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Post by Deleted on Apr 10, 2022 10:15:09 GMT -5
I adopted Isis, my cat, in 2004 when she was estimated to be one-year old. I think that makes her 19 years old now. Her buddy, the one I adopted on the same day and was the same age, Cleo, had to be euthanized almost two years ago (thank you, Peaceful Passage). Isis has always been a spitfire who likes one person - me. She has tolerated males like the remodel guys but generally is a one-person cat and always has been. Twice when I've taken her to vet over the last couple of years for a check up, she never left the crate because even the so-called "cat whisper" couldn't handle her. They gave me a kitty Valium to give her before I brought back. Still wearing the scars from that and, no, she didn't take it. She has always been an indoor cat so I don't worry about getting her vaccinations. She is so different from her buddy Cleo who would jump on anyone's lap at anytime and quietly accept her exams and vaccines. Everyone loved Cleo. Few love Isis but I think she's just misunderstood. lol Although showing no signs of pain, and still eating and drinking, and using the litter box, I believe she is transitioning. She no longer sleeps in my bed (the same as Cleo when she started her exit from the world), and pretty much sleeps probably 23 hours a day - on my lap if she can. She no longer gets on her window lounger, birds no longer entertain her, etc. She is a large cat, not obese according to the vet, but hasn't lost weight. I've prepared myself by having a wrap and container ready for when she passes so that she can be cremated. And I've read what to do if she passes when there is no vet open (not looking forward to that). Certainly if she shows signs of pain I will rush her to the vet, but will choose not to keep her on life-extending medications, but I think she's going to go quietly. It just makes me sad. I keep telling myself that she's had an awesome life and the time has to come, but I wish it didn't have to be.
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Post by mrsmlh on Apr 10, 2022 10:23:53 GMT -5
I understand exactly how you feel. They do take a piece of our hearts with them.
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Post by Deleted on Apr 10, 2022 10:40:37 GMT -5
Aww I’m sure she has had a great long life. If she wants to be on your lap now, let her. That’s the best you can do.
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Post by guido2 on Apr 10, 2022 13:44:03 GMT -5
I adopted Isis, my cat, in 2004 when she was estimated to be one-year old. I think that makes her 19 years old now. Her buddy, the one I adopted on the same day and was the same age, Cleo, had to be euthanized almost two years ago (thank you, Peaceful Passage). Isis has always been a spitfire who likes one person - me. She has tolerated males like the remodel guys but generally is a one-person cat and always has been. Twice when I've taken her to vet over the last couple of years for a check up, she never left the crate because even the so-called "cat whisper" couldn't handle her. They gave me a kitty Valium to give her before I brought back. Still wearing the scars from that and, no, she didn't take it. She has always been an indoor cat so I don't worry about getting her vaccinations. She is so different from her buddy Cleo who would jump on anyone's lap at anytime and quietly accept her exams and vaccines. Everyone loved Cleo. Few love Isis but I think she's just misunderstood. lol Although showing no signs of pain, and still eating and drinking, and using the litter box, I believe she is transitioning. She no longer sleeps in my bed (the same as Cleo when she started her exit from the world), and pretty much sleeps probably 23 hours a day - on my lap if she can. She no longer gets on her window lounger, birds no longer entertain her, etc. She is a large cat, not obese according to the vet, but hasn't lost weight. I've prepared myself by having a wrap and container ready for when she passes so that she can be cremated. And I've read what to do if she passes when there is no vet open (not looking forward to that). Certainly if she shows signs of pain I will rush her to the vet, but will choose not to keep her on life-extending medications, but I think she's going to go quietly. It just makes me sad. I keep telling myself that she's had an awesome life and the time has to come, but I wish it didn't have to be. This is going to be a bit rough for me since we had Pippi put down a year ago last week. She lived maybe 22 years we and the vet guestimated as she just stopped by one day and never left. My wife and I have gone through what you are about 20 times now, so all I offer is our experience. - First off the fact that she is eating and drinking normally and using the kitty litter box is a good sign. - If she starts drinking more water it could be urinal track issues. A blood workup will validate it. Could be something as simple as a tract infection. - As far as sleeping with you. Pippi never slept with either one of us for years. Then