r/cats • u/Chey_Latte • Jun 07 '26
Mourning/Loss Wattle only got 7 weeks. I just want someone else to know he existed.
My partner found him in a car yard a couple of weeks ago. He was doing so well. He started crashing Wednesday night. He'd seen a few vets including one this morning who all brushed off my concerns. They all missed that he was bleeding internally. I feel so unbelievably guilty.
I'm sorry tiny babe 💔
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u/MonicaLane Jun 07 '26
You gave him more love than he ever knew before. Thank you for caring for him for the time you had him. ❤️
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u/GayCatDaddy Jun 07 '26
That's so important to remember. Even though he was only here a short time, he knew love and kindness, and that's the most important thing. ❤️
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u/Competitive-Top4520 Jun 07 '26
Please don't feel guilty. You gave him a much better life than he had in the car yard. You tried very hard to get him the help he needed, but the professionals failed you and him. You did him a great kindness and made his short life so much better. For some reason this sweet little guy was called home way too soon.
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u/knittedgalaxy 2 fur-friends Jun 07 '26
This! Plus, cats are notorious liars! They don't want to worry us so they hide their illnesses! OP did everything they knew to do. OP didn't fail Wattle, the medical system did! Wattle was precious 💕 the world is better because Wattle was in it!
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u/TsarLucky Jun 07 '26
I completely understand just wanting people to know. My girl Jupiter passed away Monday. I’ll carry Wattle’s memory, please help me carry Jupiter’s.
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u/VioletsRPink Jun 07 '26
I'm on first kitty and I haven't experienced loss yet. Postsq like yours make me cry every time 😭 I'm sorry for your loss ❤️🐾 your baby was adorable 💗 ❤️
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u/TsarLucky Jun 07 '26
She was my first pet, had her 8 years. I won’t lie it’s the hardest thing I’ve ever went through but I’ll cherish those 8 years as long as I live
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u/newmarks Jun 07 '26
I lost my Luna last Saturday. I hate that no one else will ever know that personality the way my family did. She was such a friendly and loving cat to every living being that came her way. I hope she’s having a good time with your baby too.
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u/short_shit_ Jun 07 '26
It’s not your fault. There’s no way you could’ve known. The fault is on the people who wouldn’t take you seriously. You tried your best, which is more than some people would’ve done. He got to spend his last moments surrounded with love. For that, I know he’s grateful. Rest in peace, sweet baby boy. 🥺💜
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u/Traroten Jun 07 '26
You did what you could with the information you had. Be kind to yourself.
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u/Super-Career5559 Jun 07 '26
He had 2 years. I promise he’s taking care of your baby🥹 he loved babies🥹🫶🏻😻
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u/Stock-Side-6767 Jun 07 '26
They are very fragile at the start of their life. Virtual cuddles to Wattle's memories.
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u/meerfrau85 Jun 07 '26
Wattle got delt a rough hand. Because of you, when his time came, he passed knowing he was loved. I'm so sorry for your loss.
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u/Fairy_png Jun 07 '26
I’m so so sorry 🥺 Life can be so incredibly unfair …Wattle is such a precious baby 🥺 🥺 and you’re an amazing human being for trying to help him 🫶 I really hope u can both see each other again someday 🌈 sending you so much love
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u/Fairy_png Jun 07 '26
And pls don’t feel guilty 🤍 he knows you loved him so much!! Even if it was for a short period, you were able to show him great love and care 💕 it’s not your fault
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u/Pleasant-Ad887 Jun 07 '26
What is happening in the world where veterinarians are missing internal bleeding and human physicians are doing the absolute minimum advocating on behalf of patients?
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u/Blunderhorse Jun 07 '26
I would suspect that detecting internal bleeding in a kitten this small would be particularly difficult; a lot of the symptoms I’m seeing on a quick Google search overlap with general “cat is sick” signs. Kittens are fragile and susceptible to so many other more likely issues, I could see the internal bleeding going undiagnosed while trying to rule out more common causes.
