Prissy

Our dear kitty Prissy was diagnosed with diabetes in December of 1995.  He was well managed and only crashed twice in five years. In October 2000, his second crash took place. We found out that his pancreas was no longer producing the enzymes needed to extract the nutrients from his food. He was in fact starving to death. We treated him with pork and beef enzymes which seemed to help for about a month. At the end of November he would not eat his food and I noticed his tummy appeared blotted like a soccer ball and he was having difficulty walking. I stayed up all night with him and called the Vet as soon as they opened.  

We took Prissy in and they discovered his pancreas was enlarged and his abdomen was full of fluid. The only options left were to implant a feeding tube in his stomach through his side and feed him through a tube each day and give him IV fluids or let them put him to sleep. I received Prissy as a gift when he was 7 weeks old and Prissy just turned 18 and he had a good life, I stayed with him while they put him to sleep and my heart is broken.   

Prissy was a Beautiful black cat who had a great disposition. We called him Prissy but the Vet called him Handsome. The Vet has told us since his passing that they used him as a "training tool "during his boarding when we were on vacation last summer because he was so nice and gentle to work with. He was able to teach six of his assistants how to inject insulin with Prissy's help and cooperation. Part of me doesn't like the idea  but I guess they had to learn somehow. 

Prissy did have a great life.  He would go to the fridge door when it was time for his evening shot and in the morning he would wait for his dad at the top of the stairs since he knew he received his morning shot as soon as dad got out of the shower. On the weekends, if we slept in a little, he would come and wake us up and then come back to bed with us after his shot and breakfast.  We miss him a great deal.  It has been a really tough week.  I haven't been able to bring myself to the point where I'm ready to dispose of the insulin in the fridge.  But you know, I believe there is a reason for everything.  My husbands Aunt Gladys passed away last week as well and unfortunately she left her cat (Lional) without a home.  I would like to think that Prissy has gone to comfort Gladys and be cared for by her and we are taking care of Lional in return.  Prissy can never be replaced but I do think this arrangement will help ease our loss and help Lional with his loss as well.

Since we have five years experience with this condition if you have any questions you feel we may be able to help you with e-mail us at canigan2@hotmail.com.  We were fortunate to have a really good Vet who enabled us to have 18 wonderful years with Prissy.  See your Vet regularly.  

Prissy we will always Love you.
Ian and Wendy