Our Bitsy Has Gone to the Bridge

Last week was a week full of cats and kittens - fifteen new ones to be exact.  On June 2nd, Older Daughter discovered the fifteen - 6 adults and 9 kittens.  As you would expect, I have spent countless hours with this group ever since.  Over that same weekend, however, I was dealing with another issue, too.   At the time, I thought we had a minor health issue with our own cat Bitsy (Little Bit).  It was not until Thursday night that I became truly worried.  And by Saturday morning, it was all over.

Our Little Bit has been with us for nearly fourteen and a half years.  She was quite a rescue story.  You can read about how we came to have Miss Bitsy in the ARCHIVES.  Bitsy lost an eye in April of 2010 and I told about it on the blog (4/17/10).  The two posts that followed are her rescue story (April 20 & 21, 2010).

Bitsy has been on a special diet for over a year.  Our other kitties free-feed at night, so when we go to bed, Bitsy goes to the upstairs bathroom, where she can only access her own food.  She has her own litter box in that room, so it isn’t difficult to monitor her stool.  Over the weekend of June 3 & 4, I noticed that stool to be smaller and more compact.  By Monday, I was thinking that Little Bit was constipated.  I called the vet and the assistant gave us some things to try and that if we came that way, to stop and pick up some laxatone.  On Tuesday, my husband stopped and got the laxatone and we gave it per our instructions - very large doses for three days.  That was Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday.  I was worrying a little more now because even the laxatone wasn’t making any difference at all.  I decided on Thursday afternoon that I would call Friday morning to see if I could get Bitsy in for an appointment.  Then Thursday night, she seemed really lethargic.  I laid on the bathroom floor with her that night for a long time and stroked her and talked to her.  She didn’t really respond which was very unusual.  I would report this behavior to the vet tomorrow as well.

When I got up and checked on Bitsy first thing Friday morning, I was horrified at what I found.  Her abdomen had swelled overnight.  I told myself it was bloat from the constipation.  But I could feel that sense of dread.  I got Bitsy in before noon.  Younger Daughter went with me.  We got our wonderful Dr. A.  She was almost immediately alarmed because she knew the abdominal swelling was fluid.  She told us straight away that this was not good.  During the course of the examination, she explained that for fluid to accumulate in her abdomen so quickly, we were dealing with failure of some type inside that little body.  As she palpated, she discovered what she believed was a tumor.  She took a sample of the fluid from her abdomen.  I could see that the fluid was not clear - it was pink.  The slide under the microscope gave us the news - blood in the fluid and cancer cells.  At the end of what seemed like a l-o-n-g examination, we were given a list of four diagnoses.  Dr. A explained that she often sees two, three, or even four of these conditions show up altogether in an aging cat.  The fact that Bitsy’s symptoms came on so suddenly meant that her condition was acute and we would see a rapid decline.

As Younger Daughter and I stood there in shock, Dr. A said she could buy Bitsy maybe another month with several medications.  It would mean poking four to five pills down Bitsy’s throat every day, plus two injections a day.  We would need to leave her at the vet’s office for about three days to begin with so that they could start Bitsy on IV meds, keep her hydrated, and drain the fluid from her abdomen.  Bitsy HATES to be at the vet’s office and HATES to be away from home.  She is also the absolute worst cat we’ve ever had in terms of taking medications.  This cat even fought us like crazy over eye meds and ear drops/cleaning. 

Dr. A said that because Bitsy was over 14 years old, we might not want to put her through that.  She said if she had only one or two of the conditions listed, and she was a six year old cat, it would be worth trying some things.  Bitsy could not come back from this.  We could buy her a few weeks but they would NOT be quality weeks.  Dr. A said she could euthanize at that time if we chose to.  We could take comfort in the fact that Bitsy had felt good and been herself until just a week ago.  She left us (Younger Daugher and I) alone to talk about it.

At first, we both just stood there, staring at Little Bit.  I had read on the internet that a vet could give a cat an enema.  I thought we were coming to figure out what to do about the constipation.  Now here we were, faced with that horrible life or death decision.

