PT prayers for Ripley please - update post #9

**jazzcat** · 07-30-2007, 01:36 PM

I have a 3:15 vet appointment for Ripley. I just called and they are working us in. My wonderful vet seems to always make room for him since he is a kidney failure cat.

Things haven't been right with him for a few days (just odd behavior) and now today I found where he peed in the floor, pooped outside his box and he's acting strange. Also his stomach or at least the area right behind his ribs is very hard and large. I also heard him crying this morning and he was standing in the middle of the sunroom with a lost and blank look in his eyes. It took several times calling his name before the glazed look left his eyes and he responded.

Richard and I both have observed he is drinking a lot lately. I'm not sure what all this is leading to but something is definitely not right with the old man.

I'll update when I return.

**Kirsten** · 07-30-2007, 01:39 PM

Oh no, poor Ripley!! Glad that you can take him to the vet today! I'll keep Ripley in my thoughts and keep my fingers crossed!!

Kirsten

**Donnaj4962** · 07-30-2007, 01:44 PM

Oh my. I am glad that you are able to get him in today. Many prayers coming from me and the girls in Indiana that all goes well and the white coats can find the problem and fix it right away.

So many sick PT babies.....

**jenluckenbach** · 07-30-2007, 02:35 PM

Prayers for Ripley.

**Kirsten** · 07-30-2007, 02:39 PM

Originally Posted by Donnaj4962

So many sick PT babies.....

That's true. I noticed that, too...

Kirsten

**Ginger's Mom** · 07-30-2007, 02:46 PM

Prayers going out for Ripley.

**Pawla** · 07-30-2007, 02:56 PM

I am so sorry! {{{HUGS}}} to you, and prayers to Ripley. Please keep us posted. I will be thinking of you both.

**Craftlady** · 07-30-2007, 03:29 PM

Will keep good thoughts and prayers

**jazzcat** · 07-30-2007, 04:10 PM

We're back. I'm not sure what to tell you. She couldn't find anything certain. She ran the long blood tests to check his kidney levels and other things. His kidney levels are only slightly worse than last year. The only thing elevated much was his globin level or something like that which she said could be up from the G.I. disturbance (throwing up) or it could indicate a tumor. She felt the hard band around his stomach which was obviously sore to him and said it was in the liver and spleen area but she's not sure what it is. The blood work didn't indicate a problem with his liver. She said an x-ray may help but that it doesn't always show everything so she recommeded we not stress Ripley any more and wait a month for an x-ray. The good news is he has gained a much needed pound since Feb.

She gave him a round of sub-q fluids with a shot of penicillin to help ward off any possible UTI infections since I had told her his urine is almost clear like water. I discovered that when cleaning up his pee spot this morning.

She also feels Ripley may have some mental issues like dementia or Alzheimer's plus she has said this before but she thinks he is an OCD cat since he pulls out his fur and does a few other quirky things. She thinks that is his coping mechanism. He has some bald spots right now from pulling it out so badly. She also said she wouldn't rule out that he may be having little strokes.

Basically she wants me to watch him closely, call if there are any changes and bring him back in a month or so for x-rays unless he gets worse and we have to do it sooner. She also warned me that he will be peeing like crazy from the fluids so be prepareds since he will go anywhere. Great!

I feel like I just spent $200 for some fluids and very angry cat. I'm not mad at the vet, she spent a long time with us and she kept saying she didn't want to waste time and money on a bunch of tests when it may just be a kidney flare but I'm still frustrated. Ripley is peeing in the house, he seems miserable and he's making me miserable. I wanted something to fix! I know this is just how it is with an older cat especially with renal failure but still. I'm just frustrated!!!

**catmandu** · 07-30-2007, 05:21 PM

We have added Dear Ripley to our prayers and we are hoping that our Dear Old Friend can be helped and is back home as soon as possible , happy and healthy.

**jennielynn1970** · 07-30-2007, 08:53 PM

When I had Alex, the very sick shelter cat, here with me in February, he did a lot of the mournful wailing/howling and the staring out into space deal. The thing is, he had done that wailing in the shelter, but the way he behaved when he was here, it was so distressing. Granted, he was a very sick kitty (brain tumor, blind, deaf, partially paralyzed). It was just heartbreaking to watch his deterioration in the two short weeks he was here with me.

I hope they can figure out what is causing Ripley's discomfort. Poor old guy! Big hugs to you and to Ripley.