she decided to sleep in my wifes bed for maybe the last 5. Then didn't. But there was a solution; we just put a solid box (think milk carrier height) next to the bed. Problem solved. She just couldn't get up on the bed anymore. The box fixed that. - Cats are not creatures of habit. They will like one spot to nap one week .... like another the next. So if it isn't the height issue she may just be in a 'mood' or temperature issue. (more later) - It could also be something simple; have you switched detergents or dryer sheets? We did some years back and some of the cats absolutely refused to go near or on anything done in the 'new' products. Went back to the 'old' products and everything returned to normal. - We had many cats that WERE NOT LAP CATS. But when they aged, the sought out laps or at least being near us.....one preferred sitting behind my head while I was in the lounger. Like us as we age tend to feel cold(er) she maybe searching warmth. Solution: put down a heating pad (inside a pillow case) set on low. - Per my wife cats regardless of age sleep 16-18 hours a day. Like humans as we age they also start resting more. - Isis no longer seems interested in watching birds etc. Pippi went through the same thing. Pippi was.... like the bed..... was having issues getting up her bird watching perch. Solution: we put a chair next the perch so instead of trying to hop all the way up to the window. She could manage the chair jump and then jump to perch. Hopefully, some of this information will be of help. If you have a question or are just wondering 'why' please feel free to contact me.... ESPECIALLY.... if water and food intake seems to drop. I got some tricks. Thinking of you and Isis. Good luck.
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Post by Deleted on Apr 10, 2022 14:57:02 GMT -5
Thank you. I put pet steps next the bed a couple of years ago. And I positioned furniture, low ottoman, next to a bit higher chair, for her to get in her sill. I've had cats most of my life. Non have made it to almost 19 years of age. Cleo was 17 when she passed. The ones before her lived until around 12 or 13. Appreciate the thoughts and offer. As long as she is drinking, eating, and using the litter box, I think she's good. By the way, I have each - water, food, and a box on all three levels just in case she doesn't feel like using the steps.
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Post by guido2 on Apr 10, 2022 16:24:42 GMT -5
Thank you. I put pet steps next the bed a couple of years ago. And I positioned furniture, low ottoman, next to a bit higher chair, for her to get in her sill. I've had cats most of my life. Non have made it to almost 19 years of age. Cleo was 17 when she passed. The ones before her lived until around 12 or 13. Appreciate the thoughts and offer. As long as she is drinking, eating, and using the litter box, I think she's good. By the way, I have each - water, food, and a box on all three levels just in case she doesn't feel like using the steps. 😂🤣😄 Been there, got the t-shirt. Well my offer is still open.
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Post by Evil Yoda on Apr 10, 2022 17:53:23 GMT -5
I have a pair of cats from the same litter who will be 13 this year. Both have health issues. For one, there is little that can be done. The vet basically said, "they live as long as they live". Yeah. You went to veterinary school to offer that advice? She sleeps a lot, but she still likes to sleep on my lap if she can. As long as she does not show signs of being in pain, I'll let nature take its course, knowing that when the day comes it will hurt a lot, but also knowing that she gave me a lot of joy over her life, and (I like to believe) I gave her a good life. It's all we can do for them. I wish they lived longer. You named Isis after a goddess. Does it surprise you that she acts like one?
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Post by Deleted on Apr 10, 2022 18:02:38 GMT -5
I have a pair of cats from the same litter who will be 13 this year. Both have health issues. For one, there is little that can be done. The vet basically said, "they live as long as they live". Yeah. You went to veterinary school to offer that advice? She sleeps a lot, but she still likes to sleep on my lap if she can. As long as she does not show signs of being in pain, I'll let nature take its course, knowing that when the day comes it will hurt a lot, but also knowing that she gave me a lot of joy over her life, and (I like to believe) I gave her a good life. It's all we can do for them. I wish they lived longer. You named Isis after a goddess. Does it surprise you that she acts like one? Sorry about your kitty cats. I have a feeling that our cats were well cared for and certainly loved. They know this. When Cleo was euthanized in my arms and she looked up at me with those beautiful round, orange eyes, I cried like I hadn't cried in years. It broke me. And, no, it does not. lol But, she had that name when I got her and I didn't change it. The other one was named Daisy and I did change that to Cleo.
