I recently lost Buddy the Cat to renal failure. She tried to tell me something was wrong and I wasn't listening.
The wife and I had Buddy for 10 years. Unwanted as a kitten, she was given to us by acquaintances who were having the rest of the litter euthanized.
She was an asshole. Loved to lie in wait, hang out a paw, and "hook" you as you walked by. Late for work and rushing by? tough shit, I'm latching on. Wearing a nice suit and heading to a meeting? here, let me go ahead and snag your pant leg. God help you if you were wearing a hooded sweatshirt with draw strings...if she snatched one, you could count on a 5 minute wrestle to get untangled.
She did what she wanted, when she wanted. Try to change that, and you'd pay. Years ago, she bit the wife at the vet's office as the vet was ramming a thermometer up her ass. The vet tech who was armed with shoulder length leather gloves, neglected to give my wife a pair. The bite was infected with cellulitis and the wife had to have surgery on her finger. That was the last time the wife took her to the vet (also the last time I used that vet). I think that's the day she became "my" cat. Buddy always liked men more anyway.
She teased the dogs. A master at trolling, Buddy would hide under a blanket on the back of the couch. A dog sleeping on the cushion below was fair game for a quick swipe and retreat. In the morning when I fed the animals, Buddy would sometimes guard the dog food daring them to come and eat it.
She was also very vocal. She would "coo" and make trilling noises. She would stretch her meows out. Many times she'd start up and I'd laugh at her while watching tv, which would prompt her to come lay on my chest right in my field of vision.
So it was this kind of playful nature I assumed was responsible for her sudden love of running water. For several months before her death, Buddy would follow me into the kitchen or bathrooms. She'd hound me to turn on the faucets so she could drink and play. It became part of our routine. Every day, several times a day. The wife would roll her eyes when I'd ask her to turn the water on for Buddy.
A week or so before her death, she was more vocal than usual. Thinking back on it, her sounds were different.
So it caught me by surprise when she became unable to jump onto counters or the bathtub edge to get water.
The next day, she stopped walking as much.
My vet was out of town, but her vet tech diagnosed the problem as a leg/knee injury based on the info I gave her. I gave Buddy prednizone for 2 days.
While administering the pills, I noticed her breath smelled bad. Didn't think much about it and figured it was due to her not eating much.
I came home from work a day later and Buddy was cool to the touch and breathing shallow. She was weak and barely able to hold her head up.
I flew across town to the emergency vet's office. Her temp wouldn't register on the thermometer. They warmed her an started an IV. She passed away 2.5 hours later.
The signs were there, 1) heavy water drinking 2) frequent urination (which is hard to check with two cats and 1 litter box) 3) difference in vocalization 4) bad breath 5) weakness in hindquarters leading to inability to walk. I just didn't see them.
Pay attention to what they're trying to tell you. Cats are masters at disguise, but there are signs.
I can't bring myself to post pictures, too damn upsetting right now (and I considered myself a dog person). RIP Bud, I'll see you soon.