EPI * Exocrine Pancreatic Insufficiency

I know this is an EPI list, but I thought putting my words down would help me, so I hope you don't mind that I share...:wink:

Many years ago, I walked into the vet's office to get some dog meds and there was a woman in there pleading with the staff to take this kitten...He was an only kitten, about 4 weeks old and his mother had just been killed by a car...The staff in the office was sympathetic, but not a shelter, and tried to director her to one... Having recently lost my pure black cat, Ziggy, this one cried out to me and I said I'd take him.  We named him Buzz as his wiskers looked crimped as if he stuck his nose in an electrical outlet (I have a photo and will have to scan it at some point to show you all).  Well, he was nothing like Ziggy...He was not affectionate, hated being in the same room with humans and his life revolved around demanding (loudly) ice cubes in his water (he would not drink water unless you put ice cubes in it) and food - lots of it. I swear through the years he's tried to kill me on more than one occasion by tripping me down the stairs...

In his hayday, he was 24 pounds of fat, demanding kitty...In the last 10 or so years, he trimmed down to a decent 18 pound kitty (not willingly - trust me).  The last couple of months, this cat changed, completely! While I think I had heard him purr once or twice, it's been a daily occurance now.  He's been sleeping with me at night, purring in the bed.  The last time he slept with me was 15 years ago when we moved here and he sat on my chest (at 24 pounds) and screamed at me for being rude enough to MOVE him from his comfort zone.

Our vet visit yesterday and blood work yeilded bad news.  He is in kidney failure...His BUN and Creatin levels were off the charts...The best I could do was prolong his life a tiny bit by keeping him on fluids and I chose not to. He weighed in at 10.5 pounds and I'm not going to let my once fat kitty suffer... He KNEW he was leaving us months ago when this odd (for him), loving behavior started...

Buzz will  be crossing the Bridge on Friday morning after the family says their good-byes to him tomorrow night. 

Thanks for listening - or not...I'll never know!  It helped me to type it out...

Donna, I am so sorry to read this, but it sounds as if it's time & you are not letting him suffer.  You are waiting until your family says their goodbye's to Buzz & that is such a nice thing to do. 

We went through the same thing a few months ago when our almost 16 yr. old cat Demi went to the bridge.  It is never an easy decision & I know that we waited too long.  I still have guilty feelings about it, especially when her last photo's pop up on my computer screen.  Wish I was stronger, as she was so old, & just struggling with life.   Anyway.................

I'm pleased you've written & told us about your Buzz.  Sounds like a real character. 

I will be thinking of you & your family at this sad time.

Lynn & girls.

Thanks Lynn...I chatted with the vet tonight and the best they could offer was fluids and I would have to continue giving them after he left the clinic...This would only prolong the inevidable for a short time and I don't see the point...He's lived a good looong life and he is a character for sure...  I'd like to remember him being that character...

Donna -  It sounds like Buzz is somewhat of a feisty feline!   When he arrives at the bridge, I can just imagine all the mischief he is going to get into.  It is never easy making the final decision to let them go, but it sounds like he might have been asking you to do just that.  Like this fiery setting sun, his time has come to say goodbye. I am sorry for you and your families pain and loss.

Awww, hon that is so sad

I guess we all know when its time to let our pets go, and although its hard it really is the best thing for them.

I have a similar problem at the moment, although you may find it weird! I've kept coldwater fish for the past 5 years in a 60 gallon aquarium with no problems, until my husband bought me a new fish for my birthday last month, unfortunately the fish had white spot disease and spread it to all my other fish. He did check the fish over before buying it but because of its colouring he didn't spot the disease on it. I've been treating my fish with appropriate medications for 3 weeks and unfortunately its not working and because of the stress my fish are going through they are now showing signs of finrot.  We don't find it fair to keep treating them anymore, all 6 of my fish are laid at the bottom of the tank, occasionally having a short swim before resting again.

For those of you who have kept fish i'm sure you'll know that when i say fish have personalities, they really do! I have 2 that don't let me siphon the tank - i have to take them out to do it or they just swim around the siphon and i end up moving into them, i have one fish thats the boss, no other fish is allowed to eat until shes had her share, and then i have another fish that is so lazy its untrue, i have to hand feed him as otherwise hes just too lazy to eat and would rather float in the water!

Each of these fish have brought us alot of joy over the years and as silly as it sounds we love them to bits, but we do think its time to let them go, there just not happy and this disease is literally eating them.

Were having to tell the children that were taking the fish to live at our local lake (its like a huge park that we go to to feed the ducks) my boy was sad at first but then he realised that they would love it. My little girl is only 3 and doesn't want me to take her fish "mermaid" but i really don't think i can save any of them.

I hate losing pets and sometimes wish that i never got them just to lose them, but when you think back over the years and all the memories you have, they really are worth all the heartache.

