Huge Sigh of Relief

After writing the post about helping my little Ladybug accept the impeding death of our cat (here), I made an appointment for Shyan to be looked at by the vet...just in case.

I was able to breathe a huge sign of relief during the visit.  The Dr. said that the sore on his tummy didn't appear to be a super huge deal, it is healing and looking much better.  She tested his urine, no signs of diabetes, so that's good.  She gave me a couple of other reasons for his issues, it could be kidney failure (which I had suspected as Shyan is showing some of the same signs that one of our dogs had), thyroid issues or arthritis.

I was personally surprised that arthritis could cause his litterbox issues, but she said that sore joints could make it hard for him to climb in and out of the box and that maybe they are too far apart from each other for him to access in time.   The Dr. recommended that we start by addressing the arthritis issue first as its the easiest to eliminate and doesn't involve any drugs.   They used a laser on him.   I had never heard of that...but then again, I have never had a pet that could legally drive if he had been human before either.

Apparently, the laser works as a deep heat treatment for his bones and muscles.  I did some research online and found a very helpful article that helps to explain the procedure an when it can do for your pet.

Shyan had his first treatment today and while I don't expect to see a change in him today, I am hopeful for future treatments to be a help for him.

I am happy to be able to breathe a little easier...for now anyway.

Are Your Pets Insured?

In light of my last post about putting Shyan down, I have been looking into ways to make my pet care costs more 'budget friendly'.  

I did a search for pet care and a bunch of links for pet insurance came up.  Pet insurance huh?  I'd never thought of that before.   I had actually thought that it seemed to be a joke...you know, something the 'weird' pet owners had...people with too much money.

However, given our recent financial set backs, Shyan getting older and the fact that our pet portion of the family has grown, I am beginning to rethink my opinion.  

I need to do some more research, but am really interested in hearing what you all have to say.

When Is It Time To Say Goodbye?

The thought of sitting here writing this brings tears to my eyes.

Shyan is my buddy.   He has been for the past 16 years.  He has seen me through dating, marriage, children, Yukon's death, new houses, new dogs and other new cats.  Shyan has always been there...a constant.  He has always been rock solid, never giving me any grief, no bad habits, just my buddy.

All of that is about to come to an end.  Shyan is 16 years 8 months old and it is showing.   He still has moments of what I call lucidity, but they are getting fewer and farther between.   He forgets where he is going and what he is doing.  He forgets to eat, and has lost quite a bit of weight over the past 6 months or so.   Lately, well, not lately exactly, for the past several months I would start to smell cat pee.  Granted, Shyan isn't our only cat...we also have Tommy and Kitty, both of whom are 4 years old and not the likely perpetrator.

When the peeing started, I could convince myself that it was an accident...and it may still be...however, recently, it started to be all of the time.  Last night, for example, he peed twice on the bean bags.  Thankfully bean bags are easy to clean up and Lysol...but couches, carpets and chairs are not.  As I said, I have never had a problem with him, I can't imagine this is any better for him than it is for us.

I finally realized this morning that this can't go on...with an extremely heavy heart, I made a call to his vet and asked some questions.  While this isn't the first beloved pet that I have had to put down (we had Yukon put down due to kidney failure almost 5 years ago), it is so hard.  Outwardly, Shyan isn't sick, he isn't in pain.

I haven't chosen a date, but I am thinking tomorrow afternoon.   I need to prepare my kids...and myself for a life without Shyan.  I just don't know if I'm ready to let go.

My Old Man Cat

Several years ago...looking much healthier.