I am sorry.. those are the decisions we never want to make.. my heart is with you and your family today..I know she gets great comfort with you beside her..
I am so terribllly sad about the situation you’re dealing with, God be with you, family, and your lovely cat… I will be praying for all, while your in this horrid situation, knowing you will and have given the most wonderful life throughout her life. God bless you and your family.
I am so sorry to hear Gussie will no longer be with you! I’ve enjoyed your e-mails, posts, and advice throughout the years. I too had to put down my dog earlier this year, just 3 weeks shy of her 15th birthday. Your advice left Dallas, my border collie live a great life, ending with similar issues as Gussie. I thought I had managed her health well with raw diet and supplements but she looked me in the eyes one day and told me, telepathically that she had had enough. So my heart goes out to you and your family and know that he is with God and the rest of our pets just beyond rainbow bridge! May you find the courage to leave your family member in God’s hands and share each other’s strength to get through this difficult time at Christmas!…Jenny, xoxo
What sad news. I lost my cat (Micki) the same way. He was like a little dog and was such an amazing soul He brought me great joy and we have to think of them when it comes to the end. We have to be the one to make the decision. Sending you all lots of love and strength from the UK. Not sure if you noticed the big orb around your cat at the beginning of your video. She has Angels looking after her xx Samantha xx
I so feel for you guys. I have an elderly dog in heart failure. I have reduced her medication as they were making her extremely poorly. She is much better with less but almost slipped away from me when her heart briefly stopped last week. I am just trying to ensure that her last days are enjoyable and she still has some quality of life until the end arrives. Quality of life is the reason for being xxx
So sorry about Gussie! I know it is so hard to lose a pet and I bet even harder for you being a Vet and knowing that is nothing more you can do. My heart goes out to and your family especially so near to Christmas.
My heart goes out to you about Gussie. I love your compassion and caring. I especially appreciate your sharing it with us because then I can relate it to the feelings I have are what others feel, too. We love our companions so much that it hurts badly when we have to make decisions like that. However, I know one thing for sure, we will meet them all when we leave this earth.
May I suggest you read the book “Col Noses at the Pearly Gates” by Gary Kurz. Once you read this book you will have that blessed hope of being reunited with all those you have loved an cared for. It is such an amazing feeling to know it is something we can look forward to. Our companions know this, too!!
Fondly
Alyce Hand
PS There are so many times I would love to join your webcam series but since I m deaf there is no way I could follow your meetings without an interpreter of ASL or it being script in English while you are giving the lessons. Maybe one day it will be possible.
God Bless You
I will pray for your family and Gussie. So sad that it had to happen at Christmas. May all the angel kitties and puppies have a very Merry Christmas at the rainbow bridge.
So very sorry to hear about Gussie, always upsetting any time of the year but seems worse around Christmas time – when we have been in this position at this time of year I always hope that we and the animal will manage Christmas together, but it rarely works that way.
Thinking of you and your family.
So sorry that you have to go through this ordeal. I am glad that you made a video about this time of suffering as means to provide information and comfort to other pet owners as they go through this tough time. It has been years since I owned a cat, but watching this video, revived memories of my ordeal that I went through with my cat. I wish now, that I would have known how to give IV fluids to my cat in order to make her final days easier. My heart goes out to you, and does my prayers for you and yours.
It’s really so moving that at your most sad and vulnerable time, that you’d think and feel the desire to instruct a lesson of how to take care of Gussie, and our animal companions who are so seriously ill – to be so amazingly generous with such an intimate and sorrowful time is precious – a gift for your “students” – Dr. Andrew you are a very special and tender person. Love to you, Gussie and your family. Susan, Portland, OR.
My sincere empathy is going out to Gussie and you and your family. I feel the utmost sadness you are having facing that impending separation from a family member who is spending its last moments of life with you. I am sure your heart will treasure that bonding with her even when she won’t be around anymore. However, looked upon another way, her life has been such a blessing being in the hand of a loving owner, having a great quality of life to the very end. She is returning to God in her best condition possible, with all the love and care from the humans around her. I talk to my dog all the time, and am convinced that our domesticated friends have the mental capacity to bond with their owners emotionally, they are fully aware of what you are trying to say. They just don’t express their reaction in human language. Her heart is at peace now. Her soul is ready for heaven. Physical form does not matter anymore. Perhaps she is thinking; ” Man, its good to be this cat having Andy as my owner!” God bless you and Gussie, my prayer all along.
