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Lucky, My 11.5 Yr Old Kitty Is So Sick!
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Thanks.....On Thursday she was very low and day 8 of no food an some water. Got her kitten milk, baby puree chicken. She had none. Got Lucky an appt that very morning and spent most of the day there with her as it is a technical clinic that is very reasonable for low income and seniors. I'd say 3 vets checked her out and discussed the situation. I had brought her in to go to the bridge. They were leaning to this but then one gal 4th year student (this is at Tufts), asked me if I would be willing to give her one more try until after the holiday which would be Tuesday. They gave her fluids, anti nausea shot which helps her for days actually, and tried a spoon in her carrier of Hill's Urgent Care. Came and told me she ate it just fine!!! I took home a few cans and yes, Lucky came back with me. She is now eating the heck out of that urgent care stuff. I give her a tsp every time she comes looking for it. However, I was also sent home with a bag of fluids and the set up. She said I should try once daily. Problem, I have no one to help me and she is not a cat that is going to just stay there, even with food dish in front of her. She does not like to be held back at all. I tried on my counter and hung the bag on my upper cabinet knob. She wasn't having it! When she is relaxed and goes up on my bed and curls up comfy I will set the bag on my pillow, sit next to her, pet and see if I can do it that way. She seems to be doing so much better but is way not out of the woods yet. My daughter may come help tomorrow. In the meantime, I spend from 5 pm to 3 am this morning in the ER with my daughter. She was very close to having neurosurgery....ugh!! Migraines and a vp shunt. Chance her shunt had broken but after a complete workup it seems all is okay. Just a regular massive migraine. I must say, I'm quite tired but will go outdoors right now, take my book, and have a nice cold beer!!!!
thanks so much for allowing me to go on and please keep Lucky in your prayers. This next week ought to tell something.
I am very glad to hear that Lucky is eating something! That might just be what it takes to get her over the 'non-eating' hump. I am so glad the student vet came up with a potential solution and Lucky is still with us! Maybe if she starts to eat more, you can try adding some tuna water to her regular water and she will begin to drink more!
Sorry to hear about your daughter, but happy that it's nothing more problematic at this point than a migraine. I hope it stays that way, and hope she can help you get fluids into Lucky.
You are a wonderful caretaker to Lucky; you are the reason she has so far lived up to her name! Keep up the good work, and effort - and, you deserve that beer!!!
Our thought and prayers are with Lucky and you!
Please keep us posted. I am crossing Feeby's paws in the hopes that things continue to get better and better for Lucky.
Sorry to hear about your daughter, but happy that it's nothing more problematic at this point than a migraine. I hope it stays that way, and hope she can help you get fluids into Lucky.
You are a wonderful caretaker to Lucky; you are the reason she has so far lived up to her name! Keep up the good work, and effort - and, you deserve that beer!!!
Our thought and prayers are with Lucky and you!
Please keep us posted. I am crossing Feeby's paws in the hopes that things continue to get better and better for Lucky.
Put the bag set up on a counter that's easy to reach, kitchen counters are usually a good height. Bring Lucky in when she's a little calm, then hold her with your non-dominate arm so that her chin is over your elbow and your arm is resting on her front legs. Be sure to slip the needle in in a shallow manner so you don't hit her bones. The easiest way to do this is to continue to reach around her with your non-dominate hand and pick up a pinch of skin and stick the needle in that. (vet really should have shown you how to do this and let you practice a bit.) Raise the fluid bag at once to get some in while continuing to hold kit.
Whatever you do, stay calm. Lucky will pick up on your emotions, so you want her to mirror calm.
Some say to do this while feeding her. They say the same about the insulin shots (which are easier because they take less time.) DON'T. It will make her run from her food. The fluids will make her feel better. Give them a little while to take effect then offer her food.
You could scatter interesting smelly foods on the counter to distract her, it might work, but don't use the food you really want her to eat. You want only good associated with that.
Whatever you do, stay calm. Lucky will pick up on your emotions, so you want her to mirror calm.
Some say to do this while feeding her. They say the same about the insulin shots (which are easier because they take less time.) DON'T. It will make her run from her food. The fluids will make her feel better. Give them a little while to take effect then offer her food.
You could scatter interesting smelly foods on the counter to distract her, it might work, but don't use the food you really want her to eat. You want only good associated with that.
See if there are any tips in this article (with pics) that you might be able to try.
