Well folks, I don't know how much longer our sweet momma Teaka will be hanging around with us. I think her CKD has finally advanced to full on CRF.
Teaka was diagnosed with CKD about three years ago, and we've been managing it with Aluminum Hydroxide, eggshell, and egg protein substitution (raw food diet). But last week she started vomiting, and then she didn't want to eat. I've been force feeding her for the last couple days.
Then I noticed that she was reacting to my handling of her mouth. So I put my mega strong glasses on (the ones I use for thread work), and looked at her teeth. Sure enough, they were packed with tarter.
So, off to the vet we went this morning.
It had been nearly a year and a half since we had been in last (we've lost 3 of our 5 pets, so not as many visits). There were a lot of new faces, including the new vet. Our usual vet is the founder of the hospital, and we've been seeing her for over a decade, so I'm always a little apprehensive when we visit with a new vet.
I'm happy to say that this time my fears were unfounded. The new vet took stock of the situation quickly, she listened when we mentioned all the things we knew Teaka was dealing with (including a heart murmur). And best of all, she didn't bat an eye when we said we fed a raw diet, and how we'd been managing the CKD. She suggested blood work and a urinalysis, which I expected, and confirmed that there was some periodontal disease as well.
When the vet came back with the test results, Teaka's numbers were off the charts and also indicated a UTI. I think this is where the new vet slipped just a little. She became very focused on treating the UTI and the CKD, that she didn't address the pain from the dental issues. So, while the Clavamox (I declined the Conevia injection... but at least she asked!), and the Cerenia were expected, I had to nudge her for some pain meds. Even if Teaka doesn't pull out of the CRF spiral, I don't want her to be in pain because of bad teeth. The vet adjusted quickly enough, and suggested Buprenorphine. Now, I did have one cat in the past that reacted badly to Bupe, but I'm willing to give it another try.
I am hoping that we can pull Teaka out of the spiral, but it will be an uphill battle, as they say. She's lost a lot of weight, her heart murmur is advanced (and the periodontal disease could be contributing to that), she has infection, and she is drinking and peeing like a horse.
We could use some good vibes, my friends.
Teaka was diagnosed with CKD about three years ago, and we've been managing it with Aluminum Hydroxide, eggshell, and egg protein substitution (raw food diet). But last week she started vomiting, and then she didn't want to eat. I've been force feeding her for the last couple days.
Then I noticed that she was reacting to my handling of her mouth. So I put my mega strong glasses on (the ones I use for thread work), and looked at her teeth. Sure enough, they were packed with tarter.
So, off to the vet we went this morning.
It had been nearly a year and a half since we had been in last (we've lost 3 of our 5 pets, so not as many visits). There were a lot of new faces, including the new vet. Our usual vet is the founder of the hospital, and we've been seeing her for over a decade, so I'm always a little apprehensive when we visit with a new vet.
I'm happy to say that this time my fears were unfounded. The new vet took stock of the situation quickly, she listened when we mentioned all the things we knew Teaka was dealing with (including a heart murmur). And best of all, she didn't bat an eye when we said we fed a raw diet, and how we'd been managing the CKD. She suggested blood work and a urinalysis, which I expected, and confirmed that there was some periodontal disease as well.
When the vet came back with the test results, Teaka's numbers were off the charts and also indicated a UTI. I think this is where the new vet slipped just a little. She became very focused on treating the UTI and the CKD, that she didn't address the pain from the dental issues. So, while the Clavamox (I declined the Conevia injection... but at least she asked!), and the Cerenia were expected, I had to nudge her for some pain meds. Even if Teaka doesn't pull out of the CRF spiral, I don't want her to be in pain because of bad teeth. The vet adjusted quickly enough, and suggested Buprenorphine. Now, I did have one cat in the past that reacted badly to Bupe, but I'm willing to give it another try.
I am hoping that we can pull Teaka out of the spiral, but it will be an uphill battle, as they say. She's lost a lot of weight, her heart murmur is advanced (and the periodontal disease could be contributing to that), she has infection, and she is drinking and peeing like a horse.
We could use some good vibes, my friends.
