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