Bud Has Crossed The Bridge :(

[oconnorjoy]

(((Tambrey))) I am so sorry. I know how much it hurts to lose one of your loved ones. Rest in Peace sweet Bud
Joy

[Tambrey]

good morning...I think all of the other cats know something is up...of course Bud was separated from them since last Wednesday, but I know they can sense from my feelings...

Majik, who is usually very playful and grabbing my arm for attention is just laying on the desk here beside me, watching me...
Roo keeps coming up to my face and nudging my cheek...
Even Callie, who is usually more aloof has been begging for attention...

I am sure they will all grieve in their own ways as well...

I know I did the right thing for Bud..I know he passed peacefully...he did struggle to get up for a brief moment when the injection was starting to go through...but 3 sets of hands gently calmed him back again...mine, the vet and her assistant...

It has rained here non-stop since lastnight, I guess the angels are crying too...I am glad he is under a tree at least...

[mamabear]

{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{Tambrey}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}

I know you are aching and in time you will heal but know you did the right thing dear. I am so sorry that he was ill but so thankful that he had you to say that he can rest peacefully instead of prolonging the suffering.

I'm here and over by she's as well and pm me if you need me.

[Auntie Debbie]

I'm so sorry you've lost him. He sounds like he was such a special boy and will be very missed. I hope he finds a warm sunny spot across the bridge. You did all you could for him and he knew how much you loved him...that will always be with him.
(((HUGS)))

[momPaws]

Hugs for you (((Tambrey)))...so sorry about Bud.

[JUDY S]

((HUGS)) for all of you from all of us. I am so sorry it came to this but so thankful that Bud found his way to you for the love you gave him for his last year. He was very lucky.

[Tambrey]

Thank you...I did good at work today...I did not cry at all during the day...but if I were to go look at his picture again, I would do so....

hubby stopped at our local vet today and told them what the results of our hospital visit were...of course, since Bud was a referral, the hospital will probably send notes to our local vet....

at the hospital, the bloodwork was $37 and office visit $33...plus $29 for euthanasia and $4.75 for his casket...
our local vet said they have the tests to do this one right there, without sending it off, of course...and they would charge $20 for each test plus the office visit of $17...I think I may take 2 or 3 in at one time and see if I can pay for ONE office visit and then each test of course...

He said to bring in the ones under age of 5 first, since the older ones would be more immune...or the younger ones more susceptible?

[Traci]

It depends. What are the cats' ages? And how many do you have now? Did each cat receive at least two boosters of the FELV vaccine as you aquired them? Were any of them tested for FELV/FIV as you aquired them, and at what age? (kittens under a year old should ideally be tested twice, at least 4-6 weeks apart, and vaccinated accordingly). In any event, all of the cats should have received at least two boosters of the FELV vaccine.

Older cats are not necessarily more immune, particularly if they are already suffering an illness, no matter how slight, because the immune system is already compromised. Environment and close contact with each other may also be a risk factor (sharing food/water dishes, grooming, etc).

I'd test whichever cats were in closer contact with Bud, first, and/or any cats who have been ill within the last 6 months to a year, no matter how slight the condition. And yes, if you have kittens, and/or any cat under the age of 2-5, but ALL of the cats should be tested.

[Tambrey]

definitely all will be tested, but he said to get the younger ones in sooner...

We are at 10 cats now...let's see...Gypsy is 15 (WOW!), Gump is 11, Sarah is 8, Cuddles is probably about the same, Callie is 7, Skittles is 6, Roo is 6, Majik and Sissy are 4, and Munkie is 1

yes, I keep them up on shots/boosters, etc, sometimes not right at the year mark, but as close as finances allow, and I am trying to start spreading them out a bit more so not all due at about the same time!

My concern is that Munkie was the closest to Bud...from the beginning...so he will be first in for sure...probably next week on my next days off I will get some tested...I am not sure what my bill is here at the clinic...but then hubby did some computer work a few weeks ago, so that will knock some off...bartering is nice too!

[Traci]

I would get Gypsy, Gump, Munkie and Cuddles in first, in my opinion. Cuddles because she recently had a health problem, whatever became of those "suspicious lumps"? And any other cat who has recently been ill within the last 6 months to a year, or any cat who has reoccuring health problems. Depending on your pay schedule, I'd try to get them all tested within a few weeks or even sooner.

For the record, as long as the cats are strictly indoors, are tested at least twice, and are vaccinated at least twice (or annually for any cat at increased risk) for FELV, there is probably little reasoning they should receive annual FELV vaccinations. BUT, the risk factors can vary significantly per multi-cat household, taking care of strays/ferals, new adoptions, etc. I would suggest you ask your vet to review all of the cats' health records and make notes on those who have less-than-perfect testing histories and less-than-perfect vaccination histories, and test them first.