(no subject)

[rkold]

We just found out Basil is dying of kidney failure. We don't know how much longer he has. We've had him 14 years.

Comments

[sephyelysian.livejournal.com]

I'm sorry.

[rkold.livejournal.com]

Thanks, we're going to do our best to make him comfortable and do our best to make sure he doesn't suffer. At least he's lived 14 years.

[twotone]

*hugs*

I'm so sorry. :(

[rkold.livejournal.com]

*hugs*

We're both really really sad. I think that is the hardest thing about pet ownership, you just know at some point you're going to lose them.

[jusrecht.livejournal.com]

Oh God I'm really sorry to hear that D:

[rkold.livejournal.com]

I've been really worried about both him and Cookie since they're both pretty elderly now. (Cookie is turning 16 in mid August) It makes me anxious anytime we're away for more than 24 hours.

We're hoping to make his final time with us comfortable and happy.

[winter]

*hugs so hard* I've gone through the same thing with Tonio before this Christmas :( If it's CRF, there is some comfort to be provided by frequent hydration therapy (IV if possible, subcutaneous if not). Tonio had 85 to 90% failure when diagnosed and sky-high creatinine, and twice-daily hydration plus renal food and various pills bought him a month of additional cuddles and some moments when he felt quite good. Prognosis at diagnosis can be unsure - some cats have years more with proper therapy, so make sure you've got a good nephrologist. Cuddles for Basil.

[rkold.livejournal.com]

*hugs*

He has kidney failure because of a huge late stage cancerous growth. I suspect it is pretty aggressive since I bring him in at least once a year. So the hydration therapy in and of itself is not going to make a huge difference without chemo, and.. the vet said at best intervention would give him another year, but I sort of think he would suffer more than if we just let him go.

It's a really hard decision because I adore him, but he's also 14 and putting him through chemo just sounds awful.

[winter]

Chemo on a cat isn't as horrific as on a human (gone through it with Lady P, who was the same age, metastasized breast cancer), but it does mean major loss of energy and additional problems with eating because their teeth start to hurt; combine that with the fact renal food tastes bad to them, and it could result in the cat not eating at all. Probably best to make your own decision depending on Basil's quality of life :(

[rkold.livejournal.com]

For us a lot had to do with his age and his already poor diet. When a cat stops eating and drinking you just know it's time and that they want to go. It's a bit the same way with a person. :(

[rkold.livejournal.com]

We're doing out best to make him comfy and happy. We've been told to just let him eat whatever he likes and today we're testing human canned salmon with him. I really don't want him to suffer.

[mec]

Oh no! Rachel, I'm so sorry about Basil. *hugs*

[rkold.livejournal.com]

*hugs* We're both really really sad and had a few good cries about it. Right now he is sleeping upstairs but we're going to try to do our best for him with what time he has left.

[summer-queen.livejournal.com]

I'm very sorry to hear this. :(

[rkold.livejournal.com]

We're both very sad. I've been worried about the cats for a few years now, just because they're both getting older. I think Cookie and Basil will have outlived any of the cats I ever had growing up.

[nikittin.livejournal.com]

Sorry to hear this. :(

[rkold.livejournal.com]

We're both really really sad and are going to do our best to make Basil's remaining time happy and comfortable.

[blacktempest.livejournal.com]

I'm so sorry Rachel ... *hugs*

[rkold.livejournal.com]

*hugs*

Thanks, at least I know there is nothing we could have done differently that would have given us another outcome. I'm still heartbroken though.

[ad-exia.livejournal.com]

Oh, man. I am so sorry to hear that - kidney failure tends to get older cats, I know.

Is there anything you can do to keep him comfortable in the meantime? Giving fluids can help in some cases, I know, but not all.

Either way, much love your way. I will be thinking of you guys. <3

[rkold.livejournal.com]

Yeah, and it's kidney failure because of cancer, so it's not even really worth it to just treat the failure.

We're doing our best to let him enjoy what remaining time he has with us. It's just hard to lose him.

[ad-exia.livejournal.com]

Aww, yeah, that does make it pointless to treat, when you can't treat the cause.

I am so, so sorry to hear that. But definitely just keep him comfy and let him know that he is loved, and he will know it too. <3

[rkold.livejournal.com]

Yeah the cancer is incurable and even if it goes into remission his time left is just so short still. It seems dumb to try to stretch it out when it's not clear he is going to be benefiting from it at all.

We did have him for more than 14 years, which is a good life span for a cat. I like to think he knows we love him.

[ad-exia.livejournal.com]

Yeah - that's a very good decision, I think, on his part and yours.

That's definitely a very long, happy life with you guys, and I'll bet he knows it. <3

[rkold.livejournal.com]

I hope he knew how much we loved him.

I think we made the right decision, it just wasn't an easy one.

[ad-exia.livejournal.com]

I'm sure he did. Cats are smart like that. <3

It's never easy, but that doesn't make it less right.