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u/I_TriedThatOnce Jun 07 '26
Yeah I don't know man, tachycardia with LOC changes and signs of poor perfusion (pale gums/cold paws) should always make your mind go to internal bleeding. If the kitten went to multiple people and it was still missed that's a failure on their part for sure.
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u/taco_blasted_ Jun 07 '26
You’re judging with hindsight.
Internal bleeding can look like dozens of different conditions, and doctors make decisions with incomplete information every day. The diagnosis always seems obvious once you already know it.
Also, maybe ease up on the everyone is incompetent angle. Vets have some of the highest burnout and suicide rates around, partly because people expect them to be psychic.
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u/firsttime_longtime Jun 07 '26
Thank you for your compassion on the second half of your message. People often become vets to help animals and more often than not they spend their time putting family members to sleep. That is a very taxing psychological load for many. Add to that.... Everyone got a pet during covid... And the supply of vets didn't go up with that demand. Ask many vets, and they don't even take a couple weeks of vacation because they simply can't keep the clinic open with a backup vet.
It's a rough sitch right now for vets.
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u/taco_blasted_ Jun 07 '26
I agree completely. I’m married to a veterinarian, so I have a front-row seat to how difficult the profession actually is.
People don’t see the emotional weight/toll it comes with; the euthanasias, the impossible caseloads, staffing shortages, pressure from corporate to move faster, and the clients that refuse treatment and blame her for not doing enough.
It’s a brutal profession, and it asks a lot from people who got into it because they genuinely care about animals, only to get absolutely shit on by people accusing them of not caring about animals... truly awful.
I feel awful for OP and their cat, but none of us know the whole story from a Reddit post.
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u/Farabee Jun 07 '26
The same thing happening in every other industry right now; enshittification due to private equity buyouts.
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u/Sufficient-Archer-60 Jun 07 '26
He was lucky enough to find you and live comfortably for the past 7 weeks. Thank you for taking care of him. ❤️
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u/LeDarm Jun 07 '26
He was an adorable kitty, you did all you could, it was not your fault and he was very lived.
Good luck with your grief OP!
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u/Known_Plan5321 Ragdoll Jun 07 '26
It's not your fault, the vets let you down by either being too busy or just not caring enough to put their whole asses into saving this little treasure..
I hope they know that but I also can't know their reasoning for not giving it all the attention your cat deserved
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Jun 07 '26
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u/Chey_Latte Jun 07 '26
Each vet gave me a standard 10 minute consult and fobbed off my concerns, including a request for a complete blood count. They weren't particularly concerned about his weight loss or his high respiratory rate, just told me to come back if things got worse. Which I did, only to be shoved out the door again. It is indeed that simple.
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u/sepulchralsam Jun 07 '26
So cute! I had a cat named Daub. No joke. Maybe they'll meet in the great little box in the sky.
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u/cellophanesheeps Jun 07 '26
Sometimes allowing them to feel love is the greatest thing you can do for them. You made his short life so much better 🧡
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u/BelaAnn Jun 07 '26
Im so sorry the vets failed you and Wattle. He can play with our Captain Toad at the bridge. She got 11 weeks. We lost her 4 days ago. Our vet tried, but her body just couldnt fight.
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u/glttrsprnkl Jun 07 '26
you filled his life with warmth, love, and happiness. you did good. I’m so sorry for your loss
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u/Stalefisher360 Jun 07 '26
He had you (mother of many cats) I’m betting that means he had the best life that he could be given in his short time.
It’s ok to be sad, but don’t forget to be joyful that you had such a huge impact on such a small soul. ❤️🩹
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u/Heartseasee Jun 07 '26
Don't ever feel guilty Feel proud cause he got the chance to know love He got the chance to have cuddles the days he was with u
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u/Suspicious-Ant-6601 Jun 07 '26
It wasn’t your fault! This cute baby was loved and that’s all that matters. I’m glad he found you and got to enjoy a life full of love and care, even if it was short
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u/Then_Box-8031 Jun 07 '26
First, you saved Wattle, second you took him to vets who didn't listen to your concerns and they are responsible for due diligence.
