Does my cat have dementia

[stracci2000]

I’m so sorry. I know how heartbreaking this is. You did everything you could, and he was so lucky to have been so loved. I know how much you will miss him.

Thanks CMD. We treated him like a king. He loved tuna and treats.
He also got lots of hugs and kisses everyday.

 

[kmarla]

I’m so sorry to hear about Phrix. I know how hard it is to say goodbye, and you did everything possible to help him have the best life he could. (((Hugs))).

 

[stracci2000]

I’m so sorry to hear about Phrix. I know how hard it is to say goodbye, and you did everything possible to help him have the best life he could. (((Hugs))).

Thanks for the kind words.
We were best buddies.

 

[VRBeauty]

I'm very sorry, Stephanie. That's always such a hard decision, even when you know it's the right one.

 

[stracci2000]

I'm very sorry, Stephanie. That's always such a hard decision, even when you know it's the right one.

Thanks, VR.
I keep vacillating between hating myself for making this decision, and feeling relieved that he's not sick anymore..........

 

[CJ2008]

OMG stracci I'm so sorry to hear this

Last I read he was eating normally and things seemed be OK.

So heartbreaking.

Bye sweet Phrix. You were so loved. Stracci he knew that for sure. You did what you did, for him.

Hugs.

 

[stracci2000]

OMG stracci I'm so sorry to hear this

Last I read he was eating normally and things seemed be OK.

So heartbreaking.

Bye sweet Phrix. You were so loved. Stracci he knew that for sure. You did what you did, for him.

Hugs.

Thanks CJ, for the nice comments.
He was declining daily right before my eyes. Every time he perked up a bit, I thought things were gonna get better, but then he would reverse and get even worse.
It's been a rough week.

 

[CJ2008]

So sorry stracci. It's so hard to watch them decline and to know the end is coming.

I can imagine how rough this past week must have been.

My heart goes out to you. He was so so gorgeous.

 

[partgypsy]

I'm so sorry you lost your cat. I was afraid when you described his behavior. I know he felt loved up until the end. I get scared thinking about my cat. She is 19 this year, and also acts more affectionate than she ever has. She will let my youngest hold her for long periods of time. when I'm in bed she will crawl and sit on top of me and purr. She does sleep at the foot of the bed, but this is new. She doesn't seem in pain, eating, still getting around. But I am a bit concerned.

 

[mtsapphirelovingannie]

Stracci2000, I am very sorry to read about Phrix. It sounds like he was loved very much and you did your best to help him. Sending you positive thoughts during this very difficult time.

 

[ilovegemstones]

So so sorry Stracci! That is really hard. You were a great day momma to him!

 

[stracci2000]

I'm so sorry you lost your cat. I was afraid when you described his behavior. I know he felt loved up until the end. I get scared thinking about my cat. She is 19 this year, and also acts more affectionate than she ever has. She will let my youngest hold her for long periods of time. when I'm in bed she will crawl and sit on top of me and purr. She does sleep at the foot of the bed, but this is new. She doesn't seem in pain, eating, still getting around. But I am a bit concerned.

It is so hard to know what's up with them!
Before I realized he was sick, he was constantly wanting to be on my lap or laying between me and the computer. Maybe he was trying to say "Look at me, somethings wrong, I don't feel good".
Looking back, had been doing this since December.
It is so hard to read cat behavior.
I hope your kitty stays healthy. 19 is a long time for a cat. You must be doing something right for her to have come to this advanced age! Hugs for your kitty.

 

[stracci2000]

So so sorry Stracci! That is really hard. You were a great day momma to him!

Thanks. He was the best kitty. Of course all the kitties are the best.

 

[stracci2000]

Stracci2000, I am very sorry to read about Phrix. It sounds like he was loved very much and you did your best to help him. Sending you positive thoughts during this very difficult time.

Thank you MTSLA. He wasn't getting better, and he was suffering. I loved him, and told him so every day.

 

[YadaYadaYada]

Just checking in to see how you are doing? I know there are good and bad days but I'm wishing you lots of strength and peace.

