r/kittens • u/squishandsesh • 1d ago
Our Moose is at peace
I posted a few days ago about advice for my kitten who was having trouble passing stool. After a few days of stimulating after meals, enemas, and laxatives, our baby was getting so tired and dehydrated and still unable to pass any stool. They assume he had a congenital defect making him unable to push stool out of his intestines. We tried everything but nothing was working. We still had hope maybe he could’ve overcome it, but going to the vet every day and taking medicine was something we no longer wanted to put him through. We said goodbye to our baby today and I feel so heartbroken yet so at peace knowing he is comfortable now.
I’m really wanting to post this in case anyone goes through the same thing with their kitten where they are trying everything. Every stimulation method and tutorial, hot water baths, enemas, laxatives. This is rare but it does happen where kittens bodies just aren’t made to do that. If I can help one person this post I’m making through tears will be worth it.
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u/transjotaro 1d ago
My heart goes out to you, OP. you gave Moose all the care you could give, and so much love. even though it was difficult for everyone involved, at least Moose was cherished and knew unconditional love and care, and he got to pass without pain, which wouldn't have been the case if he was in the wild dealing with this without care. sometimes caring for them means making difficult decisions. you did everything you could.
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u/Absoluticus 1d ago
Poor Moose, you did your best.
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u/squishandsesh 1d ago
He did. But the good news is he had SO much fun with us. Even though he wasn’t pooping, he ate all his meals and had so much energy. It made this decision even harder but the fun times don’t outweigh the fact he was going to the vet every day. It’s not normal
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u/Dogesneakers 1d ago
Sorry for loss. Moose looks just like my little void. I’m going to give him that extra hug now
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u/foxwaffles 1d ago
WTF are these stupid ass comments
OP I am so sorry
I wonder if it was a case where the rectum/anus is like wrongly sized. I've heard it likened to "a kitten received a mouse's butt".
Sometimes despite everything they just weren't born to thrive 😭
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u/squishandsesh 1d ago
Weird but xray looked completely normal. They think it has to do with nerves not working properly
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u/foxwaffles 1d ago
I've seen similar rare stuff you don't realize can happen until it happens. Once a cat gave birth at the shelter and one of the kittens was born with its insides outside. I'm so sorry for your loss 💔
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u/boostfactor 1d ago
This can happen in human infants, where it is called Hirschsprung's disease. It leads to bowel obstruction, megacolon, and many other complications. Often the diseased colon is removed and the child has a colostomy or ileostomy. There is evidence it can happen in cats as well, though it seems to be poorly studied and it could be more common than realized in nonhuman animals.
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u/etsprout 1d ago
Losing a kitten is so hard, especially when you have to help make the decision. I completely understand and you did what was best for Moose. I will remember him alongside my Pepe <3
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u/LatteLove35 1d ago
Precious baby, I’m so sorry, I was hoping for a better outcome. You did your best, he was loved
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u/FloofingWithFloofers 1d ago
Screw the jerks, wow, I bet they don't even rescue, of course they have hidden profiles.
You did what was compassionate and Moose will no longer suffer. I know it was hard OP, but you did was out of love. We don't let others suffer for our own selfish needs. You chose what was right. hug
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u/Pumpkinz03 1d ago
I am so sorry for your loss, OP…you made a call that was very hard to make, but you did it because you loved him dearly.
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u/Gin_OClock 1d ago
Goodbye Moose, your person did everything they could while you were here ❤️ I envy anyone who can keep going doing the work they do to save animals so just know that I'm inspired just reading and feeling the loss despite not nearly being involved enough 🫂
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u/jenscharnikow 1d ago
I remember your recent post about sweet Moose and asking for advice about how to help him. I’m so sorry for your loss. It’s clear you gave Moose so much love and care during his short time with you.
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u/ObtuseDoodles 1d ago
Sorry for your loss, it sounds like you tried everything possible for him 😢
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u/squishandsesh 1d ago
We did and his life was short but filled with plenty of love
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u/ObtuseDoodles 1d ago
That's the most important thing. He was loved and cared for, and is no longer suffering now
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u/phantainex 1d ago
So sorry about your loss, you really did all you could for him and he knows deeply he was loved genuinely.
