Just damn (people and pets)
23Got a message from the vet’s office yesterday. They have an owner relinquished cat. He has medical problems. Would we be willing to take him in? Yeah, we can try. This was her response.
"I heard the terrific news that you are open to taking on Grayson. Thank you so much for opening your home to him. I’m sure Cassie mentioned some of the key points about him but I wanted to go into more detail.
Grayson is a very sweet 4yr old long haired cat. He presented in July for severe constipation and unfortunately, when he returned on 9/6, the owners explained he never really got better (there’s some suspicion that they were not giving him meds regularly). The poor guy was constipated for 2 months 
The owner kept saying that if I couldn’t make him better and keep him better without the need for long-term meds, he was going to put a bullet through Grayson’s head. So that is when I offered to adopt him and they enthusiastically agreed.
We got out all the hard feces in him under anesthesia and enemas and nursed him back over the weekend. However, he just doesn’t want to eat and he was dropping weight (he used to be 16lb 2months ago and now is 12lb). I placed a feeding tube in him yesterday and he’s been tolerating feedings well! I’m consulting with our internist about how to gradually increase his feeding amounts and will have everything typed out. I plan to remove the feeding tube when he is consistently eating on his own. It can safely stay in for months if needed.
He will also be on lactulose (a stool softener) and cisapride (a promotility med) lifelong (both liquid that can go into the feeding tube). We will provide you with both of these medications and cans of food so he will covered for a few months.
Let me know if this is something you are still up for, now knowing these details. We greatly appreciate your kindness and generosity!!!"
We’re supposed to go get him tomorrow afternoon and instructions for care and feeding of a cat with a feeding tube.
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I kind of expect though that living with you he’ll get fully recovered and maybe not need so much care after a while?
We had to feed one of our cats through a feeding tube for a while, plus time it all in a complicated schedule of meds/food/no food - it was awful, but he recovered and lived for 19 years total.
Given the prior owner’s apparent attitudes, I would not be surprised to hear that he’s off the meds in less than a year after finding the situation at your place more to his liking. Best of luck.
I feel sad that Grayson is in this condition but happy that he has found you. I hope he has a long life and gets plenty of head skritches.
Good on you for being an actual human bean!
The more people I meet and learn about, the more I like dogs and cats…
thanks for helping grayson
Cisapride also comes in a chewable form (that can be applied to treats), so if Grayson won’t cooperate with taking the liquid, there are alternatives.
“relinquished” is the wrong word. I’d say abandoned, neglected, discarded. You have such a big heart, much love to Grayson and your family.
You got this Homeslice… Touch of Gray just needs a little Lovin and then he’ll want to eat!
He had asshole fosters beforehand and then got drugged, and they put a tube up his butt. I’d be scarred too…. And now with more tubes.
I give it a week before he’s eating out of your hand literally. Let me know when it happens and I’ll buy you some sidedeal soft cat food
Awww poor Grayson, it’s awful that people like his previous owner (can’t even call em his human
) are even allowed to have pets!
He’s probably never known unconditional love and like others have said he’s not only going to recover quickly but he’s going to thrive! I can’t wait to see him and follow his recovery. Grayson is in for a happy surprise, truly a blessing of his lifetime!! 
Thank goodness Grayson has a second chance with someone who is as caring as you!
Thanks for sharing this journey.
@Kyeh, @Lynnerizer, @user27794561, @DLPanther, @yeppers, @meh, @pmarin, @werehatrack, @yakkoTDI, @PhysAssist
I came online this morning, checked my email and this was the first message (time stamped 8:47 last night).
“I’m so sorry to have to inform you we euthanized Grayson tonight. We were getting ready to give him his evening meds when he suddenly started panting and then stopped breathing and had a suspected seizure. We attempted to resuscitate him but we were unsuccessful. I wanted to thank you both for being so generous with your time and home.”
I’m sad that his last days of life were in a sterile room, in a cage, alone, with strange noises.
Thank you all for your responses. We were looking forward to this afternoon.
@lisaviolet I can’t click on that star up there for some reason. screen getting blurry
@lisaviolet @werehatrack so sorry to hear.
@lisaviolet that’s awful.
@lisaviolet @werehatrack @Thumperchick
The only words of encouragement I can say is that it sounds like his body finally gave out and so even though the hope was that he could recover with loving care, sometimes even with the good veterinary care things can turn quickly. And so at least this last journey happened quickly.
My last guy, he was an adopted one where there were no other takers, though not a special care case like Grayson. Had about 12 good years with him. Developed kidney issues it was presumed cancer; vet said they weren’t sure how long or if fixable, so we just monitored him and he had 2 more years of what seemed like still happy comfortable life. Then within a few days it was clear things got worse quickly. Didn’t want to euthanize yet but by a Sunday afternoon realized it was time, but since Sunday night, was going to bring him in Monday morning. Appropriately, he died at home overnight. But had I known how close things were, would have actually done it a few days earlier to avoid last uncomfortable days (for him and me).
EDIT also this was Feb 2020 and even though nobody believed it yet, it was clear to me it was the beginning of the COVID pandemic. So, ‘stay at home’ and now without your cat buddy.
Previous girl had heart issues. Needed emergency care and then referred to cat cardiologist. Didn’t know there was such a thing. We wanted to do everything we could to delay the inevitable, but in the end was just extra stress for us all including the cat who only got another week or two.
@lisaviolet so sorry to hear
@lisaviolet That’s so sad.
@lisaviolet I’m really sorry to hear it.
@lisaviolet @pmarin @Thumperchick @werehatrack My ex and I found out that there is such a thing as a veterinary ophthalmologist when our husky mix developed cataracts at around 2 years old.
My last dog, the late great Raven, started declining suddenly, so I made an appointment with the vet. While we were there, she had a massive stroke. It was clear there was nothing that could be done for her, so the vet put her to sleep while I sat with her and stroked her head and told her what a good girl she was. I’m thankful that it was quick, but I’m also thankful that it was obvious that there was no choice so I didn’t spend the last almost 2 years questioning whether I made the right decision. It’s a tough time for us humans, and we can only do the best we can.
@lisaviolet I’m so sorry Grayson’s story ended the way it did.
That’s so sad, I’m sorry!
I’m glad at least he was away from the hateful owner and had some comfort and care from the vets. But I wish he’d had some time with you. 
What a bummer, poor Grayson.
My first thought was his previous owner needs to be charged with something, cruelty to animals or neglect. 
At least Grayson won’t have any more pain and suffering. My heart still hurts for him though…
God bless you, and God bless Grayson.
I have to believe that he’s at last comfortable and at peace.
Fuck those shitty shits that took such shitty care of him.
That is so sad - both in what happened to him that landed him at the vet and how he died. That you were willing to take him with all his special needs speaks highly of you and your family.
I am so sorry that all of this happened to Greyson. I only wish he could have ended his life feeling loved in your home. Hopefully in the end he felt relief after the vet rescued him and he spent his final days with some peace and comfort. Sending big hugs