Conference misery::feline

    Purr. Really. And I hope for all good.
    Nat

    Lyn, 
    I am sorry you are having such a tough time.  Your cat is still fairly
    young tho!  See what the results of the tests/vet visit reveals before
    you work yourself up.  Mainly, don't feel guilty, even tho that is the
    hardest thing to do.  You can work anything if you have to, and
    remember the cat will try too!  It may mean something as setting aside
    "special time" once a day for her and special food.  That's not too
    difficult.  I have a cat that gets special time everyday.  He knows
    that even though I pay so much attention to all my others, his is
    different.  He scared me a few years ago and almost died because he got
    upset.  That's all it was.
    
    As for medical problems, see what the vets say.
    Good luck,
    Karen

    I just got off the phone with the vet.  A simple exam has been done,
    nothing conclusive as of yet.  They can tell her belly is quite tender,
    but can't localize it.  Her teeth are in tough shape, some broken, they
    will check further for abcess, swollen limph nodes and such.  No blood
    work has been done yet.  I was very upfront in telling them I just
    don't have the finances to sign over next week's paycheck to them. 
    they agreed to to what was termed "presurgical" blood work, Feline
    Lukemia, FIV (is that the same?), and urinalysis.  If a CBC is needed
    they will call me back for authorization.  They said her fever is high,
    and heart rate is as well.  These two symptoms alone were the most
    noticable the last time we had the kidney problem.  They might be
    willing to send her home with IV fluids, that I administer twice a day.
    This sort of will "force" the kidneys to flush out, and oral medicine
    which fortunately she does take fairly well.  They said they want to
    check for what sounded like a feline type of diabetes.  Do cats get
    diabetes?
    
    I still don't have any answers, and quite frankly can't even get to the
    point of being even cautiously optimistic.
    
    Still feline down>>
    Lyn

   Lyn,

   Here's a set of five softly-hopeful-prayerful ppppuuuuuuuuurrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrs
   from the whole gang at my house.......I understand the feelings and send
   a few "human" prayers along as well

   Debbi

    Hugs and kitty prayers coming your way from my 4.  I hope they find
    soomething easily treated.  I understand your feelings and concerns.
    
    Fingers crossed,
    
    Steffi

    This is the worst part of sharing love with any animal, parting.
    If this is the end, be thankful to have shared the fun and the 
    happiness; I am sure Holly is grateful for having been loved and
    taken care of over the years.  I understand what you are going through
    right now, I have been there all too often these past few years.
    
    I, too, hope that it's something the vet can treat.  I'm not religious,
    but I will offer up a prayer to the kitty god for help and kindness for 
    Holly.

    Hugs and prayers from my crew too.......     Feluk Test and
    FIV test are two different tests.   The FIV is a test for 
    a disease which is similar to the human aids.
    
    Sandy

    The vet called with some answers, but unfortunately not wonderful news. 
    The Feline Luk, and FIV were negative.  Her sugar is up, could be
    diabetes, might be dehydration, as is the Urea somethingorother, again
    this point toward kidney disease, she is a little anemic, no explanation.
    
    The plan is to do a urine culture, she has so far refused water and
    food in the cage.  They will keep her overnight, start amoxicillin, IV
    fluids, and watch her, monitoring her fever, heartrate, She said
    something about a T4 test, something about it being a heart indicator,
    because of the high heart rate.
    
    My bill stands with all of the above in excess of $200.  Now I don't
    want to put a price on love and companionship, but I just simply can't
    afford to do much more.  They wanted to do more tests, and it would
    have pushed the bill around $350!
    
    I will take her home in the morning, keep the IV fluids going, give her
    the medication, and keep her as comfortable as possible, simply hoping
    that she can and will recover, if not I will allow her a dignified, and
    unsufering end.
    
    My coworkers don't understand the tears I shed as I write this, just
    offering a lot of sympathy.
    
    Lyn
    

    Lyn,
    
         Lots of hugs coming your way.  This is a very hard time, I know.
    
         FWIW Loki has been diabetic for almost two years now, with no
    problems, so diabetes can be managed.  Sounds like your kitty has more
    problems than straight diabetes, though.
    
         Here's wishing you some comfort.
    
