Ash is soaking in that sun! I'm sorry for your loss.
Cat Chat - right here, right meowBtw, anybody else wish the subtitle of the thread subject was "right here, right meow."
Could I interest you in a medium-sized, low-mileage calico to replace Shadow? I'll even have it shipped.Well today is gonna be a #### day. We've been dealing with our big boy Shadow and him looking like he's having trouble breathing. Take him in for an x-ray, blood work, and all that fun stuff. Blood shows only 2 things out of whack and it could mean cancer or infection. Xrays shows either cancer or fluid in the lungs and the vet can't tell conclusively but thinks it's fluid. Put him on water pills and an antibiotic for a week and bring him back for another x-ray. He starts projectile vomiting from the antibiotic so whatever good the water pill would do he's throwing it up. Bring him back for another x-ray and still inconclusive but bring him back again next week. We switch out his antibiotic, get him more water pills, and add prednisone to his rotation because he started not eating. Well I cancelled the next x-ray due to no change in his behaviour and today the wife and I decided it's time to end his suffering. So at 4 o'clock while I'm at work she's gonna bring him in and end the pain. All the while the vets and us have no clue what's actually wrong with him. Don't know if his thyroid condition is causing congestive heart failure, cancer, or god knows what.
So at tonight I ask that anyone who loves the kittehs to light a candle for all the ones who've crossed the rainbow bridge.
Oh wow. The coat and markings look just like my male cat, Sherlock. Of course, Sherlock is a lot fatter. Sorry for your loss.
Sorry to hear about Shadow. We went through something sort of similar with our 17 year old cat Oliver about a year ago and I didn't realize how much losing him was going to affect us, even me. One of my boys still has a pic of him as the background on his iPad.Well today is gonna be a #### day. We've been dealing with our big boy Shadow and him looking like he's having trouble breathing. Take him in for an x-ray, blood work, and all that fun stuff. Blood shows only 2 things out of whack and it could mean cancer or infection. Xrays shows either cancer or fluid in the lungs and the vet can't tell conclusively but thinks it's fluid. Put him on water pills and an antibiotic for a week and bring him back for another x-ray. He starts projectile vomiting from the antibiotic so whatever good the water pill would do he's throwing it up. Bring him back for another x-ray and still inconclusive but bring him back again next week. We switch out his antibiotic, get him more water pills, and add prednisone to his rotation because he started not eating. Well I cancelled the next x-ray due to no change in his behaviour and today the wife and I decided it's time to end his suffering. So at 4 o'clock while I'm at work she's gonna bring him in and end the pain. All the while the vets and us have no clue what's actually wrong with him. Don't know if his thyroid condition is causing congestive heart failure, cancer, or god knows what.
So at tonight I ask that anyone who loves the kittehs to light a candle for all the ones who've crossed the rainbow bridge.
Welcome Back! Will be a great experience for the kids, as they are certainly old enough to appreciate watching the kitties grow up.We're back in the cat business after a year off. We got Oliver as a stray kitten back around 2000 and then my wife wanted a friend for him so we got Bailey around 2003. Bailey died a few years ago (suddenly while we were at work) and then Oliver died about a year ago (brain tumor). Waited a while to get over Oliver and the wife and kids recently started checking out kitten pics from the local shelters.
We went out on Saturday to check out a couple shelters and liked some 9 week old tabbies. I guess nowadays if you want a kitten you have to take two so they have a playmate. Wife and kids were fine with that so we picked two out on Saturday and picked up these guys yesterday.
Kids (12 & 10) are really excited because they had only been around our older cats that weren't super affectionate and didn't play much. We haven't had a kitten in about 15 years so just getting used to having the little guys running around the house and keeping them out of trouble again.
The name I wanted for Bailey was Loki but I was overruled at the time. The kids really like the name Loki so we thought about Thor and Loki but we didn't really like the name Thor for a cat, maybe we're partial to two syllable names. Kids wanted to go with Odin so now its Loki and Odin.
Our 9-10 week old kittens were fostered by someone who volunteers with the shelter and were already using the litter box when we got them. I'm just worried about furniture scratching so we'll see what happens. That's why we got the kittens BEFORE replacing our living room furniture, that's up next.So how hard to train a cat? Especially if it will be alone a bunch of hours....
Wife and daughter are starting to inquire about getting a cat but we are not home all day so I'm against it. And I know nothing about cats.
