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Once I made like a vegetarian soup but accidentally used chicken broth instead of vegetable broth. These things happen. God knows we're trying our best.
I think we all know our cats better than anyone else and I believe you when you say something is not right with Geoffrey. I hope he is able to get his chemo this afternoon and tolerate it. Please let us know how it goes. I also hope you can get an appointment with the vet this coming week and whatever is ailing Dr. B clears up soon.I know my cat. I know something is not right. What it is, I do not know, without blood tests, and a good Vet Exam.Today is a Chemo day.. I have to give him his morning meds.. and see how that goes.. I will decide this afternoon about the Chemo.
No, Geoffrey has not been diagnosed with CKD.. Just a gut feeling. He was drinking a ton, and peeing a lot.. Then it all stopped. And the not being able to pee, is very concerning.. G is NOT blocked. He pees a couple times a day, much smaller clumps.. and is not drinking much water. AS far as I can tell, all of these signs can be attributed to Diabetes, Anemia, iFLUTD, or even CKD... That is why blood testing is crucial-- as far as I am concerned. It could all be caused from the steroid (?). Or perhaps the Chlorambucil ???? Who knows?? I cannot conjecture anymore. I am burnt out. All I know is Geoffrey is sick.. From what?? who knows??Just want to mention that with the Rawz rabbit, I don't think there is any bone in it. They use Calcium Carbonate instead. Also, since his Vet appointment got cancelled, can you call them and ask them for something to settle him down for the construction next week? They should be able to write a script for you and you can even get it filled at Walgreens or CVS near you. There are lots of Vets there at Angells, right? Surely another Vet can do this for you due to the circumstances of your Vet getting sick.
As to the smaller pees, has G been diagnosed with CKD? In my experience with it, cats normally drink tons of water with it and then pee huge amounts. This doesn't sound like CKD to me. But I will say that my two boys sometimes will have huge pees, and other times will have tiny pees. They rarely drink water, but they don't eat any dry food and I also add water to their wet food.
It is because I have an anxiety disorder!! and Geoffrey is supposed to be my ESA.. but I seems to have been an ESPerson to him...You have extremely high credibility where Geoffrey is concerned, are meticulous about his care, and watch everything that he does or that happens to him. Your instincts with him seem to be way beyond gut level and I hope that this can be resolved.
Thank you for checking this out for me.. I am a bit overwhelmed.Just want to mention that with the Rawz rabbit, I don't think there is any bone in it. They use Calcium Carbonate instead. Also, since his Vet appointment got cancelled, can you call them and ask them for something to settle him down for the construction next week? They should be able to write a script for you and you can even get it filled at Walgreens or CVS near you. There are lots of Vets there at Angells, right? Surely another Vet can do this for you due to the circumstances of your Vet getting sick.
So far.. it is weird... Dr B feels things are mostly stress related... I will post more tomorrow...Hey Cindy, just checking in to see how you and our dear boy are.![]()
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Did he give you any suggestions to reduce the stress? I know you are on top of things when it comes to G and notice the slightest change in his demeanor. Look forward to you posting more tomorrow.Dr B feels things are mostly stress related.
I don't know why I keep losing email alerts to threads I want to follow! But anyway. You are well qualified and not squeamish...so if Geoffrey needs sub-Q Ringers you can administer at home, yes? Yes, those are all symptoms associated with those maladies, as you know. I got 7 mainly good months with my Moti angel after her diagnosis of CRF by learning how to home-administer sub-Q. I put her top loading carrier on the bathroom countertop, hung the Ringers on a hanger on the shower frame across from it, and it was very easy to give her her fluids that way. She was a very brave and patient girl.No, Geoffrey has not been diagnosed with CKD.. Just a gut feeling. He was drinking a ton, and peeing a lot.. Then it all stopped. And the not being able to pee, is very concerning.. G is NOT blocked. He pees a couple times a day, much smaller clumps.. and is not drinking much water. AS far as I can tell, all of these signs can be attributed to Diabetes, Anemia, iFLUTD, or even CKD... That is why blood testing is crucial-- as far as I am concerned. It could all be caused from the steroid (?). Or perhaps the Chlorambucil ???? Who knows?? I cannot conjecture anymore. I am burnt out. All I know is Geoffrey is sick.. From what?? who knows??
From my understanding: Initial Renal Failure causes a huge thirst, with a lot of pee--(G has done that).. then, as it progresses, the kidneys begin to shut down, causing less pee and less thirst, and lethargy as the poisons build up in
the body.. The same is true for diabetes, also-- but I think the thirst stays pretty constant.. With diabetes, it effect the kidneys, also., goes hand in hand.. Vomiting can occur with each disease, as the toxins build up.. ( At least this is my 'human' understanding).. As being a medical worker for my entire life ~~ in teaching hospitals, and taking care of both my parents; let's just say, I got a mini-medical school education.
Today, he ate a good amount of wet food. I gave his a large mix of the Rawz, with half as much of the RC Rabbit. Of course, I added extra water. I had to bring the food to him.. yup.. not eating on his own.
I went to Confession and Mass late this afternoon. Geoffrey was sleeping.. I left out a bit of dry.. While I was out, he nibbled a few pieces. I should probably stop the dry; but.. he needs to eat. He will always eat the dry.
