Rico is struggling with Diabetes and Organ Failure

Discussion in 'Feline Health - (Welcome & Main Forum)' started by Jared, Mar 26, 2017.

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  1. Jared

    Jared New Member

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    Mar 25, 2017
    Hey everyone,

    My name is Jared and I wanted to share the love of my life with you. His name is Rico aka Shmeek. He is almost 15 years old, and was "diagnosed" with diabetes almost 2 years ago when his blood sugar level was very high...I think it was around 488.

    He had 2 seizures prior to me taking him in to vet after I noticed the main signs of diabetes in him. I started to give him 2-3 parts of Lantus insulin twice a day for a couple months. I went through a full vile and haven't given him any ever since :-( I felt as though it was not helping and creating more problems. I focused more on his diet. I was giving him dry food his whole life and then switched to canned/raw diet.

    But just about 7 days ago, my best friend ever has taken a major step backwards. Here are his most latest symptoms:
    -Does not eat that much at all. He used to be hungry all the time, now has a few bites a day
    -Doesn't poop on his own, tries to but can't. I have been physically helping him push the smaller than normal poops out.
    -Barely drinks that much water when just a week ago he was drinking constantly and peeing all the time
    -Cannot really jump, and is dramatically losing sensation in his hind legs
    -Just lies around all day
    -Fairly lethargic

    I feel like his organs are slowly shutting down and I have been literally crying non-stop for the past 5 days. And to make this situation worse, I have been unemployed for the past 3 months and cannot afford to do anything for my cat. I've been reaching out to family and friends with not that much luck. I applied for Care Credit and was denied because my credit is very poor....Seems like the epitome of a contradiction ?!?!

    At this point I know he has diabetes, know his blood sugar level is very high, and I want to try and test his blood somehow to see how bad his organs are at the moment, and see if they are salvageable. I have been calling around all over and have been getting horrific service from these vets who are only concerned about making money. Keep thinking that if I flush his system out, give muscle relaxer, or give him insulin it will help....but I just don't know what to do. He still has a lot of life in his eyes...but his body tells me otherwise :-(

    I want to thank all of you for your time and any recommendations you may have. Thanks so much.

    -Jared and Rico
    unnamed.jpg
     
  2. JanetNJ

    JanetNJ Well-Known Member

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    Unfortunately not treating diabetes does cause organ damage. I don't want to lay a guilt trip on you, but discontinuing the insulin was a very bad idea. Diet is important, but insulin is imperative in getting the bg under control. They need to work together.

    Testing his blood is easy. You can just go to Walmart and pick up a relion micro meter and some extra test strips and 28 gauge lancets. You just pricked the ear along the edge and touch it to the test strip.

    The real issue is uou need to get insulin going. Marks pharmacy in Canada is a go to place for many board members... 5 pens of it are $150. You can check our supply closet forum and see if anyone is giving/selling a vial they no longer need. Another option for the time being is to buy a less expensive type of insulin such as vetsulin (about $45-50) in the meantime until you are in a better financial situation. You may also apply to DCIN and see if they are in a position to help. (Diabetic Cats in Need)


    What are you feeding now? Most of us feed fancy feast classic or Friskies pate foods.

    The diabetes is also causing neuropathy... Get him vitamin b 12 supplements. Sounds like he's probably very dehydrated.... Pull on the scruff and see if it snaps back or takes more than 2 seconds. If it takes a while to snap back he needs fluids.... And his best bet would be sub q fluids. At the very least add water to his food and syringe water into his mouth.

    Adding plain pumpkin to his food can help with constipation as well as providing extra moisture.
     
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  3. Yong & Maury GA

    Yong & Maury GA Well-Known Member

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    Jan 11, 2017
    Hi again, Jared and Rico.
    Just at a glance and thinking out loud here, I'm wondering if he's having some gastrointestinal issues, like IBS / IBD. Also, wondering if it could be DKA. May I ask why you thought the insulin was creating more problems? The hind leg weakness sounds like diabetic neuropathy, so chances are his BG is still high. Have you been able to test for ketones?