Its honestly why we don't have a dog because NO ONE IS HOME all day
I'm pulling for the cat.If this thing comes back again, how do I escalate this above waterboarding the little devil creature?
Siamese are feisty felines. They are vocal too. It probably shouted obscenities at you after it took some swings.I screamed and ran away.
Part of this may be how you petted it. If you bring your hand in from above, it can look like the Jolly Green Giant is attacking. Try a front approach so it can see what you are doing. Wait for it to see and acknowledge your offer to pet.I'll be honest...it's pretty scary. It rubbed it's body on my legs and I petted it for second. Then it just went crazy and started spitting and throwing its paws at me. I screamed and ran away.
Getcha one of these. It'll have you stalking them all over the neighborhood.First time I haven't had a cat in the house in 20+ years. One benefit of having a cat in the house I hadn't thought of. Controlling the spider population. I've killed 3 spiders in 2 days that were running around like they owned the place.
Would love to see pics. I’ve used imgur and found it pretty user-friendly. Are the pics on your phone?Having a really bad week ...
i think I’m going to have to put my best friend down in the next couple days.
kidney failure.
15yr old Siamese Seal point.
He’s been hospitalized for the last 2 days - no signs of improvement. The only time he perks up is for a few minutes when I visit.
I love him so much.
I miss him so much.
I’ve never been through this before. Loosing my little guy hurts so much. I guess ... I just would like to ask how some of you got through this?
I don’t have any kids ... or much of a family. So this is hard.
thanks.
id like to post some pics ... but I don’t know how TF to even do that - if someone could help with that?
Damnit. I've been there. I'm still there. It's always there. Been 3 years for me. I'll never get over it, but I've moved on. Which kind of sucks... I have so many things around the house that remind me of her. Sometimes it makes me sad and sometimes it brings me joy to remember her. Her cuddles. Her love.... I wouldn't trade those memories for the world. But yeah. They still hurt sometimes.Having a really bad week ...
i think I’m going to have to put my best friend down in the next couple days.
kidney failure.
15yr old Siamese Seal point.
He’s been hospitalized for the last 2 days - no signs of improvement. The only time he perks up is for a few minutes when I visit.
I love him so much.
I miss him so much.
I’ve never been through this before. Loosing my little guy hurts so much. I guess ... I just would like to ask how some of you got through this?
I don’t have any kids ... or much of a family. So this is hard.
thanks.
id like to post some pics ... but I don’t know how TF to even do that - if someone could help with that?
Quick update ...Having a really bad week ...
i think I’m going to have to put my best friend down in the next couple days.
kidney failure.
15yr old Siamese Seal point.
He’s been hospitalized for the last 2 days - no signs of improvement. The only time he perks up is for a few minutes when I visit.
I love him so much.
I miss him so much.
I’ve never been through this before. Loosing my little guy hurts so much. I guess ... I just would like to ask how some of you got through this?
I don’t have any kids ... or much of a family. So this is hard.
thanks.
id like to post some pics ... but I don’t know how TF to even do that - if someone could help with that?
Yes, please do! PM me and I can send you my email or phone # if easier for pics. Don't know you but clearly trust a fellow meow-lover, too.Quick update ...
my buddy is home with me now. He perked up last night - and was also really healthy today.
His blood tests are still not good - it’s kidney failure. But he’s in such good spirits, I couldn’t say goodbye yet.
he’s spent 4 days in the hospital - he deserves a good nights sleep at home.
So he’s currently snoring, and having wild dreams on my chest.
I know it’s going to be rough going forward - I’ve gotta give him a daily shot to keep him hydrated (F@&k ... sticking a needle in him every day?)
plus a new diet and antibiotics.
Im up for it though. Him being home is better than another day of him being scared and alone.
I’ve been laying in bed with him for the last 2hrs.
He had what I think was a panic attack/ night terror episode - scared me to death. I thought it was a seizure... but the symptoms don’t match up. I think he’s just been so scared for the past 4 days - afraid to even sleep.
Thank you guys so much. You’ve really made me feel better - And not alone.
Im either going to make an Imjur account, or I’m going to send pics to Krista ... I do not know her, but I’ve lurked around long enough to feel I can trust her ... plus I’m a state of Michigan guy
Sharing pics of my buddy would feel good
You’re helping me so much ... thank you.Yes, please do! PM me and I can send you my email or phone # if easier for pics. Don't know you but clearly trust a fellow meow-lover, too.
