Fur 'n' Feathers Posted April 7, 2009 Share Posted April 7, 2009 We had to have Rascal put to sleep this evening. We can't express the pain we feel. He has been the most marvellous cat. We got him for Feathers' 40th birthday 11 years ago from the Cat Protection League. He was about 12-18 months old. He had the sweetest disposition and never held grudges. He won the most ardent cat haters over and everyone loved him. Over the past 3 1/2 years he has had chronic airways disease which was well controlled on a small dose of steroids. A week ago he was poorly and started vomiting so we took him to the vet. The blood tests came back with a diagnosis of pancreatitis and he was admitted as he'd stopped eating and drinking. He was on a drip over last weekend at the vet's and returned to us on Sunday afternoon after they removed the drip with prescriptions of painkiller and appetite stimulant, as the hope was he'd do better at home where he had more attention. His appetite increased and his pain subsided and he seemed to be doing quite well on Monday. This morning he jumped up for his normal cuddle which he always insisted on in the morning. We had been on leave for the past week which was fortunate as we could care for him and noticed he seemed a bit unwell. We went back to work today with a vet appointment to review his progress this evening. When we got home he was crying behind the front door. When we opened the door he was dragging himself towards us along the hall. His back legs had collapsed. We were distraught. We got him to the vet, who felt that the reason for his hind legs becoming paralysed was an embolism at the root of the femoral artery (which might also have been the cause of the pancreatitis). There was treatment but we had already decided that he would need to be put to sleep and the vet agreed, as the treatment is not known to be very successful. She felt we were acting in his best interests. When they went to inject the anasthetic in his vein they couldn't without popping it and had to try several places. This confirmed to us our decision. We've buried him in the garden by the plum tree he loved to climb in more active times. We'd just planted a quince there so we dug it up and replaced it on top. We feel so privileged to have known and cared for such a unique little chap. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BeckyBoo Posted April 7, 2009 Share Posted April 7, 2009 How heartbreaking. You know you did the right thing but it's such a desperately sad thing to lose a beloved pet. Thinking of you all BeckyBoo Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Egluntyne Posted April 7, 2009 Share Posted April 7, 2009 Sad news. It must have been very difficult to see him deteriorate in the way you describe. Very sorry. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Janty Posted April 7, 2009 Share Posted April 7, 2009 So sorry about Rascal. It's a hard decision to make but the right one. Jan Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted April 7, 2009 Share Posted April 7, 2009 it's clear you loved him dearly and he you, so very sorry for your loss xxxx Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Redwing Posted April 7, 2009 Share Posted April 7, 2009 I am very sorry, you made a brave decision and it must have been very hard Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Joojoo Posted April 7, 2009 Share Posted April 7, 2009 I'm so sorry to hear your sad news. He sounded like a wonderful little chap. Hopefully once some time has passed, you will be left with some lovely, happy memories of him that you can cherish forever. Cats (along with all pets) are such wonderful additions to our families. I'm sure he loved you as much as you loved him and by taking the very sad decision you have this evening, you have done absolutely everything you could have done for him. RIP Rascal xx Big hugs & very best wishes to you xx Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sadietoo Posted April 7, 2009 Share Posted April 7, 2009 So sorry.....Rascal obviously had a charmed life with you and was a very very lucky cat, but I know that doesn't help your pain today. Thinking of you. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cooks Posted April 7, 2009 Share Posted April 7, 2009 so sorry I know the pain you are going through. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fur 'n' Feathers Posted April 7, 2009 Author Share Posted April 7, 2009 Thank you all for your kind words. He really was apoppet. Even this evening at the vet's he managed to climb up Fur for a cuddle (he loved cuddles), despite not being able to use his back legs. Here are some photos we think show his typical personality. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Joojoo Posted April 7, 2009 Share Posted April 7, 2009 Ah he was a beautiful boy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Plum Posted April 7, 2009 Share Posted April 7, 2009 What a lovely cat he was. I am sorry to hear your sad news. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Olly Posted April 7, 2009 Share Posted April 7, 2009 Oh, he's gorgeous - how awful for you. It was obviously the right decision but that doesn't make it any easier. He's very like my own tabby companion, and I'm going to go and give him an extra cuddle now I've seen those pictures ... so sorry for your loss. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Karen & co. Posted April 8, 2009 Share Posted April 8, 2009 so sorry to hear about Rascal Karen x Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Groovychook Posted April 8, 2009 Share Posted April 8, 2009 What a gorgeous boy he was... I feel so desperately sad for you Sending lots of love xxx Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nutmeg Posted April 8, 2009 Share Posted April 8, 2009 What a beautiful handsome boy, who was clearly cherished. So very sorry to hear your sad news. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ClaireG Posted April 8, 2009 Share Posted April 8, 2009 sorry to hear your sad news. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ain't Nobody Here Posted April 8, 2009 Share Posted April 8, 2009 I'm so sorry to hear about poor Rascal . He was certainly a beautiful boy . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chickvic Posted April 8, 2009 Share Posted April 8, 2009 Sad news about Rascal Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fluffyfeet Posted April 8, 2009 Share Posted April 8, 2009 So sorry to hear about Rascal - he certainly was a beautiful cat and the way you have written about him has moved me to tears. We have an elderly cat (19) called Mortimer, and we know deep down that we probably won't have him for much longer. Every time I walk into the house I check to see if he is okay still. He is now completely deaf, and owing to a car accident (we think) when he was about 2, he lost his beautiful tail and fractured his pelvis and a coupe of ribs, so he's always been a bit of an 'old soldier' and therefore pampered - probably why he has lasted this long. We are going away for the bank holiday weekend but thankfully have wonderful neighbours who are also cat lovers who will know what to do and we are only in the Forest of Dene so would be able to get back quickly. Thinking of you. Dawn x Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
victoriabunny Posted April 8, 2009 Share Posted April 8, 2009 He was a very handsome boy. Thinking of you. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chelsea Posted April 8, 2009 Share Posted April 8, 2009 So sorry.....Rascal obviously had a charmed life with you and was a very very lucky cat. I agree, he was blessed to have you and vice versa. xx So sorry to hear of his passing, how upsetting for you all. ((hug)) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Seagazer Posted April 8, 2009 Share Posted April 8, 2009 I'm so sorry to hear about Rascal, he was a very handsome chap. It is horrible to have to make the decision but it was the right one. Thinking of you all. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gamebird Posted April 8, 2009 Share Posted April 8, 2009 So sorry to hear about Rascal. It is so very painful to let go of a much loved pet. My thoughts are with you. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fur 'n' Feathers Posted April 8, 2009 Author Share Posted April 8, 2009 You've all been so kind. We've both found it quite overwhelming and so supportive. It makes a real difference when people with common interests care & share. Thank you all so much. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
