Bogart 1987-2000 |
|
|---|---|
|
|
|
|
Bogart, died shorty after surgery Wednesday, March 1, 2000. He was 12 and half. The surgery was to remove a large cyst on his spleen and to biopsy another lump embedded in his pancreas. In September 1999, he lost almost three pounds because of a deficiency in pancreatic enzymes. With the help of synthetic enzymes and steroids he regained his weight and before surgery was more healthy than he had been in years. He was awake and even walking soon after surgery, but suffered a heart attack four hours later. Apparently his body's natural mechanisms for recovery put too much stress on his imperfect heart--he has had a heart murmur since birth. Before surgery, the exact site of the lump in his belly was uncertain. It was feared that it was in the small intestine and would lead to more serious problems down the road. The cyst was also thought to be an enlarged spleen. It was discovered several years ago and thought to be benign, but there was the possibility that it would burst with fatal consequences. In 1992, several vertebrae were crushed when Bogart tangled with a car. As a result, he lost his tail and control of his bowel and bladder. He had been on stool softeners regularly and needed his bowel emptied by hand each day. His bladder was huge--about the size of a hardball--and it, too, needed to be expressed daily. With all these strikes against him, through all the medication, and treatments, Bogart remained a mellow and loveable cat. Although he often complained vociferously when his colon was massaged and the stool was forced out of him, he always forgave, seeking love and affection just minutes after the ordeal. He will be missed. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