We've had cats in kidney failure before, and had to do the jabbing with the fluids, but it did help them live quite a bit longer. Sounds like your buddy has not given up and you haven't either! You two could still have some good time together.
I thought the same thing, about keeping up with the care. It seems so hard. But then, our guys seem to know that we're helping them and don't put up too much of a fuss.You’re helping me so much ... thank you.
Knowing that you’ve also delt with a kitty kidney failure - is everything to me right now.
buddy just let it go ... he was so comfy and happy to be home - he pee’d right here in the bed
Im really having a hard time believing I can keep up his needed care. It scares me.
he’s home. And comfy ... but I feel that he’s going to decline very fast
This makes me so happy ...
Those eyes are mesmerizing. He is completely boneless in picture 3. That is one handsome kitty.
I expect this gets better with practice. Also, you'll likely feel comfort knowing you are doing what you can for him. I know he will.Im really having a hard time believing I can keep up his needed care. It scares me.
I was going to post all of this.I expect this gets better with practice. Also, you'll likely feel comfort knowing you are doing what you can for him. I know he will.
When the time does come, I hope you have a good vet who will make a house call if you want him to. That can be a more peaceful goodbye for you both.
My parents cat has been in kidney failure for almost three years now. Mom takes her for fluids on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays. She eats special kidney food. She takes a refrigerated Azodyl tablet twice a day, and it is given an hour to 30 minutes before she eats breakfast and dinner. She also gets Mirtazaphine ointment rubbed inside each ear once a day to stimulate her appetite, and a blood pressure pill twice a day I think. I take care of her when they go out of town so I know the routine. She is around 17, and still kicking. Mom says she has some days every now and then where she doesn't feel terrific, but most days she is herself. Good luck with Conner! No matter how long he has left, he sure does have a daddy that loves him.Im really having a hard time believing I can keep up his needed care. It scares me.
This gives me some hope. Thank you for posting your experience.My parents cat has been in kidney failure for almost three years now. Mom takes her for fluids on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays. She eats special kidney food. She takes a refrigerated Azodyl tablet twice a day, and it is given an hour to 30 minutes before she eats breakfast and dinner. She also gets Mirtazaphine ointment rubbed inside each ear once a day to stimulate her appetite, and a blood pressure pill twice a day I think. I take care of her when they go out of town so I know the routine. She is around 17, and still kicking. Mom says she has some days every now and then where she doesn't feel terrific, but most days she is herself. Good luck with Conner! No matter how long he has left, he sure does have a daddy that loves him.
Mom said that when their cat first start showing signs of kidney failure, she was peeing on their rug in their bathroom, and showed signs of a UTI by constantly going in the box. She stopped doing the peeing on the rug once they got her condition under control. The vet told her she could give her fluids on her own, but their cat (Millie) is quite feisty, so she takes her to the vet three times a week. I talked to her to ask her exact routine now, and this is how it goes.This gives me some hope. Thank you for posting your experience.
we made it through day one of outpatient care (lol me playing doctor)
So far so good. He’s still very weak, not eating much at all. He pee’d his bed earlier, he’s done that twice since he’s been home.
i was able to give him his renal support pill, and I’ve also got an IV bag - I managed to get him his fluids. Sticking the needle in was terrifying - but we both managed.
after that I noticed him perk up again.
Tomorrow I’m going to start his new routine.
Renal suport supplement first thing ... then he’s going to get a warm water sponge cleaning - I’ve got to clean his ears out, so that the Mirtazaphine will work. (Appetite stimulant)
He’s got a bandage from the hospital IV still - I’m going to take that off and clean it. Hopefully that will make him feel more at home.
then after a couple hours I’ll give him his next round of fluid treatment.
he hasn’t eaten. So I gave him some wet food ... I know it’s not the best for his body right now, but he’s so weak - he needs something in his belly if we’re gonna continue. He ate about a half a can. I’m happy with that considering.
He’s still very scared. 4 days in the hospital will do that.
Overall it’s been a decent first day.
we will continue the battle back to health tomorrow.
thanks again, to all of you.
It really is ... my guy is finally having a consistent appetite. And this is without the appetite stimulant.The K/D Kidney food is some amazing stuff. We attributed it and just his love of his family for the reason our 20 year old boy just wouldn't give up.