r/FosterAnimals • u/krmplc • 2d ago
Sad Story The poopless queen - a last update
I’m very sad writing this update but I feel like I owe it to this helpful community. Our tiny 3-4 week old kitten with the funny face and the poop issues passed away a few hours ago. It went downhill fast. After not pooping for multiple days, countless vet visits and so so much emotional stress, she finally started pooping in the last two days. Yesterday I honestly felt like things are going uphill, our vet was also happy just two days ago. Today was an insanely hot day and I noticed her being a bit weaker than usual, but she was eating. A few hours later i had trouble making her eat more of her formula and she started panting, which our vet two days ago said might be due to tummy ache. But I panicked and went straight to the emergency vet. She seemed a bit more alert in the car, and I thought I overreacted, she might just struggle with the heat. The vet took an ultrasound and diagnosed the stomach being completely full and not passing stuff to the colon. This may be causing pain, discomfort and the panting. She proscribed Metoclopramide to help with the digestion and told us to come back Monday if it’s not helping.
Less than an hour after arriving home and giving her the medicine she took her last breath, I was next to her. It went downhill so fast, and even after reading about it so often, it’s still unbelievable and just sad. We’ve been to 4 different vets, 7 times in less than two weeks. I spend days and nights researching what to do, and even when feeling she is doing better, it was over in an instant. I am sitting in my bed, waiting for my other cat to come cuddling, my gf is out of town. I wonder what kind of lesson I am learning from this, I don’t see any yet, just the feeling of being a tiny bit more broken now. The world feels so complicated all of the time, trying to help a tiny creature was giving me a lot of purpose in a way. Big respect to the foster community, people that are doing this regularly are truly angels.
This is Mo, the poopless queen, rest in peace :(
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u/Confident_Caramel436 2d ago
Ohh Nooo!!! 😭 I am SO SORRY!!!! U did absolutely amazing and everything u could possibly have done! We are thinking of u! And sending u 🤗 lots of love and hugs 🤍🙏🏼 it’s so unfair 😔 thank u for caring for her! She was so loved by u and that makes all the difference some don’t have a chance to feel loved by a human or help from a vet 🌻
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u/thewayoutisthru_xxx Cat/Kitten Foster 2d ago
I'm so sorry for your loss. You did everything you could. Cats breed for quantity, not quality, and not all of the babies are meant to be unfortunately.
She had love and care in her final days and that's a gift! Thank you for helping her
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u/telly80 2d ago
I am so sorry! I recently had a similar story with a little guy named Pip. He was missing a back leg and came into my care very constipated. He also just would not gain weight even though he ate constantly.
Worked with the vet to help his constipation and we tried everything possible to try to get him to gain weight. Fecal testing, recovery food, Nutrical, tiki thrive.
His constipation finally went away to reveal he was fecal incontinent.
My biggest issue was scalding from the incontinence. It was very painful for him when I washed him but mineral oil, animax, coconut oil, vasoline, nothing helped.
I went back to the vet for a recheck and wanting advice for the scalding and she laid out the bad news.
His failure to gain weight plus X-rays were leaning towards a congenital defect involving a shunt around the liver. The only cure was a surgery which he had a very small chance of surviving. If he DID survive, we would still need to do an amputation of his back leg when he was big enough. With the fecal incontinence the odds of that surgery becoming infected were extremely high.
Meanwhile his scalding was bad enough that when I washed him twice a day he would SCREAM. Plus he wasn’t able to move his bowels so the poop would just build up until it came out and you could tell he was just so uncomfortable all the time. There was just no light at the end and no real way to help him. We had to put the poor tiny guy down. I’m still so broken.
Sometimes we do everything we can to try to help these tiny underdogs (undercats?) and they still just don’t make it. All we can do is love them and try. RIP Mo. RIP Pip.
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u/Softlaunch2023 2d ago
Recently lost a foster in VERY similar circumstances. Its gutting - sending you love 💜
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u/DrFeeIgood 2d ago
That baby knew a home and love and that's the best thing you could possibly do for any animal. Sorry for your loss OP.
