Writing a letter to my beloved cat

My dear Fofinho,

How are you doing in Paradise?

I miss you so much...

I would like to let you know I've received two special cards, one from your veterinary team, and the other one from Majesta - the friends that helped us bring you back home.

This was the message sent by your vet team:

From Coisas Minhas III

Gecondoleerd met het overlijden van Fofinho. Eerst een plekje in jullie huis; nu een grote plaats in jullie hart.

(As nossas condolências pela morte do Fofinho. Se antes, com um cantinho especial na vossa casa; agora, com um espaço imenso nos vossos corações.)

This is the message sent by Majesta (huisdierencrematoria):

From Coisas Minhas III

Zeg me dat je nooit weg
zult gaan.
Dat kan ik je niet beloven.
Maar als je aan me denkt,
zul je me zien,
heel even,
in de verte.

Diz-me que nunca me deixarás,
irás embora.
Isso eu não posso prometer.
Mas se pensares em mim,
irás ver-me,
ainda que brevemente,
ao longe.

Lovely, both of them, don't you think? :-)

I think you'll be pleased to know that your travel box, medication and fluid bottles were given to the Almere's Dierenasiel (animals shelter) and your food (wet and dry) to your friend Taco. By the way, all your cat friends have been here asking for you.

Aunt R. was here to give me her support in the day you traveled to Paradise. She couldn't come earlier to say goodbye because she was receiving her parent's visit from Barcelona.
Your beloved M. was here in the following day, Friday evening. I noticed he is very tired and sad - his mother is being in a coma, on and off, in the nursery home.  He told me he is closing her house and soon he will give the keys to her landlord. He is exhausted. M., as you know, is a very caring son and he is suffering a lot with this situation.
This Monday evening, your dear N. was here too with her mother. N. said she and her friends were very pleased to have spent some time with you two days before your departure to Paradise. Her mother was very sweet to me. She is a very good listener, you know...:-)
Aunt M. has sent us a message from Indonesia. You had a great time with her little ones, before they left for holidays, didn't you? ;-)
H. has also sent you a kiss. We will meet each other soon. As you know, I wasn't able to go to her mother's funeral (it took place on the day after your blood transfusion and EPO injection, remember?).
M. and P. also sent their love. They returned to Poland on the week you got worse, but since then we have been in touch by email.
S. was very sad too with your departure.
You left many friends here in the Netherlands, do you know that? :-)

I want to ask you something.

From Coisas Minhas III

Are you pleased with your new box? I don't need to explain you why I chose this one, right? ;-)

My dear, you looked so lovely and peaceful at the Goodbye Room, laid down on the white pillow. The candles and the music helped us to say goodbye, don't you think? :-)

I hope you are enjoying yourself in Paradise. Please, don't be very stubborn with the people there.

Thanks for the other day. You know what I'm talking about ...;-)

We miss you.

I send you this photo. Not very good, I know, but you look great, as usual.

From Coisas Minhas III

Beijinhos,

Sandra

Obrigada por tudo, meu querido, obrigada

Jack: Why love, if losing hurts so much? I have no answers anymore: only the life I have lived. Twice in that life I've been given the choice: as a boy and as a man. The boy chose safety, the man chooses suffering. The pain now is part of the happiness then. That's the deal. 

(Shadowlands, 1993)