    Hopefully more experienced members will chime in but it is the weekend, so traffic isn't as busy as during the week.
     
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  4. JanetNJ

    JanetNJ Well-Known Member

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    BTW I have the same drinking fountain. :)
     
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  5. Kris & Teasel

    Kris & Teasel Well-Known Member

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    Welcome Jared! It's obvious that you're very worried about Rico. I'll echo what Janet has said - he absolutely NEEDS insulin. His survival depends on it. You can certainly switch to the more economical Vetsulin and we can help you get started on a blood glucose testing routine. Please don't wait.
     
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  6. JanetNJ

    JanetNJ Well-Known Member

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    With the bg being so high so long I would also strongly suggest you go to a pharmacy and pick up ketone testing strips. You can you is to check for dka.. If it reads anything other than negative, he needs a vet asap or it could be deadly quickly.
     
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  7. Jared

    Jared New Member

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    Mar 25, 2017
    Can't respond for some reason, so I attached my response via PDF...
     

    Attached Files:

  8. Yong & Maury GA

    Yong & Maury GA Well-Known Member

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    That fountain is adorable!
     
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  9. Yong & Maury GA

    Yong & Maury GA Well-Known Member

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  10. Jared

    Jared New Member

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    Thanks a lot Yong. I didn't understand what insulin was exactly, and thought his hind leg issue was directly because of insulin. I was definitely wrong, and am learning a sad lesson.
    I am looking into IBS/IBD and DKA as we speak, thank you very much!!!
    Haven't tested for ketones yet, but found a cheap kit for like $10 I can maybe find money to purchase.

    I will stay in touch, thank you so much!!!
     
  11. Jared

    Jared New Member

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    Nice!!! It's fantastic actually, Rico really likes it and its quite soothing as well!!!
    :cat:
     
  12. Jared

    Jared New Member

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    THANKS Kris & Teasel! I agree 100% and wish I had more financial freedom right now as I am just getting myself out of a 3-month long unemployment spell that has been intense to say the least. I wonder if my stress could have been transferred to my little boy :-(

    I am currently doing everything in my power to raise some funds to get Vetsulin.

    I may start up a kickstarter or crowdfunding platform to raise some money to save him
     
  13. Jared

    Jared New Member

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  14. Jared

    Jared New Member

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    Also, I wonder how I can get a Vetsulin prescription without going to the vet? Researching that too..
     
  15. JanetNJ

    JanetNJ Well-Known Member

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    ::: COPIED FROM JARED'S REPLY PDF:::
    WoW. Janet. Thank you! This is the most valuable info I have heard my entire life. That is part of the reason I have been so emotional obviously, the fact that I stopped the insulin. Vets told me to be careful with giving cat too much insulin, so I assume I would take a Relion Meter reading 1st to determine the Insulin dose? I was told by a family friend about Vestulin, and am now doing everything in my power to secure some funds to get it. Thank you for the Supply Closet Forum recommendation, and the DCIN info!!! Right now I am feeding Rico whatever he will eat....as of now he only eats tuna, tilapia that I cook for him, and hard cat treats. I was feeding him fancy feast classics for the past 2 years, eliminating dry food entirely. He won't eat the wet or dry food that much right now. I will definitely try giving him vitamin b12 as well, omg thank you Janet! Just pulled down on his scruff and his skin went back down within 1 second... Will try pumpkin to food as well, I for sure have been putting water in his tuna and tilapia, and he usually pees in litter box when I wake up, but not as much as before. Seriously THANK YOU SO VERY MUCH Janet! I can't tell you how grateful I am to come in to contact with you amazing people!
    ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
    You can't change the past but lest make a plan for moving forward. I'm glad you found this site.

    You do want to be careful in not giving too much insulin as the glucose levels can drop too low. It's also important for knowing when a dose is not enough.

    If you look at the signatures below of most of the members of this board you will see a link to a spreadsheet... it's what we use to help each other with dosing advice and to track trends. If you start home testing we can help you set one up.

