Sad news

[crandc]

My new kitty Brandon is dead.

He was scheduled to get his teeth cleaned. Since cats don't sit in dentists' chairs, this means general anesthesia. Blood tests showed that Brandon had lost kidney function. They postponed the dental work until he could have a urinalysis. Based on these results, the vet decided it was safe to proceed with the teeth cleaning provided Brandon was on fluids and also a heart monitor, as he had a heart murmur.

I brought him in and two hours later they called me. His breathing was abnormally rapid. This is common when cats are first brought into the clinic, as they are stressed. But he'd been there 2 hours and was apparently resting comfortably in the cage. The vet did a chest X-ray and found his heart was enlarged. Because Brandon had gingivitis but no abscesses, they wanted to hold off on the dental and do a cardiac ultrasound. Unfortunately the ultrasound technician is not in every day and this was an off day. So poor Brandon had to stay overnight and get tested next day.

The test showed he had hypertrophic cardiomyopathy. This means the wall of the left ventricle was too thick. The chamber that fills with blood was too small as a result, and the oversized muscle was forcing blood back up through what is supposed to be a one-way valve. They called off the dental work and started him on beta blockers, with the recommendation that he have another urinalysis and ultrasound in 3 months. He also began prescription diet for his kidneys.

All seemed fine at first. He was not high energy, but seemed comfortable and content. Brandon, unlike the other 3 cats, did not seem to want to go outside. He never used the cat door. Sometimes on sunny days I put him out for a bit to get some fresh air. He generally came back after an hour. One time, though, he was gone 36 hours. He came home hungry but unharmed. I think he was returning to his former home and waiting to see if anyone was there. When he realized no one was there, he came back.

Last Wednesday when I went to work Brandon ran to the door to go out. I let him out. He did not return until Thursday afternoon. I was anxious because knowing his way home would not help if he got hit by a car or had a heart attack. But he was back. I brought him inside and fed him. He only took two bites.

That was the last food he ate.

Friday he would not eat and I called the vet to schedule a Monday appointment. He was drinking a little water, but not as much as usual. Because of his bad kidneys, he ordinarily drank a lot of water and peed a lot. I was giving him water from a syringe to keep him from being too dehydrated. I tried to hand feed him but he would not eat. So far as I know he did not pee at all since returning home.

Also by Friday he was frantic to get out. The only time he showed energy was when I was at the door. Animals when they know they are dying have a strong instinct to find a safe place, which for Brandon would still be the place he lived for 7 years. Of course, I could not let him out.

By Sunday it was obvious he was suffering. He started looking at me and whimpering. He would stand by his water staring but not drinking, which meant he was thirsty but his mouth was too sore to drink. There seemed no point in keeping him in pain for another 24 hours until his appointment tomorrow, and he was not going to get better so I brought him to the emergency clinic for euthanasia.

Something I've noticed before is that, since cats always argue vigorously being brought to the vet, all of a sudden a dying cat shows signs of life - protest. The technician took him away to put the IV catheter in his paw, which was not easy since he was dehydrated. I heard him meowing. Finally she managed and brought him back wrapped in a blanket. Brandon wanted to go back into his carrier. I put him in and put my hand on his paw. He rested his cheek on my hand. Brandon was affectionate but not demonstrative (unlike Orlando) and had never done this before. He was also purring, for the first time since Thursday. Since he was only 7 the sudden show of affection made it much harder to accept that I was doing the right thing. I don't know if he was pleading for his life or thanking me for ending his suffering.

At any rate, he is now buried in the garden wrapped in the blanket. May he rest in peace. I'm sorry we had such a short time together.

I had thought of telling Brandon Roy, if I got the chance, that I'd named a cat after him and hoped he would understand that's a compliment. Now I don't think it's a good idea "I named a cat after you and he died in two months". Anyone else ever thought Brandon Roy is a bit like a cat?

 

[BrianFromWA]

I'm sorry to hear that, crandc.

How did your other cats acts around Brandon at the end? Do they know he's not long for the world as well?

I usually think of Brandon like a snake. Kind of lays there for a while, and you know that at some point he'll strike, and there's really nothing you can do about it.