Só sei, que neste momento, ele deve estar a correr pelos jardins do Paraíso.
Aconteceram muitas coisas nestas duas semanas. Contarei aqui, mais tarde - agora é tempo de recolhimento. E não, não foi  de eutanásia que ele faleceu, embora estivesse marcada para amanhã. Foi de morte natural - como era nosso desejo, desejo dele - na nossa casa, nos meus braços, com tempo e com amor como ajuda.
Nestes últimos dias, fomos particularmente felizes juntos. Combinámos que um dia, ele voltaria à minha vida, desta vez "para pagar o favor": como voluntário, na minha velhice, e que, nos meus últimos dias, me daria as minhas comidas favoritas, me levaria a apanhar sol e a ver o mar, e reuniria as minhas amigas para uma tarde final bem passada.
Lutou até ao fim. Foi o mais corajoso de nós todos. A insuficiência renal "viu-se grega" com ele. Foi hoje, à 01:45. Nós os dois, sozinhos, como soubémos sempre que iria ser. O meu marido não teve mesmo oportunidade de estar presente, mas isso foi um mero pretexto do Universo, que este momento - estava escrito-,  tinha de ser só nosso. Contudo, ainda falaram ao telefone e a segunda-feira foi mais deles que outra coisa.
Tenho chorado muito nestes dias. Muito, muito. Como disse, ele foi sempre o mais corajoso dos dois. Garanto-vos que fez frente à doença até ao final.
Vejo-o em cada canto desta casa, o que fazia aqui, o que fazia ali. É a ela que ele vai regressar, depois da cremação, que se irá realizar amanhã, de forma individual e com direito a uma salinha privada para nos despedirmos.
No exacto momento depois da sua morte, começou a cair neve da forma mais bonita que alguma vez vi. Fiquei a ver pela janela da cozinha, parada, encantada. Foi o presente-surpresa que ele me enviou para me tranquilizar nesta hora difícil e dizer que estes 16 anos valeram muito a pena, e, como tal, tinham de ser celebrados com um espectáculo bonito, de algo que gostássemos muito.
O carinho e a coragem que ele revelou, a entrega e a generosidade, as graças permanentes, a fidelidade constante, o apoio incondicional, ficarão para sempre no meu coração. Falámos tudo nestes dois últimos dias e creio que as palavras que mais lhe disse foram "Obrigada, Muito Obrigada". E como tudo isto passa muito depressa, vai na volta, é só um "Até já". Obrigada por tudo, meu querido, obrigada.

My A-Z of the Netherlands: "V" is for Veterinary Costs

Due to my lack of time, I didn't have the opportunity to go forward with "My A-Z of the Netherlands" last year. As you may remember my last post about it dates from March. 

Therefore, I will try to make up to you this year. This time I will follow a different strategy: not writing according to the alphabet order, but according to the events that happen in my everyday life. 

I have written 3 posts until now : "A" is for Almere, "B" is for Bikes and "C" is for Children. This time, we will give a huge jump: "V" is for Veterinary Costs.

From Almere (III)

(Fofinho in our back yard 3 years ago)

As you may know, my 16 years old cat has been ill with kidney and heart problems. This week, I went with him to the veterinary clinic. We were there for the last time in November and Dr K. was very pleased to see Fofinho again. She has asked me a couple of weeks ago to make a new appointment for Fofinho since she would like to check him up again and see how he has been doing.

Well, we have good news! For the first time, since Fofinho got ill last July, he hasn't lost any weight. In fact, he has more 50 gr and now he weighs 2700 kg. His heart is more relaxed too. Only his blood pressure needs to slow down a bit. Dr K. was very happy to see how Fofinho looked more active and stable. She said to me it would not be necessary to repeat the blood tests for now , but it would be advisable to do it in June.

Now, that Fofinho is better and I'm more relaxed with this situation, I would like to share with you some useful information related to the overall veterinary costs: doctor's appointments, medication, exams, treatments and food. Many of our readers are from Portugal and, as we know, emigration has been increasing in our country. So, if you are Portuguese, you are thinking about emigrating to the Netherlands and you would like to bring your cat with you, I hope this information will give you an idea about the overall veterinary costs.

This is only my experience. I don't know if the costs are more or less the same in other Dutch cities/provinces, but you can compare this information with the costs  that you have in Portugal and decide what is the better option for you - to bring your pet with you or to let him with your relatives (temporarily or not).

Fofinho's Veterinary Costs

(The current VAT for appointments, exams, treatments and pets food is 21%, but until last September was 19%. The medication's VAT is still 6%)

Check-up (last appointment): € 38.50

Evening appointment (July 2012): € 65

Medication

For the blood pressure: Norvasc (€5.25) + suspendeergel 30 ml (€4.60) + syringe (€0.30) = € 10.15

He has been taking 1 ml /day. That means each small bottle (this medication is prepared by the vet) is for 30 days. But now his vet told me to give him 1.25 ml /day.

For the heart: Atenolol  € 10.40 (each 40 days)

For the kidneys: Benakor € 16.90

The fluids for the kidneys: 4 units of Lactetrol 500 ml  (€33.40) + 8 needles (€1.95) + infuussystem (€5.70) = € 41.05

We need to give him 120 ml every time. Lately, Fofinho is receiving fluids once a week, but during the last 5 months, he received fluids 4 times a week, that means 4 bottles/month (each one has 500 ml). Now, one bottle is enough for one month.

