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I took my cat Lynx to the vet last Thursday, He has been limping around for about a week, and I thought he had had a fight with the other inside boy. Didn't see the regular vet, but the one I saw, gave him some pills for pain, and some fluids. He was a little dehydrated. He didn't seem to be getting any better. Saturday, he was sleeping on a blanket on the coffee table and somehow fell off. I don't know if he hurt himself more or not, but Sunday, his leg was swollen twice it's size. He woke me up at 5:30 am this morning, meowing really loud. I could tell he was hurting. He'd lay down, then he'd be right back up, meowing loud. So I got dressed and when the vet hospital opened, I took him down there. My favorite vet was there this time. She examined him, took ex-rays, and said that his leg looked moth-eaten. That was a sign of bone cancer. She recommended a biopsy. So I'm asking for pra*yers. I would appreciate them very much, and so would Lynx. Thanks.

I'm so sorry. I know much too well what you are feeling in your heart right now. I have said a prayer for you and your kitty.

Awwww, irish kid, I was so sorry to read your post and find out that Lynx is experiencing this problem. I'm really hoping that the biopsy brings good news and it's something else that can be handled with a good outcome. Sending many ts and ps to both Lynx and you from myself, Haystack and the Idaho gang. They remember him from the party last May. Please keep us up-dated as you learn more....

I'm so sorry to hear about Lynx. Pra*ers sent for him and you. Like Idaho, I hope the biopsy comes back ok and it ends up being something treatable. Sending hugs to you and Lynx and please do keep us updated.

Update on Lynx. The vet kept him all day yesterday, doing the biopsy, and giving him antibiotics and such. When I went back to pick him up, she talked to me. mentioned amputation if it is bone cancer.We won't know anything till Friday at the earliest. She said if he was a person, he'd be on his way right then to the capital of NC where they have specialists. I live about 200 miles from the capital, and have never driven there, and don't want to. And she mentioned something about a parasite. He has fleas which I must have brought in to him and the other two. She gave me 2 kinds of medicine, one an antibiotic that he is supposed to take twice a day. He has yet to get any. And something else, not sure what that's for, and something for pain.I couldn't wake him up this morning. I had to get to work. I was sure I'd find him dead when I got home. I was supposed to take him back this afternoon for blood work, but when I got home, he was up, and moving around, hopping on 3 legs. But when he saw me, he turned around and disappeared. He can move pretty fast for a cat with three good legs. So I called and rescheduled. Then he came out. But, I put the antibiotic in his supper, and he smelled of it, turned around and left the kitchen. The other cat, Dulcey has been watching him all day. He tried his best to eat Lynx's supper. He never has before. But Lynx holds his leg up and moves like it's broken. I trust the vet, but like she said, there's something strange going on here. More on this later.

Thanks for the up-date, irish kid. Glad that Lynx is back home again but it sounds like you are having difficulties re the medications. Just a suggestion: ask your vet if they are available in liquid form? Much easier to give than pills IMO using the old "roll in a towel, hold in the baby position and squirt" - 30 seconds tops - just need to have the vet demonstrate the procedure. Very, very easy once you have done it once....

Please keep us posted with any new news....

I need advice. Lynx has found a hidey-hole and won't come out. I guess he thinks I'm going to scoop him up and put him in the carrier. I do have an appointment Friday afternoon to do blood work, but who knows if I'll get him there. I can see him but I can't get to him. He's hiding between a bed and a plastic bin that I'm storing bedspreads in. And another bin is in front of that one that I'm storing clothes in. If I start moving things, he's going to hunker in deeper, then I won't be able to get to him or see him. I'm hoping when he gets hungry enough he'll come out. He's not getting the meds he needs, and I can't get to him to put the Advantage flea killer on him. And I can't get close enough to grab him, wrap him up and force the meds down him. I don't know what to do. The vet said if the medicine didn't work that she might have to amputate his leg. It's his left front leg. Sometimes he falls over when he's moving, and what would he do without his leg? Judging by the couple glances I got of him yesterday, and this morning, his leg doesn't seem to be swelled as bad as it was Monday. And I don't think he's in as much pain, I haven't heard a peep out of him. But how can I get the meds into him if he won't come out of his cave, and I can't reach him? I need advice on what to do. Thanks for the prayers and concern, and everything. I always know where to go when I need friends. Thanks for being here.

