Tigger's Now at Rest

To make a long story short, several more wrinkles appeared in Tigger's condition. This morning, the results of the last of the long series of tests came back just about the same time that Frank and I were headed over to give the approval to put him to rest, only to find that he passed during that same hour.

This eliminated extra costs for euthanasia, and eliminated extra suffering. However, he had been in Intensive Care for five days with heavy meds. The lab results eliminated any doubt in our minds about whether we could have avoided this ending for our little friend. The results showed Positive for FIP, Feline Infectious Peritonitis. This is a disease which is dormant in most cats but awakens occasionally as it did in our Tigger. There is no medication for it, no treatment, and no vaccine against it. It is what it is - fatal. However, it is not, as it name infers, infectious to other cats.

When I went over to pick up Tigger's carrier and make my payment arrangements, our Vet explained all of this to me, and gave me literature and explained I could find out even more online. In addition, he made payment arrangements much more reasonable than we ever expected. I will not hesitate to take our next furry pet to him, from the get-go.

This whole series of events seems to have progressed over about 3-1/2 to 4 weeks.

Thanks to all of you for your prayers. Those prayers kept us strong and focused. The Vet's staff kept Tigger as comfortable as possible. The assistant was hand-feeding him. Some of the symptoms, I have just discovered, is loss of appetite, neurological problems such as the inability to stand up, and depression. It explains a lot about Tigger's last days in the house. I am very grateful to know that we did nothing wrong regarding his care. We could never have eased his suffering and kept him safe at home as well as they did at the Vet's.

All of this sounds sensible and practical, doesn't it? But those of you who have had, or who presently have, pets, must know the ache that is in our hearts and the loss we feel every time we look for him at home, or start to call him, or I remind myself I no longer need to feed him.

We will wait a full six months before looking for another at a rescue center.

Father, thank you for taking our Tigger as painlessly as possible and for the loving care of our Vet and his crew. Guide us in the future toward the next little furry friend who you'd like to place in our lives when that time comes. And thank you so much for the years of love and companionship that Tigger brought to us.