The Countdown Begins :(

Sad times ahead; learned recently that my beautiful Echo is in the final stages of kidney failure, with kidney function at something like just 15%. We celebrated his 9th anniversary this week from when he (and his brother Moxie, who crossed the rainbow bridge some while back) were welcomed into our world.

Being a Ragdoll, and specifically because we wanted indoor cats, outings into the outside world were few and far between and certainly not encouraged! However, since moving here, in the height of summer, there is nothing Echo enjoys more than sneaking out onto the patio for a bit of sun bathing

This is one of my most favourite photographs, taken of him last year, when I discovered he had sneaked out onto the patio and had been hiding behind a basket arrangement on the Jack & Jill seat:



There is nothing to be done, but, I am writing his bucket list for him and will ensure he ticks as many off as possible!

I can't imagine a world without him; we've been on quite a journey together. So, I'm looking at the garden with a different focus at the moment and planning where he will rest.

 

Awww bless you both - no words my friend but bucketfuls of (((Hugzzz))) and love winging your way for you and your beautiful baby boy xxx

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I can imagine how you are feeling, we went thorough it last year.

 

I have been down that road all too many times. My thoughts and heart goes out to you @"M" and I am wishing for a peaceful journey for Echo to join Moxie again.. xx

 

No more headbutts ....

 

Oh M ... Take a few pics as you do Echos bucket list and make a private scrapbook for yourself, does he have a favourite blanket or dressing gown ..let him lie on it to his hearts content, you'll have something to cuddle with his scent later on

 

Oh no! :( This is very sad. I hope you can fill out the bucket list with lovely things and am sure you will make his last few bits of time left here a lovely last few bits of time. Sending you lots of hugs.

 

Thank you, all, for your kind words of empathy, sympathy and support. They mean a lot right now and I cannot express to what extent!

Sadly, so have I but, I do think, as we age ourselves, it becomes just that little bit more poignant? Thank you! I have been so very selfish in my thoughts (well, aside from trying to balance the emotions of everyone else in the household; trying to be diplomatic, informative and distancing myself from the emotions, just so I can deal with theirs) that I hadn't even considered the angle that Echo will be joining Moxie once more. That is a very comforting thought and I am grateful to you for it!

Well, so far he has managed to achieve a couple of ticks on his Bucket List! (Yay, go Echo!). Discovered a wonderful new (to me) product on the market labelled: Cat "Soup". Well, as his hydration levels are pretty wrecked, it was worth a go. He devoured it like a bee to nectar! I returned home from work in just enough time for him to join me on the patio for a few minutes of joyous sun time this afternoon.

I've spoken to a woman at work, who went through the same thing with her own cat. I know now what signs to look for so that Echo does not need to "endure" but at which point the family have to recognise as the one where we put our own emotions/thoughts to bed and let Echo's demonstrations signify that the time is right. This has been my greatest of concerns! At which point and how would I know? Now I have been guided, I am better prepared.

Thank you @Linz for the Scrap Book suggestion - it is a good one Echo could be described as bordering skeletal right now, so I will need to choose my camera angle with care but will do as you suggest.

@Zigs

That's about the sum total of it - but, boy!, hasn't he left a lasting ...


... "impression"! (Did the bruises heal? )

 

The plaster cast came off last week.

 

So sorry to hear your sad news. Is there no treatment at all for him?

 

Sorry about your cat. They are such great companions and it's sad to loose one.

 

@"M" I'm ever so sorry to read your post.
Sending you a very big hug & thinking of you lots

 

Remember all the good times, he had the best life you could give him, he loved you and you loved him. xx

 

Thank you for the kind replies.

Bach's Rescue Remedy is on his bucket list It'll neither kill or cure but I'm of a mind that it will make him feel a little more comfortable.

Your terror! 18 months to heal ... now that was some head butt!

Thank you. Unfortunately, there is not. Perhaps if we had caught it sooner ... ? It isn't uncommon in older cats though and we all still thought of him as a young cat; it was quite a surprise when we remembered he is over 9 years old and even more surprised that it is considered "old"

One of the things we had noticed was that he was eating more and even more peculiar was ... he even stole some of the dogs food! ... but was losing weight; hence taking him to the Vets. Being told he now has to have only wet food I gladly followed instructions. Without much thought, I put his wet food out in his usual place. Now, Ozzy alert! The terror only went and ate Echo's wet food Or, perhaps he has been bearing a grudge from when Echo ate his

So, ... ... we dug out Echo's crate from the loft, put that on top of the chest freezer and that is now where his feeding station is: Oz Free! It is also where I have placed his carrier (which looks rather like a swanky handbag) with the flap open and with a new "furry" lap rug in it, under which he now has a hot water bottle for warmth (should he take a turn for the worst, it's just a matter of closing the flap, grabbing the bag and getting to the vets). He seems really happy up there, Lording it over the whole household!

Next on the bucket list is to remove a small patch of matted fur. The vet mentioned it and did nothing on the basis that 'his skin is very thin'.
I've done it before when the need arose, so I'm confident I can do it again without incident. Matted hair pulls the skin and to leave it is, a) uncomfortable for him - ugh, stretched skin!; and, b) if the mat gets tighter, it could rip his skin! Silly Vet Man!