{{{{hugs}}}}
If Epogen is so hard on the kidneys, I am surprised Dr Lee would have started with 3 times a week!
I pray that nothing more than her CRF is acting up - and that perhaps lower doses of Epogen are possible.
Prayers for you and dear Puddy!
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{{{{hugs}}}}
If Epogen is so hard on the kidneys, I am surprised Dr Lee would have started with 3 times a week!
I pray that nothing more than her CRF is acting up - and that perhaps lower doses of Epogen are possible.
Prayers for you and dear Puddy!
Mary, I'm so sorry that you are going through this. It is almost harder when it's like this because she is somewhere inbetween. If she were flat out, the next step would be obvious but when she is still eating and there is still potential for some recovery, it is heart wrenching to even think of anything else but giving her time.Quote:
Originally Posted by Medusa
My first prayer is that Puddy will recover to the degree that she can go on to live a life of quality.
My second prayer is that it becomes clear over the next little while, what decision to make because it is living in limbo like this that is so hard on you because you love her so very much.
My thoughts are with you. :love:
My thoughts exactly, except that Dr. Lee told me on the day we met that he's aggressive w/treatment. I think he felt that Puddy really needed it but I intend to talk to him about it when he returns from vacation. Actually, Puddy only gets two shots a week but I did get some good news just now. The vet called and said that her red blood cell count went up from 24.2% to 26.9%. They consider 27-28% to be low normal. So she said "This is good news. She's now in the above moderate level". She does feel that the Epogen is too hard on her, so she said to cut it down to one shot a week. I don't have to take her in on Monday unless she gets worse. Otherwise, they want to see her towards the end of next week. Hopefully, the Epogen will perk her up w/out wearing her out afterwards.Quote:
Originally Posted by Catty1
As an aside, the vet said that the fudgesicles won't hurt Puddy but to watch for artificial sweeteners; no aspartame or xylitol. These don't have either of those in them, so Pud can have her occasional lick. I've been hunting for Frosty Paws and can't find it anywhere.
That is great to hear Puddy is at the low end of normal. Hopefully she will start coming back out and this is just a phase she is going thru since she has been thru so much. We all will keep the prayers going up for you and Puddy both. I am not sure where you live but I know our local Public has the "Frosty Paws".
I live in Ohio. I've looked everywhere and the local Pet Supplies Plus doesn't carry it either. I'm on a mission now; I'll find it!Quote:
Originally Posted by momtomany
http://www.bigdogboutique.com/Produc...osty_paws.html
I will look for more............
xxoo:love:
Here is the link to the FrostyPaws website. At the bottom there is a box where you can type in your zip code and it will give you the closest store to you that carries it.
I think the manufacturer of Frosty Paws is in Ohio.
Thank you so much! I found several stores. Now, why didn't I think to look online? That just tells you how scattered I am; normally that's the first thing I would think to do. I'm going to buy my Pudster some Frosty Paws tomorrow.Quote:
Originally Posted by Emeraldgreen
Gini, that's awesome, thank you! What wonderful friends I've made here on PT!Quote:
Originally Posted by gini
If you don't know what to do, then you really know what to do. When the time comes to say good bye to your sweet Puddy, then you'll know. I hope that the reduction in the epogen helps Puddy's cell counts and gives her more recovery time to feel perkier in between. It is good news to hear that her counts have improved.
Mary, I'm glad to hear that the Epogen has helped Puddy so she's now almost in the low normal range. Hopefully by giving it to her only 2 times a week that this will help her have more energy. Lots of prayers and positive thoughts are being sent her way. Please take care. (((HUGS)))
I'm not sure why but I think she sleeps on the sink countertop because she's just too tired to go back down the little steps sometimes. She sleeps in her carrier or under her bed or my bed or on the sink countertop and that's it. No more sunning in the patio room. Hopefully, cutting back to one Epogen shot a week may make her feel energetic but her kidney won't have to work so hard to produce red blood cells. I miss her company. I go upstairs to check on her occasionally and to see if she wants to hang out w/me like she used to but she just doesn't want to be bothered right now. The rest of the Fur Posse keep going upstairs but they only get so far because I have a baby gate blocking their way. If I don't do that, Coco Puff will pester her and Creamsicle will eat her food and she's allergic to it. It's nuts around here! LOL
She is such a strikingly beautiful cat, Miss Puddy.
Thanks for sharing these pictures. I pray that the reduction in medication will jazz her up a bit.
Agree 1,000 percent!Quote:
Originally Posted by Grace
Agree 1,000 percent again! Prayers, positive thoughts and whisker kisses for Miss Puddy.Quote:
Originally Posted by Grace
Awww...just a BEAUTIFUL stunning girl!
