Posted on 07/29/2012 3:04:52 PM PDT by POWERSBOOTHEFAN
Our cat Leopold had to be put to sleep. He had a severe bladder problem that couldn't be taken care of. It's a major problem for male cats.
Does anyone here have any ideas on how to cope with such a loss? I'm so heartbroken.
Oh, I know how it is. When animal lovers get together on these pet threads, individual stories just start to flow.
Those little critters sure do find their way into our hearts.
This problem happens mainly to fixed male cats. The vet had us monitor his diet, because diet has a lot to do with the crystallization. I believe it had something to do with high content of a certain ingredient in off-the-shelf dry food but I can't remember what it was.
I wish I lived closer. My wife and I took in the pregnant neighborhood stray and she had 3 little ones 4 weeks ago. Mama is a manx/manx mix, and 2 of the 3 kittens have little stubs instead of tails. Get a shelter kitty, save it's life and enrich yours, it will help.
God made us custodians of the beasts of the earth, and as such we sometimes have to make the hard choices like yours. Saving those animals from a slow, agonizing death is obedience to God.
Sorry for your loss. Makes me remember my pets I’ve lost. You can remember that every day they were with you, they were loved. You’ll get him back one day. He’s gone for now, but not forever.
If you didn’t feel this bad, it would mean he was of little value to you. We really feel the loss of things that mean something to us. It gets better. Certain days may bring it back.
I’m very sorry about your loss of Leo.
I posted a thread back in May about the loss of my best dog ever, Boss. I got many sympathetic comments, as you have.
Here is one comment I received which may provide some solace:
I know what you’re experiencing. The memories of the dogs I have loved are with me every day. I find Romans 8:21 a comfort. It says that the entire creation, of which my dogs are certainly a part, will be redeemed in the new earth. I look forward to seeing them again. I’ll look for Boss, too. I love the ridgebacks.
So sorry...
I lost my Bootie (not a pun) on the 8th of July...he had had an amputation of a hind leg last Nov and was hyper-thyroid so had to take that nasty medication which the vet who came to our house to euthanize him said was very bad for cats.
He was my loving buddie, the only thing that kept me going sometimes and gave unconditional love.
I know your pain and can only recommend you look at a lot of pictures and/or videos to keep the memory alive.
Good luck...
I’m sorry about your loss. I have a cat and she has kidney problems. She’s as light as a kitten now for a cat that’s 17 years old and used to weigh over 8 pounds.
My daughter loves her dearly. We’ve had her since my daughter was about six years old. We’re dreading that day when she does go. But for now, we just enjoy her.
Remember what Leopold gave you and it is okay to grieve over him.
I sympathize completely, having had to make that tough decision for two dogs who suddenly had strokes, one old, one relatively young.
With the young one, I literally went directly to the local pet rescue and brought home two little boy dogs who needed a home. It comforted the “little brother” Fifi left behind, and also distracted me from my misery.
There’s a new kitty out there who needs your love and care.
I guess that’s what’s hardest for me...
Did I do everything I could for him with his diseases?
Was the vet looking out for his best health?
Many questions but I can’t see how it could have been done differently.
may the Good Lord comfort you
So sorry PBF. Adopt another kitty when you are ready. Save a life in Leopold’s honor.
I have been in your exact shoes & it hurts worse than anything. I like to think that your beloved Leopold is being shown the ropes by our late, beloved Blanche...............be well.
Those darn cats, they can really tug at your heartstrings.
We recently lost two of our three cats within two months. The 1st one, Shadow, was 18 years old and very frail for a long time. Finally went to sleep in a corner and never woke up.
That was hard but was a blessing. The 2nd one, Marbles, was only 11 years old and died quickly and unexpectedly within a day. Not much suffering and we don’t know the cause of death. It was devastating. I cried in private for several days before the pain started wearing away. I truly grieved more for Marbles than most of my human friends and relatives that have passed away. I don’t know why that is but I think it is related to the love those special pets give us. I truly missed the unconditional love, affection and companionship Marbles provided every day.
Since we still have one cat left, we decided to wait on getting another, simply for the fact we know a new cat wouldn’t be welcomed by the remaining kitty.
The pain does fade but I truly believe God places these special creatures in our lives for our benefit. I hope and pray I will see all my special pet friends in heaven and we will have a joyous reunion!
If you have no other pet, I would adopt another one as soon as possible and throw yourself into the care of your new friend. This will hopefully distract you from some of the grieving but grieve you must. May Leopold live in your heart forever. Be grateful for the time you had with him, however short!
Sorry to hear about your kitty....you will probably cry off and on for a couple of days and then it gets easier...Do not stiffle your tears, they are part of the healing..I have 2 old dogs buried in my back yard...the first one I had the vet come out to the car to put her down. They wouldn’t let me leave the parking lot until I stopped sobbing and I live right next door to the vet....it hurts for quite a while then the pain gets softer...
Had the same problem with my Frisco, 6 years ago.. Have two more cats. Still miss Frisco. Let yourself grieve. Don’t let anyone diminish it. Cats are awesome friends and it hurts when they have to go.
Pumpkin and Leo would roughhouse like kids and we even had to break them up,LOL.
Pumpkin was beyond pissed when my mother and sister brought him home,but he quickly adjusted.
I don’t know if my mother is going to adopt another cat,but if she does it’ll be a girl.
My sympathy. You are entitled to a period of mourning.
Thank you.
Male cats get crystals in their urine, it is a common problem, sometimes they can be saved by putting them on special urinal foods. I have a male that has to eat this stuff, it has to be by prescription only, for some reason. I have another male that I feed this food to also just in case and also my female eats it because it is too hard to separate them at feeding time. I got lucky, my vet told me that if he had another attack I would have to put him down but it has been three years now and he is fine. My advice to any male cat owner, find food specifically made for the Urine problem for male cats and use it exclusively, it is not as good as the vet prescribed stuff but it usually works if they have never had an attack before.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.