BirdDog Posted November 17, 2009 Share Posted November 17, 2009 I wasn't sure where to post this - feel free to move it if necessary. For the past several weeks, I have noticed that one of my cats was not doing well. It all started out with weight loss and some changes in his regular daily routine. Being unemployed, I have had to make some changes in the care of my pets. I was not able to afford the “high end food”, and the really nice self-cleaning litter box broke. I blamed the weight loss on the food and the routine change on the litter box. Please note that this cat mostly stayed outside during the day and preferred to use the “nature litter box” instead of the one in the house. But cats are finicky and really don’t take to change very easily. As the weeks progressed I noticed that he was not getting better but getting worse. So I knew that the changes I had made were not the problem. Coming from a family of medical people I knew that something was very wrong. Last week I noticed he had shortness of breath and was sleeping more than usual and didn’t want to go outside. I had a feeling that he had cancer. From growing up with lots of pets and having to put them down for several reasons, I have learned that going above and beyond to cure them is not really worth their suffering. Today I took him to the vet and he confirmed my feeling that my cat has cancer and that it is probably in his lungs. His breathing had become really labored and he was only moving air mostly through one lung. He was so agitated that I decided not put him down. We gave him a cortisone shot to help him feel a bit better so I could take him home to settle down. Tomorrow morning I will take him back and have him put to sleep. What really breaks my heart is that I smoked for all those years, and I am blaming my self for the possible cause or speed at which he developed the cancer. It just burns me that this could have caused his problem, even though there is no definitive answer to why this has happened. His name is Scooter and he is 10 years old. Scooter is black with long soft fur and has the sweetest, loving personality. He is the klutziest cat I have ever known. He was not a good hunter; in fact he caught his first bird a few weeks ago. Stealth was not one of his finer qualities. I will miss him. Thank you for reading my story. I hope that now we have all given up the nasty cigarettes, that none of us will ever have to confront the heart break of possibly being the one that caused harm to our family members and pets. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hawk Posted November 17, 2009 Share Posted November 17, 2009 I'm sorry to hear about Scooter, and his illness. My thoughts are with you. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Christopher Posted November 17, 2009 Share Posted November 17, 2009 I am an avid animal lover as most are in my family. Our thoughts are with you and your little family member. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TheSmokingMan Posted November 17, 2009 Share Posted November 17, 2009 I am really sorry to hear about Scooter, I understand what you are having to go thru, I lost my office buddy "Sir Thomas" on July 25th of this year to Feline Leukemia. Know that it is better that Scooter will no longer suffer. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ofortuna Posted November 17, 2009 Share Posted November 17, 2009 (edited) there is not much anyone can say to make this easier but please know our thoughts are with you!! i lost my Angel a few years back to Feline Calici Virus (FCV) and i feel your sadness. the best (and most difficult) thing i did for her was end her pain and suffering. my Angel and SmokingMan's Sir Thomas will take care of Scooter!! don't you worry!! hang in there!! we are here for you, Ofortuna, Skruff77 and our little family members Majin and Manson too. (and of course the entire VT family!!) Edited November 17, 2009 by Ofortuna Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
StevenP Posted November 17, 2009 Share Posted November 17, 2009 I'm not sure what to say, except thank you for sharing. Scooter will be missed. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sinikal Posted November 17, 2009 Share Posted November 17, 2009 My condolences BirdDog, Im sure Scoot is in a good place. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stubear62 Posted November 17, 2009 Share Posted November 17, 2009 That gets me to thinking about my 2 dogs and I have always had a problem when people would blow cigarette smoke at them. I am so sorry to hear about scooter and my heart felt condolences. If anything happens to my dogs, I ould be davistated and remorsed. He will be with other kitties and have fun in kittie haven. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
keenan Posted November 17, 2009 Share Posted November 17, 2009 (edited) Remember. All Dogs Go To Heaven. Cats too. Scooter is in my prayers, and Oscar Mayer, my dacshund, is praying too. Edited November 17, 2009 by keenan Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SteveD1 Posted November 17, 2009 Share Posted November 17, 2009 Our thoughts and Prayers are with you.... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jmhester Posted November 17, 2009 Share Posted November 17, 2009 You must devistated over your loss. I have 3 kitties and I can just imagine how you feel. Know that I will be praying for you and Scoot. Sounds like a wonderful kitty. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BirdDog Posted November 18, 2009 Author Share Posted November 18, 2009 Thank you everyone for your kind words and prayers. Scooter was able to lay out in the sun this morning on the deck. It was all very peaceful. My thoughts and heart are with those that have also lost a loved one this year. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
VegasVapor Posted November 18, 2009 Share Posted November 18, 2009 This story really breaks my heart. I am so sorry for your loss, but I'm sure Scooter is in a better place now. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
vapemudgeon Posted November 18, 2009 Share Posted November 18, 2009 (edited) Remembering the "Craziness" of Scooter will warm your soul forever ! We will all miss that Kitty !! Sleep well Scooter !!!!!!! Edited November 18, 2009 by vapemudgeon Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nemesis Posted November 18, 2009 Share Posted November 18, 2009 (edited) So sorry to hear this. i have lost 2 cats in my life, first when i was really young only about 10-12 years old. he was an outdoor cat and well, i guess.. well yea left and never came back one day my second cat we said we wouldn't let her go outside but she just wouldn't give up, sometimes she would run really fast outside when someone opened the door a crack, she left and never came back, this happened like 3 years ago, i'm 22 now and i actually cried when it happened i don't want to remind you of what's going on or anything the reason i said all this is because i know how it feels and it breaks my heart take care Edited November 18, 2009 by nemesis Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nemesis Posted November 18, 2009 Share Posted November 18, 2009 oh wow i knew i forgot to say something i wanted to say, please don't feel bad about the second hand smoke! it was not your intention and not what you wanted, it was not your fault Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BirdDog Posted November 19, 2009 Author Share Posted November 19, 2009 Thank you all for your wonderful posts! You have made the transition much easier. I have calmed down a bit about the smoking thing. The type of cancer he had is common in most cats. He was an outdoor boy and who knows what he might have gotten into there. I have also read, and knew about the studies of vaccinations and cancer in animals. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
xsnut Posted November 19, 2009 Share Posted November 19, 2009 sorry for your loss,...you'll will be in my thoughts...take care Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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