That Last Vet Trip.

[irc]

Never gets any easier. Our daughter was age 11 when we got here a young,cat just past the kitten stage from a local rescue. 16 years later a lot of life has been lived and Storm lived it with us. Though he he was really her cat. He wouldn't sit on anyone else.
For the last few years with two Standard poodles in the house he drifted through like a shadow getting from the garden to her room. Sanctuary!
Pretty healthy until last year when he visible slowed. A couple of vet trips and specialist scan showed heart trouble.
By this time my daughter and Storm had left home and he adapted from being an outdoor cat to an indoors cat. A home of his own without sharing with another cat and pesky poodles.
Getting older and slower he was sleeping a lot but was comfortable. Suddenly over a day or so he stopped eating, was just lying around without moving, and was staggering getting to his litter tray. We got an emergency vet appointment. As we had suspected it wasn't good news.
The usual Covid restrictions were in operation. The other owners dropping off or picking up their pets were not being allowed in the building.
We have been using this vet for about 27 years. They came through again today. They stayed open at the end of a session to fit in the appointment. After they had got a line in and sedated Storm to get him comfortable they took my daughter in to sit in a chair with him in her arms one last time.

Funnily enough I read an article in the Spectator this week and thought of Storm at that time.


https://www.spectator.co.uk/article/she-was-just-a...

[garythesign]

That was a hard read, but I can tell from your description that storm was a much loved cat.

Sitting here, with my cat, Tigerlily, on my lap, I have tears running down my cheeks.

RIP Storm

[moorx]

garythesign said:

That was a hard read, but I can tell from your description that storm was a much loved cat.

Indeed. Much sympathy to you and your family.

[ali_kat]

[andyjo1982]

RIP storm. Have to try and remember the many, many good times and smiles they bring. And the love they share when times are tough. Take comfort from knowing Storm had the best life, and was always well loved and looked after.

[Jasandjules]

Sorry to hear that OP but it is a kindness to ensure there is minimal suffering.

We decided a few years ago we would no longer take the pet to the vet, we get the vet to come to our house so the animal leaves us in the comfort of their own home.

[irc]

Thanks for all comments. As pet last days go it was pretty good. Very little suffering - only really a couple of days when he was seriously ill. The good thing about pets is that we can decide when there is only suffering vet visits and poor health ahead and my vet has never been one for over treating to extend life for a few months.

The collapse in health was so sudden and complete it was an easy decision. We didn't have to balance treatment and quality of life questions to keep him going for a bit longer. And up to then he had been comfortable. No looking back and wondering if we left it too long.

[fizzwheel]

Sorry to read about Storm.

[Boosted LS1]

I have had to do this many times. It's always the saddest thing to do and the last one is the most painful. 3 years on and I still miss my pet. In reality, I really should find another to bring back some happiness, just as pets always do. I may have wasted 3 years.

[loskie]

best wishes to your daughter and the rest of you. Unless you are a pet owner you don't know how hard that is.