Puddy

[Medusa]

is not doing well. She was doing great after the surgery a while back but day before yesterday she suddenly developed a temp. of 105. Dr. Lee gave her something for the fever and started her on antibiotics but called me today and told me that she's in kidney failure. He said that the subcutaneous fluids might not be the best thing because of her temperament. As soon as she starts to feel better, she bites and scratches and it might be too stressful on her twice a week for the rest of her life. I consulted w/Dr. LeBeau and he agreed. He said that he just went through this w/a vet friend of his and he told his friend after a few weeks of treatment "You know what we're doing? We're killing your cat." They realized that they were keeping the cat alive for themselves, not for the cat.

I'll know more tomorrow. Dr. Lee will tell me if he had to sedate her to give her an IV today. If her levels improved, we could try the subQ fluids but Dr. LeBeau put it bluntly when he said "Mary, honey, you know that either way, you're going to lose your kitty. The question is how long do you want to drag it out?"

My heart is breaking. I can't let Pud suffer.

Blessings,
M

[barncat]

I am sorry you are going through this.... It is so hard, but you will make your choices about what is best for both of you with love. Hugs....

[krazyaboutkatz]

I'm so sorry to hear about Puddy.:( This is such a hard thing to do. She'll let you know when her time is up. Please take care.

[Barbara]

Is there the option that you administer the fluids yourself?

Some people here at PT do. Filou goes to the vet one time per week- but he is definitely in an earlier stage than Puddy.

All the best for her.

[Medusa]

We've discussed my doing it myself and I certainly would do it without a moment's hesitation. But Puddy is the same w/me as she is w/the vet and technicians. She just hates being fussed with. If it were any of my other cats, I doubt there would be a problem. But this is Pud and her eyes were wild even when I left the vet's the other day. She bites hard just having her claws clipped. In the 12 years she's been w/me, I've never brushed her. Thank goodness she's good about grooming herself. Occasionally I've had to sit on her (not really but you know what I mean. I have to sort of squat over her) to cut out some clumps in areas that she missed. :)

I'm going to talk to Dr. Lee about possibly giving her a chill pill of some kind before treatment. Again, giving Puddy a pill. She's slapped pill poppers out of my hand and she's bitten hard when I've given her one w/out it. So I don't know if that's an option or not. I'll know when I talk to Dr. Lee this morning, which should be any time now.

Thanx again, my friends....

Blessings,
Mary

[furrykidsmother]

So sorry to hear that Puddy isn't doing well. I hope that you can find a way to give her the fluids without doing harm to yourself. Please keep us posted. I hope that she will be with you for awhile longer.

[Medusa]

Just got off the phone w/the vet tech. Dr. Lee isn't in today or tomorrow. They did more blood work on her and I'll know the results between 4 and 5 today. She said that Puddy is doing fine, that they're giving her more fluids. When I get the test results back, I'll know where her levels are and where to go from there. So no matter what, I won't be doing anything today but possibly tomorrow. That means leaving my little girl in there another day, possibly 2. This is not what I want for my Pud. My stomach is in knots.

Blessings,
M

[slick]

Oh Mary. When I first read this thread my heart sank and I thought "Oh no, not another precious furbaby ready to make the trip!" I know how awful it is to be away from little Puddy but it sounds like she is in good hands. It's the waiting game that's a killer.

Can you go and visit her?

[Medusa]

I can visit her but it doesn't comfort her; it makes her worse. And that makes me worse, too. So it's best that I stay home.

I thought when she came through the surgery ok that all was well. I just wish. Aw, never mind. If wishes were horses.... Plus it's too soon after losing my Peeka.

I'll just keep on praying.

Blessings,
M

[Barbara]

I know what you're talking about. Some cats are just impossible to medicate. Still keep my fingers crossed.

[Medusa]

Dr. Feeman, the vet on call today, called to say that Puddy's levels have come down but certainly not to the point where they'd like them. Before they were 3 & 4 times higher than they should've been. Now they're 2 & 3 times higher. He advises keeping her in over the wknd. This is exactly how it went w/Peeka. I kept her in and the levels didn't go down as they should've and then her liver shut down and I had to put her to sleep. Dr. Feeman is going to call me w/an estimate of how much all this is costing me. I already know from her last visit there and that was only 2 1/2 days. This time it'll be 5 1/2 or more. I wouldn't mind the money if it was giving her relief. But she isn't eating and that's because when your kidneys are bad, YOU'RE SICK!!!!! I feel just awful about this. JUST AWFUL!!!!! I don't want this for my little girl! But I feel I need to give her every chance. There has to be a point, though, like there was w/Peeka when I say "no more".