    					- Andrea

    Lyn,
    
    Try not to let the financial hardships cloud your thinking when trying
    to make the best decision for your kitty.  It is a very real concern,
    and many times the money/time/effort you expend trying to prolong a
    beloved pet's life is only just prolonging it's death.  Each individual
    case varies of course, but only you will know when it is time.
    
    I write this from experience.  I lost three cats (all at less than two
    years of age) to heart disease, and spent in excess of $2K in total
    trying to save their lives, to no avail.  Now that I look back on it,
    the time spent force feeding, coaxing them out of hiding, and watching
    them deteriorate was excruciatingly painful for me, and I wish now I
    had peacefully ended their suffering a lot sooner.
    
    You are very lucky your kitty (I'm sorry; I can't recall her name as I
    write this!) had a long, healthy life until now, as many cats must live
    out their lives in a world full of suffering and neglect, with no human
    intervention whatsoever.  Whatever decision you choose will be the
    right one.
    
    Here's hoping for the best for all of you!
    
    -Roberta
    

    Thanks to each and everyone of you for you love and concern, both on
    and off line.  I feel I owe an update of the weekend's events.  
    
    I kept her overnight at the vet Friday and picked her up Saturday
    morning.  Her progress has really been nil, and I'm feeling very
    discouraged at this point.  She has slipped to under 8 pounds, from her
    usual 11.  I have to haul her out from whatever hiding place she has
    found twice a day to give her 100cc's of IV fluid, and amoxycillin by
    mouth.  she will drink a very tiny amount from her bowl on the bathroom
    sink if we lift her up there, and put her back down.  She won't drink
    from the same bowl on the floor, and she's not able to jump up or down. 
    Her food intake has been virtually nothing, I've tried everything from
    her usual dry food, to the dry and canned K/D diet the vet sent home,
    to canned human tuna, I've tried milk, catnip and her favorite treats,
    nothing!  She has only a few times come out of hiding willingly seeking
    food and/or water.  I guess at this point I really have to face reality
    that I may have to do her a favor and put her down.  I simply can't do
    it, the word murderer keeps screaming in my head everytime I consider
    it!  How can I bring myself to admit when there is no hope?  How do I
    tell my 6.5 year old son that big kitty has gone, or has to go to kitty
    heaven?  He's very bright, sensitive and I don't want to traumatize him
    or allow him to think that this will happen to him if he gets really
    sick, which he has already suggested to my horror!
    
    I've dropped several hundred dollars at the vet already, and it looks
    like more to come whether she makes it  or not.  There was only a brief
    confrontation over the weekend about the finances with my husband.  He
    really is a sensitive man, and is as concerned about her as I am.  But
    there was a conversation that was something like "we've spent all this
    money and she still may not pull through?"  I snapped back that I
    wasn't about to put a dollar amount on my love for Holly, and he'd
    better knock it off.  In his defense, he's been right there all
    weekend, despite the fact he's got a terrible cold, helping with the
    meds and coaxing her out to eat and drink.
    
    I guess in reality the vet has told me she may not survive this, and I
    guess I will give her the 10 days of IV fluid and medication, and then
    see what shape she is in before making a final decision.  It's tearing
    me apart, this is the same kind of worry I normally reserve for when my
    youngster is seriously sick.
    
    Thanks for letting me ramble, it's just such a horrible feeling being
    so helpless.  I once worked in a hospital and they had a motto for the
    nursing students that I keep trying to remind myself...
    
    	Man tends...God Mends
    
    Lyn

    Lyn,
    
    Thank you for entering an update...I'm so sorry it's not going 
    better. 
    
    She's a lucky kitty she has you to love her.
    
    Donna
    

    Lyn,
    
    I hope that all goes well.  My wonderful namesake is in my prayers.
    