The issue was that the Vets secretary, who has tons of emergency contacts Vets, (worked at Angell, forever-- is an institution as much as Dr B is-- It seems all the staff know both of them; with high regard); was on vacation for 2 weeks. She never goes on vacation. The week before she left Dr B was at a conference for the entire week. So, things got complicated. Dr B's Vet tech was part time.. it was very complicated. Knowing that we had an upcoming appointment made me feel less anxious.. Now that we are going to have a MAJOR NOR'EASTER, Monday night, into Wednesday, makes me feel even more uncomfortable. I will be calling Secretary ASAP, Monday Morning.
Dr B always checks in-- even when sick. I expect he will.. His secretary, J, will help me as much as she can; and even suggest some options. Dr B is the only Vet at Angell who has an 'associate'-- a Vet in training as an IM Vet...
I have been told so many times, not to go to the ER, unless told, or it is a dire emergency. Whomever is his current 'associate' is usually there, covering the ER.. I am always told to ask for Dr B's associate, instead of ER. Dr B really wants to save his patients from and ER visit, if possible. It does create challenges: if his associate is covering the ER, then sometimes the call back can be a couple of hours-- but not usually.
It is because I have an anxiety disorder!! and Geoffrey is supposed to be my ESA.. but I seems to have been an ESPerson to him...
Also, I am retired, living in a tiny one bedroom apartment. I do not go out much. I do try to go out every day-- but, still home a lot. I am tuned into Geoffrey & his needs. My bedroom is HIS room... His litter box is in my teeny tiny bathroom.
I wish I could communicate / talk to him.. I wish we could have a full conversation, instead of me guessing..
This darn Storm is really hampering things.. and making things more difficult for us...Lisenign to weather now.. They do not know how bad it will be along the coast, going into Boston.. Mostly rain, but still some snow.. Too early for predictions. Tuesday will be bad. Dr B will be back on Wednesday.. just when we get snow.. Wind gusts of 40mph.. dam.. ..
I gave Artie daily lactated ringers Sub-Q....I don't know why I keep losing email alerts to threads I want to follow! But anyway. You are well qualified and not squeamish...so if Geoffrey needs sub-Q Ringers you can administer at home, yes? Yes, those are all symptoms associated with those maladies, as you know. I got 7 mainly good months with my Moti angel after her diagnosis of CRF by learning how to home-administer sub-Q. I put her top loading carrier on the bathroom countertop, hung the Ringers on a hanger on the shower frame across from it, and it was very easy to give her her fluids that way. She was a very brave and patient girl.
Hoping things calm down for you! Yes, life is more complicated and stressful by the day. It's more than we are supposed to endure, but you know the cliche: What doesn't kill us makes us stronger. *Sometimes I wish I was strong enough. But apparently not.*![]()
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What a scary way to start your morning. Glad the woman was ok. You did the right thing, though. And glad she was appreciative of your and Brian's concern.
You ARE her saviors, Cindy and Brian! And I would definitely want someone to check on me if that happened. Always MUCH better safe than sorry, even if it's a false alarm or an embarrassing situation. So many times people need the help and no one comes! So I hope you feel good about having done this and will do it again if need arises. *Is this the lady who is sick?*I gave Artie daily lactated ringers Sub-Q....
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Geoffrey woke me up right after 4AM with a fur ball. I felt something was 'up' yesterday. He was off his food, chemo day also, and especially clingy. I almost gave him a Cerenia pill. I was thinking of giving him one every other day, with his chemo.. but will discuss with Vet.
Getting up before 5am, Geoffrey alerted me to his fur ball, his pee and poop in the litter box. I guess he did all of them, in succession. He made sure he informed me of all.
I cleaned things up, went to Trash room just at 5am. I heard the woman, in the apartment across from the trash room, Yelling out: "Help me, Help me, HELP ME NOW!" I turned, listened at the door, and heard her again. Then her dog came to the door barking. I knocked on the door.. no answer, I Called out to her-- nothing.. But, this is very early, so I did not want to really raise my voice..
I walked gingerly back to my apartment, Grabbed my bathrobe, my cell phone, calling the Emergency Services Building Number, to report this. Woke Brian up, He asked me to stay there and wait. I agreed. He came up immediately.. He has a skeleton key to all our apartments. I could tell he was frightened. I was kind of--... but it was a good help intention.
He knocked, opened the door; Could not get in.. he was so hesitant.
Yes, they have found many people in desperate need of help, and many who have passed. They never know what they are going to see when it is a good intention / wellness call. I do not blame them for wanting support. We could not get in.. Brian was very hesitant.. Taking a deep breathe, and trying to calm himself before entering. I just pushed ahead. I The tenant, had her walker blocking the door!!! I pushed the door open, reached in to put the light switch on. We were calling fro her. I ended pushing the walker / door open abut a foot. She came out of the bathroom... Shocked to see us in the doorway.
She said she had the most horrible nightmare! She said it was the worst.. She did not realize she was crying out!!
Brian and I looked at each other.. the dog, came out... but went back in.. The woman thanked us.. I told her that I had to throw some trash out, and heard her Yelling out: "help me"..
Again, she thanked me.. and Brian.. She also called me, her 'savior'---- no way...
Upon leaving, Brian said to me: "You were right. This needed to be checked". I replied, "I am sorry to have bothered you, but around here...." He said, "definitely".
I could not live with myself, if I did not check this out... As it was, I was planning on getting up early for Morning Mass.
This was all because of Geoffrey.. and his fur ball...
What a start to the day!! Will try for a nap, later.....