 

[stracci2000]

Just checking in to see how you are doing? I know there are good and bad days but I'm wishing you lots of strength and peace.

Thanks Stephanie. We're OK. It seems so strange here without him. The other cat is gonna get a lot more attention now.
I was at the thrift store today, and lo and behold, there was a big beautiful ceramic cat figurine to use as a headstone. It was meant to be.

 

[YadaYadaYada]

@stracci2000, it is very strange going from two to one, but I'm glad you are doing okay and that you found that statue. Sometimes you are just in the right place at the right time.

 

[Missy]

@stracci2000 just wanted to share another poem with you and let you know I’m thinking of you and your family.

Tribute to a Best Friend

Sunlight streams through window pane onto a spot on the floor.....

then I remember,

it's where you used to lie, but now you are no more.

Our feet walk down a hall of carpet, and muted echoes sound.....

then I remember,

it's where your paws would joyously abound.

A voice is heard along the road, and up beyond the hill,

then I remember,

it can't be yours..... your golden voice is still.

But I'll take that vacant spot of floor and empty muted hall,

and lay them with the absent voice and unused dish along the wall.


I'll wrap these treasured memories in a blanket of my love,

and keep them for my best friend until we meet above.

 

[stracci2000]

@stracci2000 just wanted to share another poem with you and let you know I’m thinking of you and your family.

Ah, Missy.
Phrix ate from a vintage china dessert bowl.
So now it is empty. So sad.
Beautiful poem, thanks.

 

[LJsapphire]

So sorry for your loss my old lady kitty passed away a couple of years ago from kidney problems, while I was in Las Vegas with my friends. My DF had to make the decision to say goodbye without me, and he didn’t tell me until I got home because he didn’t want to spoil my holiday. I’d taken her in from a rescue centre about 12 years before and she was about 16. Took some getting used to, not having her around. Still have my younger boy and we’ll get him a friend when we move to a safer (less traffic) area.

 

[stracci2000]

So sorry for your loss my old lady kitty passed away a couple of years ago from kidney problems, while I was in Las Vegas with my friends. My DF had to make the decision to say goodbye without me, and he didn’t tell me until I got home because he didn’t want to spoil my holiday. I’d taken her in from a rescue centre about 12 years before and she was about 16. Took some getting used to, not having her around. Still have my younger boy and we’ll get him a friend when we move to a safer (less traffic) area.

Oh no, that's awful. Your poor DF, having to make that decision!
Were you mad that he did that, or relieved that the decision wasn't yours? I'm still struggling with guilt.
I knew he wasn't going to recover, but I feel awful about taking him to be put down. I have to keep reminding myself how sick he was.
I don't know where I got the strength to drive him to the vet that last time. It was like someone else was driving the car. My DH was working at the time, and couldn't be with me. I told him that there was no sense in both of us crying at the vet's.

 

[LJsapphire]

Oh no, that's awful. Your poor DF, having to make that decision!
Were you mad that he did that, or relieved that the decision wasn't yours? I'm still struggling with guilt.
I knew he wasn't going to recover, but I feel awful about taking him to be put down. I have to keep reminding myself how sick he was.
I don't know where I got the strength to drive him to the vet that last time. It was like someone else was driving the car. My DH was working at the time, and couldn't be with me. I told him that there was no sense in both of us crying at the vet's.

Relieved I think, I had another cat pts about 8 years ago. He stopped eating and went in for investigations, the vets kept telling me they could make him better. They thought it was an abscess in his mouth but it was a huge cancer tumour on his tongue. They rang me to tell me while he was still unconscious and gave me the option to go up and say goodbye, otherwise they’d give him the drug while he was still under. I couldn’t go to see him, and I feel guilty for it sad

We thought she was poorly, she got funny about where she would drink from so we bought a fountain for them both, which helped for a few months. But she just didn’t seem happy in herself and we thought it was just old age. She probably wasn’t very comfortable at the end. The guilt either way is horrible, you give him a good life though. I try to comfort myself with the fact that I took her in from the streets essentially.

