RIP Seki - Best Cat Ever

RedRooster

Diamond Member
Sep 14, 2000
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Go away if you don't like cats, but yesterday was the saddest day of my life. My wife and I will probably mourn for days or weeks.

His health just went off a cliff about a month ago, he started not eating and just layed in his favorite spot all day. Didn't walk around much and his eye was puffy and runny. We had seen it in the past, thinking he had kicked himself scratching.
After stupidly thinking he'd recover from all this, like cats tend to do, he didn't after two weeks so we took him to the vet. They saw he had that bum eye and immediately determined he had upper respiratory disease. They gave him a booster shot and it seemed to help the eye. His lethargy didn't improve.

Last week we took him in again, and he had lost a couple pounds due to not eating. He was slightly better than the first time though, so we thought we'd give him a little more time. By Tuesday, he wasn't getting better so I took him in again and they poked and prodded and found his back knee was giving him pain so they x-rayed it. While doing the x-rays, they caught a glimpse of his stomach as well and found his lungs had collapsed and there was a lot of fluid in his chest. They drew out the fluid and it definitely made his breathing better, for his last day.

Yestreday, he was woozy all day from the anesthesia and the appetite stimulant pill we gave him. We tried to get some food into him, but he refused, and we were able to barely get some in via syringe. He was totally not himself, and hadn't been for the last couple weeks. Pet owners ALWAYS can tell when something is off, even if the vet thinks otherwise.

So we took him in one last time yesterday and were given the results of the fluid they drew. It was organic/cellular, indicating either a virus or cancer. A viral infection would've shown up in his blood tests which came back fantastically healthy, other than the number for pancreatitis being above the limit. So we figured it might be than too. But when we heard cancer, and she said he had maybe 3-6 months instead of 3-6 years, we couldn't let him live this summer in the state he was in. A cat doesn't deserve that, and owners shouldn't be selfish enough to expect it.

So with enormous regret, we put him down and petted him right to the end. I think he purred the last little bit even. :'(

Is there an easier way to deal with greif? Someone please tell me.

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RIP Seki - Nov 99 - May 11​
 

Azraele

Elite Member
Nov 5, 2000
16,524
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I'm sorry for your loss. :(

There is no way to ease the grief, except give it time. Some people like to go out and get a new pet after losing one. It will never replace the old one (Seki will always have a place in your heart), but having the company of a new friend can help with the transition.
 

CVSiN

Diamond Member
Jul 19, 2004
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been there done that.. my cat Socks contracted a nasty urinary blockage that ended up being an end game event. the emergency vet was such a freaking bitch. no compassion at all.

I about lost it when he finally faded away.
was such a cool animal.. all over way too soon.
 

RedRooster

Diamond Member
Sep 14, 2000
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I'm sorry for your loss. :(

There is no way to ease the grief, except give it time. Some people like to go out and get a new pet after losing one. It will never replace the old one (Seki will always have a place in your heart), but having the company of a new friend can help with the transition.

Thanks so much.
Fortunately, we have a second cat, which got to enjoy Seki's company from when she was a kitten. So she'll be getting a lot more attention from us now, hopefully it'll ease us as well.
 

TwiceOver

Lifer
Dec 20, 2002
13,544
44
91
RIP.

I've had to put down two cats so far in life. Neither were "mine" one was adopted from a friend and the other was my (now) wife's. When my cat dies it's going to be hard. She's had me for 15 years.
 

Saint Nick

Lifer
Jan 21, 2005
17,722
6
81
My parents put my cat down because he was pooping everywhere. Bleh, I don't even think he was sick. I'm pretty sure they were just tired of taking care of him. Jerks.
 

dank69

Lifer
Oct 6, 2009
36,352
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If you plan to get a new cat, you should do it soon. Often, once a cat has been alone for awhile, they tend to no longer like new cats.

Sorry for your loss, I lost one last year myself.
 

dpodblood

Diamond Member
May 20, 2010
4,020
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81
I'm sorry to hear that. Time will make you feel better, and getting the new kitten should help as well; although I know you can never replace the cat you had. I know I am not looking forward to the day our cat passes away. I'm hoping he lives for a good long time.
 

