Update on Puddy; she's gone*9/29* see post #421

[Medusa]

The Selegilene arrived today and the pharmacy flavored it w/chicken flavor for me. Hopefully, I'll be able to get that into her w/no problem. (Sure, Mar.) This pharmacy is ok in my book. They included a Catdancer w/my order. I opened the box and, for a second, I thought perhaps I had opened someone else's delivery by mistake. They deal w/compounding for animals a lot, I guess, so I called them right away to tell them how much I appreciate their kind gesture. If anyone ever has to use a pharmacy for compounding, Roadrunner in AZ is pretty darned good!

[Medusa]

Puddy was up most of the night, crying in the bathtub, the echoes sounded like the Grand Canyon. She got her first dose of the liquid Selegiline yesterday. I don't even know why I'm writing this. I guess maybe just sharing it helps. Sorry.

[critters]

I reread 5 or 6 scattered pages of your post, trying to refresh myself on Puddy's problems, but I didn't read all of them. I'd bet Puddy's deaf, which would explain why she's so loud. My MamaCat, who's also deaf as the proverbial post, sounds like she's in the same room even when she's downstairs and at the other end of the house! LOL Could she have been objecting to being locked in the bathroom? As for the drip, my tub does it by itself, but I wonder if you could put a piece of aluminum foil or plastic wrap over the tub spout and put a little hole in it, making a drip out of a bigger stream of water? I'd try some stupid ideas like that to make her happy; she needs to drink, and at ancient ages I've been known to do lots of foolish things to make them happy!!

[Medusa]

I reread 5 or 6 scattered pages of your post, trying to refresh myself on Puddy's problems, but I didn't read all of them. I'd bet Puddy's deaf, which would explain why she's so loud. My MamaCat, who's also deaf as the proverbial post, sounds like she's in the same room even when she's downstairs and at the other end of the house! LOL Could she have been objecting to being locked in the bathroom? As for the drip, my tub does it by itself, but I wonder if you could put a piece of aluminum foil or plastic wrap over the tub spout and put a little hole in it, making a drip out of a bigger stream of water? I'd try some stupid ideas like that to make her happy; she needs to drink, and at ancient ages I've been known to do lots of foolish things to make them happy!!

No, Puddy isn't deaf. Her cry is so loud because she's in the tub/shower and it echoes. I also have a deaf cat and, believe me, she's loud. LOL Puddy drinks the water that's pooled at the drain and I give her subQ's so I know she's getting enough fluids. It's the senility that makes her cry and keeps her up at night. Also, she isn't locked in the bathroom. That's where she wants to stay when she isn't under her bed. She can roam freely upstairs all she wants. My vet suggested that I keep her isolated from my other cats because he thinks she's now too confused and fearful to be around them and I agree. I brought her downstairs w/me this morning, took her into the enclosed patio room which used to be her favorite hangout. I held her for a while and we looked out the windows together to bird watch, etc. but as soon as I put her on the floor, she ran out into the hallway and then just stood there as if she didn't know where to go. If this new med doesn't show signs of improvement in her in two weeks, then I guess I'll have to let her go, as insanely sad as that makes me. I just feel that I need to try every option and go down every avenue before I do it. Right now, she clings on to me for dear life when I pick her up. How will I ever be able to tear her away from me should the time come when I have to? It breaks my heart just to say it.

[Emeraldgreen]

I'm sorry things aren't improving. Maybe in a few days, the Selegilene will kick in. And as you said, if she isn't getting better, only worse, it may time to let her go. But I'm praying that this new med will help turn her around. Please let us know if there are any changes. {{{{HUGS}}}}}

[jazzcat]

I really hope you see some improvement from the new meds. It does sounds likes she very lost and confused. If the meds don't work I can certainly understand letting her go. Since I went through this with Disney I know how heartbreaking it can be but at this point it sounds like quality of life just isn't there.

[Catty1]

Mary, Puddy certainly knows who YOU are, who Mom is. And you're right, how could you put her to rest when she clings to you like that?

This maybe was suggested back in the thread - but have you had her read by Brody's Mum, or Nancy?

I don't have any $ for a few days, but I would help you to get a reading from both of them, to maybe give you some perspective.

{{{{hugs}}}}

Come on back, Puddy...come back, little girl

[Medusa]

Mary, Puddy certainly knows who YOU are, who Mom is. And you're right, how could you put her to rest when she clings to you like that?

This maybe was suggested back in the thread - but have you had her read by Brody's Mum, or Nancy?

I don't have any $ for a few days, but I would help you to get a reading from both of them, to maybe give you some perspective.

{{{{hugs}}}}

Come on back, Puddy...come back, little girl

Yes, I did have a reading by Nancy. I spoke w/her at length twice and she really didn't tell me anything that I didn't already know. She said that Puddy was "dried up". True. She's in renal failure and needs subQ's. And she said that she's tired. Again true. She's anemic. While she had insight, it is what I already knew. I'm not putting her reading down at all; it just didn't give me any more info that I could use.

[Catty1]

OK, I remember now.

Maybe get a second one by Brody's Mum...she might pickl up other things...like, how much does Puddy know about what is going on, as in how aware or out of it is she?

Poor wittle girl. I hope the liquid starts working soon. Give her lots of gentle hugs for me please.

[Medusa]

I can't take much more. I've always been pretty strong but I've cried more in these last couple of months than I think I've cried my entire life. It seems all I do is cry. My son has been asking me to visit him in L.A. and I've always said "people first" but how can I leave her? If my son was ill, I'd be out there in a heartbeat if he needed me but I can't leave Puddy w/a catsitter or board her. I'm just so torn up inside. My poor little girl is lying under the bed or in the bathtub day after day after day. I'm assuaging my conscience by trying the Selegiline but I feel deep in my heart that it won't work. Who will guard my house when I leave for the day? As I'm walking out the door, I always say "Puddy, watch the house for Mommy". I can't take it! I can't take it!

[slick]

OH Mary, I'm sitting here at work with tears streaming down my face. I feel helpless and want to reach out and give you a geat big {{{hug}}}. You know, we all want to do as much as we can for our babies but we also need to take care of ourselves and our mental and physical health. If you are not alright, how can you take care of others??? Listen to me, that's the #1 rule I need to learn but it really is true.

None of us can give you the right answer, only you and dear Puddy can come to the right conclusion. In the meantime I'm sending lots of prayers to you and I'm asking God to wrap His arms around you and give you the strength to get through this, whatever the outcome is.

I've said it before and I'll say it again. You are stronger than I will ever be.

slick

[jenluckenbach]

How heartbreaking this is. Prayers for strength ans peace ar coming your way.

[momtomany]

Prayers for you and Puddy are all I can offer. I am so sorry that you are going thru this.

[pomtzu]

Poor Puddy and poor Mom. Everyday I check in to see how everything is going - I sure wish it was better. Maybe the new meds will kick in and you'll see some improvement - Lord knows you've given her your all. I know how helpless you feel, but you really have to take care of yourself! Sometimes it's easier if our furkids make the decision so we don't have to. I've been thru both scenerios, and even tho neither is "easy", we don't have those self-doubts and what-ifs, since it was taken out of our hands. Whatever happens I'm sure that Puddy knows she has the best Mom a kitty could possibly wish for. Please know that I - along with so many other here - have you and Puddy in my prayers everyday.

[jazzcat]

Just heading out to spend the day with my Dad and wanted to let you know I'm thinking of you and Puddy. Lots of (((HUGS)))