ShadowsPapa
Well-Known Member
- First Name
- Bill
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- Oct 12, 2019
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- Runnells, Iowa
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- #1
I guess after losing one of my best friends, I'm a bit more owly, grumpy and just not a happy camper or in any sort of a mood other than crappy.
A total bitch of a day. It all happened so FAST..
Tuvak, one of the most perfect cats ever born - is gone as of today. It was a total shock, we didn't see it coming and a week ago if you'd have asked about him, I'd have said he'll be around for a good long time to come.
Tonkinese are a very different breed and unless you've ever known one, you might think all cats are aloof, and use people only for food and water.
Tuvak did what he usually does in the evening last week - crawled up on me while I sat, and draped over my right shoulder purring REALLY LOUD in my ear, then dropped down into my arm. I thought his breathing was rapid - and his stomach moved more than usual while he breathed, but I figured - maybe he was out of breath or just excited for the attention.
I let it go a day, and realized it wasn't any better and his breathing was rapid even when just laying on me after a while and being more relaxed - so I made an online appointment to get him into the vet.
They could not see him for a couple of days and they called after seeing my description of the symptoms and suggested I get him into the emergency 24/7 vet on the other side of town.
He had the radioactive iodine treatment for his thyroid in early 2024 after a severe allergic reaction to the only meds that can be given for that condition. They said that it had affected his kidneys but keeping an eye on that and with special diet and regular blood tests, that might be controlled for a fairly long time.
I knew that his time with the thyroid problems led to heart issues - slightly enlarged, etc.
The doctor this AM took him back to get and did an ultrasound and found his heart was quite enlarged, especially one half, and it looked like parts of his lungs had no air in them.
I approved total blood tests and xrays.
She came back and asked if he usually responded poorly to vet visits - I said other than meowing a lot - no, it was a perfect gentleman.
The xrays confirmed enlarged heart, fluid around the heart, and fluid in the lungs - parts of them not working.
A bit later she came back in - and I knew by her look................ she said - do we need to get your wife on the phone?
Apparently he went into heart failure, and totally went lateral and they had to give him oxygen and some diuretics to reduce the fluid and help his breathing until we made a decision.
The problem with treating the heart would be hurting the kidneys - they need more fluid and his heart is saying NO MORE fluids.
They said he could be admitted into ICU - quite a process and unlikely to do a lot long term.
I said no, he's struggling to stay alive, he hates being away from me and - in the process of me being with him for a few final minutes to prep for ending his pain, he started foaming at the mouth -bloody looking foam, got a sudden burst of crazy strength I knew what was going on - the final struggle to live.
I called the vet into the room fast, and I think if the vet hadn't ended his struggle medically, I don't think he'd have gone another 5 minutes.
He seemed so fine at home this AM - other than his fast breathing - he ate, and purred and was snuggled up with his brother in of course the smallest heated cat bed we have.
Just that fast - he body had had enough.
I had my wife on the phone so the vet could explain things once, and I made the call to put him down and I could hear my wife choking up over the phone.
She came out and helped me dig the grave for him......... something she's never done before.
He wasn't so much a cat as he was a baby. He hated it when we were gone for long and insisted that he be on my shoulder or in my arm on my chest, not my lap.
Tonkinese Cat Characteristics
Active and intelligent, the Tonkinese loves to play, and its easygoing temperament makes it content to spend time with family without requiring excessive attention or stimulation. It is happy to "speak" when spoken to but doesn't vocalize excessively.
The Tonk has an irrepressible, people-loving personality. It eagerly seeks to be pet, held, talked to, played with, and cuddled on a warm lap. Families with young children who need a tolerant and playful cat may find the Tonkinese to be the perfect choice.
Trying to get close to my face. He liked to lay with his face next to my face or neck - often with his nose in my ear. Sometimes he'd crawl up and rub his nose against mine.
Here I come - ready to be cuddled and held................
i know I'm cute - now rub my belly.........