[bramblyhedge.livejournal.com]

Oh that's terrible! Cats really are part of the family. I'm so sorry. :(

[rkold.livejournal.com]

Basil is really a part of our family. I will never forget when we adopted him from the animal shelter in Long Island with his late sister Nutmeg. They were both so tiny and adorable. For most of his life he's been incredibly healthy and we are very lucky to have had such a loving cat in our lives.

[cc-lemon.livejournal.com]

Oh geez. I'm so so sorry, Rachel. I know how much you love him and how hard it is to lose a beloved pet, especially one you've had in your family for so long. *hugs*

[rkold.livejournal.com]

*hugs*

It is very very hard, we adore both Cookie and Basil, but I admit after losing Nutmeg I've been more and more concerned for them both particularly over the last 6 months.

It's very hard to lose him, I still remember when we adopted him, but I also don't want to make him suffer just so I can spend more time with him. It seems unfair to him.

[cc-lemon.livejournal.com]

I was talking to Miranda about it yesterday. She sends hugs, btw. She was saying that chemo might be a lot to put him through after the other treatments he's endured this past year. You've given him the best life a kitty can have and it's terribly hard letting go, but I guess knowing you've given him such a wonderful life for all this time can be a little bit of a comfort?

Thinking of you and Kennis and Basil and Cookie too. Hugs.

[rkold.livejournal.com]

*hugs*

Both Kennis and I know we made the right decision. He stopped eating and drinking and had started crying. My mother thought he looked awful when she saw him. But knowing you made the right decision doesn't make it easier and we have a very large hole in our lives right now. I'm hoping time and my pregnancy haze will help.

I worry more about Cookie now, but she seems to be doing OK. She's loving all the special food we bought for Basil that he didn't want to eat.

[reynardine.livejournal.com]

Oh, Rachel, how awful! I am so sorry. Poor kitty. *hugs*

[rkold.livejournal.com]

*hugs*

It's very hard right now. I don't post about my cats a lot but they're such a part of my life since I spend so much time home with them. Basil has always been our most outgoing cat and I want to do my best to make him comfortable with what time he has left.

[chocolate_chip.livejournal.com]

*hugs* I'm so sorry.

[rkold.livejournal.com]

*hugs*

It's very hard, Basil and Cookie have been such a part of my life. I keep telling myself that 14 is good for a cat.

[stardustasylum.livejournal.com]

Oh my gosh, I'm so sorry! *hugs*

[rkold.livejournal.com]

*hugs*

Thanks, I've been really worried something was wrong with him and/or Cookie for a while because Basil has been losing weight still and has weird bald patches in his fur. (Cookie is fine but I've been worried about her because she keeps hiding)

I just hope we can make his remaining time comfortable and happy.

[isachi.livejournal.com]

Oh dear I'm so sorry :(

[rkold.livejournal.com]

We're both very sad and doing our best to make sure Basil is happy for whatever time he has left with us.

[dilettantka.livejournal.com]

Oh no... I'm so sorry, hon. I hope kitty is comfortable :(

[rkold.livejournal.com]

We're both pretty heartbroken and spent some time crying today. We're both very attached to the cats. Right now, I think he is a bit put out from the vet visit and their taking blood, but we're going to do our best to make sure he is happy and comfortable with whatever amount of time he has left.

It's just hard saying good bye, I've spent a lot with the cats over the years since I've mostly been home.

[ee970.livejournal.com]

I'm sorry to hear that. He seemed so healthy last time I saw him. I hope that at the very least it is quick and painless for him. You've had a long time together, so just think about the good times!

[rkold.livejournal.com]

Yeah I think the cancer causing the kidney failure is pretty aggressive. I was bringing him in quite a bit last year because of his thyroid condition.

I feel lucky we had so much time with him, but I'm also heartbroken he is going to leave us and we prob won't even get pictures of him with the baby.

[aboutallmydolls.livejournal.com]

It doesn't seem all that long ago that your cat Nutmeg died - yet it's probably two and a half years, or three? I seem to recall pics of intertwined cats? A cat threesome for maybe 11-12 years? It will be so different to have one kitty (and for Cookie too). I'm sorry this is happening - especially now - an emotional and sad loss approaching. I hope Basil is comfortable - he probably is bothered by the vet's procedures. I think you are doing the best thing to let him go gently, as heartbreaking as it is. Of course you would feel it deeply any time but I believe PG women are even more affected by suffering and loss just because they are PG & things just hit a bit harder. (This applies to Kennis as well!)

[rkold.livejournal.com]

We lost Nutmeg 3 years ago in October. I'm pretty sure she died of the same thing that got Basil. They never diagnosed the cancer, just the kidney failure but I wouldn't be surprised if it was the same since Basil's decline has pretty much followed hers. And yeah we use to have the 3 of them all curled up together, and then after we lost Nutmeg Basil and Cookie would curl up in the Winter. I feel bad for Cookie, I wonder how the baby will affect her.

I've been super weepy and so has Kennis but, I'm hoping knowing it is coming will help when the time comes to say good bye. We're doing out best to make him happy and other than being prodded at the Vet today he doesn't seem like he is suffering so much yet. I want to get a camcorder so I can make some videos of him and save all his squeaks and purrs.