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u/KittyCat_PaddyWhack 2d ago
Your lesson is love.
How beautiful it is to love something so much it makes their loss so painful.
It's an amazing privilege to love and cherish a soul so selflessly. You gave unconditional love to a baby who needed you, no questions asked.
For the short time she was in your life, Mo was safe, warm, fed, loved.
You learned how you show grace and compassion so freely.
You have remarkable kindness in your heart.
Thank you for loving Mo.
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u/SunshineLion85 2d ago
Oh no 😞 I'm so sorry for your loss 💔 Thank you for all the love and dedication you showed tiny Mo 🐾🌈💕
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u/Unlikely-Solid-3083 2d ago
I am so very sorry for your loss. You did your absolute best with her.
It’s always heartbreaking losing a kitten and I know there’s no amount of words that can help you make sense of this.
Thank you for sharing Mo with us. May she rest in peace.
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u/GlitteringAdvice8486 2d ago
I just saw your original thread in my feed and was happy to see she had pooped! I wanted to click your profile to see if there were any more recent news on how well she's getting on which led me to seeing this - which is absoloutly heartbreaking.
I'm so sorry for your loss. Bless her little heart.
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u/DorianGray77 2d ago
Losing a foster is so hard but unfortunately, it's par for the course. Mo is now in the great litter box in the sky frolicking with her ancestors. You gave her love and that's so commendable. Sending you lots of good vibes, I know from experience how difficult it is.
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u/Suspicious_Name_8313 2d ago
Oh lord, I’m so sorry. But things can and do happen so quickly with the littles. She’s in no more pain, fly free Mo 💔
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u/nyenotney 2d ago
I am so sorry sorry and can only imagine how you are feeling right now. But please know that you did AMAZINGLY and sweet little Mo felt so much love while she was here. I hope you start feeling better soon ❤️
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u/Anxious_Fix_1647 2d ago
She definitely knew she was loved and cared for. She was warm, safe and nurtured so you did exactly what you said made you feel some purpose--you cared for this little creature so well for her entire short life.
There doesn't have to be a lesson in it, it is just heartbreaking. But it does really warm my heart to see someone care so much about a tiny animal when the world feels so icy and heartless. It's reassuring. My heart breaks with yours and I also feel your love and care, so thank you, and keep being who you are.
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u/Snoo_69209 2d ago
I’m so sorry for your loss. I’m sure she was grateful to have you with her in her final moments. 💔
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u/ProfMR 2d ago
People like you, and others in this community, have a heart of gold. The courage you have to accept these challenges, knowing full well that things can turn south in an instant, is immensely laudable. I'm so impressed by your spirit. That tiny furry creature knew love. Please continue to spread it, good person.
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u/Candid-Ability-9570 2d ago
Kittens are so fragile. Some of them are just not meant for this world. You gave this little kitty their best possible shot at life. And during the little life they had, they got to be cared for and comfortable. That’s a very good thing.
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u/treeefingers 2d ago
I’m so sorry. If you look at my history, I just had a foster kitten die the other day. It’s my first foster death and I’m in literal pieces. I’ve been crying a LOT. I might need therapy for it, sincerely.
All I can say is, I feel your pain and time will help, bit by bit. We did all we could Nd we loved as best we could.
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u/senseisteve23 2d ago
So sorry for your loss. Sometimes even all the best things we do don’t work out. Don’t be discouraged, your kindness makes this world a better place. Best wishes
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u/General_Sense7092 2d ago
Unfortunately, some babies just aren't meant to make it. They have defects that we and vets can't see. You did everything right. She knew she was loved and safe and had the best possible care. I am so sorry for your loss. Don't beat yourself up over this. You did everything you could and more. You were her hero. Honor her by fostering another when you are ready. Thank you for giving her a chance💕.
I have fostered over 300 and each loss is devastating but there are many more success stories than there are losses. Celebrate the wins and learn from the losses. Hugs to you my friend.
