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Ali,
)
It is with great sadness I must tell you Koda was put down today at 5:40pm.
We had a different vet this time, and she went over the previous bloodtests. She said that kidney failure and/or liver failure would show up in blood tests and by the looks of its heavy breathing their could be a problem with her heart or her lungs, and based on where the kitten came from before it came into our possession, she had no chance as she never got the right nourishment from the start from her mother cat, and as being the smallest of the litter, was destined to fail due to many possible conditions. The doc reckoned that at the time we got her, we did everything the way it should have been done and it was fine, and the only problem here was her immune system and development of her vital heart and lungs due to the malnourishment.
We have found out that that so called flatmate never cared for her own cat and thus we feel the same result may occur to the owners of the other kittens. I just hope they do not have to go through what we did. My mother is in tatters and my sister is also, even though we have had it one week. It seems the mother cat was well undernourished herself, so we feel great sadness to see such loss of life. The cat was apparently given away, and to tell you the truth, I do not believe it, I believe she was just left somewhere. We are trying to find out the details of that person to report them to the RSPCA [I am in Western Australia] as we feel her cruelty is immense. No animal should ever go through this, and Koda did not deserve such an unfair start that cut her life short.
I feel a great hatred to people that are cruel to animals, it is wrong.
I believe their should be two licenses in place. One license for owners, in which before you can even look for a kitten or puppy or any animal as a pet, you have to go through variuos tests and evaluations to show whether you can really look after the animal and prolong its life to the maximum. And if you pass, only then are you allowed to look for a pet, at which point it is immediately microchipped with all details, and has mandatory vaccinations and registration, and at a suitable age, de-sexed.
Thus, no more puppies and kittens being bought for Christmas presents and thus being later unwanted and given away.
A second one, for breeders. That way there is no overload of too many kittens or puppies. Only a certain amount per breed, and even harder to pass evaluations.
I feel we did all we could, and the odds were just overpiled up. The vet thinks that there still could be a possibility she could have had F.I.P. based on her conditioning from birth until we got her, as her loss of appetite, and weight loss was a big drawback. Her lathergy got worse closer to the end.
The vets only suggestion was to put her down, she said she saw too many kittens in the same position come into her practise and never survive it, and we saw by Kodas movements that she could not take it anymore.. We felt it would be cruel to make her suffer a couple more days in the state she was in, it was so bad I cannot even describe how it made us feel to see her like that. Seeing her face and her eyes dart around because she wanted to play but could not move, it still makes me cry at the moment. My dog has noticed a missing presence and is sad at the moment too..
I just cannot see why people hurt animals so much.. they just do not deserve it..
So once again Ali, thank you so much for your help and all of your advice, I am just so sorry, I wish there was more we could do, but you take the chance.. I wanted to leave her overnight there on fluid drip and glucose supplements, and I still feel we should have but the vet just said no matter how much money you spend or what you try, she will be gone within the next 24 hours..
:'( :'(
I could not click on follow-up, it said I must ask a new question hence this new appearance.. I have attached her photo here, it looks like she was giving us a wink. I just hope she found peace and tranquility, she deserved a full life, cut short by irresponsible and immature people who cannot take care of their own pets yet allow them to become pregnant..
Thank you once again so much.
Yours Sincerely,
Paul
Paul,
My heart goes out to you and your family at this difficult time. Koda was such a beautiful baby, she deserved so much more than her former caretaker (if you could call that person a caretaker) gave her, her siblings and her mom. I'm so desperately sorry, I didn't even know Koda and here I sit crying like a baby. It never stops breaking my heart, people should have to demonstrate responsibility and basic compassion prior to getting a pet, unfortunately the legislation is such in many places that all pet "owners" (I prefer pet parents/guardians) must provide are the very basics, food, water, shelter. No law can force someone to love their pet. I wanted to forward a piece of writing that I have found comforting over the years when outcomes like this have broken my heart again and again. It's called the Rainbow Bridge and I really believe this place exists for all of the animals that pass from our world to the next no matter how good or heartbreaking their stories are.
Rainbow Bridge
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...
I would encourage you and your family to check out pet bereavement websites like petloss.com, you may find that it helps. I would also suggest that you consider opening your home and hearts to another animal in need, Koda is not replaceable, I do believe that she would want another pet to experience the love and devotion that she did in her final days and hours with your family. Many pets are awaiting homes in pet re-homing centers and animal rescue centers. I know that advice is hard to hear, but given my experience with losing cats and kittens under many different circumstances I find it to be solid, so when your hearts are ready to be soothed the way that Koda would have liked them to be, please at least consider offering a home and family to a homeless animal who will be forever grateful. If you need further support please contact me again, I would be happy to help you through this difficult time as best as I can.
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| Rating(1-10) | Knowledgeability = 10 | Clarity of Response = 10 | Politeness = 10 |
| Comment | One of the most knowledgable, kind, caring and amazing people you will ever get in contact with. Very compassionate and a wonderful example of a human being with amazing qualities. Ali, I would like to thank you once again for all your help, advice, and general compassion. The house does not feel the same without our Koda, but when the time comes we will give another animal the tender love and care it deserves, I just hope not another has to pass due to a previous owners incompetence. | ||
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Answers by Expert:
Ali
Expertise
I am the proud guardian of 5 mixed breed cats ranging from 12 weeks to 13 years old and one purebred ragdoll. I have 20+ years experience working with mixed breed cats from a variety of different situations. I have fostered cats/kittens with special needs/behavioral issues. I have rescued/rehabilitated/re-homed a variety of stray/abused cats. I can offer advice on managing feral cat colonies, rehabilitating strays and finding them forever homes. I can help you to determine whether a cat is stray or feral, there IS a significant difference. Improperly introducing a new cat/kitten can result in aggression between newly introduced cats because cats are territorial by nature and they don't like sudden changes in their environment. To learn more about a peaceful way to introduce a new cat into a home with other cats please check out my previous answers on this subject. Proper nutrition for cats can be confusing, I recommend checking out catinfo.org which was created by a veterinarian (Dr. Lisa Pierson) who takes a common sense approach to explaining feline nutrition. Cat behavior and instincts are different from those of humans, I can help you understand your cat's needs so that you can meet them adequately and have a balanced, psychologically and physically sound kitty. Cats vary in personality, energy level and intelligence, different approaches may be required to achieve results in terms of training and interaction with your feline companion. An intelligent, high energy cat must be kept busy or they will make their own fun. I am NOT a licensed veterinarian and I can't offer medical advice. If your cat is ill/injured my advice is always the same: get prompt medical treatment provided by a veterinarian. If finances are an issue I will try to find resources in your area that can help with medical costs or make other choices to ensure the welfare of your cat.
Experience
I have fostered feral and stray cats, rehabilitated and homed cats that many people recommended euthanasia for. I am willing to make an effort to do the research and ask questions because I care enough to find solutions to behavioral problems rather than giving up. I have an interest in the use of alternative therapies to help provide the best possible care for all cats and I can say in all honesty that I've seen some incredible things happen for some incredible cats and their human caregivers when the right alternative therapeutic modality is used by a qualified veterinarian with expertise and experience in the field.
Education/Credentials
I've earned my diploma as a veterinary assistant with honors.
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