Thursday, July 12, 2007

Catblogging - Think about Alex


UPDATED July 15 (see below). Alex has not been well for a few years. He has various problems: inflammatory bowel disease, pancreatitis, and kidneys heading toward failure. We've been very close to losing him several times in the past year and a half, then each time he rallies back a little, staying on the health roller coaster. Click on the Alex label for more details. He's very strong-willed. Lately, even though a lot of his symptoms are under control, he's been on the downward slope. He's lost a pound in the last month, and can't really stand to lose another one. We are trying to do what we can for him to make him comfortable. Sorry for the bummer catblog this week, but my little 16 year old baby has become a serious matter for concern and worry.

UPDATE 1: Friday morning. Alex had completely stopped eating the food he's been on for several months with no problems. We are feeding him another food, and he is vomiting it but at least there is food going in. Maybe he's headed for another rally. Can't tell.
UPDATE 2: Saturday. Alex has stopped eating more than a nibble and isn't drinking much either. He vomits everything. We will hydrate him, give him his meds this morning, but this evening he may need to go to the hospital. It's not looking good for him.
UPDATE 3: Sunday morning. Alex ate nothing since those couple of bites Friday night and was very listless and weak all day yesterday. He managed to use the litter pan (the injected fluids make him have a need to go). This morning he ate a few bites of dry k/d that we bought a long time ago to try for him. Don't know if he will eat any more of that or anything else. We believe that he is in the process of dying.
UPDATE 4: Sunday noon. He ate 60 pieces of dry food (yes, we are counting), so a minor rally. He got a "hungry pill" this morning which may be the reason he ate something, but the same pill didn't help him yesterday. Still on Alexwatch this afternoon. He may make it through the night. Not sure.
UPDATE 5: Sunday night. Alex is gone. See the more recent post for a memorial to him.

Tags and links: Friday Ark - Carnival of the Cats - This week's carnival is at TBIFOC - - -

9 comments:

FreakyNick said...

I'm wishing the best for Alex.

Blueberry said...

UPDATE Friday morning. Alex had completely stopped eating the food he's been on for several months with no problems. We are feeding him another food, and he is vomiting it but at least there is food going in. Maybe he's headed for another rally. Can't tell.

Tiki, Kirby, and StanLee said...

Purrs and purrayers for Alex.

Peacechick Mary said...

Never apologize to this group for sharing pet concerns. A sick pet makes me as anxious as any family member's illness. Sending good strong thoughts your way. Peace.

whaleshaman said...

taboo asked me to give you this message:

dear alex, you are a very beautiful boy and i am sorry you are having a rough time.

i hope whatever's making you feel terrible enough to throw up goes away NOW!

after all, it's up to us older kitties to lord it over the crazy youngsters about how they have it so easy, while we had to walk to school barepaw, for 2 miles in the snow! ;-)

i'm going to take a nap now and hopefully have sweet dreams of you and me purring & rolling in the catnip.

taboo

Blueberry said...

UPDATE 2: Saturday. Alex has stopped eating more than a nibble and isn't drinking much either. He vomits everything. We will hydrate him, give him his meds this morning, but this evening he may need to go to the hospital. It's not looking good for him. Thank you all for your comments and support.

Mando Mama said...

You are all on my heart. I am so sorry Alex is having such a tough time. He's lucky he has such good human parents.

Peacechick Mary said...

It does sound like Alex is becoming ready to die. People do that too. When they are dying, they begin to shut down all functions. I hope you can make Alex as comfortable as possible so he doesn't suffer. Poor baby. I'm so sorry. Sending love to all of you.

Tiki, Kirby, and StanLee said...

We are sending more purrs and purrayers for Alex.