Cats, they're taking over. Part 4

[Pete Robin]

On 3/20/2023 at 6:59 PM, Mr T said:

And very handsome he looks as well! 

Wilf has been to the vets today

 He has been a bit subdued and has had difficulty in getting on to his chair etc. The vet is not sure what the trouble is, might be a dislocated hip. She also reckoned he is about 4-5 years older than we were told when we got him (he was rescued from a garden, but had obviously been an owned cat). 

That's not a nice or easy diagnosis. Hope with his rest he improves. Our Great Grey Beastie is around 16/17 now and has arthritis in his hips. Takes him a while to get around and he doesn't jump for anything. Regular steroid shots help, i'ts funny, after he has one he's like a little kitten again for a few days.

He adopted us about 8 or 9 years back now. He turned up in the yard and came for a fuss and a scritch. Stayed like that for a few months, then one day it was persisting down with rain and he walked in the back door, laid down and has never left. It turned out he actually belonged to a neighbour, but he legged it when they had a baby. They were cool with us adopting him, which was great. He's a fair sized boy and very furry. We know he's part Maine Coon and part stoopid. Apparently his brothers all have the Maine Coon attributes, but Franklyn was the runt and just inherited the extremely thick fur and a little of their size. He still weighs in around 7 or 8 kilos so you know when you're sat upon. He didn't get any smarts tho.

Wouldn't be without him, he's great company at 3am when ya can't sleep and the world is closing in an ya.

Anyways, just wanted to introduce him. If'n I ever figure out this picture hosting malarky, I'll try and put a picture up.

Regards

Pete

 

[fatfingers]

Had his nibs back to vets yesterday for his 1st post op check. He's healing well but his bag isn't shrinking back as quickly as it should be. Vet nurse said it's likely due to the size of his nuts as he was a big lad! 😯 He's due back again next week for another look see. 

 

Meanwhile....

 

 

Got him a lead and harness as he was getting cabin fever.... never thought i would be walking a cat round the garden! He's also had a bath today as his beck end was a bit stinky due to him not being able to clean himself because of the bucket. Went better than we thought it would! 😄

 

Regards,

 

Steve

[Bullbasket]

I "have" four cats, none of which are actually mine, but they come and visit. The first one, Minnette is an absolutely gorgeous tortoiseshell and belongs to the lady next door. She's usually sitting, looking in the kitchen window every morning, just to say hello. When SWMBO goes out to pollute the atmosphere have a cigarette, she complains that Minnette has taken her seat. Another little charmer is one that I have named Ming. Another one who belongs to a neighbour, but I don't know her real name. She's a Siamese. The other two are more occasional visitors. One is a black male who I refer to as  My Sooty Black Friend. He's very affectionate and was obviously domesticated, but as so often happens here, he's been abandoned. Makes me angry!! Last is  the one I call Feral Tabby, as that's what he is. He's got short stubby legs, one of which he's injured. I would have liked to take him to the vets, but even if I could get near him, he'd probably rip me apart. Each time he comes in, the limp is getting less and less, so it's obviously improving.

There's always food and water out on the veranda for them, so they don't go hungry. Funnily enough, our road is named Cafe Arthur, after a cafe which used to be here years ago. We're thinking of renaming it Cafe Bullbasket.

 

John.

[fatfingers]

How do chaps,

 

This is a bit of a ramble so please bear with me on this.

 

Had Patch at the vets on Thurs for his 2nd post op check up and all was going well. Had already taken his bucket off a few days before as it was causing him (and us) a whole lot of stress. All good we thought....

Yesterday he was a bit 'off', had a bit of a limp on his left front leg and was doing the 'poorly paw' thing. Had a look and saw nothing obvious so thought he may have caught it on something. He slept all day from when he came in at 7am (which is unusual for him as he usually nips out for an hour at lunch time) and didn't go out until around 8pm. He then came back soon after with no sign of a limp and seemed his normal self, so all ok we thought.

