we leave for wdw in 17 days and i just got devasating news(final updat post #53,pg4)

[Tumbleweed]

To mrFDNY

I have been a dog breeder and in the animal care business for 35 years.
If your kitty has severe lkidney failure, I don't think she'll last 17 days. I
think you'll notice the fluids keep her up for a little while, and then she'll
really start feeling bad. When she doesn't seem like her old self, and she
is really hurting, it will be easier for you to make the decision. I have always
found that you will know.

Just remember that it's not a case of her getting better. She is only going
to get worse and be in more pain. Sometimes it's hard to make that final
decision, but you must realize that you are saving her days and days of
pain. Sometimes I think we should be so kind to our human loved ones.
It is hard because you will miss her. But you'll know you spared her a lot
of pain.

I hope this helps. I've had to make this decision before, and it never gets
easier.

 

[Hillbeans]

Sorry to hear this very sad news.....

 

[Snowy]

so sorry to hear your news. Good luck with tomorrow.

I had to give my Mogwi the fluids for 4 months before we lost him and am now giving fluids to my sweet Trixie. It is very easy to learn how to do it so maybe you can find someone. Your sweet furbaby will probably be much happier at home than in the hospital. We try to keep Trixie in low stress situations. I know how hard this is and I'm sure you know the emotional roller coaster that you are about to "ride". But, is is worth it to buy them some extra quality time.

I learned to give fluids too for my sick kitty, and when I couldn't get out of a 3 day business trip, my dad learned how and did it when he cat-sat for me. A vet tech as a cat-sitter would certainly be a big help. But it all depends on what you learn on Friday. I did everything I could for my kitty until my vet told me there's nothing more that could be done and there was only one humane thing to do for my kitty. You will know when it's time.

 

[VegasMonarch]

aw: i am very sorry about your sick fur child. 8 is young for a kitty to have that sort of health issue. i don't have any advice other than what people have already said, wait for the results and go from there.

 

[ButterflyJen]

I'm so sorry. I know how easy it is to get attached to a furbaby and then hear devastating news like that. You're in my thoughts. aw:

 

[swtnikki]

That's so sad to here. May your cat go in peace & have a very healthy life at the Rainbow Bridge.

 

[mallcat]

It is so hard to lose a loved one - even a furbaby! I have been in your shoes. My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family.

 

[mrFDNY]

hi all,
an update***
ok blood work came back today,dr put a rush on em at lab.ashley has kidney failure about 40 percent are not working.her liver is in failure too about 10 percent.she has kidney and bladder stones unknown why.the dr said chances are the stones are not the reason why they are in failure but the failure are causing the stones.she will need fluid's sub-q every other day.there is no chance of recovery there is no cure.her kidneys will continue to get worse until she loses her battle or we put her to rest.dr said it can be a week or 5 years.most common her kidneys will just stop working and she will take a very bad turn for the worst and very quickly.he told me we will know when it is time.right now she is her self,eating,a little playful,using the litter box. i have noticied her sleeping more than normal the last week.but does come when called.me and dw talked on the phone on her lunch break.we will go to disney!we will put ashley in the vet's office when we go.i spoke to the owner of the clinic.i worked for her for about 5 years.and i left on very good terms.she always said i was her most dependable and best employee.they are gonna treat ashley as a boarder it will cost $15 dollars a day for boarding.and $10 dollars every other day extra when she needs fluids.total cost around $200.

i kinda feel dumb i mean i tell the vet money is a little tight but my next sentence is were going to disney in 2 weeks.also the vet wants her to come back in in 10 days for a repeat blood work after she has been getting fluids and antobotics.as well as he wants her to get a sonogram and a few other expensive test done.i will bring her in for the repeat blood work.the sonogram alone is around $400 and he wants her to have a sonogram guideied kidney punch biopsey.which is they use a sonogram to guide a needle into the kidney and take tissue out for a analysis.this is a $300 test so all together.its a $700 dollar test and that's not with blood work or any therapy done.i was off till sunday,but i called the fire house and pick up a 16 hour shift on overtime for saturday.and well it looks like i will be doing a ton of ot in the next 2 weeks.i will give more updates as i know them.thanks for all your prays i really appericate them.

 

[KatelynnsAuntie]

More hugs and for your kitty Ashley.

 

[catsrule]

Thanks for the update on your kitty, Ashley. I'm very glad to hear you have someone to watch over her while you are on vacation. Hope Ashley continues to feel well.

 

[ChristmasElf]

I'm no doubt going to get flamed for this, but if money is tight and you are going on a trip, and the kitty is suffering, why put you and the cat through all the tests? Sometimes vets jsut want nothing else other than to run expensive tests that in the long run will not even help your little kitten.

Sorry to hear you are in this situation.

