Finn

If we didn't already know there was an issue to begin with, the lack of protest from Finn Friday afternoon when Polly and I plopped him into the pet carrier gave it away. All week he'd been eating little, hobbling and not taking care of his coat. 

Hoping for something simple, we decided to see our ever-patient vet (he deals with Luna and still invites us back). Finn came in clean for diabetes, feline leukemia, and a host of other kitty-related illnesses. 

However, Dr. P. accidentally discovered a large amount of fluid building around his heart. He gave us the news: without more tests, Finn was either in late stages of heart failure or Finn had cancer. Apparently the symptoms were similar. Even with more tests, the outcome would be the same. 

What Dr. P. didn't know, was this was the exact diagnosis our family received a week before we lost Ollie. 

Finn isn't in pain. There is a liquid medication that will ease the fluid around his heart, helping him breathe better. In the past 24 hours we've gotten adept at administering it without much fight. There's another unopened medication to boost Finn's appetite sitting on my counter, which is unsafe for humans to touch. It turns out me caving and buying canned cat food as well as easing the fluid around his chest also does wonders for the cat's appetite. 

Right now we are keeping Finn comfortable. We all pet him and love on him every chance we get. Even Luna is playing nursemaid and hovering. Dr. P. made no promises, but did tell us he has a cat patient who has so far lived to 16 on the liquid medication. Finn is 14, so here's hoping.