Appointment at the vet's office tomorrow. Don't know if my cat has to be put to sleep.

[tango-tee]

Mosche has been my companion for 16 years, along with Mephistine and Layla. Both of the ladies have already gone ahead to kitteh heaven, and there's just been Mosche - called the Chief Inspector - for the past five years.

He was a healthy cat all of his life, no worries ever. Toward the end of last week, though, without any warning, I could tell he was hungry but he has been unable to swallow his food. He's very thirsty and is salivating terribly. His eyes look so dim, and he has lost quite a bit of weight in this short period of time. Still, when I came home this afternoon, he jumped on his perch on top of the spice cabinet and dug his claws into my scalp as always, rubbing his head against mine, purring. I only wish he could get a bit of food down.

Maybe I only fear the worst, and it may not be so bad? Maybe it's only an infected tooth? But just thinking about taking this last cat to the vet, holding him in my arms as he gets the injection, wrapping yet another little body in a favorite blankie and then digging yet another little grave in my mom's yard - I don't think I'm holding up all that well.



:cry:

[CaliforniaPeggy]

1. My dear tango-tee...

Oh, sweetie...

I hope it's something that can be fixed, I really do...

And if not? Then you will care for him in the best way possible: By releasing him from his pain.

And then, after you recover, it'll be time for another lucky kitten...

The wheel of life goes on forever...

:hug:

[tango-tee]

2. Peggy, I'm crying.

Of course, if he really is very ill, that is the best thing to do for him. It just hurts so damn bad.

Thanks...

[theNotoriousP.I.G.]

3. Oh Tango!

I'm so sorry to hear that your big old boy Mosche is failing. I hope he's okay. Call me and let me know. Love and hugs to Mosche!

[tango-tee]

4. Girl...

I'll give you a call as soon as I know more. Thanks for caring.

And in the midst of all of this, I want you to know how much I cherish all of our crazy Saturday nuttiness and giggles.

[theNotoriousP.I.G.]

7. Should we get a bottle of Tequila?

NOT. I really hope your baby is going to be okay. :hug:

[tango-tee]

9. Gah. No Tequila.

As old as I am, let's go with lukewarm tea.

And a big :hug: I need it.

[foxfeet]

5. I'm sorry for his pain and for yours.

We surround ourselves with these little lives, knowing that we will most likely outlive them, but we love them nonetheless. I wish you both peace and healing.

[tango-tee]

14. Thank you for those kind words.

Yes, those little lives who depend on us for kindness, and who give so much back to us with their unconditional love.

[Kali]

6. awww

I'm sorry. Hope it is something easy and fixable. If it was sudden maybe he has a bone or something caught in his throat? I assume you have tried various soft or liquid things? Just some fat or oil on his paws might get some calories in him.

[tango-tee]

10. This evening he has kept trying to get a paw into his mouth,

sort of clawing at something back there, and he keeps grinding away on one side of his mouth, so I hope if we're lucky it may only be an infected tooth, but I just don't know.

I've pureed his food these past few days and put a bit of liquid in it to make it easier to swallow. The helplessness gets me, kali... I want to do what's best, but my poor cat can't tell me what's ailing him, and I have to guess.

Animals have been my companions from the time I was a little girl, and each time one of them gets old and frail and sick, it's fresh heartbreak all over again.

Thank you so much for caring!

[myrna minx]

8. I'm so sorry.

:hug: I hope he'll be ok.

[tango-tee]

12. We've been companions for so long,

it's hard to imagine the apartment without him in it; waiting right behind the door when I come home, tearing up the sofa and barfing up hairballs on the carpet in the meantime.

[myrna minx]

28. Oh, my dear, I understand.

:grouphug: I've been though this heartbreak too. I'm here for you.

[MiddleFingerMom]

11. I'm so sorry to hear this...

.
...but like others have said (including you), you may be
assuming the worst.
.
We all hope for the best for you and Mosche.
.
Lukewarm tea?!?!? My ex and I used to go visit her Oma in
Munchen and we'd always bring her a bottle of Eierlikor.
.
Big, BEAUTIFUL woman in her 70's. Big as she was, it only
took a shot or two and she could just sit there and giggle
for hours.
.
Used to make her giggle even more by telling her that if
she were only willing, she and I could run away to a Pacific
island together and live naked on the beach 24/7.
.
One of the most fun gifts we ever gave anyone. Lukewarm
tea, indeed!!!
.
Hope your kitty is fine by this time tomorrow.
.

[tango-tee]

13. Maybe I'm really just going into freak-out mode.

I'm just so worried about the Chief Inspector.

Once (if) Mosche is well again I will send you a picture of me taking a bath in Eierlikör. The Lounge is my witness.

[Crystal Clarity]

15. Here's hoping Mosche will be ok

Maybe it is just an infected tooth. I truly hope so.

But if you find you have to say goodbye to him just remember that he knows you love him. :hug:

[tango-tee]

24. I appreciate the kind thoughts.

I think he knows how much he is loved...

And a belated welcome to DU, dear CC!

:pals:

[Crystal Clarity]

26. Thanks

And best of luck with the vet visit tomorrow.... Fingers crossed and sending good vibes your way!

[joeybee12]

16. How sad...

it doesn't sound good...may be time...good luck and good vibes.

[TreasonousBastard]

17. You'll know tomorrow, and I hope he will be OK.

[mike_c]

18. hugs, my friend....

