Filou doesn't improve :(

[Barbara]

Filou now sees the vet on a weekly basis and gets his fluids.

He is happy and behaves normal.

Well.... maybe a little more sleep. A little less goofy action.

He has started to drink more. This is due to the fact that kidney cats loose the ability to concentrate their urine. So they pee more (another thing we noticed) and dehydrate easily.

He copes with the diet- well not really. He eats some varieties but obviously not as much because he has lost a little weight- less than a pound but he is a seven pounds guy- so there isn't much to lose.

This time we had a blood test: the urea value is much worse than it was 4 weeks ago. The creatinine is not that high yet (also a good indicator for kidney function).

On this basis the vet said we have to make sure he doesn't lose too much of his own proteine. Which means partly back to normal food. He still has his appetite- also a good sign.

When all that started she was talking of 2-3 years- in case the fluids help to keep the urea down. I no longer ask.

It looks as if the failure proceeds faster than we all thought.

I am sitting in my office and crying. I didn't know that I would have to let him go much quicker than I expected. My little kitty soul.:( :( :(

[jenluckenbach]

I am so sad for you. :( Little Filou! We want you around for a long time. It is so difficult to realize that life is so fragile (and short).
WE will all be loving you for as long as we can. You are a special little soul.

[sasvermont]

Oh Barbara, such news breaks our hearts too. Filou is such a special guy. I hope whatever time you have with him is special and memorable. May it be years.

I will be thinking about you and Siegmar for days to come, putting myself in your shoes or trying to at least. My heart breaks for you. Filou, don't go too soon.

Love and tears,
SAS

[Randi]

Oh Barbara, I'm feeling so sad about little Filou. :( He's such a wonderful boy, and I know how much you love him. I really hope he'll be around with you and Siegmar for a long time yet! I'm glad to hear he's eating and being goofy some of the time. :)

I'm sure you have got a lot of information from your vet, and also searched for additional info, but here's a link: http://www.felinecrf.com/newvisitor.htm

If you need to talk, I'll be here for you. :) Please give Filou kisses and cuddles from me - Fister sends headbumpies.

Hugs to you and Siegmar.

[Barbara]

Randi, that is the main link I'm using. I am thinking of going to see a homoeopathic vet. Maybe that could improve life quality for my little boy.

[Randi]

Barbara, that sounds like a good idea, you may as well try other things too. Stay strong and don't give up, Filou will want you to - and Tigris may also want more attention now, he can probably feel something is different. I hope your work isn't too stressful at the moment. :)

More hugs and positive, healing thoughts to you all.

[catnapper]

I am sorry to hear the vet visit didn't give relief or good news. I'll be praying ofr Filou and that he does start improving.

[furrykidsmother]

Hugs & Prayers to you and Filou. I hope that his health improves and that you will have many, many more years together.

[Cinder & Smoke]

Hi God ~

Boots, da Purrayer Kat, here too ...

We need a lil Help down here onna Durt Ball (over onna Udder Side) ...

Lil Filou needs sum Help wiffa kidney problum -
Kuld You check wiffa White Coats - maybe show em da rite page
ta read inna Big Book?

An a *BIG* Gods{{{HUG}}} fur ta whole fambly wuld be nice -
Barbara an Siegmar, along wiff Tigris wuld like wun!

We'll all be >krossin< Pawz & Klawz fur Lil Filou;
an *Prayin* fur sum Improvement.

THANKS, God!

/s/ Purrayer Kat anna Prayer Pups

[Tubby & Peanut's Mom]

Oh no, Barbara. :( :( It makes me so sad to hear that Filou is not improving. :( I think a visit to a homeopathic vet would be wonderful as I believe it never hurts to get a second opinion. Hopefully giving him some regular food again will help keep his weight up.

Also, have you thought of giving him his fluids yourself? It's not hard and there's no blood or anything so it's not bad if blood makes you queasy. I found giving Tubby his fluids myself made me feel much better. It somehow bonded us closer than we were and I like to believe that he knew I was doing everything I could to help him.

I know exactly what you are going through, so don't give up yet, but start cherishing everyday you have with him. I know he knows you love him dearly, and for me it was very comforting to know that I had given Tubby the best life a cat could possibly want and I would do anything for him unti the very end.

{{{hugs}}} to you and Siegmar, and sweet kissies for Filou. :( Skritchies for Tigris too so he doesn't feel left out.

[Kona & Oreo's mom]

Barbara, I am so sorry to hear that sweet Filou is not improving. I hope that the homeopathic vet will have some ideas for keeping him well. I will be thinking of you and Siegmar and both of your boys.

[lizbud]

I'm so sorry to hear this bad news. Strong prayers for health
for Filou and strength for you & siegmar. You are doing every
thing possible to help Filou & I believe he knows it. {{Hugs}}

[Edwina's Secretary]

Oh Barbara....I have no words.....just deep-felt hope for Filou and for you and Siegmar....

