Hi, I'm logging back into this site after a few year hiatus, seeking help and support for CRF/kidney failure. I've found my way to the CRF resources thread and am working my way through it slowly. I think I'm in decent shape to handle this, but do need the moral support of fellow cat people - if you're not a cat person, it's hard to understand why I want to do as much as possible to help my skinny little guy, even if it does cost $$$$ and he's peeing on the bed.
Last October, I adopted my beloved Castiel, a mellow 8 year old guy, with the intentions of getting a good cuddle companion for my feisty 8 year old first cat Squeaky, whom I adopted 4 years ago. While no blood has been shed, or fur tufts rent asunder, it's been a bit of a rough adjustment for Squeaky, going from the Queen to having to share the spotlight. A few weeks ago, I think the wall was finally breached and they came to a quiet peace. This morning, they even snuggled on my lap. Finally, I thought, we can settle into a cozy little cat family where we all love one another.
Which made this Friday all the more difficult. Cas had been losing weight, was picking at his food and had stopped using the litter box, so I took him in to the vet. The diagnosis was that he had advanced stage kidney failure. After that, my brain was kind of in a fog, so I don't remember all of the numbers, but I got the impression it was very severe. The vet didn't offer any life expectancy numbers, as we're still in crisis mode, but it's devastating to me to think that I will only get to have Cas with me for a few more months, instead of the many long years I had hoped.
I'm trying to be optimistic - I'm giving him subQ fluids daily, which he takes very well. Today was my first day doing it at home, and after an abortive start where I leaked the fluid all over the couch, he was very calm and collected through the whole process. Didn't complain at all. We're getting him on one medicine on Monday, with more to come after we re-run all the tests to see how he's responding to the fluids. At this point, we're just trying to get him to eat, so he's still eating his regular food (california natural wet), and if/when he gets a little meat on his skinny little body, we'll look at low protein foods. I have to shove the food dish under his nose every 15 minutes to start him eating again, otherwise he'll give it a few half hearted licks and ignore it. I moved a litter box upstairs and ordered waterproof blankets to put on the couches and bed, in case he has any further peeing accidents. I'm very lucky that the vet tech has cared for a few of her cats going through this, and is supportive of my wanting to do the best I can for him.
I hope he's one who can live for years with CRF managed. It's possible right?
Last October, I adopted my beloved Castiel, a mellow 8 year old guy, with the intentions of getting a good cuddle companion for my feisty 8 year old first cat Squeaky, whom I adopted 4 years ago. While no blood has been shed, or fur tufts rent asunder, it's been a bit of a rough adjustment for Squeaky, going from the Queen to having to share the spotlight. A few weeks ago, I think the wall was finally breached and they came to a quiet peace. This morning, they even snuggled on my lap. Finally, I thought, we can settle into a cozy little cat family where we all love one another.
Which made this Friday all the more difficult. Cas had been losing weight, was picking at his food and had stopped using the litter box, so I took him in to the vet. The diagnosis was that he had advanced stage kidney failure. After that, my brain was kind of in a fog, so I don't remember all of the numbers, but I got the impression it was very severe. The vet didn't offer any life expectancy numbers, as we're still in crisis mode, but it's devastating to me to think that I will only get to have Cas with me for a few more months, instead of the many long years I had hoped.
I'm trying to be optimistic - I'm giving him subQ fluids daily, which he takes very well. Today was my first day doing it at home, and after an abortive start where I leaked the fluid all over the couch, he was very calm and collected through the whole process. Didn't complain at all. We're getting him on one medicine on Monday, with more to come after we re-run all the tests to see how he's responding to the fluids. At this point, we're just trying to get him to eat, so he's still eating his regular food (california natural wet), and if/when he gets a little meat on his skinny little body, we'll look at low protein foods. I have to shove the food dish under his nose every 15 minutes to start him eating again, otherwise he'll give it a few half hearted licks and ignore it. I moved a litter box upstairs and ordered waterproof blankets to put on the couches and bed, in case he has any further peeing accidents. I'm very lucky that the vet tech has cared for a few of her cats going through this, and is supportive of my wanting to do the best I can for him.
I hope he's one who can live for years with CRF managed. It's possible right?