Giving Your Cat IV Subcutaneous Fluids at Home (With Photos)
Giving Your Cat IV Subcutaneous Fluids at Home (With Photos)
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That Hill's urgent care stuff is full of calories and most cats seem to really like the flavor and texture.
I can't help with giving fluids, would she allow you to wrap her gently in a towel or a blanket?
If she likes watching birds and squirrels and things outside, there's videos on you tube that are made for cats, just a camera set up at a bird station. When one of our cats had an injury that needed daily care, plopping her in front of the TV was the only way it got done. Just like a little kid
Another option if it's do-able would be reaching out to a pet sitting service and seeing if someone with cat experience could be hired to help you administer them once a day.
And good grief, when it rains it pours. I hope your daughter makes a full recovery ASAP and is able to help you.
Meanwhile, relax and enjoy that beer
I can't help with giving fluids, would she allow you to wrap her gently in a towel or a blanket?
If she likes watching birds and squirrels and things outside, there's videos on you tube that are made for cats, just a camera set up at a bird station. When one of our cats had an injury that needed daily care, plopping her in front of the TV was the only way it got done. Just like a little kid
Another option if it's do-able would be reaching out to a pet sitting service and seeing if someone with cat experience could be hired to help you administer them once a day.
And good grief, when it rains it pours. I hope your daughter makes a full recovery ASAP and is able to help you.
Meanwhile, relax and enjoy that beer
When I broke my arm I couldn't cut the dog's claws. I ask the vet to send someone from his kennel staff, not the vet (she charges $200 for a house call). She sent two of her kennel staff, who trimmed pup's claws and charged me $20. You could ask your vet if they will send someone. Sorry I didn't think of it before. Still wouldn't get Lucky's food involved in the fluids business.
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You are awesome! Thanks..........I am very glad to hear that Lucky is eating something! That might just be what it takes to get her over the 'non-eating' hump. I am so glad the student vet came up with a potential solution and Lucky is still with us! Maybe if she starts to eat more, you can try adding some tuna water to her regular water and she will begin to drink more!
Sorry to hear about your daughter, but happy that it's nothing more problematic at this point than a migraine. I hope it stays that way, and hope she can help you get fluids into Lucky.
You are a wonderful caretaker to Lucky; you are the reason she has so far lived up to her name! Keep up the good work, and effort - and, you deserve that beer!!!
Our thought and prayers are with Lucky and you!
Please keep us posted. I am crossing Feeby's paws in the hopes that things continue to get better and better for Lucky.
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Yes, you are awesome and thank you! Lucky is a whole lot more alert and comfortable. We are way far from out of the woods. I am usually home so, just giving a tsp of this Urgent Diet at a time still. If she comes out, and sometimes as I sit here, she'll actually come over, sit next to me on the floor, stand on her back paws and tap my arm with a front paw LOL!! I know she wants something to eat so go out anytime I see her looking interested and plop a tsp into her dish and she usually eats just about all. I am not seeing her drinking but of course could be missing. But she is still only voiding once or twice a day and desperately needs that SQ water. I have no one to help me and she is a skittish cat and will not sit for this. I need that second pair of hands. My daughter stopped by a minute yesterday but Lucky was incognito, way unreachable in a closet which I now must keep closed I guess. She has lost a fair amt. of weight and I can kind of feel her spine now 
We are far from out of the woods however, I'm not ready to throw in the towel with her..... 
We are far from out of the woods however, I'm not ready to throw in the towel with her.....
Try tuna water from a can of tuna and add some to her water dish - then, see if you can't watch her for a while to see if she tries it.
The good thing is that I suspect the Urgent Care is wet food and therefore contains moisture. There are some cats who don't drink a lot of water if they are being fed wet food. So, at least there is some moisture getting into her.
Did the vet say to up the amount of food you are feeding her each time at some point. I would put a tad bit more in her bowl next time just to see what happens.
Also, did you check with the vet's office about a staff member coming to your house to help with the SubQ fluids, as K Kflowers suggested? It might be worth a try.
The good thing is that I suspect the Urgent Care is wet food and therefore contains moisture. There are some cats who don't drink a lot of water if they are being fed wet food. So, at least there is some moisture getting into her.
Did the vet say to up the amount of food you are feeding her each time at some point. I would put a tad bit more in her bowl next time just to see what happens.
Also, did you check with the vet's office about a staff member coming to your house to help with the SubQ fluids, as K Kflowers suggested? It might be worth a try.
Hope ure baby gets better....
