(actually Slick, I imagine you were thinking that this PROBLEM is not as serious as the other illnesses
LOL Yes Jen, that's exactly what I was thinking. Thank you all for the replies and links and very helpful info.

So the blood tests are back and I spoke to the vet last night. He's very pleased and says that Max is extremely healthy for a boy his age. There does seem some indication of very early CRF but it's nothing to be concerned about now. He's been eating low protein dry for about 8 years and I'd like to think that it has acted is a preventative diet.

Now, the Metacam. That stuff stinks worse that my feet at the end of long day and I wasn't sure if he would accept it but much to my surprise when mixed up with even stinkier Whitefish and Tuna wet food, he didn't even notice it. He received the injection on Saturday and I've only been giving him drops for two nights and already I can notice a difference. Last night he was much perkier and after supper he curled on the bed instead of in the closet. This morning he was following me around for a bit but now he's back in the closet.

The next thing is his dental and since he passed his blood test with flying colours I'll probably schedule that in for October sometime. I know there is some controversy here over putting a 16 yr old "under" but I don't want him to get gum disease and have that spread to the blood stream. I'm very confident that he can handle the sir jury. The vet says a dental will be $300 not including any extractions. Just another expense for the babies we love.