This is the kind of post I wish I never had to write. I’m here to communicate that unfortunately Bolinha had to be euthanized. His health was starting to decline this weekend, he puked twice in a short time, his liver was starting to fail. His bacterial culture test showed that he had a multidrug resistant bacteria called Klebispella, and two of the drugs he had been taking so far - that could be used to treat it - had already failed it. The Klebispella is a superbacteria, and is also incredibly dangerous to humans as well. He didn’t even go to surgery because he could’ve died during it or afterwards and the risk of contamination to the doctors would’ve been pretty high.
Before the results came out, the suspicion was on mycoplasma heafelis, which is transmitted by flea bites. And if it had been just that, he could’ve been healed and come back home. But it was the Klebispella that was responsible for the blockage in his urethra, constantly returning as soon as they removed the catheter from his urethra. And Bolinha’s quality of life would’ve decreased significantly should’ve chosen to try to insist on a treatment that had, according to the vet herself, almost 0% chances of working out. He would’ve been miserable, the other options of drugs could’ve left him blinded and deaf and they could still not work at all. He also stopped eating on his own. I couldn’t even bring him home to try to keep him here because it was also a risk to the other cats, myself and my mom. I had to decide thursday what was the best option for him, and knowing that he wouldn’t agonize or die in pain is the least I could do for him.
My heart is in shambles at the moment. I can’t think about him or see a picture of him without getting teary-eyed and wanting to cry. I feel gutted. This is one of the worst pains I’ve experienced. I regret so much not taking him indoors earlier, neutering him would’ve prevented him getting this bacteria (the vet suggested that he could’ve catched it while mating, which makes sense because after he returned home, he wasn’t able to pee anymore), I keep thinking of ways of being able to prevent this from happening. Now I have to keep on living for the sake of my other kitties, who need me to care for them, and for my mom who has been my rock through all of this.
I was able to at least ask for a print of his paw to have something physical to remember him by, and a bit of his fur. He will be cremated but I won’t be able to keep his ashes, as well.
I ended up with a total of R$ 5.387,40 in debt for all of his extra costs (extra admission days, bladder lavage, all times he had to use the catheter again + local anesthesia, bacterial culture exam, blood tests, ultrasounds) including already the euthanasia and cremation services. I don't regret one thing since his safety and comfort mattered more than my wallet. And I was at least able to give him some semblance of peace in the end, something I wish I could've done to all my previous cats, something I wish I could've given to my grandfather. All of this was possible because the folks at the clinic are very understanding of my financial situation and with the donations, they know I did all I could. Had I went elsewhere it would not have been possible to do half of these proceedures.
Thank you to everyone who sent me messages wishing him well, helping sharing my posts or helping covering for his costs, too, be sending donations or commissioning me. Without you all this journey would’ve been so much harder. I thank you all on Bolinha’s behalf, knowing you all cheered on him and cherished him. Thank you for everything.
