Kitty sick day

October is shaping up to be a stellar month.  It's pretty rare for me to miss work, and so far this month I've called off because I couldn't walk after a race and because my son's kitten was sick.

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Remember this sweet little thing?  When N woke up this morning, she was on the floor of his room flopped over on her side looking barely alive.  It was about the most pitiful thing I've ever seen.  I have no doubt that if I'd gone to work today she'd have died while we were gone.

So, despite spending my shower thinking about activities to go along with today's subtraction lesson, I took a personal day, rushed J to the before-school program, and took her to the animal hospital.  And as much as I like to think of myself as tough, I can tell you that I cried pretty much from the moment I handed over the box she was in.

It was just so sad, you guys.  And she's pretty much got all of us in love with her.  And my big, tall 17 year old man of a son is just in love with this cat.  Basically the first thing the vet said was that they may not be able to save her, but after an hour or so she was perked up a little.  I was tearfully happy until they brought the treatment plan estimate.  Three days of hospitalization at a cost of $700-1,000.

There's just no way, especially because they expect the money up front.  No payment plans.  But saying "no" sounds an awful lot like "let her die", which is terrible.  More waterworks.  So the doctor gave me a treatment plan and a glimmer of hope, and I've spent my day nursing a kitten.  Now I'm nervous every time she's not in my sight, and as I said on facebook, it's like having a baby again. 

A tiny, furry, uninsured baby.  So I walked out of the vet's office $250 poorer, but I didn't have to bury a kitten today, and I didn't have to tell my boys she died.  And I really, really hope there's no "yet" attached to either of those last things.

Update: She died, just before midnight. :( She seemed better all evening until I went to check on her around 10:30, when she started stumbling around and went downhill from there. I sat with her til N got home from practice, then I sat with him while he sat with her til the end. If I thought I was cried out, I was wrong. It's beyond gut-wrenching to watch your child lose his pet. Sad, sad night.

Comments

  1. Aw that is so sad. They are real susceptible to respiratory infections when they are young and need treatment or they will die. I know how you feel, I had one die in my arms last year. Hopefully the little guy will pull through. BTW, I wouldn't spend $750 either.

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  2. I was not wanting THAT update :( I wanted a different one :(

    I'm a little weepy now... I am so sorry such a sweet lil thing had to leave you in that way. So sorry...

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  3. Oh no I am so so sorry to read that update. How very sad...big big hug (((())))

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  4. oh no.... so sorry to hear it... Hugs for all :(

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  5. I'm so sorry Kate. That is really very sad. Thinking of you all.

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  6. Oh gosh, Kate, I am soooo sorry (tear flowing down my cheek). I wish I had words to help, but there are none. Know that kitty was loved has to help...she had an amazing, loving family in her short life and bless you for giving that to her. ((hugs))

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  7. Oh I'm so sorry! What a tough, tough situation for you all. Please don't feel guilty about the choices you made either--there was no guarantee either way. Take care.

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  8. OH! This makes me so sad. I'm so sorry.

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  9. I'm so sorry about this innocent little life lost. I know how awful that is and I'm feeling for you and your son.

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  10. This is beyond sad. We had a cat who looked just like this as a kitten. So cute. We have had to have a couple cats "put down" which is so hard. I bawled with one of them. Then foolishly I had the second one done at lunch time and went back to work. NEVER AGAIN. I had to have someone else do the read aloud because I kept crying. Someone had the guidance councilor come check on me. I think they thought a person I knew had died. Hate losing pets.
    Even though you hadn't had this kitten long I am sure you were very attached plus it seems so unfair it lived such a short life.
    Man, I must be really cheering you up. Sorry.
    Best wishes.

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  11. This is the hardest thing, whether they are with you for 14 years, 14 days or 14 hours. So sorry!

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  12. Ah Kate I am so so sorry. this made me cry. I would have made the same choice as you. I have a dog, she is 9. I know we have less time left with her than we already had. it breaks my heart to think of this.
    hope your son is OK.

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  13. I'm so sorry! Such a cutie, that is so sad. :(

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  14. Oh man, I'm so sorry, Kate. What an awful thing to have to deal, and then to have to tell your son, too. I hope everyone's recovering and looking forward to a quiet weekend.

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  15. I am very very sorry, I am a cat lover and I can understand very well your feeling.
    I love all kind and breeds of animals and I see them as defenseless creatures but fortunately there are persons like you and your family.
    A big hug.

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  16. I am so sad for you guys. Such a cute little kitten... pretty much a cline of our new buddy. Our cat Bib died at the beginning of the summer, out of nowhere. It still makes me sad. I am even sadder for you though because you are also sad for your son. So sorry!

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  17. I am so sad for you guys. Such a cute little kitten... pretty much a cline of our new buddy. Our cat Bib died at the beginning of the summer, out of nowhere. It still makes me sad. I am even sadder for you though because you are also sad for your son. So sorry!

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  18. I'm so sorry, Kate. I didn't see this earlier. My heart breaks especially hard for animals in pain and sickness. Poor sweet thing. I hope you're doing ok <3

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  19. I'm so so so sorry :(

    Tears, right here. Having gone through it myself, I know how tough it is, but it has to be magnified by a million going through it with your kid. So so sad...

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  20. Ugh I'm so sorry. It's so freaking hard. I fancy myself tough as well but not with pets. Big, big hugs girl.

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  21. I'm so sorry about your kitty! We had to put our sweet 12 year old dog to sleep a year ago (she had cancer) and the absolute worst part was watching my son say goodbye to the dog he had wished for since age 3, and finally got at age 5. It was awful seeing him cry so hard. Those critters just climb inside your heart and when they leave, they leave a huge hole. Hugs to you and your son.

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