My cat, Garfield, hasn’t been well since Wednesday. He had rapid breathing, so I took him to the vet on Thursday. The diagnosis was devastating: pleural effusion. He had to have the fluid drained.
It is apparently either cancer or heart failure, so it’s terminal.
He’s been back home since then. He was very lethargic on Friday; yesterday he seemed alright, but today he’s just not himself. He’s eating and sleeping a lot, but moving in slow motion...
I know I’m going to have to make a decision soon and it’s just heartbreaking.
He’s such a big presence in the house, a real 'velcro cat'. His name is Garfield and he certainly lives up to it—always full of mischief...
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It really is such a joy to see them interacting and tearing about, and once you’re ready, I’m sure it will be the start of a wonderful new adventure for you and Tango. As you say, the image I always try to hold onto, rather than the one from when she was ill, is of my girl when she was young and full of life—in fact, I’ve actually had a photo from that time framed.
Evening Kalou and Coko, thanks for your messages. Tango is already looking for her much less; he just stops to sniff certain things she used to rub against often. At the same time, I’m giving him twice as much attention as I’m worried about him getting bored. So it’s non-stop cuddles, grooming, treats, and play sessions – the full works. He’s constantly after my attention now that he hasn't got his mate Muscade to distract him anymore. He’s playing loads, too. Perhaps he’ll thrive as the sole prince of the flat. I’m already thinking about forming a trio again once I’ve come to terms with the loss of my princess. It was so lovely to see them interacting together!
Thanks for the suggestion of Bach flower remedies, it’s a great idea. I bought some alcohol-free ones for Muscade when I first adopted her. I was actually looking back at photos of her arrival today, and it was quite emotional. She was so young and beautiful.
Good evening, I’m so incredibly sorry to hear about Muscade. I lost one of my girls two and a half months ago and, just like you, I really felt that shift in the household dynamic at first. She was a very vocal cat and used to "answer" me every time I spoke to her. Despite having my three other cats, the silence was deafening. It does eventually start to ease, though. Tango will gradually stop looking for her as her scent fades away. Some cats are much more sensitive than others when they lose a companion. If it helps, there are Bach flower remedies for grief, and you can get alcohol-free versions for Tango. Sending you lots of strength.
Thank you Yume, thank you Marie, your messages mean so much to me. I miss her presence, her loving looks and her cuddles. I’ve been smelling the blankets she used to sleep on just to catch her scent again. My other cat Tango, who is 5 and has been with me since he was a tiny kitten, lived with her his whole life. He’s sniffing every corner of the flat looking for her, and he’s spending his first few days all alone while I’m at work; it breaks my heart.
What’s also difficult, and something I wasn’t prepared for, is the sadness of being alone with just Tango when we were a trio. I live on my own and my cats are my little family. I’m going to miss the dynamic between the three of us; it feels so incredibly empty without her.
I’m thinking of gathering all the photos I took of Muscade and getting a nice photo book printed, so I have a lovely keepsake of her and the 7 years we spent together.
Hi Alexia,
My heart goes out to you during this terrible time.
Please know that Muscade isn't in any pain anymore. Even though she would have wanted to stay by your side, she simply couldn't. You were there for her right until the very end, and that’s such a beautiful act of love. If you look up at the sky, I'm sure you'll see a bright star twinkling just for you.
Thinking of dear Muscade; may she rest in peace in cat heaven.
Marie.
Good evening, I feel like there has been so much sad news on the forum lately. Losing a pet is always such a heartbreaking time; sending you all strength during this difficult period.
Hi everyone, Muscade went to cat heaven this evening... In agreement with the vets at the practice, she was put to sleep to spare her from terrible suffering. I’m so heartbroken 🤧 Thank you for all your kind messages. I stayed with her until the very end, just as I wanted, with strokes, kisses and whispering loving words in her ear. Wishing strength to everyone who has to go through such a difficult time.
Hi Alexia, I understand exactly how you’re feeling right now. I went through that same difficult decision back in February, but it’s done out of love for them, to spare them from unnecessary suffering when everything has been tried and there’s no treatment left to help. For my boy, who absolutely hated the car and his carrier, I used to use a bit of catnip spray (you can buy it in a spray bottle) about fifteen minutes before leaving to calm him down; he absolutely loved it. Mind you, given your girl’s health issues, I’m not sure if it’s recommended. I used to spray it regularly on his cat tree and all his sleeping spots, and he’d go completely loopy. Sending you lots of strength and give your girl plenty of cuddles from me. Marie
Hi Milaly, thank you for your message. I’m so sorry to hear about your Chipie... Muscade has had two episodes where she struggled to breathe over the last few days, so we’ve increased her medication (she’s now on half a 10mg Libeo morning and evening, plus two 5mg Marbocyl a day). The vet told me we’re at the maximum dose now and there’s nothing more we can do. She’s been clear from the start that the treatment is palliative, not a cure. She advised against surgery for the cancer because chest operations are very heavy going, and Muscade gets incredibly stressed by travel. That actually made me feel less guilty, as it would have been a real struggle to afford it too. I’m keeping a close eye on her, but I can see she’s tiring very quickly. She didn't seem herself tonight; she was exhausted and, more importantly, she seemed anxious after having a bit of a breathing struggle following a cuddle. She tried to flop down against me to get her tummy rubbed—she loves that—but it took her breath away and she jumped back up in a panic, looking totally lost. It took her a while to calm down and get her breathing back to normal. She didn’t feel like playing, either. Because of that, I think I’ll be making that final decision in the coming days. I don't want her to be terrified and gasping for air, and if she can no longer enjoy the good times, it would be selfish of me to keep her here. In the meantime, I’ve plugged in a Feliway diffuser to help soothe her (she’s a very anxious cat and has always responded amazingly to it—it’s honestly incredible, whereas it doesn’t do much for my other cat). I’ve also been giving her her favourite treats. I’m not dreading the euthanasia itself, which, as I read somewhere, will be my final act of love to spare her unnecessary suffering. No, what’s worrying me is getting her into the carrier, which has always been a nightmare: she’s terrified, soils herself (wee, poo and anal glands), and it’s a real struggle because she’s a semi-feral cat who has never let herself be handled, only stroked (I adopted her from a rescue when she was two). For instance, I’ve never been able to pick her up. It makes me so sad to think of betraying her trust in her final moments and putting us both through such a distressing time. There’s also the risk, as the vet mentioned, that the stress could make it even harder for her to breathe (I saw it happen at the last appointment and it was awful) and that she might have a syncopal episode and pass away just from being put in the carrier or during the trip...
Hi Alexia, I know exactly what you’re going through. I recently lost my Chipie, who had a pleural effusion. I won’t go into her story here as I’ve already shared it in other posts, and of course, every case is different.
You mentioned that Muscade is on treatment, so perhaps it’s worth waiting a little longer to see if there’s any improvement. What did the vet have to say about it?
From what you’ve said, I’d be inclined to say that if Muscade is still eating, playing, and coming for cuddles, she must still have some fight left in her. Of course, that’s only my opinion and you’re in the best position to see if she’s in any pain – you know her better than anyone.
I truly hope Muscade pulls through; you have my full support. Don’t hesitate to keep posting, you’ll find plenty of support here and it always helps to have people to talk to. Hang in there.