Sorry Idaho. I forgot to answer your suggestion about the medication. Both the antibiotics and the other one are liquid. There are syringes to use with them. The pain medication is a pill, but he will eat them or he did. I've been putting the meds in his food, which he won't eat. The liquids must smell pretty bad, cause he won't even think about getting close enough to his bowl to eat the food.

Oh, gosh, irish kid, this is worrisome so glad you posted and asked for help. First, a disclaimer, I'm not a vet so you need to follow her instructions if anything I say contradicts.

Having said that, I would not worry about giving Lynx the flea treatment at this time ~ he is already stressed. I would worry about him not getting the other medications, however. I'm glad that some of the medications were prescribed in liquid form and only one is a pill BUT I have to tell you that I have never tried to administer either form in their food which it sounds like you have been trying to do.

Nope, no way to determine if they are getting the entire dose. There's only one way to give medication at home and that's directly into the mouth of the cat. Putting the pill in the food or the liquid in it doesn't ensure that the cat needing the medication gets it ~ you are right that most medications smell and the cat simply won't eat!

So, what's the alternative? You give the pill or liquid directly into Lynx's mouth ~ it's okay to be nervous at first but once you have done it a few times, it becomes automatic ~ over and done in less than 30 seconds ~ ask your vet to show you how...

But you are right, you can't give him his medicine if he is hidden away so next question? Is this a spare bedroom or storage room where he is hiding? If so, I would put a small water bowl, food bowl and litter box near the area if you can't coax him out. It is crucial that he has water ~ dehydration can become a serious situation when a cat's system is already stressed.

If it is a room in use, well, then you simply have to close the door so the chase doesn't continue to another room and start moving things until you can get to him. Talk to him, let him know he will be safe but don't give up to fight another day. It has to be TODAY if he is to get to the appointment scheduled for Friday.

Once you catch him, move him into a small secure room where you can catch him easily without upsetting him even more ~ make sure he has water, food and a litter box. If he has a "favorite" buddy, put that cat in the room with him. You can fashion a make-shift litter box from a cardboard box ~ any port in a storm!

Bottom line, Lynx is really scared right now and so are you, understandably. But you and Lynx CAN get through this and, btw, I am thinking that the worst case scenario of bone cancer won't actually be a reality. So, please, don't start thinking the worst ~ if it happens, there will be time enough to deal with it then. In the meantime, just need to deal with what is right now. Sending good thoughts ~ keep us up-dated!

I haven't posted ion this section before, but when I saw Idaho, I took a look...I'm in WY.

Anyway...I agree that you have got to get your cat out of hiding, and Idaho Res. gave you good advice...close that door, and move everything and anything you need to in oprder to catch Lynx... then put him someplace comfortable with food & water where he can't hide...no matter what you need to do to accomplish this.
He has to have his meds...I have never had a problem giving pills to any of my cats over the years...for the pill, try putting a tiny bit of butter on the pill...then you have to get it into his mouth...is there some that can help with this? I always just pry the mouth open a bit from the side, then shove the pill in...you need to be fast, but it's not hard and Lynx will get over it in a few seconds.

It might be a good ide to leave him at the vet until all the tests are complete...bring anything soft 7 snuggly that smells like you, the house, so he will feel at home when he's in the cage at the vet..it might be less traumatic for him to stay there than go back & forth.

You never mentioned how old Lynx is? And is he an inside cat?

Think positive...that goes a long way in helping you deal withthis and if you are in a positive stae, Lynx will pick up on that.

Cats, when they are sick or hurt, almost always hide, it's not you, and it's not knowing he'll have another trip to the vet...it's just something cats do when they're not well.

Prayers and well wishes.

I don't have any cats, so don't know if this would work with cats, but it works with our dogs. We get a little piece of a hotdog, lunchmeat or hamburger and "lure" them out with it. Or maybe for kitty, a little piece of tuna or maybe a little ice cream or butter on your finger? I hope you can get him out and I sure do hope things turn out well! Thank you for the update!

