Allotments 4 All
General => Pets Corner => Topic started by: Borlotti on October 07, 2008, 18:41:00
-
Zorba is 17 years old, has taken to sleeping in the bath. I think he has gone deaf as is frightened of me if I stroke him but can hear my footsteps echoing. I have to decide whether to take him to the vet for more blood tests etc when I know he is not well. He is happy sleeping in the bathroom next to the hot towel rail, cries for food but today he is acting very strange, goes out and sleeps on the dustbin in the back garden, doesn't want food and is trying to dig up the water bowl. He is not in pain, and purrs when I stroke him, but I think it is a trip to the vet tonight but do not want him to have any more tests or blood tests as I know he is not too well, and think either his eye sight, hearing and brain have gone, but he is happy at home. Should I just get him checked and refuse treatment and let him sleep and perhaps die at home. I feel so sad. I have decided definately go to the vet but no more tests on him, and as he is not in pain let him come home. Just wanted to check with the vet that he is OK, but not OK if you see what I mean.
-
he sounds like a real character..whatever you decide, it will be the right thing.thinking of you, and zorba
-
ooh, Borlotti, I do hope you got on ok at the vet's. Like Manics I am thinking of you and keeping my fingers crossed it is something fixable, our cat is getting on a bit and we have this to come, so I can imagine how you feel. Really thinking of you. And hugs for you too.
T.
-
Awww Borlotti, this is a dilemma which comes to many of us animal lovers and I'm sure a number of folk here will empathise with your situation. So I'm also thinking of you Zorba this evening and I hope it's nothing serious.
One of my cats is 20 and she's 'selectively deaf'. She totally ignores me when I call her but can still hear the fridge door being opened at twenty paces! She has her good days and not so good days and is often quite eccentric. But that's cats for you: dogs have owners; cats have servants. :)
G x
-
Aw hun i have been there!
My old girl died last year at 21 years old and towards the end she started doing 'odd' things, wandering off and getting lost, she worried me sic for 2 days!!! we thought she had gone off to died and that realy hurt :'( A lady up the road brought her home but i new it was nearly time.
Purring can be a sign of pain and tippy toe another of my cat who never purred became ill and it was when she started to pur new something was wrong big time :(
We have an old dog who is off to the vets Thursday and im hoping he will be ok.
I hope your Zorba has something simple like a urine infection which can make them do odd things.
Thining of you ((((((huggs)))))))))))) xx
-
Im thinking of you Barlotti and Zorba naturally. I hope the vet visit went well for him,
((((Hugs))))
-
The vet was really, really good. He said that Zorba's kidneys have failed but he was not in any pain. She gave him two injections of water under his skin to ease his discomfort, and didn't charge for that. He could go on a drip but it would only work for a while, so said take him home, give him loads of love, and perhaps if he starts being sick and in pain bring him back. She said it could be quick perhaps two days to a week and then we would have him put him to sleep. She said he had done well for 17 years. He is at present asleep in the bathroom under the heated towel rail, but last night slept in the bath as he is dehydrated and sleeps and drinks. Cooked him fish but he will not eat, but is drinking water all the time and drinks milk. I think the vet was upset but I have known for a while that he is not well, and was pleased that she said no more blood tests or treatment but you (me) will know when he is in pain or had enough and it is my decision. My vet is now open Saturday or Sunday but if he is ill in the night it is a long journey to Hampstead. She has given him between 2 days to a week as he is not eating but said he will not be in any pain until he starts trying to be sick and then I should take him to the vet. He might surprise us all and pick up and suddenly start demanding food again. My other stray cat is very supportive and although he is not too keen on Zorba will sit with him when he is ill, who said cats can't talk.
-
{{{{big hugs}}}}
It's always hard to say goodbye to a faithful old pet, at least you know he's not in pain, and can watch over him in his last days. Bless. :( :( :(
-
Awww sad news indeed. But at least you have time to say your goodbyes and you can put Zorba to rest when the time comes. When I had to do this for my Fletcher 3 years ago (he was also 17) the vet was marvellous too. He said it was the kindest thing to do and what a pity we weren't so merciful with humans. That helped a bit but I'm welling up even now as I type. My thoughts are with you, Borlotti.