    We also put in the signature info so that we don't keep asking you the same questions over and over... info like date diagnosed, food feeding, insulin we use, and any other medical concerns our cats have... and anything else you want to add. If you are ready to set up a signature, click on your screename in the upper right and click on signature, write in some info, and save.

    You mentioned you had thought the hind leg weakness was caused by the insulin. quite the opposite. the neuropathy will only get worse until the numbers come down. The vitamin B 12 will help in that process, but you still need to get the diabetes under control.

    Will he eat the fancy feast if you mix it with some tuna, or put tuna on top? Just giving fish is not a balanced diet and can cause a different set of issues. Maybe try Friskies pate and see if that interests him.

    He may not be eating for a number of reasons... I'm a bit concerned about the possibility of ketoacidosis which is life threatening. it happens when the blood sugar is too high too long and causes the ph of the blood to become acidic.

    It could also be that he's constipated and that's causing him to not be hungry.... the pumpkin could help. some also give Miralax (1/8th of a teaspoon I believe is a common dose)... if it's really bad he may need an enema.

    Could also be pancreatitis which is very painful....

    It's good that you can get him to eat SOMETHING. The problem is if cats don't get enough calories they develop fatty liver. The best way to combat that is to assist feed to make sure he gets enough calories. Add a bit of water to the pate food and syringe into the mouth with a feeding syringe.
    I'm glad he doesn't seem to be too dehydrated at the moment. another way you can check for dehydration is by touching the gums and seeing if they feel wet. if they are wet they are generally ok... if they feel sticky they are dehydrated.

    I'm glad you found some of my info helpful.

    where do you live?
     
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  16. JanetNJ

    JanetNJ Well-Known Member

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    I have two of them.... got one at christmas because my cat Stormy was obsessed with drinking from the sink... it was driving us nuts that she was yelling at us for water any time anyone went into the bathroom. hahaha it completely solved that problem. we liked it so much we bought a second one for the top floor where many of them hang out during the day. got it on amazon.
     
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  17. JanetNJ

    JanetNJ Well-Known Member

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    assuming you are in the united states, no.
     
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  18. Jared

    Jared New Member

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    Mar 25, 2017
    Thanks Janet! Appreciate you posting my response too, don't know why I couldn't post it.

    I will try techniques to test his hydration level, and yes I am definitely happy he is drinking and eating minimally...but he stomach is growing in size which makes me think the food is just sitting in his gut...

    He tried to poop often with no luck, so he is for sure in discomfort, can't tell if he is in pain....

    I did see one of those charts you are mentioning, and I will get on that asap. I guess I need to figure out the main priorities right now in my unique situation. I don't have money, but need to do get ahold of some Vetsulin, glucose reader, ketone reader, pumkin and B12. This is so difficult with barely any resources. Im looking into DCIN right now, as well as finding a vet that will prescribe me Vetsulin for free or minimal cost.

    Appreciate you so much!!
     
  19. Jared

    Jared New Member

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    Mar 25, 2017
    Thank you kindly for this valuable info!! I am saving all of this and will be trying all of it.

    I am in Milwaukee, WI...
     
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  20. JanetNJ

    JanetNJ Well-Known Member

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  21. Dottiepark

    Dottiepark New Member

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    If constipation is an issue, and ASSUMING NOTHING ELSE IS WRONG WITH HIS INNARDS, you can add 1/8 tsp of Miralax to his wet food and that will help. I was skeptical about it at first but after adding it to my cat's food with a little water for several days, I am seeing real improvement in the whole poop thing. Now I add it at every meal. Cat seems more comfortable, too.
     
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  22. Lillie

    Lillie Member

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    I second the use of Miralax. It was a miracle for my previous intestinal lymphoma kitty who had a really hard time pooping. It was very gentle and just added enough water to the intestines to make it easier for her to go. I was using 1/4 teasp. added to her food. Sometimes it takes a day or more to see a result so I would caution in adding more before you see a result as it can give the 'runs' if too much is used. I'm hoping you can find a solution for helping your kitty.. I can tell you love Rico very much. Repeating the above "assuming nothing else is wrong with his innards." Like an obstruction.
     