[ramanth]

Oh Barbara. :( I'm sending many healing vibes to Filou. *hugs*

[gini]

Barbara. I am so sorry to hear about Filou.

I agree that it is a good idea to go to the homeopathic vet and get another opinion. I have heard so many good things about their results that I have seriously considered changing from the vet that I have been going to for years.

Please keep us posted. We all know that Filou is your life and just hope and pray that he will get better and you will have him for many more years.

[RedHedd]

Prayers going out to you and Filou (and Tigris and Siegmar) that the going gets easier. I'm dealing with Mishi's kidney disease too right now so I KNOW exactly what you're going through. Do have your vet show you how to give subcutaneous fluids yourself - it's not difficult and I know Mishi is much more comfortable having me do it than taking him in to have the vets do it.

C'mon Filou - All the PT kidney kats have to stick together and stay on this side of the RB for a bit longer. Their PT guardians need you here!

[Vio&Juni]

Oh, dear Barbara, I didn't know Filou's problem is so bad :( Try to stay positive. You can't let the news about his levels make you lose the faith. You'll do everything to maintain his life quality. You noticed in time and you're taking good care of him. And the vets seem to know what they're talking about.

We'll keep all our fingers crossed, paws, claws, tails, everything. You know the PT powers, they can work miracles.

Juni is sending sweet kisses to her beau. Me and Pichu and all my family is sending healing vibes and kisses too. Kisses to Tigris from me too.

[Logan]

I responded earlier, Barbara, but was having internet problems and obviously it didn't post. :o

Filou, you and Siegmar are in my prayers. I hope you will have that precious baby with you for a long, long time.

Logan

[Killearn Kitties]

Oh Barbara, what terrible news. :( Please Filou, get better for your family who love you so very very much!

[rkidsrcats]

We are so very sorry that Filou is not improving. We too have been through this with our very first cat - Roady. All we can tell you is that there were good days and bad days, but we had her for a long time after it was first diagnosed (2+ years). We did the fluids, a diet combo (K/D and high quality protein like chicken or egg whites were recommended by our vet) and just gave her the best care and love we could for as long as we could.
We hope Filou starts to respond to the treatments and will have many more years to be with his loving family.

The Tribe

[rg_girlca]

Prayers and positive thoughts on the way for your precious Filou.

((((((HUGS)))))) for you Barbara

[Catsnclay]

Oh Barbara- I'm so sorry to hear about Filou!

I also think you should get a second opinion, but it should be of a Internist. When we took Lucky to the Internist, he seemed a bit more qualified in this area than our regular vet, but they did work together (because the Internist was so far away!) and Lucky is doing MUCH better.

Don't give up, I do believe that there is hope!! I also agree with Debbie (T&P mom) not only is giving the subQ's easy, but you DO bond more with them. When I gave them to Lucky that was "our" time and we did it in one of our bathrooms that I set up, and the door was shut to the others. I would sit there and hold Lucky to make sure he didn't move during the procedure and talk to him, telling him how much I love him and what he meant to me. Now I have no idea if he understood what I had said, but when it was time to do that, I would tell him, and he would walk into the bathroom himself!! Almost as if he knew what we were about to do was good for him!!! :eek: :rolleyes:

To this day, Lucky & I seem closer. He still sleeps under my arm every night!! :D

Hang in there, there IS hope for Filou!!!! Give my best to Siegmar and Tigris too!! :D

[slick]

:( :( Barbara, I just don't know what to say! My heart goes out to you and Seigmar. It does sound like you've gotten some good advice here. Please don't lose hope and keep us posted! Healing prayers going out to you all.

[momoffuzzyfaces]

Lots and lots of prayers flying for Filou from me too!
Also (((HUGS))) for the entire family.

[krazyaboutkatz]

Barbara, I'm just now reading this thread and I'm so sorry to hear that Filou isn't improving.:( I agree that you should learn how to give him sub-q fluids at home because it's not difficult at all and it will make him feel so much better. I sure hope that you'll be able to find something to help improve his health. Lots of prayers and positive thoughts are being sent your way. Please take care and keep us updated. (((HUGS)))

[Barbara]

Thank you all very much for your compassion and advice. It means so much to me- in an emotional as well as in a practical way.

What I'm planning right now is the following:

Sub-Q fluids: It would be very good if we could learn to administer them. Since Tuesday F. is very well- has even slept on top of the cat tree, has chased his big brother and did not drink as much. :)
What I'm worried about is that he is a wiggle worm. He never ever sits still for human attention, even when he is in a cuddle mood he does it by walking your shoulders, always in control and always aloof when you try to hold him. You can always approach him with your head and never with your hand:( .
I will talk to my vet about it.

