RIP Erik

Sep. 8th, 2011 05:40 pm
cellio: (erik)
[personal profile] cellio
Erik the Redhead, February 28 1993 - September 8 2011.



Erik has had assorted medical problems for years. In late June we saw the first hints of kidney problems and anemia and started treating those. Both gradually declined through the summer but he seemed to be coping. In late August my vet thought that we would soon need to start a risky treatment for the anemia and we ordered the medicine.

In the last several days he became much weaker and more lethargic, but was still eating and drinking some. Last night he wouldn't eat and wasn't moving much. This morning when I set him down after giving him his medicines (which he didn't resist at all) he took two steps and fell over. Repeatedly. I sat down and set him in my lap and he lay there ignoring me. He would not eat any of his favorite foods.

I called the vet to ask if I should deploy that medicine now. She was about to call me; she'd just gotten the results of Tuesday's bloodwork. She said all the relevant numbers were "terrible"; I don't think I've heard her use that word before. His kidneys had completely given up and his anemia had taken a nose-dive. We discussed options, but there really weren't any and Erik, lying listlessly in my lap, seemed to be giving me his clear opinion (which remained unchanged for several more hours).

The end was very fast. I know I did everything I could for him and showed him lots of love. I like to think he knew that at some level.

He's been part of my life since he was 10 weeks old. I miss him terribly.
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(no subject)

Date: 2011-09-09 02:21 am (UTC)
From: [identity profile] metahacker.livejournal.com
:(

Farewell, fair fellow.
Edited Date: 2011-09-09 02:26 am (UTC)

(no subject)

Date: 2011-09-09 02:43 am (UTC)
From: [identity profile] ralphmelton.livejournal.com

I'm very sorry.

(no subject)

Date: 2011-09-09 02:55 am (UTC)
From: [identity profile] sanpaku.livejournal.com
I'm so sorry too... I know how much he meant to you.

(no subject)

Date: 2011-09-09 02:56 am (UTC)
From: [identity profile] risiko.livejournal.com
Condolences to you both. How are the other cats taking this?

(no subject)

Date: 2011-09-09 03:14 am (UTC)
From: [identity profile] alice-curiouser.livejournal.com
I'm so sorry. :(

(no subject)

Date: 2011-09-09 03:34 am (UTC)
From: [identity profile] cjsherwood.livejournal.com
My deepest sympathies. I know how very much he meant to you. And I know he knew you loved him (on many levels) and continue to love him still.

(no subject)

Date: 2011-09-09 03:47 am (UTC)
siderea: (Default)
From: [personal profile] siderea
I'm so very sorry. *hugs*

(no subject)

Date: 2011-09-09 04:00 am (UTC)
From: [identity profile] kmelion.livejournal.com
::hugs:: so sorry.

(no subject)

Date: 2011-09-09 04:09 am (UTC)
From: [identity profile] egoldberg.livejournal.com
Hugs and sympathies from someone who's been through it not too long ago.

Not everyone will understand the magnitude of your loss, and the real grieving process involved - cat or human.

(no subject)

Date: 2011-09-09 04:11 am (UTC)
From: [identity profile] sue-n-julia.livejournal.com
Super hugs!

We know how you feel.

Sue and Julia

(no subject)

Date: 2011-09-09 04:22 am (UTC)
From: [identity profile] mrpeck.livejournal.com
I'm sorry to hear that. It's never easy to lose a pet that's been with for so long.

(no subject)

Date: 2011-09-09 05:35 am (UTC)
From: [identity profile] ticklethepear.livejournal.com
My condolences.

(no subject)

Date: 2011-09-09 06:13 am (UTC)
dr4b: (yawn)
From: [personal profile] dr4b
I'm sorry. At least he lived a long time in cat years!

(no subject)

Date: 2011-09-09 07:25 am (UTC)
From: [identity profile] eub.livejournal.com
I'm very sorry.

(no subject)

Date: 2011-09-09 07:38 am (UTC)
From: [identity profile] dvarin.livejournal.com
I'm sorry. :(

(no subject)

Date: 2011-09-09 08:51 am (UTC)
From: [identity profile] shewhomust.livejournal.com
I'm so sorry. You've been moving towards this for so long, and doing everything right, and it's still hard when you get there.

(no subject)

Date: 2011-09-09 12:53 pm (UTC)
From: [identity profile] dagonell.livejournal.com
*Hugs* If you haven't already disposed of the body, show Eric to Baldur. Give him a chance to say goodbye as well. When we lost our first kitty, we thought we'd spare her brother from seeing her. He spent several weeks searching the house for her. Since then, we've always let the survivors say their goodbyes. -- Dagonell

(no subject)

Date: 2011-09-09 01:46 pm (UTC)

(no subject)

Date: 2011-09-09 02:44 pm (UTC)
From: [identity profile] browngirl.livejournal.com
I am very sorry. *hugs you warmly*

(no subject)

Date: 2011-09-09 03:28 pm (UTC)
From: [identity profile] ichur72.livejournal.com
So very sorry to hear this. Sending gentle thoughts your way.

(no subject)

Date: 2011-09-09 03:39 pm (UTC)
ext_99415: (autumn)
From: [identity profile] woodwindy.livejournal.com
I'm so sorry. *hugs*

(no subject)

Date: 2011-09-09 05:44 pm (UTC)
From: [identity profile] magid.livejournal.com
I'm so sorry for your loss.

(no subject)

Date: 2011-09-10 12:36 am (UTC)
From: [identity profile] alfiechat.livejournal.com
We've had internet issues, so I have just seen this. I am so sorry about your loss. He was a good kitty, and the few times I saw him always was sweet.

(no subject)

Date: 2011-09-10 04:51 am (UTC)
From: [identity profile] indigodove.livejournal.com
Oh, I am so sorry. *many hugs* Losing a friend is never easy.

(no subject)

Date: 2011-09-10 06:11 am (UTC)
From: [personal profile] rectangularcat
I am so sorry to hear about Erik. He was a good kitty and I will miss hearing about his antics.
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