    Holly (the person, not one of the many cats named Holly)
    

    Lyn,
    
    I can relate to the pain you are going through.  My 13 year old dog
    Benji had been going downhill for quite sometime.  We finally put
    him down 1 year ago. But 4 years ago, when we brought him to the vet
    and he was losing his hearing, and eyesight, the doctor said to me
    "Well his heart is strong..his love for the family is what is keeping
    him strong enough to hang on."  Puting him to sleep was never mentioned
    by our vet. Gradually within those next 3 years, he got really bad.  He
    was not eating much, losing weight, could not hear at all or see much
    of anything, and just slept all day in his little basket.  There were
    times he would try to stand up and he would fall.  My father would not
    accept the mention of putting him to sleep.  We had just gotten a
    Bichon Frise around that time, and he threw up to my mom and I that we
    just wanted Benji put down so we could give all our love to our puppy.
    That we just did not want him anymore.  It was my fathers way of
    dealing with his grief.  Eventually, Benji started to bleed from his
    gums and just could not do anything for himself.  My mom and I ended up
    taking him to the vet.  It was the most painful thing I ever did, but
    the most humane.  We definately should have done it sooner, and that is
    guilt that I hold with me alot.  When an animal's quality of life is
    next to nothing, then it is time.  When your pet can no longer hear the
    most precious sound - the voice of his master, and see the most 
    precious things like flowers, birds, people, children playing, the
    lake, etc. etc. than what is left for that animal.  Sometimes our love
    is not enough to bring back the glorious days of frollicking (sp?) in
    the grass with the warm sunrays on the both of us, the funny games we
    would play, the excitement of approaching the front door impatient to
    hurry up to see him, and him on the other side of the door anticipating
    my arrival.  All that changed for him, he could not longer run, play,
    or get out of his basket to greet me.  He was in pain no doubt.  
    The unfortunate part is that as much as we all know in one way or
    another that we can communicate with our pets, the most toughest time
    that we seem to lose that wave of communication is at this such time. 
    But as parents of our little babies (Cats or dogs) we must be Fearless,
    Brave, Loving, and compassionate and make that decision for them.
    Again, it comes down to the quality of life. 
    
    They say you can't compare animal life to human life, I sometimes
    disagree with that, but what is going on with Holly reminds me so much
    of aunt that recently passed away.  She was diagnosed a few years ago
    with diabetes.  She was on insulin. Her kidneys were real bad and she
    had to go for Dialyses quite frequently.  She lost her eyesight and
    could no longer play BINGO which to her was the highlight of so much.
    She had a hard time eating as she could not find her fod on the plate
    in front of her.  She had the shakes very bad and had a hard time 
    holding anything in her hand, especially if it was something to drink.
    She was put in a nursing home as her only child ( a boy) and his wife
    could not take care of her, she needed 24 hr. constant aide.  She
    got to the point where she relied on everyone for everything. She said
    numerous times that if this was the life she was going to live she
    wanted to die.  She had also mentioned that if something ever happened
    to her she did not want anyone to try to make any efforts to save her.
    Well not long afterwards she had a massive stroke.  She was admitted to
    the Hospital where the Dr. spoke to her son and mentioned her quality
    of life. etc. etc. He suggested that they discontinue dialyses.  This
    was mentioned to her son the first day of her stroke.  He did not want
    to make a hasty decision and said that he would give her 3 weeks to
    recover and he would continue to have her treated with dialyses.  Well
    in the 3 weeks there was absolutely no change and dialyses was
    discontinued.  Note: She was in a semi-coma the whole time. We all felt
    his decision was the correct one.  He did everything he could.  And the
    most important thing left to her was her speech, and the stroke had
    taken the last important thing away.  
    
    I am sorry to ramble, but letting go is a hard thing to do.  I recently
    picked up one of those pocket cards and it is about death.  If I 
    remember I will write it out here tommorrow.  But the basic concept
    was "Miss me..but let me go."
    
    Good Luck with whatever happens Lyn,  I know you will do what is right
    for Holly.
    
    
    Karen & Skippy 

    I just have to tell everyone that Holly came looking for food, on her
    own!  Both last night and this morning.  She is starting to drink on
    her own, and I actually saw her eat a couple bites.  She seems to be
    content living in the family room in the cellar, and I hauled out her
    old friend "mr. fuzzy beanbag chair", and she settled right down into
    it!  I found some pieces of litter in the beanbag so that tells me she
    has actually used the litter box, which is something I'm not sure she
    has done as yet.  I did get a mild protest last night and this morning
    when I gave her the liquid medicine, and the IV too.  She doesn't seem
    to be hiding or screaming as if in pain when we pick her up.
    