So very sorry to hear about Gussie. Our fur babies are really a part of the family and it is so hard when they get ill and can’t really tell us how they feel. My thoughts and prayers are with you, Gussie and your family.
I am so sorry for your loss. It is always a painful decision to make but we do it because we love them. I am sure she had an amazing life you and your family. Hugs to all.
Important instructive video. Sorry Gussie that you got only 20 years with your adoring family. Dr. Jones, I’ve been there and will be again. Thank you for sharing this. Sorry for your loss.
Sorry to hear about Gussie> It is the hardest decision we have to make and I have made it too many times lately. Hopefully you will remember all the good times. She had a long happy life.
So sorry to learn your sad news. We too had to make this decision at the end of July for our beloved Whippet, Susie, she was 15. It feels just like yesterday.
Thoughts, prayers and love sent your way to you and your family. So sorry 🙁
Sending Gussie, you and your family so much love. You’re all blessed to have one another and the deep love you share will continue to carry you thru. May the longtime sun shine upon you/and all love surround you/and the pure light within guide your way on.
My heart is breaking for you, your family and sweetest Gussie! There is no way she could have had better “parents” than you and your family! She was a very lucky kitty to have you, as you were also lucky and blessed to have her. May her memory comfort you in your sadness!
I’m so sorry to hear about Gussie. I’ve been there 3 times with my furbabies already – as recently as last October when we lost our favorite, sweetest kitty. We have an 18-year old kitty with kidney disease and she is probably close to where Gussie is. She’s still eating and likes to go out by the pool (we’re in Florida), but her activity level is quite low and she is peeing a lot. I know she could go downhill very quickly, and we’ll make sure she has a quality of life while we keep her alive. Should she get like Gussie, we will also have to make “the decision”, which is something I HATE to do but know is necessary. We don’t want her to suffer, and she has had a great life.
My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family!
Dr. Jones,
I’m sorry about Gussie and don’t know what the outcome was. I do want to share some ideas for elderly felines with kidney problems based on my extensive research, They love Gerber baby food turkey, chicken, beef etc. warmed in a microwave with added water. There is also a human supplement from Standard Process Labs called Renafood. (Veterinarians in the US sell a counterpart called Reenavast.) It contains bovine kidney extract. People have gotten excellent results giving 1 a day (it can be dissolved in the baby food mixture. You can also add some odorless Omega 3.
Gussie was loved and lived to a ripe old age but this does not make it any easier for you and your family.
Whatever the outcome, I wish you Peace and a Blessed Christmas. M+
My condolences to you and the family and kisses to Gussie. I’m reliving the sorrow I went through with little Jennie who developed chronic kidney disease at age 16. She made it to 18, but the last month or so with subQ fluids and tests and eventually helping her stand in the litter box were heartbreaking. I knew then she had no more enjoyment of life. But, of course, it’s always harder for those left behind. Especially hard when you finally realize how all domestication sucks for the injustice of its exploitation of innocent non humans. That’s why going vegan makes so much sense, Dr. Jones. See more at my linked website.
My heart hurts for you and your family with your second loss this year.
My prayers are with you and your family.
Thank you for sharing your life with us. I needed to read the comments sent to you.
My 11. yr old sheltie Lucas was diagnosed with cancer last week and 13 yr old Jigs has heart problems for openers.
I’ve not lost a pet and they are my family.
I do know things happen the way they’re supposed to for a reason.
If it hadn’t been for Hoochie maybe you wouldn’t be doing all this wonderful work.
Bless you all, Pam
I’m so sorry to hear about Gussie and my heart goes out to you and your family; having to make the decision to euthanase a beloved pet is never an easy one but one that most of us will have to go through at some stage.
My dog Poppy, a shih-tzu, is 17 and a half years old and we are nearing the same stage with her, so I feel for you and your family Andrew.
Take comfort in the fact that Gussie has had a long and wonderful life with you guys, and now she needs you more than ever.
