Wednesday, January 16, 2013

Starting to move on

Today was a good day. Not the best day ever, but I'm at peace. Looking back, it seems like I've known that yesterday was coming almost since the beginning of this injury. I feel closure now, and relief that Saga isn't in any more pain.

Thank you everyone for your wonderful, kind words. I haven't met most of you in person, but it's amazing how supportive the blogging community is. I apologize for not replying to your comments individually, but I don't have anything to say other than Thank You. Y'all are wonderful!

Cash is starting to settle in without Saga, although he refuses to eat much at mealtimes. For now he's separated from the others, so I can leave his food out for him to eat when he likes, and he has been finishing it in his own time. Whatever he wants to do is fine with me, as long as he keeps himself healthy.

My vet had asked if she could perform a necropsy on Saga's leg, and I gave her permission. I got the report today:

"Everything that we were starting to see on last radiographs with the cyst like lesions were real. There were two areas of cartilage damage within the joint with corresponding cysts that were breaking into the joint surface  The area would absolutely not be accessible arthroscopically.  The corresponding soft tissue structures were normal, with the exception of a very thickened joint capsule due to chronicity (that is what you were seeing get so big on the outside of the joint).  Also on radiographs, the joint was starting to show additional signs of arthritis."

I called her for an explanation in English further details. The bone cysts (there were two) were 5+ mm long, which is pretty big considering the location, and they were still active (getting bigger). They were in the middle of the joint area on the pastern bone, and would not have been accessible by surgery if we had wanted to try that option. In addition, the cysts were "breaking into the joint surface," causing massive swelling. There was also bruising on the bone itself, and my vet feels like they would see even more damage with an MRI. Basically, there was nothing anyone could have done to help him. I never had any doubt and did not need this confirmation that we made the right decision, but it is beyond doubt now. My only regret is that we let him go on as long as we did.

But Maddy and Artemis... they made me smile today. :)

Cats! In a box! How can you not love such cuteness?

7 comments:

  1. Saga had been doing pretty well there for a while, so I don't think you let it go too long at all. You were just trying to help him get better and give him a fair shot. He was a happy boy with his buddy Cash at their new retirement home. It almost seems like that time was meant for the two of them... they were able to share that time together. I hope Cash starts to feel better soon.

    I'm glad to hear you're in good spirits... considering everything that's happened. I know Saga would thank you for all you did for him.

    Love the kitties in a box! :)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks, in2paints. And how can you not love kitties in a box!

      Delete
  2. To be honest, I think one of the hardest parts of losing an animal is watching how the other animals cope with it. When I lost my big dog a few months back, my little dog Rio didn't eat for several days, because he and my big dog always ate together; it was like he lost all motivation to eat when she wasn't there to eat with him.
    I hope things improve for Cash, and my sympathies are with you.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Watching Cash cope IS hard. He's getting steadily doing better, but mealtimes are still stressful for him. He's barely eating... but if I put his food out for him after, he gets around to eating it eventually. So frustrating!

      Delete
  3. I'm so sorry for you! Oh my gosh, how hurt your heart must be....hugs to you!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Jill, thanks. I am really at peace with everything. I miss him, and I always will, but things getting better every day. :)

      Delete
  4. You did the right thing in letting Saga have a real shot at healing, and then you did the right thing in letting him go when that didn't work. You couldn't have better.

    Thanks for the kitties in a box pic.

    ReplyDelete