Wilson
For the first two years of college, I missed having a cat badly but Nick and I were in living situations that didn't allow for that. I got N to agree to adopt a cat when we moved back to Texas from Minnesota, to an apartment complex that permitted it. A week or two after the move in 2004, I brought the topic up and when he expressed second thoughts, I flew into a tearful fit won him over in a rational debate.
We drove to a cat shelter and saw two 12 week-old kittens, a silver tabby with a disproportionately long tail named "Sophia" and the cutest little black and white "cow kitty" you'll ever meet, "Wilson." We were in love. We had not previously talked about getting two cats but decided it would be shame to bust up the cell mates. They came home with us that day. I wasn't crazy about the name Wilson but N felt otherwise and it grew on me eventually.
Sophie and Wilson seemed to fit into our household with no trouble. Wilson was always the more shy and timid one but he was sweet and affectionate once he got to know you. He grew up to a mere 7 pounds; a little bitty guy. The four of us were a family till 2007, when Drama entered the picture. Wilson and Drama had relationship issues...Drama would often want to chase and roughhouse, and Wilson was unenthusiastic about that. I would still catch them cuddling and grooming each other from time to time, though.
In the last few months, Wilson started losing weight. It was a gradual thing that I brushed off at first. "He's always been tiny." And he seemed perfectly happy...energetic, affectionate. But in the last few weeks it became obvious he was sick. He had become emaciated, started drooling, and urinating outside his box (when he'd never done that before). I took him to the nearest vet who found sores in his mouth and diagnosed him with an autoimmune disorder. He prescribed some high calorie wet food and a hormonal medication. I thought it was strange that he diagnosed him only by visual exam, but we started feeding him a variety of wet, soft food and he was eating much better and was better hydrated. I asked the vet about getting a blood test and we made a follow up appointment for the next week, to see how Wilson improved in the meantime.
Things seemed better for a few more days but then took a sudden downturn. He showed interest in food and water but couldn't seem to eat or drink. He became lethargic and the drooling was much worse. I took off of work early Friday to get him to the Cat Hospital. They examined him and told me as compassionately as possible that they weren't sure he could bounce back. He was put on an IV, catheter, pain meds, and some other stuff. Blood test and urinalysis results came back Saturday morning, revealing chronic kidney failure and urine crystals.
Since then, he's received the best care possible. But ultimately, if we were going to take him home, it would mean some pretty heavy doctoring for the rest of his life, an estimated 1.5-2 years. And after ~$1100 in vet bills (i.e., credi card debt for the first time in my life), I can't pretend that cost isn't a factor. We have decided not to continue his care. We have an appointment later today to euthanize.
I wish that Wilson understood what was going on. I wish that I could ask what he wants. But I have to make that decision for him and I'll always have doubts. I am not inclined to prayer but I find myself praying today.
We drove to a cat shelter and saw two 12 week-old kittens, a silver tabby with a disproportionately long tail named "Sophia" and the cutest little black and white "cow kitty" you'll ever meet, "Wilson." We were in love. We had not previously talked about getting two cats but decided it would be shame to bust up the cell mates. They came home with us that day. I wasn't crazy about the name Wilson but N felt otherwise and it grew on me eventually.
Sophie and Wilson seemed to fit into our household with no trouble. Wilson was always the more shy and timid one but he was sweet and affectionate once he got to know you. He grew up to a mere 7 pounds; a little bitty guy. The four of us were a family till 2007, when Drama entered the picture. Wilson and Drama had relationship issues...Drama would often want to chase and roughhouse, and Wilson was unenthusiastic about that. I would still catch them cuddling and grooming each other from time to time, though.
In the last few months, Wilson started losing weight. It was a gradual thing that I brushed off at first. "He's always been tiny." And he seemed perfectly happy...energetic, affectionate. But in the last few weeks it became obvious he was sick. He had become emaciated, started drooling, and urinating outside his box (when he'd never done that before). I took him to the nearest vet who found sores in his mouth and diagnosed him with an autoimmune disorder. He prescribed some high calorie wet food and a hormonal medication. I thought it was strange that he diagnosed him only by visual exam, but we started feeding him a variety of wet, soft food and he was eating much better and was better hydrated. I asked the vet about getting a blood test and we made a follow up appointment for the next week, to see how Wilson improved in the meantime.
Things seemed better for a few more days but then took a sudden downturn. He showed interest in food and water but couldn't seem to eat or drink. He became lethargic and the drooling was much worse. I took off of work early Friday to get him to the Cat Hospital. They examined him and told me as compassionately as possible that they weren't sure he could bounce back. He was put on an IV, catheter, pain meds, and some other stuff. Blood test and urinalysis results came back Saturday morning, revealing chronic kidney failure and urine crystals.
Since then, he's received the best care possible. But ultimately, if we were going to take him home, it would mean some pretty heavy doctoring for the rest of his life, an estimated 1.5-2 years. And after ~$1100 in vet bills (i.e., credi card debt for the first time in my life), I can't pretend that cost isn't a factor. We have decided not to continue his care. We have an appointment later today to euthanize.
I wish that Wilson understood what was going on. I wish that I could ask what he wants. But I have to make that decision for him and I'll always have doubts. I am not inclined to prayer but I find myself praying today.