Thanks everybody for your response. Yesterday, I had an appointment with the vet, and Lynx was lying on one of those plastic bins at the window. (It's a bedrooms, but right now, it's sort of a junk room. I've got a bunch of bins in there stacked up) Just before time to go, he got into his little hidey hole, but I talked to him, and told him what was going on, and he just looked at me with those soulful eyes. Just as I was starting to call and cancel, he came to me. I scooped him up, and got to the vet in time. She said the biopsy came back inconclusive. He wasn't getting any better, in fact, she said he was getting jaundiced. He didn't hiss, or swat at them when they took him out of the carrier. Everyone was so kind, and sympathetic, and gentle with Lynx. The doctor said she could try giving him the medicine by IV, but it might not do any good. His system was beginning to shut down, and he was in a lot of pain. I went home to get his medicine, and on the way, I realized that what I was doing was what was best for me, not Lynx. So when I got back to the vet hospital, I told them I had changed my mind. So I said goodbye to him, and in about 15 minutes, they brought him back to me. It took me from 3:30 to 5:00 to dig a grave and it was getting dark. When I went back home the first time, I explained to his brother and sister inside what was going on. They looked at me as if they understood, but I don't think they do. THey still look for him. I tried again last night to explain. This morning is the first time they've eaten since Lynx got sick. But I want to thank everyone for your support and prayers. I couldn't get through this without you. I really appreciate it.

i'm so sorry for your loss. i can remember times when i went to great lengths to try to save one of my pets &, in retrospect, i wish i hadn't prolonged their suffering. i think you did the right thing.

Awww, irish kid, lots of tears here.

Lynx was a beautiful cat and I know just how much his loss hurts; my condolences to you...

IMO, you did one of the most courageous things any of us who are lucky enough to be "owned" by a four-legged fur-body can do ~ you put his needs above your own even though it broke your heart; you saved him from needless suffering.

Now, don't start imagining the "what ifs" in your mind ~ Lynx obviously had something really go wrong and it progressed to the point that there was nothing anyone could do to change the outcome ~ you made the right choice: remember him as he was, not as he was at the end....

Hearts with you here...

irish kid, I'm so very, very sorry to hear of the outcome of this, but I totally agree with the others that you did the right thing. As others have said, you did the right thing for Lynx by putting him out of his pain and misery, even though I know it broke your heart. I'm sending many t's and p's to you tonight and may sweet Lynx R.I.P.

Irish kid I'm sorry to hear of your loss. I had to have one of my cats put to sleep the day before Thanksgiving after a 1 month battle with kidney failure. Had to hydrate her under the skin for 2 1/2 weeks. Unfortunately our little fur babies can't tell us when something is wrong and by the time we discover it, it has gone too far. I had made up my mind the night before that I wasn't going to make HER suffer any more for MY sake so I cried all that night and the morning I took her in. I dug a hole by the back patio before I left and she is there under a new knock out rose that I can see from the livingroom/diningroom. I have 1 of my 6 remaining kitties going thru the house meowing like he is looking for the "missing" cat.
Again, I'm so sorry.

I echo the thoughts and words of everyone here, irish kid...my heart goes out to you.
Like everyone said, you did the right thing, I beleive having to make the call to put a beloved pet down is the Good Lords way of testing us...will we be selfish or give in the grief and do the right thing...

I've gone through such pain in having to make that call and going through with it too many times during my life, once the deep sorrow passes, and it does, you will know that you put Lynx first...that's what we do when we love our pets, we put aside our selves and always put them first.

When ever we've had to bury a pet, the ones left behind do mourn in their own way, but this will pass, so comfort them as best you can, and cherish all your memories of Lynx...

we farm for a living, and every animal we have lost is buried on the farm...cats, dogs and horses...each one tore my heart to pieces, I visit the graves often, all have markers and I say a few words over the graves, somehow that makes me feel better...they know I will never forget them.

Lynx has gone over the Rainbow Bridge and is at peace...
I am so sorry and prayers that your heart heals.

This message has been edited. Last edited by: jd47,

(((irish kid))) I am so sorry to read about your dear kitty Lynx I know how difficult this must have been for you, be at peace with your decision ~ your Lynx is no longer in pain.
RIP Lynx

This message has been edited. Last edited by: Mue,

So sorry for your loss. It's so hard to let them go but you have to do what is best for them.