Perknose

Forum Director & Omnipotent Overlord
Forum Director
Oct 9, 1999
46,610
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One of the hardest and saddest decisions we pet owners have to make, you did the right thing.

And no, there is no easier way to deal with your grief, you just have to go through and remember all the good times with gratitude. Time will eventually, is slowly, ease your pain.

I feel for you!

Me hugs my two kittehs.
 

RedRooster

Diamond Member
Sep 14, 2000
6,596
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If you plan to get a new cat, you should do it soon. Often, once a cat has been alone for awhile, they tend to no longer like new cats.

Sorry for your loss, I lost one last year myself.

I know cats are known to be solitary animals, but their spirits seem so much better when there's another one around. Especially if they get along.

Is it unfair to the one we have left to let it live by itself? I don't know what to do.
 

CVSiN

Diamond Member
Jul 19, 2004
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I know cats are known to be solitary animals, but their spirits seem so much better when there's another one around. Especially if they get along.

Is it unfair to the one we have left to let it live by itself? I don't know what to do.

Not in our cats case.. since he and Socks and grown up from kittens together..
when Socks didnt come home Gizzy got in a huge funk.. he ran around the house constantly looking for socks.. howling all the way.. all day all night..
he was miserable.

we finally went back to the SPCA and got my current kitteh Bonzai and Gizzy instantly loved her and reverted back to himself.
when me and my GF split I took Bonzai with me and she kept Gizzy. he again reverted back to being lonely.. she got yet another friend for him and he cheered right back up and they are now best buddies again.
 

Scotteq

Diamond Member
Apr 10, 2008
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I know cats are known to be solitary animals, but their spirits seem so much better when there's another one around. Especially if they get along.

Is it unfair to the one we have left to let it live by itself? I don't know what to do.


If you're thinking about it (not saying you should or shouldn't) - Call a nearby animal shelter and ask what they think. You'll either want a kitten (so it grows up with a companion), or an older/friendly cat that's used to having other cats around. Many shelters will have a space where you can all hang out together for a while and see...
 

TwiceOver

Lifer
Dec 20, 2002
13,544
44
91
Cat's love company. Even if they don't get along very well, they still love having another of their kind around.

We have 3 right now, when my cat goes we plan on just dropping down to our two. But it's going to be hard not to go get another cat that is "mine".
 

Lotheron

Platinum Member
Oct 21, 2002
2,188
2
71
I'm' sorry for your loss. I have too many cats but love them all. I don't look forward to the day that I'd have to make the same decision.
 

dfuze

Lifer
Feb 15, 2006
11,953
0
71
Sorry for your loss.

We just lost ours of 10 years just 2 weeks ago. As they say, time heals all wounds.
 

Linflas

Lifer
Jan 30, 2001
15,395
78
91
So very sorry for your loss. As we have many dogs and cats and having had to make this decision more times than I care to think about there is no easy way to deal with the grief other than time.

RIP Seki :(
 

Gooberlx2

Lifer
May 4, 2001
15,381
6
91
I'm sorry OP. :(

Did you get to see the fluid they drew out. Was it thick and yellow-ish? Symptoms (fluid build up in stomach and chest, lethargy) sound a lot like FIP. One of mine died from that a few years ago. Pretty sure I posted about it here. Regardless, FIP or cancer, there was probably nothing to be done. Good on you for making the tough, selfless decision and not letting him suffer.
 

Gooberlx2

Lifer
May 4, 2001
15,381
6
91
Fortunately, we have a second cat, which got to enjoy Seki's company from when she was a kitten.

If it was FIP (really, call the vet and ask their thoughts), I think you are supposed to clean the place really well. Most certainly you should sterilize the litter box and other commonly shared items, sleeping places, etc...
 

Poulsonator

Golden Member
Aug 19, 2002
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I lost 2 in March - one had to be put down and the other died at the vet not two weeks later. Very, very tough, but as with anything else, it just takes time. Just relish the memories and know you gave them a good life.