This is really not an easy decision to make though we know it is the right thing to do, especially after so many years together. I feel for you Andrew and your wife. Really. May I add that I have old female cat also, she is 18 yrs and almost 5 months old now. She was diagnosed with kidney failure March 2015. In Canada, when a cat is at level 4, it’s bye bye kitty. She was at level 2. Changed her food for Royal Canin dry Renal Solution to lower her protein intake(there are 2 brands of the same thing in it, but the taste and shape of bites are different, so one can change to help the cat eat). She started receiving Semintra (liquid medication helping the pressure and 2 other things that I don’t remember). Also, I started to inject her every morning and evenings Lactate Ringer. Started at 35ml (total 70ml per day) and now I give her 50ml at a time (total 100ml per day). This summer, I smelled something different in her stools… made me think of hyperthyroïde thing. Went to the vet for the bloodwork and my vet told me that she didn’t look like she was having this problem, but wasn’t against a blood test. I was right, my nose didn’t fail me, though I wish it did. Tried Felimazole (pills of 1.25 mg, 2 per day). She started to stop eating and vomitting (no diarrhea, thank goodness) pretty soon after, so I stopped it, called my vet to find another solution. Talked to me about Methimazole (which is quite the same thing, except is a cream that one rubs in the upper part of the ear). Same bad effect. Changed her food for Hill’s y/d. I asked my vet about protein intake for her kidney problem. The new food has 6% more protein. The vet called the fabriquant and it is ok for a cat with kidney deficiency, up to level 2. Everything is going very well so far, at 3 months ago, the test and vet calculations to determine the level of kidney problems: level 1 🙂 Creatinine at normal level but the other thing (I only know the word in Frech: urée) is getting higher and higher without being alarming so far though. Since october, her food intake (though she drink, but not too much – yet – on top of the Ringer injection 100ml), is not regular. We don’t want her to lose wait (she weighs 4.09kg, which is good, particularly knowing that it has been her life normal weight), we want her to eat since her food is the only thing controlling that hyperactive gland of hers (though the vet wants to control it just enough but not too much because of her kidney problems)so she has to eat. I note EVERYTHING… How many urines she delivers every 24 hres, the number of urines, the size of each and she is quite good actually but it changes eveyday. I also note what she eats: she has to eat a minimum of 5 tbl spoons every day to maintain her weight and to have the control the vet wants with the thyroide gland. Since she is not stable in her food intake, the vet recommanded to give her Mirtazapine 1/8 co every 2 days. I started with that, she was doing perfectly and eating reasonnably well to the point where she was receiving this medication every 5-6 days. Since October I have to average her food intake to know when to give her the medication. She eats less on a Mirtazapine day now and less and less the 2nd and 3rd day. Nowadays, she has to receive the medication every 3 days to keep the average of 5 tbl spoon. I know that if nothing more strikes her, the kidney failure will get the better of her old body. I thank you for sharing the video because I know now what to watch for without fooling myself, so I know when it will be time to day goodbye to my wonderful, talkative, well-tempered and easy to treat, affectionate to name just a few of her qualities… It will be very hard to live without her, I must say. We have our bonding ritual every morning and night when I go to bed. But thank god… this time has not come for us yet. My heart is with you all, we all know what we do is for the best, but this doesn’t make things easier anyway. Looking forward to receiving the material for starting the course. Anne (hugs, hugs and hugs again)
Thank you for sharing your experience with Gussie. I just recently said “goodbye” to my oldest kitty who was ‘at least’ 23 years old. It is never easy saying goodbye to our 4-legged family members, yet along with the sadness and pain comes the gratitude that Gussie was a part of your family for such a long time.
It is never easy losing a family member. I pray that Gussie passs on by herself and that you don’t have to make that decision for her. May you and your family find comfort that she has had the best life you could have given her. None of my cats have lived to be that old.
very sorry to hear you are losing your beloved pet-it never gets easier,does it?Lucky kitty that has someone with the knowledge and compassion to know when to let her travel to the Rainbow Bridge.My sympathy to you and your family.
I am so sorry to hear about Gussie. My prayers are with you and your family. I have lost three cats this year and it is heart breaking, so my thoughts and prayers are with you. I have four senior cats the oldest 16 and a senior dog 13 years old left and when it is their time it will still be really hard to let them go.
So sorry about Gussie. I had a dog that was not doing well and we all thought it was just her arthritis. I took her to a vet that did acupuncture as well as traditional vet. medicine. Finally I said that I thought something else was going on and he agreed. Off to the specialist, and they did tests that showed she had advanced kidney cancer. I asked if she was in pain and he affirmed that she was suffering a great deal. I had my grand daughters come say goodby and we decided to end her suffering. I do not think she would have lasted another 24 hours, but it is never easy to let go of those we love.
so sorry to hear about Gussie’s circumstances. always hard to face this time of life for our furbabies. they give their all. it’s easy to see how much you appreciate her and the pain she is in. praying for peace and comfort for you and your family at this most sad time.
This is exactly what I went through a year ago with my kitty. I still miss her terribly. Gussie is beautiful and she has been lucky to be loved by you and your family – just as you have been lucky to have been loved by her.
