My cat doesn't feel well and I feel like a bad cat-mom - Day 3 - Post #32

[bicker]

A short update on my cat Kaliope: She's not back to normal, but surely a lot more normal this morning than yesterday. She was meowing quite a bit -- not as much, or as loudly, or as clearly, as most of the time, but she was there, at least trying to burn my ear off. She at a bit, this morning -- a good amount though not an entire portion, at least not yet. But she clearly has some interest in food today, unlike yesterday.

I'm not really back in limbo though. She still looks like respiration is a bit of a struggle and getting worse each day. All I can do is look in her eyes and try to intuit what she wants me to do -- I really don't know how much of a chore just breathing is becoming. The vet has to do that for me, and tell me when it is really precluding her from having a good amount of quality of life. I probably will take her to the vet later in the week. Unless the vet tells me I'm crazy and that's she's fine and that I'm worried about nothing (extremely doubtful) I think that'll be it, so I'm really reticent to even go, but at some point avoiding it worse for her.

 

[Silent1CB]

I found that looking at short video clips of my cat from over a period of months made me realize just how much "older" she had gotten. When you are with them everyday, you don't seem to notice as much how much they change or slow down. The video clips helped me realized she really had aged more than I thought she had in a short time frame. Actions and looks.

And now that she's gone, I enjoy looking at the earlier video clips of her being healthier & playing.

 

[FergieTCat]

Still no word from the vet. But I don't expect to hear from him until later, assuming he had to do tests this morning.

I am trying to prepare myself for the worse case scenario. Without being too dramatic, this year has truly sucked. My nephew passed away unexpectedly in February, I spent the past 6 weeks dealing with my own iffy medical test (got the call today -- it's benign. One less weight on my shoulder.), and now my poor cat. I know in the grand scheme of things, my cat is the least of my problems, but she's still a family member and I still feel bad.

I'm hoping that if it is kidney disease, I caught it in time. Diana has been moving slower lately, but I thought it was because she's getting older. She was OK last weekend -- I had a repairman in my apartment, and she was investigating the goings on. She didn't really start showing signs of distress until Friday. But, I didn't feel well last week either so I really wasn't paying close attention. Maybe I'm grasping at straws?

I hope our furry friends know how much we love them.

 

[Jockaroo]

Donna, I don't know that much about cats--I'm a dog person. I do know that kidney disease is more manageable in cats than dogs. It may not be curable, but with treatments, it is possible that Diana will be able to come home and have a quality life. If the vet suggests subcutaneous fluids, know that you can do this for her. The vet will show you how and Diana won't dislike you for it.

I remember a poster on the DIS a while back (although I haven't seen any posts recently) who had the most beautiful tortie cat in his?/her? avatar. I remember posting on a birthday thread for the kitty who was 20 years old--and who had suffered with kidney failure for several years. Do not give up hope--cling to it. Regardless of whether your time with Diana is measured in weeks, months or years, cherish every day.

Bicker, I'm thinking of your Kaliope also.

 

[FergieTCat]

I just spoke to the vet. Yes, Diana is in renal failure.

The vet said that she wasn't in pain and looked comfortable. They are giving her fluids via IV but since she is so small they have to do it slowly. The vet wants to give her another 24-48 hours and see how she does. My instincts are telling me that this is it, but the vet thinks it's too early to tell. I will see what happens over the next day or two, but I am not interested in keeping her alive if she can't recover to good health. I don't know if that's cruel or humane, but I believe that quality of life is more important that quantity.

So, I sat outside, cried a little and called a few friends. As I said, this just has not been a good year.

 

[Tigger2252]

Donna,
My cat Chloe had renal failure and was treated for a couple of years before she passed. I don't know if it will be the same with Diana, but Chloe switched to K/D food and occasionally had to go in for subcutaneous fluids (this was the last 6 mos. of her life). Otherwise she had no medications or anything. She did get quite thin, but again this was more toward the end of the disease. Sadly, my vet said that cats don't tend to show symptoms until they are in renal failure. I am thinking of you both and sending well wishes and pixie dust.

(Same wishes going out to Bicker and Kaliope)

Terri

 

[BigEeyore]

Sorry about your kitty. Cats can often live many months or even a few years with kidney failure - it really depends on how bad it is and how well your cat responds to the fluids she is getting. She may need to receive the subcutaneous fluids every now and then, but it is really no big deal and something you can learn to do at home.

