Another one?

[farthing]

I've just had a call from the vet about a stray cat they have had handed in- he is old, possibly hyperthyroid and has fluid in his abdomen. However he has been in for a week and is very bright so the don't really want to PTS. There is a question whether he has FIP ( although I didn't think they lasted very long with the wet form), he has a heart murmer and they will test for FIV/Felv. We have been asked to consider him for short term care, they do think whatever he has is terminal and he may only have a few months but because he is happy and bright think it would be nice to give him a retirement home.
They will PTS on Friday if no other option can be found, but will keep him until Fluffy's stitches are out and she can go back with the others- IF we agree to take him. He can then have a stress free life in the spare room until his time comes.

[yola]

Do you know, you're an angel. Selflessly taking on cats who you know will break your heart when their time is up. I hope this puss can live out his days in gentle contentment with you both and may his retirement be a long and happy one!

[angieh]

Bless you farthing xxx

[dandysmom]

You are an angel indeed, farthing. That poor old boy can spend his last days in a loving and caring environment ... xxx

[farthing]

Things may still be dependant on blood results and there may be no choice. Mike is in Holland for the day- I sent him a text asking if he wanted another cat- old stray, terminal will be PTS tomorrow if no home found- he replied 'when is it coming home.'
We are going to see him tomorrow, the vet has called him Donald and he only has 3 teeth left but I don't know anything else about him. Hopefully its his heart condition causing the fluid as we can deal with it for a time and if he is hyperthyroid- well we are becoming specialists in that area.

Thanks Yola, I am appehensive about taking him on for possibly a very short time, usually there is a bit of hope, but its a life that can be given comfort and we will just have to deal with the upset when it happens- its a small price to pay.

[Tink]

Bless you, fingers crossed for blood results, I know he'd be cared for with you.

[jacks]

You are such a kind and wonderful person Farthing.I hope he gets to spend the last part of his life with you.

[farthing]

Well, we've been to meet 'Donald' and he is lovely. He is gray with a bit of white underneath and some rusty tones on his back. He looks very thin in the face, but has a very distended tummy. His bloods aren't too bad and he is FIV/Felv negative- so we will take him home on Tuesday.
One of the vets is pretty sure he doesn't have FIP, and they did take enough blood to send off a sample but we decided it wouldn't really tell us much, a thyroid test will be sent of on Monday and we are all pretty sure that will be high. The vet thinks the fluid is due to his heart and not liver ( bloods are good and they can feel no masses), but can't really tell what is going on with his heart because it is going so fast- if he is hyperthyroid this will explain his heart and once we get that under control we will be able to hear what is going on a lot better.
It was funny because one of the nurses already had our name on his record sheet, and they were delighted we were taking him because he is a bit of a favourite already.

[angieh]

Poor Donald - so glad he'll be going home with you next week. How's his breathing?

[farthing]

His breathing seems fine, he was in his box when I went in to see him but when I spoke he came running out and was squeezing his nose through the cage to see me. I took him out and he was so happy, just a lovely old man.