h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

Along with my internet issues I'm also at the moment very worried about my cat Poplap. She turned 16 in August last year, so she's quite elderly. She's been fairly healthy until recently, looking lively and happy. She's had very few health problems over the course of her life. Around the middle of last year she got a sore on her head which took a while to heal, but then she was all right again. But over the past months she's been looking 'off'... not as happy, not as lively. She usually speak to me a lot, loudly mewing me awake in the mornings, greeting me with 'chirrups', purring a lot when I stroke her. She's always been very affectionate. She sat on my lap a lot, here in the study while I was working on the computer, often giving me a numb bum and pins and needles in my legs, being quite a hefty kitty! When I went to bed at night she would come and lie 'in my arms' while I read my bedtime book, and then later she'd get out and lie on the bed between my calves.

She's never been a very active cat. She would usually spend a few hours in the day outside, sometimes lying in a patch where she gets a bit of sun as well as a bit of shade. Only very rarely would she fight with the local strays, and she usually would send them running.

Anyways ... over the last months she's not been her old self. She's been less lively, less talkative, less affectionate, and also looks unhappy. She looks morose ... I would even say depressed. She doesn't really respond to my petting, she doesn't purr.

She also looks weaker than usual ... even looking a bit emaciated, certainly compared to her chunky 'old self'. But physically ... she still is capable enough, she can jump onto my bed, and onto the chairs here by the computer. She's lying on the chair next to mine right now. But she's not moving much, she spends most of the day just lying or sitting.

A bit over a month ago she had problems urinating. Took her to the vet, she got antibiotics ... was all right for a while, then a week or so ago it was the same thing. Took her to the vet again ... got new meds. He said there wasn't any obvious problem ... she didn't have a temperature, which she would if there was an infection, and he felt and there weren't any stones in her bladder.

Well ... he did give her new meds, but she's still looking very poorly. I wonder if it might just be old age ... I also sometimes wonder if I might not be affecting her, if she might not actually be depressed or suffering from mental illness herself!

But I just know I love my kitty very much and am very sad to see her like this. I was there when she was born, I loved her since I first saw her screwed-up little face, and she attached herself to me almost from the start; she was always 'my' cat. Since my parents died, she was my sole companion. Whenever I went out, for instance when I went to the art classes, she'd be loudly mewing for me when I returned. If I was out for most of the day, like when I was out on an expedition in the veld, she'd go on as if I'd wronged her most grievously when I got back! Thanks to her, I'm not coming home to an empty house. Having this little cat with me has made life tolerable for me, these past several years.

So ... I really hope this is not too serious ... I am already missing the affectionate kitty that she was just a short while ago.

Also ... having this cat who needs my care has been a reason for me for staying alive.

Willem. I am so sorry Poplap is ill. I hope she gets better soon. But I worry for you- I hope the cat isn't the only thing that makes you stay around.
Please keep talking to us.

s for you and Poplap. Poor kitty, hope she feels better soon.

Poplap

Willem



GB

Websailor

Hello everyone! Thanks for the messages. Poplap is still around but not looking well. She is listless and when she walks she sways a bit as if her balance is upset. But she's still jumping up on chairs and beds ... Also she's hardly eating at all. But there are times when she seems to be doing better. She sat on my lap a few times recently, she's still seeking attention.

Anyways ... she really is a powerful reason for me to stay alive, because she needs my care. And since I don't really have friends, I can't give her to anyone else. Many times when I considered suicide the first objection was that I would have to find someone to take care of Poplap, and because she's an old cat, not many folks would be willing to take her in. So if she's no longer here, that disincentive would be gone ...

Hello Willem


Poplap is elderly, being creaky and somewhat unsteady is part of the course, unless you see signs of pain or a dramatic change in muscle or limb function.

In terms of activity there will be up and down days and they do like their snoozing.

Poplap is more vulnerable to colds and bladder infections because of her age and it is more difficult to just throw them off, you treat these well and that is all you can do.

Apart from the periods when peeing is an issue Poplap doesn't seem to be in discomfort, although she sometimes feels off.

Overall her quality of life seems high to me and you take good care of her.

You and Poplap are very bonded to each other, it is wonderful for both of you have that in your lifes

I hope Poplap has a good life for a while yet

I would like to say though that when it comes to the time that you will be without her, you will lean on your friends here

I agree with Peanut, but would add another thing. I am sure you could give a lovely home to some poor cat in need of love and companionship, as you are yourself, so don't despair if her time comes.

We can all have many loves in our lives, and love expands as needed.It would be such a kindness to give another a home in due time.



Websailor