I’m sorry to hear about your beautiful cat Gussie nearing the end of her life. Wow, she has lived a long time and I’m sure she loves you as much as you love her. I know that she will live on even after she passes. And of course, Gussie will always be in your heart. Thank you for sharing this informative video with us. You’re the best Dr. Jones! Sending love to Gussie and your whole family.
God Bless you Gussie .
Sending Prayers to you and everyone in your family. Beautiful and Loving memories will fill your heart full to carry her with you in the days to come. After losing mine I start my day out by saying to them ,Good Morning, Love you .
So very sorry to hear about Gussie as the Christmas season is upon us. Glad she had such a great life with your family. You have helped so many of us go through similar decisions and it is never an easy one to make ever….
What a lovely life Gussie had with you and your family and I am so sorry and sad to read that she has passed on by now. Please accept my sincerest sympathies. Merle
My heart goes out to you, it is such a difficult time for you and your family. She is lucky to have a knowledgeable owner such as you to know when it is time.
I am deeply sorry to hear about Gussie. My thoughts & prayers to you & your family. It is so hard to take their loss at any time of year but especially hard at Christmas. I just lost my precious Cockatiel (Baby) this past Sunday to liver disease. He would have been 24 this coming January & he had been with me since his hatching. ? I haven’t stopped crying yet.
“He is your friend, your partner, your defender, your dog. You are his life, his love, his leader. He will be yours, faithful and true, to the last beat of his heart. You owe it to him to be worthy of such devotion.” ~ Anonymous
Found those beautiful thoughts a while ago and keep them in my desk as a reminder of the special pact of love and commitment I have with my dog Bracco. Realized it’s also the same between you and Gussie…you guys shared unconditional love and devotion that will last forever. Such special bond it’s what makes the ride worthy of being… So sorry for the sadness and sorrow you’re enduring. Comfort yourself knowing you gave your gal the best of you, always.
My condolences to you and your family. It’s always heartbreaking when a beloved animal dies or must be put down. I share the following to help cat owners: Cats should never be fed kibble; it always leads to kidney failure. Organic/grass-fed raw if the best and correct diet for them. It does cost more but the quality and length of life are so much better. You also have a lot less veterinary expenses. No more than one vaccine per life either; that’s all that’s needed. For the very best, no vaccines. Having a strong immune system is the best defense for people and animals.
dr. jones; i am so sorry to hear about gussie, such a sweet and wonderful fur baby. my kitty pretty girl passed away on aug. 7th 2016 she was born sept. 1st 1994, almost 22 years old. took her to the vet regular and said she was doing really good for her age, eating drinking and still playing. when she had labs done they said everything was great. when she passed i had a necropsy done an she died from hyperthyroid which i didn’t knowand the vet here never put her on thyroid medicine, had she been on meds she would have lived longer and i am still really upset and hurt over it, she was a little calico and smart as a whip. i miss her so much and i cry every day for her but i know she’s waiting at the rainbow bridge. thank you so much for the good info you have written to help with my other fur babies.love and prayers to you and your family and all of the fur babies. thank you again. lee brewer p.s. where it says website what am i supposed to write in there?
So so sorry to hear. Prayers your way.
So sorry to hear about Gussie. I know it’s a real loss when you loose a family pet. My heart is with you.
I am sorry.. those are the decisions we never want to make.. my heart is with you and your family today..I know she gets great comfort with you beside her..
I am so terribllly sad about the situation you’re dealing with, God be with you, family, and your lovely cat… I will be praying for all, while your in this horrid situation, knowing you will and have given the most wonderful life throughout her life. God bless you and your family.
Warmly,
Mary Lou Mirante
Love to Gussie and your family.
I am so sorry to hear Gussie will no longer be with you! I’ve enjoyed your e-mails, posts, and advice throughout the years. I too had to put down my dog earlier this year, just 3 weeks shy of her 15th birthday. Your advice left Dallas, my border collie live a great life, ending with similar issues as Gussie. I thought I had managed her health well with raw diet and supplements but she looked me in the eyes one day and told me, telepathically that she had had enough. So my heart goes out to you and your family and know that he is with God and the rest of our pets just beyond rainbow bridge! May you find the courage to leave your family member in God’s hands and share each other’s strength to get through this difficult time at Christmas!…Jenny, xoxo
What sad news. I lost my cat (Micki) the same way. He was like a little dog and was such an amazing soul He brought me great joy and we have to think of them when it comes to the end. We have to be the one to make the decision. Sending you all lots of love and strength from the UK. Not sure if you noticed the big orb around your cat at the beginning of your video. She has Angels looking after her xx Samantha xx
I so feel for you guys. I have an elderly dog in heart failure. I have reduced her medication as they were making her extremely poorly. She is much better with less but almost slipped away from me when her heart briefly stopped last week. I am just trying to ensure that her last days are enjoyable and she still has some quality of life until the end arrives. Quality of life is the reason for being xxx
So sorry about Gussie! I know it is so hard to lose a pet and I bet even harder for you being a Vet and knowing that is nothing more you can do. My heart goes out to and your family especially so near to Christmas.
