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Pickle
Apr 26, 2013 19:06:48 GMT 1
Post by garej on Apr 26, 2013 19:06:48 GMT 1
Some sad news about Pickle. Some of you may have read it on facebook so apologies for reading it again.
Basically Pickle hasnt got very long to live. His immune system is failing and because he has FIV, the vet says that the FIV virus is active. There's nothing that can be done, no tablets, nothing.
At the moment he is not suffering, apart from being a bit skinny and pooing on the floor, you would swear that there's nothing wrong with him. He is bright, alert and active. I have started to feed him treats every day because I am determined to spoil him in his last days. He had chicken the other day and he growled at Eric (Tigger doesnt like chicken) because he thought that he was going to steal his chicken. As well as chicken, he loves soft cheeses, such as dairylea and philadelphia.
I dont know how long he has to live, but the vets is talking about months. It all depends on how quickly he loses weight, or if the vet says he becomes weak. At the moment the plan is to enjoy him and when his weight loss becomes unacceptable then to put him to sleep. I asked the vet should I put him to sleep straight away and he said no, not unless he is suffering. At the moment I dont think he is. I am grateful that I have some time with him. The vet said that when the FIV virus is active some cats become aggressive, I am also lucky that he is not aggressive at present. There's a slight chance that as the disease progresses that he will become aggressive, if that happens then of course I will put him to sleep.
Sorry it's not a cheerful post. I am upset because out of the 3 he is my favourite. He is the one that wakes me up every morning, puts up with me kissing him and always wants cuddles (the other two arent very cuddly).
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Pickle
Apr 26, 2013 19:51:00 GMT 1
Post by Claire on Apr 26, 2013 19:51:00 GMT 1
Oh I am so sorry to hear about Pickle. I havent been on facebook for a few days so this is the first I've heard. In a way its good that you have some warning so you can spoil him and give him treats. He's had a great life with you and hopefully he won't become aggressive and you can have lots more quality time with him.
My heart does go out to you as I am in a similar situation with Rosie where I am having to face up to the possibility of losing her (if she doesnt come through the operation), and I am doing the same giving her lots of cat treats and she now gets Sheba or Gourmet all the time! They do become members of the family and its hard to say goodbye to them.
A big hug from me for you and Pickle x
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Pickle
Apr 26, 2013 20:50:10 GMT 1
Post by garej on Apr 26, 2013 20:50:10 GMT 1
Thanks Claire. I have weaned him onto Felix which he loves rather than the renal meat. He always tried to steal Eric's food so now he doesnt get told off if he steals Eric's food. At the moment he is on renal biccies, but I will make the decision whether to wean him onto Hills Light (which the other two are on) when it runs out.
I went to the Co-Op the other day and spent a tenner, and apart from a sausage roll everything was for him! The chicken has now run out, he had cat milk instead today. Eric had some cat milk, it was the first time he had it.
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Pickle
Apr 26, 2013 21:18:52 GMT 1
Post by Claire on Apr 26, 2013 21:18:52 GMT 1
I went to the Co-Op the other day and spent a tenner, and apart from a sausage roll everything was for him! Lol garej sounds like me the other day spent £8 on sheba and felix cat treats and bought a pint of milk and loaf of bread reduced to 10p for me!!! Its worth it tho when you see them enjoying their treats
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Pickle
Apr 27, 2013 6:27:24 GMT 1
Post by Deleted on Apr 27, 2013 6:27:24 GMT 1
Sorry to hear about Pickles Garej
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Pickle
Apr 27, 2013 19:30:37 GMT 1
Post by garej on Apr 27, 2013 19:30:37 GMT 1
Thanks rosie.
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Pickle
Apr 28, 2013 17:01:32 GMT 1
Post by rallycairn on Apr 28, 2013 17:01:32 GMT 1
Sorry to hear about Pickle!
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Pickle
Apr 28, 2013 21:05:20 GMT 1
Post by darkhorse on Apr 28, 2013 21:05:20 GMT 1
Very sorry to hear about Pickle, Garej. My thoughts are with you.
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Pickle
Apr 28, 2013 21:21:29 GMT 1
Post by garej on Apr 28, 2013 21:21:29 GMT 1
Thanks everyone. My philosophy was that if he got a tumour that he would get treats every single day until the time was to put him to sleep so in reality I have treated him the same.
