Today has been rough. I’m not sure this belongs here but.....
My old man, Bandit, 18 yo, was diagnosed with the beginnings of kidney disease last November. Our vet recommended a course of renal food, B12 and sub-q to get ahead of it. Bandit really wasn’t showing any signs of anything wrong before diagnosis time, but his levels came back from a blood/urine test and we wanted to be proactive.
Since being diagnosed 6 months ago he has slowed down a lot, lost most of his hearing, lost some eye sight and lost weight but still played, ate voraciously and was king of our 5 cat household, even up until this past week. A few days ago I noticed he stopped eating as much and then hardly anything at all. His water intake suddenly increased tremendously. He is so, so thin, his body odor is strong, rough fur, wobbly sometimes, etc.
I already had an appt. to take him to the vet Monday for checkup, fluids, etc. However, because he has barely moved for days, only enough to rotate 3 different sleeping spots, and he has basically stopped eating, I got an appt. this morning and brought his sub-q and B12 to get him replenished there. I assumed he was very dehydrated. The vet (not our normal one) examined and agreed he was doing poorly and if a person, would be in short-term hospice. She recommended (if money is no object) that he have an IV all day at her office and then have me transfer him to an ER to continue the IV. She also told me she wanted to do xrays and bloodwork because she felt a possible abdominal tumor (or could be poop she said), possible mammary gland cancer (hard nipples), possible heart disease (Heart murmur he’s had for his entire time 16 years with us), and possible oral work due to rotted tooth. It makes me angry, he’s dying of kidney disease and none of these things matter at this stage (we already knew about the teeth when he was diagnosed with the kidney disease and our regular vet said to forgo because of his age.) He’s not going to make it through the weekend most likely, let alone the nonsense she is suggesting.
I hope I did the right thing because I decided to just have sub-q, B12 and pain medicine, Bupranex, (just in case) and bring him home. She told me that sometimes we have stronger bonds with differing pets and for some we would do anything, and for others not so much. WTH? Doesn’t that seem way out of line? That’s a whole ‘ other topic.
Anyway, I know he won’t be here long at all, but wanted my 10 yo daughter and husband to say goodbye, and I don’t think any of those other items matter at this point. Even if he has cancer, he will die of kidney disease.
Since we arrived home from the vet and him receiving the fluids, B12 and Bupranex, he hasn’t moved at all. He found a little hide hole and has been there all day. No food, no water (yes he got fluids) and no bathroom. I panicked and called the vet about bringing him back in and thankfully, our regular vet was there and able to get on the phone with me. My regular vet said he thought the pain medicine probably knocked Bandit out (he only weighs 6.5lbs now) and the effects could last 12 hours that‘s the most likely reason he isn’t moving. Seeing Bandit today, my husband wants me to have him put down tomorrow because he seems so bad today. Does anyone have experience with Bupranex and it’s effects, or been in a similar situation? I know he won’t last much longer, and I’m so sad and torn on the “right” time to free him. Thanks.
My old man, Bandit, 18 yo, was diagnosed with the beginnings of kidney disease last November. Our vet recommended a course of renal food, B12 and sub-q to get ahead of it. Bandit really wasn’t showing any signs of anything wrong before diagnosis time, but his levels came back from a blood/urine test and we wanted to be proactive.
Since being diagnosed 6 months ago he has slowed down a lot, lost most of his hearing, lost some eye sight and lost weight but still played, ate voraciously and was king of our 5 cat household, even up until this past week. A few days ago I noticed he stopped eating as much and then hardly anything at all. His water intake suddenly increased tremendously. He is so, so thin, his body odor is strong, rough fur, wobbly sometimes, etc.
I already had an appt. to take him to the vet Monday for checkup, fluids, etc. However, because he has barely moved for days, only enough to rotate 3 different sleeping spots, and he has basically stopped eating, I got an appt. this morning and brought his sub-q and B12 to get him replenished there. I assumed he was very dehydrated. The vet (not our normal one) examined and agreed he was doing poorly and if a person, would be in short-term hospice. She recommended (if money is no object) that he have an IV all day at her office and then have me transfer him to an ER to continue the IV. She also told me she wanted to do xrays and bloodwork because she felt a possible abdominal tumor (or could be poop she said), possible mammary gland cancer (hard nipples), possible heart disease (Heart murmur he’s had for his entire time 16 years with us), and possible oral work due to rotted tooth. It makes me angry, he’s dying of kidney disease and none of these things matter at this stage (we already knew about the teeth when he was diagnosed with the kidney disease and our regular vet said to forgo because of his age.) He’s not going to make it through the weekend most likely, let alone the nonsense she is suggesting.
I hope I did the right thing because I decided to just have sub-q, B12 and pain medicine, Bupranex, (just in case) and bring him home. She told me that sometimes we have stronger bonds with differing pets and for some we would do anything, and for others not so much. WTH? Doesn’t that seem way out of line? That’s a whole ‘ other topic.
Anyway, I know he won’t be here long at all, but wanted my 10 yo daughter and husband to say goodbye, and I don’t think any of those other items matter at this point. Even if he has cancer, he will die of kidney disease.
Since we arrived home from the vet and him receiving the fluids, B12 and Bupranex, he hasn’t moved at all. He found a little hide hole and has been there all day. No food, no water (yes he got fluids) and no bathroom. I panicked and called the vet about bringing him back in and thankfully, our regular vet was there and able to get on the phone with me. My regular vet said he thought the pain medicine probably knocked Bandit out (he only weighs 6.5lbs now) and the effects could last 12 hours that‘s the most likely reason he isn’t moving. Seeing Bandit today, my husband wants me to have him put down tomorrow because he seems so bad today. Does anyone have experience with Bupranex and it’s effects, or been in a similar situation? I know he won’t last much longer, and I’m so sad and torn on the “right” time to free him. Thanks.