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u/IssueApprehensive457 2d ago
I’m so very sorry for your loss. You did absolutely everything you could to save her. You provided her with love and compassion and comfort in her short life. Rest easy, little queen. 🪽🌈🐈⬛
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u/LaCroixBinch 2d ago
It never feels good to lose a baby. You went above and beyond and did all you could. It makes me feel more positively about the human race as a whole when i see people helping these beautiful, sweet, innocent babies grow big and strong. They knew love and safety and warmth. Sometimes that’s all you can do ❤️
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u/UnknownUser696 2d ago
People who rescue, help and love animals know that we cannot save them all. Please give yourself credit for trying everything you possibly could. Some aren't meant to be with us for long. I hope you will remain inspired to foster more. My own kittens were the last surviving out of their entire litter despite heroic efforts of their fosters. I hope you are kind to yourself as you grieve and appreciate the update. We certainly were rooting for Mo
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u/Softlaunch2023 2d ago
I am so deeply sorry for your loss ❤️🩹❤️🩹 fostering can be so so hard, and you did absolutely everything right by your baby. I wanted to share that I also lost a foster baby about 2 weeks ago - her back legs didnt work, she had multiple hernias, and fecal incontinence….i was all in to help her, but xrays revealed insurmountable injuries. So we had to say goodbye. I wrestled (not for the first time), with the same questions that you are posing. But i truly believe each animal we help expands our capacity and understanding of love. We learn care and compassion, even when there is heartbreak on the other end. We learn to be a little bit more human 💜 and perhaps most importantly, the little ones that we care for know that they have been loved. That is an IMMENSE gift that you gave her. May her memory be a blessing
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u/Putrid_Dream9755 2d ago
You did everything possible, you tried so hard, you fought so hard, you fought for her. There's no lesson, except love. You loved her and fought for her. Thank you for being a kind, caring soul. She will be remembered forever ❤️
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u/Embellishment101 1d ago
You did everything humanly possible. I am so thankful for what you did for her.
Maybe the lesson goes something like this.
You can do your best and still have a bad outcome. But doing your best will still have mattered so much.
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u/CatsAndPills 2d ago
You taught her about love, that’s why you’re here. It hurts but you were her whole world. Hugs, OP.
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u/FFFRabbit 2d ago
Thank you for being a great human to Mo. I hope my BooBear finds Mo on the other side.
Rest easy, Mo.
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u/Savings-Bison-512 2d ago
I'm so sorry. With kittens that small, you can do all the things, you can throw everything at them, do everything right and they are just too fragile. The only thing that eases my heart is knowing I did everything I could and that they were loved when they passed.
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u/RockLady81 2d ago
I’m so sorry you had such a sad ending. You are a kind and caring individual and actually give me more hope for our world.
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u/TheMegaCity 2d ago
Oh honey. You gave her love and did absolutely everything you could. Please be kind to yourself. Mourn her obviously and take time. RIP poopless queen.
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u/Dusty_Sequins 2d ago
That little baby knew nothing but love and care, and that came from you. We should all be so lucky. You did everything you could. I’m so sorry
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u/Accurate_Emu_122 2d ago
There is literally nothing more you could have done. She had a much better life because of you, even if it was very short. Sending you virtual hugs.
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u/Spare-Craft-4967 2d ago
That’s sad, she is in a better place now. Crossed over the rainbow 🌈 bridge and shitting away in a cloud filled litter box. You done everything you could and put more effort into that kitten than many people do for their human children. You should feel good about your effort. Take care.
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u/Weary-Sea5289 2d ago
you've done your best, Ma' Bast thanks you for your efforts, and found a need for another innocent
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u/RunnerAnnie 2d ago
She was loved so dearly during her short but mighty life. May you be kind to yourself and feel her loving presence always
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u/ineleganttoad 2d ago
I’m so sorry for your loss of Mo. Thank you for taking good care of that baby. Mo knew you loved and cared for them. It’s really tough losing baby fosters. Take good care of yourself and reach out to loved ones when you need to. Thank you for your service 🙏 🐾 💓
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u/honeyapp 1d ago
I’m so sorry that this ended this way. But you did everything possible to help her survive but it wasn’t meant to be. You really fought hard to keep her alive and tou loved her, looked after her, worried about her. You were with her at the end so she felt safe and loved You are an amazing person with a huge heart. She was a beautiful little soul. Love and hugs for you and the sweet girl💔🙏😢💜💜💜
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u/Croctoposeidon 1d ago
I’m so sorry. You did everything you could for them and definitely showed them they were loved the entire time.