My heart goes out to you about Gussie. I love your compassion and caring. I especially appreciate your sharing it with us because then I can relate it to the feelings I have are what others feel, too. We love our companions so much that it hurts badly when we have to make decisions like that. However, I know one thing for sure, we will meet them all when we leave this earth.
May I suggest you read the book “Col Noses at the Pearly Gates” by Gary Kurz. Once you read this book you will have that blessed hope of being reunited with all those you have loved an cared for. It is such an amazing feeling to know it is something we can look forward to. Our companions know this, too!!
Fondly
Alyce Hand
PS There are so many times I would love to join your webcam series but since I m deaf there is no way I could follow your meetings without an interpreter of ASL or it being script in English while you are giving the lessons. Maybe one day it will be possible.
God Bless You
Sorry to hear the news about Gussie. It is always hard to loose our pets.
She has had a loving family and a good life.
So very sorry for your loss
I will pray for your family and Gussie. So sad that it had to happen at Christmas. May all the angel kitties and puppies have a very Merry Christmas at the rainbow bridge.
So very sorry to hear about Gussie, always upsetting any time of the year but seems worse around Christmas time – when we have been in this position at this time of year I always hope that we and the animal will manage Christmas together, but it rarely works that way.
Thinking of you and your family.
So sorry that you have to go through this ordeal. I am glad that you made a video about this time of suffering as means to provide information and comfort to other pet owners as they go through this tough time. It has been years since I owned a cat, but watching this video, revived memories of my ordeal that I went through with my cat. I wish now, that I would have known how to give IV fluids to my cat in order to make her final days easier. My heart goes out to you, and does my prayers for you and yours.
It’s really so moving that at your most sad and vulnerable time, that you’d think and feel the desire to instruct a lesson of how to take care of Gussie, and our animal companions who are so seriously ill – to be so amazingly generous with such an intimate and sorrowful time is precious – a gift for your “students” – Dr. Andrew you are a very special and tender person. Love to you, Gussie and your family. Susan, Portland, OR.
My sincere empathy is going out to Gussie and you and your family. I feel the utmost sadness you are having facing that impending separation from a family member who is spending its last moments of life with you. I am sure your heart will treasure that bonding with her even when she won’t be around anymore. However, looked upon another way, her life has been such a blessing being in the hand of a loving owner, having a great quality of life to the very end. She is returning to God in her best condition possible, with all the love and care from the humans around her. I talk to my dog all the time, and am convinced that our domesticated friends have the mental capacity to bond with their owners emotionally, they are fully aware of what you are trying to say. They just don’t express their reaction in human language. Her heart is at peace now. Her soul is ready for heaven. Physical form does not matter anymore. Perhaps she is thinking; ” Man, its good to be this cat having Andy as my owner!” God bless you and Gussie, my prayer all along.
So very sorry to hear about Gussie. Our fur babies are really a part of the family and it is so hard when they get ill and can’t really tell us how they feel. My thoughts and prayers are with you, Gussie and your family.
I am so sorry for your loss. It is always a painful decision to make but we do it because we love them. I am sure she had an amazing life you and your family. Hugs to all.
Important instructive video. Sorry Gussie that you got only 20 years with your adoring family. Dr. Jones, I’ve been there and will be again. Thank you for sharing this. Sorry for your loss.
Sorry to hear about Gussie> It is the hardest decision we have to make and I have made it too many times lately. Hopefully you will remember all the good times. She had a long happy life.
I’m really sorry to hear about Gussie. This is always hard to deal with – especially this time of year.
So sorry to learn your sad news. We too had to make this decision at the end of July for our beloved Whippet, Susie, she was 15. It feels just like yesterday.
Thoughts, prayers and love sent your way to you and your family. So sorry 🙁
Sending Gussie, you and your family so much love. You’re all blessed to have one another and the deep love you share will continue to carry you thru. May the longtime sun shine upon you/and all love surround you/and the pure light within guide your way on.
