Triggering event: our cat's illness

[Teddy bear]

Hello everyone,

I am feeling very exhausted now: our young cat is sick with not fully understood symptoms: the vet prescribed X-rays.

This situation with a pet illness is very triggering for me, and also seems to be used as a tool to bind me to parents by themselves.
Also their illnesses have the same purpose, and my own health and any problems with it.

I am not sure if I'm clear enough in expressing how I feel: burned out, trapped and expecting some more unpleasant and exhausting interventions tomorrow: will be visiting another vet clinic.

Apart from that, my father I think was quite heartless in telling how cat can have such health problems?!
I e he seems to have no empathy to the cat.

And mother in the morning was neglecting the cat and the situation, which really requires actions.
(This cat was taken from neighbours as a kitten by mother, as she wanted to have a cat.
But it seems she doesn't want to care about her: frequently forgets to give antihelmintics etc).

I feel worried about my dog, as it seems I can't rely on these people.
And I wanted to take my dog to live with me last year, but finally didn't do that: I was not sure if I could manage taking care, walking, feeding properly. Not enough money currently and the dog is not socialised for a big city.

I feel depend and codependent in these relationships that seem quite dysfunctional and the parents seem to me quite personality disordered.
But I can't leave right now. Again money issues and I just can't work full-time on a neuroleptic I am still taking.

Probably some light in the end of the tunnel though:
Another attempt to find a doctor to taper off that medication: seems I've found someone, but didn't have an appointment with him yet. Don't want it to be another disappointment.

Hope to find the cause why the cat is sick, and she'll be better soon

[Teddy bear]

An update:

Seems the cat feels better, and it's such a relief, though still some injections and tests to be done.
It lessens tension with parents for now.

Hopefully the cat will be completely fine soon

[TheBigBlue]

Hi Teddy bear,
I'm really glad to read that the cat seems to be feeling better. That must be such a relief after the worry of the last days. I'm keeping my fingers crossed that the tests go well and that she continues to improve. 💛

I also really resonate with how triggering illness or harm to animals can be. Pets can mean so much, especially when the human environment around us was difficult. In my family our cats and dogs always slept in my bed growing up, and their unconditional love was a huge regulating anchor for me in an environment that otherwise felt relationally unsafe. So when something happens to them, it can touch very deep places.

It sounds like you're carrying a lot right now: concern for the animals, tension with your parents, and trying to navigate your own health and medication. I hope the new doctor turns out to be good (enough) and supportive for the tapering process.

I'm really glad the cat is doing a bit better today. 🐾

[Kizzie]

I feel the same about any pets we have had over the years that got sick, although fortunately I didn't have to deal with my parents taking care of them. I could feel how that must feel for you though and I'm sorry you had that to deal with on top of everything else you have going on. 

I'm very glad to hear the cat is doing better now and that your parents are getting it the care it needs.  

[Blueberry]

Glad to hear your cat's doing better.

[Teddy bear]

Glad to hear your cat's doing better.

Thank you

[Teddy bear]

And thank you, TheBigBlue and Kizzie!

Didn't noticed your replies initially