    Maybe all your prayers and good wishes are working.  We're a far ways
    from being out of the woods, we can't be sure yet that she will survive
    this, but I was so excited to see her looking for food and water.  It
    was the best thing yet to find her outside the bathroom door this
    morning looking for water, this is her normal morning routine.
    
    Lyn

    Lyn,
    
     What a nice way to start your day! 8-) I'm going to keep the prayers
    and good thoughts coming your way though. It's too early to stop doing
    that from the sound of it, so I will just continue. :-) 
    
    Love,
    
    Yonee

    Me continues too.
    Nat

    Today's report is *cautiously* optimistic.  
    
    She came up from "mr. beanbag chair" in the cellar, and was actually
    seeking food and water, in the norma places. (water on the bathroom
    sink, food beside the fridge on the floor) and then to my amazement
    actually went up another flight of stairs to our bedroom, jumped up on
    the bed and requested her morning Pounce treats.  I also gave her and
    "the youngster" a small amount of catnip, and she seemed happy to have
    both.
    
    My major concern at this point is getting her appetite back to where it
    ought to be.  She is still eating virtually nothing.  It almost appears
    to be uncomfortable to eat.  I do understand her teeth are not in the
    best of shape, but I don't think that's the issue.  I have been
    offering a combination of canned K/D food (we have never used canned),
    human tuna, Purina chow (her usual diet), dry K/D chow and a few pounce
    treats here and there.  What is my next option to get her excited about
    eating.  She's never been finicky about food, so I don't know what to
    do.  She just feels so thin and frail, and as she walks it's like every
    bit of energy is put into carrying the little bit of body weight she
    has left.  I really fear she may be starving herself to death.  Is
    babyfood meat an option, is there some kind of high protien anything I
    can buy for her?  and how do I keep the two cats apart, Bandit will
    literally muscle his way in and push her away from the food. she is so
    "polite" that she has always allowed him to do this.
    
    Lyn

	What about kitty milk, get some liquid and goodness into her.

	To start her off, try a part-boiled and mashed egg - mine go wild for
	it, even when not well (but don't give more than 2 a week).

	If she'll eat the pounce - give her some more

	Check with the vet about how much protien she should have.

	Keep the liquids going.......what about meat juices/gravey

	Heather

    To get Misha eating again, we tempted him with Fresh Catch, Pate
    Supreme and Sheba.  To really get his appetite jump started, the vet
    put him on valium for 2 weeks.  You might ask your vet about that, and
    if it would be safe for Holly.  It really makes cats ravenous for a few
    minutes.  We kept the other 3 cats up in the bedroom with me, while Bob
    pilled Mish and waited for the valium to kick in.  We didn't want any
    distractions or anyone pushing him away from the food.  It worked and
    now he's eating well again.
    
    Good luck, I know how frustrating it is trying to get a cat to eat.
    
    Steffi                     

    
    It's hard striking a balance between appealing food and food that's not
    going to further stress her kidneys.  I think you should really avoid
    the Pounce treats and the tuna.  Holly doesn't need a high protein diet
    at this point, but she does need to eat and more importantly to drink.
    I went through this with Wabbit in her last few months.  She loved
    Pounce treats too, and I've always wondered if my indulging her didn't
    precipitate her kidney failure and diabetes.  With Merlin, I have had
    some success with canned chicken and broth.  Chicken is not as hard on
    the kidneys.  I'd also try the Kal Kan Optimum (per Sandy Merrit's
    recommendation), especially the chicken with rice.  Merlin wolfs it down,
    and at 8% protein it's almost as good as Hills K/D (which he'd rather
    starve than eat).
    
    We're all pulling for you and Holly.
    
    len and Merlin and Rocky and Robin Bandit and Blueberry Snowflake.
    

    I have a cat who LOVES to eat plastic bags, he chewed off enuf and it
    got stuck in his intestines.  He was tossing each meal almost on queue
    about 10 mins. after he ate.  (His name is Pudge, obviously this wasn't
    normal for him.)  He got dehydrated and the vet gave me some stuff I
    call "vitamin paste".  It is a petroleum based product that is loaded
    with vitamins and specifically utilized when eating/digesting is posing
    a problem.  Don't know if it would help Holly, but its worth asking the
    vet about.  Pudge no longer is interested in the stuff, but my three
    others will sometimes take a taste.  I keep it around when eating
    problems arise I just administer some until things get back to 'normal'
    whatever that is.    Keep hanging in there!!