M

[kittycats_delight]

((((((((((((((((((MARY))))))))))))))))))))))))


I am sooo sorry. I know there aren't any magic words and a snap of our fingers that can make this go away if there were Puddy would be home with you and right as rain again. She and you will both know when it's time to say enough is enough and hopefully this time things will not be the same as with Peeka. I pray this time Puddy's levels will come down and there will be something that can be done for her. Please keep us updated.

(((((((HUGS for you and PUDDY))))))

Michelle & the girls

[Medusa]

Thanx, Michelle. Everyone's kindness means a lot to me. I have a 5 hr. class today and I'd much rather spend the time w/Puddy but, as I said, it'll just upset her and me. I just hope I can stay focused in class today. Dr. Feeman will call me this morning and update me so, when I get home, I'll update everyone. I just trust that Puddy is enfolded in God's love and mine. Nothing else to do now but trust.

Blessings,
M

[furrykidsmother]

Mary, I don't know what to say! I pray that Puddy's levels willl be good! Please let us know!

[Medusa]

Dr. Feeman called as I was driving to class. He said that Puddy is on an appetite stimulant, just as Peeka had been, and that she still isn't eating. Pud is a stubborn one, though, and I told him that she would only eat Purina Cat Chow or cooked chicken or maybe some chicken luncheon meat. He said "Well, we gave her dry and canned and soft and crunchy and...." I said "Puddy likes only Purina Cat Chow". So he said he was going to go get some for her. But my heart is heavy. This is deja vu, just like w/Peeka. It's tough enough for any cat to be in the hospital for 5 1/2 days w/an IV but for Puddy it's got to be torture. She hates being handled even to be petted, let alone this. My heart is sore for her. And Creamsicle is shrieking right now, going from room to room looking for her. Come Monday if I don't get some good news, I think I need to give my Puddy girl some peace. God help me.

Blessings,
M

[sasha the cat]

We have great empathy for Puddy and you. Our late Tiggy BCU* had renal failure and it was so hard to watch as he got worse. I did learn how to hydrate him at home every second day [subcutaneous fluids treatment -- not IV]. It was very difficult to do because I was sooooo nervous but he was hydrated and it worked for a while.

see: http://www.marvistavet.com/html/body_subcutaneous_fluids.html

Then the day came when we just had to let Tiggy go peacefully to Rainbow's Bridge because he was becoming stressed. We promised him quality NOT quantity of life. That sad day was September 5, 2000. Our Tiggy had turned 15 on August 17th that year. Tiggy visits me in my dreams. He is always in his prime of life and I awake smiling.

We will focus on Puddy. Sasha and her purrents wish Puddy more time with you but only if she is comfortable.

Sasha & her purrents,
Murray & Susan


Picture of TIGGY [circa 1994] in his prime:-
http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid80/p26cd3b0767b403c5ed3f072d133cce1f/fb06081d.jpg

BCU = Best Cat in the Universe

[slick]

Oh Mary, it breaks my heart to read your last post. Please hang in there. I know it's tough being away from Puddy for so long and it's just as hard for her being in there. Dear God, I wish I could be there to help you through this.

Mega prayers on the way. Hopefully when the vet shows her some of her favourite food, she'll start eating.

{{{hugs}}}

[Medusa]

Thanx, everyone. I know that you understand how much your words mean to me. I think that Creamsicle's constant crying exacerbates things. Poor little girl just can't stop herself, going from room to room wailing, looking for Puddy. It's heartbreaking. And because Creamsicle is deaf, she can't hear the tone of my voice trying to comfort her. So all I can do is hold her and pray that she'll take comfort from that.

Believe me, if subQ fluids are an option for Puddy w/out causing her untold stress, this gal's gonna do it. But knowing my Puddy and how she hates attention, even the good kind, my heart is telling me that she won't want it.

I feel like I need to keep saying that I love all my cats and don't want this for any of them. But Puddy is my girlie girl, my heart. I want so much to remove all this and just let nature take its course. This has been the longest week of my life. I can only imagine what it must be like for her.

