Max

[slick]

Gosh, every time I come here there's new information. Thank you all so very much. I have an appointment with Dr. Singh today at 2:30pm (just me and him) and I want to talk to him. Max's last blood tests revealed that his potassium level is too high so I want to talk to Dr. Singh about that as well as Azodyl that Zippy mentioned. Thanks Zippy for the link to the CRF website. I have been there and yes, it's an amazing site.

Debbie: Many, many thanks for that information as well. Good to hear from you.

I know that he was previously diagnosed with IVDD - Inter Vertebral Disc Disease and I wonder if this is the cause of his weakness. At that same time Dr. Singh mentioned Spondylosis of the Lumbar L5 & L6 - but all this was about a year ago.

[slick]

Slowly but surely he's getting banned from different rooms. Now he seems to think that the floor beside the toilet in the guest bathroom is his litterbox so now that bathroom door stays closed at all times - it's too small to put a litterbox in there. Yes, I could use pee pads, but I want him to start using the "real" litterbox again. I hope it doesn't come down to point where Max has to be confined to one room only. That's no life for him.

Dr. Singh really feels that there is nothing we can do at this point and I have to say I agree. His potassium level is too high so giving him that supplement is not an option. I asked him about the Azodyl and he said that it's not an option either because it can cause major kidney damage. Dr. Singh confirmed that the cause of his weakness is from the IVDD and once it sets in, there is no treatment that can help. Oh yes, about the Vitamin B shots, Dr. Singh said we could try it but he's doubtful it will help at this late stage and in addition he said that they sting quite badly.

He is hungry though and still goes through a whole small tin of Fancy Feast at night and when I come home from work I see that his dry food has been nibbled at. Again, all I can do is keep him comfortable. I fear I may have to make a decision in the not-too-distant future.

Oh about the diapers, somehow I don't think that would work. He won't even tolerate a collar.

[ChrisH]

Oh, slick ... {{hugs}} love and prayers continuing.

[emily_the_spoiled]

I don't know if you want to explore the option of reducing his potassium levels, but that might help...

You can try a diuretic (like Lasix) or something call Kayexelate (which binds the potassium and then it is excreted as a "tootsie roll"

But I do not envy you your decisions...

[Barbara]

Slick I send all my best thoughts. You remember Peanut- and her parents sleeping under a shower curtain in the mobile home in her last time

The Filou now has 3 litterboxes for himself.

I just think of you and Max.

[Taz_Zoee]

You and Max remain in my thoughts constantly.
Hugs to you Slick!

[Randi]

Slick, it's good that Max is not in pain and still wants to eat, at least.

Lots of positive thoughts to Max.

... and big ((((hugs)))) to you.

[momoffuzzyfaces]

(((HUGS))) and prayers continue for you both.

[Medusa]

Slowly but surely he's getting banned from different rooms. Now he seems to think that the floor beside the toilet in the guest bathroom is his litterbox so now that bathroom door stays closed at all times - it's too small to put a litterbox in there. Yes, I could use pee pads, but I want him to start using the "real" litterbox again. I hope it doesn't come down to point where Max has to be confined to one room only. That's no life for him.

Dr. Singh really feels that there is nothing we can do at this point and I have to say I agree. His potassium level is too high so giving him that supplement is not an option. I asked him about the Azodyl and he said that it's not an option either because it can cause major kidney damage. Dr. Singh confirmed that the cause of his weakness is from the IVDD and once it sets in, there is no treatment that can help. Oh yes, about the Vitamin B shots, Dr. Singh said we could try it but he's doubtful it will help at this late stage and in addition he said that they sting quite badly.

He is hungry though and still goes through a whole small tin of Fancy Feast at night and when I come home from work I see that his dry food has been nibbled at. Again, all I can do is keep him comfortable. I fear I may have to make a decision in the not-too-distant future.

Oh about the diapers, somehow I don't think that would work. He won't even tolerate a collar.

See, this is where my torment began. As a human, I wouldn't want to be confined to one room but I wondered whether or not a cat would mind. Puddy isolated herself and I still agonized over it.

Yes, the shots do sting, you're right but Puddy didn't feel it b/c she had hers through the subQ bag but that isn't an option for you so it's understandable why you wouldn't want to put Max through that.

Sometimes all we can do is keep them as comfortable as possible. You're loving Max the best way you know how.

[Catty1]

Kayexelate might be worth asking about? And as for the Vit B...are there oral drops that can go in his food, or tabs in a pill pocket?

I know, I know...just want Max to be comfy. {{{{hugs}}}}

[krazyaboutkatz]

Slick, Lots more prayers and positive thoughts are being sent to both you and Max. Just enjoy the time that you have with him and spoil him rotten. Please take care. (((HUGS)))

[Pinot's Mom]

Prayers and hugs for both of you...I'm so sorry you're going through this...we all know you'll make the best decision for your baby.

[phesina]

Prayers and love and good wishes and peace to you and Max from us too.

[zippy-kat]

I asked him about the Azodyl and he said that it's not an option either because it can cause major kidney damage.

If this is true, I need to have a major talk with my vet as that's what we're on to help K'Cee's levels come down. It was my understanding that it's not the safety that's contested, it's the effectiveness, and therefore it's considered a supplement rather than a "medicine." (IE you can buy it without a prescription) The fact that it might cause damage just blows my mind.


{{My prayers are with you and Max. Wishing you many more cuddles and happy days.}}

[slick]

Zip: Before I sent to see Dr. Singh I googled Azodyl and the only side effect I found was vomiting. I can deal with that but when I researched further there were some kitties that experienced so much vomiting that they were taken off it. However Dr. Singh and I discussed the drug anyway and he did mention kidney damage. Now....it could be that he meant that "anything I give Max will cause kidney damage since his kidneys are already in such a sad state" not specifically "this drug causes kidney damage in all cats" - a play on words.

Please do speak to your vet about it and I'm anxious to see what he/she says. Maybe I heard wrong.

Edit: 8pm - just arrived home from work and once again, all 3 litterboxes have not been touched. He's peeing somewhere and for the life of me, I can't find the spots. I'm really thinking that he just can't lift his back legs over the side. I will have to get something in place but don't have time until this weekend. Durn w-u-r-k keep getting in the way. I do have a fourth litterbox that I can set up - it's much smaller and the sides are not as high. For now I've opened up the guest BR door and put 2 - count them, two!!! - litterboxes in there so there is no way he can get to the toilet without stepping over each one. We'll see what happens. BTW, my apt doesn't smell at all and I'm amazed by that. I did hear somewhere that an old cat's pee doesn't smell that much - don't know if it's true or not.