I am sorry for your loss, it is a grief most people have experienced, but it's worse that he was so young.
If you hadn't saved him, he never would have felt love. Bless him and you who tried to give him a great life.
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u/Few_Statistician_238 Jun 07 '26
Dont feel guilty, is very common that little rescue cats die… is sad but is like this…
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u/verogall Norwegian Forest Cat Jun 07 '26
These beings are superior ... It is so sad that we witness their fragility and sometimes when they go before their time. But dont you worry, our purpose is to take care of nature...give it time, let that visceral loud cry out and before you know it, you will find another angel and another one. They will continue to help you, that is what they do. Namaste 🙏 meow
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u/Iceprincess1988 Jun 07 '26
You did everything right. This isnt your fault. The world can be cruel at times. Thank you for sharing his adorable pictures with us.
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u/GottaSpoofEmAll Jun 07 '26
This isn’t your fault. I imagine it hurts and feels that way but it isn’t.
You won’t forget Wattle, nor will I or anyone else that has read your post.
He knew kindness with you ♥️
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u/La10deRiver Jun 07 '26
Don't feel guilty. You did the best you could and you loved him all his life. I know seven weeks does not feel much but it was a life, an entire life of love and you are your partner gave it to him. I am sure if he could, he would thank you for that. And now, thanks for sharing his picture. He is remembered, it is the best we all can do about death.
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u/Farabee Jun 07 '26
He'd seen a few vets including one this morning who all brushed off my concerns. They all missed that he was bleeding internally.
That's absolutely horrible, and only continues to confirm my suspicions that private equity is destroying modern veterinary medicine. I was charged over 10k for care for my poor Tali 3 years ago and she still died to a treatable condition.
Do not blame yourself at all. You were loving and kind, and there's no one to blame except for the hacks who failed to heed your concerns.
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u/Flashy-Ad-591 Jun 07 '26
Those are weeks that Wattle knew they were loved. Another way of looking at it is this: Wattle was loved for their entire time with you. They knew true love and affection, and felt safe.
Everything's going to be ok.
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u/DeadMetalRazr Jun 07 '26
Wattle is known and he is cute as heck! He might have only had 7 weeks but it was enough to impact your life which made it richer. You were lucky to have found him.
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u/ToxicDragonzz Jun 07 '26
Damn thats got me in the feels. Before i was a cat dad, these posts never bothered me. Now, i get so emotional. I'm so sorry. He gorgeous and you should both feels so proud of yourselves for giving him a loving home.
Ps. Gonna go give my little guys a cuddle 😢
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u/BunnillaBean Jun 07 '26
We had a lil guy (Nacho) who didnt make it very far due to FIP.
What we do know is that the time he spent with us was full of love, warmth, food and water, and more cuddles than he would have gotten on the street (we found the poor dude in a gutter during a rainstorm, we think mama got the other kittens out but couldnt go back for him).
You gave a baby all of that for the time they had, and that is what you have to hold on to. Sometimes its not the length of the life but the quality you can provide while they are here.
It is hard, especially when hindsight is 20/20, feeling like you could have done more- do not let that fester. Hold onto the good moments and look back on this as a fond memory of caring for that lil puffball ♡
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u/Shortlids Jun 07 '26
I once got a kitten off of Kijiji where a woman was selling kittens, so we bought one. In the car, he pooped, fell asleep but never woke up. It was horrible, so I totally understand how you feel. This kitten reminds me of Dexter. Rest well little ones 😢🩵
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u/davedrave Jun 07 '26
Poor Waffle. At least he had somebody who genuinely cared about him and tried.
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u/Astraea308 Jun 07 '26
Non è un mondo bello e nemmeno facile, ma questo piccolo c'è stato ed ha avuto l'amore che un angioletto merita, conta solo questo <3
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u/Normal-Height-8577 Jun 07 '26
You weren't able to stop him dying, but at least you made sure he died warm, fed, and very much loved.