Thanx again, friends, and I'll keep you posted. I'll get the word some time tomorrow re her levels.

Blessings,
M

[Medusa]

Dr. Feeman just called and said that Puddy is improving and even eating, not a whole lot but she did eat. He said that they had to muzzle her a couple of times, which means she's getting her spunk back but, at the same time, she's difficult to treat then. He said that drawing blood tomorrow is going to be a challenge. He also said that he's interested to see what her levels are tomorrow and, if she's improved, they may send her home and I'll do the subcutaneous fluids twice a week, as long as it doesn't stress her too much. That's good news but I sure don't want to stress her any more and drag this out for her. God, I don't even know my own mind now.

Blessings,
M

[Medusa]

Hi Friends,
Lest I depress everyone, I thought I'd share this w/you. A friend just passed it on to me in hopes of getting my mind off the situation and on to a better place. It definitely helped. I hope that it helps all of you who are presently experiencing or have yet to experience the pain and anguish of loss of a dear fur friend. My Puddy is still w/us and I'm so grateful. Time, however, can change everything. But this time it appears to have worked in our favor, if only briefly.

Enjoy:
http://www.spiritisup.com/colors1.swf

Blessings,
M

[Killearn Kitties]

I'm sorry that I am just seeing this story about Puddy now. I'm glad that she at least ate a little bit over the weekend, poor baby.

Best wishes to you when you speak to the vets today. Please let us know what they say.

[furrykidsmother]

Hope things are improving for Puddy today! Best wishes, thoughts and prayers to both of you and Creamsicle too!

[Medusa]

I just spoke w/Dr. Lee and he said "Puddy is doing great! She actually let us draw blood this morning and she was almost lovey! Y'know...she didn't try to kill us. I don't know if this whole experience changed her but she's up and walking around and she ate a whole bowl of food. We'll have the test results back this afternoon and we'll know whether or not her creatine levels are down. If they are, we'll send her home w/you and w/fluids and we'll show you how to do it." I asked "And if her creatine levels aren't down?" He answered "Well, then subQ fluids probably will not help her. It'll be up to you then. But I suspect that they will be down because if they weren't, she wouldn't be eating like this." So he said he'd call me w/the test results as soon as they come in.

Friends, this is the best news because my Puddy has had some relief. I'm so happy for her!

Thank you, thank you, thank you for all your support and as soon as I know the test results, you'd better believe I'll be posting!

Blessings,
M

[furrykidsmother]

Mary that is wonderful news! What a good girl Puddy is! Maybe she realizes that everyone is just trying to help her. Continued good thoughts and prayers being sent!!

[krazyaboutkatz]

This is excellent news!!!:D I hope she'll be able to come home with you. All fingers and paws are crossed here.:)

[lvpets2002]

:( So Sorry Puddy not feeling good & am glad your doing better today.. I know when I have a baby in the vets & have to stay overnight I will stay with my baby till they lock the doors & kick me out.. Keep us posted of the test results Pud.. My babies send lots of whisker kisses & prayers..

[Medusa]

Believe me, I wanted to do that, esp. w/this girl. But all my other cats are special needs cats and they need me here, esp. little Creamsicle. Besides, Pud would've gotten hissy on me. ;) I'll let everyone know as soon as I hear.

Blessings,
M

[slick]

This is great news Mary!! I'm doing a happy dance around my office....:) :) better close the door...

I'll be waiting to hear those test results.

[Medusa]

Well, my girlie girl is home! And boy, was she ever mad!!!! All they did was clean her up and you should've heard the commotion and screeching!

Her levels had dropped but not as low as they had hoped so Dr. Lee showed me how to administer the subQ fluids but she had to be put in a cat bag and muzzled. And the needle is thick so that it will only last around 10 min. or so for her sake. (and mine) I sure hope I can do this. I'm really nervous about it. But if I can't, Dr. LeBeau is only 10 min. away and he said that he'd do it. But, of course, it's more expensive that way. She has to start out w/the fluids every other day for a while, then she can go to twice a week. We need your prayers more than ever now, friends. But she's home and she let me hold her and she purred and I'm so happy I could cry. I had a dr. appt. of my own today and I was such a wreck that I actually threw up. Had to race to the ladies' room. I hope we can both calm down and get some rest. Tues. is my long day, so I'm sure I'm going to stress about her while I'm gone. I have to keep reminding myself that it's gonna be alright.

