O/T-Im so heartbroken-cat story-LONG

Maybe this belongs on NWR but this board is where I post 99% of the time so I want to share it here. My one cat is very very sick. She is in the hospital and I am waiting to find out from the vet if she can be stabilized or will get worse. It's sort of a long story about what's been going on this week but on Wednesday she was closed up in 1 of Lukie's dresser drawers for 6 hours. It makes me sick to even think about how she was in there so long and how I didnt even see her but went to get clothes to get him dressed and I must have left the drawer open and she crawled in the back of the drawer. Then when I closed it, I didnt see her b/c she was in the back. I realized I hadnt seen her in quite awhile and I looked so long, I was bordering on hysterically ripping the apartment apart to find her. We have packing boxes everywhere and she's been trying to avoid Luke now that he's quite mobile. I never dreamed she was in a drawer! When I opened the drawer and there she was, I started bawling, I felt horrible. She was breathing very heavy and I thought she was gasping for air like she almost suffocated in the drawer. (It was not a tightly packed drawer so she had room) A few hours later, she was still with labored breathing and something was seriously wrong.

Now it's 11pm and DH and I take the cat to the Animal Emergency Clinic (with Lukie in the carseat in PJs) in a not so great area (more guilt) and thank god I did, she would not have survived. Turns out she has a condition known as cardio myopathy, its a genetic heart condition where fluid is leaking from her heart into her lungs. We dont know at this point if she can be saved or not. It's costing us $1500 so far (I kid you not! My in laws think Im insane) but if she can be stabilized with medication and not be suffering, I dont care about the money either way. If she can't, she will need to be put to sleep to be humane to her. If that is the case, she would most likely die of congestive heart failure shortly, which would be cruel to let happen.

I am SO SICK over this. I have had this cat for 12 years, I love this cat very much. She was with me at the lowest point in my life and she's also been with me for the greatest times.

It was definitely strange that she crawled in the drawer - and layed in the back no less. I'm trying not to feel guilty about it b/c DH & I were looking at the drawer and it's very easy to not see her if she was in back and it was 1/2 open. I am sickened though thinking about her already having the onset of the symptoms of the disease and to be stuck in a drawer, probably very afraid.

If you're still ready this, thanks for listening. I know it's 'just a pet' to some people but I have always been a person who takes sad things very hard and this is one of them.

I will let you all know what happens, but please keep Max in your prayers.

Re: O/T-Im so heartbroken-cat story-LONG

I am so sorry.
I will pray for Max that he gets better. I have a pet that was sick (my chihuahua Luigi) and I know how you feel ! My heart and prayers go out to you and poor little Max.

Re: O/T-Im so heartbroken-cat story-LONG

Im so sorry I hope kitty gets better. You cant blame yourslef. Cats are very sneaky at hiding in places. This happened to my parents cat a few years ago, he was closed up in a drawer. It wasnt long till he started to meow and heard him.
12 years is a long time to have a cat.
I hope he pulls through. I will send him prayers
Keep us updated.

Re: O/T-Im so heartbroken-cat story-LONG

Elizabeth, I can completely relate. You poor thing. That is such a sad sad story. I pray that your kitty gets better. I have two cats I have had forever, and the older one is starting to get a little sick now. It’s so tragic, and honestly I cry all the time. I just think of how long she’s been by my side and I cannot bear it. When we got the dog a few months back, they were both just so sad. They won’t sleep in bed with us anymore, and it just breaks my heart. Try not to worry about the drawer incident. Quite frankly she probably went in there because she didn’t feel well, and truly she probably slept most of her time in there. It’s okay. They actually like to be confined (at least mine do) – I often have found them locked in my armoire behind a sweater after being gone for hours! I felt bad the first few times, and then realized they must like it…I just stopped closing the door now!

Don’t worry sweetie, I know it’s hard when your pet grows older. There is so little you can do. Just know that you are doing the best you can and your cat knows that deep down. I really believe that.

Re: O/T-Im so heartbroken-cat story-LONG

Oh Liz, I'm so sorry!

Please don't feel like it's your fault ~ it's not. It could have happened to any cat and it's owner. Cats are always hiding someplace cozy.

I will be thinking of you and your fur baby, and hoping for the best.

By the way, I don't think the amount of $$ you are spending to help your cat is crazy or unreasonable. This is a living creature that you LOVE. You can't put a price tag on that.

Re: O/T-Im so heartbroken-cat story-LONG

Re: O/T-Im so heartbroken-cat story-LONG

I'm so sorry, Liz. They are not just pets; they're part of the family. It's so sad to see them suffer.

Re: O/T-Im so heartbroken-cat story-LONG

Elizabeth I am so sorry to hear about your cat. I understand completely how you feel and about the money too. We had a cat for 14 years and he was like another child. He was very ill at one point and we spent almost $1500 to keep him alive. It was worth it, especially because he was my daughter's kitty and her best friend.

Don't feel too badly about the drawer. When cats are very. very ill they will usually look for a place that is closed in and out of the way. It is sort of their way of looking for a safe and quiet place to die (sorry, I don't mean to upset you, that's what they do). You are fortunate that you found your kitty and were able to get to the vet.