This morning I went out back and gave him a whistle and he popped out of his shed. Normally he comes barrelling into the house demanding food and attention but today he staggered across the garden and went straight into his igloo bed. Got him out and put him on the sofa for closer look. He looked weak and wasn't able to sit up or support his upper body. His front paws also looked odd and mishapen and he was floppy. Went to re-position him and he let out a god awful blood curdling scream! First thought was he's broken his leg. Phoned vet and got him booked in for an emergency appointment this afternoon. In the meantime he was settled then he tried to reposition himself and his front legs gave way and he screamed out twice. As you can imagine i'm a bit distraught by this time! 

Got him in his carry case ready for the vet and off we went. Got in to see vet and gave a history of events. Vet looks at his front paws then immediately checks Patch's abdomen. At this point Patch starts to hiss at the vet like a cat from Hades. Vet advises that poor old Patch is in urinary retention and is at risk of his bladder bursting. He whisks him off for bloods, pain killers and sedation, then comes back to explain the options which are - 

A - admission and treatment or

B - don't want to think about that one yet 😒

Upshot is Patch is currently in the vet hospital on a drip. Luckily he didn't need catheterising as once he was sedated the vet managed to 'express' the urine from him. His bloods are all ok and his kidney function is normal, so all good there. The main concern is his inflammation markers are still high and the loss of use in his front legs. The vet said this is due to the toxins from his retention causing neurolgical distress and trauma. The hope is overnight fluids and anti inflam medication will sort this 🤞 We will find out in the morning what the prognosis will be. Vet has given us an estimate of costs and im in the fortunate position to be able to pay this as he's not insured, but.... if the costs look like going above the top figure, then we will have to consider our options.

Am already missing him like crazy and  trying not to think of what may yet come to pass. Have to say the vet and nurses were brilliant and sustained significant battle scars due to Patch being very 'reactive' whilst having bloods done and meds administered! 

 

Thanks for listening,

 

Steve

[Pete Robin]

OMG! That poor lad and by association, yourself, have been through the wringer a bit lately.

Franklyn, me and the Colonial will keep us paws crossed for a great outcome.

Thoughts and good wishes only going your way!

Regards

Pete

[Max Headroom]

These fur balls worm their way into our hearts. Plenty of scritches and favourite food. Make a fuss. 
 

Trevor who was Allie’s human

[stevehnz]

That sounds awful Steve. Our previous one put us through the hoops a couple of times before he passed on, likely from eating slug bait or similar  , thankfully our current pair aren't allowed out & haven't caused us this sort of grief, yet. 🤞

My commiserations.

Steve.

[keefr22]

Oh dear Steve, fingers, toes and everything else crossed that the little chap turns the corner and makes a full recovery. C'mon Patch....

 

Keith

[Bullbasket]

Keep us informed Steve, and fingers crossed for a good outcome. I know what you're going through.

 

John.

[BIG X]

Steve - I have said a little prayer for you & Patch - I'm not religious you understand - but feel invested in your journey.

 

Good luck to you both - Steve

[fatfingers]

Thanks for all your thoughts and wishes. It's really appreciated.

 

Went to see him this morning and made the difficult decision to let him go. He wasn't really responding to treatment and his temp was still high. Vet was thinking it may have been nerve damage following injury. 

 

Was with him at the end as he went off to sleep for the last time. 

 

RIP my old mate....

 

 

            Patch - 2019 to 02/04/2023

[BIG X]

Oh Steve - That is so sad, but you loved him like a son.

I am sure the whole community will feel your loss & share your grief.

Farewell Patch - Godspeed lad.

Steve

[AliGauld]

Steve, 

I've just read your last post and I feel absolutely gutted for you. 

I know how much Patch meant to you and can only say you are both in my thoughts. 

Look after yourself. 

 

Cheers 

Alistair 

[Skodadriver]

So sorry to hear the news Steve. My wife and I send our sympathy. We have been there three times (so far) so we understand what you're going through. 

 

Take care and look after yourself.

