Hi everyone-
Louie has crf (due to 2 large kidney stones, 1 in each kidney) and is 7 years old. Diagnosed about a year ago and spent a few days at the vets for 24/7 IV fluids about 2 months ago. That brought his levels down from where they were, but they were still elevated. Since they he has been managed at home with Sub-Q fluids, pepcid and phosphate binders.
In the past 1.5 weeks, he has taken a turn for the worse. He vomited water every day for a week (but that stopped 3 days ago), has been extremely lethargic and his back end is pretty week. He walks slowly and carefully. But, he prefers not to walk at all and spends all day curled up in a ball.
On the positive side, he eats a few bites of food for breakfast and dinner, but only if I bring the dish to where he is sitting. He drinks a bit and is still using his litterbox. Although the volume of urine is decreased.
The vet recommended increasing his fluids to 2x/day, which I have done. Other than that, she has indicated there is not much more to do other than supportive care. And I don't feel like it would be the right course of action to hospitalize him again for 24/7 fluids. My poor mush has been through enough.
My ideal scenario (other than him being completely cured!) would be for him to suffer as little as possible and I am fully ready to help him get to the bridge when the time is right. But I am struggling with when that is. I know he is uncomfortable now, but he purrs when you pet him and will groom his buddies a little when they come to him for a cuddle.
I am taking it day by day, but I would love to know what other folks have experienced with their crf kitties. Were there big crashes? Slower declines? I don't want him to suffer because I can't make a decision. But now, it seems like he might not be quite there. Any advice?
I've owned many cats and have had to put them all to sleep. But due to different reasons (cancer, etc) and it seemed so much more clear to me when the time came around.
Louie has crf (due to 2 large kidney stones, 1 in each kidney) and is 7 years old. Diagnosed about a year ago and spent a few days at the vets for 24/7 IV fluids about 2 months ago. That brought his levels down from where they were, but they were still elevated. Since they he has been managed at home with Sub-Q fluids, pepcid and phosphate binders.
In the past 1.5 weeks, he has taken a turn for the worse. He vomited water every day for a week (but that stopped 3 days ago), has been extremely lethargic and his back end is pretty week. He walks slowly and carefully. But, he prefers not to walk at all and spends all day curled up in a ball.
On the positive side, he eats a few bites of food for breakfast and dinner, but only if I bring the dish to where he is sitting. He drinks a bit and is still using his litterbox. Although the volume of urine is decreased.
The vet recommended increasing his fluids to 2x/day, which I have done. Other than that, she has indicated there is not much more to do other than supportive care. And I don't feel like it would be the right course of action to hospitalize him again for 24/7 fluids. My poor mush has been through enough.
My ideal scenario (other than him being completely cured!) would be for him to suffer as little as possible and I am fully ready to help him get to the bridge when the time is right. But I am struggling with when that is. I know he is uncomfortable now, but he purrs when you pet him and will groom his buddies a little when they come to him for a cuddle.
I am taking it day by day, but I would love to know what other folks have experienced with their crf kitties. Were there big crashes? Slower declines? I don't want him to suffer because I can't make a decision. But now, it seems like he might not be quite there. Any advice?
I've owned many cats and have had to put them all to sleep. But due to different reasons (cancer, etc) and it seemed so much more clear to me when the time came around.