Silky's Passing
I have had a rough week or so. First I was sick from last Wednesday-Sunday. Then on Monday, I came home to find my cat, Silky, missing. I could not find her. She is almost completely deaf so she can't hear my call. When I did find her, I snuggled with her for awhile until she wanted to get down. She could not walk right. She was all wobbly and kept going in circles. I could tell she was dehydrated and I thought that had something to do with the disorientation. I picked her up and put her down by food and water. She just circled right over those bowls, stepping in each in turn. It was scary. She would have been 19 the first week of September. On Tuesday I took her to the vet. We agreed to do a full blood workup. We learned through the test that her blood and urine glucose levels were elevated, but not high enough for diabetes. She was dehydrated. And her potassium level was way low. She had not eaten for a day and a half.
They hydrated her and saw her circling behavior. Unfortunately, a cat who has not eaten for a day and a half can have elevated glucose. A dehydrated cat can circle and exhibit signs of diorientation. The same is true for low potassium. A brain tumor or neurological damage can also cause cirling, but we did not test for these. They gave me something for the potassium and I brought her home around 6:30.
Once home, she tried to stand but did not have the strength. I tried to get her to eat or drink, but she was not interested. I held her throughout the night. Several times she tried to wander around, but was weak and shakey. In the morning she was nearly gone. I brought her in to Gulf Coast Vetrinary Clinic with a friend who works there. She had one of her favorite vets take care of Silky. It was quick and painless for my baby. I will miss her terribly. I decided to have her cremated and I will scatter her ashes. My friend clipped some fur and a wisker. When her kitty passed with cancer, she placed the same in a locket. Then framed the locket with a picture. I am not sure if I will do the same, but at least I have the option.
They hydrated her and saw her circling behavior. Unfortunately, a cat who has not eaten for a day and a half can have elevated glucose. A dehydrated cat can circle and exhibit signs of diorientation. The same is true for low potassium. A brain tumor or neurological damage can also cause cirling, but we did not test for these. They gave me something for the potassium and I brought her home around 6:30.
Once home, she tried to stand but did not have the strength. I tried to get her to eat or drink, but she was not interested. I held her throughout the night. Several times she tried to wander around, but was weak and shakey. In the morning she was nearly gone. I brought her in to Gulf Coast Vetrinary Clinic with a friend who works there. She had one of her favorite vets take care of Silky. It was quick and painless for my baby. I will miss her terribly. I decided to have her cremated and I will scatter her ashes. My friend clipped some fur and a wisker. When her kitty passed with cancer, she placed the same in a locket. Then framed the locket with a picture. I am not sure if I will do the same, but at least I have the option.