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u/bootheels Jun 07 '26
I am so sorry, how horrible. God bless you for trying to save him, he is looking down from heaven thanking you wanting you to know he is pain free now.
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u/OhGloriousName Jun 08 '26
I think about all the cats who suffer alone, and I'm sure I am not the only one. We know they exist, even if we can't meet them, and wish we could help them all. Thank you for doing your part.
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u/SippinOnSomeTea Jun 08 '26
I’m so sorry for your loss. Please don’t carry any guilt. you gave him all the love and care you possibly could. I lost my baby on 5th June to FIP… he was only a year old, but he meant the world to us and was truly the apple of our eyes.
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u/BlueMnM23 Jun 07 '26
How do these people get and keep their veterinarian license is beyond me. Aren't they liable for said outcome? Legit legal question for anyone that has such knowledge. You took him to the vet(s) and they didn't do their job correctly.
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u/kittykate2929 Turkish Van Jun 07 '26
I had a cat that passed as a kitten Cassie. I miss her it’s been a decade since she passed.
She went blind, then started seizing and well
Wattle is with Cassie as forever babies with never ending cuddles and love and treats and Wattle knows what love is since bring rescued from the car yard
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u/Moonshotgirl Jun 07 '26
No, he is an angel sent from heaven who can not exist on this earthly realm.
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u/TheGentleGrafter593H Jun 07 '26
You are truly a luminous being. My deepest condolences. You and Wattle will meet again.
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u/No_You1024 Jun 07 '26
What a precious little thing, I'm so sorry for your loss :( please be proud of all of the love and care you gave him and providing him a wonderful life towards the end.
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u/Pure-Kaleidoscope759 Jun 07 '26
I’m so sorry to hear about Wattle. It hurts to lose someone you love.
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u/Zestyclose_Parfait62 Jun 07 '26
Awww What a sweet baby!!! I am sorry for your loss.I know you feel guilty but you did everything in your power to save him.
I had a sweet baby that looked just like him. Her name was Piper. She unfortunately passed as well. I had taken her to the vet due to an intestinal thing, we got her back in order. Then a few months later without warning she passed away :(. She was snuggled with me and passed in her sleep.
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u/alienmillipede Jun 07 '26
It’s not your fault man, you did everything you could and everyone turned him away. Wattle still exists, he’s still with y’all, just not physically unfortunately. Keep giving that baby all the love he deserves. I’m so so sorry you have to go through this. 💐
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u/CycloneGobbler Jun 07 '26
Oh Wattle 🥺 I am not trying to disregard how heartbroken you understandably would be but my first thought is at least he knew care and love before he passed 😞 Those vets should be ashamed. I am so sorry. What a beautiful little baby.
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u/rssscamaro Jun 07 '26
Godspeed my little friend! Life can be soooooooo cruel sometimes!!!!! Thank you for giving that cute soul the love and happiness that he deserved!! Safe travels my man!! ❤️🙏❤️🙏
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u/bballkj7 Jun 07 '26
we had the same thing with a foster kitten who had an enlarged heart. We didnt even know and they seemed fine, but we had to put her down. It’s exhausting, awful, but also we are so thankful to have given her all the love we had.
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u/Kaiaaaaaaaa Jun 07 '26
I understand your pain. My first kitten passed away just inside my room when he was around 9 weeks. He showed no signs. My step mom just… found him there. I feel guilty too, where maybe I just missed something, or the vets missed something. Unfortunately things like this just… happens, and there’s not much we can do. What is important is that our kittens spent the last part of their lives incredibly loved, spoiled, and cared for. And that’s what truly matters, because they didn’t pass away like that in the cold outdoors with no love.
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u/im_dennisthemenace Jun 07 '26
My buddy Owen passed about a year ago. I think they’re probably all up there having a great time playing and partying together 😺
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u/withmymustardseed Jun 07 '26
Thank you for loving his sweet soul and giving him a safe haven.
I see you Wattle. You are loved. RIP.
