Laverne

[richardandtracy]

I wish you all the best with getting to know your new master.
Are you likely to go for a kitten or an older cat?
We had a number of older cats, and loved them dearly, the difficulty was that they had problems of one sort or another & went over the rainbow sooner than we were ready for them to. Our loveliest, sweetest, cat was a wonderful mackerel tabby called Heather. We got her at just past her 14th birthday, and she developed a terminal cancer at 15 and a half. We were so devastated when this happened.

I have a nasty feeling our Norwegian Forest Cat 'Fluffy' is nearing the end of his life. This last winter he has aged a great deal. He turned up at my dad's farm in May 2007 as a fully grown cat, and we took him home on 1 Jan 2009 after all possible avenues for finding an owner had been exhausted. Since then, he's been such a part of the family that we will miss him dreadfully. He is now at least 14, but looks nearer 17 or 18. He's now quite thin despite eating properly, a bit scraggy, gets tired quickly despite being willing to gallop about on occasions, his black whiskers are turning white and he's occasionally having difficulty breathing. Two years ago his lungs collapsed & we thought we'd lose him then, but remarkably he pulled through. Now, he's older and in much worse condition. Really don't want to lose him, but if it's better for him...

Regards,

Richard.

[rcperryls]

I truly do understand what you are saying Richard. I had 4 cats before Laverne and all started with me as kittens. I'm thinking of getting an older cat though. They are in such desperate need of forever homes. And despite the fact that I think nothing is more adorable than a little kitten, except for two little kittens, I am not sure that I am up to that (at my old age) and also, kittens can find homes more easily. It's a little more risky getting an older cat (or two?) with the potential of medical problems, but I'm sure that Heather was so happy to be in a loving home for that year and a half she shared with y'all.

Be sure I will be keeping y'all posted on how it goes.

Carole

[wendywombat]

Carole, I would take on another cat that needs a loving home like a shot. Kitten are fun and adorable especially if you can take on 2. BUT if I were you I would take on a young cat who really needs a loving home like yours. An older one could be too set in it's ways whereas a cat just beyond kittenhood will give you and it many years of pleasure.
Just my thoughts.

[Mabel Figworthy]

Lexi was a rescue cat. She is a great joy to us, and we hope we are to her. And from the abandoned cat's point of view...

[richardandtracy]

Mabel, that picture is.. Oh where's my handkerchief? My eyes seem to be watering.
Cats have a way of finding the heartstrings & playing a tune with them to get exactly what they want. Evil little toads.

Fluffy is to the vet later this afternoon. Wasn't sure he'd survive the night, but seems a little more spry this morning.

Regards,

Richard.

[rcperryls]

What a heart rending photo that is, Mabel. All my cats have come from shelters. If I had a dog I'm sure it would be a "mutt".

Richard, my thoughts and prayers are with you and your family, human and feline, and all goes well at the vet.

Carole

[Garnet]

Carole oh no. When I read the title like others I knew dear Laverne had joined Shirley across the Rainbow Bridge and I am so so sorry for your loss. I would like to think they have met up and are happily chasing butterflies and capturing blades of grass then acting like they meant to do that all along, and are also happily catching up with your other furry friends.

I send you and wish you you every comfort as you get through this difficult time.

Richard, oh my goodness I feel for you at this time, obviously I'm keeping for Fluffy, but also know if it has to be, you are such an excellent owner/caretaker/staff to your cats you will know when it is time.

We really need a smilie for a box of tissues on this forum.

[Squirrel]

Thinking of you Richard and a gentle hug to Fluffy. it is not his time yet

[Ajay]

I'm coming out of lurkdom and attempting to type with a 9 month old. To say I'm so sorry to hear about Laverne. Its hard when we have to let our babies go!!

Biggiest hugs!

[poppy]

Thinking of you, Carole and Richard too. Any news on Fluffy?

[wendywombat]

Richard and Tracy for Fluffy. We all know how much these Felines rule our lives and leave a huge gap when they have to go over the bridge. As a responsible 'guardian of the felines' hard as it is to make that decision I know you will make that awful choice when the time comes.

@Carole
Just love that picture Mabel sent!!
I hope that you are bearing up!

[richardandtracy]

Fluffy is back at home. He is not out of danger, but about everything that can be done for him has been, and he seems a little perkier.
He had 160ml of fluid drained from around his lungs, which was compressing them & making breathing difficult. That 160cc amounts to possibly 2/3 the volume of his chest cavity...

