Taz- staples removed #156

[Taz_Zoee]

I apologize for not updating sooner. But I just brought Taz home. I had to leave him for some bloodwork and an ultrasound. Then an emergency came in and they "forgot" to call me. I called them after almost 3 hours.

Anyway, he has LOTS of fluid around his kidneys. And his kidneys are abnormal looking. Basically if I do not have surgery to remove the psuedocysts, kidney failure will progress probably quickly and fatally. However, even if we do remove the cysts he can (and probably will) still continue with the kidney disease. She cannot guarantee that removing them would slow down that process. There is just no telling. She said if it were her cat she'd do the surgery. About 4 months ago she had a 14 year old cat that also had the psuedocysts and came through surgery fine. So that made me feel a little better. What I am not feeling so good about is how abnormal looking his kidneys are. But she said the look of them doesn't matter as much as the numbers (BUN and creatine). And his are slowly, very slowly, going higher. Having him on the k/d food should help slow that process down (hopefully).

So she is going to call me tomorrow with the results of the bloodwork. Which he just had bloodwork done at the end of Sept. I can't imagine them being much different, considering they weren't different from March to Sept. Anyway, we will set up the surgery when she calls tomorrow.

Sigh. I don't like this.

Thank you for keeping us in your thoughts. I really appreciate it.

[Medusa]

Take heart, sweetie. Puddy's kidneys looked bad, too, and she had renal failure for 6 years before she finally went to the Bridge. Her remaining kidney was supposed to look like, well, a kidney bean but hers looked like a shriveled up pea. She still lived for nearly 3 years after that, so be encouraged by what your vet said, that it doesn't matter what the kidneys look like but the numbers that should be your main concern. If you trust her judgment, then perhaps surgery would be the best option. Keep the faythe.

[kimlovescats]

Oh dear, I'm sorry it is looking like surgery for your Taz! Prayers and ((((HUGS)))) coming to you both!

[Emeraldgreen]

I'm sorry you have such a big decision to make. It does sound like Taz is uncomfortable if he is grumpy and acting differently around Paizly. Maybe the surgery won't guarantee that the kidney disease won't progress but did the vet indicate that it might help him feel more comfortable?
Prayers that Taz will feel better whatever you decide.

[Taz_Zoee]

The vet didn't even have to tell me he'd be more comfortable with the removal of the cysts. Looking at his ultrasound compared to another one she showed me in a book....it has GOT to be uncomfortable for him. The cysts are larger than the kidneys!
So surgery is basically my only choice. I can't leave him like this. While he "seems" to be fine, other than the grumpiness toward Paizly, he could be in pain or discomfort. But we know how our kitties are about showing signs of pain. I wouldn't have known these were bothering him if he hadn't stopped eating back in Sept. I don't want that to happen again either. He cannot lose any more weight.
I just hate the fact of surgery. He's only ever had surgery to remove one of his canine's a few years ago. AND he's never stayed over night at the vets before EVER in 13 years. Where he is having surgery is the same place that our DJ dog went to the bridge. That scares me too.

Thank you Mary, Kim and Lara (I think that's your name, Emeraldgreen).

[Moesha]

Oh dear. My thoughts are surely with you and Taz. Do you have any idea how much the surgery will cost? Please give him some lovies from me. I do hope that the surgery helps him feel better and live a long and fulfilling life!

[Taz_Zoee]

Thanks Moesha. The surgery plus the things they did yesterday total over $4000. But I qualified for the CareCredit so I will make monthly payments. Whew! If I pay it within a certain period it is interest free. I don't know the details about the payments until after his surgery. And I will not be telling the BF how much it is either. He doesn't need to know, he's not paying for it.

[momoffuzzyfaces]

Prayers still on the way from me for you and Taz!

[phesina]

Prayers that all goes well for Taz in his surgery.. and prayers for you too.

[jazzcat]

I'll be keeping Taz and you in my thoughts and sending lots of prayers.

[krazyaboutkatz]

I hope that everything goes well. I'll keep him in my thoughts and prayers.

[kallisto4529]

Cindy, I am so very sorry, this is the first time I have read this. Taz and you will be in my prayers. Poor little guy!!! You are totally right about doing this surgery, but as scared as you are, I believe he will be just fine and it will help him a great deal!! I will try and give you a call this weekend. Give him some loving from me and Just keep praying and being positive.