Maddy with the black velvet feet and the loud purr. The one who has moved with us to 4 different states. Also known as Baby Cat and Mississippi Cat.
We knew she was getting older and that something was different with her. She asked for food all day long and never seemed to be full, but she seemed content to just eat a lot and sleep a lot and spend a little time purring beside us, so we waited for a sign of what was wrong.
She woke me up about 6:30 this morning crying from the sunroom where they sleep. She always does it, and I usually put her off a little bit, but this morning she was persistent and got louder and louder. When I checked on her, she was panting and trying to walk but not able to move her back legs. I tried to comfort her, but I could tell she was in distress, so I woke Mike up and tried calling the vet's office. I got Dr. Golden's home, and he agreed to meet me in 30 minutes at the office. He said that he suspected a blood clot and that it wasn't usually a good thing.
It was tough to wrap her up and get her into the carrier, feeling like she was in pain and scared. She calmed down a little though in the car.
We're go glad it was Dr. Golden who met us. He diagnosed her with arterial thromboembolism or saddle thrombus and said that it was maybe treatable but that she would still be left with a serious heart condition and more than likely paralysis. She's such a no-nonsense cat and has been so dependable and comforting to us that I didn't want to cause her a lot more pain and fear if there was no real hope.
You never know whether you've made the right decision, but Dr. Golden said that this was nothing that could have been prevented and really not much do for it. He gave her a sedative, and she was calm and sleepy within a minute. I had a few minutes to pet her and talk her to sleep, and that makes me feel a little better - that she was peaceful at the end.
We do miss her though and will for a long time.
We've been married for 44 years and have had a gray cat for every one of them.
Nadine 1967 to 1985.
Chappy 1985 to 1996.
Lili 1996 until 2006.
Maddy 2000 to 2012.
Well-loved and long-lived kitties, all with their own peculiar personalities - some more peculiar than others. What memories we have of them all.