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Thanks so much, FeeBysOwner.....I tried yesterday on the kitchen counter and was able to hang the bag on a cabinet door knob. Perfect! I did put her food in front of her and take a minute to pet and talk with her and immediately she was having no part of that! I will try the tuna water again. I closed her hideaway closet so she cannot spend time in there now. Just in case my daughter comes by later need her to be out here. Not sure but thought I heard her sneeze a few times yesterday and now today. Great!! And one eye was crying clear tears a bit too. Used to have something for URI but got rid of the capsules or would try one in her food. We are really having a fight here trying to help. I am so happy my other girl, Skye, is seeming just fine.
I called a neighbor yesterday who used to volunteer at a shelter and she said she would gladly come over and help with the fluids. Half hour later, she came to the door and would not come in!!! I was pretty angry but did not let her see. She said she decided not to help with Lucky as she has a cat and does not want her to catch anything and would not even enter my house. I'll just keep trying
I called a neighbor yesterday who used to volunteer at a shelter and she said she would gladly come over and help with the fluids. Half hour later, she came to the door and would not come in!!! I was pretty angry but did not let her see. She said she decided not to help with Lucky as she has a cat and does not want her to catch anything and would not even enter my house. I'll just keep trying
I hope the sneezing and watery eye are just maybe the result of her hiding in the closet. If your closets are like mine, they don't always get cleaned out very often and probably have some dust in there!! If this continues for a few more days, you may want to tell the vets about it and see if they think they can treat her for it - especially since she is at least eating now!
But, about the closet - if you are going to prevent her from going to her favorite hideaway place, do you have another place that is a little more accessible but that could allow her some place to retreat to when she wants to? And, if that is a problem with having your daughter come over to help with the SubQ fluids, perhaps your daughter can call you ahead of time and then you could entice Lucky out with some of her food?
Again, if you can spare some money for it, call the vet and ask about staff that might be willing to help for a small fee.
But, about the closet - if you are going to prevent her from going to her favorite hideaway place, do you have another place that is a little more accessible but that could allow her some place to retreat to when she wants to? And, if that is a problem with having your daughter come over to help with the SubQ fluids, perhaps your daughter can call you ahead of time and then you could entice Lucky out with some of her food?
I am so sorry that this did not work out for you. Very disappointing I am sure.
Again, if you can spare some money for it, call the vet and ask about staff that might be willing to help for a small fee. I meant to ask earlier, did you ever check about the fPLI test and what they did test for?
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Bless you, (and that 4th year vet student), for not giving up on Lucky. I would keep trying to get someone in to help you with SubQ fluids, and keep enticing Lucky to eat; the more moisture she can get in the better.
All here care very much. We have seen cats on this site in as bad shape, but with diligence, persistence of a caring owner like you have pulled through. Hang in!
All here care very much. We have seen cats on this site in as bad shape, but with diligence, persistence of a caring owner like you have pulled through. Hang in!
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Well, here we are weeks later. Lucky had been taken 2 X to the vet for euthanize only to "give it another chance." After not making my bed for days and allowing her to curl up where my body heat and scent were, checking on and petting, SQ fluids, special diet kitty food, she came back!!! She is eating and drinking normally. Feeling the meat increase on her bones! Happy, happy....if this is for weeks, or years, she is having a relaxed, loved and happy time now.
In the meantime, my 3.5 year old, Skye suddenly a few days ago came down with the same thing. Her eyes were like slits, sneezing and coughing, lethargic and weak. With much time and staying right at her side, within just a day or two she began eating mashed up with adding water Hills Urgent Care. That stuff is awesome. I purchased a case and will get another case as they both are still loving it. Oh how my two girls are the world to me. I am so, so happy.
Me and the girls want to thank the kind souls who took time to respond to our dilemma. I have a whole nuther side to this story but though interesting might scare or have folks think me crazy. It is all about a primitive doll with bad juju that was very involved here. Thanks so much again!
In the meantime, my 3.5 year old, Skye suddenly a few days ago came down with the same thing. Her eyes were like slits, sneezing and coughing, lethargic and weak. With much time and staying right at her side, within just a day or two she began eating mashed up with adding water Hills Urgent Care. That stuff is awesome. I purchased a case and will get another case as they both are still loving it. Oh how my two girls are the world to me. I am so, so happy.
Me and the girls want to thank the kind souls who took time to respond to our dilemma. I have a whole nuther side to this story but though interesting might scare or have folks think me crazy. It is all about a primitive doll with bad juju that was very involved here. Thanks so much again!
so happy that Lucky is better. I hope Skye gets better soon
