Wednesday. Kitty is still on the decline. I`m about 90% sure we’re losing her. Her bite wounds, despite failing to penetrate the skin, are taking their final toll. The tissue beneath the skin, where extensive bruising took place, is beginning to die. This is typical 4 to 5 days post-trauma in cats attacked by dogs.

Although her owner was informed—day one—of this possible outcome, it’s a concept especially difficult to assimilate emotionally after seeing your cat look so good for so many days. You mean after all this she’s still going to die?

What can I say? This is the way their bodies are made. This is the way their bodies fail them. I am so sorry and we will continue to do everything we can to make her well. There’s nothing else I can say.

So today Kitty received more pain medication (a new Fentanyl patch), a new feeding tube, and an increased rate of fluids. I tried to convince her owner to let us try either plasma and/or artificial blood transfusions (to increase her blood protein levels and provide improved oxygen supply to her dying tissues, respectively) but the cost of Kitty’s care is becoming an issue—so she declined.

Here’s a picture of Kitty after getting her feeding tube—looking especially sad, I must say. She’s such a trooper, though. But we’ll keep trying as long as she does.