Ode to Kiggy

My 16 year old cat, Kiggy, is very ill. She has fluid in her lungs and has been having a hard time breathing.

We initially thought she was having a hard time getting a hair ball up. This is unusual for her as she vomits at least two times per week. We have many layers of covers on the furniture so we can quickly wash what she's just vomited on. As much as we brush her she seems to always throw up right after everything has been cleaned. It has just become part of living with Kiggy.

After a few days of coughing and hacking to no avail, we called our vet. Unfortunately he was out of town and we didn't think it was an emergency. We continued to brush her and give her the Petromalt, which fortunately she loves. On Monday we called as soon as the vet's office opened and got an appointment for 11:30. We knew she wasn't feeling well when she didn't struggle getting in her carrier or cry on the drive over to the vet. She didn't even struggle too much with Dr. Bass, which told us all, Dr. Bass included, that she wasn't feeling her best. She usually growls, hisses, swats and bites. Dr. Bass is so wonderful with her, he is gentle but firm and manages to get her to cooperate.

He doesn't believe that it is a hair ball or other obstruction. He thinks it's in her respiratory system and wanted to take chest x-rays. We had to leave Kiggy at the clinic so they could x-ray her in slow stages to not stress her out too much. Did I mention how much I like Dr. Bass?

We came later that afternoon to pick her up and talk to Dr. Bass. It turns out she has a lot of fluid in and around her left lung. He wants to drain some of the fluid out and have it tested. We could have either brought her home or left her overnight at his office. We opted to leave her as she was resting comfortably and he has a nice cat condo facility. We were afraid if we brought her home our other cats would harass her and cause her more stress. We wouldn't be home to supervise and they have picked on her before when she's feeling ill. It broke my heart to leave her there. She was burrowed in a towel but came out to see us when we went to see how she was.

I'm hoping to bring her home today, but I'm not sure how much longer she has. I know she's old and has had a good life, but it's so hard to say goodbye. My husband is optimistic that it is an infection and a bout of antibiotics may do the trick. I hope so, he's often right about these things. I just don't want her to suffer. She's the first pet I have had and I will miss her terribly.

The other 3 cats know something is wrong. They're quiet and subdued wondering where Kiggy is.