Her eyes in that last pic..."I don't feel so good, Mommy..." Prayers that she feels better soon!:)
That is what I saw in her eyes too. :( :(Quote:
Originally Posted by Catty1
Many prayers for Puddy. All we want is for you to be comfortable and happy.
She is such a beautiful cat!
Looking at those pics of her on the counter made me think that maybe she is feeling nausceous (spelling??). I brought my hubby home from the hospital a few hours ago after hernia surgery and he became really nausceous in the truck when I had the fan on with the heat to get rid of the mist on the windows from the rain and muggy weather. As soon as he got hot he felt so sick, thought he was going to throw up and needed to put something cold against his head. Thankfully I had just gone grocery shopping before picking him up and had some frozen vegetables on hand! He felt better right away.
So, when I saw Puddy's pics, this is what came to mind. Do you think that she might be dealing with nausea? It could be a reaction to the new meds. Maybe you could ask your vet about this possibility and there might be a safe anti-nausea med or something holisitic she could take that might help turn her around that also wouldn't harm her if that isn't what she's dealing with.
Sorry if this post isn't making much sense, it's 2:00a.m. and I should be in bed. lol :rolleyes:
You've made perfect sense, Lara. :) Dr. Lee told me long ago that part of CRF is the nausea that goes w/it, so that's a possibility. However, the aluminum hydroxide that I give her twice a day is a phosphorous binder but it's also an antacid, which he said should help w/the nausea. I may ask the other vet about giving her something else today. I just hate to shove more things down this poor girl's throat, y'know? She just finished her antibiotic. There is a powerful ceiling fan in her room and, even if she's in the bathroom on the countertop, it's close enough that she feels the breeze from it. There's really no place to put another fan, even a small one, in that bathroom. It's so small you have to go into the hallway to change your mind. I was up several times during the night checking on her because I feel so bad that she sleeps on that cold, hard surface. She came into my room this morning and woke me up for a noggin noogie and laid on my chest for a few minutes. So that's something, at least.Quote:
Originally Posted by Emeraldgreen
Btw, I hope your hubby is feeling better now. :)
Yes, unfortunately, I see it, too. I feel so bad for my little girl.Quote:
Originally Posted by jenluckenbach
Well at least it's good news to read that Puddy's blood count has come up some - that's one step in the right direction. She is such a pretty girl. Poor little thing - she looks so uncomfortable laying on the corner of the bathroom counter. Makes one just want to pick her up and hug her and then lay her down on a big soft pillow! But only she knows what she wants right now. She's probably feeling just as scattered as Mom does now, only she doesn't know why she's feeling that way! If all the prayers and well wishes she's been receiving would make her better, she'd be bouncing off the walls by now. It's heartwarming to see all the support that continues to come her way everyday. :love:
I put a soft towel there for her so she could snuggle in but she wouldn't lie on it. She even pushed away my little hand towel. Well, no more Epogen shots now until Saturday because she's down to one a week and her last one was last Saturday. And you're right about the prayers, except that I do believe they're working but not to where she's bouncing off the walls. LOL :)Quote:
Originally Posted by pomtzu
Hang in there little Puddy. We are all routing for you. I am so happy to hear that Puddy is perking up a bit. I am routing for the little guy. He knows that his mom Mary is taking really good care of him. Keep it up Mary, you are doing a wonderful job. You guys are in my thoughts and prayers!:love::love::love:
There's no change. Puddy girl just sleeps on the counter top. It's breaking my heart. She has no quality of life at all, it seems. I can't wait til Dr. Lee gets back. I want him to take a look at her. I don't know if I can put her through much more. She won't even let me pet her. Maybe she'll come in bed w/me tonight and want a noggin noogie. I don't want my little girl to be miserable. If I could just have some sign other than numbers to show me that she's improving. :(
Oh, honey --
I haven't had the chance to be on for the past week (school started! :eek:), and so have not been able to keep up with you & Puddy.
I am so, so sorry to read about all you and your sweet girl have been going through -- it really just sounds like you're having one of those times of life where you wish you could just wake up and find that it's all been a bad dream. I have absolutely nothing useful to add, except to say that you and the entire Fur Posse will remain in my prayers -- and to send you lots of love and a big cyber-squeeze.
Hugs,
Diana
Mary my heart breaks for you too, i can understand how much you want your little girl to show you a sign she is feeling better, maybe it is time to let her go peacefully,know that i am thinking of you and hoping for the best outcome in a very difficult and sad situation.
Mary, I feel just awful for you...
I really hope that Puddy's turnaround is just delayed, and she will perk up soon.
Please, God, heal Puddy and have her give her mom some noggin noogies, ok? Please have Puddy FEEL all better, even if she isn't yet.
