BethW
BethW | Female | | Lenexa, KS

"I am the Cat who walks by himself" --Kipling

Bobcat's Kidney Diary: Day 99

39 weeks ago | 2075 Views | (2) Comments

Bobcat on Tuesday afternoon.

Bobcat was put to rest yesterday. He was three years and 10 months old. The house seems very empty without him.

Bob had become withdrawn and subdued over the past two weeks. I took him to the vet Monday for a follow-up on his bladder infection and urine acidity, and on Dr F's recommendation had a complete blood test run. While the bladder infection was gone and the urine pH was neutral, the CBC revealed severe anemia and hyperthyroidism, both of which are expected secondary effects of kidney failure. His BUN and creatinine numbers also indicated advancing kidney failure.

Before the blood test results came back, however, my husband and I both realized that the end was very near. Bob had not slept with us for a week or two, which he had always done since the first day he came to live with us. On Monday night, he remained downstairs in a place that was not one of his usual spots. On Tuesday morning, my husband found him in the same place. It brought him to tears. Bob was there also when we left for work that morning, and when I returned in the early afternoon, he was still there.

I talked to Dr F about Bob's bloodwork soon after, and was choking back tears before we finished. After I hung up, I sobbed and petted Bob. I called my husband asking him to skip his usual volunteer work that evening. "Is it bad?" he asked. I said it was.

For the hour and a half remaining until my husband came home, I sat with Bob, thinking about the inevitable. I felt this sunny afternoon — the time Bob usually spent snoozing in a patch of sunlight — was the best time to usher him gently from this world. Bob climbed into my lap for a last kneading and nap while I waited. It was a precious time.

When my husband arrived, he was reluctant at first to act. I gave him the complete vet report and quietly said I was ready. He cried, too, and in time acquiesced, but insisted that we visit a shelter the next day. I agreed. He then cleared away Bob's various food and water dishes (so he wouldn't see them when we returned) while I fetched Bob's favorite fleece blanket from our bed. We wrapped Bob in the blanket and slowly made our way to the vet's office.

While we waited in the exam room, I snipped a lock of Bob's fur, and my husband wrapped it in a tissue. We both petted Bob as Dr F injected the anaesthetic overdose.

At home, we phoned my cousin, a pastor and longtime multiple-pet owner. Our conversation was comforting and cathartic. The rest of the evening was very quiet. We looked at some photos of adoptable cats online, and received some condolences from Facebook friends who'd read the brief messages we posted.

I feel Bob's absence as if we were in a house without furniture. I thought my tears were done, but here they are again. I miss him.

____________

This post is part of a series. Past entries can be found on BethW's page at KC Pets.

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2 Comments - leave comment

  • KTcat says:

    I'm so sorry.

    Posted 39 weeks ago

  • melliemoo says:

    I'm sorry for the loss of your Bobcat. He was so young but it's apparent how well he was cared for and how much you and your husband loved him.

    Posted 37 weeks ago