 Sparky. May 1999 - 17 March 2017
No matter how long one has to prepare for the loss of a pet it still seems so sudden when it happens. It must be because the time we have with our furry loved ones is just never long enough.
This has certainly been the case with our sanctuary feline, Sparky. At 17-1/2, Sparky had lived longer than most felines and certainly longer than he would have had we not taken him into our sanctuary. With several known health conditions, having 2 years and 9 days with Sparky in our care we feel blessed to have been able to provide him with a warm and loving home and with much care and love.
On the 18th of November, 2016 visited his vet for his annual check-up. He had been losing a bit of weight lately and being at the delicate age of 17-1/2 his kidney function needed to be routinely monitored. Despite being diagnosed with early stage kidney and liver disease at that time, on the whole, his blood work was good for a feline of his age. He has lost about 2 lbs. since his check-up the previous year. The early changes detected in his kidney and liver function were helped with a phosphorous binder, a good specially targeted vitamin mix and a good wet food diet. His creatinine was 150, which is within the normal range but at the high end; BUN (blood urea nitrogen) is slightly elevated over normal and one liver enzyme, the ALT, is at 186 where a high of 100 is the top end of normal. We already knew that Sparky has an abnormality in his bowel so it may be that that has caused the ALT to return above normal. Blood tests would have to be repeated by March, 2017. In the meantime, as a supportive therapy he was started on Milk Thistle several times a week to help keep the liver detoxified. He is such a love and has never given us any trouble. Sparky fitted right in to his sanctuary home as if he had been with there his entire life. His favourite spot in the house was smuggling into someone's lap and just being held and petted. However, we knew in November, 2016, that his future may not be long as long as one more year. But, we had hoped and prayed that, when it was his time, Sparky would go quickly and painlessly.
On March 13, 2017, Sparky was diagnosed with advanced liver failure. Aside from a few minor health concerns, he hadn't been ill one day in his life with us, at least not until Thursday, March 9, 2017. On the 9th, for the first time in our care, he refused to eat. On the 10th when he refused to eat breakfast, an appointment was immediately booked with his veterinarian. That evening and throughout the weekend, aside from what seemed to be a mildly upset stomach, Sparky was back to his old, cheerful self, craving love and snuggles and eating everything placed in front of him.
Blood tests taken during his appointment on the 13th revealed that his liver had failed almost completely! Over the next few days several appointments for IV fluids and every other medication and treatment available for his condition was tried but all were entirely unsuccessful. His veterinarian indicated that he felt there was a very strong indication in the suddenness of Sparky's deteriorated liver function that he likely had developed a virulent form of liver cancer. By Friday, March 17th, 2017 it was abundantly clear that his liver was not going to respond to treatment and I had to accept that perhaps his veterinarian's observations were correct insofar as the spectre of cancer was concerned. Certainly, Sparky's health appeared to deteriorate rapidly. For his sake, as he deserved nothing less than going as peacefully and as swiftly as possible I had to make the horrible choice to have Sparky euthanized. Sparky left us late in the afternoon of March 17th.
Although Sparky left this life peacefully and swiftly and didn't linger in terminal illness for any length of time, our hearts still ache and the tears flow one week on knowing that he will not be back with us for even one more day. Sparky's owner had had the foresight and love for her fur-baby to pre-arrange a burial and plot for him at Sandy Ridge Pet Cemetery in Eden, Ontario. I have been in conversation with the cemetery and have arranged to visit there for his final interment.
Sparky never had a bad day living at our sanctuary and he lived life to the fullest up until his very last breath.
He was a muscular, strong cat with a long, silky, beautiful coat. He thoroughly enjoyed spending time with his human caretakers. He loved his food and never, until the end, ever turned down a meal or a treat. He had several comfy stuffed beds, many toys and frequent opportunities to roll in and enjoy catnip.
He did have three difficult episodes in his life. The first occurred during 2000 when he found himself lost and afraid in the big, busy city of Mississauga. That ill-gotten venture ended when his then-to-be owner found him and took him in.
The second occurred during August, 2007 when it was suspected that he had suffered a stroke or other severe neurotoxic event. To say that Sparky was in a bad way at that time would be an understatement. He was diagnosed also with Anisoscoria, or unequal pupil size, which may have been a sign of an eye, brain, blood vessel, or nerve event or disease. He also was suffering from Nystagmus, a condition of involuntary eye movement with a directional slant to the left and a case of pancreatitis. That fact that he recovered from this debilitating event was a testament to his physical strength, great genes, and the tender loving care of his vets and his owner. From early 2007, Sparky's blood tests consistently revealed elevated levels albumin, alanine aminotransferas, amylase, glucose and of several components in his hemoglobin while other components were below normal. These point to pre-existing and long-standing issues with his health, most likely of the liver and pancreas. They were never enough, though, at that time, to cause him ill health or distress and no treatments were recommended by his vet or undertaken by his owner.
The third event occurred four years later during August of 2011. It was rather mysterious, with no diagnosis, when he suddenly presented with severe lameness in his right front leg. Over the next few months his medical records reveal that there were a succession of appointments and x-rays related to the lameness, which eventually spread to his left front leg. Osteoarthritis was diagnosed along with age-related osteoarthritic changes to the vertebra in the sacro-lumbar region of his spine. Certainly, Sparky walked in a rather choppy gate at the best of times throughout his life. He could, however, run when the situated dictated it such as when the doorbell rang. He did not like the doorbell!
Sparky, we wish for you to cross that Rainbow Bridge with a spring in your step, in perfect health and joy on your way to be reunited with your lady who had gone on before you. You will always remain in our hearts. We will never forget you. We wish that your time with us had have been longer.
A huge thank you goes out to each of our generous supporters who helped support Sparky's time with our sanctuary. Your support is so very much appreciated. We couldn't continue to rescue these loving but unfortunate souls if it wasn't for your support.
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