Introducing Freddie Peace *Happy update*

[snakemama]

Ooh ooh ooh!! I actually got pictures I like!


You can see his FACE! And what a handsome face it is!! I'll try to get some shots with natural light on Monday, but for now I am delighted with this one.


Apparently I did not need to worry too much about the dog intro. I opened the door to Freddie's little domain a crack so that they could get a peek at each other and Freddie came right over to touch noses with Jasper. I watched them closely all evening, and as you can see there was no tension. Freddie did hiss twice, both times when Jasper was sniffing him in a rather obtrusive manner, and both times Jasper backed off immediately.

my boys!

[Karen]

Aww, good news and a nice picture! Glad harmony is reigning!

[mbsmum]

Freddie Price is one handsome dude!!!

[phesina]

How nice!

Sending along our prayers for good results.

[Catty1]

What a gorgeous boy! He certainly looks the picture of health! Hope the tests bear that out, or at least show something very treatable.

[snakemama]

Oof, today hurts.

Freddie is dying.

He only has about 25% kidney function left.

Due to his age, this is likely congenital. He needs to start on two medications, two supplements, prescription food, and subQ fluids. Odds are, he has less than a year left to live.

I went back and forth and around and around with myself all day, and I think that it would be in Freddie's best interest to spend his last months in the home he grew up in. I don't think it's fair to ask him to get used to four drugs, fluids, a new home, and a dog while he's on such a steep downward slope. I've emailed his foster mom and I'm waiting to hear back from her to make arrangements to get him home.

I feel just...awful. I really love him, and I am heartbroken at the turn this has taken. I know I am up to the task of caring for him and part of me is screaming to keep him, but I am genuinely trying to think of what is in Freddie's best interest.

[Catty1]

Just my two cents.

Freddie's foster mom has many other cats. It's not her fault, but she never really noticed Freddie's litterbox habits because of the other kitties.

You would be able to give him one-on-one love and care. You'll develop more of a bond, so when Freddie leaves it might be harder for you. But he will have been loved by his very own person.

Let's hope he fools the vet and lives even longer than predicted.

{{{hugs}}}

There are others here who have gone through this, and a couple of them know some really good websites.

I found a couple. There's good info out there.

http://www.felinecrf.com/

http://www.felinecrf.org/

I wanted to add this quote from a page on the second site:


http://www.felinecrf.org/how_bad_is_it.htm

You may well panic if your vet tells you that your cat has lost two thirds or more of his/her kidney function. I regularly hear from people who say things like "my vet told me my cat has lost 75% of kidney function and it's looking really bad".
Take a deep breath. It is probably not as awful as you fear because it is actually normal for CKD not to be diagnosed until a cat has lost at least 66% of kidney function. The What Happens in CKD? page has more information on why this is the case.

What you need to focus on is the fact that cats with CKD can often manage quite well on limited kidney function - for some cats, things only become critical when they have lost as much as 90% of function, and there are some cats who cope astonishingly well with even less function. So the goal is, not to worry about the function that has already been lost, but to try to help your cat manage with whatever function remains for as long as possible.

[phesina]

Oof, today hurts.

Freddie is dying.

He only has about 25% kidney function left.

Due to his age, this is likely congenital. He needs to start on two medications, two supplements, prescription food, and subQ fluids. Odds are, he has less than a year left to live.

I went back and forth and around and around with myself all day, and I think that it would be in Freddie's best interest to spend his last months in the home he grew up in. I don't think it's fair to ask him to get used to four drugs, fluids, a new home, and a dog while he's on such a steep downward slope. I've emailed his foster mom and I'm waiting to hear back from her to make arrangements to get him home.

I feel just...awful. I really love him, and I am heartbroken at the turn this has taken. I know I am up to the task of caring for him and part of me is screaming to keep him, but I am genuinely trying to think of what is in Freddie's best interest.

Please consider keeping him. He's already started adjusting to his new home. And you and he are already bonding and developing a love for each other that I'm sure the foster mom can't match with all the animals she looks after. And as Candace said, kidney cats often last a lot longer than predicted, with good medical care and lots of love and comfort.

Loads of love to you and Freddie Peace,