Devastated, cat from UK in Jan 2010, died from tick paralysis Oct 2010

**Petals** · 27-10-2010, 09:18 AM

Originally Posted by cazi

Just beware, we do get them in Melbourne. They are becoming more common. I worked at a vets and we had two cases a couple of years back only a couple of weeks apart. One was put down, the tick was found afterwards, the second the tick was found, the dog survived but cost it's owner 1000's with emergency centre care costs for 3 weeks. Neither dog had been out of state. and yes I live on the Mornington Peninsula as well. Frontline or Advantix your dogs, it's a horrible and ruthless killer.

I guess as the weather is getting warmer in winter, not this last one though they would survive here. I use frontline and revolution on my cats.

Fortunately when I had my two dogs both gone recently they never got a tick and we live on acreage so plenty of places.

**peacock** · 27-10-2010, 09:45 AM

Sorry to hear your news, I know exactly how you feel, time will ease the pain, and you will be left with fond memories.

**Jules37** · 27-10-2010, 09:42 PM

Really feel for you. We lost our cat whilst on holiday in oz. We did not get to see him at all because he died a few days after we left and we were there for a month. You are right it is like loosing a member of the family and I did the whole guilt thing too. You will get over it in time and will think about the good times.
Jules

**BUSIMOLL** · 27-10-2010, 11:04 PM

Thanks everyone for your well wishes. We have been in puddles, and I'm sure it will ease. I cleaned out the shelf yesterday - male cat wee is a shocker, and cried, but it was cathartic.
Also had just been to Woolies and bought about 30 tins of catfood (special at 77c a tin!) And had to put all the surplus stocks in a box in the garage.
Before Tash went out today I just about drowned her in the Fronline spray. As ironic as it is, I was on EBay while Sylvester lay in the cupboard ordering the Fronline plus topspot.
While the vet said he'd been diagnosed at stage 3C - out of 4 stages, she said he'd go downhill for two days and then pick up. But her initial prognosis she said she was pretty sure he'd make it.
I felt otherwise. In hindsight I think rather than leave him at the vets sedated (in my own selfish way praying for a miracle that he'd turn the corner), it would have been kinder to euthenase him.
Like Que Sera Sera said, guilt is a useless emotion. Horrible as it is, and thinking that if I'd not gone on my first shopping trip alone into town on the Sunday - that I would have found him... so many if only's.
I really appreciate your words of wisdom and advice, because my local friends don't seem to get it. Having had him around always. I just was too late in lots of ways. The pain is easing, and it'll be nice when we get his ashes home in a box, to keep him with us for when we eventually have our own 'forever home' he'll be there.
x

**Pumpkin** · 30-10-2010, 11:03 PM

I am so sorry to hear about your news, we are all cat lovers here so know exactly how you feel. I am a recent arrival and having read your thread I have done some research and found I am in an area prone to ticks and that it is the season. I would not have known this without your thread, we are going down to Petbarn this morning to get some spray. Be good to yourself, alllow yourself to grieve and then remember what a happy life he had and what happiness he brought you.

**N13KY R** · 31-10-2010, 10:45 PM

I am so so sorry to hear your news, actually started to well up reading it as I too have two moggies, one is 9, the other is 4 - I cannot, just cannot imagine what you must be going through... Well done for bringing them over with you in the first place and making a home for them..
Take comfort in the fact that in the months before he died he was in a loving safe environment surrounded by his family and now he is in no pain, chasing them pesky mice in cat heaven... I'm so sorry xxxxx

**Jen and Rob** · 01-11-2010, 09:48 AM

Not a lot to add to what others have said, except that I'm so sorry to hear what happened Busimoll. Please try not to feel guilty, you loved him, you've done what you thought was best for him and you weren't to know. 3 weeks ago I nearly lost my dog the same day I got him out of quarantine - like you, I suffered agonies of guilt but others on here have helped me realise that sometimes horrible things just happen (thank you again to everyone).
With all best wishes, Jenny xx

**BUSIMOLL** · 01-11-2010, 11:08 AM

Thank you again. And glad I helped Pumpkin become aware of these horrible ticks.
As some of you have written about near misses especially after collection from Quarantine, Sylvester (our rec deceased furbaby) crawled into the engine of the borrowed A-class Mercedes the day I picked him and Tash up from Eastern Creek.
I left them in the garage to slowly get them used to the new surroundings. Tash came out, and 'Vesty' decided he was happy to get himself lodged into the most difficult place - in front of the engine. Luckily I'd felt under the car, thought it was a 'sealed unit' and had turned the key half way. Looked under again and saw his paw and some fur poking out. So I guess while he didn't have markedly nine lives, he did have a lucky escape and we enjoyed him for 9 more months.

Today: The 5 year old heard the 22mth old say 'miaow' at the cat box in the garage. 5yo perked up and said, "is Vesty home from the vets"... husband's reply, 'no he's not coming home'. And we exchanged sad smiles. Well, it's not entirely true, we will get his ashes back after 2 weeks, and he'll be back with us, in a way. And we have to accept - that's as good as it'll get.

Hope all your pets are well and happy. x

**nickyc88** · 22-11-2010, 07:02 AM

I cried reading your post. Loosing one of your cats is the most horrible thing and so many people don't understand how painful it is. I hope you're feeling better now.

We're bringing our two with us. I couldn't leave them behind. But at the same time, I do worry about what I'm exposing them to. Your story will make me extra vigilant about tics and other nasties though.

Lots of good wishes,

N xx

**BUSIMOLL** · 22-11-2010, 09:07 AM

Thanks Nicky,

I don't regret bringing him, but I do feel responsible. And unfortunately it was a lesson I learned a hard way - I'd just become less vigilant as he was really a house cat, and hopefully by sharing it'll help protect your loved pets.

Sylvester didn't have a chance having no immunity to ticks, and we find one on our other cat, Natasha every few days, even with the Frontline spray every 2-3 weeks. In addition to this, it can be fatal after between 2-6 days of an adult tick landing on them. (ticks have a 3 stage life-cycle and feed and drop off with the first two stages).

If you do find your cat acting mad like it's full moon - even if it is, and they will probably be scratching the area, so check for fleas and ticks. I almost ignored Tash's mad dashes round the house, but searched her anyway and found one. And since losing 'Vesty' I have been known to chase the cat and check her if she's having a mad moment round the house at 2am. Hopefully by being exposed to ticks, she'll build up something that will help in delaying the devastating paralysis I found Vesty in.

As I'd bought the Frontline spray from the vet, they offered to spray Tash for free, and I could bring her in every two weeks and they'd do her for me. I think the vets are so upset as they were full of tick cases when I was there, and it's hard for them too. When I took her in, it was the day I picked up Vesty's ashes. I was glad to have 'him' back with us, but the tears started again, and I had a final really good cry. The box is lovely and he sits - good as gold, inside the cupboard where he used to love to hide away.

Thanks for letting me share this with you all! and go and give your pets a good hug.