Kevin Kat has been diagnosed with a stomach tumour.

[Squeak]

So sorry to hear about Kevin. It's clear what a good home you have given him and how well you have looked after him.

 

[Ratface]

03:20hrs. Update from The Kevin Situation.
Kevin has poked about in his fresh Premium £££ cat food. Not interested. Wandered back to his cushioned banquette in the saloon. I've moved his litter tray into a far corner and showed it to him. Not interested.
I've sat with him, stroked and chatted to him. He's purring quietly, but he's not really there. Eye pupils enlarged, when they would usually be little slits of enjoyment.
I will try and get an early appointment later today with DC (vet we saw yesterday) and allow Kevin a dignified stalk over Rainbow Bridge.
I'm shocked by the speed of his deterioration, but will not strive to keep him alive, because he's really almost gone.

 

[ycbm]

Oh bugger. So sorry to read that Ratface.
.

 

[Rumtytum]

So sorry Ratface, and sorry too that those who you supported for so long and so well can not, or will not, give you the same now you are in need. Such is life. As for his Royal Katness, I hope your sadness is tempered by the knowledge that his last years with you have been the best any feline could have. We on here know how you have devoted yourself to giving him everything he could possibly desire.

 

[Bellasophia]

I’m really sorry to hear Kevin is so poorly.I am sure that you will have us all every step of the way.Stay strong RF.

 

[Birker2020]

As above. The locum practice vet failed to identify this when I consulted with her a couple of months ago. She said Kevin had Feline Irritable Bowel Syndrome. She didn't make any treatment recommendations or give any advice. Kevin continued to lose weight and veer between bolting large amounts of food and leaving it
Today, I took him to my usual vet (same practice),who was on annual leave when I took him before. He did a manual examination and said that Kevin had a stomach tumour.
He gave him a hefty shot of steroids and said to bring him back at the end of next week. If no improvement in appetite, and weight he will then be pts.
He's 15. He had a rotten life before he came to me, being a persecuted semi-feral stray, kicked out by his doting elderly lady owner's daughter because he scratched her two-year old son when he was dragging him round by his front legs. A friend knew that I had just lost my 22yr- old cat (who the RSPCA had assured me was 10 yrs old eight months before) to acute kidney failure, and rescued Kevin, assuring his elderly owner that he would have a good home with me.
I think he has. He's had fun taunting swans (idiot Kat!) running around with his slinky black girlfriend, lying in the sun in the wheelhouse and being a Smarmy Git with the neighbours for a bit of cheese or Dreamies.
He's been an excellent, if demanding companion whilst I've been pretty much bunk- bound with M E two days out of three. I'm a loner and he's been my best mate.
I just can't stop crying.

I'm so sorry, I hope you are able to enjoy what time you have left, what rotten news.

He sounds like he's had an amazing life with you.

 

[Titchy Pony]

I am so sorry Ratface. It must be so hard to watch such a character go downhill so fast.
I'm sure Kevin's stalk over the rainbow bridge will be both dignified and stylish, because he is the kat. I'm sure he would even grudgingly (because he is the kat afterall) acknowledge that you were a pretty good servant. A very high praise from a king.
Please take care of yourself. Thinking of you today.

 

[Emilieu]

Raface, I just wanted to post because this is exactly what I lost my beloved cat to and the swiftness of it shocked me too. I’m heart sorry for you and know exactly how much it is hurting your heart to be brave for him. I think that he has had the perfect Kat life in his time with you and what King could ask for more?
I’m so very sorry for you xx

 

[Archangel]

So very sorry to read this Ratface. He has quite a fan club on here.

 

[Above the snowline]

Thinking of you both

 

[Sandstone1]

I am so sorry, Poor Kevin and poor you. You were lucky to have found each other. I hope things go peacefully today. Remember to look after yourself too.

 

[Ratface]

Thank you, everybody. I'm going to ring the vet practice just now and arrange to take Kevin in to be pts as early as they can make arrangements. I don't know which vet I'll get, but he needs to be made comfortable and I will ensure that happens.

 

[Highmileagecob]

Aw I'm so very sorry. You have given him a good life, and you will know when it's time. They leave a big hole in our hearts, these little furry creatures, don't they? Thinking of you and Kevin.

 

[AmyMay]

We will all be thinking of you

 

[pinkfluffy]

I'm so sorry to hear this. My cat got a terminal diagnosis before Christmas and died in January and I have never cried more in those weeks. If you need to talk, I'm here.
My neighbor told me something that has stuck with me, over the fence whilst gardening as you do. A few days before he died, I was so depressed about him being ill for half his short life, she told me simply that my boy couldn't have had a better life because no one could love him like me. That animals with complicated needs are sent to people who will look after them.
Kevin Kat had a bad start but a wonderful rest of his life because of you. Thinking of you both today.