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Post by pickle20 on Apr 11, 2022 10:28:11 GMT -5
You're doing all you can, LH. Enjoy every minute you have with her. Sounds like she's still doing everything to show you she's feeling OK: eating, drinking, using litter box.
But losing them is the worst. I still get emotional sometimes when I think of Chauncey who we lost 3 years ago. We have them for part of our lives, but they have us for their entire life. That is what makes it so hard.
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Post by alienrace on Apr 11, 2022 11:26:35 GMT -5
19 is a good long life for a kitty. It sure sucks when you have to say goodbye, I am all too familiar with that. I miss my two every day. I would get another but my wife is pretty against it - she won't admit it, but the pain of losing them was too hard on her.
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Post by pickle20 on Apr 11, 2022 11:40:24 GMT -5
Yeah, 19 years is a good long life. I was sure Chauncey would make it to 20...seemed healthy right up until the end at 16. They can go downhill so fast.
And Chauncey seemed a lot like Isis. Didn't like anyone except me and my wife. I don't know if anyone else got a pet in without being swatted at. And the vet...oh boy they didn't like seeing him come through the doors.
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Post by Deleted on Apr 11, 2022 13:29:17 GMT -5
Thanks, everyone, for sharing your stories. I am happy to have had her for the number of years we have been together.
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Post by Hoot on Apr 12, 2022 8:51:41 GMT -5
I have to mirror what guido2 said.. since she's still eating, drinking, not losing weight and using the litter box that's a good thing. Winky,who we guess to be 15, has lost weight and had an issue using the litter box. The vet took x-rays and found a suspected problem, medication helped and she's using the box again, but she just eats, sleeps and hisses at Goose. I just continue to give her love and let nature take it's course. She'll probably out live me.
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Post by Deleted on Apr 14, 2022 8:04:50 GMT -5
I have been able to coerce her back into my room for a least a little while each day. She goes onto the deck for a bit to sun lounge, and then on my bed for a little while. Still not a night though. I actually don't blame her for that. I am a terribly restless sleeper. She's eating a few treats which, shockingly, she has been ignoring over the last couple of weeks.
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Post by pickle20 on Apr 14, 2022 8:40:50 GMT -5
I have been able to coerce her back into my room for a least a little while each day. She goes onto the deck for a bit to sun lounge, and then on my bed for a little while. Still not a night though. I actually don't blame her for that. I am a terribly restless sleeper. She's eating a few treats which, shockingly, she has been ignoring over the last couple of weeks. Does she get hard or wet food?
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Post by Deleted on Apr 14, 2022 10:38:11 GMT -5
I have been able to coerce her back into my room for a least a little while each day. She goes onto the deck for a bit to sun lounge, and then on my bed for a little while. Still not a night though. I actually don't blame her for that. I am a terribly restless sleeper. She's eating a few treats which, shockingly, she has been ignoring over the last couple of weeks. Does she get hard or wet food? Hard free feed (she still has her teeth); and a broth tuna packet. Sometimes a chicken broth packet but she likes tuna better.
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Post by Evil Yoda on Apr 14, 2022 12:43:40 GMT -5
Does she get hard or wet food? Hard free feed (she still has her teeth); and a broth tuna packet. Sometimes a chicken broth packet but she likes tuna better. My cat would love a broth tuna packet! I give him a little of the water they pack tuna in when I eat the canned sort (it's pretty good, low-cal protein, which I need now) and he loves it. I'll have to look for that.
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Post by Deleted on Apr 14, 2022 12:50:19 GMT -5
Hard free feed (she still has her teeth); and a broth tuna packet. Sometimes a chicken broth packet but she likes tuna better. My cat would love a broth tuna packet! I give him a little of the water they pack tuna in when I eat the canned sort (it's pretty good, low-cal protein, which I need now) and he loves it. I'll have to look for that. I have done that before as well. They were pretty eh about that but do love the broth packets. Try Tiki Cat brand. It's unsalted. I believe that most are.
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Post by pickle20 on Apr 14, 2022 13:19:08 GMT -5
Hard free feed (she still has her teeth); and a broth tuna packet. Sometimes a chicken broth packet but she likes tuna better. My cat would love a broth tuna packet! I give him a little of the water they pack tuna in when I eat the canned sort (it's pretty good, low-cal protein, which I need now) and he loves it. I'll have to look for that. Just make sure it's unsalted.
