Pet Question - My Cat Has Gone Deaf

[Conan71]

quote:Originally posted by Steve

My gratitude to all that have phoned, private messaged, and shown concern for my sick kitty Zingo.  48 hours ago, I was sure I would have to euthanize within a week.  She is the only pet I have ever owned from infancy to old age, and it has been hard on both of us.  After trying about 15 brands & varieties of both wet & dry food, even cooking chicken, pork, bacon, anything I could possibly think of, she still would not eat.  THEN...

Thursday afternoon, I opened up a can of Friskies Senior Chicken & Tuna in gravy, one I had not tried before.  I held the can under her nose, and she wobbled into the kitchen.  (She was becoming weak from lack of nutrition.)  I set the can down and she started licking, for about 3 minutes!  I dished some out for her and she ate a little.  Within the past 24 hours, she has consumed all the gravy/liquid from a whole can and about 1/3 of the solid food.  Not much, but a 100% improvement from before.  And this is the first food I have found in a month that she shows repeat interest in, and will go back for more.  I think the crisis is slowly taking a turn for the better!

I was digging through some old vet bills this morning, and in 2004, Zingo's weight was 11.75 lbs.  Today, her weight is down to only 5 lbs., with my thumb on the scale.  It will be a slow climb back, but I think she will pull through and be with me for a few more years.  She's a feisty little cuss!

Hi Steve,

I've followed your posts, let's hope so.  Wishing you the best.

[Porky]

Steve.......I think the time has come to put your cat down, sorry.

[Steve]

quote:Originally posted by Porky

Steve.......I think the time has come to put your cat down, sorry.

Believe me, I have been well aware of this option.  A lesser, more insensitive person might have done this weeks ago.  Zingo and I must have a strong psychic bond; I knew she was not ready to die, I could just sense it from her behavior and sheer spunk.

Zingo continues to improve, eating more solid foods now and acting more like her old self every day.  I believe she will recover completely as possible, and my goal now is that she put on weight.  One could not ask for a more loyal, wonderful pet.

[Hometown]

Steve, Thank God.  This is such good news.  I am so thankful you have not had to put your girl down.  Putting a beloved pet to sleep is one of the most difficult things any pet owner ever has to do.  I'll say a prayer that Zingo will continue to improve and live to be 101.

[Bumby]

quote:Originally posted by Steve

Believe me, I have been well aware of this option.  A lesser, more insensitive person might have done this weeks ago.  Zingo and I must have a strong psychic bond; I knew she was not ready to die, I could just sense it from her behavior and sheer spunk.

Steve, you are sooo right about your instinctively knowing what is right for Zingo.  I spent 2007 administering some pretty intense medical care to my kitty.  I knew when it was time, so accurately, I arranged to take that day off from work and that was the day she went on her own.  

You & Zingo hang in there, I'm glad that she's eating again and you're seeing improvement.  Give her a chin scritch from me.

[Steve]

quote:Originally posted by Bumby

quote:Originally posted by Steve

Believe me, I have been well aware of this option.  A lesser, more insensitive person might have done this weeks ago.  Zingo and I must have a strong psychic bond; I knew she was not ready to die, I could just sense it from her behavior and sheer spunk.

Steve, you are sooo right about your instinctively knowing what is right for Zingo.  I spent 2007 administering some pretty intense medical care to my kitty.  I knew when it was time, so accurately, I arranged to take that day off from work and that was the day she went on her own.  

You & Zingo hang in there, I'm glad that she's eating again and you're seeing improvement.  Give her a chin scritch from me.

Today she ate fairly well.  I just spent the last 45 minutes playing with her.  She has been batting around a wad of paper all over the house.  Any animal that wants to die would not be so playful.  At 17+ years, she is still full of life and I will do all I can to make her remaining years full of joy.  Thanks to all.

[Steve]

My precious kitty Zingo, the original subject of this thread, went to Heaven this morning 11-2-09.  Thank you Zingo for 18+ years of love, wonderful companionship, and countless joy.  You are forever in my heart and can never be replaced.

[Conan71]

My precious kitty Zingo, the original subject of this thread, went to Heaven this morning 11-2-09.  Thank you Zingo for 18+ years of love, wonderful companionship, and countless joy.  You are forever in my heart and can never be replaced.

Sorry to hear it Steve,

Your friend and neighbor

[Steve]

Sorry to hear it Steve,

Your friend and neighbor

Thanks Colin.  My kitty Zingo was with me for over 18 years, longer than any human or animal relationship I have had in my 52 years.  (Both my parents were dead before I graduated high school.)

I have been preparing for this event for about a year, but it is still hard to take and leaves such a great void in my life.  I know she is with the angels now and free of trouble, and we will be together again.

[kylieosu]

So sorry to hear about your kitty. I have a cat myself, and I just adore her, so I know how hard it must be. May she RIP.

[cannon_fodder]

It was, of course, inevitable.   But never makes it easier.  On one token it's "just a pet" and the morning seems ridiculous, unless it's YOUR pet.  Unless you've cared for an animal in a similar way it's hard to understand.

Clearly you cared about and for that animal as well as anyone could have, and better than most people would have.  Zingo enjoyed a very long feline life and per your posts, enjoyed it up to the bitter end. 

[Townsend]

Sorry for your loss Steve.

[dbacks fan]

Steve, you have my wife and I's deepest sympathies for your loss. You gave Zingo the best years of her life.

http://www.indigo.org/rainbowbridge_ver2.html

[Bumby]

Very sorry to hear about Zingo, I've thought about her often this past year.  What a tough kitty girl.  I know you'll miss her very much.  My heart goes out to you.

[Steve]

Very sorry to hear about Zingo, I've thought about her often this past year.  What a tough kitty girl.  I know you'll miss her very much.  My heart goes out to you.

Thanks so much Bumby, and to all that expressed sympathy.  I remember your kind, encouraging messages Bumby to me last year when Zingo was sick.

Her last year was mostly healthy and happy.  Then about 15 days ago, she became sick again and stopped eating.  I think she may have had some sort of intestinal cancer or tumor.  This past Sunday, I had a premonition that the night would be rough, and slept on the living room couch so I could be close to her and she would see me close by.  She somtimes slept on the bed with me, but her favorite place was on the Saarinen "womb chair" in my living room.  She woke me up around 3:00 AM.  Things were getting pretty bad by about 5:00 AM, so I made the decision and took her to the 24-hour pet emergency clinic on 41st street to have her put down.

I know I made the right decision and intend to adopt another kitty soon from the city shelter or a local rescue organization.