds of body weight. She's been to the vet three times in the last few days, the last time for an inconclusive (and expensive) ultrasound that narrowed things down to either feline hepatic lipidosis or lymphoma. The vet also took some fluid from her liver and sent it out for cytology. I won't get the results until Wednesday (the vet's initial reading before sending it to pathology was that there were no obviously cancerous cells, but as she told, "I'm not a pathologist"). If it's cancer, I will put Katie down the next time she relapses (she's currently comfortable and eating and drinking although not as much as I'd like. She put three-fourths of a pound back on between Saturday evening and Sunday morning). If it's lipidosis, I'll do what I can to get her past it.

When I was much younger, my family had a 14-year-old cat who we got through a near-fatal bladder condition. She improved and lived to be 22.

I've already drained my bank account getting to now, so I have no idea what the future holds or what treatment I'll be able to offer Katie.

This all came on very suddenly. Katie was literally chasing the laser pointer toy on Tuesday evening. I am crushed emotionally and have been on a huge emotional rollercoaster because I thought my cat was almost 10 years old with plenty of life left. Three vets in the last few days have told me she is 14-years-old and that I was lied to by the shelter where I got her in January 2003--something they do all the time, one of the vets told me. Nice. I haven't slept much either.

I'm not sure how much I'll be writing the next few days. It'll depend on how my cat is doing and how rattled I am. I'm plenty rattled already. So is my other cat, KC, who is also pissed at all the attention I'm giving Katie.

Posted by Philip Dawdy at October 11, 2009 06:29 PM

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Comments

I really hope she is OK. My thoughts are with you.

Posted by: Ken at October 11, 2009 06:36 PM

Aww, that's heartbreaking. Poor Katie. I hope she gets better soon.

Posted by: kimbriel at October 11, 2009 06:53 PM

Oh Philip, I'm so sorry about Katie.
I'm really touched by your post and I understand the rollercoaster you're riding right now.
There is nothing more heart wrenching than watching a dear, beloved pet suffer with a serious illness. I lost my little dog Murphy in 2003 at the age of 14 to lymphoma. I had to have him put down when he stopped eating, his gums were bleeding and he lost 5 lbs. of his body weight. He was only 17 lbs.
I am sending lots of positive thoughts to you and Katie. I get very emotional about animals who cannot tell us where it hurts. They are so brave and courageous.
Take care. I'm thinking of you, Katie and KC.

Posted by: Sandy Naiman at October 11, 2009 07:01 PM

Oh no!!!

Posted by: Stephany at October 11, 2009 07:12 PM

Philip, you and Katie are in my thoughts.

Posted by: Lisa at October 11, 2009 08:20 PM

I'm very sorry about your cat :-( I hope she gets well.

Posted by: marlborojones at October 11, 2009 08:31 PM

thanks to all of you. katie thanks you too. today was better than yesterday and that was better than friday. so we shall see.

Posted by: Philip Dawdy at October 11, 2009 09:10 PM

My heart goes out to you, Katie & KC. Such sad news. My thoughts will be with you and hoping for the best. Please keep us posted. Will send funds as soon as I can to help with costs. I know it won't be a lot but maybe others will kick in some too to help.

Posted by: SallyT at October 12, 2009 01:26 AM

sending good thoughts your way for Katie. We just lost one of our dear cats to an aggressive cancer in August. It is so difficult when a pet is ill. All the best to you and Katie.

Posted by: Jen at October 12, 2009 02:23 AM

So sorry Phil.
I hope it turns out OK for you ,& Katie.
x

Posted by: cyndi white at October 12, 2009 02:26 AM

Thinking of you and hoping for the best possible outcome for Katie. My little Bichon puppy clown face will do her "critter ritchewals" for Katie's sake, and send puppy snuggles to you.

Joanie

Posted by: InTheWild at October 12, 2009 03:30 AM

She will get better Philip!

Posted by: Ana at October 12, 2009 04:40 AM

I'm so sorry about Katie. I hope she pulls through.

Posted by: Sally at October 12, 2009 05:03 AM

Dear Philip,

I understand- I had to put my beloved Cleopatra down in 2002. Hardest thing I ever did, cried for days. Thinking good thoughts for you and Katie and KC, and will also try to send you some money for Katie. Take care.....

Posted by: susan at October 12, 2009 05:13 AM

Cats are the ultimate mood-elevator; I'm madly in love with mine. I'm sorry yours is so sick and hope Katie continues to improve!

Posted by: Miranda at October 12, 2009 08:09 AM

Philip,
Wow.

We lost 3 dogs last year. One was ancient so we expected it. But I still have trouble with the sudden losses (in December and the following August) of the mother and son in seemingly perfect health. Each went from a different cancer within three days of onset.

Our vet told me he thinks this lack of symptoms is nature's way of ensuring animals don't suffer in the wild. They go quickly. That makes sense and provides some comfort because, of course, I wouldn't want them to suffer. But it makes it so hard when it comes out of the blue like this.

Hopefully Katie will follow in the paw prints of your childhood cat and go on to a ripe old age. Those before-their-time scenarios really suck.

Paws crossed on Katie's behalf. Fionn MacCumhaill says "meow" (only not very well, because he's a dog.)

Posted by: Sherry at October 12, 2009 09:15 AM

Philip, My thoughts are with you and Katie during this difficult time. I lost my oldest cat two years ago at 22 years, and I agree, it's never long enough. As others have mentioned, it seems a tragedy when it happens quickly, and it seems a tragedy when it happens slowly. It is just so difficult to lose a beloved pet. Take it one step at a time. Thanks for all you do, Jo Ann

Posted by: Jo Ann at October 12, 2009 12:16 PM

Thinking of you and your kitty...

Posted by: JJ at October 12, 2009 02:01 PM

How is she doing today?

Posted by: Stephany at October 12, 2009 02:49 PM

she seems better today. and has eaten a bunch. but pretty much all hinges on weds' pathology report.

Posted by: Philip Dawdy at October 12, 2009 03:49 PM

it is good to know she seems better, will keep my fingers crossed for the report to be OK.

Posted by: Stephany at October 12, 2009 04:11 PM

((((((((Katie!))))))))

Meow, meow, meow, meow mrrrrreooowww.

(Cat talk for get better, )

Your feline friend, Holly.

Posted by: holly the cat at October 12, 2009 05:41 PM

Eating is a very good sign!
She will be fine!

Posted by: Ana at October 12, 2009 07:36 PM