I will keep my fingers crossed that everything turns out okay!!

Re: O/T-Im so heartbroken-cat story-LONG

So sorry Liz!!

Don't feel bad about the drawer incident. She probably went in there to hide since she wasn't feeling well. So she actually got the peace she was looking for.

I hope she's ok!

Re: O/T-Im so heartbroken-cat story-LONG

Liz, I am so sorry to hear about your cat. Please do not blame yourself. Like someone else said, maybe the cat really wanted to be left alone and found a perfect spot for it. This is very difficult, I know. My husband and I have a cat that has been with my husband for about 12 years now---she is his baby and has grown to be mine. I can totally relate about thinking that maybe what you did may have caused the situation, but IT DID NOT! We are here if you need support.

Re: O/T-Im so heartbroken-cat story-LONG

I am tearing up here You poor thing!!! I totally understand how much a pet can mean to you. And honestly I would spend the money to save her too. I would not hesitate for one second on that.
You cannot feel guilty over this- this is NOT your fault!!! I know that feeling of 'hum. where is she' because I myself have done that a few times and twice found Beemer in places that she should not have been (once outside and once in the attic when Scott left the door open) sos I know the panic that you feel. You didn't cause the cat's disease at all. She is 12 years old and she probably had it for a while now.
Keep us up-to-date!!!! Hugs

Re: O/T-Im so heartbroken-cat story-LONG

Liz I also sent you an FM, but I just want to say - Max is not 'just a pet'...Max is a member of your family. I am so sorry that she is so sick, but please don't blame yourself. You did not cause cardio myopathy.

I will pray that something can be done to help Max, but please - if there is anything that you need, please let me know!

Re: O/T-Im so heartbroken-cat story-LONG

Having a pet myself I can totally understand how this is hurting.

I can't imagine what I would do in your situation. I think we think spending so much money on an animal is extreme -- but when its your own pet that has become a part of the family -- how do you say == sorry it's too much money??

I would do the same exact thing.

My prayers to you -- and wishes that she stabilizes and recovers soon!

Re: O/T-Im so heartbroken-cat story-LONG

Liz
So sorry that you are going thru this right now- I hope everything turns out for the best

Re: O/T-Im so heartbroken-cat story-LONG

I'm soo sorry Liz. My heart goes out to you. I'll say a prayer for your kitty. They take more of our hearts than we could imagine sometimes.

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I can relate to how you are feeling. DH and I just adopted two kittens and we are obsessive about making sure they are OK. The new kittens are truly members of our family and even after just a month, we couldn't imagine what life would be without them. I'm sure it must be much more difficult after 12 years.

About 8 years ago, my dog was diagnosed with Hotchkins disease and given 1 month to live. We did what we could to make his last days as good as possible and had him put to sleep when we saw he was suffering.

I don't think you are crazy to pay $1500 for the vet. I would.

Re: O/T-Im so heartbroken-cat story-LONG

Oh, Elizabeth - I'm so sorry!!!

You may remember that we had to put our 14 year old cat Nancy down on June 30th. It was so incredibly hard, but we knew we couldn't help her anymore. I was so emotional that I couldn't go with Steve to the vet - he had to do it alone.

Try not to feel guilty about her getting in the drawer! I know it's hard. I accidentally let our male cat outside in April and I thought we lost him -he was hiding under our deck for 5 hours. I was sick over it!!

I'll be thinking of Max and all of you. I hope they're able to help her.

Re: O/T-Im so heartbroken-cat story-LONG

Thank you everyone for your kind words. I was out all day with my mother & Lukie to take my mind off Max. My doctor wanted me to call him at 6pm to get a progress report on her.

I stopped for a soda this afternoon and when I was coming out the door of the restaurant, I was pooped on by a pigeon! I recently finished taking an Anatomy class full of dissections and I change Luke's poopy diapers on a daily basis so I dont have a weak stomach but it was a very disgusting experience. That's all I'll say about that. HOWEVER, when I called the vet at 6pm, he told me that Max was seemingly doing much better than she was and based on how tonight goes, I may be taking her home tomorrow for the weekend to see how that goes. It got me wondering.....Is being pooped on by a bird really good luck??????? I dont know if it's long term good news but it's the best I heard since Wednesday when she first fell ill.

Thanks everyone who mentioned about animals seeking enclosed spaces when they are sick. I do kind of remember reading that somewhere so I feel less guilty about her being in the drawer.

And thanks for making me not feel crazy to spend the money that I have. I know some people can't fathom it, and while it doesn't make them bad people, I can't fathom NOT spending the money. DH has been great as well. He has not once flinched at the dollar amount, even though he's not in love with the cat like I am. And he's been very supportive and comforting as I would lapse into crying jags.

I'll let you all know how she's doing.

Re: O/T-Im so heartbroken-cat story-LONG

Bird poop is good luck

I hope your Kitty is OK

Re: O/T-Im so heartbroken-cat story-LONG

I hope she gets well soon Liz!