This morning, I noticed that Juno was having great difficulty in drawing breath. From the front of his chest, I noticed he was deeply drawing in each breath and hitching and gulping at the end of each breath. I have called my vet and will be taking him in at 2:20 today. If he gets worse, I will just drop him off there. He is eating and drinking and his discharge is considerably less than it has been but he is giving every indication that he is having problems breathing through his nose. I have stopped the nose drops for now on the advice of my feline specialist when I relayed to her what is going on.
I have been told by the woman who gave me these cats specifically several times ad naseum that I am “not to euthanize Juniper” who is now called Juno. When I talked to the deputy about all of this going on, I asked him what happens if this cat dies under my care naturally? I had asked the deputy if I absolutely had no alternative but to let Juno go- could I legally do so? The answer is no- the cat either has to recover from all the neglect toward his health or die on his own. If he does die, it was explained to me that we then have to pay for a necropsy to PROVE this cat died on his own. What a friggin mess.
I believe in giving every cat a fighting chance to live, but when I see him breathing so labored my heart just bleeds for him. This was so unneccessary to happen to such a handsome boy. I hope he lives, I hope he can beat this but the damage to his lungs and esophagus may be something even he can’t overcome. I’ll post again when I get home from the vets, in the meantime, please offer prayers and postive thoughts that Juno will be able to recover and continue to thrive under our care.
Oh my! Sending prayers for Juno. I’m sure you will do what you feel is in the best interest of this fur baby! Please don’t let him suffer all because of this wacked out woman! Sending good thoughts and prayers.
This just makes me so angry. I know the law could care less about the cats but are there not laws against neglect and not giving proper medical care to an animal? Especially since this woman does not seem to be all there. I know various humane societies have done raids on houses where the animals have been living in awful conditions (both the house and the cats’ condition) and seized the animals. Why was this not done. One look at poor Juno would show authorities he has been suffering way before you took him in.
I know I’m just rambling but again, it makes me so angry. I once felt sorry for this woman, but with the stress she has put you through and the way she has neglected those poor senior cats there just has to be a way around this…
My best wishes to Juno. If it comes to it, is there a way that your vets can force the issue? Have them tell you to euthanize Juno or face animal-cruelty charges? It would be a charade, but it would, at least legally, show that you were powerless. That sounds extreme, but it would legally leave you with no choice. I know you wouldn’t want to play such legal games, but I also know you wouldn’t want Juno to suffer.
Alternatively, if it becomes too much for the little fellow, would the vets put him to sleep of their own volition, and say, at least for the record, that he died naturally?
Here’s my two cents: if Juno is struggling and suffering, get pictures, get video and get the vet to give you a written report. And then let him go. This woman is nuts and I would rather deal with someone telling me I was wrong then deal with knowing I let an animal suffer. While I certainly hope that the vet can help him, please don’t let this crazy keep you from doing the right thing for him.
I agree with Random Felines. That really makes the most sense. I hope Juno gets better and you don’t have to make that decision, but its good to be ready to do what you have to.
Please get better, Juno! Our prayers are with you.
Yes, Please Juno, get better and hurry!!
If the Vet could make the call on dear Juno, in writing, that does sound like a reasonable option. I am very sorry you & June are caught in the middle.
Purrrrayers for Juno. We hope the kittie recovers and has a long and happy life.
As for the Crazy One, if you can even find her, maybe you can demand she pay for treatment for Juno and all the rest. Might be enough to get her to sign the releases. If not, you can always turn her in to whatever animal cruelty group you have around.
There comes a time when you just have to drag the tree off of the road and drive on.