HUGS, Mary. :love:
Mary, I'm so sorry to hear this.:( I sure hope that she'll start showing you signs of improvement. If not then you'll have to consider her quality of life and make a very tough decision. I'm sure that she'll let you know when she's had enough and when it's her time to go to RB. Both of you remain in my thoughts and prayers. Please take care. (((HUGS)))
Mary I send some hugs for you and some very tender kissies for Puddy.
I know how it hurts your heart when cats retire because they are not feeling weel. I think sleeping on the counter still shows that she wants to be near you.
Wishing you a strong mind to keep up hope.
Hang in there. I pray that you will get a sign so you are sure which steps need to be taken next.
Thoughts and prayers are still going out for you and Puddy. I hope there will be some positive change soon!
:love: Come on wittle Puddy & start getting better soon.. Meowmom is so worried about you.. I too hope that Dr. Lee gets back soon for Puddy.. Maybe the Doc has a cure.. My Heart breaks for you Mary.. I know its so hard.. I know when I found my Buttons in pain I was just devastated..
Bigg Positive Vibes & Huggss..
{{{{hugs}}}}
It's only a week's holiday....but the LONGEST week of your life, Mary.
I hope he comes back early!
I am so sorry that Puddy is not doing any better. The Dunn gang will keep the prayers going and hope they will be answered they way we all want.
Yesterday morning she came downstairs by herself when I called out "Breakfast!". This morning, though, she came out of her carrier but no farther. I carried her downstairs and she ate w/the rest of the Fur Posse but as soon as she was done, upstairs and into her carrier she went. When I was flossing my teeth, she was sitting on the bathroom countertop, as usual, and she batted at my floss, so I pulled a string off and draped it over her head playfully and she played w/it for several minutes. I watched her the entire time so that she wouldn't swallow it and choke. It seems, though, that the slightest effort tires her out and she just sat down and I could tell she was so tired. Last night I walked into the bathroom w/a half eaten fudgesicle and as soon as she saw it, she chirped like a little bird and perked her head up, so I held it while she licked it and that tongue was really going to town. (She and the entire Fur Posse have turned up their noses at Frosty Paws, so I guess I'll give it to my girlfriend to see if her pets like it.) She'll get another Epogen injection tomorrow, so we'll see how she does. She did come into bed w/me for a brief time but she just can't seem to get comfortable. She wants a noggin noogie but as soon as I start to give her one, she pulls away. I thought maybe she wanted to just sit on my lap or lie next to me but she just can't sit still. She jumps down and goes back into the bathroom. So, I'm taking all the little things as positive signs but when she comes downstairs and walks into the patio room, then I'll know that she's indeed improving and feeling better.
I kinda had my doubts that Puddy would like Frosty Paws, but then you never know. Years ago I had 3 Lhasas and only one would eat it. If I remember correctly, it is pretty hard, and they preferred the softer ice cream treats like Puddy does (people variety).:DQuote:
Originally Posted by Medusa
I have to check for your posting every day to check her progress. She sounds a little better and a little is better than nothing. When one gets to be a senior it seems forever to make a comeback when you get down (I speak from my own experiences!!). You're both in my thoughts and prayers!:love:
And Sparky and Myndi are sending big doggie kisses. :love:
Believe me, I can relate. It takes more time to recover now than it did to get tired in the first place. So I can only imagine how Pud feels. Thanx for your encouragment; your pooches are adorable!Quote:
Originally Posted by pomtzu
Thanks for the lastest update. I hope that Puddy will start feeling better and show you even more signs of improvement.:) She remains in my thoughts and prayers.
Yay, Puddy! Thinking of - and praying for you!
Dr Lee is back tomorrow???? YAAY...you just keep on keepin' on, Puddy!:love::)
Yes, he's back (how sweet of you to remember, Candace) but Puddy's appt. isn't until Wednesday. She got her last Epogen injection on Saturday and they want some time to elapse before they do blood work again. She doesn't seem to be any better or worse; she just lives on the bathroom countertop. What a life. The other morning, 3:00 AM to be exact, I couldn't sleep because I missed my Puddy and I went into the bathroom, looked Puddy in the eye and said "Pud, you need to let me know what's going on because I'm stumped here. I don't know what to do for you. What am I missing? What else can I do for you?" I thought I'd get some clue, some thought would come into my mind. I've always been so good at reading my cats. She just stared back at me; no meow, no nothin'. So can you see why I'm in such a quandary? If she was shutting down, if she wasn't eating or using the litterbox, if she was clearly in pain, something, then I'd know what to do. I've had the unfortunate task of needing to help animals to the Bridge but there was never any doubt in my mind about what had to be done. The signs were clearly there. Puddy just seems tired and wants to be left alone on the bathroom countertop. It certainly isn't the life I would choose for her but she doesn't seem miserable any more, just tired and she apparently prefers being left alone. This is why I really need to confer w/Dr. Lee.Quote:
Originally Posted by Catty1