 

[Mercy]

I'm really sorry about your situation and do feel for you, we had to put our dog down a couple of years ago, very hard.

But, I will have to go with ChristmasElf here on this one. If there is no hope, you really don't want to go into debt over tests, treatments, etc. when there is no chance she will get better. Also I wouldn't want my cat to suffer either, so before she gets "bad", it might be better to prepare yourself, say your goodbye's and let her go.

I'll say a prayer that you make a good decision.

 

[BriarfoxinWA]

I'm no doubt going to get flamed for this, but if money is tight and you are going on a trip, and the kitty is suffering, why put you and the cat through all the tests? Sometimes vets jsut want nothing else other than to run expensive tests that in the long run will not even help your little kitten.

Sorry to hear you are in this situation.

I was just going to post the same thing. If there is no benefit to having the tests done - won't prolong your beloved kitty's life or quality of life - why put her through it?

Prayer's and PD for you Kitty

 

[diznygirl]

I'm no doubt going to get flamed for this, but if money is tight and you are going on a trip, and the kitty is suffering, why put you and the cat through all the tests? Sometimes vets jsut want nothing else other than to run expensive tests that in the long run will not even help your little kitten.

Sorry to hear you are in this situation.

No flames, just an explanation: pets are living things that we invest with a lot of emotion. They are not disposable.

I got all the tests I could for my cast to determine if it was something little or something big. It ended up being something big and then I knew what I needed to do. But if it was something little that could be taken care of with a little medicine and TLC, I wanted to know that.

 

[Charade]

 

[mrFDNY]

hi,
thats again for everyones kind word.right now i figure i will have the bloods repeated in a about week.however i don't think i will have the sonogram or punch biopsy done.as the vet explained it to me this is to determine how far the failure is and there is no treatment or cure only fluid theapy.right now she appears to be herself and does not appear to be in any pain.she is eating and playful and using the litter box normally.she is acting herself.i guess i will know if she is in pain or not herself i will know it is time,i don't want her to suffer any.right now she does not appear to be suffering or has any pain or discofort.thanks all

 

[Pea-n-Me]

I've been in a very similar situation twice when we were about to go on vacation and our dogs were near death. We had all the same thoughts and questions as you.

The first time we had a trip to Aruba planned for almost a year. When it was clear the dog wasn't doing well and the vet recommended he be put to sleep, we were so torn because it was right before our trip. He had cancer and it was clear it was the end, so we did put him to sleep, and we did go on our trip (with a group of non-animal lovers who did not understand our sadness ), but we were kind of melancholy that week.

The second time was just this past January. Our dog was 13 and unable to walk without assistance and pretty close to the end - but not quite there yet either. It was a special trip for us because it was our family's Christmas present from Santa and the kids could barely wait so we hated to cancel or postpone. I was lucky to find a pet sitter who was a vet tech/RN/PT/Animal Control officer, LOL, so she came twice a day to help him out, clean him, and give him his medicine and my mom was here with him as well. It worked out well and he held on until March.

After that episode and talking to others in similar situations, I realized there's a real need out there for pet sitters who can give advanced care like this. Since I'm an RN I've been considering offering my services myself. I see someone beat me to it but I was also going to say I wouldn't mind doing it for you either if a) you lived closer and b) your cat wouldn't mind my dog. I do agree with whoever said to wait and see, it may become a non-issue if she takes a turn for the worse.

Glad to hear you've found a solution. I had to on the part about crying poormouth and then saying you're going to Disney. I know how that feels!

Best of luck to your kitty and your family.

 

[goofy4tink]

I'm so sorry you have to have this happen to your baby. I have to agree with your deciding not to have all those extra tests. What difference will it make. I have been in your shoes and realize how hard it is tho. Presently I have 4 cats and my golden ret. My favorite kitty furbaby died on Oct 25 1999 while I was at WDW. The vet actually told my dh that she could keep the cat alive until I got home in 3 days!!! Obviously he told the vet no, to let the poor thing go. The cat was about 9 and evidently had some heart/respiratory issues we didn't know about. Why do I remember the exact day? My dd turned 6 that day.
Yep, I know your pain. Please do what you feel is best for your cat. You will know when the time is 'right'. She will know that she is well-loved and is depending on you to make the right choice for her. Here I sit, tears running down my face....does anyone know why we keep replacing our furbabies when we know this could very well happen, over and over?! Again, I'm so sorry. Perhaps the decision will be taken out of your hands and you can go to WDW and try to heal a bit. God knows I love my babies, but God also knows how much making these decisions kills us!!!

 

[Feralpeg]

I'm so sorry to hear this. My prayers will be for both you and Ashley. Listen to your heart. Don't beat yourself up. Ashley loves you and will always love you no matter what course you decide to take.

 

[EsmeraldaX]