|
|
Post by Use Less on Aug 26, 2015 2:23:09 GMT
Spooky was first diagnosed Dec. 2011. He has had two major crashes; then and a year and change later. He has had sub-q fluid at least weekly since. He did well for until not too long ago. Not sure quite when, but in recent weeks, he has lost weight, not eating well, lethargic. He hasn't been acting sick like during those crashes. The same vet has treated him right along. He says, based on labs this week, that Spooky's kidneys are done, and it is a matter of days to a few weeks. Has anyone had a cat get to this point, and the vet be proved wrong? Are there things to do to pull Spooky along a little longer? Sorry I can't quote lab tests. Spook is living with my estranged husband, who is beside himself with sorrow. Thanks.
|
|
|
|
Post by hobbitlady on Aug 26, 2015 3:41:38 GMT
Read about Aventi KS powder on amazon. Read the reviews.There used to be 300 and 90% were "miracle" 5 star stories. The product was discontinued but I think demand brought it back? It's there again with a lot less reviews. My cat was diagnosed with "two weeks" over a year and a half ago for kidney failure by a 35 year experienced vet with a modern lab. I never did sub-q either because it was Not an option for my boy...he's a loving-to-us cat But goes ballistic if "messed" with.
IMHO The biggest key is mixing up savory broths that the cat drinks several times a day as well as supplements. I give my guy "senior" vitamin treats and arthritis "treats" too. He's been quite bony for all this time but his personality is in tact. My cat was Not ready to go yet. I could tell! If your cat is ready to leave there is nothing you can do. But if you tell the cat you want him to stay and he accepts that,then nutrients and liquids fed as often as he'll drink them are a key factor.(and I believe in that kidney-support powder for mine). One lady whose cat has lived over 2 years past diagnosis feeds hers yogurt broth and half cooked chicken broth. Mine throws up dairy but loves broth from stinky cheap cat food (about a tablespoon mixed in 1/4 cup water) and half cooked chicken liver mashed fine into water. You really can try Anything because you never know What a cat will love and if they are dying there is little that can hurt. My vet said "feed him Anything he'll drink" and I have. He likes ham fat too and our dog's food sometimes! It's weird but he's happily feeling catered to. They like be served often I think.
I hope it's not too late and your dear boy comes around for you. I'm so glad mine has given me all this extra time. When he's Ready I'll be able to let him go with a lot less pain than that "two weeks" would have given me.
Best wishes. hobby
|
|
|
|
Post by Use Less on Aug 26, 2015 11:13:21 GMT
I am going out Thursday or Friday. I will take more things, including some chicken broth. My two here like a tsp of half-and-half when I have my coffee. Maybe Spooky will like some. My estranged husband is given to fatalism, runs depressive, etc. He is already thinking of where to bury Spooky when he passes, and is anguished over being "alone". I am always thinking, "where there's life there's hope."
|
|
|
|
Post by wildhorseluvr on Aug 26, 2015 23:23:43 GMT
Twice I've had cats on the verge of dying, and pulled them through. I bought the little jars of puréed baby food and force fed it a few drops at a time with a small syringe (minus needle, of course). I believe I had to thin it a bit with water for it to go through the syringe. After a day or two of force feeding every couple hours, they started licking it up on their own. I used the beef and chicken meats, not sure what would be best for your cat but you might give it a try.
|
|
|
|
Post by aoconnor on Aug 28, 2015 14:58:53 GMT
Spooky was first diagnosed Dec. 2011. He has had two major crashes; then and a year and change later. He has had sub-q fluid at least weekly since. He did well for until not too long ago. Not sure quite when, but in recent weeks, he has lost weight, not eating well, lethargic. He hasn't been acting sick like during those crashes. The same vet has treated him right along. He says, based on labs this week, that Spooky's kidneys are done, and it is a matter of days to a few weeks. Has anyone had a cat get to this point, and the vet be proved wrong? Are there things to do to pull Spooky along a little longer? Sorry I can't quote lab tests. Spook is living with my estranged husband, who is beside himself with sorrow. Thanks. My girl had it and came to the same type end as yours. I didn't fool with trying to get her better, as sick and in pain as she was I put her down. Kidney failure is PAINFUL... Sometimes, and I mean this as kindly as if it were my own situation, the nicest thing we can do for our pets is help them over the bridge. Trying to keep them alive for our own benefit, which at the point my kitty was, and yours is, keeping them going only makes us feel better not the kitty, I believe we only prolong the obvious end. I'm so sorry, I know how hard it is. I just put my girl down 4 weeks ago. |
|
|
|
Post by Use Less on Aug 28, 2015 21:14:29 GMT
AOC, thanks for the input. I am sincerely sorry for your loss. It is very difficult. There are many complicating factors here. Way too many to go into. I visited today. Spooky gives no appearance of being in pain. He wants to sit on laps, and purrs persistently for many minutes on end. He voluntarily ate wet and dry food, took water from his bowl, and was basically nonchalant over a sub-Q fluid delivery (by me.) He is ambulatory and followed me into both cellar and second floor just to look around. I'm going again in three or four days. I would never let a pet linger unduly.
|
|
|
|
Post by hobbitlady on Aug 28, 2015 22:18:47 GMT
useless-I'm glad the downturn Spooky had that caused you to write has passed. I'm certain my cat is not in pain either...and he's lived almost 2 more years without sub-q even. His normal personality is 100% intact. I've seen him sick with Other things and if he was hurting I'd know and I'm sure you will know too when Spooky decides to "give up". We've all done the right thing and put down pets(well,most of us are old enough that we have).The point is,yes,Vets can be Wrong. It's happened to 100s of people who got this diagnosis. I know a dog here that's happily lived over 2 more years so far, eating turkey baby food and drinking,who also had a death sentence from kidney failure from a modern vet. Best wishes.
|
|
|
|
Post by Use Less on Aug 28, 2015 22:40:35 GMT
Thanks, hobbitlady. I can't go as far as saying Spooky is doing well, but he isn't in quite the desperate condition that the ex heard in what the vet said. I would still like to bring Spooky here. I am the one who will fuss and keep offering different foods and tidbits if Spooky turns his nose up at something. I can probably get him to take the antacid prescribed, and I can do sub-Q. Spooky is using the litter box, so he does have kidney function, though likely not all that efficient, considering the lab results. It is too far to go more than a couple times a week, plus the complication of hanging out at my former home and with the estranged h around most/all the time. But any port in a storm, as they say, and today was OK. Hopeful, if only somewhat.
|
|