What is more worrying is that he has a very enlarged & thickened heart, indicating a considerable level of heart disease & is a classic symptom of HCM, which can cause spontaneous heart attacks and rapid death. The internal volume of his heart is considerably reduced too, which is another symptom of HCM.

We are giving him beta-blockers to reduce the amount his heart works, and diuretics to persuade his body to get rid of the excess fluid. He is a cat, so is NOT HAPPY about taking tablets. And he doesn't like having much of one side shaved. I think he's sore & uncomfortable too, but still purrs like a train.

Two years ago he had both lungs collapse, but not so badly, and he is in worse condition now than he was then. We hope he'll get better, but with the enlargement to his heart, it cannot be too long, I fear. We have had him for 10 years, he was at my Dad's farm for a a year and a half before that and was an adult when my dad first became aware of him. He could well be 14 to 18 years old, we just don't know.

We will miss him dreadfully if he doesn't pull through this one. The vet did, on quite a few occasions, say how he feared Fluffy may 'Kark-it' at any moment, to use his phrase.

Regards,

Richard.

[rcperryls]

to you and your family and lots of pets for Fluffy. Laverne wasn't too bad about taking her pills. For a cat. My first cat, Sigmund ( a very big all black cat) was pretty cooperative. Until the day of a huge spring cleaning and a pile of little red pills was found behind a living room couch when we moved it to vacuum under and behind it. They can be very devious little buggers. Hopes and prayers that Fluffy finds the strength for another recovery, but am glad he is doing better for now.

Thank you Ajay and poppy. Ajay, good to hear from you regardless of the reason. Hopefully it won't be too long before you come out of lurkdom (love that description).

I am managing pretty well Wendy, now that I have decided to wait till May to look for another cat (cats?) to adopt me. It's funny how quiet a house can be without one, considering that cats sleep about 18 hrs a day.

Carole

[poppy]

Thank you, Richard for the update on Fluffy. He is a real fighter : 2/3 of his chest cavity filled with fluid! No wonder, it did not seem well.
I am glad that he is home where he belongs and is still purring away, in spite of it all.

My first cat, Sigmund ( a very big all black cat) was pretty cooperative. Until the day of a huge spring cleaning and a pile of little red pills was found behind a living room couch when we moved it to vacuum under and behind it.

It made me laugh!

[Squirrel]

I am delighted to know Fluffy is home again but obviously it is a very precious visit home for his remaining days. Hang in there Richard and family Fluffy is trying hard to stay with you for as long as possible.

[CuriousKitty]

Oh Carole, I'm so sorry. It's heartbreaking and I've been through it with my puppies a few times. I'm sure she's happy over the bridge, plotting to trip an angel down the cloudy stairs (I mean, someone's gotta keep things lively up there, right?).

[wendywombat]

All Paws crossed for Fluffy, Richard. Keeping him comfortable is the main thing when our Feline Friends get older as well you know.

Getting pills down a cat is Never Easy. My Mum's cat used to be inserted into an old heavy weight anorak sleeve and still she managed to get her claws into someone when pills had to be given.

[richardandtracy]

Yesterday, Fluffy's survival seemed to be hanging in the balance. Today, he's been trotting about the house swearing at us for not letting him go out. The resilience shown by some cats is remarkable. I think he'll be around a while now.

Phew.

Regards,

Richard.

[rcperryls]

It is amazing how resilient they are. Best sign of improved health is his complaining that he can't do what he wants to do in colorful feline words. Sometimes I really wanted to know what Laverne was saying and thinking. Other times I was glad I couldn't know the exact words but the feeling behind them was usually pretty clear.

Carole

[fccs]

Yesterday, Fluffy's survival seemed to be hanging in the balance. Today, he's been trotting about the house swearing at us for not letting him go out. The resilience shown by some cats is remarkable. I think he'll be around a while now.

Phew.

Regards,

Richard.

Fluffy sounds like a fighter - and a sweet one at that. My cat, Jackson, was diagnosed with heart disease over two years ago. The vet told me he could live another year or I could home come one day and find him...you know. He’s on a heart med daily and seems to have no idea he has anything wrong with him. (She, the vet, said he was probably born with the bad heart so this is all he knows I guess.). He’s probably ten or eleven (my kids rescued him in Montana), but acts like a kitten...or a very busy toddler.