God, I hate that last trip to the vet worse than just about anything else. Good luck to you and Moshe.

:hug:

[tango-tee]

22. Thank you so much.

The hugs are needed. It's 4:30 a.m. over here, and it's been a sleepless night.

[mnhtnbb]

19. Oh, I'm so sorry tango-tee. Our big old Mousie had an ulcerated lesion

in the roof of his mouth last November and eventually I had to make the last trip to the vet with him.
He did eat baby food for a while but eventually stopped eating even that. The vet thought it was cancer.

It's so hard. :hug:

[tango-tee]

21. Mephistine had cancer of the esophagus

and I had to have her put to sleep five years ago. You worry, hope, worry some more, eventually lose hope. And all the while, there is that little creature who loves you and is loved by you, suffering.

We'll see what tomorrow brings.

Thanks... and

:hug:

[applegrove]

20. vibes!

[tango-tee]

47. Vibes are appreciated, dear applegrove!

:hug:

[one_voice]

23. I'm so sorry you're going through this...

I'll keep good thoughts for you and your kitty! :hug:

[tango-tee]

43. Thank you for the good thoughts, dear one-voice!

It's so good to know so many kind souls are sending vibes.

[abq e streeter]

25. Sending good thoughts to you and Mosche

your DU buddy, abq...I don't know what else to say.....peace to both of you...

[tango-tee]

27. Hoping for the best, abq...

but fearing the worst, after another sleepless night watching my poor cat.

Your buddy
t-t

:cry:

[Kali]

29. How did it go?

[tango-tee]

31. Had to postpone the appointment yet another day

because of some emergency at the vet's office. Mosche is hanging in there, still trying to eat as long as the food is pureed. This evening I was able to clean him up a little with a big ball of warm, damp cotton pads. His fur was all matted from where he licked himself and this sticky, brown saliva made him stink to high heaven. He wants to smooch and has the same desire for closeness as always. Don't know what to make of it.

[snappyturtle]

30. I hear you and know exactly what you're going through. I hope

you get a reprieve with Mosche. Please let us know how this goes. Good luck.

[tango-tee]

32. That's what I hope for - a reprieve.

It's good to know there are friends who care. Thank you so much.

[MiddleFingerMom]

36. The waiting can be terrible...

.
...if it gets unbearable, know that a lot of good people
are waiting with you -- sending all sorts of positive
things your and Mosche's way.
.
And that you can cry or vent or laugh or vent any time
you want.
.
I've been thinking of you all day.
.

[tango-tee]

37. Couldn't take him to the vet yesterday, because of an emergency there.

So it'll have to be today. Been up since 4 a.m., talking to him, petting him... and worrying. Right now, he's retreated to the top of the kitchen cabinets again, and I'm gonna have one hell of a time getting him down from his perch and into the cage.

I'm so grateful to have so many dear people here thinking of Mosche.

Thanks for being a friend. You don't know just how much I appreciate it.

[dawg]

33. thoughts and prayers for you and Mosche, tango-tee

Our furry little companions are very special to us, and I wish you and yours the best.

[tango-tee]

38. Thanks, dawg.

I've been thinking of you... How are YOU?

[dawg]

48. About the same.

Waiting out the end of the school year before making any big changes. I do have my place ready to move into, though. (Except for cable and internet - I still need to get that done)

My appetite is back :) I've stopped losing weight :( I laugh now and again :)

[Amerigo Vespucci]

34. I had to make that trip to the vet with two of my cats, "Zorro" and "Weasel"...

...they were both indoor cats exclusively, lived long and healthy lives of 15 years each, but age-related diseases claimed both of them within a couple of months of each other.

Thoughts, prayers, good vibes to you during the worst possible time for any animal lover. We all go through it, and I am so sorry that you are going through it now.

[tango-tee]

39. Whenever I have to bury another cat

I say "no more". This is it. Definitely.

And for some reason or another, within weeks a neighbor or friend or colleague just so happens to know of a cat in need of a home. And then there I go again.

But this time this is definitely it. No more.

[LeftyFingerPop]

35. My best wishes to you and Mosche, tango-tee...

Hoping for a favorable outcome. :hug:

[tango-tee]

40. Oh Lefty,

I'm just dreading this trip to the vet so much. That's all I can say. And thank you so much for the good wishes. We need them.

[Robeson]

41. Have him tested for diabetes...

...I know of many diabetic cats who have those same symptoms. MAKE SURE your doctor tests him for diabetes.

[tango-tee]

44. I never thought of that - diabetes.

I'll certainly talk to the vet about this! Thanks!

[Robeson]

46. My Dad's cat had the same symptoms. Eventually, his cat even scratched...

...most of his fur off before he was diagnosed correctly. Once the diabetes was diagnosed, he gives his cat one shot a day - which the cat doesn't even notice - and all the symptoms have cleared up. I would really make sure your vet checks for that.

[marzipanni]

42. I hope it's a tooth problem that can be fixed easily-

here's a similar sounding problem in 'Yahoo answers' which an experienced vet tech answered.
http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index?qid=20070619201937AA3CmFY

Big get well vibes, Chief Inspector!

[tango-tee]

45. The Chief Inspector...

Nothing, and I mean nothing, happens in this place without him having to check it out. Handymen with chain saws, huge tool boxes, all sorts of racket: Chief Inspector sits right next to them, making sure the job is done right.

Thanks for the link!

[snappyturtle]

49. Please keep us posted. Thanks. nt