I wasn't sure which section to post this in, and I know that ultimately this is a decision only I can make, but it is such a hard one. I adopted my kitty a year ago, she is now 4, and she was diagnosed a month ago with PKD. At first she had a lot of good days with some bad days thrown in, but she would always perk back up. In the past week however, things have really gone down hill. She's barely eating, she's stopped pooping, she doesn't want to be pet and keeps to herself. This is exactly what she was doing when she was first diagnosed. I've done phosphate binders, potassium supplements, special food, syringe feeding, and everything else that I could find good scientific research to back. She's just not getting better. I knew from the beginning any treatment would just be making what life she has left more comfortable, and right now, her quality of life seems low. She has eaten maybe 3 tablespoons of food in the past 3 days and is so ridiculously skinny. Her back legs also seem to be in a lot of pain. Normally she will sleep on my bed but now she has trouble jumping up.
I just asked my vet about an appetite stimulent and he said he'd like to look at her blood work first. If it looks relatively okay and hasn't changed much since her last appointment, then he thinks it might be a viable option. However if her blood work doesn't come back good, then it's time to say goodbye. Unfortunately, I will have to make that decision by the end of this week because I was supposed to be leaving for a week long trip. I want to be there when she's put down, but I don't think waiting another week for me to get back is fair to her.
I just want to know that I have tried everything and that I'm not giving up on her by making the decision to put her down.
Also, how does one prepare themselves for this? She is my first pet so I'm a complete mess right now.
I just asked my vet about an appetite stimulent and he said he'd like to look at her blood work first. If it looks relatively okay and hasn't changed much since her last appointment, then he thinks it might be a viable option. However if her blood work doesn't come back good, then it's time to say goodbye. Unfortunately, I will have to make that decision by the end of this week because I was supposed to be leaving for a week long trip. I want to be there when she's put down, but I don't think waiting another week for me to get back is fair to her.
I just want to know that I have tried everything and that I'm not giving up on her by making the decision to put her down.
Also, how does one prepare themselves for this? She is my first pet so I'm a complete mess right now.