Melissa I am very sorry to hear of the passing of Growler. It is better to have shared your happy times together and not let her suffer. I am sure she is watching over you know as you did her while she was here in your life.
My heart goes out to you Carla From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Date sent: Tue, 11 Jan 2005 12:42:17 EST Subject: third try, Growler is gone To: [email protected] Send reply to: [email protected] > The kidney workup came back normal and the CBC came back normal, if > indicative of an FeLV positive status (slightly anemic, slightly > elevated white blood cell count, all normal for an FeLV positive cat). > The doctor was able to rule out infection and kidney problems, > leaving two real options: either Growler had suffered a traumatic > injury to her spine (and one which didn't show up on an x-ray and > which would require invasive testing to diagnose), or the FeLV had > invaded her bone marrow and in particular her spine. The doctor > stated that he had only seen the latter happen once in an FeLV cat, > but the symptoms seemed similar. > > The pain meds and steroid only made a minimal difference at first and > gradually, her condition worsened. She was confined to a crate for > crate rest but even still, she got to a point where she wouldn't move > and where if I pinched her back feet she made no effort to pull them > away. She still had neurologic function in the legs and feet, but she > was otherwise in too much pain or too weak to respond. > > Her condition was stressful to witness and began, I believe, to > distress the other animals in the house. Even Wynnie, a hostile cat > at best, worriedly passed Growler in the crate and occasionally paced > by her. I made the decision this morning not to subject her to > invasive testing as treatment would likely not be without risk, and > would likely be lengthy and painful with no guarantee of success. I > felt she had suffered more than enough and the best I could do was > help her to her final rest and peace from pain. > > It was not a decision I took lightly; Growler is the first animal I > have ever personally had euthanized. She was my special little girl, > my feisty little runt and mama's kitten. I will miss her sweet little > face so very much. She was my first lap cat and my first real taming > success. I didn't want to let her go, but I guess Zest needed her > more. > > Melissa in NJ > >
