So hard since what we’ve learned is that so much is genetic too, and it moves so quickly. Never knew there would be so many signs one would need to watch for; in addition to providing way more water than one would think is necessary. So sorry for you loss.
CW (cats fine but the events weren’t fun and this is a bit of a trauma dump)
spoiler
Our emergency vet visit and closest brush with death was hydration/kidney related. She peed outside of the litter box right in front of us (she normally doesn’t go outside the box save for the occasional little spite turd if we’ve been out of town) and then started vomiting, and then laid down in the blanket she peed on and her breathing was super labored. This of course happened on presidents’ day (I had the day off and was fixing my car, and therefore missed the calls from my wife until she ran out to find me), and it of course was during a blizzard. And offff course the only emergency vet open with an opening was an hour away lol. Stressful but we made it. She of course perks up a bit when she notices she’s at the vet. She’s diagnosed with a UTI and anxiety (mood), and what they called “old lady heart” (elevated proBNP1 levels if you’re interested).
That all translates to her having multiple water fountains and more wet food, and in exchange staying alive as long as she’s willing! A real win win lol
I’ll bring the cannoli AND the gun (it’s actually a sfogliatelle, just shaped that way for whimsy)
“Wet food mixed with water or fuck off”