The laxative: Laxactrat  €13.40

I give him 3 ml /day, and only if he needs it. In the beginning, I used to give 15 ml/day because he weighed more.

Total cost/month (last January): € 76.10 (because Fofinho is now taking only one bottle of fluids per month)

Exams

Bloeddrukmeting (blood pressure measure): € 27.55 (last January)

Urine kit:  €19.40

Geriatric tests (urine and blood tests, included the thyroxine values): € 83.15

Ultrasound:  € 142.37

Except for the ultrasound, all the other tests were done more than once.

Treatments

Fluids administration by the veterinary: € 13.10
(since September the fluids are being given by us)

Giving an injection: € 7.75
(and then you must add the cost of the product given in the injection)

Microlax: € 7.25

Versifel RC (vaccine given once a year): € 58.80

Fofinho's 3 hours stay in the veterinary clinic: € 41.35


Hygiene 

Vet Aquadent 500 ml: € 19.85

I put 2 ml/day in the water.

Comb: € 5.00

Food

k/d kat can 156gr (1 unit of wet food): € 2.37

I buy 4 units/month. The vet advised me to avoid wet food because of Fofinho's teeth. I give him a tea spoon every afternoon as a snack and that's all.

k/d kat 1,5 kg (dry food): € 19.25

Enough for a month.

Total costs (last January): € 28.73

Costs evaluation:

January's total cost: € 170.80 (doctor's appointment and blood pressure measure included).
Expected cost this month: € 104.83 (without the doctor's appointment and the blood pressure measure).

I hope this information will help you. Nevertheless, check always with your veterinary the possibility of a health insurance for your pet - especially if he/she is young - and the extras associated with (like dental treatment, for example). Thanks, Teresa, for the tip!. ;-)

Have a nice week! :-)

How is Fofinho doing?

This year we intended to go to Portugal for Christmas, but due to Fofinho's situation, we decided to stay here instead. I hope he gets stronger soon, so we can travel together to Portugal for short periods of time, without jeopardizing all we have achieved so far. There is no cure for renal failure, but he is much better now. And cheerful.

Calling 0900 15 15

Around 7 pm of July, 20th, suddenly, Fofinho started to act in a strange way: he couldn't keep his head up and he was having trouble standing on his feet. I never had seen him acting like this before and I got scared. I called my husband and then the 0900 15 15 to know where I should take him. A half hour later, in the Emergency Room, he did some blood tests and was given fluids. We were told that he should stay at home during the following days and rest. Arriving home, we cancelled our already paid weekend in Limburg.

Feeding Fofinho Using a Syringe

Since the end of July and until my departure to Portugal in September, Fofinho didn't eat dry or wet food by himself. I felt sad and desperated many times since I could only feed him using a syringe. To facilitate this process, my husband mixed water with the canned food in the blender.

During my staying in Portugal, my husband was told by the vet that probably Fofinho had only a couple of weeks to live. I arrived here very sad. She also told him to increase the frequency of the fluids administration and my husband started to do it every 30 hours.

The Fluids Therapy

A couple of days after my arrival, our dear cat started to eat and drink by himself. I cried of joy. I also noticed that he stopped suffering from nausea. I went many times with him to the vet clinic because of this situation, so he could take the pills and have some relief.

In the photo below, my husband is giving the fluids to Fofinho. At first, the fluids were given by the vet, but due to the high costs of the appointments and the fluids administration, we started to do it by ourselves.
Travels are for now in standby since we don't feel comfortable to ask this kind of support to our neighbors  - the needle is a bit scary and it would be too much work and responsibility for them.


Last October, Fofinho also started to use the cat litter on a regular basis. That means I don't need to give him the laxative anymore. Finally, this month, and for our big surprise, he began to clean himself up again. Until now, I had to clean him with a proper comb that we have bought in the vet clinic.

The Geriatric Tests

However, he's still very thin and has lost about a kilo and a half since the end of August. He now weighs a bit more than 2 kilos. He has done geriatric urine and blood tests, but no special causes that could explain this lost of weight - like diabetes or hyperthyroidism - were found. In fact, he is not losing proteins through his urine and his levels of creatinine are much lower - this means his kidneys are working better. The liver is also fine.
For the urine test, I bought the proper kit in the vet clinic. I put the small white pebbles in the cat litter and waited for him to urinate. Then I placed his urine in a tube and gave it to the vet right away.

