Max

[katladyd]

I love how all the wonderful people on this site support each other. I suppose if a cat loves you, there is an immediate trust, isn't there.

[slick]

Well, I'm not sure if I'm giving him enough fluids but I'm doing my best.
Last night was a rough one. He was extra hungry so I opened up a second small can of fancy feast (only chicken and liver flavour will do, thank you very much) . About 20 min after eating I noticed that he was scooting and trying to have a BM - he looked constipated. Finally he let loose right by the front door. I cleaned him and the floor up, then he proceeded to throw up about 4 times. He completely emptied his tummy, then he just laid around. I finally went to bed around midnight but was up every couple of hours checking on him.

This morning he was meowing at me then crawled up on the dining room chair and that's where I left him. I'm at work right now.

I feel sick to my stomach. As hard as this is, I've got to persevere.

[momoffuzzyfaces]

Aw, slick, I'm so sorry! I hope you are both feeling better by this evening!
Extra prayers on the way for you both.

[Taz_Zoee]

I am in tears for you. I know too well how you are feeling right now. While Taz didn't throw up, he wasn't eating anything but a teeny bit of tuna I'd give him after meds.

Are you giving him fluids every day? If not, maybe you could start. That's what the vet suggested to me but then I made the other choice.

Hugs going out to you.

[jenluckenbach]

Cyber {{{{{{HUGS}}}}}}.

[krazyaboutkatz]

Slick, I'm sorry you're having some rough times right now. I hope that things will improve with Max. I'll keep both of you in my thoughts and prayers. Please take care. (((HUGS)))

[ChrisH]

Poor, poor, Max, and you too. I so hope he is doing better today.

Continuing to keep you both in my prayers. {{hugs}}

[Barbara]

I'm really sorry to hear that.
The good signs: he wants to eat. That means the fluids are working.
If he has diarrhea however he might lose more liquid than you can get into him.
I hope it was just a one time thing- it sometimes is.
Hugs to you.

[Randi]

Slick, I'm so sorry that Max and you are going through this, but you're doing what you can. It's a good sign that he wanted to eat, but not so good that it came back up. Try to give him very small amounts at a time. I so hope he'll perk up after getting some fluids.

Fister and I are thinking of you and sending lots of positive thoughts.

(((Hugs)))

[Lizzie]

I've been through this several times also, and it's such a roller-coaster ride of highs when they eat well and look totally relaxed when they sleep, and lows when all their body functions seem to go into disorder and they look miserable. I guess Max threw up because he had difficulty pooping, the straining would have pushed up into his stomach, at least that's what I've always thought with mine. I just lost foster Alexander to renal failure and he had a really difficulty time in the litter box, leaving part behind and dropping pieces on the floor as he walked, and towards the end simply walking away from his dish and pooping on the kitchen floor. As I said before, it seems to disorder all their body systems.

With all of mine I used to give fluids every other day, then every day, then twice a day as the renal failure progressed. However, they do reach a point where no amount of fluids given in any way will take away the dehydration.

I'm really sorry that you and Max are going through this very difficult time. Is he still enjoying attention? (I didn't read through the whole thread since, like you, I post at work and have a tough boss.)

[Medusa]

Oh I sure hope that things turn around for Max. (((HUGS))) to you, Slick, and gentle pets to our Max.

[catmandu]

Juke Joint Joseph is going through this too, one day he will eat, and the next day he wont touch anything but milk, and a dab of Cheese Whiz.

His legs are not staedy, and he has to have his food put under his nose.
I wish we could bring Max to the outdoor enclosure as JJJ3 really perks up out there.
Our Prayers for Max and we know that Spreckles Angel is there too comfort her old friend.

[katladyd]

I'm praying for both Max and Joseph. May they both have many more good days than bad!

[slick]

I just don't know if I can do this. Last night was another bad night. When it came time for his fluids, he ran and hid. I had to dig him out from behind my bed. When I finally got him "in position", he wouldn't sit still because he was anticipating the pain of the needle. I did get the fluids in but I know it's causing him pain. Afterwards he hid again and I didn't see him until this morning.

Lizzie, yes, that's exactly what Max is going through now but he did have a poop last night which is good. Yes, he loves attention but not so much lately because I represent needles and pain. His T4 levels are normal btw.

I have to weigh the options. Is it better to cause him pain and give the fluids (which he doesn't seem to be responding to) or do I do nothing and give him what seems like a better quality of life? I know he's not ready to go yet because he's still very hungry and pees and talks up a storm when I get home from work. God, this is so hard. We have a whitecoat visit scheduled for tomorrow morning. Sorry for rambling.

[Barbara]

I would be surprised if he needed the fluids 3 times a week now. Filou gets them weekly and we go to the vet.
He hates being caught on Tuesday mornings but he forgives us quickly. If it wasn't that often for Max I am sure he could cope easier.
Good luck tomorrow- he sounds as if he still has a lot of spunk.