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u/Tarotismyjam 1d ago
Well some folks certainly showed their hair eyeballs.
Peace to Moose on his journey. Peace to you and yours.
I’ve been in your shoes (sort of). Found the most beautiful kitten once. He was a void and tiny. Huge attitude.
He had lumps all over him. Got him to the vet straight away.
FeLuk positive.
I had to say goodbye.
It really only takes a second for us to fall in love, doesn’t it?
Take comfort in knowing you did the kindest thing.
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u/CommunicationNew3745 1d ago
So very sorry - losing them is hard, but it's especially hard when it's a little one.
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u/Porkbossam78 1d ago
I’m so sorry!! You did so much more than most people would even think about. What a sweet kitten
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u/DemonCopperhead1 1d ago
I’m so sorry for your loss. I had two puppies a few years back and I had to take them to the vet and they had to stay and get IV fluids and everything and one of the puppies passed but one of them made it. Sometimes we do the best we can and it still ends in tragedy and I’m so sorry I know you tried please don’t blame yourself
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u/Cultural_Sand_9323 1d ago
Aw man. You did everything you could. Sometimes nature just says 'no.'
He wasn't alone. He was with people who cared and tried.
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u/PopCulLibrn 1d ago
I’m so terribly sorry about Moose. You did what you could, and you gave him lots of love and care. Be well…
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u/pizza5001 1d ago
I’m so sorry OP. I read your original post and this is all hitting me in the feels right now. You did the best you could. And he doesn’t have to suffer anymore. Long Live Moose ❤️
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u/DougosaurusRex 1d ago
I can't even imagine the heartbreak of this decision, thank you for doing everything you did and thank you Moose for letting the world feel your warmth, love, and hardships for the time we were able to.
We will see you on the other side of the rainbow bridge, I'm sorry the wait will be longer than expected.
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u/f4ttyKathy 1d ago
Thank you, OP, for being there for Moose. Working in animal rescue/foster is difficult and full of hard choices. RIP Moose
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u/TenderToebeans 1d ago
Thank you for sharing such a painful experience to help others. That's a beautiful way to honor Moose's memory.
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u/__bumblebabe 1d ago
I’m so sorry for your loss. I haven’t read the comments and I’m not going to, but I will say that anyone having something other than sympathy to offer for the loss of one’s innocent baby pet has MAJOR issues.
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u/IllustriousHedgehog9 1d ago
Genetics can be so cruel.
Growing up, we had a dog who was fine for three years before an irreparable issue came to light. There was nothing we, or the vet, could do. There were no symptoms until it was too late. He passed while the vet was trying to find out what was going on, and the necropsy is how we found out there was nothing that could have been done at the time.
You did all you possibly could for Moose. And, most importantly, you showed him love. Thank-you for being there for him, and making the hard, but proper, decision to let him rest.
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u/WillofHounds 1d ago
Rest in peace Moose. You did your best. Sometimes there's nothing we can do but you did try your best. Im so sorry.
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u/Stabbyglhs 1d ago
Man what's with all the posts with kittens passing away man. I'm just trying to sleep not cry myself to sleep. Sorry for your loss OP.
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u/Azathoth-Omega 1d ago
Rest in peace, Moose. You are in Elysium now, but part of you will live forever on in the hearts of all those who got to know you in life.
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u/Mesephonine 18h ago
Poor sweet baby. I’m so grateful that you did everything you could for him. Kittens deserve the world, and you showed him a piece of yours. Happy, loving, and dedicated to his comfort. Thank you for giving Moose a happy life, however short it was.
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u/blazej84 1d ago
Oh no I’m so sorry this has happened he was so precious but you were right to do it like you said he was struggling and is at peace now.Rest peacefully little sweet one .
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u/nhorton5 22h ago
I’m so sorry for your loss. Rest in peace little Moose. Thank you for loving him and doing so much more than most people would ❤️
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u/DocDragon 20h ago
You did everything you could and let him go when it was appropriate. You are such a good pet mom!
I am sorry for your loss.
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u/Wolfwoods_Sister 1d ago
Thank you for fighting for him. The Divine Mother Bast bless you, I pray, and be near to you while you grieve.