 

Dave G

[Bullbasket]

Sorry to hear this Steve. I've been there several time, both with dogs and cats. It never gets easier. Just think of it this way. He's out of any pain now, and just remember the happier times, like him preferring to drink out of your glass of water, rather than his bowl.

 

John.

[FG2Si]

Sorry to hear about Patch. We lost our senior dog last July so can relate to the pain of losing a four legged family member. 

 

I have my wife's cat as a bench companion and a couple weeks ago we thought we may have to put her down as well. The vet did a full checkup and found that for a 19year old cat, she was a fine as she could be. So a different outcome but still a bit of an emotional rollercoaster.

 

Here she is from a couple nights ago watching me work on a Tamiya F-14.

 

 

 

Carl

[Pete Robin]

Am truly heartsick at that sad news.

Me and Nanuck of the North believe that they'll be reunited with us, so you'll have the pleasure of his company again one day.

Frank says MAOOOW!

 

Pete

[keefr22]

So sad to hear of your loss Steve. The only small consolation at this time is that you gave Patch a happy last few months, with love, warmth, food and somewhere safe to live.

 

Bye Patch.

 

Keith

 

 

[John Laidlaw]

So sorry for your loss, Steve. I can only echo what others have said, and thank you for looking after him, caring for him, and doing the kindest but hardest thing for him at the end. Been there, done that, so I appreciate how you must be feeling.

[Vince1159]

So sorry to hear about Patch....

[fatfingers]

Just wanted to say a heartfelt thanks to you all for your thoughts and wishes. It really is appreciated by myself and also mrs fatfingers. 

 

Lots of Patch shaped gaps around the house to get used to but i know that we will given the time. As some of you have rightly said, his last months were full of warmth, tickles, love and affection and he seemed very happy with this. This is what i'm now focusing on. At least i can now have a glass of water without him sticking his face into it! 😄

 

So thanks again and this is what makes Britmodeller such a great place to be 🙂

 

Regards,

 

Steve

Edited April 3, 2023 by fatfingers

[Vince1159]

26 minutes ago, fatfingers said:

Lots of Patch shaped gaps around the house to get used to but i know that we will given the time.

It's been almost 2 years since i had to have mine put down,it's funny but after all this time sometimes during the night i think i've felt him jump up onto the bed....

[Heather Kay]

It’s always a wrench when you lose a furry friend. Condolences about Patch.

 

We have homed various cats from our local Cats Protection. We made a point of being chosen by the waifs and strays that other people shied away from. Our first was a silver-grey tabby called Greymist who was deaf and aggressive. We gave her space to just be, and she turned into one of the most affectionate animals.

 

When she went "across the rainbow bridge" - sorry  - we went straight back to the CP centre to be chosen again. Tom had one eye and was overweight and diabetic. His mother must have been frightened by a bulldog, because his front legs had that Churchill stance with the elbows out. The back legs followed along like a pantomime horse! He lost the sight in his remaining eye, but coped really well with all his ailments.

 

Tom went eventually, so we homed a pair the next time. They weren’t related, but Penny and Sophie made themselves at home. Penny went first, aged nearly 20, when we had to put her to sleep due to old age. Cats sort of let let you know when they’re going, so we knew it was time. Sophie lasted another few years, but got quite frail towards the end. 
 

When Sophie died, we decided to be chosen by a healthy and slightly younger feline. 
 

 

We met Billy on our first visit to the Cats Protection centre. He made it very obvious he liked us from the start. On getting him home, he spent an hour investigating the house, and then jumped on my lap for a cuddle. That was May 2016, and Billy is just celebrating his 11th birthday this month. At this rate, he will outlive the pair of us.

[fatfingers]

8 hours ago, Heather Kay said:

 

What a truely beautiful cat 🙂

[Heather Kay]

17 minutes ago, fatfingers said:

What a truely beautiful cat 🙂

Thank you. I’ll pass that on to him. I’m not a good cat mum today, because I administered his monthly flea spot earlier. Much hard staring and sulking going on.