When I finally started talking, I saw that Younger Daughter had already teared up.  As the tears then spilled down my face, we tried to decide what to do.  There would be no reason to force meds for a month only to just keep Bitsy alive.  And to leave her there . . .  she would be so afraid.  We knew what the decision needed to be.  But how could we just let her go, just like that.  We needed time to wrap our minds around this.  We needed time to say goodbye.

When Dr. A returned, I asked if we could take Bitsy home and come back the next day to assist her to the Bridge.  She said absolutely.  The next day was a Saturday, but she and Dr. O would be there during the morning.  We put Bitsy in the crate and headed home.

The drive home was very quiet.  My husband was at a golf tournament and Older Daughter was at work.  Unfortunately, I had lots and lots of kennel business to deal with on Friday evening.  I tried to paste on a smile and greet the people as they came and went with their pets.  I had emails to send and arrangements to make.  I just kept moving forward.  I was sharply aware of time.  It was ticking. 

Each of us said our goodbyes.  By Friday night, Bitsy could no longer pull herself up to stand.  Dr. A had said she would decline rapidly.  That night I gave Bitsy a small bowl of milk.  This was a cat that had been trying to get in our cereal bowls and glasses of milk for years.  We don’t give our cats milk; she was never given the milk she coveted so.  I held her in a sitting position and our sweet Bitsy lapped up that milk.  I was so glad I gave it to her. 

On Saturday morning, I made that terrible drive.  I had Bitsy in the crate that opens from the top and I kept it open and kept my hand on her the entire way there.  I talked to her continuously.  Dr. O (who was my vet on the morning I let my Scroungy go) was the vet who assisted Bitsy to the Bridge.  He is so kind and compassionate and takes this part of his job so very seriously.  I was glad it was him.  And then it was over.

Bitsy is buried beside Scroungy and Elfius.  I told her on the way to the clinic Saturday morning that she would soon be freed from that body.  I told her she would see lots of friends at the Bridge.  I told her to run and bounce and that I would see her again.

Bitsy - farewell.           

Comments

[DB]

My condolences, Chrystal. You and your family gave Bitsy a good life for a long time. I hope you can take comfort in that.

[I HAVE CAT]

I am so sorry for your loss. Bitsy was so fortunate to have found such a loving home. You gave her a wonderful life. Thank you for that.

[Madeline]

I am so sorry for your sorrow and pain, she had a loving home and a good life after you got her.
It is so hard to let them go and especially when you have to make that dreaded decision.
You and your family are in my prayers.

[Deb & The Taylor CatSSSSS]

Chrystal, I am so sorry for the loss of your beloved Bitsy. It is never easy to lose a family member. I am sending you Prayers and the catSSSSS are sending their loudest purrSSSSS!

[AttieCattie and AudreyCake]

sending you purrs, so sorreh to hear your little love is gone, but you did teh bestest you could for her and she know'd it.
~Attie and Audrey

[Random Felines]

I am so sorry.....there is just nothing good about losing such a cherished friend. But she lived such a loved life....sometimes letting them go is the greatest gift we can give them...

[Angel and Kirby]

I am so sorry that BItsy had to go. She is not in pain in that poor sick body any longer. Lots of purrs coming your way!

[Milo and Alfie]

Oh Chrystal ~ I'm so very sorry. Poor little Bitsy. It doesn't matter how many goodbyes we say when our beloved pets go the Bridge over the years ~ it never ever gets any easier. They are such an important part of our life, and so loved ~ and it is so very painful to lose them.
I think you were very brave letting Bitsy go quickly ~ because had you kept her alive she would almost certainly have suffered. It was the kindest and most loving thing to do ~ letting her go. (((hugs)))

Goodnight sweet Bitsy ~ until we al meet up again. Milo and Alfie are purring you on to your rest.

Jan xx

[JC]

I am so sorry !!! It is never easy to say Good Bye to a beloved fur ball.