 

[Imzadi]

Oh Donna!

Sorry about Diana. As other people have written, and your own vet is holding out hope, it might not be so bad yet, and she may still have a good quality of life for a while. <crossing fingers>

Also, sorry about the loss of your nephew.

Glad your on tests were benign!


Bicker and Kaliope:

 

[Denine]

Donna, I saw this post yesterday, but didn't realize it was you until just now.

 

[Silent1CB]

So sorry!
Hate kidney disease!

Sounds like our first cat who didn't show signs until near her end. Then she went fast (2 months) even though we did daily sub-q fluids at home. We only caught it very very early on 2nd cat because we started testing for it at 15.

I'm so sorry. She'll let you know when she's ready. I wish you the best.

 

[bicker]

So sorry to hear.

 

[FergieTCat]

Day 3.

The vet tells me that Diana is doing better. She ate some catfood and drank some water. She is more alert and her fur looks better. The vet wants to keep her until Friday and run another blood screen on her. If her numbers improve significantly more, she will be released on Friday and I need to give her subcutaneous fluids every evening.

The vet can't guarantee how much longer she'll last, but said she wouldn't give Diana back if she didn't think that there was no quality of life.

She's still not out of the woods, but it's better news.

(Thank you for letting me play this out here. It does make me feel better.)

Bicker, how is Kaliope?

 

[BamaTigger]

Day 3.

The vet tells me that Diana is doing better. She ate some catfood and drank some water. She is more alert and her fur looks better. The vet wants to keep her until Friday and run another blood screen on her. If her numbers improve significantly more, she will be released on Friday and I need to give her subcutaneous fluids every evening.

The vet can't guarantee how much longer she'll last, but said she wouldn't give Diana back if she didn't think that there was no quality of life.

She's still not out of the woods, but it's better news.

(Thank you for letting me play this out here. It does make me feel better.)

Bicker, how is Kaliope?

THat is good news! My prayers to Diana and you.

Its heartbreaking to have a sick fur baby.

 

[bicker]

Bicker, how is Kaliope?

A little more like her old self but still declining. For the first time ever she was unable to jump up onto the counter in the bathroom. She's only eating token amounts, and so she's getting thinner, which she cannot afford. I'm so afraid to take her to the vet, not only because of the trauma that represents, but because I am really beginning to think that the next time she goes into the cat carrier will be the last time she's with us.

 

[FergieTCat]

A little more like her old self but still declining. For the first time ever she was unable to jump up onto the counter in the bathroom. She's only eating token amounts, and so she's getting thinner, which she cannot afford. I'm so afraid to take her to the vet, not only because of the trauma that represents, but because I am really beginning to think that the next time she goes into the cat carrier will be the last time she's with us.

We should have our own little support group, because I know exactly how you feel.

Hang in there. You'll do what's best.

 

[mousey]

I have a kitty with the same problems. The vet thinks she is 15+ (don't really know because a neighbor left her behind about 6 yrs ago). We took her in and other than an abscess tooth has had no problems. About 1-1/2 yrs ago had a bout with her tail. The vet thought it was arthritis. Since then, she has had some recurrence--doesn't want to eat, very fussy, slowing down. I give her vitamins that the vet gave me every 3 days. Some days she is playful, other days she sleeps a lot. It is really hard to go through.
My husband has a conference in Orlando in May and wanted me to come along, but I'm not sure about leaving her. I would like to take her but don't want to stress her on the plane, change of surroundings, etc......
If my kids can't watch her, my father does and lately she wants to eat every 3-4 hrs. I don't want to burden him and also I don't want her to be by herself. I guess I will just treasure what time we have. Good Luck to everyone with these old kitties!

 

[diz8297]

Just sending warm thoughts to all going through this with their kitties. I've been there before and am heading there again. Our oldest cat, Oliver, is roughly 15 and he's slowing down. Can't jump up on stuff, etc. Hate to see the decline starting.

 

[castmemberb4]

FergieTCat
bicker

I've been there and hope we can give you any support and comfort you need.

 

[minniecarousel]

aw, hang in there, guys. We lost our Garfield to a brain tumor several years ago.

We rescued a pair of brothers from the shelter and they still haven't warmed up to me. (the ungrateful little stinkers! !)