The Picture of Dorian Gato

[saavedra77]

My older cat, Puig (for newer or forgetful readers, that's pronounced "Puj"), has been kinda hidey, lately.  I figured it was the heat.  But I started to get worried as I realized that he was staying in his hidey-holes after dark, when the temperature went down.

So, last night, I coaxed him out of from his favored hiding place under the bed, to discover several awful things:

For one, it was apparent that during the past week or so he's undergone some drastic weight loss.  Puig's a big cat: his head's about the size of a baseball, and when he pulls himself up on his hind legs, his head pokes up above the kitchen table and his front paws can reach onto your plate. Generally, he weighs around 14 pounds. When I picked him up, last night, he felt more like 10--and he didn't feel nearly that light even a week ago.

Worse, when I set Puig down, it was obvious that he was having trouble walking. Then I watched him pathetically trying and failing to climb onto the bed. Getting up on his hind legs to steal from the kitchen table was definitely not going to be an issue.

OK: 14 is up there for a cat. Puig is no spring chicken, so I've been on the lookout for signs of creeping decrepitude for some time.

The thing is, though, for the past 14 years, this cat's been healthy as an ox--last year, the vet said that the only way she could even guess his age was by looking at certain telltale signs of aging in his eyes.

I guess that I thought that when his age started to catch up with him, it would still be a fairly gradual process. After all, I've seen cats live to 20--getting a little rickety along the way, but not completely falling apart.

But last night, it was like the end of "The Picture of Dorian Gray."

I took the little guy to the vet today. At his last vet visit, he weighed 14.4 lbs; today, he weighed just 9 lbs. Unsteady on his feet, weak. Pupils not appropriately reactive to light. Diagnosis: "Disoriented, weak, weight loss and off balance. Vision appears lost or severly impaired."  Further answers are pending $500 worth of blood work, x-rays, etc. (And here I was nearly out of debt ...)

For the moment, the vet's best guess is that the problem is something neurological--perhaps some kind of infection, perhaps a tumor. We'll have to see.

Yes, Puig is only a pet. But if you've met him at all, you know he's one of the more good-natured animals you're ever likely to encounter. Plus, I've known this little guy for longer than I've known most people in my life.  It's just really painful to see him like this.

Comments

[sarrabellum.livejournal.com]

Oh, god, Tony. I'm so sorry. Much love & support to both you and Puig. Please let us know if there's anything we can do. Including help with those vet bills.
I'll be sending all the good vibes I can.

[saavedra77.livejournal.com]

Thanks a lot, Sara.

One hopeful sign: Acting on the clue that maybe he can't see so well, & may be operating more on scent, I bought him some rather fragrant wet food, tonight. He inhaled it.

Poor Zoe looked interested, but never had a prayer of getting between him & the food. For once, I let him have it all.

[verbicide.livejournal.com]

I can't tell you how sorry I am to hear this :(

I went through something similar years ago. Sudden weight loss in a healthy animal is a scary sign. I really hope they're able to find something to help him get better.

Please let us know what you find out!

[saavedra77.livejournal.com]

Thanks, V. Will do.

[drglam]

Oh, Tony, I'm so sorry. It seems like he should still be a little ball of fluff trying to work up the nerve to pounce on Gregor's tail. Poor little guy.

They hook their little claws into our hearts, don't they.

[saavedra77.livejournal.com]

Yeah, they do, Sian. I still miss Gregor, too.

[greyaenigma.livejournal.com]

It's possible I may have met this kitty in Amherst, isn't it? Unless I'm all confused.

Reminds me of Ace when he was sick. I sure hope he pulls through and gets better. Best wishes.

[saavedra77.livejournal.com]

Quite possibly. You visited hippybngstcking, drglam, & I at the Bates Motel, one time, didn't you? He was one of 3 cats in the house, at that time: the others were hippy's little oddball Delirium & drglam's tiger-striped Gregor. Puig, by contrast, is a big, long-haired cat w/ tuxedo markings, snub nose, big saucery eyes.

[greyaenigma.livejournal.com]

I did, once, I think around 1992. So Batesy.

[morganminstrel.livejournal.com]

Puig is only a pet.

No such thing. I've lost two dogs and I know how hard seeing a pet (a family member) start to go can be. It's good to hear he may be on the upswing, though, and I'll keep hoping for you.

Sending good thoughts to you and Puig.

[saavedra77.livejournal.com]

Thanks, morgan.

[waysofseeing.livejournal.com]

Ack, that's awful news. I'm sorry to hear it. We'll think good thoughts.

[delerium69.livejournal.com]

There is definitely no such thing as "just a pet." They living creatures that bring us love and joy. If anyone tells you otherwise, give 'em a good pinch.

My thoughts are with you.

(Hmm, I think I may have met your kitty when I was visiting with number42.)

puig

[(Anonymous)]

Oh Tony,
I am sorry. I know how much he means to you. You always speak of him the way I speak of Alexis and Jeremy...........like you are braggin' bout' your baby. I understand the concern and fear you are experiencing as I am watching Vivian go through something similar with Gizmo her pooch of 14 years. Let us know what happens.
your niece
april

Re: puig

[saavedra77.livejournal.com]

Thanks for the kind words, April. I really appreciate it.