    I think the previous note is referring to "Nutrical".  It's a
    concentrated paste in a tube that is used to supplement a cat's
    diet when they're not eating well, or at all.
    
    When I had all my problems with Mocha not eating last year (she
    went from 9 lbs. to 5), I gave her Nutrical once a day, then forcefed
    her a mixture of babyfood meat, evaporated milk and baby cereal.
    Forcefeeding consisted of putting her on my lap, sticking my finger
    in the mixture, then wiping it on the roof of her mouth.  I couldn't
    get her to eat any other way, and this was the only option.  I would
    do this 4-5 times a day, a little at a time.
    
    Eventually, she got enough in her to feel better and start eating
    on her own.  And that feeling is INCREDIBLE when it happens!  Makes
    you want to cry!
    
    I'm so glad Holly is feeling better - I think it's just a matter of
    time when she turns around!
    
    good luck and good wishes to you and Holly,
    Pam

    Today, actually sometime through the night Holly came up on the bed
    looking for me, and in retrospect I think she may have been looking for
    food.  I was aware of this cold fuzzzy nose snuzzling me. (NO it wasn't
    my bearded husband!)
    
    This morning, and last night too she ate some pounce treats, I gave her
    some of the canned K/D canned diet I had thinned with warm water.  I
    saw her really go after it, a little more than she has been, then when 
    Bandit showed an interest in her abandoned bowl, Holly came back and
    ate more.  She's drinking water, pardon me, right from the tap if I
    make a bowl out of my hands.  OK I'm spoilng her, but considering how
    close to kitty heaven she was, it's OK by me.
    
    The vet called to say the urine culture came back with two bacteria in
    it, so we're to continue the Amoxycillin, and she giving me another
    sulpha based antibiotic plus another liter of IV fluid, just for good
    measure.  She's much better, but still I have only guarded optimism.
    
    The vet said to force feed with a syringe, perhaps babyfood chicken
    might help.  I just hate to beat up on her anymore than I have already,
    especially when it's something to do with eating.
    
    more as developments occur...
    Lyn

    Almost two weeks into this, I am excited to report that she is doing
    well, and I have every confidence she is going to be all right!  I have
    switched from amoxycillin to a sulpha based pill, cut in half.  She
    totally rejected the liquid sulfa med, and fights both of us together
    about the pills.  The vet gave me this plastic thing that is supposed
    to make the pilling easier.  It just keeps my fingers in tact, so she
    can only clamp down on the piller not my finger.
    
    She truly seems enthusiastic about eating and drinking, demanding her
    treats once again, and I've been spoiling her a little with extra
    treats, catnip, milk, and I've even lowered our standard to canned
    food, but she is eating the regular dry food as she was before.
    
    Now Bandit, the healthy youngster is just lovin' every minute of this,
    he waits eagerly beside her bowl waiting for her to finish so he can
    swoop down and clean up what's left.  He is turning into a little
    pudgeball through all of this!  There's nothing worse than seeing a
    sleek cat turn into a meatball!  But I love 'em both just as much.
    
    I'm excited at Holly's recovery, and I owe so much to all of you!
    THANKS!
    Lyn

    Wow...so glad to hear Holly is doing much better!!!  You must
    be in heaven!!
    
    Because of our 17 year old kitty (Mr Meow) who was diagnosed with
    kidney disease I have been reading labels and watching his protein
    intake.   He LOVES all varieties of the Kal Kan Optimum (8% protein
    and the vet said it was Almost as good as KD).  Normal Baby food
    such as beef, chicken, turkey has about 9% protein...but any of
    the baby foods with vegetables is about 4% protein.   That is what
    Mr. Meow gets as his treat with an occasional slice of chicken.
    
    Also 1% milk has about 11% protein...evaporated milk has about 20%
    protein (which is not good) but I did find that Alpo kitty milk
    only to be abut 4% protein.  (again this was okayed by the vet)
    
    I also have a special low protein home-made recipe from the vet...if
    you would like a copy just let me know.  Mr. Meow is also taking a
    dropperful of Pet Tinic every day to help build him up!  He was a
    13 pound cat...which was down to about 5 pounds....but seems to be
    holding his own.
    
