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- Sep 28, 2018
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The Immortal Clyde is finally getting ready to cross the rainbow bridge after 19 long years. His kidneys just came back at 73 percent failing, up from 33 percent in Feb. He hasn't had a stool movement in quiet a while, and he's dehydrated. The vet gave him two bags of fluids and said to wait before bringing him back. It's clearly not working and back he will go tomorrow/the next day.
One of the options my vet gave me is giving him fluids at home to keep him hydrated. That sounds terrifying, and I have a few questions. My biggest one being - has anyone had these and found they help? If it only extends his life by a few days I'm not sure it's worth stressing him out. I know it's hard to say due to not knowing the medical history of the cat, but in your experience have they seemed to help your cat?
The other thing is needles. Needles TERRIFY me SO much. I know cats aren't as smart as humans, but do they hurt? Can I screw up and kill him? It sounds like a huge job to take on myself. I don't want to have to poke him several times if it causes him pain. He does have a LOT of loose skin, though.
Not as big of an issue, but does anyone know roughly how much I am looking at cost wise? I have to save for cremation as well.
As an aside so I can prepare myself, does anyone have a ballpark idea of how long cats live once their kidneys get that bad? I know it varies by cat. I've never had one do this before so I'm not sure if it'll suddenly jump from 70 to 110 overnight, or if it'll be a slow buildup.
I guess I'm trying to decide if fluids will keep him comfortable for a home passing or if we should just call it a fight well fought and put him to sleep. As much as I'd like The Immortal Clyde to stay around forever, I know that's not an option. I'm worried I'm just prolonging the inevitable and feeling really low tonight. He's an awesome cat, he deserves the BEST I can give him.
One of the options my vet gave me is giving him fluids at home to keep him hydrated. That sounds terrifying, and I have a few questions. My biggest one being - has anyone had these and found they help? If it only extends his life by a few days I'm not sure it's worth stressing him out. I know it's hard to say due to not knowing the medical history of the cat, but in your experience have they seemed to help your cat?
The other thing is needles. Needles TERRIFY me SO much. I know cats aren't as smart as humans, but do they hurt? Can I screw up and kill him? It sounds like a huge job to take on myself. I don't want to have to poke him several times if it causes him pain. He does have a LOT of loose skin, though.
Not as big of an issue, but does anyone know roughly how much I am looking at cost wise? I have to save for cremation as well.
As an aside so I can prepare myself, does anyone have a ballpark idea of how long cats live once their kidneys get that bad? I know it varies by cat. I've never had one do this before so I'm not sure if it'll suddenly jump from 70 to 110 overnight, or if it'll be a slow buildup.
I guess I'm trying to decide if fluids will keep him comfortable for a home passing or if we should just call it a fight well fought and put him to sleep. As much as I'd like The Immortal Clyde to stay around forever, I know that's not an option. I'm worried I'm just prolonging the inevitable and feeling really low tonight. He's an awesome cat, he deserves the BEST I can give him.