Does your cat do this? I'm concerned. *Pidge is home *pix 6/4*

[Medusa]

Well, it's getting worse. Dr. Feeman just called me w/Pidge's blood work results. Her levels are up as well and he believes that she's in early CRF. He said that it's possible that she could be dehydrated but until a urine sample is taken, they won't know for sure. So I have to take her in on Tuesday and have an IV started to hydrate her and then on Wednesday morning they'll shave her. Two cats in CRF now. My poor Pidgie. She's never had a sick day. I'm ready to lose it.

[jenluckenbach]

{{{{{{{HUGS}}}}}}} I am so sorry that this news is also sad. But consider this......if she is in EARLY CRF, then having this blood test done NOW means treatment can begin ASAP!

[Medusa]

I want to cry but the cry is stuck in my throat. I guess Pidgie's mats are a blessing in disguise because, if they hadn't gotten so bad, I wouldn't have known about the possible CRF. She wasn't exhibiting any symptoms whatsoever. I just feel so bad for her. She has the sweetest disposition of any cat I've ever known. She's never had a sick day, an off day, yes, but never a sick day. And she's never given me any trouble at all. She gets along w/all the other cats, has never been destructive or peed inappropriately. She's the perfect cat. I don't want her to be sick. I don't want to lose her. Ok, now the tears are coming. Later....

[Moesha]

I wish so much for words of comfort for you. You always seem to have something to say to help others and I wish I could do the same for you. I know that feeling you have inside of you and it is terrible. But continue to look on the upside of things. Like was mentioned, it is early. You have dealt with CRF and you know it can be treated. Besides, you said that may not even be the case. It could be dehydration. Either way, you don't have to think that you are going to lose your precious Pidgie any time soon.

[Medusa]

You have dealt with CRF and you know it can be treated. Besides, you said that may not even be the case. It could be dehydration. Either way, you don't have to think that you are going to lose your precious Pidgie any time soon.

I'm better this morning. I know that, even if it is CRF, there are things that I can do to help her along and she probably has a lot of time left. It's her age that concerns me, I guess, being 18 1/2. I was just faced w/the reality that one day I'll have to part w/her and it made me sad. Thank you for the kind words of encouragement.

[Pawsitive Thinking]

Oh my word - what a lot to take on board.......

Will be thinking of you and your precious pusscats

[Medusa]

Just got off the phone w/Dr. Lee. Usually he and I are aggressive in the course of treatment, especially where Puddy is concerned but, in this instance, we're doing the "less is more" approach. Puddy will begin a course of Chlorhexadine on her gums every day to treat the gingivitis and we'll see how that works for her. He doesn't want to give her anesthesia unless she's in pain and it's absolutely necessary. He said that I could probably back off on her subQ's to every other day at my discretion.

Pidgie will go in on Tues. afternoon to begin an IV drip to keep her hydrated and they'll also take a urine specimen to see if she is indeed in CRF or perhaps just dehydrated. However, Dr. Lee did concur w/Dr. Feeman in that he believes it is early CRF. He said that, given her age, it isn't uncommon and he feels that it can be managed. Then Wednesday morning, Pidgie will get her lion cut and I'll bring her home Wed. night.

I have a feeling that a visit to my son next month isn't going to happen. This is an awful lot for my catsitter to take on, especially since her father has pancreatic cancer and she has that to deal with. Well, I guess I take it one day at a time. My philosophy has always been "people first" but I certainly won't leave my cats when they're sick. We'll just have to cope as best we can.