 

[nagblagger]

So sorry to just catch-up with this thread. Take comfort in that Kat chose to stay with you when he could have wandered off and chosen another servant. He knew you would make the right decisions throughout his life to make it as comfortable as possible and not prolong any suffering. We are all here to support you and remember you can pm many of us on here privately. Hug

 

[Pearlsasinger]

I'm so sorry to see your news. What a pity that you haven't had longer to get used to the diagnosis and come to terms with it. But you are making the best decision for Kevin, as you have done ever since he came to live with you. Try to find some comfort in the fact that you have given him a fabulous life, fit for a King Kat, since then. I'm sure he knows how special he is to you.
As for your RL friends, I think HHO members are, in the main, very understanding of the fragility of life and know how quickly it can be snuffed out. We are all used to supporting each other through difficult times while maybe others are not and find it hard to know what to say. It shouldn't be on you but I'm sure you can understand that those without your life experience struggle to deal with the struggles of others.
Look after yourself

 

[Shady]

I wish there was a gentle hug emoji Ratface as I am sending one to you after reading your sad news. I am so sorry, nobody could have slaved to a cat as you have done for Kevin.
I have been there twice with stomach tumors and in truth the early stages are similar to IBS or even food sensitivity. It's only as the tumor grows that it's more detectable, and then the conclusion is sadly quite rapid. My heart goes out to you and King Kevin. xx

 

[NinjaPony]

Very sorry to hear about Kevin, he always sounded like such a huge character from your posts. Everyone on here knows that losing a beloved companion is one of the sharpest forms of grief; I cried over my cat far more than some of my relatives. He’s been very lucky to have had such a pampered end of his life with you, you’ve made all the difference in the world to him. Take care of yourself

 

[Crazy_cat_lady]

Sorry to hear this they are so much more than just animals!

I was going to comment about my parents cat who is on steroids for a suspected stomach tumour but just seen your latest update, it is such a hard decision but Kevin will soon be out of his discomfort

 

[Mrs B]

So very sorry, Ratface - just seen this thread. It's hell when we know what has to happen for their sakes. You are the kind of owner every cat deserves and I'm sure everyone here is mentally sitting quietly with you in sympathy, wishing Kevin had a bit more time with the person who made the end of his days happy ones. xx

 

[Rosemary28]

Oh no I'm so sorry RF. Poor Kevin Kat and poor you.

He really has had a wonderful life with you, and he will know and appreciate it, in his own special Kat way. I'm really really sorry

I'm trying not to cry but it is utterly heartbreaking, cats have a way of stealing your heart

 

[Northern Hare]

Hi there Ratface, I'm really sorry to hear your sad news about Kevin, thank goodness you took him back to see Kevin's usual vet. Hopefully the steroid injection will help to stabilise him. So sorry you're going through this, as he is such a character, and I'm sure he's loved living his charmed life on the ocean wave!

eta, really sorry I hadn't spotted your latest update to say that his condition has deteriorated. So sorry to read this RF.

 

[paddy555]

I'll eventually work through the blanket of grief that's smothering me at the moment. I won't tell anyone else in real life. It's not worth having the grief bounced back at me. I'll stroke Kevin and sit next to him reading, and enjoy whatever time we have left together.

thinking of you Ratface. I know you will do your best for him. At some stage you will be able to remember everything that you have given Kevin. I don't ever tell anyone in real life. Just doesn't work.

 

[crazyandme]

Hugs Ratface, you gave him a good last few years of life. Remember the good times with him, you did your all and more for him!

 

[Arzada]

I'm thinking of you and Kevin Kat Ratface. You have given him a wonderful home and been a true friend to him (hugs)

 

[Blanche]

I’m so sorry Ratface, what a horrible time for you. Thinking of you both as you give him peace. I lost one of my cats in February and I still feel numb. Big virtual hugs.

 

[julesjoy]

I'm sorry Ratface. He has been a very lucky kat to have you as his slave.

 

[Barton Bounty]

Thank you, all. I've texted Kevin's connections - the people who suggested that he could find a good-enough home with me and who I have kept in touch with. One just texted back "sorry" and the other texted back "Shame".
These are both people that I have supported through what was for them Hell and high water. Sitting with both parents, (seperately) holding their hand as they died when the offspring couldn't cope and had run out of the room, and the other to manage a bullying, abusive partner and a sadly dementing mother.
One of them I supported when her horse had to be pts, and she couldn't bear to be with him. I held his head collar when he was shot. Dealt with her daughter's violent boyfriend and explained, succinctly, exactly what would happen if he didn't go away and stay away. He did, and was never heard of again.
I'm good at supporting other people's horrible times. I've coped with the death of two husbands and my son's (ex-Army) serious PTSD, demanding wife and two sons with serious learning disabilities.
I'm prepared for the death of my beloved Old Horse. He's lived in 5* luxury for the last ten years. He'd been dumped alone in a field after getting a DDFT injury during a highly successful BSJA Grade 2 career. I bought him to prevent him going to the meat man, and he's been a laugh a minute ever since. He's rising 28 now and retired.
I'll eventually work through the blanket of grief that's smothering me at the moment. I won't tell anyone else in real life. It's not worth having the grief bounced back at me. I'll stroke Kevin and sit next to him reading, and enjoy whatever time we have left together.

Ratty, there are lots of us on here that are right here whenever you need us, just because we haven’t met face to face means nothing we all care

 

[Clodagh]

Hugs to you RF.