If your cat was dying, would you go on vacation? :-(

[Asiel]

No way would I ever leave a sick pet for a vacation. And the thought of having it pts so she can go is appalling to me. I guess I'm a real sucker for my dogs but I could never even go away for a whole day and leave a sick dog...been there, Everything got cancelled and we stayed home. I can barely handle watching a sick dog when I'm at home, let alone think of leaving on vacation.
I think your friend needs to do some heavy thinking on her decision....I really feel sorry for the poor cat.

[Kirsten]

Thank you everyone for your kind words! Means a lot to me! I'm thinking about that poor kitty all the time!

Last night, my friend sent a message to my cellphone, telling me that it has started raining and that the kitty came back home, and that he "was fine" WTF! Guess it's these typical ups and downs that come with these fatal viral diseases. The day before yesterday, she told me that no one was allowed to touch him because he was so very much in pain. According to the vet, his brain is affected which leads to occasional limpness and stiffness, and sometimes he can barely walk, or get up. Sounds like nerve damage to me. And now she's telling herself "he's fine", probably only to be able to leave with a clear conscience! At least the kitty is inside now (I hope he still is!), so it will be easier for the neighbor to look after him!

And Kirsten - don't feel that you have betrayed your friend by saying anything here. Like CP said - we don't even know her. However, we all know you, and how much you value the health and well being of your girls, and your concern for other people's furkids too. We all stand behind your beliefs, and feel just as you do.

Thanks for saying that. Yes, I would probably try to stop the world for Luna and Lily if needed!
And I can see your dilemma re. Myndi very well. Hard to tell, but I probably wouldn't leave her then. Can't your brother come to visit you instead? Just a thought...

Not only would I not go, there was a time (or two) I didn't go to the hospital when I should have and mine were all healthy.

I understand that. When I applied for disability pension this year, I feared that they would send me to a rehabilitation clinic (which they do a lot here for chronical ill people). I would have refused to do that because I wouldn't want to leave my girls for 4 or 6 weeks! They're not ill, but 11 and 8 years old, and you never know how much time there is left, and I wouldn't want to waste any of that time by being separated from them. Also, I know they would be unhappy without me. Last year, when I had my rehabilitation after my back surgery, I went to a day clinic, driving 80 kilometres every day for the therapies, just to stay with my girls.


Another update: She just called me to give me the latest news. He's at the vet's now, running a fever of 106°F; he's getting infusions now and will stay at the vet's office as long as she's away. Glad she decided to take him in, at least he'll be looked after now and will get appropriate care.

[phesina]

Oh, thank GOD that he's at least at the vet's where he'll be getting the medical treatment he needs and will be looked after hopefully with love and kindness.

[Medusa]

My belief has always been "People first" but we've got to draw the line somewhere and this is definitely the place to draw that line. I could never leave a sick pet behind while I went on vacation. When my son and I went to England, my Fur Posse were all relatively healthy. Boo and Pidge were on meds but they were old and I was concerned but since they were doing so well and my cat sitter was a vet tech, I felt they were in good hands. However, later, I had my plane ticket to go to CA for Thanksgiving to see my son and to cook Tday dinner for many of his friends. By that time, Pidge had passed and Boo was not doing well at all. I bought cancellation insurance and told my son point blank that if I felt uneasy about leaving Boo that I would cancel my trip. My son is the one who suggested that I do that b/c he feels the same way about my Fur Posse and Boo was his favorite. Even his friends knew that there was no way I'd leave that cat to possibly die w/o me holding him and telling him how much I loved him. How could I possibly have had a good time knowing that he was sick and wanting me there w/him? (As it turned out, Boo passed before Thanksgiving.)

As for your friend, some people just do not feel about their pets the way we do. I'm glad that her cat is at least getting good care at the vet's and if he does pass, it will be w/people who will give him attention. When you talk to your friend next, perhaps tell her why she should have been w/him, that our pets love us and need us at that time more than ever, that if they do pass, it makes it so much easier for them; they're less frightened and they leave us knowing that they were loved. Besides that, it's our responsibility as pet owners to see them through illness no matter the outcome.

If possible, please let us know how the little kitty is doing, Kirsten. (((HUGS)))