At peace

At 5:45 this evening, Oscar passed onto the Rainbow Bridge quite peacefully. Before we went into the room, I was holding him and he sighed a little bit and put his head on my shoulder like he used to do as a kitten. He let me hold him throughout everything, except for the final bits. He needed to be stretched out a bit so the vet could find a vein that worked.

The Vet was super nice and treated Oscar with a great deal of dignity and respect. She explained the procedure even though we've been through it before. She gave Oscar the tranquilizer and left us alone to say our goodbyes before coming back in to give him the second injection.

I gave Oscar all the love I could in those final moments. I told him all about the big fat mice that couldn't run and the damn bird that he'd finally be able to catch. I told him what a good boy he always was and how very much I loved him and that there will never be another cat that will take his place. He'll be my forever baby boy.

And then, it was done. He was happy and healthy and chasing mice and hanging with his buddies again.

We buried him at Mom and Dad's. Dad had a beautiful spot all picked out and M dug the grave. I started to sob when M threw in the first bit of dirt and I couldn't watch as my beautiful baby boy was covered with dirt.

And then M took my hand, lead me back over to the graveside and said "let's say a prayer". And he thanked God for letting us have one of His angels in our lives and letting us care for him for a little while.

I know it was the right thing to do. He's happy now and I'll see him soon. Even if it's decades from now, I'll be with my baby boy again...soon.

Oscar's Visit to the Vet redux

So M and I just got back from the vet's office where I learned to give Oscar his fluid injections. I'd say it was easy peasy lemon squeezie but...even though I didn't have any trouble at all, I started to shake. (thankfully AFTER the injection was done.)

M on the other paw...well...let's just say that *I* will be the only one giving the fluids. He turned a VERY interesting shade of grey and then had to leave the room while the solution was flowing.

Oscar did very very well. He growled a bit while I was holding him for the injection and during the flow but even though he's still pretty unimpressed with me, he's letting me love on him. *G* I think he knows that it wasn't pleasant for ANY of us and that it's going to make him feel better.

I still wish (of course) that I didn't HAVE to do any of this, but it's really nice to know that I CAN do it.

Oscar's test results

Well, the good news is, he doesn't have diabetes or thyroid disease.

Bad news is he has kidney disease.

Good news again is, it's chronic kidney disease.

Bad news again is that no one knows when it will turn into end stage kidney disease.

So.

We go tomorrow night to learn how to give Oscar some subdural injections of fluid to help his kidneys work more efficiently and to get some prescription food for him to eat.

More tomorrow.

Oscar's Visit to the Vet

He was a really good boy on the way to the vet. Had some complaints until he found a comfy spot on Mommy's lap. Then it was "sniff sniff sniff" at the crack in the window that Mommy put down for him. He perked up when he saw my parent's house (where he grew up and was an indoor/outdoor kitty) and the fields he used to run around in and catch "miceies".

We got to the vet and he was being so good. He was on his leash and he hopped out of the car and started walking for the door just as calm as you please. Then he must have realized that he wasn't home and he tried to dart under the car. Heh heh heh. That's where having a leash is good. Poor boy. I scooped him up and carried him in to the office. Everyone made a big deal out of him (he is a handsome little boy) and we were taken into a room right away because a silly young Lab puppy was coming in and the Dr didn't want Oscar scared.

Finally it was our turn to be seen. He had his temperature taken...was SO not happy with that...and had his weight checked. He's down 2 lbs from when we last weighed him. I knew he had lost weight but not that much.

The Dr came in and gave him some exam time. Checked his thyroid and his tummy area. Took him back into the lab area and got some blood from him. My GOODNESS you could feel the floor shake from his VERY angry meows. NOT a happy boy.

Vet said that there is SOMETHING wrong but until the blood tests come back, she's not sure just what it could be. The three biggies for older cats are Thyroid Disease, which is treatable and curable, Diabetes, which is treatable but not curable, and Kidney disease which is neither very treatable nor curable.

She said that he has SLIGHT symptoms but they're so slight that, without the blood work, we won't be sure. So, pins 'n needles until tomorrow or Thursday.

Dear God, please don't let it be kidney disease.