Does anyone have any experience with their pet grieving over the passing of a companion?

Our Siamese is a little over 11 years old. His friend and companion, Kitley passed away about 2 months ago. She was 14 years old. Since then his appetite has been off and he sleeps a lot. But, it didn't really concern me because he does still eat. I thought his appetite would pick back up. But, he is looking so thin.

Does anyone have any suggestions? I can't let him go much longer. For the past couple of days I have been feeding him canned food to entice him to eat more. I guess I will call our vet tomorrow to have CryBaby examined. We have had him since he was a kitten. All of our family and friends would mourn his loss. I know that he is getting up in years, but that doesn't make it any easier to accept.

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I'd have him checked and probably wormed. He may just be mourning, but it's better to be safe. You may end up having to get him a kitten.

Mimi

'When we stop learning, we die.'

Thanks Mimi. CryBaby is obviously going to have to go to the vet. Last night I could feel some knots on his neck. I rubbed them pretty thoroughly and he never even flinched, but I am really worried. I will either call the vet on Monday or just be there when they open.

Unfortunately, yesterday I had to care for my Mother. I also have to go back again today.

We have a Cat Clinic in the next town. I might call them instead. CryBaby has always been very healthy and we keep up ALL immunizations. I am worried that this could be some type of cancer. I just passed it off as grieving. But, the knots are not a good sign.

Thanks for your response. I will let you know, what the diagnosis is.

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I would try to keep its activity leveles up by keeping it active with new toys. That will usually make it keep an appetite and get its mind off of its past buddy. If you maybe spend more active times with the kitty I bet it would help. A new toy that is pulled by a string, feathers, a new tiny mouse, just thinking out loud but when I have a pet to pass I spend more time with my others and it does help.

"If your not in it for life, get a stuffed animal."

Rayna - I've found with mine that when one gets sad he/she also often gets sick. They are a lot like people that way.
Please let us know what you find out.

Mimi

'When we stop learning, we die.'

Thanks Mimi. I have been busy moving my mother into another care facility and have been gone for a couple of days.

CryBaby has spent the past 2 nights in the hospital. Our vet has him on fluids and antibiotics. Luckily, all of the tests so far have been good. The place in his ear and some of the knots are just cysts. They probably showed up due to the weight loss and dehydration. Blood work looks good. We are waiting on another test on some of the other knots on his neck.

I was a little "put out" with the vet tech today. She said, "He just isn't eating for us." Well, duh!! That is one of the reasons he is there. He isn't eating for me either!!

I am supposed to call back tomorrow morning to find out the results.

Thanks for asking about CB. I pray that it is just a broken heart that will heal with time.

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Rayna- HEY! I haven't talked to you in forever! How's the cybermom doing?
I am sorry about your kitty I hope he gets bettter soon. I am also still waiting for more pics of Happy (especially) and Bear! Post soon!

Cat

Hi Cat, I might post some here on the Pet Lover's Forum. I posted a response to your questions on that "HOT" thread on the Breeder's Corner. Thanks for asking about my babies.

It has been really busy around here for the past few days. I feel better about Mother in her new apartment, but she will have to keep up with her own medication. She did have a nurse around the clock. But, Mother insists she can do it. So, with me monitoring her meds once or twice a week, she should be fine.

In about 3 hours I will be checking on CB again. I pray that it is nothing serious. We have all been so afraid that he has cancer that has spread through his body. CryBaby has been with us since he was 12 weeks old. He was 11 years old on April 1. We have always said his birthday was a very appropriate date!

Thanks for asking.
CyberMom

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I'd bring crybaby home, those hospitals can be scary & he probally thinks hes been abandoned. Its mourning ,vets usually say give it 6 months,,When my old male past suddenly, His sister went down hill too, she however took grude to a few others , got over weight & spent last 2 years of her life with 2x daily insulin. It took her over 6 months to become herself as I say having her at that point 8 yrs. ,, Before getting a kitten try a cat rescue for another elder cat opposite sex that may be more compatable,,, I'm sure he doesnt want a kitten clawing his face & biting his tail at this time .

Thanks thugs. I agree that he probably won't take to a kitten.

I just called our vet for an update. All of the tests have been good. The vet believes it is a kidney problem due to concentration of the urine. The vet said that CB will have to be on the K&D food. I was told that I could pick him up this afternoon. But, quite honestly, I have some reservations about his diagnosis. His urine is naturally going to be affected when he wasn't eating or drinking as he should.

I will pick him up this afternoon and feed him the K&D (we had another cat on it before). But, I believe I will take him to a Cat Clinic in the next town. I would like to have a second diagnosis. I am really inclined to think it is greiving since the other test results are good.

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CB is in serious condition. When I got in the car with him from our vet's, CB began gasping and falling over (while still in my arms). I ran back in and Dr.P put an oxygen mask on him. After awhile he moved CB into an incubator. I stayed with him for a long time. CB doesn't look good. His eyes were twitching back and forth (Nystagmus) and he didn't look aware of my presence. Dr.P said CB could have had a stroke and have brain damage. When I left they were waiting for CB to breath well enough for an X-Ray of his chest. Dr.P said CB's kidney problems were slight and his levels were not bad. He feels that it must be a heart or lung problem.

Dr.P didn't say much - just let me ramble - which isn't a good sign. CB was so limp. I think Dr.P feels like he isn't going to make it through the night.

I feel so sad for CB. But, I could tell that he wasn't really aware of me. Apparently there is a good bit of brain damage.

I am to call back in the morning. I'll post when I know more. Just keep him in your prayers.

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Rayna- I am so so sorry. What could have caused him to have a stroke? My gosh, and this all started out after your other cat died? I hope he gets better and I'm sorry. Keep me posted.

Cat

Rayna- I still can't' find any of your yorkie pics!! Where did you get her?

Cat

I am beginning to think that it was just a coincidence that CB got so sick after she died. Kitley wasn't ill at all. She was fat and sassy But, she was also 14 years old. Kitley just went to sleep in her favorite spot and didn't wake up. CB quit eating well at the same time, so I thought he was grieving. But, even with his weight loss, CryBaby wasn't too dehydrated and his tests haven't shown anything. I believe something is terribly wrong internally, and it is affected whenever he is held (placing pressure on his chest or stomach). Dr P said CB was blue when I brought him back inside (I had just walked a few steps to the van outside - less than a minute after receiving him from the vet tech).

I thought that the knots on his neck and in his ear were related, but Dr. P says they are harmless cysts.

So, now, I am just waiting.

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Oh how sad!
This has got to be hard on you to deal with this, especially since you have had him for so long!

Thank you fasttrack. Poor CryBaby grew up with my two youngest boys. They really have had some adventures! The boys taught CB to dance to Shania Twain songs, do Lion King poses, slide down a slide with them, and he even had a few dips in our pool (though I don't think he enjoyed them too much ) We have a photo of him celebrating his first birthday. He is on the diningroom table with a party hat on. His cat food is on a dish with 1 lighted candle in the middle!!

Cat, I have posted photos several times of the dogs. If you look on page 2 of the Post Your Pet Pictures here, you will see photos of CryBaby as well as the dogs. There are also photos of them on different threads of the Breeder's Corner. I will have to look though. I can't remember where they are.

I will try to put up some new ones of Bear and Dancer, the Newfies. Bear has put on some weight since I got him. His coat is looking much better. Dancer (formerly Happy) has grown so much recently that I need to post a new photo of her as well.

What about Mia and Sophie? I think I have posted photos more recently than you. I would love to see updates on them.

Thanks for asking about my clan. Keep CB in your prayers.

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