Furball Update July 11, 2006
I just got back from a quick trip to New Orleans. Dan’s last sitting of his clerkship is this week, so I tagged along for the first half. Unfortunately, I came home to not so great news. I knew the streak could only last so long.
Saturday Dan and I took Muffy to the vet to have her kidney bloodwork redone again. I got her results today, and they weren’t as great as last time. Her numbers stayed stable from December to April but have now started to increase. They’ve gone up enough that the vet wants to start her on fluid treatments. I’m bringing her in tomorrow to start that.
It just makes me so sad to know that my kitty is getting sicker. Renal failure is fatal. We can only hope to keep her feeling well for as long as we can. I know that the fluid treatments will help do that, but oh, it just hurts me to put her through that. I know I need to do what’s best for her, though.
I guess I’ll talk to the vet tomorrow about doing her treatments at home in the future. I think it would be less stressful for Muffy. Now, I’m a pro when it comes to sticking myself with needles. I can do it anywhere at anytime. Sticking my cat is another story all together, however.
I’m sure we’ll figure all the details out eventually. I’m going to attempt to leave that for another day, though. Right now I just want to snuggle my kitty.
- Posted in : my furry children
- Author : amanda
Comments»
oh Amanda, I’m so, so sorry. It’s so horrible when one of our furry babies gets sick. I hope the vet can help you to make her as comfotable as possible.
(((hugs)))
I’m so, so sorry. We found out a few weeks ago that our 9 year old cat has cancer and weeks to live. Right now she’s on high doses of prednisone to keep her comfortable and we are taking it day by day. I think that’s all you can do.
As for the fluids, with two of you it shouldn’t be too hard. One person can restrain her and the other can insert the needle. My mom’s cats felt so much better after their fluids that the resistance was eventually worn down. It might take some getting used to but Muffy will appreciate it, I’m sure.
Good luck and big hugs.
I’m so sorry about your sweet kitty. There’s nothing sadder than a sick animal. And to know that what she’s facing is fatal is so hard. I hope she stays comfortable for a long, long time.
Please tell all the gory details/costs of doing subcutaneous fluids. I’ve been putting it off, because my cat (18yo next week!) acts fine, eats fine, is keeping her weight. She needs her numbers done again; they want it monthly but I just can’t afford that. I am judging her by her behavior and appetite.
But tell me how it goes and maybe I’ll reconsider.
Oh, Amanda, I’m so sorry. I remember vividly what it was like when my little furbaby was diagnosed with liver failure. I took every opportunity I could to snuggle her. And for a change, she didn’t mind so much.
I hope you’re able to work out the home treatments. Big hugs.
Hi Amanda,
My dear kitty Teddy was diagnosed with renal failure when he was four. We gave him sub-q fluids at home, which wasnt fun but kept him comfortable for another two years. I would do it all over again. If you have any questions feel free to email me. This is an excellent website that really helped me. http://www.felinecrf.com/index.htm
My vet and I tried everything available to help Teddy, stopping at a kidney transplant which I didnt want to do. Sending purrs and headbuts your way.
I am so sorry about your kitty. We don’t have any animals because I just can’t handle it when they are sick, or worse.
Take care
Amanda, I’m so sorry about your cat. It’s incredibly hard to see a pet feeling poorly and going through treatments. I hope that she tolerates the fluid treatments well and you’re able to keep her as healthy and comfortable as possible for as long as you can.
I am so sorry to hear that kitty isn’t doing as well. Take heart in giving her treatments at home. I had a cat that got shots at home and she was very unphased by it. I hope the same is true for you.
She’s lucky to have such a loving home!
I too am a big cat person — we have 4. My childhood cat, Fred, had diabetes and I had to give him insulin injections everyday. Amazingly he got to the point where he would ask for his shot. I think it made him feel better. If you do have to give shots you are such a strong person I know you will be able to do it. Give your cat an extra snuggle from me.
Hoping things went well with Kitty!
I’m so sorry to hear about Muffy. :(
Our pet nanny takes care of a ladies cats who both need the Sub-Q fluids on a regular basis. The lady showed her how to do them and she says it’s no problem. They have both been doing well for several years now. So, hopefully, it won’t be too bad for you to do. I think it’d definitely be less stressful for Muffy if you can do them at home. Everything I’ve come accross (which has been a lot since we got some bad news re Kobi last week and kidney stones) says that the sub-Q fluids can really make a big difference. Is she still on the K/D or other prescription diet?
Squarepeg,
I just wanted to say how sorry I am about your cat. That has to be heartbreaking. It’s terrible to deal with something like that at any pet’s age, but nine is still so young.
We had to do that with our kitty, Runt. She managed to live for two years with renal failure. Good luck. Runt had a really good quality of life until the last week of her life. We then made the difficult decision to end her suffering after a last attempt at the vet’s with iv fluids and other supportive measures to get her body to get over the “humpt” that so often comes with renal failure. Hang in there.
Amanda, I’m so sorry to hear about your cat. That’s really sad news, and i can totally relate. I have 2 cats, and if anything happened to either one of them, my dh and i would be devastated. Really devastated. But the thing about cats, which is not like children, though we often treat them like children and dh and i are like the worst ‘cat people’, is that adopting a kitten does help deal with the loss of your beloved cat. I mention this not thinking that your dear cat is replacable. On the contrary. But i do mention this because pets are not like humans in this regard and a new pet can help mitigate the loss a beloved pet in your condition.
Sorry about the assvice. Can i blame bcp? It’s making me overeat and overspeak.
Thanks for your comments on my blog. Dh had to carry his own tissue for the first ivf, when the tese was done in advance. When i mention to friends that the frest tese has to be carried by friend, everyone is appalled. And it is so appalling. It’s so weird. So, on aspiration morning, i have to wait for a friend to deliver my dh’s tissue to our clinic? It’s like the blind leading the blind.
Amanda,
I am really sorry to hear of your kitty’s illness. My baby “Tuesday” is about 14 years old and has chronic asthma, that is bad enough I can’t imagine what your going through with your kitty.
Keep us updated!
Shelly (Krazyfrazzledmom)