Ahh gee Donna... I am so sorry to hear this about  that Buzz. .but you have been his rescue angel at the beginning of his life, and now at the end of his life - - letting him go peacefully with dignity and not having him suffer.  My goodness, what an amazing gift he gave you ...... saying his goodbye's to you, letting you know that he really dodes love you, by cuddling and purring with you these past few months. Made me cry when I read that. Please know that we are here for you.

Mandy, I am so sorry you are going thru something similar with your fish..... I used to have salt water fish for years and I too thought they had indiviudal personalities, actually one was a little blow fish. Harry, and Harry would  respond to me like no other.... it was amazing. He would do little tricks for me based on what motions i did with my fingers against the tank.....When Harry died, it just broke my heart....and I never had another fish quite like him.

Oh, Donna.. I am so sorry. We are cat people as well as dog people... and we feel your pain. Just this morning I was thinking about our last cat, Simpkin -- who also was an alpha-cat and we were there to serve him! He actually thought he was a dog. Went to mail box every morning w/Wm and our GSD to fetch the newspaper, loved our last dog, Zucker and actually protected her when she was so old and on her last leg of life. He actually chased another dog out of our yard when Zucker was lying on the front porch!!! So cats ARE special and part of our hearts. Thoghts and prayers are with you thru this awful time. With love, Donna W.

Donna:

I know that making the decision is hard, but you're doing the right thing.  I'm glad that the family will be able to gather to say goodbye.  These critterkids of ours can be such funny little beings...each one is very different and I love it that Buzz has become more loving and affectionate during these last weeks and months.  Treasure each of these days and know that my thoughts will be with you and your family.

Mandy:

What a horrible thing to have happen, I'm sure your husband feel awful.  I'm so sorry, and to heck with those who don't understand that fish have personalities.  Know that you too are in my thoughts.

You know, if you're a critterperson...you find love and enjoyment in any kind of critter.  I was one of those kids who brought all kinds of things home.  My poor mom even had sand crabs get loose in the house!  I doctored injured animals, I even was a kid who loved salamanders.  I grew up with cats, dogs, birds and fish but the zoo grew at times (scorpions, blue belly lizards, rats, mice, chipmunks....well you get the idea)  and I'm quite frankly no different now than I was as a child.

Olesia:

I'm sorry about Harry...but don't you love the memories?      

Thank you Becky, Mandy, Donna, Olesia and Linda for your thoughts.  My daughter has said her good-bye and my son will be shortly...In the meantime, he's upstains in my bathroom linen closet resting comfortably...Last night I brought him up an ice cube and his eyes looked at me like, "thank you SO much".  My heart nearly broke and I've been refreshing his ice cubes all day...

Hi Donna.......just wanted to let you know that i am thinking of you and Buzz.........

Oh Donna,

I am so sorry to hear about Buzz.  Its good you have made the decision to let Buzz go to the Bridge with dignity, its never an easy decision to make.  It sounds as if he's been a wonderful character and you and your family will have lovely memories of him.

God bless you Buzz and God bless you Donna for caring so much.

Thanks for caring Debra and Olesia...It means so much to me to have freinds that care!

Donna -

Cyber hugs to you this Friday morning as you say goodbye to Buzz  

Becky

Thanks again everyone...Buzz went peacefully to the Bridge at 9:20 this morning...I just hope there is someone there with lots of time, pateince and ice cubes for him...   I'll always remember him with the sweetest little black face, huge green eyes and crimped whiskers that he had as a kitten...Someone actually accused me once of using a crimping iron on them (remember them??).  They did grow out straight as he grew, but I always wondered why they were like that when he came to me??

Anyway, thanks again for all the kind words...They mean so much to me.

Ahhh Donna... my heart goes out to you and your family.

God Speed Buzz!

I know how hard this has been...and I'm so sorry.  I truly believe that Buzz will be catered to at the Bridge.  He knew how much you loved him, always remember that.

Donna, thinking of you today be strong,  our family are cat lovers as well as dog lovers,  Jinks is Gunner's friend most of the time!!!!!, over the years we have had four others and we lost one a couple of years back to Kidney failure so I know exactly how you feel,  keep smiling and think of him everytime you are sipping your next drink with ice cubes in it,  I'm sure if you look hard into the glass  he will be looking right back at you with a grin on his face Hx .  

Hayley,

As it's a very warm afternoon, I just made myself a glass of lemon-aid (with ice cubes - of course) and sat down at the computer Your post just brought a huge smile to my face...Yup, I think I do see him in there...

Your story about Buzz touches my heart.  For the past 29 years, I've had 2 cats.......both named Jasper, both medium haired black kitties, but nothing alike in personality.  I'm now at the point in my life where I have to also make a decision if God does not.  Know Buzz was well received at the Bridge by my first Jasper and our also beloved Stinky Pete (a stray who befriended my husband and I).

Thank you Kate...I hope your Jasper is able to let you know that it's time like Buzz did and while tough, I know you can help him...It's not easy, but out of love, for sure...