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  23. Jared

    Jared New Member

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    Thank you! I obtained some funds to take him to the vet!!! I will have more information to share tomorrow. I will definitely be looking into Miralax, greatly appreciate that recommendation.
     
  24. Jared

    Jared New Member

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    Thank you very much Lillie! I got some funds to take my little guy to get checked out, so I will have more details soon. Appreciate your concern, support and passion.
     
  25. Annie&Charlie

    Annie&Charlie Member

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    Jared, I've just joined here in the past week. My own Charlie passed away two days ago. I'm in Canada. I will send you all of his stuff by mail. Including, his alpha trak meter, the lancets and lancing device, several months supply of syringes and a three month supply of lantus that I just bought two weeks ago, which should last for several months. For free, I have no need of them anymore and if someone else can be helped with this, then that's good and Charlie would have liked that. In fact Rico looks so much like Charlie's best buddy Billy that it's as if he's the same red american short hair. Those guys are some of the toughest cats on the planet.

    You'll need to buy testing strips (but I'll include abt 50) for the alpha trak, and a battery for the device. Have no idea, what is involved in sending this kind of thing across borders. Especially insulin. Will look into it. PM me, and we can get this going. No strings attached whatsoever, only my love of cats.

    Has anyone sent insulin by courier? Or mail? What would be involved in sending lantus?
     
  26. Jared

    Jared New Member

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    OMG!!! Annie you are an angel and I want to thank you from the bottom of my heart! I just sent you a direct message, and I will be looking into the delivery process as we speak.

    Bless your heart!

    -Jared
     
  27. Tuxedo Mom

    Tuxedo Mom Well-Known Member

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    What a wonderful offer you have made :bighug: :bighug:

    Unfortunately sending insulin from Canada to the US is not allowed by law. If you mailed it, which is the normal way insulin is shipped, it would be seized by customs.
     
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  28. Yong & Maury GA

    Yong & Maury GA Well-Known Member

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    That is so kind of you, Annie!

    I was just typing something similar to Tuxedo Mom. The insulin will most likely be seized :( but the rest of the supplies shouldn't be an issue. Still a huge help to him.
     
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  29. Kris & Teasel

    Kris & Teasel Well-Known Member

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    This is a wonderful, kind offer from Annie. At least you'll have the other supplies.
     
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  30. Tuxedo Mom

    Tuxedo Mom Well-Known Member

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    This may be off base but perhaps you could donate the Lantus to DCIN and ask that they send some of their US supply to Jared???

    I don't know if it would work but maybe something can be arranged??
     
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  31. Kris & Teasel

    Kris & Teasel Well-Known Member

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    If DCIN is based in the US only, the Lantus still has to be sent across the border. :(
     
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  32. Tuxedo Mom

    Tuxedo Mom Well-Known Member

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    DCIN also does some work in Canada, so they may be able to use Annie's Lantus here (in Canada) and "trade off" with some US Lantus. I really don't know if it would work but maybe Jenna could tell if it is doable.
     
  33. Tuxedo Mom

    Tuxedo Mom Well-Known Member

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    Also Jared have you contacted DCIN (Diabetic Cats in Need) They can help out with supplies for diabetic kitties if you are unable to afford them. Wonderful organization !!
     
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  34. Tuxedo Mom

    Tuxedo Mom Well-Known Member

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    tagging @Chris & China to see what DCIN can do.

    Chris

    Annie (in Canada) has some Lantus she wanted to donate to Jared (in the US), but since it is not legal to ship insulin from Canada to the US it would most likely be seized. Is there any way DCIN Canada can accept Annie's insulin and "trade off" some US insulin for Jared. Just grasping at straws since Jared is having a rough time financially and Annie has made such a generous offer.

    Thanks
     
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  35. Jared

    Jared New Member

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    Thanks Yong! Yes anything right now would be a help I agree. This forum is amazing and I am so grateful. Bless all of you!
     
  36. Jared

    Jared New Member

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    Thanks Tuxedo Mom.
     