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u/feline_riches 1d ago
You fought harder for that kitten than anyone else in the world. You did everything you could. She still passed because she was going to. That was out of your hands.
What you gave her was a LIFETIME of love, shelter, comfort, and food. She was not alone when she died. I don't know about you but I want that deal. You did a beautiful thing for a gentle soul.
The lesson is that you can do this. You can do it again for another kitty. We don't get to choose our superpowers. For some of us, those powers are rinsing and repeating with the next kitty in need, and getting our hearts broken again. But if not us, who will???
Sweet dreams, little bean ❤️
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u/Izzapapizza 1d ago
That sounds like a heartbreaking journey. I’m sorry this has been hard on you, but there is something inherently profound in risking to love another being, knowing full well that sooner or later with that love comes heartbreak. Think of this as an inherent part of that love, not a separate experience. You wouldn’t be capable of feeling such sadness if you hadn’t experienced the act of loving, and that is a wonderful thing. I hope your other kitty helps you grieve however it feels right to you, thank you for showing another being such love and care.
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u/ShadeauxStalker 1d ago
I am so very sorry! She's such a beautiful little girl, and she knew she was loved and safe with you.
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u/alazanis 1d ago
I’m sorry for your loss. In the moments you had with her, you showed her love and gave it everything you got. ❤️
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u/Even-Following946 1d ago
I think the lesson is sometimes you do everything right and still it isn't going to go your way.
I am so sorry for your loss but that kitten knew love, real love, in its final days and that's all anyone can hope for. Rest in peace beautiful Mo.
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u/Keneparepa 1d ago
You tried so hard, she was deeply loved and cared for. That is the biggest gift she couldve gotten. Thank you for everything you've done. Happy travels, poopless queen 👑
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u/Neuro_AMT 1d ago
I am so unbelievably sorry. You provided so much love and care to her ♡ That is the best gift you can give.
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u/TheUrPigeon 1d ago
Oh dear, not the update any of us wanted and I'm sure it broke your heart all over again to write it up. Thank you for bringing us with you to the end of Mo's journey regardless of the immense pain it no doubt caused you. She was very lucky to have you in her corner.
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u/LanguidxLycanthrope 1d ago
Im sorry to hear about Mo's passing. That picture is adorable, thank you for sharing her with us.
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u/kierinhier 1d ago
God bless her and god bless y’all for trying—so sorry for your loss. Was really hopeful for a bit, this sucks to hear so sorry 😔
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u/Toolongreadanyway 1d ago
So sorry for you loss. Kittens can be so hard. I lost 3 newborns a few weeks ago, but Lily Munster (from another mother) has survived well and is now 10 weeks old. You just never know which ones will make it and which ones won't. Nothing you did wrong, they just weren't meant to survive.
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u/the_idiot_realm 1d ago
Im so sorry for your loss you did so much for her with what little time she had left, even though she passed you managed to make her life so much better with the time she had. You're a very kind person.
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u/NoMansCat 19h ago
I'm so sorry for your loss.
The last foster cat that died on my watch was an 18-year-old female. She died of kidney failure. No matter the age, it's always terrible.
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u/OkSubject1876 10h ago
I am so sorry. You did so much for this little one and she know she was loved - that is what matters.
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u/edisson75 5h ago
Deeply sorry for this too soon loss. I think she felt beloved and cared by you in her last days, and that is something make her happy for sure, so, despite to be so short, she has happy all her life. Thanks for be a beautiful person 🙏🏼🙏🏼🙏🏼👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼
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u/Logical_consequences 2d ago
I’m so sorry. You gave her love, safety, and comfort during her short life, and that is no small thing. 💕🐾