I'm so very sorry, Irish Kid. You did the most loving thing. I'm a dog lover and have experienced this type of painful experience with my beloved pets. My thoughts are with you today.

((Irish Kid))

I'm very sorry you have lost your beloved pet. Hugs and Prayers.

Irish kid..I am SO sorry to hear about your loss. (((HUGS))) This is such a difficult decision since our pets are part of our family. But thankfully it is a decision we can make to relieve their suffering. Know that you made the best choice for Lynx.

Aww, Irish Kid, I am so sorry.

So sorry for your loss. Lynx is now at peace and in no pain - you did the right thing for him. Treasure your memories of him.

Thanks so much, my friends, for all your comments, and sympathy. I know you've all been through this before, so you know exactly how I feel. I have lost 2 or 3 cats before, but this is the first time I've ever had to make the decision to put them down. I hope I don't have to do that again any time soon. I'll always remember Lynx. He was a beautiful little cat, he wasn't always a sweet cat. Sometimes he could be a pain. When he was a baby,they all stayed outside, and he liked to hide under the car. One day he was under it and I didn't know it. He got caught on something under there and when I started to back up, he pulled loose, and ran off. It took me forever to find him. I was so sure I'd find him dead. I finally found him hiding under a bush with his brother and sister. Half of his ear was missing. It probably always hurt, and it made him look as if that side of his head was lower than the other. He didn't like to be held. He only sat in my lap twice in the 4 years he was with me. He would sit on the back of the couch, facing me and he'd listen to my ranting and rambling, and act like he understood every word. He was my Early Warning System. If anybody drove up in the driveway, or came to the door, he'd run and hide. I always knew when he did that, somebody was coming. And he would come to me every morning, stand with his back to me to be petted. When he first started doing that, when he got all the petting he wanted, he'd turn and swat at me. Then one morning, I told him that sometimes he scratched me when he swatted at me. I said when he'd had enough, to just go away and not swat at me. He never did swat at me again after that. I've read that the more you talk to your pets, the more they understand you. I believe that. I talk to my cats all the time. They'd probably like to tell me to shut up. Anyway, I got a sympathy card from the vet hospital yesterday. Everyone who worked there signed it and they all talked about what a sweet cat Lynx was. Today I got on Facebook and thanked them all for all they did for Lynx and for me--and whoever handles the Internet, (I think it was my neighbor, She is the office manager there) answered me and said they did send out cards to all their pets families, but they personalized them, because they all became attached to the pets. I love the doctor there, and I love all the people who work there. I don't know half their names. They were so caring, and gentle with Lynx, and they were all so nice and thoughtful with me. I'll always remember that.

((((irish kid))))

I'm so sorry for your loss. I haven't been through this yet, but whenever I read someone's story, I give my little guy a squoosh. He, too, is my Early Warning System. When I come home from work at about 10pm, I know everything is okay if he's on the couch by the window, or just inside the door.

I hope you and Lynx's siblings are doing okay.

I am so sorry for your loss as well. You are really strong. I would never have been able to dig a grave and bury my furbaby, never. So sorry. How old was your kitty?

Thanks for all the comments.
Wavy. Lynx was 4 years old. He and his brother and sister have been with me since they were born. The father of one of them, at least, adopted me, then he made friends with the cat across the street, and she had 3 kittens at my house. I guess she felt safe there. She thought she lived there. They were a couple months old before I knew they were there. The girl across the street, kept taking them home. She carried Lynx all over the place. As soon as she put him down, or whichever 1 she had, they'd make a beeline for my house. I was afraid they'd get hit by a car, and I got tired of her carrying them off, so I took the kittens inside. They were with me all the time. Lynx was a blond. When he was a baby, he was more orange,but the older he got, the lighter he got. I tried to post a picture of him, but I couldn't get it small enough to fit. Thanks all of you for you condolences. It's gettin a little easier now that it's been a month. I visit Lynx's grave almost every day. It's dark usually when I get home from work. But I say a few words to him, telling him I miss him, and I love him, and I wish him good night. If anyone heard me, they'd think I was crazy. But I feel better when I do that. I've got his picture on my computer desktop, and that makes it a little easier too.

Bless your heart for doing the right thing.You are a strong loving and caring mom to your babies.Prayers for you.