G x
-
Nice to talk you cat lovers. Thank you all for your support and understanding. I am not too sad as Zorba is happy to be at home, I know he is ill, but I do like vets they seem to understand, he is happy sleeping and has lived here for 17 years. He must have been very ill as didn't mind going to the vets and sat in his carrier very quietly, instead of the usual fuss. He can usually listen to the phone call and disappears just before the appointment.
-
My heart goes out to you as it sounds exactly like my Prince when his kidneys gave up nearly 5 years ago. Walking out of the vets without him was one of the sadest things I have ever had to do.
I now have 2 young ones, Tinker and Bella, and love them to bits you never forget your faithful old friends. Take care and keep us posted on how he is.
-
Poor Zorba, he tried to get in the toilet to drink. We took him to the vet and it was horrible, had to wait for ages and then told by a vet that I had refused to pay for blood tests etc and they wanted to keep him in and put him on a drip. She was very rude and I just put the cat in his basket and said I would take him home for a second opinion from another vet. Then I saw the lovely vet I saw two days ago (at the same surgery) and she gave me a big hug, and I was crying and looked at the cat and said he had been well treated for 17 years, was very ill and if we did the tests he was still going to die soon. We made the decision to put him to sleep and stayed with him. The second vet spent a lot of time with us and was lovely. The first vet was so horrible, said I didn't want to pay for blood tests etc. so feel that I should complain about her attitude and I was crying in the reception. I have been going for that vet for over 30 years with all my animals, but it has recently been taken over and my vet has retired. Oh well, I must eat now as have been so upset.
-
Oh dear, how sad, that was such a hard decision to make and not made any easier by the nasty first vet. Thank goodness you saw the other one who was more sympathetic, my heart goes out to you. RIP Zorba.
-
My thoughts are with you, Borlotti. What a shame that the pain was made even worse for you by the attitude of the first vet and as Deb says, thank goodness you saw the other vet eventually.
G x
-
Awwww so sorry you lost your lovely Zorba :'(
Some vets are heartless !!!
Have a huge hug hun ((((((((((((((((((((((((hug))))))))))))))))))))))))
You have the memorys for a life time :)
-
my two oldies Armani 15yrs and Henrii 13yrs are both on tablets for kidney trouble and like you we know one day we will have to make that decision my heart and thought go out to you, but he had alovely life with you
LB
-
Really sorry to hear your news Borlotti.
BIG HUGS.
x
-
I'm so sorry to hear you sad news, made worse by the vet's insensitive behaviour. But you have your memories and no one can take those away from you. He had a fantastic life with you and no one could have done more for him.
-
We never buy cats, some years ago one turned up on the doorstep asking for lodgings. She was with us for 13 years. I knew she was on the way out when she went outside and climbed into a partly water filled crate and sat in it. We took her to the Vets and she had to be put down.
Recently a black tomcat turned up on our doorstep, asking for food and lodgings. He is still with us, wags his tail when he is pleased. Daft cat, it's very confusing. He also had a habit of making out he was going to bite, but didn't. He also disappears for one or two days at a time and comes back with bits of skin and fur missing. He's a right old rogue, but lovable.
-
I am still upset more by the attitude of the first vet. She said I had refused a blood test, she was just reading off the computer, said I wouldn't pay for it as I was a pensioner and everything had been explained to me by the other vet. I have spent a fortune at the vet after the years. She also told me off as he hadn't been eating for 4 days (2 days before I took him last week) but the nice vet knew that and he hadn't had his thyroid pills for 2 days she said not to worry him with those. She said he was dehydrated and gave him the injection of water under the skin but said he had kidney failure by his eyes could give him a blood test but thought it would do no good. He could go a drip for two days but that would not cure him. She advised that I took him home for a couple of days gave him a lot of fuss and then if he started trying to be sick or got worse bring him back, which I did. Whilst I was waiting in the waiting room crying with the cat back in the box, I certainly wasn't going to leave him with the horrible vet, the other vet came and sorted me out. She is the senior vet there and she persuaded me it was the kindest thing to have him put to sleep. I agreed to have him cremated with other animals and didn't want the ashes. Didn't think to ask if it cost more to have him cremated on his own. They charged me over £80 and when I had asked last week told me £42, I don't really care about the money perhaps they charged me more cause I saw two vets but don't want to give that first one anything. I have looked her up on the website as it is the Village Vet, Winchmore Hill and the vets there have all been lovely to me. She is a qualified vet (the one I didn't like, I had by doubts) but Jessica is the lovely kind one, she was great with my daughter and granddaughter as it was originally my daughter's cat but stayed with me when she left home. I don't think I would feel so sad if the first vet hadn't put doubts in my mind that I should have got him treated more and earlier. I feel like writing to the vet and thanking Jessica and saying the other vet had an unfortunate manner. My next door neighbour who found Zorba for me as a kitten and who fed him if I was away was upset. She made me laugh and she also sometimes says the wrong thing, and said 'don't get another kitten as you will not live to see its life out'. I said thanks a lot. Charlie my adopted stray cat is sad and slept on the bed with me. I am not quite as fond of him as Zorba as haven't had him from a kitten. No more animals after Charlie (how many times have I said that before). Thanks for all your kind wishes, I didn't think I would be so upset as have had animals before but I suppose 17 years is a long time. If Charlie has to go to the vet I will make sure he gets Jessica or one of the male vets. I must have been using that vet for over 30 years when it was owned by Mr Lotpatkin, he was a lovely vet. Perhaps I was just in a state about having the cat put to sleep and the vet said the wrong thing and I over-reacted. I also think that if you are taking an animal in to have it put down they should not make you wait in the waiting room when all the other people talk to you, they should make you wait out the back.
