She is about 6 years old. I adopted her from shelter about 2 months ago. She is as regal and royal as her name implies but she hasn't eaten in 2 days. Today she just wants to sit in the dark. She is drinking a little water but refuses milk and food. She is urinating in her box but no poop for 3 or 4 days. What could be wrong?

I don't want to sound rude or heartless but sometimes when animals are ready to die or they know that its ganna be there time soon
They tend to separate themselves from every thing.


Sort of how people do...



But then again maybe something happened your not aware of.
I had a dog once that almost got hit by a car, it started acting like the way you just described and it died about a week later. You should take it to the Dr's!

I dont want to sound rude or heartless but sometimes when animals are ready to die or they know that its ganna be there time soon
they tend to separate them selves from every thing.


sort of how people do....



but then again maybe something happened your not aware of.
i had a dog once that almost got hit by a car, it started acting like the way you just described and it died about a week later. you should take it to the Dr's!

This would not be normal for a 6 year old cat.

I definitely recommend getting your kitty to the vet. No poop for 3 or 4 days could signal an intestinal blockage. Please let us know if everything is okay!

Thank you for your concern. Lady Di has been in the hospital since Wednesday. Although she never showed any sign of difficulty breathing, she developed fluid in her lungs and has had 2 chest taps. The doctor thinks it's a heart problem. If she makes it, it will be a long and expensive road.
Vee

I am very, very, very sorry to hear this. I'm sending my sincerest hopes and prayers for both of you. :( this must so very hard for so many reasons. I just want to say that I cannot commend you enough for pulling out all the stops to make sure she gets the best care she can. You're her real life guardian angel.

I'm keeping my fingers crossed for you! Sometimes miracles happen. One of the cats I grew up with was diagnosed with a terminal kidney disease when she was 7, and I they predicted she only had a small handful of months to live. She pulled out of it almost completely, and Sundance made it to the ripe old age of 20.

I lost my last kitty, Prince Charming, this past Easter. I know just how heart wrenching watching a kitty get sick can be.

Truly, we wish only the best for you and Lady Di. Hang in there! If you can, please let me know how things go.

(((Hugs))) Thank you so much. It's so sweet of you to offer such warm words to a total stranger. Yes, it's been an extremely difficult week. Right now, I'm in the can-I-afford-the-medical-expense/am-I-being-selfish-for-putting-her-through-this phase.

She has been hissing at the doctors and handlers so she still has her royal "You do not have my permission to do that" attitude. Yesterday, she was purring while I held her and got mad when I had to leave. We feel that as long as she has that Russian Blue fire still in her, it justifies the credit card charges.
Vee

Well, as hard as it may be to believe, there has been a lot of talk on the pet threads recently about owners who don't always step up to the plate when the going gets rough. You, madam, are an example of the kind of person who knows the meaning of remarkable, responsible and caring pet ownership. I know that my pets are as important to me as anyone else I love. So you get extra gold stars for putting the faith of good human beings back into me. :)

Russian blues are incredible (and stunningly beautiful) cats. The vets will be able to tell you if they think she's suffering in a way that's too much or if she's at a point she really can't come back from. If you have your own doubts, the issue at hand could certainly be considered important enough to warrant a second opinion. I know how expensive vet bills can be. :( let's just hope that Lady Di gets tired enough of her stay in the hospital to get better really soon. There are reasons people say that cats have 9 lives. If they have any fighting chance of making it, and if they can still muster the energy to put that good old kitty-catty spunk on the table, they can sometimes manage to get themselves out of the tightest spaces... lots of good thoughts to both of you. :)

MsVeeak, I am reading all of the posts with tears in my eyes, you my dear deserve a big hug, and I'm sending one to you and Lady Di right now.

I too believe that no expense is too high when caring for the animals that entrust their lives to us. When you adopt a pet you adopt a family member, and they deserve no less then a child in our care.

You and Lady Di are in my prayers, I hope that everything works out for you and that you have her for many years to come.

A story that might make you feel better. I have a wonderful neighbor, she's almost as crazy as I am when it comes to her animals. She has a wonderful cat named Sly and he's had nothing but health problems since she adopted him. She calls him her million dollar cat.

A few years back Sly was diagnosed with feline cancer, the doctor said that they could operate but that odds where not good that Sly would survive, in fact, he gave Sly a 10% chance at survival.

Two operations and $7,000.00 later Sly pulled through, he's still around and kicking today, a 15 year old cat with two wonderful parents who love him dearly.

I once asked her, how could you spend so much when the odds where that he'd die anyway? Her response, 10% is still a chance, it's not 0%.

You my dear remind me of her, and I have nothing but respect for you.

Good luck and keep us posted. :)

Linnealand and Altenweg, I just came online to look up some recipes for post-surgical cats when I found notice of your emails. The doctor called me about 9 this morning and wants me to bring Lady Di home overnight to see if she will eat for me; away from the clinic and the "mean strangers who keep poking her." I'm on my way out the door shortly.

