- Joined
- Sep 4, 2017
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- 1
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I am (was) the owner of two beautiful older cats until Saturday, September 4, 2017. Thumbelina was a 13 yr. old long-haired domestic golden-haired beauty who was blind in one eye and had hyperthyroidism, and Fletcher is a rambunctious 10 yr. old Orange Maine Coon – Tabby mix. They’d been together for years and were a bonded pair.
I phoned my Vet’s office to pick up some flea medicine but since it’d been over a year since Thumbelina had been seen, the receptionist said I’d have to get a full check-up to get the Capstar tablet Thumbie usually got. I could get Cheristin, which I was told worked quickly and effectively, without an appointment. Being temporarily out of work, I decided I would go with the less expensive option and picked up the Cheristin.
I arrived home and applied the Cheristin after thoroughly reading the package insert at about 5PM. Thumbie was OK for a little while. But he kept coming up to me like he wanted me to open a can a food yet when I did so, he just walked away. By 11PM he was just lying in the bathtub, I didn’t think this was so unusual because we are in the midst of a heatwave here in San Diego and the cats have been lounging in the shower, tile floors, bathtub, or anyplace cool they can find. About 4am he cried out and I went into the bathroom to find he’d spilled his water dish and was just kind of sliding around in the wet tub. I picked him up in a towel and held him while I laid back down. He seemed OK and purred a bit. I got an eyedropper to force some food in him. The Cheristin package insert had said “inappetance” was a side effect and I heard once that if a cat stops eating for a period of time, organ failure can set in. I had some fresh cream downstairs and I gave him several, maybe 5, full eyedroppers of cream that he seemed to swallow. I watched him awhile, he seemed calmed down, and I went to bed in the room connected to the bathroom he was in. Around 10AM I heard flopping noises, I went to see him and I believe he was having seizures at this point. I wrapped him up in a towel, got dressed, and had my boyfriend drive me to the VCA Animal ER Hospital in San Diego. 10 minutes prior to our arrival he made several stiff movements and his mouth opened as wide as it could. Then he kicked his back legs one last time. He died in my arms. He did not look the least bit peaceful. His eyes were open but sunken back in his head, his mouth was wide open, and all his limbs were stretched out. This is not a death I would wish for any pet.
This beautiful cat was healthy and happy, minus the annoyance of fleas, just 18 hours previously, and other than Cheristin, I can think of nothing responsible for his horrific and seemingly painful last hours of life. I am positively heartbroken.
I phoned my Vet’s office to pick up some flea medicine but since it’d been over a year since Thumbelina had been seen, the receptionist said I’d have to get a full check-up to get the Capstar tablet Thumbie usually got. I could get Cheristin, which I was told worked quickly and effectively, without an appointment. Being temporarily out of work, I decided I would go with the less expensive option and picked up the Cheristin.
I arrived home and applied the Cheristin after thoroughly reading the package insert at about 5PM. Thumbie was OK for a little while. But he kept coming up to me like he wanted me to open a can a food yet when I did so, he just walked away. By 11PM he was just lying in the bathtub, I didn’t think this was so unusual because we are in the midst of a heatwave here in San Diego and the cats have been lounging in the shower, tile floors, bathtub, or anyplace cool they can find. About 4am he cried out and I went into the bathroom to find he’d spilled his water dish and was just kind of sliding around in the wet tub. I picked him up in a towel and held him while I laid back down. He seemed OK and purred a bit. I got an eyedropper to force some food in him. The Cheristin package insert had said “inappetance” was a side effect and I heard once that if a cat stops eating for a period of time, organ failure can set in. I had some fresh cream downstairs and I gave him several, maybe 5, full eyedroppers of cream that he seemed to swallow. I watched him awhile, he seemed calmed down, and I went to bed in the room connected to the bathroom he was in. Around 10AM I heard flopping noises, I went to see him and I believe he was having seizures at this point. I wrapped him up in a towel, got dressed, and had my boyfriend drive me to the VCA Animal ER Hospital in San Diego. 10 minutes prior to our arrival he made several stiff movements and his mouth opened as wide as it could. Then he kicked his back legs one last time. He died in my arms. He did not look the least bit peaceful. His eyes were open but sunken back in his head, his mouth was wide open, and all his limbs were stretched out. This is not a death I would wish for any pet.
This beautiful cat was healthy and happy, minus the annoyance of fleas, just 18 hours previously, and other than Cheristin, I can think of nothing responsible for his horrific and seemingly painful last hours of life. I am positively heartbroken.
I am so sorry for your terrible loss and the pain and fear your poor beloved Thumbi suffered. How is Fletcher doing? Bless you for your love and care and for your brave warning so others may be spared the heartache you are going through.
