The doctor called at 1:45am, right as I was falling asleep after posting my video blog entry. She said that Wu’s breathing had “declined,” and that she seemed to be dehydrated. Of additional concern was her low blood pressure. It was 65, and normal is apparently 100-120 like a human’s. The doctor explained that she was torn between giving her fluids to improve her b.p. and hydration, and not giving them because they would cause further heart problems. The doctor didn’t think she seemed to have an overly large heart, but the cat obviously hadn’t seen the cardiologist. Additionally, Wu was on oxygen because it seemed to be making her more comfortable.

We couldn’t sleep after that, of course, so we cried for a little while and then watched TV for the distraction. A got to sleep before I did; I think I finally fell asleep around 3:30. This morning I called for a progress report. The nurse said her breathing seemed about the same, so she was still in the oxygen cage. She noted that her blood pressure had improved (didn’t say how much) and she seemed a little bit more responsive although still quiet. She’s going to be fit into the on-site cardiologist’s schedule as soon as possible, and if we haven’t heard anything by noon we are welcome to call back for another progress report.

We are trying to accept that Wu is dying. She was born in February 1999, so she’s still young. I don’t think I’ve had a cat die before that I really remember, so I’m taking it pretty hard. Visiting hours end at 5:00 today so I am thinking of asking to leave work early so I can get there in time to see her.