I have been thinking that also when the time comes to say goodbye that I want the latest available appointment so I am not rushed (the vets do appointments until 6.30). I am not sure yet if I want his ashes back - I have Jack's (my first FIV kitty) ashes back, but the company the vets use what the ashes come back in are not very good (I know this from the fact that they are the same vets that the Cats Protection use) and look blooming awful. I guess I will make this decision nearer the date - I dont have a garden that I could bury him in. But I have googled and found companies that do pet urns, some of which are very beautiful, so I could buy an pet urn separately and transfer his ashes into one of those. Jack's vet was a different vet to which Pickle is registered to and it's pointless to transfer vets just for the sake of an pretty urn. I know that I didnt feel complete until I had Jack's ashes back.
Part of me thinks that I may have to go through this again as both Eric and Tigger are FIV positive. But I could have Eric for another 15 years as he is only 2 1/2, so that could make him 17 which is a fair age. Pickle has lived a fair age even now - he is 14 1/2 though of course he could be older (they put on his paperwork 10 years +) - we never had a exact age. He nearly got put to sleep 4 1/2 years ago as when he was at the vets nobody there could take him due to his FIV status and if it wasnt for the Cats Protection he would have been put to sleep. So at least he has had 4 1/2 years of a home.
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Pickle
Apr 28, 2013 22:45:49 GMT 1
Post by Claire on Apr 28, 2013 22:45:49 GMT 1
Yes it must be a consolation to know that he has had quite a few years of extra life thanks to you and the Cats Protection. I know I was devastated when my Gizmo and Barney died at the young ages of 5 and 7 but it helped to know that if we hadn't rescued them as really ill feral kittens they would have had no life at all. Pickles is a good age for any cat let alone an FIV one.
Have you tried those Felix Goody Bag treats, garej? Rosie really loves them and they are good value cos you get loads. She also like those stick type treats but you only get 6 which doesnt last very long.
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Pickle
Apr 29, 2013 20:59:41 GMT 1
Post by kunuma on Apr 29, 2013 20:59:41 GMT 1
Sorry to hear this about Pickle garej. I've had several conversations with various friends about the whole ratio of pain at losing an animal as against the joy they bring you while they are with you. Though I can certainly understand the way they tie you down - I know that for me, life without my animals in it would be intolerable.
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Pickle
May 3, 2013 18:13:51 GMT 1
Post by garej on May 3, 2013 18:13:51 GMT 1
Have you tried those Felix Goody Bag treats, garej? I havent tried them yet - but I did buy them the other day. I also bought some more chicken, some smoked salmon (it was tesco value so they're irregular pieces, but I dont think Pickle cares), some cat milk and quite a few tins of Gourmet Gold. I still have some dairylea and Philadelphia. Pickle has finished the dairylea today so tomorrow he will get chicken as that goes off quicker than the other things. Eric and Tigger also got a taste of the dairylea and they both liked it too. The thing is if he dies before they go off means that I can eat it. If he doesnt like the Gourmet Gold I will either give it to Eric (who eats practically anything) or donate it to the Cats Protection (who will get Pickle's food when he dies). I still dont know what to do with Pickle when he dies though. As I said before there's the option of having the vets deal with his ashes (and get a crappy urn). But there's a pet cemetery in the next county and he could go there. Alternatively, they do cremations so they could deal with Pickle. Someone I was talking to the other day suggested that he could be buried in my parents garden, but I havent broached them about the subject.
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Pickle
May 17, 2013 19:50:38 GMT 1
Post by garej on May 17, 2013 19:50:38 GMT 1
Pickle gave me a shock recently. He stopped eating his biccies, and wasnt eating his full meat ration. Ironically he was eating the whole of the gourmet gold! He had a steroid and an antibiotic jab, which perked him up a little, but at the end he wasnt quite right. Plus he started to wee on the floor which was unlike him. He became a little wheezy too, and was reasonably lively.
Because of this, I had him put to sleep this afternoon. I didnt want him to suffer and let him go whilst he was reasonably happy. I was expecting him to be put to sleep Tuesday when I took him to the vet, but they tried medication first, so at least I got a few more days out of him, and he spent his last days at home, rather than at the vets (which was what happened with my last cat).