In the Medische Centrum voor Dieren: Diagnosed with HCM

His vet asked then for an ultrasound of his heart and suggested that we do it in the Medische Centrum voor Dieren in Amsterdam. He was diagnosed  with a moderate Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy (HCM), but according to the doctor who made the exam, his HCM doesn't explain his loss of weight. In fact, she got curious about it and also checked other organs, but she didn't find anything wrong. Fofinho is now taking everyday, and for the rest of his life too, besides the daily pill for the kidney failure (Benakor), a quarter of a pill of Atenolol to help his heart working better.
All the previous procedures - the geriatric tests and the ultrasound - were suggested by a professor of Utrecht University with whom his vet has spoken with.

Repeating the Tests for the laboratory in Germany

The less pleasant situation was with the lab in Germany to where the blood tests were sent to. Something happened and Fofinho needed to repeat his blood tests again, a situation not very comfortable for him, since the blood is taken near the throat.

The Vomits

He still vomits, specially in the middle of the night. I always hear him and wake up to comfort him until he relaxes a bit. I also clean everything as soon as possible since the floor is not in real wood and could be damaged by the vomit liquid. Cleaning vomit is another task that I don't dare to ask the neighbors to do in case I wish to travel to Portugal or elsewhere. It's too much work to ask for.

Diagnosed with High Blood Pressure

In the end of August, Fofinho was also diagnosed with high blood pressure. He needs to take Amlodipine everyday for the rest of his life. I also give this medication with a syringe. High blood pressure in cats can be very dangerous because they can turn blind suddenly. In September, I only left for Portugal, after Fofinho's blood pressure levels became normal. I also noticed that since he began to take the blood pressure medication, his neck became stronger and he could keep his head up all the time.

Fofinho's Bravery and Friendship

Fofinho has been a brave cat during these demanding months and I hope he gets better soon since he is eating so well the proper diet - dry and wet - that the vet has prescribed.
In the worst weeks, he used to hide himself in our bedroom, not staying with us in the living room during the evening. I used to go up to our bedroom to stay with him for a while, in silence, just laying down next to him. One day, I was crying in silence fearing losing him. I don't know how he noticed it, but he stood up, came next to my face and started to lick my tears. My dear, dear friend! He was so weak, laid down for some hours, but he stood up for me.

This was not the first time he has licked my tears. He was there for me in other difficult situations. He accepts me as I am, he is a very friendly and gentle cat and has the most beautiful blue eyes. I could tell you a million stories about him - what we have shared during these 16 years - , but that is our secret, our love and friendship.

Where are you, Fofinho?

My cat is missing since last Tuesday. I'm so worried and sad.

From Coisas Minhas

We have been looking for him everywhere, day and night, by foot and by car. We have placed photos at the supermarket and at the vet clinic. After looking for him without results tuesday evening and wednesday morning, I called to the police to know what should I do in these circumstances. They advised me to contact the Dieren Ambulance. And so I did and I have followed all their advices. I took a look at mijn dier is zoek, a site with photos and information about lost pets found by other people. But unfortunately, I didn't find anything! Then I phoned to the Dieren Asiel in Almere asking if someone has left Fofinho there. Later I also sent a Fofinho's photo. Finally, I sent all the information to Amivedi, a site about lost pets. The Dieren Ambulance assistant also told me if they find my cat in the street, they will let me know. I've sent to them my cat's photo to help them on their work. I've also talked to my neighbours, checked frontyards, backyards, corridors, lakes, public gardens, etc. Nothing! I'm so worried and sad, but I'm trying to think positive. He has got a chip with its identification data. That means he can easily be recognized. He has got all the vaccines. That means he is more protected against this cold weather. He is friendly. Perhaps he will be found by a gentle soul. I'm worried because this is not his usual behaviour. Everyday he likes to go for a walk, but after a while he comes back to eat something and drink water. He is doing a special diet because he has bladderproblems. On the other side, the street is very quiet and he knows the surroundings. But I just can't find him anywhere and he doesn't come back home. Where are you, Fofinho? I thought perhaps he was injured and he could not move. So I called for him, but not even a sound. I've been looking carefully at the sidewalks and the roads (perhaps an accident), but gladly, I didn't see him in those circumstances. I don't know what to think about and what to do more. Where is he? I checked all the places I was able to remember. If it was in the Summer and he was younger, I would be more relaxed. But knowing him under this rain and cold, with 15 years old, I'm fearing the worst scenario. I'm so sad. I want him with me, protected and well. Why doesn't he come back home?? Why don't I see him anywhere? Just pray, so I would be able to find him soon. Tomorrow I will place more photos in public places.

