Current Events > This sure is a week i'll never forget...

(+) Yeah! (+)

*Trigger warning for those who have lost pets that they love. I really need to vent though...*

My cat has been asthmatic for the majority of his life, among many other health issues but his asthma was always the worst of his problems. He started to struggle a bit around Christmas time but got better and nothing of note other than the usual asthma attack happened for the first quarter of the year. Out of nowhere, he had a bad spell in late April-early May that I initially believed was just his normal reactions to pollen season, but the length of his bad state resulted in me taking him to the vet. They took some x-rays of him and they found that his lungs were in terrible condition, put him on an aggressive puffer schedule to help the coughing fits, and that it might be time for me to start enjoying his company as much as I can.

Well, out of nowhere, he started deteriorating really bad last week, and I came home on Monday to find him in the corner of my living room breathing heavily through his mouth. It didn't help that it was fucking 30C+ all weekend. I of course flew out the door with him and took him to an emergency vet where they kept him for the past 2 days. I'm normally a realist, but even I was hoping by some miracle he would improve in a cool environment with oxygen, and proper medical staff to help him. Yesterday, I went to visit him and the doctor told me they took new x-rays that she wanted to show me, and pointed out how cloudy his lungs were. Lungs in x-rays are apparently supposed to be pitch black. She told me he also started bleeding through the nose and that they could only prolong his life. I cried on the spot.

I went to see him today and spent 3 hours with him. He had to wear an oxygen mask. Taking it away from him for even a few seconds would cause him to be unwell. I did everything I could to keep him comfortable and know he was loved before they euthanized him. Even after he died, I continued to hold him for a long time, my partner had to help me find the strength to let him go. My eyes hurt from crying so much and i'm crying again.

If you have a pet that you love, please give them affection for me.

*hug* im so sorry for your loss

I cannot sleep. I finally fell asleep earlier for barely an hour, had a dream of him, and woke up. That was 3 hours ago and i'm still awake. I don't know how much i've slept since Monday. It has not been a lot.

If you can take time off somehow, do it. Do what you need to do to be better right now. When my dog was put down, my home felt alien without his presence there. It eventually passed, but it was weird and uncomfortable for a while.

I dread the day this happens to me.

I am so sorry for your loss. Im sure he was comforted to have you near when it was time.

Thank you guys for the comments. I'm slowly improving already, I was able to make my phone background a picture of my little boy and am able to look at my phone without bursting into tears every single time, but I just got home and became overcome with emotion looking at all the places he used to sit. This is going to be a long, painful journey.

I feel you. Had to let my little kitty girl of 18 years go this past Tuesday due to her kidneys shutting down. Im still emotionally wrecked. Hard to concentrate on my work.

Its always so rough to lose a loved pet (since theyre basically a family member). Im sorry for your loss TC

My condolences

Sorry for your loss. Remember the good times. Lots of pics and vids. Take comfort in that you gave him a good life.

condolences for your loss.

lost dog last year, only comfort is giving her a 3 and a half star lifestyle for well over 13 years.

I'm so sorry, TC. I know how painful it is to have to euthanize your cat.

I know it probably won't help now, but you have him a great life, and you should be proud of that. You also comforted him greatly at the end. I'm so sorry for your lose, though.

I know i'm really heartbroken and this is just me being very emotional, but I really love the support in this thread. I have no one to talk to in my personal life, it was just me, my partner, and my cat. Thank you all.