  37. Jared

    Jared New Member

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    This is a fantastic idea! I wonder if we could make that happen? :bighug:
     
  38. Jared

    Jared New Member

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    I applied for Care Credit and was denied because of my credit, which is ironic.
    And I also applied for support at DCIN. They actually just emailed me and are going to try and connect with me later today...Yes they do seem like a terrific organization. So grateful for the Team Human/Animal people out there! There are many shining lights amidst this often dark world!
     
  39. Chris & China (GA)

    Chris & China (GA) Well-Known Member

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    DCIN is now involved
     
  40. Tuxedo Mom

    Tuxedo Mom Well-Known Member

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    Thanks Chris!! :bighug::bighug:
     
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  41. Jared

    Jared New Member

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    THANK YOU @Tuxedo Mom @Annie&Charlie and @Chris & China from myself but more importantly Rico !!! IMG_20170326_171954940_HDR (1).jpg
     
  42. Jared

    Jared New Member

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    Thank you kindly !!!
     
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  43. Vegetable (GA)

    Vegetable (GA) Member

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    @Annie&Charlie your generous offer to send Jared some supplies is very kind!

    Where in Canada are you located? Unfortunately I think shipping insulin across the border may be a big hassle & possible delays with customs.

    DCIN is now involved & we will be working with Jared to get a treatment plan for Rico in place.
     
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  44. Jared

    Jared New Member

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  45. Phoebes (GA)

    Phoebes (GA) Well-Known Member

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  46. Squalliesmom

    Squalliesmom Well-Known Member

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    Annie, I am so, so sorry for your loss. Don't ever doubt that Charlie knew how much you loved him!
    Charlie will live on in your heart until the day you are finally reunited at the Rainbow Bridge. :bighug::bighug::bighug:

    Your kind offer is an incredible tribute to your beloved Charlie. I hope DCIN can help make it work out. :cat:
     
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  47. JanetNJ

    JanetNJ Well-Known Member

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    Is your appointment today or tomorrow? I am so glad he's going to get the care he needs.
     
  48. Lillie

    Lillie Member

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    Yay!!
     
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  49. JanetNJ

    JanetNJ Well-Known Member

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  50. Dusty Bones

    Dusty Bones Member

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    15 years old is a nice ripe age but with many more to go, all the best for you and Rico!
     
  51. Chris & China (GA)

    Chris & China (GA) Well-Known Member

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    For those of you that have been following along, unfortunately Rico was too sick to recover and Jared made the most loving decision to set him free.
    Fly free sweet Rico and land softly....there are lots of friends at the Bridge to welcome you cat_wings>o
     
  52. Squalliesmom

    Squalliesmom Well-Known Member

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    I am so, so sorry. Fly free, beloved Rico, and land softly at the Bridgecat_wings>o

    cat-sympathy-card.jpg
     
  53. Tuxedo Mom

    Tuxedo Mom Well-Known Member

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    OH NO!!

    (((JARED)))

    I am SO sorry for your loss.

    [​IMG]

    My thoughts are with you at this sad sad time. RIP little Rico :rb_icon:
     
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  54. Sharon14

    Sharon14 Well-Known Member

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    So very sorry. Fly Free Sweet Rico, Land Softly:rb_icon:
     
  55. Kris & Teasel

    Kris & Teasel Well-Known Member

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    I'm so sorry you lost Rico. :rb_icon:cat_wings>o
     
  56. Yong & Maury GA

    Yong & Maury GA Well-Known Member

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    Jared, so sorry for your loss. May fond memories of your beloved Rico warm your heart always cat_wings>o.
     
  57. Annie&Charlie

    Annie&Charlie Member

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    I'm so sorry @Jared. I know how awful it feels having lost my Charlie less than a week ago, I'm still there and the pain is pretty fresh. You did the best thing for Rico, sometimes we have to make that decision for them to end their suffering. You have my condolences.
     
  58. Dusty Bones

    Dusty Bones Member

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    So very sorry, may you meet again. :rb_icon:
     
  59. JanetNJ

    JanetNJ Well-Known Member

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    So sorry for your loss
     
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