My kitty just diagnosed w/ CRF - need advice & prayers

[Ladybug70]

So we got some mixed news yesterday from the vet. Blood results show that his creatinine and BUN are still WAY too high... but the numbers have stabilized and the creatinine has actually dropped ever so slightly (creatinine went from 11.4 to 9.7, BUN is still 156 - ouch!). Not the best news but Blackie is still showing signs of increased energy and an interest in eating. He's loving the baby food. I also got him some kitten milk that he seems to like and some alaskan salmon fancy feast "appetizers" (LOL)... but they are juicy and moist and he makes an attempt to eat a small portion (or at least lick up all the gravy). I just try to put something under his nose every 2 hours. The best news of all is that he hasn't vomited since Thursday morning!

We took him in to the vet yesterday for another fluid treatment (5th day in a row) and the doctor commented that Blackie looked like he felt a bit better. Since he won't get any fluids over the weekend, we're watching him carefully and still encouraging eating/drinking. We've let him out on our patio and he's loving it... even tried to escape over our patio wall (I don't blame him after all he's been through this week). We also got out the laser toy for some mild playing and he really perked up! Just trying to keep him stimulated and happy.

Please keep kitty prayers going over the weekend as he won't get sub-Qs until Monday. So far so good.

Thanks again for all your comments, suggestions and well wishes!

Purrs,
Lisa

[Medusa]

Do you think you're now in a place where you can give Blackie the subQ treatments yourself? His creatinine is still very high and the fluids might make a difference. After my Puddy had a treatment, she always perked up and when she was at her worst, I was aggressive w/the treatments and administered them sometimes twice a day. Whatever you decide, I'm glad that Blackie is showing signs of improvement no matter what his levels are. Keep it up, buddy!

[kb2yjx]

Paws and hands folded in prayer that your boy continues to EAT and have a good weekend!! I attached a photo of Miss BooBoo Kitty getting her sub q fluids with her private duty nurse, Nicholas, watching. Boo went to the Bridge at the age of 16 in 2004 and Nicholas in 2007, Boo was the first of my 9 kidney cats. She was a patient and kind teacher. I can never thank her enough!! Sandra

[Ladybug70]

What an adorable picture of Boo with Nicholas!

Mary, the thought of doing the sub-Qs myself really scares me. I've been reading a lot online about how it's done. It seems daunting and time-consuming, but I'm also reassured that it gets easier to administer. If Blackie can only remain stabilized through daily sub-Qs, I'm concerned about whether that treatment will be sustainable for us (time and money wise). Last week was the exception and I was able to take some time off each day from work. Otherwise, both my fiancee and I work full-time and can't be home during the day to check on Blackie to make sure he's eating or give additional sub-Qs. I really want to be willing to do anything (that Blackie will allow) to keep him going. Trying to take it one day a time for now... the "what ifs" scare me right now.

[kb2yjx]

Please be reassured that giving the fluids at home by yourself is not as bad as you may think!!! I taught my husband how to do it! Also, it will save you $$. You can give the fluids in the anytime during waking hours. As far as time goes, I can run 100cc's in under five minutes or less, since it is given sub q(under the skin), you do not have to worry about blowing a vein, and if the cat gets fussy, that is a good thing. I warm the IV bag in warm water so it will be not a shock when it goes into the cat, have the cat on a soft cushion, and have nice soothing music on, they all seem to have liked Bach or Mozart....Once you get Balckie stable, things will be OK. I have had to give fluids every other day, daily, or like now with Tina Peepers, only three times a week....things will work out....hang in there. Please, if you have the time, go to Tanya's CRF site, I think cfr.org. Excellent advice is there....

[Ladybug70]

Hi,

For those of you have performed sub-Qs, can you give me an idea of how much it costs you on a monthly basis to do it at home (fluids, supplies, shipping, etc). Assuming sub-Qs 3x/week (200cc)? 5x/week? Daily? I'm trying to compare it to what the vet charges.

Also, did you buy directly from the vet or via medical supply company? Also, how did you handle disposing of medical waste (needles)? Thanks for your help.

By the way, Blackie is still hanging in there. Not great , but not bad either. Mild appetite, no more vomiting, and a little more energy. Still not his normal self (may never be). We're just taking it a day at a time. We're trying 3 sub-Qs this week with a blood test on Friday. Will meet next Monday with vet to review results and discuss next steps/options for long-term care. Keep those kitty prayers coming!

Purrs,
Lisa

[Medusa]

Hi,

For those of you have performed sub-Qs, can you give me an idea of how much it costs you on a monthly basis to do it at home (fluids, supplies, shipping, etc). Assuming sub-Qs 3x/week (200cc)? 5x/week? Daily? I'm trying to compare it to what the vet charges.

Also, did you buy directly from the vet or via medical supply company? Also, how did you handle disposing of medical waste (needles)? Thanks for your help.

By the way, Blackie is still hanging in there. Not great , but not bad either. Mild appetite, no more vomiting, and a little more energy. Still not his normal self (may never be). We're just taking it a day at a time. We're trying 3 sub-Qs this week with a blood test on Friday. Will meet next Monday with vet to review results and discuss next steps/options for long-term care. Keep those kitty prayers coming!

Purrs,
Lisa

I pay $10 a bag and they give me a bunch of heavy gauge #18 needles for $1 (b/c the treatment goes fast, usually in 5 min. or less; a lighter gauge needle might take up to half an hour for the treatment.) The lines are $2 each. Compare that to $10 for the treatment itself; I wasn't charged for the office visit, and you can see the savings. The vet I go to now charges $12 a bag and he's expensive so I know that if I had them give the treatments, I'd be charged for the treatment, the supplies and the office visit, too.

Puddy was getting 150 cc. a day so a bag lasted approximately a week. I also injected the B vitamins into the port in the bag but my vet gave it to me at no charge, so I don't know what that cost would be. In the beginning, Puddy was getting 2 treatments a day, though; then it came down to one a day, then twice a week, then once a week and she was even off the treatments for a while.

As for disposal, I kept a separate bag just for the discarded items. The needles are recapped so there's no danger of sticking anyone.

There are a few here on PT who buy their supplies online b/c it's less expensive but my local vet is less than 10 minutes away so I just go there. Hope this helps.

Glad to hear that Blackie is doing a little better. Keep it up!