Josh is dying

[doolittleky]

For the past year Josh has had alot of medical problems. He is diabetic and has an enlarged heart as well as a heart murmur. The last time he went to the vet about two weeks ago, my vet did an xray and found a spot on his lungs that she says is probably a mass and if so there is nothing they can do for him. The last two days he has had bouts of coughing and is not eating so good and is losing weight. It is jsut a matter of time before I will have to make that final agonizing decision. I am especailly dreading it because he is the last of the originals that I have. Jim has my cat Willow who is one of the six but Josh is the last one I have at home. The orirginals are very very special to me and that is the end kinda of an era with him leaving. It is going to be extremely hard on me. I really need your prayers and support.

Josh in cat bed









He likes to look at himself in the mirror






This is young Josh




Baby Josh






Josh and Jade

[moosmom]

Doolittlekitty,

You and Josh will be in my thoughts and prayers.

(((((HUGS))))))))

Donna

[Medusa]

What a beautiful boy and such a sweet couple. I'm so sorry about dear Josh and am sending out positive prayers for him and you right now......

[doolittleky]

Some of my favorite memories are of Josh playing peek a boo with me under the sheets!





Josh playing with toy




Josh saying Talk to the paw




Josh ready to attack the leaf

I took him to the vet yesterday to have the second xray done and the mass was still there on his lung. The vet says he lost more weight but is stable at the moment but says it depends on how well Josh eats and keeps his weight to how long he has. She says maybe jsut a few weeks.

[kimlovescats]

I'm so sorry to hear this! I hope your last days together are special!

Kim

[Miss Z]

It breaks my heart to hear this. I understand completely; just over a week ago I lost my little rat, Tia Maria, to a tumour, and she was the last remaining pet of my 'originals' (that is, the original pets I had when I joined Pet Talk). I miss her immensely, yet am grateful that Flossie has now been brought into my life to comfort me.

The best you can do is make Josh's final days as comfortable for him as possible, just as I did with Tia. Making the decision is awful, but you really do know when the time comes, and you will know deep down that you did everything you could, and Josh had the best life he could have had with you.

My thoughts are with you and Josh over these next few weeks. I hope he hangs onto life for a little while yet.

((hugs))

[Freedom]

Such difficult news. None of us wants to hear those words from our vet.

Did the vet advise an appetite stimulant? Ruffles was on that for 4 months and it really did help to "slow" the process. She felt fine until those last 72 hours. Something to consider.

Josh is So handsome! Take lots of photos, give him treats and make a huge fuss of him any time, day or night! And give him some chin scritchies from RI, please.

[Laura's Babies]

I am so heartbroken to hear this. He is such a cute boy and this picture of him made me laugh and cry at the same time..

(((((HUGS))))) and I will be thinking about you during this hard time. Just hug him and tell him all the things you want him to know before he leaves, especially what he means to you.

[catmandu]

We Are So Sorry That Your Vet Has Given Josh Such A Sad Prognosis.
I Know That You Will Do Your Best To Give That Handsome Young Cat The Most Quality Time That You Can , And He If He Has To Be A Pet Angel Will Be A Much Loved Pet Angel. We Are Praying That The News Is Not Accurate And Josh Will Have More Time With You.
We Are Adding Josh To Our Prayers Tonight.

[Catty1]

Melissa - what a stunningly beautiful and handsome boy you have in Josh!

You might want to ask your vet about prednisone...it can keep inflammation down and perk up Josh's appetite. Certainly not a cure - but may keep Josh more comfy.

Give him a hug and kiss for me. He still looks like a kitten!

PY Prayers for you and Josh.

[doolittleky]

Catty, she just put him on pred the other day. Hopefully it will make him more comfortable.

[Hellow]

OMG i am sooo sad and sorry to hear this. I know that josh is your last original and it makes it harder to lose him. Sending lost of prayers.

P.S: It would seem like that the vet would be able to perform surgery on him to remove the mass. Did they describe why not?

P.S.S: Love the pictures!

[krazyaboutkatz]

I'm so sorry to hear about Josh. He sure is adorable. I sure hope that you'll be able to make him more comfortable.

[Taz_Zoee]

I am so sorry. Those pictures are great. He is such a cutie.
You and Josh will be in my thoughts. I hope he will be comfortable and maybe around longer than just a few weeks.

[G535]

Positive thoughts for Josh and you.