one less cat...

[tollermom]

This is not what I'd planned for my first LJ post from the new house.

I brought the cats to the new house earlier this afternoon, and opened up all the crates in the downstairs bedroom. Four cats came out of crates, and Gorby and Garion stayed in theirs and glared at me. Well, okay... they've had a lot of stress for the last few days... I can understand sulking.

When I got back tonight, it appeared that everybody had been out and around, and several had used the litter box. Bigfoot was really lethargic, though, which is really unlike him.

He wandered about a bit, and I saw him in the litterbox but it didn't look like anything was actually happening for him. Apparently I should have recognized that as a clue.

Later, he was in one of the crates with Garion, up by the front, with Garion in the back. This was so odd that I scooped Bigfoot up and sat down on the sofa with him for a snuggle, since he was obviously stressed. After a couple of minutes, he convulsed once and went limp.

I _thought_ I could still hear a heartbeat, but I wasn't sure. I put him back in a carrier, hopped in the Beetle, and we rushed to the emergency vet (with a brief detour when I went the wrong way on Highway 9). Unfortunately, he was gone when we got there. They think he may have been blocked... possibly triggered by stress (so now, of course, I'm panicking about the rest of the cats).

He was one of the sweetest, friendliest cats that I've ever known and I'll miss him terribly.

Comments

[kestrels-nest.livejournal.com]

Oh, Deb, I'm so sorry. HUGS!

[tollermom]

Thanks. I've had a procession of "comforters" ever since I got back from the vet. Every time I start to cry, a different cat gets all up in my face (literally... Gorby's standing on my chest bonking me in the chin at the moment... I'm typing blind).

[kyrielle]

Oh, no. I'm so sorry. :(

[tollermom]

Thanks. I keep expecting him to be behind me on the sofa (always his favorite perch). *sigh*

[huskiebear.livejournal.com]

I'm so sorry to hear this. I know it's been a rough year for you and your animals, but hopefully this is getting all the bad stuff "out of it's system" before many wonderful years for you and your family and furry family in the new place. {{hugs}}

[tollermom]

Thanks. I really do hope this is the end for awhile... I'm overdue for a break!

[jerusha.livejournal.com]

Oh, no! I'm so sorry.

[tollermom]

Thanks. He was always such a healthy, active little guy... I can't believe this happened so fast. :-(

[danceswithlife]

I am so sorry for your loss! Health and peacefulness to the rest of the household.

[tollermom]

From your fingers to the Gods' ears... I could definitely use good critter health vibes for awhile!

[thasolumn.livejournal.com]

I'm so sorry, hun. We've had had 2 out of 4 cats get blocked up in one way or another in the last month, so we're on excrement watch around here. It's so hard to keep track of things like that, though, when you've got so many using the same litter boxes.

[tollermom]

It _is_. Unless you're standing there, all you know is that somebody was digging in the box... not whether there was actually anything for them to need to cover. :-(

How're your crew? Did they come through the blockages okay?

[thasolumn.livejournal.com]

One had to see the vet and get meds. The other cleared up with a little metamucil (vet's recommendation.) We're hoping it was just a fluke and they'll stay at normal production levels now.

[indyamy.livejournal.com]

Oh, I'm sorry sorry to hear this. Rest in peace, Bigfoot.

*hugs*

[tollermom]

Thanks, Amy.

Definitely not the way I'd expected to introduce myself to the new vet practice. One of my former vets from Caring Hands works at Northwood (which also happens to be the nearest 24-hr emergency vet), and the practice had been recommended. I want to like them... I do... but I wasn't terribly thrilled with the way they handed _me_ tonight. Nobody introduced themselves (this obviously wasn't an issue at first... I didn't want them to slow down for introductions instead of caring for Bigfoot), I never saw a vet (at least I don't think I did, since nobody introduced themselves), and the tech working the counter really seemed, umm... how to put this, somewhat less than compassionate.

[indyamy.livejournal.com]

Well that sucks. Maybe the daytime staff is better? How far is the next 24 hr emergency vet?

[hsifyppah.livejournal.com]

Oh, no! I'm so sorry. Poor Bigfoot, and poor you! :(

[madfilkentist]

That's a terrible thing to have happen, especially when you've just moved. I'm sure the other cats will be fine, though.

[fuzzyvanman.livejournal.com]

*hugs* So sorry for your loss. *hugs*

[kychilehead.livejournal.com]

I'm so sorry Debbie. *hugs*

[joecoustic.livejournal.com]

I'm so sorry.

*hugs*

[textdeviant.livejournal.com]

*lotsnlotsofhugs!*

[xap]

oh! :(

*huggs&love*

[cadhla.livejournal.com]

Oh, honey.

I am so very sorry.

[poltr1]

I'm so sorry to hear that.

*Hugs*

[(Anonymous)]

{{{hugs}}}}

jeani

[vixyish.livejournal.com]

Oh honey. *many, many hugs*

[billroper]

Oh, gosh. I'm sorry.

[chirosinger.livejournal.com]

I'm so sorry to hear of Bigfoot's passing. *hugs*

[mbumby.livejournal.com]

I'm so sorry to hear that.

[the-sheryl.livejournal.com]

{{{Debbie}}}

I'm sorry for your loss.

[min0taur.livejournal.com]

Awful end to a long and difficult day. Sorry to be late in posting. As you know, the heart of our household goes out to yours.

[(Anonymous)]

I'm very sorry to hear about your kitty. :(

I hope you'll give Northwoods another chance. I think their problem is because they're an emergency clinic they see a lot of people who don't give their pets any sort of vet care until it's too late, and that makes them a little chilly. I had a bad experience with them because my first contact with them was similar to yours, but once I started bringing my animals there for routine checkups their attitude towards me changed completely. I've had to use the emergency clinic twice since then and they were wonderful.
Sherri

[robin-june.livejournal.com]

So sorry that this turned out this way.

bigfoot

[(Anonymous)]

He was such a sweetie. Debbie, I'm so sorry for your loss, and sorrier to be so late in responding. I too will pray that this is the last of the pet health issues for a LONG LONG TIME!!!

[spiceofbroadway.livejournal.com]

Oh dear, I'm so sorry. Poor Bigfoot. ::hugs you::