Sunday, December 11, 2011

A sad day yesterday

I had to have little Kringle (our newest foster that the shelter named "Frog Bean") put to sleep yesterday.

He did great at our house for the first two days, and then he quit eating. I tried switching him to homemade kitten formula, but he didn't like that either, and threw up everything I could get in him. Thursday night I took him to the emergency vet, where they gave him subcutaneous fluids (he was dehydrated). He spent all day Friday, and the first few hours of Saturday at the vet. We tried various medicines, subcutaneous fluids, tube feeding, heat lamps, but all to no avail.

Yesterday at 11:30, the vet was going over other things we could try (an IV port where I could continue to administer fluids over the weekend, barium to soak up any toxins, a new antibiotic). I looked at little Kringle, limp in one of the vet tech's hands, and asked what kind of a chance he had. "I have seen kittens pull out of something like this," Dr. Kristen said, but I could tell by the tone of her voice that this was a long-shot. In just a few hours on Saturday, Kringle had gone from running and climbing to a wisp of a kitten, barely hanging on. I said that I thought we had done our best, but that if two days at the vet couldn't get him on the mend, he was suffering, and not likely to survive. I did not want him to be in any more pain, and gave them the go ahead to put him to sleep.

His little veins were so small, their smallest needle could not fit inside (he only weighed 12 ounces.) They ended up having to directly inject his tiny heart, but the end was quick. Kringle will be spending his first Christmas in kitten heaven, along with his brother (who died at the shelter on Friday with similar symptoms.) His other two litter mates are becoming sick as well and may not have much time. But they were all surrounded by love and affection for one week of their short lives.

Little furry friends can make such a difference in someone's day. Please support your local shelter and remember to have your pets spayed and neutered.

God bless.
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23 comments:

  1. P.J.December 11, 2011 at 10:34 AM

    Rest in peace little Kringle, you had an angel on earth loving and taking care of you! Now you can romp with your sibling in the heavens above.

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  2. MoonBeamDecember 11, 2011 at 10:47 AM

    You made the right choice, I think. The poor little sweetie is at peace now. He was a cutie.

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  3. AnonymousDecember 11, 2011 at 10:53 AM

    Teresa--I'm so sorry. It's so hard when they can't tell you what's wrong. It sounds like it might be a generic thing, given that all Kringle's siblings seem to be having the same issues, but that doesn't make it any easier. You loved him well, did what you could, and made the best decisions you could make.

    Thank you doing this work. It takes a strong heart. I'm not sure I could.

    Carol S.

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  4. MarianneDecember 11, 2011 at 11:28 AM

    Theresa I am so sorry for your loss of little Kringle. He was blessed to have had you and your family for the little time he had. You and I do love our rescue kitties!

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  5. marlyDecember 11, 2011 at 11:44 AM

    I'm so sorry.

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  6. Ann at Beadlework.December 11, 2011 at 12:01 PM

    Oh, how sad - poor little mites. At least the little soul had good care whilst he was here on earth.

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  7. Peggy LeeDecember 11, 2011 at 12:12 PM

    So sad. You are a sweet soul for taking God's little creatures in as you do.

    I wonder what is causing this feline family to be so ill?

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  8. Lynn DDecember 11, 2011 at 12:52 PM

    I am so very sorry.

    I had to do the same with my 10 year old who was an extreme rescue back in 2001. A miracle saved her back them but the cancer this year was too much. When she wouldn't eat as a baby it got to the point the vet said to try anything. She would eat the meat from a McDonalds hamburger. She got one every day until she was strong and well. Yesterday when my husband buried her, I lost it when he pulled a small McDonalds bag from his pocket. Merci (short for Mercedes) will be so missed.

    My four year old male is grieving and I don't know what to do to help him. We are giving him lots of attention but it hasn't helped much.

    Sorry this is so long.

    Lynn - Alabama

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  9. KarenDecember 11, 2011 at 2:02 PM

    I'm so sorry. Had to make that decision for my 16 year old dog earlier this year. It is always a hard decision.

    Karen

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  10. KarenDecember 11, 2011 at 3:22 PM

    I'm so sorry, Theresa, for you and for the little dear hearts that didn't make it. I know you did your best, though.

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  11. AnonymousDecember 11, 2011 at 5:59 PM

    I am so sorry, Theresa. I know you did your best for him and he was lucky to have you in his short little life.
    I know how hard this was for you.
    Thank you for being there for the kitties, they so need people like you.
    We always adopt dogs and have had such wonderful pets. They are so much a part of the family right away.
    God bless....Judy

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  12. GingerCatDecember 11, 2011 at 6:13 PM

    I am so sorry to hear about little Kringle. That is such sad news. I do trust that he will be waiting for you at the bridge when the time comes as you and your family were the ones to give him love.

    Virtual hugs to you.

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  13. ColleenDecember 11, 2011 at 7:32 PM

    Kringle is now an angel to help other kittens in need. Bless you and your family for sheltering and loving these little creatures.

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  14. SheriDecember 11, 2011 at 7:48 PM

    I was very sorry to hear about Kringle. He was so lucky to be part of your loving family, even for only a short time. You will see him again, sometime. Hopefully he is making friends with some of my kitties up there who are no longer in pain or distress.

    Sheri

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  15. SharoninStitchesDecember 11, 2011 at 8:14 PM

    Teresa,
    I am so saddened by your loss. Thank you so much for the work that you do with such love and caring. It's very important work indeed. I'll leave an extra bag of food at the pet store for the local shelter that fosters kitties and cats in Kringle's name. Bless you!

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  16. dixiesamplarDecember 12, 2011 at 7:58 AM

    Awwww, poor Kringle...and poor Theresa, such a terrible decision to have to make! You did the best for Kringle and gave him tons of love to carry him into kittie heaven! You were his angel...

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  17. clDecember 12, 2011 at 11:53 AM

    It is not the length of Kringle's life ... but the quality that matters. I know he was loved and gave love mightily! You are such a blessing to these little guys. Bless you for all you do.

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  18. MarjorieDecember 12, 2011 at 12:09 PM

    So sorry. Poor little thing.

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  19. AnonymousDecember 12, 2011 at 1:06 PM

    I'm so sorry, Theresa.

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  20. LynnDecember 13, 2011 at 11:26 PM

    What a shame! I am so very sorry Theresa but I know you did the right thing. I'm just glad that Kringle spent his happiest times with you in your home. He knew he was loved.

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  21. Jennifer Ann FoxDecember 14, 2011 at 11:03 AM

    so, so sorry to read this, I can so relate to the pain of that decision and the loss of a furbaby.
    Prayers lifted to you and your family.

    Jennifer
    Feathers in the Nest

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  22. KaisievicDecember 19, 2011 at 4:47 PM

    Oh poor little Kringle, still you made the right choice. He is in kitty heaven now. God bless him.


    Hugs, Kaye xoxox

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  23. ClaraDecember 22, 2011 at 8:50 PM

    I found your blog via my Mom who does stitching. :) I'm a foster for a local rescue group. I had to make a similar decision over the summer with a kitten who just crashed. I know how hard it is. Just wanted to let you know I was thinking about you.

    Merry Christmas, and God Bless. I promise that Nash and Eamon met Kringle to play OTRB.

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