-
I have found You can have wonderful vets and not so wonderful.
It is such a sad time when our old friends have to go.Hope the memory of all the happy years you gave your pet will help keep you strong. :)
Sending hugs :)
-
Poor you, hugs from me too (((( ))))
I'm reading this thread with a lump in my throat, both my cats are 10 but I'm not looking forward to them getting older cos we love them so much!
-
Hi again Borlotti. I use the same vet and I agree that it hasn't been the same since Mr Lotpatkin retired. Three years ago they made a major blunder with regards to my wishes for my cat's cremation. I'd wanted him cremated separately so I could bury his ashes in the garden but they made a mistake and he was cremated with others instead. Fair play to them they admitted their mistake and refunded the fee but that wasn't really the point. Then about 2 years ago I was far from happy when they refused to continue to give my other cat her anti-hystermine injections (she gets itchy and pulls out her fur in summer) because they said she had a heart murmour. This is a cat who then, at 18, was still scaling the six foot fence regularly and chasing the other younger cat around the house! The 'heart murmour' IMHO was down to her being terrified of the journey in the car and the vet visit. She's always been the same. So I'm sorry to say I've stopped taking her. She's 20 now and I just brush her and rub in a little aloe vera if she starts bothering her fur. It's my view that this chain is rather 'high tech' and far too keen to suggest as many money making tests as anxious pet owners are prepared to pay. >:( Rant over.
G x
-
Mr Lopatkin was a good vet. When he retired I sent him a card to say thank you for looking after my animals so well for so many years. I think because the Village Vet is in Winchmore Hill they think we have unlimited money. That is not the point, some of the treatment I feel is unnecessary and if you query the price am made to feel that you do not love your animal/s. Charlie, my stray cat, has gone a bit odd, he is following me about like a dog. I suppose he is missing Zorba although they only tolerated each other, but were never too far apart, and copied each other. He sat with Zorba when he was ill, who said animals can't talk. Well feel a lot better today as went to the allotment and did a lot of weeding, talked to the allotment cat and he is still going strong. Charlie is on my lap now and won't leave my side which is odd as he is usually out and about. I think the Village Vet can take a running jump and if Charlie is ill he will go to a good vet I have been recommended in Edmonton. Zorba was very clever as he could hear me on the phone and if I rang the vet he would disappear next door at the time of the appointment. I knew he was ill as he seemed to want to go to the vet and didn't mind the carrying box or the car journey, although I did tell the cab driver to turn his radio off as it was upsetting him. Well enough of that or I will get upset again. Stayed up all night on Saturday, after the vet, and read my book and played on the computer. NO MORE ANIMALS, until the next stray comes along.
-
Sorry about your cat Borlotti. I find vets a bit funny sometimes also. Some are really genuine caring people, you'd like to think they all are, but emotional blackmail really is creeping in. My elderly neighbour's been told her 2 dogs need their teeth cleaned - 150 quid each. There's posters about dental health up in the surgery coincidentally. It's a lot of money for her but she doesn't want to feel she's letting them down. All you can do is try and be well informed and strongminded. You know your animal better than the vet does.
