Choc is doing bad now.... Cannot walk, and is losing weight fast...
 

:(..... He has full CKF (Chronic Kidney failure)..

He began going downhill since that new thrashing seizure. He's VERY skinny, and muscle mass is down.. he can't walk hardly at all. I have to hold him up so he can eat and drink. He can stand at the food, eating for a few mins, but then simply lays right there on his side.. but its worse when he first wakes up.. he's like a 'limp ragdoll'.. his legs are weak, and I can feel his kidneys, and they are larger and hard as a rock.

But he still REALLY loves eating and drinks. but I gotta carry him everywhere. To the food, drink, and bathroom. (something I don't mind doing. he's our boy).

But seeing him like this is so hard..
I know what comes.. as with Charly. He will eventually stop eating, and go into a coma, and die.

THE hardest thing I think is deciding if I should have him put to sleep when I see him stop eating.... on the one hand, I say 'he has fought his entire life, and would want to go out his way--or naturally... BUT, if I see he is suffering, and the end is near soon, would it not be ethical to let them put him to 'sleep'.. :( I know quality of life is better than quantity)...

In a crazy way it feels like murder. In another, it seems like a gentle way to allow his suffering to end. I just don't know what I could do. With Charly, he died on the bed, on his little blanket he always loved, with my arms around him, and he passed away.. watching him strain to gasp for breath was heart breaking, and burned into my memory forever.

But as of right now, he is resting most of the day, but he's alert, his mind and love is there.. he even purrs when I put my nose on his and nudge him.. he nudges back, and its a whole thing... its what cats, lion and other felines do to show affection.. And he responds.. returns the nudges, and purrs loudly. :) (his purr does sound different now... more raspy).. but man.. what a fighter.. overcoming so much in life.. I think that is what I will always remember about Choc. To be a fighter.. to never give up... and push yourself. Something he taught ME! :)

He's laying down now, here next to me. his body is colder feeling... his paw pads are colder... (cats core temp should be 100F-102F)... So we bought a small heating blanket, and put it under a soft blanket, making a 'nest' for him, and covering him up with it (he loves to sleep under the covers at night). so this seems to help him a lot.

I know its the circle of life... and that life is loss, but its still so hard, watching someone you love fade away slowly... And I know he's scared to die... he doesn't want to go.. I know that sounds odd, but I can feel that.. he doesn't want to leave us. :( ugh...

So we are spending the time we have left with our boy.
I'll keep you updated on things, guys..

Re: Choc is doing bad now.... Cannot walk, and is losing weight fast...
 

Sorry to hear it's going downhill so fast dude. :(

Re: Choc is doing bad now.... Cannot walk, and is losing weight fast...
 

I really feel bad for Choc. I have had 5 Cats in the past 30 years with Kidney failure and you can't tell the pain their in yourself because Cats don't show pain like Humans, But if he is to the point of being unable to walk then he is in the worst pain possible that a Cat can Feel and for Choc's sake Have him put out of his misery.It is extremely cruel to keep him hanging on for the sake of keeping him around for you.
I know You really Love Choc' But have him put to sleep and remove the pain he is in. There is no Possible way that he will get better no matter what you do.
I know this is the hardest thing you have ever done but Please Take away his Pain and send him off to a better Place.
With tears in my eyes I plead with you to release Him from his Pain.

As you we will never forget Choc as he will be as ever the Heart of Ironworks forum and RPG gaming.

Your Friend
Dan K aka The Crimsom Blade

Re: Choc is doing bad now.... Cannot walk, and is losing weight fast...
 

When our cat was showing signs of either poisoning or brain damage (could not figure out what was exactly wrong), we ended up taking her to the vet and having her looked at and they told us she'd not make it through the night, but that night would be full of confusion and pain. So I had her put down. I made my wife wait in the car for me and I stayed with Molly to the end.

I know choosing to end her suffering was the right thing to do for her in that situation, but you do what you know is right for Choc, Ziroc. Nobody but you knows what to do for him, and if that is permitting him to fight to the end, then that's right.

Re: Choc is doing bad now.... Cannot walk, and is losing weight fast...
 

Sorry to hear that Z Man.

Re: Choc is doing bad now.... Cannot walk, and is losing weight fast...
 

Sorry to hear the news. There at the beginning, there at the ending -- that's the great and terrible deal we make with our pets.

Safe travels.

Re: Choc is doing bad now.... Cannot walk, and is losing weight fast...
 

Sorry I'm a little late on this :(

So how is he, Z? Mikka is 10 now and I'm starting to think about those things too :( I bought her a cemetery plot already just in case. My mum is totally against putting her, or any pet, to sleep - in her view, as she grew up on a farm, it's part of the cycle of life. Animals live and they die, it's not up to us to decide how. Whether they are in pain or not, it's what God chose for them. There's nobody to euthanise wild animals. But then there's the other side...if your pet is in agony do you owe it to them to ease their suffering? Since you can?

Tough decisions :( let us know how Choc is.

Re: Choc is doing bad now.... Cannot walk, and is losing weight fast...
 

I'll finally tell you guys in a new thread (I will post it next).