Tuvak often grabbed my hand and forced his head into my hand, then started kicking my arm.
On his shelf, ready to throw toys at me so I can toss them back - and he'd bat them right back at me........
A total bitch of a day. It all happened so FAST..
Tuvak, one of the most perfect cats ever born - is gone as of today. It was a total shock, we didn't see it coming and a week ago if you'd have asked about him, I'd have said he'll be around for a good long time to come.
Tonkinese are a very different breed and unless you've ever known one, you might think all cats are aloof, and use people only for food and water.
Tuvak did what he usually does in the evening last week - crawled up on me while I sat, and draped over my right shoulder purring REALLY LOUD in my ear, then dropped down into my arm. I thought his breathing was rapid - and his stomach moved more than usual while he breathed, but I figured - maybe he was out of breath or just excited for the attention.
I let it go a day, and realized it wasn't any better and his breathing was rapid even when just laying on me after a while and being more relaxed - so I made an online appointment to get him into the vet.
They could not see him for a couple of days and they called after seeing my description of the symptoms and suggested I get him into the emergency 24/7 vet on the other side of town.
He had the radioactive iodine treatment for his thyroid in early 2024 after a severe allergic reaction to the only meds that can be given for that condition. They said that it had affected his kidneys but keeping an eye on that and with special diet and regular blood tests, that might be controlled for a fairly long time.
I knew that his time with the thyroid problems led to heart issues - slightly enlarged, etc.
The doctor this AM took him back to get and did an ultrasound and found his heart was quite enlarged, especially one half, and it looked like parts of his lungs had no air in them.
I approved total blood tests and xrays.
She came back and asked if he usually responded poorly to vet visits - I said other than meowing a lot - no, it was a perfect gentleman.
The xrays confirmed enlarged heart, fluid around the heart, and fluid in the lungs - parts of them not working.
A bit later she came back in - and I knew by her look................ she said - do we need to get your wife on the phone?
Apparently he went into heart failure, and totally went lateral and they had to give him oxygen and some diuretics to reduce the fluid and help his breathing until we made a decision.
The problem with treating the heart would be hurting the kidneys - they need more fluid and his heart is saying NO MORE fluids.
They said he could be admitted into ICU - quite a process and unlikely to do a lot long term.
I said no, he's struggling to stay alive, he hates being away from me and - in the process of me being with him for a few final minutes to prep for ending his pain, he started foaming at the mouth -bloody looking foam, got a sudden burst of crazy strength I knew what was going on - the final struggle to live.
I called the vet into the room fast, and I think if the vet hadn't ended his struggle medically, I don't think he'd have gone another 5 minutes.
He seemed so fine at home this AM - other than his fast breathing - he ate, and purred and was snuggled up with his brother in of course the smallest heated cat bed we have.
Just that fast - he body had had enough.
I had my wife on the phone so the vet could explain things once, and I made the call to put him down and I could hear my wife choking up over the phone.
She came out and helped me dig the grave for him......... something she's never done before.
He wasn't so much a cat as he was a baby. He hated it when we were gone for long and insisted that he be on my shoulder or in my arm on my chest, not my lap.
Tonkinese Cat Characteristics
Active and intelligent, the Tonkinese loves to play, and its easygoing temperament makes it content to spend time with family without requiring excessive attention or stimulation. It is happy to "speak" when spoken to but doesn't vocalize excessively.
The Tonk has an irrepressible, people-loving personality. It eagerly seeks to be pet, held, talked to, played with, and cuddled on a warm lap. Families with young children who need a tolerant and playful cat may find the Tonkinese to be the perfect choice.
Trying to get close to my face. He liked to lay with his face next to my face or neck - often with his nose in my ear. Sometimes he'd crawl up and rub his nose against mine.
Here I come - ready to be cuddled and held................
i know I'm cute - now rub my belly.........
Tuvak often grabbed my hand and forced his head into my hand, then started kicking my arm.
On his shelf, ready to throw toys at me so I can toss them back - and he'd bat them right back at me........
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