I just wanted to update that my sweet Zoe crossed over the rainbow bridge. It was a very hard decision to make as she was only 8 years old. But her quality of life was not what it should be or deserved. She was so hungry all of the time with a voracious appetite no matter how many times she was fed or how much. When she would finally have a moment's peace she would layout flat on her side of the linoleum of my kitchen as if she could do nothing else. She did go outside a bit lately as I would encourage it with treats so that she would use the outdoors as her litter box and give me a bit of a break. She urinated such large amounts and poo so often it was a never-ending scoop the box and haul what felt like 50 lbs of used cat litter down the stairs to the garbage. I never saw evidence of her having neuropathy but she would stand to pee and the force was like a hose. My catbox room was fortified with tarps and old carpet scraps to protect the flooring from the spray. The only blessing was because of her diabetes her urine was so dilute it never smelled. Even though I used the TR protocol and increased her up to 20 units of Lantus twice daily, I never saw her get below 288 on the meter. I checked her twice daily religiously until the last month because I never had to worry about hypoglycemia. I loved her so much and could not have asked for a better cat to have a horrible disease. She started out as a skittish touch me not but after diagnosis became a loving kitty who came to me for her shots and pricks, and would even wait patiently on her sofa arm perch for her shot even if I was not ready to give it. I have to say that the cost of food and litter and Lantus was astronomical as she would blow through food and litter like mad. Some mornings when awakened by the knowledge she had just used the box and I would scoop the huge clumps of wet litter, I have to say I would be frustrated and ask God how much longer could this go on. I knew it was not her fault and could not help the situation, and I gave her the very best care I possibly could. I am a nurse and treated her no less than I ever would a human patient. Yet I prayed that Zoe would let me know when it was time. On 5/11/20 pm she was her usual begging self asking for food even when given 2-3 cans of fancyfeast and then stealing her sister's food. I was lying on the sofa and she was on the floor by me begging. I was ignoring her since it was always that way. She jumped up by my side (she is not one to lay on or by me more than a minute or two). She was sitting there by me looking at me and I felt wet. She had peed on me!!! Of course I lost it because it was on my newish sectional. (thankfully as I said her urine had no odor).This was so atypical and unnerving and I know she was trying to tell me something. I went to shower and clean up. She came upstairs and "talked to me" and I asked her if she was ready. She left me and went into her cat box room and I followed her. She stood in the middle of the area I had protected, and not in her full-sized kiddie pool I had filled with litter...and she peed standing up. I knew she was ill and this was not her behavior, so I made the decision to take her to the vet and put her down. I could have spent $$$ to get her momentary problem fixed, but would it give her a better life and rest from her constant hunger? She knew no other life since diagnosis but constant hunger and who knows maybe pain. She deserved so much better. With a heavy heart I made the decision to put her down. The truly sad part is because of the Covid-19 pandemic, the vet would not allow me to stay with her as I have all my other cats from my past. It broke my heart but I was given time alone to talk with her and make my peace with the decision. She seemed to be at peace with it too. So I had to leave her with the vet but the techs were so loving I know they saw her through it as I would have had I been there. With all that being said, I want to thank all of the contributors on this site. You are all amazing and helped me through when the vets seemed so lacking. I chose to halt the climb on the insulin dosing at 20 u bid as honestly I just could not afford to keep increasing with the cost of Lantus. Many of you have had procedures on their cats for acromegaly(which I fully believe she had--her features became less cat-like and more lion-like with squaring of her nose and brow from when she was younger)--but I could not spend the kind of money it would take to have it diagnosed and treated. She is free now, over the rainbow bridge with my other 4 kitties who lived much longer lives but passed on. They are all basking in the sun and nibbling on catnip waiting until we are all together once again. Fly free my sweet angel.....
I'm so very sorry. You took good care of Zoe and she knew she was loved. With all the extra care our kitties need, they become so much closer to us, and it's that much harder to let go. Please be kind to yourself; you made the hardest decision to give your friend peace. Big hugs to you. Go give Zoe's sister some extra love.
Thank you for your kind words. Bella never cared for Zoe when she was here even though they were together since adopted from shelter at kitten age. But I can tell she missed her and has looked for her since gone. We both will never forget her, and for me what she taught me about loving consent to being hurt with needles and lancets.
So very sorry to hear this news. My heart goes out to you. Zoe was so lucky to have you as her nurse and family. I know this is such a sad time but please try to do something extra nice for yourself.
Thank you I hope Phobe Squeak is doing well. I will never forget her sweet face peeping through that window!
Our kitties with acromegaly have an extra burden to bear, and they seem to be so strong in spite of it. For that reason, I think they take up so much space in our hearts. My deepest sympathies. Fly free extra sweet Zoe.
Thank you all, truly. Your wisdom made a frightening and unbearable situation bearable. This forum is the bomb!
Hi Sybil, I'm so very sorry for the loss of your beautiful Zoe. Thank you for telling us her story. This is a horrible disease. Some cats are "easy peasy", others, some greater power has decided they are meant to be challenged, constantly It's just not fair. But remember this, you may have only had her in your life for 8 short years, but for Zoe, she had YOU in her life, her entire life. They know, they just KNOW when we are doing our best for them. Huge hugz . . . Land softly at the Bridge pretty girl, my boys will show you all the best sunspots
I'm so very sorry to hear this sad news...sometimes we have to make very difficult decisions. At least Zoe is now at peace. Sending you hugs and deepest sympathies.
Dear Sybil, Your dear Zoe will live on in your loving memories. There is a special place in your heart that belongs only to her. Fly free, beautiful Zoe. You are much loved.
Sybil I wasn't familiar with you and your sweet Zoe. What you wrote made me cry. You were such a good momma to Zoe. My heart goes out to you. Fly high sweet Zoe♥♥
What a sad, sad loss. My heart goes out to you. Bless you for all the care and love you put into your little gal's life.
