Conference misery::feline

    I would definately have the vet find out first if the problem
    is asma or cancer, then you can make an intelligent decision.
    
    This cat has obviously given you years of pleasure, don't let
    him down now by not finding out what is the matter. He is looking
    to you to help him.
    
    Please keep us posted. We all have furfaces and care about
    others also.
    
    Barbara

    Animals are just like people in that sometimes that don't feel
    well, and they just don't have an appetite. I would still
    suggest you go to the vet to see if your pet has an allergy or 
    a temperature. The vet could than suggest somthing for him.
    
    
    Liz

    Asthma? or Cancer?!?! Wow, Bob, these are two TOTALLY different
    illnesses. Is the cat having a hard time breathing? I forget now
    after reading two replies! (must be the holiday crazieness!) 
    
    Asthma is a respiratory disease in which there is difficulty breathing
    and tightness in the chest. Accompanied (& sometimes set on) by
    alergies, therre could also be some mucus & lung fluid. I don't know
    that it would be something that would show up on x-ray resembling
    cancer tho. I hope things do improve w/ your cat, and that your vet 
    can give you definitive answers. Please keep us posted.
    
    Hugs to you & your kitty,
    Bonnie

    
    
    	Thanks for all the replies.....The x-ray had shown a dark area
    	in the lungs, the doctor said it's hard to tell without further
    	tests what it might be, the cat has had a history of vomiting
    	.....The vet is waiting for the result of a blood test, I'm going
    	to try force feeding him some chicken Boulion (sp?)......And
    	then go from there.....I should hopefully know more tomorrow...
    	

    Bob,
    
    You might offer him some baby food, like Gerber's strained chicken or
    turkey.  Or even some nice, smelley tuna.  Dark areas can be anything
    a cold.  Hang in there!!  We're pulling for the both of you...
    
    Mary
    

    How's he doing, Bob?
    
    Bonnie

    Dark spot on the lung?  Could be phemonia, congrestion caused
    by asma or a cold or cancer.
    
    I agree with the other noters, give him anything he wants just so
    he eats and drinks. College Inn chicken stock is very good and
    is slightly salty.
    
    Please, let us know how your kitty is doing.
    
    Barbara

    
    
    	Hope everyone had a merry Christmas......Well I talked to the
    	Vet on Christmas Eve and she said that Blood test showed early
    	Kidney Disease, the next step, have a cardiologist look at the
    	xrays and check the heart, from there an Ultra sound.
    	I had made an appointment to bring him in this morning 
    	first thing as she said he'd be ok till then, well 30 minutes
    	after I had talked to her my wife called, Cuddles had died
    	sometime in the morning during Christmas eve. I think one of
    	the toughest things I ever had to do was go home and pick him
    	up.......Thanks for all your concerns.....I still have one
    	kiddie left......out of the original 4 brothers....
    
    				Bob
    

    
    Oh Bob,
    
    I am so sorry about Cuddles.  These losses are always so hard, and my
    thoughts go out to you and yours this holiday season.  It will be hard,
    with everyone being so gay and happy on the holidays, to try to put on
    a smile.  It seems so empty.  Remember all those good times with
    Cuddles, and know he is at peace now.  You did the best you could.
    
    Nancy

    
    	     Bob,
    
    	     I am so sorry to hear about your beloved Cuddles.
    	     I know it will be very hard for you especially this
             time of year. Try to remember that Cuddles has made a difference 
    	     in your life and that the times spent with Cuddles will never
    	     be taken away from you.         
    
    	     Liz
    	     
    
    	     Liz
    	     

    I'm terribly sorry to hear about Cuddles.  At least he died
    at home with his family, which I hope is some comfort.  Our
    thoughts are with you and your family.
    

    
      How sad,  we offer our condolences too.
    
      Denise and the gang of 11

    I too am so sorry for your loss....
    
    Giudi

Us, too.  It's so hard to say goodbye...

Mary & 7

    I'm very sorry to hear about your cat; I'm replying (sort of) to
    earlier notes on this topic.
    