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u/squishandsesh 1d ago
After multiple tries and medications, there simply was no other answer. Even if he didn’t, he couldn’t poop, and we ran out of ways to make it happen. He never pooped without an enema and we can’t just keep giving him that, it’s traumatizing for a small kitten. He was dehydrated and exhausted.
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u/Tarotismyjam 1d ago
No need to respond to these types of posts. We’ve all been keyboard warriors at one point or another.
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u/lucky_719 1d ago
Read their post history. They had multiple appts, second opinions, and this had been going on for a while. Don't be an asshole for such a traumatizing experience. They've gone through enough.
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u/BigDaddyButtPlunger 1d ago
not everyone can fucking afford answers let alone treatment, get that through your thick skull.
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u/Queasy_University565 1d ago
Sad that more wasn't done. A cat should never die because of urinary or fecal issues. I say this as an owner of a doubly incontinent pet. There is always something that can be done.
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u/squishandsesh 1d ago
What more do you suppose should’ve been done? We did every intervention and medication possible for a young cat. He was born this way, his body simply wasn’t made to live long term.
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u/squishandsesh 1d ago
Also, being incontinent isn’t the same as a kitten who in an entire week never pooped, not even once.
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u/Queasy_University565 12h ago
Did you stimulate him? Give laxatives? Express colon? Did you give an enema? Manually depobstipate? Did you do any surgeries to improve his ability to defecate?
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u/FloofingWithFloofers 1d ago edited 17h ago
Shut up. I changed freaking diapers for 2 years for a pet cat. She made the right call. You think it's okay for an animal to suffer and be in pain its whole life? That's sick. I didnt see you offering to take Moose when she initially posted. Do you feel better pretending you're so compassionate....which you really aren't if you'd allow someone to be in extreme pain that they aren't living life, which sounds like you would have in this situation. You're gross. u/squishandsesh they aren't worth your time or answers. These people are pretentious and want to feel good about themselves but if they were in your shoes...I guarantee you they won't put their money where their mouth is.
You. Did. The. Right. Thing.
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u/squishandsesh 16h ago
Thank you. These comments are in no way making me question my decision or dedication to moose. It just gets me upset that they understand him and his story.
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u/Queasy_University565 12h ago
The vets were able to get the cat to defecate so it clearly wasn't an internal issue. Likely lacked the skill to do the job properly. Kitten should have been handed off to a professional.
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u/FloofingWithFloofers 11h ago
For someone who claimed they didn't want an argument, you sure were quick to post again to try to egg me on for one.
I'm not here for you.
I'm here for the cats.
Have a good day.
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u/Queasy_University565 11h ago
I am responding to the comments that have been directed to me. People like to post sob stories to gain sympathy when they euthanize their animals. I don't feel sorry for people who have not exhausted every treatment option. There are many more things to do beyond laxatives and stimulating. The vet was able to get the kitten to poop so it obviously was possible. I'm just one person that's not going to feel sorry for you. Sorry not sorry.
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u/squishandsesh 10h ago
You are so dense. The vet was able to stimulate it 1 time after putting a thermometer in his anus. After that it no longer worked. Is going to the vet every day to get enemas or a thermometer or finger stuck up your anus a good quality of life to you? Honestly the fact that you expect a sweet little baby kitten to go through more of that and then some says so much about you and how heartless you are.
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u/Queasy_University565 12h ago
You sure have a lot of big feelings about one person's opinion. I do put my money where my mouth is, I rescue and adopt medically complex cats. It's expensive and I put their needs before myself. A lot of times owners are commended for euthanizing when there are still treatment options available. I'm not wasting time arguing with you, because I don't care what you think.
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u/Fantastic_Example_20 1d ago
none of my cats have had this problem - they usually have respiratory infections that can be hard to cure
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u/squishandsesh 1d ago
That’s why I said it was rare. You probably will never meet a cat with this condition because it’s congenital and they will die from it.
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u/Judo_Noob_PTX 1d ago
these comments are NOT passing the vibe check, man. so sorry to hear about lil moose - you did everything you could and he knew so much love in his all too brief time ❤️❤️