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Pickle
May 17, 2013 20:11:49 GMT 1
Post by Claire on May 17, 2013 20:11:49 GMT 1
Ah garej I am so sorry to hear about that. You are right tho he had a lovely last few days with all his friends about him and lots of yummy treats. All my sympathy to you, I know just what its like, having had so many cats over the years. I'm glad you have your other cats with you to keep you company. Big hug xxx
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Pickle
May 17, 2013 20:33:19 GMT 1
Post by garej on May 17, 2013 20:33:19 GMT 1
Ah garej I am so sorry to hear about that. You are right tho he had a lovely last few days with all his friends about him and lots of yummy treats. He had gourmet gold the past 4 days (including this morning), and had some felix goody bag treats the other day too. I have had some comfort from the vet saying that if he was on the streets he would die in some pain at least he went relatively peacefully. He went in my arms, so at least he was cuddled right until the end. When we were discussing how he was with the vet, he jumped onto my shoulder! He wouldnt keep still for the vet to examine him so stop him and calm him down, we had to put him into the carrier.
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Pickle
May 17, 2013 20:38:04 GMT 1
Post by rallycairn on May 17, 2013 20:38:04 GMT 1
Sorry about Pickle but so glad he enjoyed his last days.
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Pickle
May 18, 2013 6:51:29 GMT 1
Post by Deleted on May 18, 2013 6:51:29 GMT 1
Sorry about Pickes, Garej
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Pickle
May 18, 2013 7:04:31 GMT 1
Post by cally on May 18, 2013 7:04:31 GMT 1
So sorry, garej. It's always an awful loss but you did the best for Pickles even though it hurt you to lose him.
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Pickle
May 18, 2013 12:35:02 GMT 1
Post by fizz on May 18, 2013 12:35:02 GMT 1
Sorry to hear this, have been through something similar this year with poor Django. Console yourself with the fact Pickles had the best life possible with lots of love.
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Pickle
May 18, 2013 19:36:53 GMT 1
Post by Claire on May 18, 2013 19:36:53 GMT 1
He went in my arms, so at least he was cuddled right until the end. Oh garej, this brings a tear to my eye, but I think in times to come you will get consolation from the fact you were with him to the end and could say goodbye to him. One of mine I never had a chance to say goodbye to and it still hurts.
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Pickle
May 18, 2013 19:51:35 GMT 1
Post by garej on May 18, 2013 19:51:35 GMT 1
Thanks everyone. What didnt help is that in reception as I was waiting for my appointment someone was being told that their pet had to be put to sleep. So that upset me before even going into the appointment.
I am hopefully having his ashes back, so at least that's something. I still have to pay for the vet's bill as on Tuesday they said "pay on Friday". I was told by the vet to go straight home and pay for his treatment when I come to collect the ashes. Which is awfully good of the vets, when I had Jack (my previous kitty) put to sleep they werent so accommodating (it was a different vet though). So I am faced with a biggish bill (I didnt ask how much it was to get the ashes back, but it cost over £100 nearly 5 years ago), which doesnt exactly help, as I am a bit poor. But it will be worth it to get him back.
Claire: I was asked if I wanted to stay. My philosophy is that I wanted to be there until the end, as he has been such a good boy to me. He was loved and he loved me back. I am glad that I was able to cuddle him, as I couldnt do that with Jack, as he was too lifeless and also there was a drip in the way.
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Pickle
May 19, 2013 17:44:25 GMT 1
Post by darkhorse on May 19, 2013 17:44:25 GMT 1
I'm really sorry to hear about Pickle
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Pickle
May 20, 2013 5:26:00 GMT 1
Post by cally on May 20, 2013 5:26:00 GMT 1
I had a once in a lifetime beautiful cat called Abi. She was an Abyssinian cross and had the loveliest disposition. She got a tumour in her jaw, and my partner couldn't let her go. I wanted her put to sleep at least a fortnight before my partner finally came to terms with it and I still harbour some resentment towards him and anger at myself for not taking charge and doing what was best for her. The vet couldn't do a home visit this time so we took her there and I'd promised I'd be with her to the end, but after the needle had gone in and she kind of slumped, she looked at me and started purring. I just ran crying from the room. In 2011 our dog Holly was put to sleep and one of the kids wanted to be there and the other didn't. I had to take the eldest outside and 5 minutes later my partner came out with the youngest. I assumed they'd been there with her but it turns out the youngest changed his mind and in the end, none of us were there and she died alone, as far as I'm concerned. I am still angry at my partner about this too: if he'd come straight out and told me I would've been in there with Holly. I don't think a week goes past when I don't think about what it's going to be like when Star dies. I'll be there and I'll dig a grave for him with my bare hands if I have to. All our pets are buried in our garden, and Star will be buried on his agistment property in the paddock his herd live in.
