Our Cat Velvet Is At Rainbow Bridge Options

[Ken Albin]

Velvet was quickly struck down by intestinal lymphoma, which probably started as a result of his IBD. On the "sickness" board I told about our sweet 13 year old Velvet. Abdominal fluid that was drained last week quickly came back in spite of prednisolone and a diuretic. We were planning on possibly trying a chemo drug in addition to these but we never had the chance to do it. I was up most of last night with Velvet and it was obvious that his condition was worsening. He was having trouble finding a position that would allow easy breathing with all the pressure from the abdominal fluid. This morning he was pretty listless and you could see in his eyes that he was ready to go. I gave him a painkiller med and fed him his favorite food, a pouch of "Upstream Dream". He never did stop eating up to the end. We made the vet appointment. Velvet was very limp as I put him into the carrier. All the way to the vet I talked soothingly to him but the slight stress of going made his breathing labored. The vet was wonderful and spent time petting and talking to him. I held Velvet on my lap while he administered the pink solution into an I.V. they had placed. They had a little trouble finding a vein due to Velvet's blood pressure being very low but the vet tech is excellent and they placed a lined with minimal discomfort. Velvet felt bad but he looked at me and actually purred a little and raised his chin while I rubbed it. I stroked him and talked gently to him while he slipped away. It took about 40 seconds because of his poor circulation. Velvet went peacefully. He may have lasted a few more days but would have been in increasing discomfort building up to pain if we had not euthanized him today. One thing I firmly believe in is that we owe it to our furkids to not let them needlessly suffer so I think we did the right thing. We kept Velvet as long as possible once the fluid started accumulating but when he began crashing last night I knew that our time was at an end today if I wanted to spare him agony. We kept up a brave front for Velvet until he was gone and then my wife and I both cried. We took Velvet home and buried him in a sunny spot in the back yard. He always loved to bask in a sunny window so I felt this was the best place for him. Now his pain is at an end but we are completely heartbroken. I feel like a part of my soul was ripped from my body when Velvet looked up at me and then closed his eyes forever. I know we did well by him during his final days and we made the right choice to end his suffering before it became too bad for him but it is so hard for us to bear losing him. The only solace I have is knowing that he is not suffering any more and is with all of our other furkids at the Bridge. Velvet was an incredibly sweet cat who loved us both. At the end I could see that on some level he understood we were trying to help him.

Ken Albin

[moon_beam]

Hi, Ken, please permit me to offer you and your wife my sincerest sympathies in the loss of your beloved Velvet. Losing a beloved companion is never easy regardless of the circumstances or how long we have been blessed with the privilege of their company. The grief healing journey is never easy no matter how "experienced" we are in being furkid guardians. Thank you so much for sharing with us about Velvet, and please know you are in my thoughts and prayers.

Peace and blessings,
moon_beam