The short version is that we had to have one of our beloved cats put to sleep yesterday.  I can't yet write a lot about it, because my emotions are simply too raw.  I'll fill in the blanks in the coming days as my heart starts healing.  Just wanted you to know.   :'(

(((((hugs)))))  I'm so sorry for your loss, Trisha.  How awful.  Thanks for letting us know, I had noticed that you weren't posting as much as usual.
I wish I had a magic word that would make it all better.  :-*

I am very sorry for your loss.


Some people don't realize pets are family and we grieve for them the same way.

Jerry

I'm sorry Trisha! :'(  I know how painful it is. We're here for ya when you're ready to pop in.

Aww, Trisha. I am sorry to hear that.  :(  *hugs*

Aww Trisha, thats terrible. I hope you're feeling better about it.

I'm so sorry for you.  It is bad enough when a pet goes on its own, but when you have to make the decision to end their suffering, I think it is even more difficult.  My thoughts are with you.

I am so sorry for you loss (((((hugs))))

:'( I am soo sorry!

Thanks all, for your kind words.   :)

Well, the condensed version is that Sparky, our tuxedo cat, turned out to be diabetic.  About three weeks ago we noticed he had lost a lot of weight in a short amount of time.  We figured it was a tape worm but after a deworming the weight did not come back.  At that time he was still eating and drinking normally.  A visit to our vet's office (but not our usual doctor) ruled out feline aids and leukemia.  Then a few days later Sparky lost all appetite.  On Sunday morning, the 31st, we called for an emergency visit and were referred to the covering vet, who turned out to be a wonderful person.  (--If we ever needed to change vets, she would get my vote.)  She did an exam, ran some blood tests and diagnosed Sparky as being in a diabetic state.  Normal blood "sugar" for felines is in the low 100's --110, 115, something like that.  Sparky's was 440.  We agreed for her to put him on iv fluids (and insulin) to (a) bring down his sugar level and (b) to stablize him to the point of eating on his own.  

By Monday morning Sparky's blood sugar had only dropped to the 300's and he was still not eating or drinking.  Even if the vet had been able to stablize his condition (we're not sure she could have done so), this poor cat's life would have been miserable.  This guy would be the first one out the door every morning and the last one to come in at night.  --And there were nights when he did not come home at all!  There was no way we could have retrained him to abide by the regulations of a diabetic lifestyle.  His quality of life would have been crap, if you'll pardon my french.  We won't even go into the expense of such a regimine.  

And so we decided to let him go on to heaven.  He's buried in the far corner of the back yard, under a nice shade tree.  Sparky was 6 years old and enjoyed life to the fullest.  He was always our "problem child", wandering the farthest, eating god-knows-what, sometimes disappearing for days on end.  We were always fearful that he would either get run over by a car (part of our farm borders a busy highway) or killed by a coyote.  At least now we always know where he is!   :)  

My neighbor had a cat that sounds just like yours.  They tried to deal with the ailment via diet and insulin shots.  NOT a pretty sight.  The cat was miserable and made everyone around it miserable.  In my opinion, you made the best decision for your cat and yourselves.  I'm sure your kitty has crossed the rainbow bridge and is playing with all the other cats that have made the crossing and is having a wonderful time.

Egads, what a sad story.  :(  And what a crappy decision to have to make.

But I'm sure that Sparky is living it up...maybe even sitting on Jesus' lap right now.
My Blackie was a "tuxedo" cat too and a very good mother, so if she meets him, she may well look after him.

*hugs*

trisha, i'm sorry for your loss.  i know how cats become part of the family, but it sounds like you made the tough but good decision for him.

I'm sure you made the right choice, even though at times you may not feel you did.

Oh Trisha, I'm so sorry about Sparky and that your hurting.  I do believe that you made the right decision.  I know it's tough going on with out your beloved kitty however, I believe that euthanasia is sometimes a kind thing to do.  Especially in instances where an animals qualitiy of life isn't very good. It's just kind and selfless IMO to humanely let them go.

I know it hurts, it's never an easy decision.  I think you made the best decision though.

Thanks, everyone, for the tremendous support.  You're all angels!   ;)

I'm sorry about your kitty!  My Twinkle was a longhair tuxedo, and we had to do the same thing for her, because she got skin cancer on her nose.  I cried more for her than for some of my human relatives.  But I know we did the right thing, just like you did.