    Good luck with Holly...and please keep us posted.
    
    Sandy

    
    Merlin (18 years old with early signs of kidney disease) loves Kal Kan
    Optimum too.   Unfortunately, so do the kittens, who steal it regularly,
    even when they've just finished their own kitten meal.
    
    len.
     

Does anyone know where I can find Kal Kan Optimum in the Nashua area?

Thanks!

    
    I've seen it in every supermarket I've been in.  Star Markets, Stop and
    Shops, Shaws, in the "greater maynard area".  It shouldn't be hard to
    find.
    
    len.
    

    I have seen it at all Demoulos and Star Markets as well....it isn't
    too difficult to find.  Demoulos had it for 5 6oz cans for $1.00!!
    
    Sandy

    Sandy,
    
    Please send the recipie.  Although she is eating a little better, still
    it isn't where it used to be.  It almost looks like she is having
    trouble chewing, but at this point I do know she's not out of the woods
    enough to handle ansethia for dental work, nor is my checkbook either.
    
    She has reached the point of extremely spoiled, she walks up to me and
    gives me the most pathetic look, opens her mouth and gives this
    pittiful cry to be picked up and put on the bathroom sink for a drink
    of water.  But is that enough...NOOO! she wants me to make a cup of my
    hands and let her drink what is dripping over the edges.  I have no
    complaint, it's the only time she's really vigorous about drinking!
    and right after that we go upstairs, same begging routine, but this
    time it's for her 'daily fix", first it's two pounce treats, followed
    by apinch of catnip.  There's life left in the old lady yet!
    
    I just love her so much, I'm so glad she's improving (she said
    cautously!)
    
    Lyn

    Over the weekend Holly has taken a very definite slip backward. 
    Initially we thought she was showing hurt feelings, because we have
    been letting Barney the Siamese stray come and go a bit.  But yesterday
    she didn't move, seemed to be vomiting again, and not interested in
    eating much of anything.
    
    I hauled out the remaining pills, and we have agreed to give her three
    days of medicine, she is still drinking if we put her on the sink and
    encourage her by letting the water pool in our hands, and drip out.  I
    won't start the IV fluids unless she stops all together.  We have
    agreed that unless she is better by Wednesday, we will probably let the
    vet send her to kitty heaven, very sadly we have come to the
    realization that her quality of life is not good, and it isn't fair to
    allow her to suffer.
    
    Bandid, the younger one, spent Satuday night constantly nuzzling me,
    just looking for attention.  He is already missing his sibling, we are
    making sure he knows he is loved very much.
    
    Yesterday I opened a can of something very smelly, and this morning
    while making tuna sandwiches she came up from the cellar to check it
    out, yes she did eat a couple bites of tuna.  The canned food she
    seemed to only want to lick the gravy off the plate.
    
    I will keep you posted as progess is made, or not made.  I can only
    have cautious optimism at this point.
    
    Lyn
       

    Oh how sad.....hopefully Holly will turn around once again.  With
    Mr. Meow (17 years old with Kidney Disease) we noticed he has
    good days and bad days....and all I can hope for is that he
    is not suffering, still happy to be spoiled rotten...but I know
    that "heaven day" probably isn't too far off either.
    
    Keep us posted on Holly..and here's sending many many well wishes.
    Sandy

    
    
    	Lyn,
    
    	You may want to put a dish of water up next to the sink, my
    	two feel the water is fresher if it is next to the sink.
    
    	Prays to you and Holly...
    
    	Mike

    I have offered her canned food, human tuna, water right from our hands,
    she is on her fourth day of medication, she is drinking in very limited
    amounts.  Bottom line though is she is slowly starving herself to
    death.  She is getting thinner almost by the hour.  I think we need to
    make a very hard decision, very soon.  I just can't stand to let her
    suffer any longer.  I can't excite her with treats, catnip, or any
    other of her old favorites.  She's been hold up in the cellar again,
    pretty much full time since Sunday.  She was at the foot of the bed
    this morning when we got up, but couldn't find her anywhere an hour
    later when we wanted to give her a pill.
    
    I'm real upset, and not yet ready to face reality. (sniff!)
    