[Fuzzy Tales]

I'm sick, Chrystal, reading this. Sick at heart and almost physically sick. It's too reminiscent of Annie's passing right now.

I am so, so sorry. I don't have to tell you how sorry I am, I realize you know.

I *am* glad she went gently, though, with mercy and love and kindness. And I'm so glad you didn't put her through the treatments, just to buy her a few weeks--that would have been only a selfish act, IMO.

But even so, even knowing she had a good life with you and that it was her time and that you did the right thing, the humane thing, I know it still hurts so much.

Sending (((hugs))) and Light and love.

[Katnip Lounge]

We are sending you soft purrs. Godspeed, Bitsy!
{{hugs}} from Mommy to you.

[Pam and the Califurrrrrnia5]

Dearest Chrystal, I know you are hunrting so much right now. Please know that we all are sharing your pain and sending you much love. Dear Bitsy is at peace and out of pain. Although the physical body may be gone, her little spirit will remain with you to watch over all the other kitties and pooches. (((hugs)))

[The Poupounette Gang]

We are so very sorry to hear about Bitsy. What a shock for you that it all happened so quickly although perhaps better for her not to go through a long and slow decline. Our hearts are with you and all your family.

Purrs, Woofs, Neighs and Hugs,
The Poupounette Gang

[Taz, Runt, Charles and mommy, Anna, in IL]

Sending snuggles and purrs to all of you. A Bitsy shaped hole is in your heart but you can fill it with all the great memories you have.

[Amy & The House of Cats]

Oh Chrystal I am so sorry that Bitsy got so sick so quickly. I just hate that you had to let her go so soon after having to let Scroungy go. I just don't know what to say other than we are sending over tons of comforting purrs and prayers for all of you.

[Angel Sweet Praline]

Chrystal, I am so sorry. I am sitting here at my desk at work trying to hold back the tears as I am writing this because it brought back all of the memories of my Sweet Praline. Please know that my thoughts are with you.

Mom Paula

[Marg]

Chrystal, we are so sorry about Bitsy. We have had two Little Bits here and they are the very best cats. She sure was pretty. Anyway, sending you lots of purrs and great big hugs.

[Four Crazy Cats]

Chrystal, this was a beautiful tribute to a beautiful girl. I'm so sorry she had to go, but I know she is running free at the Bridge now and loving life again. She will never be forgotten. Sending purrs to you and your family today.

[Forty Paws]

We are so sorry that Bitsy had to go over to The Bridge. What a horrible thing for you to go through when you thought it was constipation! Bless your hearts. We are sending you tons of purrs and purrayers and many hugs. Letting go is so difficult.

Luf, Us and Maw

[Ginny & The Fur Family]

The Fur Family feel your grief and heart brake. It goes too deep for words. know that we are thinking of you and Scroungy and Bitsy and hope some day you will all be together again and the world will be shades of green and yellow and bright orange and not the black and gray and mornful way they look today. When I picture the after life of a furry one I see them looking back at us and telling us that they are still with us in spirit and thanking us for letting them go to a better pain free place of the white light and prizms of color and rain bows. Good bye and good rest for the sweet Bitsy and for little Scroungy. We all out in Blog land have gotten to know you and will always remember your sweet spirits... prayers for The forever family home and for the ones over the bridge. Ginny & The Fur Family

[Cat's Cats]

Run free sweet Bitsy! All our love to you and your family.

[Lee County Clowder]

So sorry. Fourteen years can seem really short sometimes. Purrrrrssss and headbuttss to you all.

[The Island Cats]

We are so very sorry to hear about Bitsy. We know that even though you made the right decision, it was not an easy one. We send you comforting purrs and headbutts to help ease your sorrow...

[Jewel]

I am sorry to hear about Bitsy,we lost our cat earlier this year in a similar way and it is difficult to make that decision.

[Teri and the cats of Curlz and Swirlz]

Bitsy was saved and loved...what more can we as of life than to have someone there who cares for us deeply. She would not want you to be sad but to remember the joy she gave to you. Our thoughts are with you.