Not certain if this is the correct part of the forum to post this in, but here goes...
My beautiful, majestic boy Buddy was diagnosed with CKD in January 2019. This past Saturday he started throwing up everything he ate or drank. Took him to the vet on Monday morning, they gave him a shot of Cerenia, sub-Q fluids and sent me on my way. I should've asked for blood work then, but I didn't. He stopped throwing up and ate some of his food on Tuesday, but not much. On Wednesday he stopped eating completely, so I took him to the vet again this morning. This time, full blood work. Bad news... ALL of the markers related to his kidney function were totally skewed in the red and off the chart. To my disbelief, the vet then proceeded to tell me he probably only has 1-2 weeks left. After discussing his condition for about 15 minutes, he offered me only 2 options: 1. Euthanasia or 2. transdermal appetite stimulant (mirtazapine). Since I was totally unprepared for that diagnosis I opted for the appetite stimulant. Vet told me if the appetite stimulant works (possible, but not probable), he might live a bit longer. He applied the gel to his ear and we left. After I left I could barely drive home. My boy was in the carrier in the front seat looking at me like: "What's wrong daddy?" Right then is when it all hit me. I haven't cried that hard in many, many years. Thankfully, I had large sunglasses to hide behind.
So it's now Friday night and he still will not touch wet/dry cat food. I tried tuna.. he will not eat it. I tried various types of meat baby foods... nope. Cooked egg whites... nope. So, right now I'm giving him whatever he will eat to get calories in him and keep him going; whole milk, pats of butter (melted in microwave), 4% cottage cheese (he won't eat the curds, just the cream). He's drinking water, but not that much... that worries me. Anyone have any ideas of what else I might try feeding him? Anyone here know how long it takes mirtazapine to start working? I forgot to ask my vet that question.
When I feel that time has come I'm going to have the vet come over the house and perform the euthanasia here. The last thing my boy needs is more stress in his life.
I am totally devastated by all this. This cat has been my best pal for many years. I cannot believe he will soon be gone. It all seems like a bad dream. Just looking at his cat bed and favorite toys makes me cry. It is absolutely gut wrenching.
I thought I was would post a few pics of my handsome little lion here (from better days)
My beautiful, majestic boy Buddy was diagnosed with CKD in January 2019. This past Saturday he started throwing up everything he ate or drank. Took him to the vet on Monday morning, they gave him a shot of Cerenia, sub-Q fluids and sent me on my way. I should've asked for blood work then, but I didn't. He stopped throwing up and ate some of his food on Tuesday, but not much. On Wednesday he stopped eating completely, so I took him to the vet again this morning. This time, full blood work. Bad news... ALL of the markers related to his kidney function were totally skewed in the red and off the chart. To my disbelief, the vet then proceeded to tell me he probably only has 1-2 weeks left. After discussing his condition for about 15 minutes, he offered me only 2 options: 1. Euthanasia or 2. transdermal appetite stimulant (mirtazapine). Since I was totally unprepared for that diagnosis I opted for the appetite stimulant. Vet told me if the appetite stimulant works (possible, but not probable), he might live a bit longer. He applied the gel to his ear and we left. After I left I could barely drive home. My boy was in the carrier in the front seat looking at me like: "What's wrong daddy?" Right then is when it all hit me. I haven't cried that hard in many, many years. Thankfully, I had large sunglasses to hide behind.
So it's now Friday night and he still will not touch wet/dry cat food. I tried tuna.. he will not eat it. I tried various types of meat baby foods... nope. Cooked egg whites... nope. So, right now I'm giving him whatever he will eat to get calories in him and keep him going; whole milk, pats of butter (melted in microwave), 4% cottage cheese (he won't eat the curds, just the cream). He's drinking water, but not that much... that worries me. Anyone have any ideas of what else I might try feeding him? Anyone here know how long it takes mirtazapine to start working? I forgot to ask my vet that question.
When I feel that time has come I'm going to have the vet come over the house and perform the euthanasia here. The last thing my boy needs is more stress in his life.
I am totally devastated by all this. This cat has been my best pal for many years. I cannot believe he will soon be gone. It all seems like a bad dream. Just looking at his cat bed and favorite toys makes me cry. It is absolutely gut wrenching.
I thought I was would post a few pics of my handsome little lion here (from better days)
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