My heart is breaking for you, your family and sweetest Gussie! There is no way she could have had better “parents” than you and your family! She was a very lucky kitty to have you, as you were also lucky and blessed to have her. May her memory comfort you in your sadness!
Sending you all love and hugs…It is so hard to let go especially at this time of year…You know when she is ready…Thinking of you…Bless XX
I’m so sorry to hear about Gussie. I’ve been there 3 times with my furbabies already – as recently as last October when we lost our favorite, sweetest kitty. We have an 18-year old kitty with kidney disease and she is probably close to where Gussie is. She’s still eating and likes to go out by the pool (we’re in Florida), but her activity level is quite low and she is peeing a lot. I know she could go downhill very quickly, and we’ll make sure she has a quality of life while we keep her alive. Should she get like Gussie, we will also have to make “the decision”, which is something I HATE to do but know is necessary. We don’t want her to suffer, and she has had a great life.
My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family!
Dr. Jones,
I’m sorry about Gussie and don’t know what the outcome was. I do want to share some ideas for elderly felines with kidney problems based on my extensive research, They love Gerber baby food turkey, chicken, beef etc. warmed in a microwave with added water. There is also a human supplement from Standard Process Labs called Renafood. (Veterinarians in the US sell a counterpart called Reenavast.) It contains bovine kidney extract. People have gotten excellent results giving 1 a day (it can be dissolved in the baby food mixture. You can also add some odorless Omega 3.
Gussie was loved and lived to a ripe old age but this does not make it any easier for you and your family.
Whatever the outcome, I wish you Peace and a Blessed Christmas. M+
My condolences to you and the family and kisses to Gussie. I’m reliving the sorrow I went through with little Jennie who developed chronic kidney disease at age 16. She made it to 18, but the last month or so with subQ fluids and tests and eventually helping her stand in the litter box were heartbreaking. I knew then she had no more enjoyment of life. But, of course, it’s always harder for those left behind. Especially hard when you finally realize how all domestication sucks for the injustice of its exploitation of innocent non humans. That’s why going vegan makes so much sense, Dr. Jones. See more at my linked website.
My heart hurts for you and your family with your second loss this year.
My prayers are with you and your family.
Thank you for sharing your life with us. I needed to read the comments sent to you.
My 11. yr old sheltie Lucas was diagnosed with cancer last week and 13 yr old Jigs has heart problems for openers.
I’ve not lost a pet and they are my family.
I do know things happen the way they’re supposed to for a reason.
If it hadn’t been for Hoochie maybe you wouldn’t be doing all this wonderful work.
Bless you all, Pam
Sorry to hear the choice you must make, I know it is hard as I have been there a few times myself. Prayers, healing to you and your family.
Sincerely, Nannette
I can only ditto all the lovely, caring condolences from the previous readers. May peace be with you & your family.
Cheryl
I’m so sorry to hear about Gussie and my heart goes out to you and your family; having to make the decision to euthanase a beloved pet is never an easy one but one that most of us will have to go through at some stage.
My dog Poppy, a shih-tzu, is 17 and a half years old and we are nearing the same stage with her, so I feel for you and your family Andrew.
Take comfort in the fact that Gussie has had a long and wonderful life with you guys, and now she needs you more than ever.