Thanx and blessings,
M

[furrykidsmother]

So glad to hear that Puddy is home!! Good luck with the fluids. I am sure you will do just fine!

[Tubby & Peanut's Mom]

How's Puddy today? It's good to hear she's back to being feisty. Even though that's not good for you, it's a sure sign that she's feeling better.

When Tubby was sick, for about the week it was a piece of cake giving him sub-q fluids. Then he really started feeling better and he started getting antsy and feisty and at one point the needle came out, squirty fluids all over the kitchen. :rolleyes: I could have cared less though, because what was important was that Tubby was feeling better! :D

Here's hoping Puddy is still feisty!

[Medusa]

That's exactly what happened! Puddy was her usual feisty self and the needle came out, I panicked and started bawling. That always helps. :( I called Dr. LeBeau and he did it for me and calmed me down and showed me how to do it again. Poor Puddy has been crying ever since. I sure hope I didn't hurt her. The needle is so thick so that it will only take about 10 min. to administer the fluids. I feel like I'm sticking a crochet needle in her. If she were laid back like some of my other cats, I think I wouldn't be such a wreck. I feel like I'm going to throw up again.

M

[Tubby & Peanut's Mom]

Mary, is there anybody who could help you? When Tubby was feeling better, I had to have Terry help me. He held Tubby while I did the needle thing.

{{{hugs}}}

[Medusa]

My neighbor is a paramedic and she said that she'd help me. I'm gonna master this thing somehow. If Puddy just wasn't so feisty! But that's my Pud. I just want her days to be ones of quality, of warm, cuddly nights w/me and days lounging in the sun and lots of good food and love. And no pain! I wish she could talk.

Thanks for all your help. I really appreciate it.

Blessings,
M

[sasha the cat]

Oooooow! that is what Tiggy would yell and fight when my KatMa would do the needle insert for hydration. The needle came out lots of times. KatMa was frantic & nervous but eventually she got it down pat.

Most veterinarians know that we frail humans need time to realize that we must let our pet go when our darling furkid is suffering. I hope Puddy and you can have more days together.

With my darling Tiggy I did everything possible but the minute I knew he was suffering my promise to him was honoured and I let him go. Five years now and I miss my boy every single day.

Murray & I have made the same promise to Sasha; when we see she is suffering and not enjoying typical feline life then we will let her go. In Sasha's case we do realize it is day-to-day and the care we give her now is basically palliative care. But she is still happy and not suffering...so we are thankful.

May the Great Cat Goddess Bastet bless your Puddy and give you strength to cope. You will know when it is time. Mary, our hearts ache for you and Murray and I can say we fully understand your pain.

[slick]

Oh Mary, I can feel your frustration and I, too would be bawling. To tell you the truth, I'd be a basket case. My Speckles is just like that and if I had to give her fluids, I'd be physically sick too. Thank God you have your vet so close by and a willing neighbour.

Continued prayers coming your way.

{{{hugs}}}
slick xo

[Medusa]

You all have truly been a blessing to me. After yesterday's ordeal, I was afraid to leave Puddy but it was Michael's bday and I promised him dinner out. (Actually his bday was Mon. but that's the day I brought Puddy home from the hospital and there was no way I was leaving her then.) But she slept w/me again last night and gave me lots of head bumpies (she wanted her noggin noogies). :) She seems to be holding her own this morning and she'll prob. spend her day lounging on the sun porch, which is what I want for her and all my furkids.

Lots going on here today. Having a new toilet installed and more landscaping done, so I'd best get moving. I'll check back later, friends. Thank you again for all your help and advice and most of all, your encouragement. I don't know how I got along all these years w/out this website and all my new online friends.

Blessings,
M

[furrykidsmother]

So glad that Puddy is home and being her feisty self and giving head bumpies. That means she is feeling better. I know the SubQ fluids are not easy. Fluffy had to have them one time at the vet and I just tried to hold her still while they inserted the needle and let the fluid enter and we were about 90% done when she decided she didn't want anymore and sliced my hand open. I am glad that you have a nice vet and willing neighbor to help. Prayers to you and Puddy that you will have much more time together!