Fofinho at the Dierenkliniek

From Coisas Minhas

On this entry I told you what was necessary to bring my cat by plane from Portugal to the Netherlands. On today's entry I will tell you how it was his first visit to the vet.

Fofinho is in the Netherlands since September 2008. However, only last month I went to the veterinary clinic (dierenkliniek) to make an appointment with the vet and to ask how I could change Fofinho's chip data.

The recepcionist said I should send an email to the Portuguese organisation SIRA/SNMV (Sistema de Identificação e Registo Animal/Sindicato Nacional dos Médicos Veterinários) to change my cat's data. So I did, without extra costs, and now, my name, my new address, my email and my phone number are there. I've already received a confirmation letter. As you may remember my cat came with my mother and so the chip had her information, not mine.

On our first meeting with the vet, Fofinho did a general check-up (heart, weight, eyes, ears, hair and teeth).
Fofinho was ok. In fact, he lost some weight (3 kg). I think it's his daily walkings in the street. We live in a quiet, clean and safe street, so I feel more confident to let him leave.
Fofinho also took as a routine procedure a vaccine (vaccin) to protect him against different kinds of health problems and a tablet (tablet) for the treatment (behandeling) of mixed infections (infecties) with worms (wormen).

However, he needed to do a surgery (chirurgie) to remove a tooth (tand). I made another appointment. The surgery went well. Fofinho has received an anesthesia (anesthesie) and stayed all day long with the vet. The following two days he was a bit dizzy, but it was all.

On the first appointment I paid € 66.77 and for the second one I paid € 160.61. That means between the expenses to bring Fofinho from Portugal and the medical costs I spent almost € 500. So, if you are portuguese, you wish to live here and you want to bring your cat, this is more or less what you may spend.

I must say I had to spend € 61 more on the following week because Fofinho had a problem with one of his legs. He couldn't walk properly. He went to the dierenkliniek again and the vet said it was probably a fight with another cat. Fofinho took a medicine (geneesmiddel) for the pain (pijn) and now he is ok and walking again.

Bring your pet with you

27.03.2011

My cat in the backyard

From Coisas Minhas

We have a saying in Portuguese " Quem não tem cão, caça com gato" (He who has no dog, hunts with a cat), which means
you use whatever you have to achieve your goals, if you don't have what you are supposed to.
Look, for example, at my cat: it had no pillow to lay down its head, so it used the shelf to do it...;-)

My cat came with my mother by plane -in a KLM flight- on the first time she was here to visit us.

"What are the procedures in this situation?", you ask.

Fofinho needed a valid health certificate signed by a qualified vet. This certificate was issued eight days prior to departure.

Also the animal must be accompanied by a valid certificate stating that it has been inoculated for rabies at least 21 days before departure.

Pets travelling within the European Union must have a microchip and an official EU pet passport which should be issued by a qualified vet.

Only small cats and dogs up to 6 kg including travel bag or kennel can be taken into the cabin. Ours came in the special ventilated part of the aircraft. He is a bit fat.

PS:
Prepare yourself to spend around 250/300€ with everything:flight+health certificate+microship+ EU pet passport+ rabies vaccine+kennel

My cat has arrived

Eu tenho um gato há onze anos, muito meigo e bonito. É branco, de riscas castanhas.
Os olhos são azuis como o céu.

"É um feiticeiro" como diz a minha mãe ou um "Fofinho" como diz o meu marido. Eu digo que ele é o meu amiguinho fidelíssimo.

Adora festinhas, o olhar é uma ternura e gosta muito de estar junto de nós.

Ele é preciosidade que me foi deixada cá há uns dias...

O meu gato veio de avião pela KLM.

Para trazê-lo foi necessário:

implantar-lhe um microship com os dados de identificação;
atribuir-lhe um passaporte adquirido junto do veterinário do bichano;
um atestado de saúde;
dar-lhe a vacina contra a raiva com uma antecedência mínima de 21 dias antes da data de partida;
comprar uma caixa adequada ao transporte no aeroporto.

O preço do bilhete varia de acordo com o peso do bichano.

Querem ver como é bonito?