This is really not an easy decision to make though we know it is the right thing to do, especially after so many years together. I feel for you Andrew and your wife. Really. May I add that I have old female cat also, she is 18 yrs and almost 5 months old now. She was diagnosed with kidney failure March 2015. In Canada, when a cat is at level 4, it’s bye bye kitty. She was at level 2. Changed her food for Royal Canin dry Renal Solution to lower her protein intake(there are 2 brands of the same thing in it, but the taste and shape of bites are different, so one can change to help the cat eat). She started receiving Semintra (liquid medication helping the pressure and 2 other things that I don’t remember). Also, I started to inject her every morning and evenings Lactate Ringer. Started at 35ml (total 70ml per day) and now I give her 50ml at a time (total 100ml per day). This summer, I smelled something different in her stools… made me think of hyperthyroïde thing. Went to the vet for the bloodwork and my vet told me that she didn’t look like she was having this problem, but wasn’t against a blood test. I was right, my nose didn’t fail me, though I wish it did. Tried Felimazole (pills of 1.25 mg, 2 per day). She started to stop eating and vomitting (no diarrhea, thank goodness) pretty soon after, so I stopped it, called my vet to find another solution. Talked to me about Methimazole (which is quite the same thing, except is a cream that one rubs in the upper part of the ear). Same bad effect. Changed her food for Hill’s y/d. I asked my vet about protein intake for her kidney problem. The new food has 6% more protein. The vet called the fabriquant and it is ok for a cat with kidney deficiency, up to level 2. Everything is going very well so far, at 3 months ago, the test and vet calculations to determine the level of kidney problems: level 1 🙂 Creatinine at normal level but the other thing (I only know the word in Frech: urée) is getting higher and higher without being alarming so far though. Since october, her food intake (though she drink, but not too much – yet – on top of the Ringer injection 100ml), is not regular. We don’t want her to lose wait (she weighs 4.09kg, which is good, particularly knowing that it has been her life normal weight), we want her to eat since her food is the only thing controlling that hyperactive gland of hers (though the vet wants to control it just enough but not too much because of her kidney problems)so she has to eat. I note EVERYTHING… How many urines she delivers every 24 hres, the number of urines, the size of each and she is quite good actually but it changes eveyday. I also note what she eats: she has to eat a minimum of 5 tbl spoons every day to maintain her weight and to have the control the vet wants with the thyroide gland. Since she is not stable in her food intake, the vet recommanded to give her Mirtazapine 1/8 co every 2 days. I started with that, she was doing perfectly and eating reasonnably well to the point where she was receiving this medication every 5-6 days. Since October I have to average her food intake to know when to give her the medication. She eats less on a Mirtazapine day now and less and less the 2nd and 3rd day. Nowadays, she has to receive the medication every 3 days to keep the average of 5 tbl spoon. I know that if nothing more strikes her, the kidney failure will get the better of her old body. I thank you for sharing the video because I know now what to watch for without fooling myself, so I know when it will be time to day goodbye to my wonderful, talkative, well-tempered and easy to treat, affectionate to name just a few of her qualities… It will be very hard to live without her, I must say. We have our bonding ritual every morning and night when I go to bed. But thank god… this time has not come for us yet. My heart is with you all, we all know what we do is for the best, but this doesn’t make things easier anyway. Looking forward to receiving the material for starting the course. Anne (hugs, hugs and hugs again)
Thank you for sharing your experience with Gussie. I just recently said “goodbye” to my oldest kitty who was ‘at least’ 23 years old. It is never easy saying goodbye to our 4-legged family members, yet along with the sadness and pain comes the gratitude that Gussie was a part of your family for such a long time.
It is never easy losing a family member. I pray that Gussie passs on by herself and that you don’t have to make that decision for her. May you and your family find comfort that she has had the best life you could have given her. None of my cats have lived to be that old.
very sorry to hear you are losing your beloved pet-it never gets easier,does it?Lucky kitty that has someone with the knowledge and compassion to know when to let her travel to the Rainbow Bridge.My sympathy to you and your family.
I am so sorry to hear about Gussie. My prayers are with you and your family. I have lost three cats this year and it is heart breaking, so my thoughts and prayers are with you. I have four senior cats the oldest 16 and a senior dog 13 years old left and when it is their time it will still be really hard to let them go.
She is lucky to have you as her pal and DR–you really take good care of your companions and for that I HONOR YOU!
So sorry about Gussie. I had a dog that was not doing well and we all thought it was just her arthritis. I took her to a vet that did acupuncture as well as traditional vet. medicine. Finally I said that I thought something else was going on and he agreed. Off to the specialist, and they did tests that showed she had advanced kidney cancer. I asked if she was in pain and he affirmed that she was suffering a great deal. I had my grand daughters come say goodby and we decided to end her suffering. I do not think she would have lasted another 24 hours, but it is never easy to let go of those we love.
Dear Dr. Jones.
So sorry to hear about Gussie. My thoughts and prayers for you and your family.
Peace to you. As Gussiie journeys to Raindow Bridge..
so sorry to hear about Gussie’s circumstances. always hard to face this time of life for our furbabies. they give their all. it’s easy to see how much you appreciate her and the pain she is in. praying for peace and comfort for you and your family at this most sad time.
Dear Dr. Jones, I can feel the pain you are going through for Gussie. It’s not an easy tine and we all have to go through it.
Sending you, your family and Gussie Love and Light.
Dear Dr Jones,
Prayers and love are being sent to Gussie. She has helped others greatly by being a role model in videos. She is a hero.
Thank you for sharing Gussie throughout the years.
You and your family take good care.
