Cosmo is Gone - Update post #19

[elizabethann]

I have a vet appointment for Cosmo at 4pm today but I thought I would see if anyone on PT would have some ideas. I just noticed about 3-4 days ago that Cosmo's stomach is really huge. He got kidney disease last summer and he got very skinny & frail. Well, last Thursday I just noticed that he is skinny all over but his stomach is gigantic.

My first thought was maybe a tumor or cancer. But then this morning I went to clean his poop box and realized he hasn't gone poop in about 3 days. He's pee'd. He just hasn't pooped.

Do you think he could have a blockage of some kind? What about a tumor or cancer? He continues to eat and he eats allot of wet food, very little dry food.

Has anyone had experience with something like this?

[elizabethann]

It's not looking good for Cosmo.

The vet did some x-rays and he has massive fluid inside his body. The vet drained some of it. She said if it was blood, it was cancer. However, it was clear but she cannot rule out cancer just yet. She also showed me something strange from his x-rays. She said she had NO IDEA what it was. She said it looked like bones. She wanted to know if he ate fish last week and he did. She said it could be bones from the fish. I know I gave him some Fancy Feast that had fish chunks in it.

She said he could have liver disease, cancer, a tumor, even diabetes (which is the last stage of kidney disease). She also said that whatever it is, his chances are not good.

They are doing an ultrasound on him tomorrow or Wednesday. He is staying over at the vets tonight...and maybe tomorrow night.

I knew he wasn't feeling well because he didn't fight to go into the crate. Also, he didn't meow & howl in the car (like he normally does). And when I went out back to say goodbye & goodnight, he was just laying there, looking like he didn't have a care in the world....which is unusual.

I'm not ready to lose 2 cats in 2 months so please, if you can spare some good thoughts for Cosmo, I would appreciate it. Fenway would too. He's not ready to lose another brother.

[Catty1]

Oh no...hugs and prayers for Cosmo, that he gets better soon.

How old is our little boy?

[jennielynn1970]

Is the vet sure it's not FIP? That sounds very much like the symptoms of the wet kind. It's a horrible disease, so I hope that it's not this. The pics are disturbing, but it will give you an idea of the enlarged stomach.

Here are some links:

http://www.vet.cornell.edu/fhc/brochures/fip.html

http://www.newmanveterinary.com/fip.html

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Feline_...us_peritonitis

[AbbyMom]

Prayers and warm thoughts on the way for Cosmos. And for his mommy and brother Fenway, too.

[krazyaboutkatz]

I'm so sorry to hear that Cosmos is so sick. Lots of prayers and positive thoughts are being sent his way.

[elizabethann]

Cosmo is almost 12 years old.

The vet mentioned FIP. She just won't know more until the ultrasound is done. Thanks for the links.

[Killearn Kitties]

I have no experience of this, but I will be keeping everything crossed for sweet Cosmo.

[momtomany]

Lots of prayers for both you and Cosmo.

[elizabethann]

The vet just called, Cosmo has tumors. One is on his spleen and the other is on the route of the mesatary (his intestines). They could do exploratory surgery and remove the one on his spleen (and remove his spleen if need be), but the one on his intestines may not be operatable. The vet said he is in guarded to poor condition.

I have decided to put him to sleep this afternoon.

I don't think it's right to put him through the surgery. He is almost 12 years old, has kidney disease and is just not doing well.

I can't believe I've had to put all two of my cats to sleep in 2 months. I can't believe this is happening. I can't stop crying. I don't want to go home to a cat empty house. I always promised Cosmo I would buy him a home with a huge back yard. I never got that chance.

I am happy in a small way because this Sunday I was able to take him outside and he walked around & laid in the sun.

I hope Maxie will be at the rainbow bridge, waiting for him. Maxie can show him around and introduce him to all the other animals.

My heart is numb.

[Catty1]

Oh no....Maxie will be there to welcome Cosmo...

I can't imagine the heartbreak.

I have two furbabes close in age...and I know I might face the same thing one day, first one, then the other too soon.

All I can say is...I am so sorry.

Are you able to be with Cosmo?

{{{{hugs}}}}

[Karen]

Oh, how sad. But he has had many good years of being a loved kitty, and you are right, that Sunday outing was extra special, and I bet he will remember it always.

[elizabethann]

Catty1,

Yes. I am leaving work early and will be there when Cosmo is pts. I will ask them to cut some of his fur. His belly will be all shaved off because of the ultrasound.

I am going to have him cremated and will put his fur inside with his ashes (like I did for Maxie).

Maxie & Cosmo were actually about 6 years apart. Maxie died pretty young of Cardiomyopathy.

I still can't believe this is happening. I can't believe I have to go home and remove the cat furniture, the cat box, the cat food, the cat toys. I won't be getting a kitty for awhile. It's just too hard to think about at the moment.

Thank you for your sympathy. I'm grateful for this site. I know I can come here and pour my heart out and not get laughed at. I'm lucky I work with people who love animals too. They understand and my boss said I could take tomorrow off. However, I will probably come in just to keep my mind off of everything.

[Craftlady]

So sorry for your loss. May it be a comfort to know that Cosmo wont be suffering anymore and will be able to play peacefully at the Rainbow Bridge.

[Queen of Poop]

I am so very sorry that you have to say good bye to Cosmo today. Rest assured, Maxie will be there to greet him with open paws. My heart is breaking for you. Hugs.