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4083. jexster - 3/6/2008 3:07:31 AM Just got through "watering" the cat
He was diagnosed with chronic renal failure, common in old cats and he was dehydrated.
So the vet recommended subcutaneous fluid therapy 2-3 times a week. It was easy when the tech showed me how but quite another story when I have to do the poking though he doesn't get quite as angry
Don't know how much of this I can take. Harder on me than on him
At least it works...His coat is back (not as much free skin to poke) and is more active 4084. thoughtful - 3/9/2008 5:14:24 PM So sorry to hear about your cat, Jex. We lost ours at 18 to renal failure. It is very common now.
4085. thoughtful - 3/9/2008 5:15:45 PM My happy orchids:
4086. thoughtful - 3/9/2008 5:16:23 PM 
4087. thoughtful - 3/9/2008 5:17:12 PM 
4088. thoughtful - 3/9/2008 5:18:04 PM 
4089. judithathome - 3/9/2008 7:05:57 PM Lovely!! I remember when you got those! 4090. jexster - 3/9/2008 7:08:32 PM Phaelopsolises (sp)! Pretty...
4091. jexster - 3/9/2008 11:28:39 PM Yo T'filled
My doc said that the CRF was in an early stage but that I should be alert to "signs of decomposition". I didn't think to ask but what..loss of appetite? severe loss of energy?
Hope I've not recalled painful memories but am trying to make this as grace filled a passage as possible 4092. Magoseph - 3/10/2008 12:06:07 AM http://www.felinecrf.com/what0.htm
Here. Jex.
4093. jexster - 3/10/2008 1:33:24 AM Merci mago..and again...sooorrrryy 4094. jexster - 3/10/2008 1:40:37 AM Now I understand how important that damned fluid therapy is ...I nailed it yesterday but he now knows what it means when I put the chair by the door and hang the IV contraption from a hanger...
Great to know that they're not suffering much at all until the very end ....yuk..but kinda ready for that 4095. judithathome - 3/10/2008 6:35:52 AM Something to keep in mind:
Think Twice Before Asking For Lemon In Your Drink 4096. thoughtful - 3/11/2008 3:49:52 PM Jex
Our cat got more lethargic was reluctant to eat and started losing weight. She huddled close to the wood stove trying to stay warm. We got reluctant to touch her except most gently on the head as anything else seemed to cause her pain. Finally she looked at ius and we knew it was time. Her sad eyes just begged us to do something. So we took her to the vets and had her put to sleep. It was a most gentle and peaceful and humane process...so much so that i cursed the powers that be that prevented us from doing the same for my SIL when she was in such agony suffering terminal lung cancer. It probably only ended the suffering for a day or so but when someone you love is hurting, every minute counts. 4097. thoughtful - 3/11/2008 3:58:29 PM Jex
The other thing is we did not go through what you are w regard to fluid replacement. She was already 18 and had lived a good life. There was no point in postponing the inevitable. Of course that is an individual thing. She was first diagnosed with kidney issues when she was 13 and she seemed to do quite well for years with no seeming issue. The only thing we did for her at that point was to put her on science diet kd (kidney diet) which i believe is low protein which helps protect the kidneys. 4098. thoughtful - 3/12/2008 7:19:50 PM Time to make corned beef and cabbage. I enjoy it and often wonder why I don't make it more often...somehow I need st. pat's day to remind me... 4099. jexster - 3/12/2008 8:59:15 PM T'filled
Sonny is 19plus!!! Be 20 in October if he makes it
The fluid therapy is designed to slow the progress of the disease and relieve discomfort
It is more palliative than anything else. I was having REAL trouble getting the line in ...the first 3-4 treatments were disasters. Water everywhere but in the cat. And this was having an effect - rapid dehydration and sudden loss of apetite
I called the doc and he told me to buck it up ..it is too important that I not be squeamish. We're now going on 1/day for a few days
Then miracle of miracles, yesterday and again this AM total sucess.
He doesn't much like it but at least he's got the strength to fight to get away! I suspect he'll adapt. My brother used to give his cat daily insulin shots..eventually he'd jump up on the chair to get them 4100. jexster - 3/12/2008 9:00:47 PM We got reluctant to touch her except most gently on the head as anything else seemed to cause her pain. Finally she looked at ius and we knew it was time. Her sad eyes just begged us to do something.
I have had cats die but never put one down
My sis in law has done 3 and THAT IS EXACTLY what she says...
They tell you when it is time 4101. jexster - 3/12/2008 9:09:07 PM Doing some research..UC Davis has developed dialysis for dogs and cats...this to bridge until a suitable kidney can be found for transplant
Too many people have too much money in this country 4102. jexster - 3/12/2008 9:54:52 PM T'filled ..from my brother
I'll send Elise out there. The cats call her Dr.Kevorkian.
I'm telling you, that note is absolutely right. The cat looks at you and tells you, "hey, can't you do something about this?".
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