    Lyn

    My Pip passed away from cancer last month. ABout a month before she
    died, she began starving herself. WIth cancer, it is important thtat
    they continue eating. Pip had been on prednoszone to stimulate her
    appitite. The vet switched her to a tiny dosage of vallium and she
    regained her appitite. Speak to your vet as he might be able to provide
    her with something to stimulate her appitite.
    
    Deb

    She's eating!  I lowered my standards over the weekend to 9Lives semi
    moist, and a can of tuna and whitefish (the brand name escapes me) but
    pretty much a mushy consitency.  She is still refusing milk, but is
    definitely looking for water, gets real p'd off at us when we pill her,
    but we usualy manage to get them down her. Then we give her catnip or
    pounce treats as a reward.
    
    Back on the rollercoaster ride.  I'm going to wait until after she has
    finished all the pills and is off of them for a couple weeks before I
    can make an honest evaluation of her survival odds.  For now, it is one
    day at a time, and this day it looks good.
    
    Lyn

    Lyn...You should try the Ultra milk or the Alpo milk for cats...it
    is only 4% protein vs 15-20% in regular milk.  I bought it for Mr. 
    Meow who loves it...but so don't all the rest of my furfaces!!!!
    
    I do believe life with older sickly kitties...is a very big
    rollercoaster ride!!!  Glad to see Holly is doing better today.
    
    Sandy

    This is several months over due, due to the fact that I have been out
    since Labor day, being a full time mom to my two legged child and the
    four legged ones as well.
    
    We were forced to deal with the reality thay Holly wasn't going to
    recover, and early in September she sort of told us it was her time.  
    I honestly believed several times I would find a fuzzy lifeless body on
    our bed.  She had slipped down below kitten weight, had virtually
    stopped eating and drinking for nearly two weeks.  I agonized over
    putting her down for several days, through about it on a Friday night,
    but the vet I was familiar with had left for the weekend.  I told them
    that I would deal with it on Monday, but the folks at Northboro Vet
    clinic assured me that if she did pass away on her own, they would give
    me all the help and assistance that I needed with burial.
    
    Monday I had decided that I had to do it, and decided not to say
    anything to my son (6.5yrs) but to send him to school and then take her
    to the vet.  She had been on the bed so long, and we had Barney and
    Bandit to keep him busy anyway, it was sort of out of site, out of
    mind situation.  My husband, bless him, felt my heartbreak and decided
    to come with me to put her down.  We stayed with her before during and
    after the shot, he cried along with me, we said our goodbyes, and left
    feeling as if we had lost a member of our family.  They took care of
    the burial for us, and were extrememly caring and discrete in 
    every possible way.
    
    We didn't do so good with our son, we just never said anything, nor did
    he for several weeks later.  We simply told him that Big Kitty was very
    sick and we had taken her to the vet, but they couldn't help her and
    she had died at the vet.  He accepted that, but wanted to see where she
    was buried, which we told her was a special place the vet had picked
    out near lots of other kitties.  This is the very reason we chose not
    to bury her on our property, I didn't want him to have to deal with
    this over and over again, when he came upon the burial spot.
    
    I still get teary and miss her.  Christmas wasn't the same, mornings
    arn't the same, I miss her jumping up on the bed demanding Pounce
    treats, I miss her water bowl on the bathroom sink, I miss having two
    warm furry bodies on the bed at night.....sniff! 
    
    Lyn

    I'm so sorry about Holly kitty.  She IS in kitty heaven and knows
    that you loved her and did everything you could by her.  Treasure
    the memories of the good times you shared.  This will help repair
    the hole in your heart.
    
    Sincerest sympathy,
    Carl

    I am with you, too...
    
    Nat

Lyn,

I hope it's comforting to know that others care at this time.  It's so hard
to lose a loved one, but Holly will always be with you in your heart.

Take care.

Hugs,
Laura

    Lyn,
    
    I'm so sorry about Holly.  I know how hard it is to make that difficult
    decision.  You did the right thing for Holly.  She knew how much you
    love her.  Treasure the happy memories.
    
    Steffi                                                       

    I'm so sorry to hear of Holly's passing.  I had been keeping an eye on
    these notes, considering my namesake, and was hoping she would pull
    through.  Now I've got to explain this tear in my eye. )-:
    
    Holly