 

[BoBoBREWSKI]

Sorry to hear about your cat. Sounds like you did the right thing and did all you could to help the little guy. I'd be devistated if anything like this happened to my cat.

 

[Nate4Prez]

I'm sorry for your loss carndc. Two years ago I had two cats pass away due to kidney failure, both were over 10+ years (Mickey and Rooney). It's tough when you become accustom to living with animals of habit. Sounds like you are very in touch with yours. You certainly improved Brandon's life, and it sounds like he showed his thanks to you.

 

[BLAZER PROPHET]

We used to have a cat with MS. He would rock or roll all over when he walked and had triple vision. Put food in front of him and he'd miss left, then miss right before finding the mark.

My dad worked as an MD at Damasch State Hospital. He turned the cat loose in the wing that held the hard core alcoholics. They all thought they were going crazy. After that hilarious prank, dad explained it to them and they adopted him. They cat got more love than a whore at a Dennis Rodman party until it died at age 3.

 

[ABM]

My dad worked as an MD at Damasch State Hospital. He turned the cat loose in the wing that held the hard core alcoholics. They all thought they were going crazy.

One flew over the feline's pillow.

Oh, and sorry for your loss, crandc. Cats are cool. Although, my dogs have been my closest pets. Don't go see Marley & Me.

 

[Denny Crane]

Condolences.

We have 3 cats and have had several others over the years. It sucks when they get sick and die, but that's life.

It's even worse because they do become part of the family, and they all have their own distinct personalities.

 

[julius]

One of my old cats, who has since passed, died twice actually during a regular procedure.

Thankfully, the Vet was able to revive him, but it was scary to think that he died during a regular procedure (it was teeth cleaning too).

 

[MARIS61]

It's rough to lose a pet, as they have fewer faults and warmer hearts than most humans we meet.

Roy certainly seems to have 9 lives in crunch time.

 

[Anima]

I feel your pain crandc, I am going to have to put one of my cats down soon. She's been sick for awhile but I have been taking good care to make sure she's comfortable at all times, however she's getting to the point were I think it's best to put her to sleep. I'm going to miss her so much.

 

[DaRizzle]

Condolences crandc...I was a sobbing mess when we my family had to put our cat to sleep

 

[Ed O]

I'm sorry to hear about Brandon, crandc. I'm sure he was about the luckiest kitty alive when he was with you

Ed O.

 

[crandc]

Thanks to all for kind thoughts. Still not sleeping well.

As to the other cats, they are all blood relatives and very tight. They did not interact with Brandon much, just an acknowledgement when they passed each other. I think Brandon was probably an only cat in his previous home. When I brought his body home, Orlando was in the garden. I unwrapped Brandon so Orlando could see him. None of the other cats seem to be mourning, perhaps because Brandon was here such a short time.

My cats Celia (18 years) and Rosalind (just shy of 21) both had to be euthanized, but at least with very old cats I did not feel they were missing out on years of life, they both were well past ordinary lifespan.

Brandon Roy is cat-like. He conserves energy, like a cat, seems almost placid, then you see this amazing burst of speed and high leap, with amazing body control, and are left wondering "where did that come from?"

 

[Paxil]

Sorry for your loss Crandc.

My favorite cat Elmo (named after the character in ‘Made In Heaven’ and before I knew there was something named Elmo on Sesame Street) died from Kidney failure. He was afraid of nothing… fireworks… people… dogs… dogs would run at him and he would just stand there. When they realized he wasn’t afraid… they’d walk away. Once I found him lying in the middle of the street. Cars were honking at him… but he was just there chilling. He had no concept that anyone or anything would actually harm him. Once when I lived at an apartment complex… he went in a neighbor’s door… jumped up on their couch and started watching TV with them.

It wasn’t as if he was stupid… it was like he didn’t know he was a cat. I think he thought he was human. You could literally take him for a walk, he would follow you… he would ride around in my car… jump up in the back window and stare at the cars like a dog. I could take him to work with me and he’d hang out just fine.

He was very perceptive too… he could tell if I was down and would do something goofy to cheer me up. When I was giving another cat a bath and they were screaming bloody murder… Elmo jumped up on the counter and started pawing at me thinking I was harming them.

Elmo was one cool cat.