But I have to say I'm afraid you both have me all wrong. I'm not a guardian angel. Heaven knows I'm far from it. I'm simply grateful. My animals bless me and I just try to repay them.

They tolerate me when I come home from work tired and in need of unconditional squeezies and snuggles. Lady Di purrs (when she chooses to) on purpose just to lower our blood pressure. Bubba, the dog, takes us for walks twice a day just to keep us from getting fat and lazy. Even Pepsi (the parrot) hangs upside and giggles for no other reason but to make us laugh.
I'm sorry to correct you when you're being so supportive but I'm not the special one in this story. It's God's creatures who watch over us.

Anyway, I'm bringing Lady Di home in a little while and will probably take her back to the vet clinic Sunday afternoon before work Monday. We'll see what happens then. Since you've been so sweet and encouraging, I will keep you informed. I'm grateful to you both.
Vee

Vee, I'm going to correct you my dear. You are special, very special, you're one in a million, and don't you think otherwise.

Do you realize how many people just give their pets away when problems come up? How many people return a pet to the shelter because they don't want to pay the expense of the vet costs in order to keep their so called "beloved" pet alive?

To a lot of people a pet is just a disposable purchase, not a life, not something to be cherished and loved, but a purchase, like a car, or a toy. Many people dispose of their pets in the same way they dispose of their garbage, with just as much feeling. If a pet dies replace it, no big deal, that's the way a lot of people feel.

Lady Di is truly blessed to have been adopted by a wonderful caring person like you. You are special, don't forget it! :)

I have 9 pets, all of them get the care they deserve. I chose to adopt them, I brought them to my home and I am responsible for their health and well being, I take that responsibility very seriously.

I have 3 dogs, 4 rabbits, a bird and a fish. None of them has every been denied the care they deserve, although I will admit that I probably wouldn't take the fish to the vet if he became ill. ;)

I'm sure that Lady Di will be okay, because of your love she will be just fine. I will continue to pray for her, and for you. You are special, nothing you can say will change my mind about that. :)

God Bless. :)

Here's an update. Lady Di came home Saturday extremely weak. I gave her her medicine, a bit of food from a syringe and tried to make her comfortable in her room. A little while later, I went in to check up on her and she was having trouble breathing. When I looked into her eyes, she simply wasn't there. My angel drifted away before we could get her to Emergency Care.
Vee

Vee, I'm so very sorry for your loss. You did the best you could, and I know she was grateful to you for your love and compassion.

At least she died at home with you nearby, I'm sure that gave her comfort.

If you need to talk we're here for you.

Take care.

Oh, dear Vee... I'm so, so sorry...

I imagine that Lady Di was sent to you so that she could experience a home as loving as yours before she passed away. You should only rest assured that you did all the right things to help her as much as anyone could. Have you heard of Rainbow Bridge? It was one of the things that helped me the most when my last kitty died.

This is a copy of it, which you can find at <Rainbow Bridge> (http://www.petloss.com/poems/maingrp/rainbowb.htm). There are also a number of other pet loss resources there, which you might find comforting.

Just this side of heaven is a place called Rainbow Bridge.

When an animal dies that has been especially close to someone here, that pet goes to Rainbow Bridge.
There are meadows and hills for all of our special friends so they can run and play together.
There is plenty of food, water and sunshine, and our friends are warm and comfortable.

All the animals who had been ill and old are restored to health and vigor; those who were hurt or maimed are made whole and strong again, just as we remember them in our dreams of days and times gone by.
The animals are happy and content, except for one small thing; they each miss someone very special to them, who had to be left behind.

They all run and play together, but the day comes when one suddenly stops and looks into the distance. His bright eyes are intent; His eager body quivers. Suddenly he begins to run from the group, flying over the green grass, his legs carrying him faster and faster.

You have been spotted, and when you and your special friend finally meet, you cling together in joyous reunion, never to be parted again. The happy kisses rain upon your face; your hands again caress the beloved head, and you look once more into the trusting eyes of your pet, so long gone from your life but never absent from your heart.

Then you cross Rainbow Bridge together...

Author unknown

Lady Di was very lucky to have you in her life, and I am sure you feel at least as lucky to have known her. I know how heart wrenching it can be to see such a beautiful and innocent little soul pass on. I wish you only good things in your mourning and in your healing. As you were her guardian angel in life, I am sure she is watching over you now. I know I can feel my own cats up in Heaven. They're there.

With lots of love for you and Lady Di, from me, my family and my pets (past and present),

Linny

Linny, I had to spread the rep.

Your post brought tears to my eyes, such a heartfelt post, your wonderful soul shines through in your writing. :)

You've both been very sweet and very supportive. I'm thankful for the kind gentle warming words of comfort. You have truly helped. Please stay safe, enjoy good health and please hug your fur-babies an extra squeeze in memory of Lady Di.
Take care and God bless you and your families.
Vee

Vee, remember that we're here for you if you need to talk.

I will give all my wonderful fur babies and extra hug tonight for Lady Di. :)

That's a lot of hugs, 9 to be exact. :)