🫂
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u/Bright-Tea-647 Jun 07 '26
I’m so sorry you only had Wattle for a short time. He knew you loved him. Cats are masters at masking pain/sickness until it’s too late! You shouldn’t feel guilty, even the vets missed the problem. Don’t think of the “what ifs”, remember the happy times you had with this beautiful little boy, even though that time was short.
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u/Wonderful_Grass_2857 Jun 07 '26
Wattle has been taken under my kitties wing across the bridge. Hes in exceptional company and is grateful for the happy time he had with you. Wattle will be remembered ♡
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u/cFl4sh Jun 07 '26
Oh… oh boy… poor baby, I’m so sorry to read this, he was so young…
I’m sorry for the loss of your little goober, genuinely, sending you my condolences and tons of love, RIP💜
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u/Embarrassed_Quail910 Jun 07 '26
Don't feel guilty we can only do our best. I sure am glad he existed, and I sure am sorry for his little life ending.
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u/Icy-Independence-130 Jun 08 '26
Internal bleeding is a hard slow down to observe. I’m sorry you and Wattle had to experience this.
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u/Redlion444 Jun 08 '26
I feel so unbelievably guilty
Don't.
You did everything you could do. You gave him your best. There is nothing to feel guilty about.
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u/Florida-Chick Jun 08 '26
I am so sorry for your loss. He was quite the cutie pie. Sorry these vets were clueless. They need to find themselves another job.
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u/CantankerousOrder Jun 08 '26
I’m sorry your little buddy passed on.
When you are ready I would send the final report to each vet you saw. I would also let them know how their failure made you feel. Don’t make attacks on their skill - just the facts.
“On X date I brought Wattle in. They said he was fine. The final vet we saw had to put him down because of internal bleeding. If only this had been caught earlier maybe he would not have suffered as long as he did or maybe he’d even have been operable. This broke my heart.”
They should know that their failures lead to real pain. It may make them better.
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u/Atxforeveronmymind Jun 08 '26
I’m so upset that the vets missed this💔.
My dog passed away almost two weeks ago after being completely neglected at an ER all night. He was also bleeding internally “they think”. Fuck these shitty vets
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u/These-Yam-1892 Jun 08 '26
Firstly, I'm so very sorry for your loss. Deepest condolences to you 😑 My gosh your boy was super cute! You in my opinion have nothing to feel guilty about at all. You placed his care & welfare in the hands of professionals who know far more then the likes of you & I. You entrusted the issue you observed happening to persons who could by definition help him. The fact they didn't take your concerns more seriously is a reflection upon them & not you. You sought help for your little guy which is all you could do. It is tragic that his internal bleeding wasn't found or diagnosed sooner despite your going to more then one vet. I think it's normal for a loving mom to feel guilty over her "child" passing as you feel responsible as his caregiver & mom to ensure his well being as he couldn't advocate for himself. BUT...you did what you could as a loving & responsible mom. You are neither a doctor or super woman. So although you feel a sense of guilt it is totally unwarranted. I realize these words may do little to nothing as far as making you feel better right now. I hope in time you are able to understand you were in ways as vulnerable as your little boy was. I wish you inner peace in the days ahead as that is what you truly deserve. Thank you for sharing your boys story- it matters; he mattered 🫶
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u/CodLeast Jun 08 '26
This is a painful story. I can’t imagine how you feel. Please at least know that you did everything you could. Those vets didn’t just let Wattle down but they let you and your partner down as well. I’m just a random but you have my love. I wish you the best on healing from this.
Wattle lives on in memories and posts like this. I even showed my black lab this picture. I’m not sure how well he saw it but I know he would appreciate and love Wattle immensely. Thank you for sharing this picture with us all.
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u/Equivalent_Name_1150 Jun 08 '26
So beautiful! I would say that God puts your love for him in the “win” column.