    Snoopy has been wheezing on the intake breath lately.  Since she has a
    history of little tumors on the outside of her body, I was afraid she
    had one in her nasal passage or something (about seven years ago that
    seemed to be the case--her nose grew and grew, and then went back to
    normal.  We didn't do anything about it because at the time I was too
    young to have enough money to treat her and my parents were sure the
    vet wouldn't be able to fix it.)  This wheezing is worst while she
    purrs, so I've been saying her motor is stuck or her purr-box is
    broken.
    
    We went to the vet just before Christmas, and the vet said she had some
    swelling in her throat.  He asked me if I had changed anything in the
    house in the past week that might cause allergies (new rug, wallpaper,
    etc.) but I couldn't think of anything.  He also heard some congestion
    in her chest with the stethoscope, so he gave me some antibiotics for
    her in case it was an infection of some kind.  He also gave her a shot
    which had an anti-inflammatory drug and an antibiotic which was
    supposed to take effect within a few hours.
    
    The anti-inflammatory didn't seem to kick in in a few hours, but she
    sounded much better by the next day.  She still doesn't sound great, so
    I'm trying to remember which cat litter brand I was using just before
    all this, make sure not to leave her in a room with a just-washed floor
    (she licks the water off her feet and I think it has soap still in it),
    etc.  We're almost done the antibiotics and almost back to normal.
    
    I was also advised to put a pound on her if possible (she's about
    seventeen), so we had some fun and games with changing food (Mom, I
    don't feel so good...) but I think this won't be a problem.  Silly
    kitty even comes running when she sees me holding the bottle of
    antibiotic (Food?  Food?)
    
    I'm sorry things turned out badly for you and Cuddles.  I guess my
    story is in here because we don't have a respiratory-problem topic. 
    But your cat will always be there in spirit (with Snoopy being her age,
    I think about this a lot more now.)
    
    Lisa Dean and Snoopy (Doorstop cat, with broken purr-box)

    I'm so sorry, Bob. 
    
    ng

    Cuddles' name has been added to the Silver LIning Memorial list.
    I am sorry about your loss, especially at Christmas time.  Having
    lost a beloved kitty on 12/28 several years ago, I can sympathize.
    
    I hope another kitty will find its way into your heart and home soon.
      Nancy DC
    

    
    
    	Just wanted to take the time and thank everyone for their
    thoughtfull notes. Since Cuddles passed away my other cat has
    been awfull in the sense of constant meowing....not sure it's
    for cuddles maybe for attention? Anyone have any suggestions
    on how to deal with this?
    

    This happened when my first cat, Earthling, died - Smokey constantly
    meowed, even though she and the other cat never really got along.
    
    The cure?  Another cat!  (It really did work.)  The introductions were
    a little rocky, but after a week or so, Smokey really seemed to like
    the company, even though she and Spike aren't best buddies either.
    
    Sue B + Smokey, Spike & Trouble (and rest in peace, Earthling)

    Cuddles, attention, and a little "sibling" are the things best suited
    for this.
    
    Same as .19...when my Tiki died last September, Rico was in shock.  He
    kept looking for Tiki, and even started to cuddle up with a stuffed cat
    that someone gave us that LOOKED like Tiki.
    
    I cuddled and petted him, and the same night we got Alexandra.  Little
    Alex so terrified Rico that he didn't have time to be sad anymore
    (although I have to confess that for the longest time after, Rico had
    this "Oh, everything in my life is crashing down" look on his face). 
    :^(
    
    K.C.

    
    
    	Is it best to get one the same sex as the one departed? 
    
    
    				Bob
    

    Not necessarily.
    
    Tiki was male.  Rico is male.  Alexandra is female, gotten when Tiki
    died.
    
    And, I have a happy announcement to make...this morning, for the very
    first time, Rico hit a foam ball TO Alex!  We've been waiting for him
    to do that ever since we got her.
    
    Still a long way from the hockey games that Tiki & Rico used to play,
    but at least its a step in the right direction!  :^)
    
    K.C.