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Pickle
May 20, 2013 10:57:41 GMT 1
Post by Claire on May 20, 2013 10:57:41 GMT 1
My cat Barney passed away when he was staying with my parents whilst I was doing some house renovations. Even tho he died peacefully in his sleep barely a day goes by where I don't feel guilty for not being with him. I think being able to put them to sleep painlessly and be with them at the end is one of the best things we do for our animals. Pity we can't do the same for our human family members whom we have to watch suffer. At least we can be spared that horrible fate with our pets.
Hope you are coping OK garej, having the other cats to look after I'm sure helps as you just have to get on with things don't you?
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Pickle
May 24, 2013 19:21:24 GMT 1
Post by garej on May 24, 2013 19:21:24 GMT 1
Hope you are coping OK garej, having the other cats to look after I'm sure helps as you just have to get on with things don't you? It sure helps. I knew that I would be a lot worse than I am if I didnt have the other two. When I lost Jack (my previous kitty) I had Tigger, which helped at the time too. I went to donate the food that Pickle had on Monday to the Cats Protection, saw the cats there. There was a FIV cat there but he is a flu carrier so I cant have him. Pity because he was a tabby male (I am a sucker for tabby males), and perfect age otherwise. I am after another tabby male when the time is right so it may take months for them to have a suitable cat in. Chances are the next FIV cat is not a tabby male. I said that I would come back when I was ready for another cat (I know I definitely want another cat). I have had Pickle's ashes back, instead of coming back in a cardboard container (which I was expecting) he came in a wooden hinged casket. I had a bag of his fur (I had a bag of fur from my previous cat) and opened the clasp and put his fur with his ashes, so at least they are together. I dont know what to do with his ashes, I am definitely not going to the pet cemetery. So that leaves either a) my parents garden b) the fields which my parents own (the plus side of it is that there's a footpath running through the fields so if they should sell it then there's access since they cant stop you walking on a footpath) or c) the park where he was found (again because it's a public park they cant stop you from walking there). Or I could do with what I did with Jack and have him on my coffee table, where he is currently. I dont know, but I know I dont have to make a decision straight away. I was going to buy a box to put Pickle's fur in, but with the box being hinged I dont have to. If I decide to spread Pickle's ashes, I will keep the box as I plan to keep his fur no matter what. I got this photo frame this week (the name Sammy is an example - mine is blank). I got this photo frame a couple of years ago when I lost Jack, so at least they match. I have to find a suitable photograph (I have narrowed it down to three) and print it off as I dont have any photos of Pickle printed off. That I will do next week.
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Pickle
May 24, 2013 22:18:28 GMT 1
Post by Claire on May 24, 2013 22:18:28 GMT 1
Thats a nice photo frame - it will be a lovely momento. Do you not have a special place you like to go where you could scatter the ashes, and then when you visit it you will be able to feel close to Pickle? Thats maybe what I am planning to do when my little one goes. Either that or bury her in my parents garden with all her other friends.
Its nice that you are going to give a home to another FIV cat. I know you'll find a special tabby when the time is right. I must say I do love tabbies too - they have a certain something!
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Pickle
May 25, 2013 4:20:44 GMT 1
Post by cally on May 25, 2013 4:20:44 GMT 1
All of our cats and dogs who have left us have had a tree and flowers planted around them, and the trees are called 'Holly's tree', or 'Pup's tree'. Do get another cat when you can, garej. I don't believe in my mother's self centred martyrdom where she says 'I couldn't cope with the loss again' or 'It would be like replacing them'. I see it as making me feel better- and that is NOT a selfish thing in this troubled world, AND you would be giving another cat a loving home and a decent life. It's selfish to close your heart when so many animals need love, but then again, all the cats my mum has had have become the most neurotic, frightened creatures over time. Some people just can't 'do' love.
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Pickle
May 25, 2013 6:25:56 GMT 1
Post by Deleted on May 25, 2013 6:25:56 GMT 1
That's a lovely photo frame Garej
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Pickle
May 25, 2013 19:56:09 GMT 1
Post by garej on May 25, 2013 19:56:09 GMT 1
Thanks everyone.
cally: I will definitely be getting another cat. That I am sure of. Even though I have two more I feel lost without a tabby male. They have one at the moment at the Cats Protection, but he's a flu carrier so I cant have him. Pity because he's ideal in every way otherwise.
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