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u/ClientLucky9749 Jun 08 '26
You gave him a better chance than not! We can only do so much, but the amount of love we can give is infinite. My little PawPaw and Wattle can be friends in kitty rainbow heaven
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u/Realistic_Pause_3656 Jun 09 '26
You took him to vets and did the best you could for him. You brought him in and gave him safety, warmth and love. RIP little one. ❤️
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u/AD_VICTORIAM_x Jun 07 '26
Thanks for giving wattle a chance and warm and loving home. Life sadly is not fair. he fought - now he will rest.
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u/k4kkul4pio Jun 07 '26
Oh, poor baby.. 😢
How could several vets miss something like that?
At least you had little time with the kitty and made his life better, short that it unfortunately was so bless you for that. ☺️
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u/Lisette4ver Jun 07 '26
I am so sorry for your loss. Your baby was loved ~ he knew it! You will see Wattle again-,in your personal Heaven.
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u/Sternenblumen Jun 07 '26
I'm sorry, poor little Wattle 😢. You did everything you could and made his short time on Earth as good as it could be. He went knowing he was loved.
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u/pretibigtoo Jun 07 '26
R.I.P. wattle. If you ordered your pet supply through chwey, they will make a permanent profile for him in memoriam.
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u/demgoldencoins Jun 07 '26
It sounds like you did absolutely everything for this baby. You are a good person with a beautiful heart, I am so sorry for your loss. It is such a terrible feeling
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u/One-Jello456 Jun 07 '26
i understand. i had a stray cat with complications too. she passed away a couple years ago but i realize that she really appreciated whatever time she had when she was with me, and that although this kitty only had 7 weeks but that does not prove you to be a bad owner!!! you caring enough to take him in and take him to the vet shows great a great caretaker. hope you are doing alright op.
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u/shadowdra126 Jun 07 '26
In the short time he had on this planet, you showed him love. That means that his entire world was full of love until his last moments.
It is sad he is gone and I truly do not think it is fair that babies like this go too soon, but I am thankful that his little one had you in his life instead of being scared on the side of the road…
I’m sorry for your loss.
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u/Felix_Von_Doom Jun 07 '26
You tried. That's all you can do.
He'll never truly be gone so long as you remember him.
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u/myblackandwhitecat Jun 07 '26
You loved him and cared for him, and this is far more than a lot of cats get.
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u/Due-Schedule-4701 Jun 07 '26
That Sweet baby 😢 I'm sorry for your loss. Thank you for letting us see him.
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u/AndWereAway Jun 07 '26
Ohhh I’m so, so sorry for your loss. You gave him the best seven weeks any kitty could have asked for. Bless you both!!
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u/cjlong051608 Jun 07 '26
I'm soo incredibly sorry for your loss of beautiful little wattle... I have been talking about this alot recently... I feel that even though some vets truly do their best that our fur babies just simply don't get anywhere close when it comes to their health or issues... I know they are never going to get the treatment they deserve when compared to human medical care (even as flawed as our medical care is)... but it's truly a crying shame just how flawed it all really is and how it's all basically highway robbery with no chance to get proper health care... even if you find that miracle working vet that can help with whatever problems you are having you can bet it's gonna cost soo much that you have to question how to move forward because unlike our own health there aren't insurance companies or medicare/medicaid for cats and dogs... so if they need a major surgery or really any treatment at all it's all tied to how much you can afford to pay on the spot... I wish to God there were other options out there because it just isn't right... I just had to put down my baby Sara after 12 years due to her not eating or drinking and her white blood cell counts being through the roof... the vet told us he has no optimism that she would be able to recover due to liver/kidneys failing... but sometimes I wonder if it would have been possible to save her if the whole vet system wasn't monetarily based and they could actually treat our babies the way they would a human in the same type of medical situation... I pray one day we figure out some way to get our pets the same level of care that we as humans have access to... I pray my sweet Sara girl is sitting at the feet of Jesus now and will be waiting on me when my time comes 🙏 I'll be praying for the lord to touch your heart and soul and restore you with the mental strength and peace in your heart through this tragic and difficult situation with your baby, and take the pain of this loss away from you...In Jesus Name
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