I wonder if this trend is related to pet insurance? They can push more treatments because people are insured and so will agree more easily. Another area of life getting spoilt by fear and greed.
-
I feel OK today and not missing Zorba too much, but still feel guilty. Should I have agreed to have him put on a drip for two days and have blood tests done. I feel I have committed murder. The senior vet suggested it would be kinder to put him to sleep. The other vet has put doubts in my mind that I was just too mean to pay for treatment. The senior vet said it was kidney failure, it was distressing seeing him trying to get water and not being able to drink it and I think his brain had gone as he didn't seem to know me and wanted to be in the dark, either sleep in the bath, crawl under it or jump in the toilet. I would have liked him just to go to sleep at home but the senior vet said his death would be distressing at the end and after two days on the drip it would only have been a week before he died. My little granddaughter was upset as she has never seen me cry before and keeps asking if I am OK. My granddaughter didn't want to go to school on Monday as she had told them Zorba was ill and didn't want to tell them he was dead and didn't want to cry in front of the class, but luckily her supply teacher was very good and she came out of school happy but was worried about me. Charlie (my stray cat) is still acting strange and slept on my bed on my back on Saturday night. He is still looking for his friend (enemy), am going to change my vet if Charlie has to have treatment.
-
oh borlotti I do feel for you, and you mustn't feel guilty. it sounds to me as if you did the right thing for your beloved Zorba, and the same thing that I would have done if I'd been in your shoes. please don't give yourself a hard time over this, it's always heart-breaking to lose a pet but beating yourself up over it is the last thing you should be doing. the most we can hope for is a dignified peaceful end for our pets (and for ourselves), and I think from what you've said the decision you made gave Zorba exactly that. sadly, there comes a point where the end is only a matter of time and I think the least we can do for our little furry family members is to do our best to make it as painless and peaceful as we can.
if it was kidney failure, all the drips and blood tests in the world wouldn't have made Zorba any better, so it has nothing to do with being mean or not wanting to spend money on more treatment. I've lost three cats over the years, two were lucky enough to die of old age but one had to be put to sleep. it's one of the most difficult decisions you have to make as a pet owner but I really think you made the right one. but my heart goes out to you, I know how traumatic and upsetting it is. unfortunately there are a few vets out there that lack a good "bedside manner" and aren't very good with people, so if you don't like your vet, I'd ask around and get someone to recommend a new one.
take care x
-
I feel sorry for Charlie (my other/stray cat) he keeps looking for Zorba and following me about. Strange because although they were always together didn't think they liked each other much and always sat slightly apart. Charlie does this strange wailing sound in the middle of the night, thought he had caught a bird or mouse but he was just crying. Sometimes the cat flap goes and there is no cat, Charlie is asleep, perhaps it is the ghost of Zorba (or more likely the wind).
-
Ourhearts are big enough to have a place for every cat that brought us joy and ultimately sadness.
Only another cat and you can decide when it`s time for one`s passing to mean space for another to know the love of a good home
-
I don't want another cat but wish Charlie would stop this wailing at night, then running up stairs and jumping on me. Wonder how long it takes before he settles down and stops looking for Zorba. He is driving me mad.
-
Charlie (my stray cat, for 8/10 years) is still acting very odd. Charlie slept rough for his first two years and would not let me touch him, but I throw food out for him and after a few weeks/month he trusted me. He is a long haired cat and had to take him to the vet as he was a terrible tangled mess. Then he moved in and lived the life of 'old riley', no trouble at all, loved his cat food, wouldn't eat fresh meat or fish and tolerated Zorba (my cat). He is now brushed everyday and has a perfect coat. But now he is complaining about his food, never any trouble before, and follows me about like a dog. He does not like me going out even to the allotment and when I get home is meowing at the door. The worst thing is in the night, he will not sleep alone and wails at about 3.30 am. Last night he jumped on the bed and stared at me with two yellow eyes, quite scary, as if to say what have you done to my friend/enemy. He never liked Zorba much, apart from when Zorba was ill, but they were two copy cats. If one slept somewhere the other one followed. He has taken to sleeping in the bathroom which Zorba did when he was very ill. I am very tempted to get another cat, but OH (so miserable) said NO. Perhaps I should book OH/Charlie into the Priory Hospital for counselling. (JOKE).