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Post by Deleted on Apr 14, 2022 13:44:47 GMT -5
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Post by mrsmlh on Apr 14, 2022 15:34:38 GMT -5
I have had cats my entire life. A couple only for a few years. The oldest was 22 when she died. Reading livinghappily's description of her Isis reminded me of my Crazy.
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Post by pickle20 on Feb 14, 2024 14:33:21 GMT -5
Hopefully not the end but our 4.5 year old male cat Wendell was just diagnosed with melanoma of the eye and we're going to have it removed. We're hoping the cancer hasn't spread to other parts of the body but the vet seems to think it's early enough along that it hasn't.
Apparently this is extremely rare in cats this young. Such a shame, he is such a handsome cat with beautiful green eyes but one of them does look foggy and filled with pigmentation.
Hoping we can have many more years with him.
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Post by Evil Yoda on Feb 14, 2024 18:40:46 GMT -5
Hoping we can have many more years with him. I hope so, as well.
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Post by alienrace on Feb 15, 2024 8:15:57 GMT -5
Sorry to hear, hope he will be ok.
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Post by mrsmlh on Feb 15, 2024 16:30:50 GMT -5
Hopefully not the end but our 4.5 year old male cat Wendell was just diagnosed with melanoma of the eye and we're going to have it removed. We're hoping the cancer hasn't spread to other parts of the body but the vet seems to think it's early enough along that it hasn't. Apparently this is extremely rare in cats this young. Such a shame, he is such a handsome cat with beautiful green eyes but one of them does look foggy and filled with pigmentation. Hoping we can have many more years with him. Oh that poor baby. I hope he beats that horrible disease.
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Post by kandace on Feb 19, 2024 18:48:42 GMT -5
Hopefully not the end but our 4.5 year old male cat Wendell was just diagnosed with melanoma of the eye and we're going to have it removed. We're hoping the cancer hasn't spread to other parts of the body but the vet seems to think it's early enough along that it hasn't. Apparently this is extremely rare in cats this young. Such a shame, he is such a handsome cat with beautiful green eyes but one of them does look foggy and filled with pigmentation. Hoping we can have many more years with him. Oh no! Hopefully your pet can beat this.
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Post by pickle20 on Mar 13, 2024 14:08:13 GMT -5
So we had the surgery a week ago and he is still recovering. Stitches come out in a week. He's still a sweetheart and has handled it like a champ. He isn't crazy about the cone and being kept in a crate during the day but he does seem to love snuggles even more than before. When I get home from work he sits on my lap until it's time for bed, and he sleeps with me in a separate room until the stitches come out. We've kept him separated from our other cat who doesn't seem thrilled with him right now. The vet called us today and told us the biopsy of his eye did turn out to be cancerous, but they feel like it hasn't spread. Chest x-rays didn't show anything abnormal and blood test done a few months ago didn't show anything either. So that's good news. Just one more week until our house can return to normal.
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summer23
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Post by summer23 on Mar 13, 2024 20:05:16 GMT -5
So we had the surgery a week ago and he is still recovering. Stitches come out in a week. He's still a sweetheart and has handled it like a champ. He isn't crazy about the cone and being kept in a crate during the day but he does seem to love snuggles even more than before. When I get home from work he sits on my lap until it's time for bed, and he sleeps with me in a separate room until the stitches come out. We've kept him separated from our other cat who doesn't seem thrilled with him right now. The vet called us today and told us the biopsy of his eye did turn out to be cancerous, but they feel like it hasn't spread. Chest x-rays didn't show anything abnormal and blood test done a few months ago didn't show anything either. So that's good news. Just one more week until our house can return to normal. I am happy to read the good news about his prognosis. Cats are interesting. When one is sick, the other knows. It makes the sick one vulnerable. That's why ill cats will hide.
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Post by pickle20 on Mar 14, 2024 5:58:08 GMT -5
Every time he goes to the vet it takes 2-3 days for her to get used to him again. This one is taking a lot longer.
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Post by alienrace on Mar 14, 2024 7:07:13 GMT -5
Cats are interesting. When one is sick, the other knows. It makes the sick one vulnerable. With my two cats who were sisters, when one got sick, the other would hiss at it and chase it off. Used to make me so upset!
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