That sucked. Prayers for Basta, please.

[kyrielle]

To those I vanished on, my apologies. Basta's breathing was not-right, so we took her to the emergency vet, which I hadn't exactly expected to be doing tonight. We were there maybe 3 hours and it felt like forever. She had fluid on her lungs, which is usually either heart disease or cancer, according to the vet. They put her on oxygen, then drew off the fluid. Based on how it looks, he thinks it is heart disease - which is good; that's the treatable one, of the two. Basta's 21. I wouldn't put her through the treatments for the cancer, but the heart disease is much more probable that we can extend her life comfortably. That's only a guess at this point, the workup on that won't come back until Monday, I believe. She's staying overnight on oxygen while they monitor her (and then wean her off the oxygen), and see how fast the fluid starts to build up again. He'll check some other stuff (kidney function, for example) that affects treatment for heart problems.

She's 21. It's not like it's a total shock that something would come up. And yet it is, because she seemed relatively healthy so recently. I'm just glad it doesn't look (tentatively, based on his impressions) like cancer. I was so very, very afraid that it would. And I think losing this cat, who spent so much time with my mother in her last days, that way, would hurt even more than simply losing her will when that happens.

Think good thoughts for her, please.

Comments

[tibicina.livejournal.com]

*hugs lots and lots*

[kyrielle]

*hugs* Thank you.

[mandydax.livejournal.com]

We're sending good thoughts to your Basta.

[kyrielle]

Thank you.

[katbyte.livejournal.com]

It's hard to lose a pet, but 21? She has had an exceptional life, and has been well loved. You can't ask for much more. Just so she doesn't suffer, she deserves to die peacefully and comfortably, which I know you will be sure of.

Hugs to you.

[kyrielle]

Yes, I would not let her suffer to keep her longer. But I hope you'll forgive me for hoping we don't face that decision too soon. :)

[katbyte.livejournal.com]

I do hope you don't have to face it soon.

I always feel guilty, but know I did the right thing.

Just enjoy her every day you have.

[kyrielle]

Yeah. I'm planning to. :) As far as when we do have to make that decision...I'd feel worse if I knew it needed to be done, and didn't do it. Why torture the poor cat, you know? I've just been hoping desperately (and, it seems, with some luck!) that that time wasn't now, not yet.

[cynnerth.livejournal.com]

21! Wow, that is an impressively old cat! I'm sending all the good thoughts and positive energy that I can. I'd like to see her reach 22. :)

[kyrielle]

Thank you - so would I. Here's hoping!

[roadskoller.livejournal.com]

I'm so sorry.
21 is amazing! She must've been taken very good care of.

[kyrielle]

Thank you. Ironically, not completely. She was a semi-feral kitten that we adopted from near a friend's house (the mom cat didn't belong to the friend or any of their neighbors). She lived as an indoor-outdoor cat, and went missing on more than one occasion for months (I think once for a year or two), each time coming back well-fed and pampered, so we could only assume she adopted some other family. My parents mostly fed her dry cat food...even up to the end of my parents' life she was an indoor-outdoor cat although, unlike her younger years, she was in more than out and always in overnight, since she'd attained that privilege by her age. Once she came here, yes, we started caring for her a bit more as you might expect and pampering her a bit, but for over 20 years - she was well loved, got vet care any time we knew she needed it, but that was about it.

Impressively sturdy cat, and so sweet.

So sorry!

[joyoflj.livejournal.com]

We experienced similar when our cats were 18. The worry and the grief! I hope you can pull her through for more time. If and when necessary, you will do the right thing because you are good and kind. So sorry you are going through this. So much you have had to deal with!

Re: So sorry!

[kyrielle]

Thank you.

[retsuko.livejournal.com]

Oh, poor kitty! :( I hope everything's OK.

[kyrielle]

Thank you.

[lunargeography.livejournal.com]

Ah, I hope she's ok! (And I understand completely about chosing not to put her through cancer treatments. 21 -- that is a very old cat!)

*hug*

[kyrielle]

Yeah. I don't think, if it had been cancer, that there was any prayer treatment could buy her even as much comfortable time as it would first cost her in time spent in misery. Life extension by itself is maybe not such a good thing....

[canyoncat.livejournal.com]

Just catching up and sending lots of good thoughts Basta's way... and yours. What is 21 in people years anyway... I know it's wicked old.
*hugs*

[kyrielle]

I'm not sure, but pretty darned old. Even 14 is fairly old - 21 is quite. And I'm so glad she's had those years, and I hope she gets another couple. I've never heard of a cat over 24, but I have heard of that.