Wednesday 1 November 2017

Worry time with Noodles

Just three and a half months since losing my very dear, still daily missed Blackso:-

 http://raybeard.blogspot.co.uk/2017/07/journeys-end-for-blackso-goodbye-my.html)

I've great concern now for Noodles, 15 years old (above pic taken six years ago). His tummy suddenly ballooned in July after untypically drinking a lot of water, and it's not going down. He can only carry himself with great difficulty, having to lug around all that weight. Vet says that at his age there's little that can be done for him. They did give me a week's supply of tablets but it made no difference. He's unable to jump more than a few inches and yesterday got stranded on the sloping roof outside, not being able to jump back up onto the kitchen windowsill to make his habitual window entrance. With the aid of a set of steps outside I managed to get hold of him and bring him back in through the downstairs door. His crying when he found he'd been stuck out on the roof had been pitiful. 
I dare not leave the kitchen window open now, day or night, even though it's also used by Patchie, my other remaining cat, for going in and out as he wants. This situation is also starting to disrupt my cinema-going plans, so I'm not able to view all I want to in good time to post a review before it gets stale. 
I'm having to play it one day at a time until the situation resolves itself. Noodles gives an alarming and sudden cry every so often indicating that he could well be in pain. Looks like this can only end one way. Troubling times.

16 comments:

  1. I am sorry you are now having concerns about Noodle. 15 is a good age for a cat, and sadly things do start to go amiss around about this time. I have had cats all my adult life and sadly have had to face this situation several times. I hope for you that it does not all become difficult. Sometimes decisions just have to be made.

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    1. You'll be well familiar with just how upsetting these things are, Rachel. It's something one has to accept as the downside of accepting them to live with you in the first place. Would that it could be that we needn't go through this, though one of the very few consolations, possibly the sole one, is that he knows he's in a safe place.

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  2. :`(

    dear sweet noodles and his caring daddy, you are thought of with love.

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    1. Thanks, W.Q. I can feel the support of your positive thoughts, and that of others, and I'm most thankful for therm.

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  3. Ray, it's so heartbreaking to hear about Noodles - especially after losing Blackso. The only positive thing is that I know he's getting lots of love.
    I think it is definitely best for you to keep the kitchen window closed. There are far too many risks in letting Noodles out.

    My cat Scratch was sick and behaving very odd last week - and I was extremely worried because she's now 12 yrs. old.
    Fortunately she has recovered. I'm thinking that perhaps she ate something poisonous when she was outside.

    It's very disconcerting when cats get older. One of my aunts had a cat that lived to be 22!!

    Anyway, take care and keep us posted.

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    1. They do tear the heart out of you, Jon - and when you know that their condition is more likely to be terminal than otherwise there's no alternative but to sit it out, watching and hoping they won't be more distressed than is needed, though in Blackso's case it was so very painful to witness his end being drawn out as it was. I was in the kitchen at the moment when he passed away there, lying in the litter tray. I only wish I'd been holding him affectionately at that very moment, an event which is going to haunt me for all my remaining days.
      I think it must be doubly hard when it's young, or comparatively young, like your Scratch for which, thankfully, her 'symptoms' turned out not to be what you feared. It would definitely have scared me too.
      Thanks for your sentiments and I'll let you all know how things are going when there's any change.

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  4. Oh Ray, I am so sorry to hear this. I hope he doesn't suffer to long. I was lucky with my pets (Pomeranian dogs, five of them). They all passed quickly, thank God. I can only imagine what you're going through now knowing that Noodles is suffering.

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    1. When you've gone through it once, Ron, it doesn't make the next time any easier. I know you'll have found that out yourself. I only wish Noodles could pass away painlessly and peacefully, which itself would be hard enough to bear. This waiting, for the second time in four months, is shredding my nerves all over again.

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  5. ((((Noodles))))
    I hope he isn't suffering, and I hope you aren't either. Sending good thoughts your way, from our kids to you and yours.

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    1. Difficult to know if he's in constant discomfort, Bob. I don't think he is but every so often he lets out a single wailing cry, indicating that there's pain on some level, even if its just passing.
      I'll let him know the thoughts of you and your 'kids' for which I'm sure he'll be really grateful - as I am very much.

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  6. Oh dear. I am so sorry to hear this, my dear friend. Poor Noodles, one can only hope he is not in too much distress.
    Do remember you have friends here who care deeply for you.
    {{{{Hugs}}}}

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    1. Thank you so much, Rozzie. 2017 has turned into a really nasty year for me on the feline front, but it's the other side of the coin from all the years of contentment and solace they've given me up to now. The least I can do is to make Noodles as comfortable as is possible, and I'd like to think that he's aware of that.
      I shall be 'using' you and other blog-pals when the need comes to spilling out my emotions on this subject and any others that come along. I've got no one else here to listen to me. However, I'm acutely aware that my problems are not unique to me. We all have to live though various emotionally fraught phases of our lives. Would that it were not so, but life is, and has never been, about 'comfort'.

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  7. Sending positive thoughts your way. Hugs to Noodles!

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    1. Dearest thanks to you, Walt. I'll certainly let Noodles know of your valued and much appreciated gift.

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  8. Thinking of you and Noodles with great love. I think you know so many of your readers share your passion for your beloved pets. Difficult times but you are so right: our pets give us such contentment and joy. And in my case too, such companionship when times are lonely. I will keep good thoughts in mind for Noodles!

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    1. Thanks Elle - though see my next posting. :-(

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