[Medusa]

I'm so glad to read that others have had problems w/administering the subQ fluids, too. Even Dr. LeBeau told me that it happened to him more times than he can remember, that the cats even jumped off the table sometimes. Dr. Lee was encouraging, too, and told me that I'm doing a good job, that I can't hurt her and to just toughen up and do it. So I'm taking everyone's advice.

When I read that Fluffy sliced your hand open...what I didn't mention was that I stuck myself w/the needle and I mean hard! My finger is black and blue and quite swollen. And when I felt that pain, I thought "Oh God, this is how Puddy must feel." But, as I've said before, if it gets to the point where I see it isn't helping her, I'll know what I have to do. But right now, I have my little girlie girl and she seems to be content, so I'm counting my blessings, of which all of my Pet Talk friends are a MAJOR part.

Blessings,
M

[TopCat3]

I'm so sorry to learn of your latest heartache/cat-astrophe. So soon after Peeka too. You sound stressed beyond belief, throwing up and all, and RENOVATIONS at the SAME TIME!!! OMG! I don't know what to say to you, I just feel so deeply for all of you on here going through this: Sasha, Puddy, Filou, Lucas, one after another. It makes me so sad I want to stay away but keep coming back because I care and one day I know it will be my turn. Why can't cats be like donkeys and elephants and live longer? Why do they have to suffer all these diseases just like we humans? Sorry I'm getting all maudlin and whiney. I loved the Colours/Rainbow thing and have saved it to my favourites so I can direct my friends to it. Thank you.
My thoughts, hopes, prayers and love are with you and with all the suffering cats and purrents out there. God be with us all.

[sasha the cat]

...that I can't hurt her and to just toughen up and do it...

Yep, I got that very same advise 5 years ago when my Tiggy needed fluids. Much easier said than done:p

Medusa, today , August 17th would have been Tiggy's 20th birthday. I like to recall the birthdays of all of the wonderful pets that have blessed and enhanced my life by sharing their lives with me. So I celebrate today that Tiggy was born in 1985 and that he was may most wonderful boy aka BCU [best cat in the universe]. I was so lucky to have him and today we celebrated our good fortune.

Hope you have your Puddy for many, many years.

[Medusa]

Well, I've had Puddy w/me for nearly 14 years and I hope to have her for many more. Gotta try the SQ thing again today. Wish me luck! :)

Thank you for sharing your wonderful stories...

Blessings,
M

[furrykidsmother]

Good Luck Mary!! I hope Puddy will cooperate and allow you to help her.

[Craftlady]

Mary,
I'm so sorry that I missed this thread. I'm glad to read that Puddy is doing so much better. I remember posting on a thread that you got the iv procedure down pat, but didnt make the connection until now that it was due to illness.

[Medusa]

Hey, you've got your own stuff to deal with, lady. I fully understand and so does the Pudster. We do what we can and help each other in the process. :)

Blessings,
M

[sasha the cat]

We hope it went well today giving Puddy her hydration. Mew, I can't think of one pussycat I know who likes that. Every so often I get hydrated too ... mostly just before my B12 injection.

Puddy, mew, your meowmie wants you around more than 14 years so you keep fighting. At my Palace we're all here cheering you on.

Purrrrs

[rosethecopycat]

My best wishes for a calm Puddy. so she can have her fluids, and a calm hand for her mama.

I know what you are going through, we were giving Malfi fluids a couple weeks ago, and it is so frustrating. Cat bag, two people, and still; needle out!

We try to syringe as much as we can in his mouth, in place of the SubQ's.

Try to look on the bright side: the sickest of cats will not have the strength to fight. So if she's resisting, she's doing better than you think.

And, if it is too mentally tough on you, just take her to the vet, and let them do it. My thought is: this is what money is for.
Maybe they will 'cut you a break' if you bring in your fluid bag and trappings.

Praying for the best results for Puddy girl.

[Medusa]

Well, we're doing pretty good right now. :) (See my post "Success!") Believe me, I don't have a problem w/taking her to the vet if I have to, to get those fluids in her. But she cries when she sees the carrier, then that makes it even more stressful for her. So I was determined to do it myself and yesterday went smooth as silk. I couldn't believe it! I almost had to check to make sure someone didn't smuggle in a Puddy look-alike! ;) Ah, but there's none like my Pudster, that's for sure.

Thanx again for your encouragement. It's what kept me going.

Blessings,
M