Other vet:
Some of you will remember that one of my co-workers rescued a Spanish dog during his holidays. Chulo has a Ehrlichiosis and Leishmaniosis (some bacteria very common in Southern European stray dogs who on the long term can lead to death). He had several rounds of antibiotics but his levels got worse all the time. Then he went to see a homeopathic vet and from then Chulo got better- you could see immediately how much more lively he was and his blood leverls improved as well.
And my other co-worker Gudrun's Teddy (now RB) had an eczema years ago which also disappeared after the homeopathic vet treated him.

I now have made an appointment (in two weeks time) with the same vet who treated Teddy. I called him yesterday and talked to him for 15 minutes- a good sign for me. He is a real vet with an additional homeop. grade. He asked lots of question and said he had the impression that Filou is in an early stage (we all think that) and that homeopathy should be able to slow the development down and to add life quality.

My normal vet is a cat specialist. I trust her fully but of course I will inform her about the appointment. The homeopathic vet asked me to do that but I would have done it anyway. He wants to co-operate.

So we'll do that and I'll keep you informed.

And thanks for everything. I am so happy I joined this board:)

[Kater]

Sweet Filou I'm saddened by this news about your health. However, I'm happy to hear that you've been doing quite well since Tuesday and I hope that continues.

I'm glad to hear that you are seeking out some alternative healing modalities. The great thing about homeopathy is that there are rarely *any* negative side effects and so it can only help and not harm. I certainly hope Filou responds well to this treatment.

Also, be sure to ask the vet about the possibility of administering the subcutaneous fluids yourself. It might be a bit difficult since he is a wiggle worm ;) but I think if one person holds him and comforts him while another person administers the fluids, then it could be workable. Maybe you could try it yourself at the vet's office first to see if you think you could manage doing it at home.

Best of luck to you and Filou! :) You will be in my thoughts and prayers.

[gini]

There is such good hope here in these posts and I am thrilled to hear Filou is feeling better.

I will be anxious to hear about the results of the homeopathic approach.

Years ago, I only went to my regular vet and I have always wondered if that was not a mistake and if there was not another path I could have taken with my kitties.

Barbara - you will be in my thoughts all of the time.........we love our kids so much!

[smokey the elder]

Good luck with Filou. He is in the very best hands.

[Maya & Inka's mommy]

ear Barbara! Sorry for not seeing this thread earlier...:(
I feel so sorry for your sweetheart Filou. Going to that homepathic vet is a wonderful idea! Please let us know if it helps him :)

[kittykay]

I am sorry to hear of Filou's illness, but be assured that your tender care will give him added time to spend with you. Yes, learn to rehydrate him yourself--that way he won't have to go for rides in the car (icky!). Get a copy of the book "The New Natural Cat" by Anitra Frazier -- an excellent book about care-giving for sick cats. Both people and animals can live good, comfortable lives even if their kidneys are failing. It is not a painful condition (so I am told and believe), and your love and care will continue to make his life blessed, just as he has blessed your life.

[Sus]

I have only just now read the entire thread on Filou's kidney problems. Reading your first post touched an old pain of mine and it brought tears to my eyes. I know what it feels like - as I'm sure many pettalkers do, since kidney problems seem to be a common problem. It's no joke seing your beloved pet fighting and fading for any length of time. And Filou and Tigris were the first cats I really could remember here on PT, since Randi showed me some wonderful pictures of them long before I joined myself.

Nevertheless, the latest news seem very promising, and I really do hope things will work out for the better. I too shall look forward to more news - especially of your experiences with the homoepathic vet.

Best of luck - and lots of love,
Sus and bella
:)

[Tubby & Peanut's Mom]

Can we have an uppydate on Filou please? Thanks. :)

[Barbara]

Filou is well. He is having his appointment with the homeopathic vet next Thursday. My vet also thinks homeopathy could work well with a chronic disease like the CRF.

He is obviously in an early stage- being happy, crazy, chasing Tigris and the water in the bath tub. :)

I enjoy every second with him- and of course I will give yu a major update once we've seen this vet:)

[Tubby & Peanut's Mom]

So good to hear he's still doing well. :)

[jenluckenbach]

I am happy that HE is happy. I will be interested in what that homeopathic vet has to offer. :)

[slick]

Good news Barbara. I'll be watching for the uppydate.

[Randi]

Barbara, I'm so glad Filou is happy and active, that's a good sign. :) I can picture him racing around. :D

[Cinder & Smoke]

:)

Thanks, God!

;)

[furrykidsmother]

Glad to hear that Filou is doing well and that he is happy. Looking forward to your next update and hoping that it contains good news!

[krazyaboutkatz]

I'm so glad to hear that Filou is doing well and I hope that the homeopathic vet will be able to help him.:)

[Medusa]

So glad to hear that Filou is doing better! Miracles do happen and I wish you many more happy years together.

Blessings,
M