 

[partgypsy]

Thanks for letting me know. Yes, I wonder if this might be her last year. When I look at her and hold her, I can see she has lost a lot of muscle.
Stracci, I thought for sure she would not have a long life! When we rescued her she was malnourished, had fleas and worms and also has a condition that is treated with steriods. The heaviest she's weighed has been 5 1/2 pounds (she's closer to 4 1/2 pounds now). And for vast majority of her life, she spent outdoors. Only now that she is very old, has she been spending more time indoors. But I think the fact she lived her life the way SHE wanted to, including spending a lot of time outdoors, improved her quality of life. She is now spending her time in the lap of luxury, sleeping on my bed with the heating blanket on, and eating her canned food. : )

 

[stracci2000]

Thanks for letting me know. Yes, I wonder if this might be her last year. When I look at her and hold her, I can see she has lost a lot of muscle.
Stracci, I thought for sure she would not have a long life! When we rescued her she was malnourished, had fleas and worms and also has a condition that is treated with steriods. The heaviest she's weighed has been 5 1/2 pounds (she's closer to 4 1/2 pounds now). And for vast majority of her life, she spent outdoors. Only now that she is very old, has she been spending more time indoors. But I think the fact she lived her life the way SHE wanted to, including spending a lot of time outdoors, improved her quality of life. She is now spending her time in the lap of luxury, sleeping on my bed with the heating blanket on, and eating her canned food. : )

Yes, spend lots of time with her now, and love her while you still can. I always showered my kitty with hugs and kisses and expensive food. The last few weeks, I spent every minute I could with him, even at night. I treasured every moment. I hope your kitty is good for a while yet!

 

[mtsapphirelovingannie]

Stracci2000, I hope you are doing okay. The day I decided to say goodbye to my kitty G was one of the hardest days of my life. I had two other cats to look after and they helped me get through the hard times. I caught them snuggling yesterday and I thought they might brighten your day too.

 

[stracci2000]

Stracci2000, I hope you are doing okay. The day I decided to say goodbye to my kitty G was one of the hardest days of my life. I had two other cats to look after and they helped me get through the hard times. I caught them snuggling yesterday and I thought they might brighten your day too.

Oh my! How beautiful they are! Thanks for the beautiful photo of your gorgeous kitties!
I am doing OK. I think I have finally come to terms with the fact that he was sick and miserable.
Still, I am sad.
We have our other cat, Miso, but his personality is totally different from Phrix.
So I am giving all my cat-love to Miso now.

 

[YadaYadaYada]

Stracci, I'm glad to hear you have come to terms with it, it's not easy. The most stressful part when Murphy was sick was "how will I know when it's time?" Then that afternoon I just knew. Ugh, worst part but most important part of having pets and then to just have one when you have had two for so long is a hard adjustment for both us and the remaining cat.

I don't know if you believe in it but I certainly think we meet up with our beloved pets on the other side or that they are at least with us in spirit during our time here. That might be too superstitious for some.

 

[stracci2000]

Stracci, I'm glad to hear you have come to terms with it, it's not easy. The most stressful part when Murphy was sick was "how will I know when it's time?" Then that afternoon I just knew. Ugh, worst part but most important part of having pets and then to just have one when you have had two for so long is a hard adjustment for both us and the remaining cat.

I don't know if you believe in it but I certainly think we meet up with our beloved pets on the other side or that they are at least with us in spirit during our time here. That might be too superstitious for some.

I do think they are with us in spirit. He was such a big part of my life and we were very close, in the way that he was always nearby, and he slept with me, and we sort of communicated, you know?

 

[YadaYadaYada]

@stracci2000, I get it, some pets you just have a special connection with, not that you love the others any less. Kind of like kids.

 

[Lorelei]

Hi Stracci,

I just wanted to send you a hug for the loss of your precious one. I've lost them to kidney failure too, one which was 12 years ago now, the PS community helped me through and you never forget although the pain fades a bit and you can remember the good times.

You just helped him along the path he had to inevitably walk, you made that path much easier for him and you did it when the time was right. You are a wonderful loving owner and I wish all animals could have that and the love you gave your baby. xxx