Warmest regards,
Dalton
Sorry to hear about Gussie. I am sure she had a very good life and the best care. That’s all you can do. It is always sad to lose a pet.
This is exactly what I went through a year ago with my kitty. I still miss her terribly. Gussie is beautiful and she has been lucky to be loved by you and your family – just as you have been lucky to have been loved by her.
I am so sorry to hear about Gussie’s worsening condition. Prayers for you and your family and Gussie. Hugs to you all.
So sorry to hear about Gussie. My thoughts and prayers go out to you and your family. God bless.
Losing our fur babies is sooo hard; but 20 is awesome! That being said, i don’t get feeding dry?! Raw lessens shedding, brighter eyes, awesome health!
So very sorry about your sweet Gussie! I know just how difficult this can be…
Your family is in our thoughts and prayers. It’s never easy saying goodbye.
So sorry to hear about Gussie. I know she has had a good life with you. My prayers are with you and your family at this difficult time.
Sorry to hear about Gussie. My thoughts are with you all
Yvonne
I’m sorry to hear about your beautiful cat Gussie nearing the end of her life. Wow, she has lived a long time and I’m sure she loves you as much as you love her. I know that she will live on even after she passes. And of course, Gussie will always be in your heart. Thank you for sharing this informative video with us. You’re the best Dr. Jones! Sending love to Gussie and your whole family.
God Bless you Gussie .
Sending Prayers to you and everyone in your family. Beautiful and Loving memories will fill your heart full to carry her with you in the days to come. After losing mine I start my day out by saying to them ,Good Morning, Love you .
Kate
So very sorry to hear about Gussie as the Christmas season is upon us. Glad she had such a great life with your family. You have helped so many of us go through similar decisions and it is never an easy one to make ever….
What a lovely life Gussie had with you and your family and I am so sorry and sad to read that she has passed on by now. Please accept my sincerest sympathies. Merle
My heart goes out to you, it is such a difficult time for you and your family. She is lucky to have a knowledgeable owner such as you to know when it is time.
I am deeply sorry to hear about Gussie. My thoughts & prayers to you & your family. It is so hard to take their loss at any time of year but especially hard at Christmas. I just lost my precious Cockatiel (Baby) this past Sunday to liver disease. He would have been 24 this coming January & he had been with me since his hatching. ? I haven’t stopped crying yet.
Prayers for you and your family to carry you through this time.
I am so sorry for your loss prayers and hugs to you and your family.
I’m so sorry for your loss of Gussie.
“He is your friend, your partner, your defender, your dog. You are his life, his love, his leader. He will be yours, faithful and true, to the last beat of his heart. You owe it to him to be worthy of such devotion.” ~ Anonymous
Found those beautiful thoughts a while ago and keep them in my desk as a reminder of the special pact of love and commitment I have with my dog Bracco. Realized it’s also the same between you and Gussie…you guys shared unconditional love and devotion that will last forever. Such special bond it’s what makes the ride worthy of being… So sorry for the sadness and sorrow you’re enduring. Comfort yourself knowing you gave your gal the best of you, always.
Sorry for your loss. Sending love and prayers.
My condolences to you and your family. It’s always heartbreaking when a beloved animal dies or must be put down. I share the following to help cat owners: Cats should never be fed kibble; it always leads to kidney failure. Organic/grass-fed raw if the best and correct diet for them. It does cost more but the quality and length of life are so much better. You also have a lot less veterinary expenses. No more than one vaccine per life either; that’s all that’s needed. For the very best, no vaccines. Having a strong immune system is the best defense for people and animals.
I’m sorry about Gussie, my condolences. She could not had a better life. May she be in the Light.
I’m so sorry. You gave her the best life she could have had, that’s what matters.
dr. jones; i am so sorry to hear about gussie, such a sweet and wonderful fur baby. my kitty pretty girl passed away on aug. 7th 2016 she was born sept. 1st 1994, almost 22 years old. took her to the vet regular and said she was doing really good for her age, eating drinking and still playing. when she had labs done they said everything was great. when she passed i had a necropsy done an she died from hyperthyroid which i didn’t knowand the vet here never put her on thyroid medicine, had she been on meds she would have lived longer and i am still really upset and hurt over it, she was a little calico and smart as a whip. i miss her so much and i cry every day for her but i know she’s waiting at the rainbow bridge. thank you so much for the good info you have written to help with my other fur babies.love and prayers to you and your family and all of the fur babies. thank you again. lee brewer p.s. where it says website what am i supposed to write in there?
Thank You all for your kind words.
Dr Andrew