Poisoning, death of my beloved cat Leonine Options

[corinnajane]

It is almost a year now since my boy cat died. He was poisoned. I am very, very upset about it.

The hospital tried to save him but it was no use. And the staff were amazed at how gentle and friendly he was. Even though he was in agony, and dying, he still kept trying to make friends and cuddle people.

I got a lovely lady vet to come and help put him down at home. And I know I did the right thing.

But it really hurts.

Attached image(s)

 

[corinnajane]

Moon_Beam, you are such a kind soul. I really appreciate your words.

Thank you for your reassurances.

I am horrified to hear about the poisoning of your little one!!!! How did you cope? I'm so sorry to hear that. That is utterly tragic.


I do feel especially worried about one of Leonine's sisters, Tepper. She was a tiny kitten when I got her from the animal shelter and she just adored her big brother. She took such liberties with him! She likes to play very rough, and he put up with all of it, without laying a paw on her. You could tell that he wasn't keen, being an older cat, and because he screwed up his face and laid his ears back. He was such a tolerant and loving brother.

Tepper followed him around constantly and draped herself all over him. She adored him.

When he came home from the hospital, I did speak to her and explain what was happening. I'm not sure how much she understood, to be honest. And she and the other girl cat both came in to sniff his body when he was still.

I am convinced that she was extremely depressed for months afterwards, as she lay in her special traveling box on top of the fridge and was not responsive. She snarled and lashed out if patted. She put her head on her paws and did nothing. It was hard to get her to eat anything. We got through that phase eventually; however, it has been almost a year and she is still not right.

Tepper now spends a lot of time hiding away from the others. She doesn't socialize with them very well, doesn't exchange friendly greetings and is paranoid about eating near the other cats. She often tries to hit them and hisses warnings. The others have been very accepting but are now starting to become annoyed and hit back. She often sneaks in next door and annoys the owner by wandering around inside their house. I have to go and retrieve her. I think she might be looking for her brother but I'm not really sure. In addition, she has become extremely anxious and tries to stop me leaving the house. She gets under my feet and mews piteously. When I get home, she is right by the gate, mewing and carrying on.

I am doing my best to calm and reassure her. I have done all sorts of things to try to improve the situation, from making special safe places for her to rest, to cuddling the other cats and then cuddling her, and vice-versa, so that she will be identified scent-wise as part of the family. I am trying to ignore the silly behaviour displayed when I have to go out, although it is difficult. Unfortunately, her behaviour is getting worse and worse.

I plan to take her to the vet and see what options are available for anxiety in pets.

I feel that her heart is broken and it is horrible to see her like this. She was always such a bright, energetic, boisterous and playful girl. She has lost all her confidence.

I would love to hear any further suggestions. I have all the time in the world to help her.