Appears the desert doesn't agree with Peanut - Uppydate on page 4

**Tubby & Peanut's Mom** · 11-12-2006, 11:15 AM

I hate to put this downer thread out there today when there's SO much cuteness here, but.....

For the last week or so, Peanut has been pretty much peeing everywhere, and it seems to me like she's straining more than before when she pees. We've put those little puppy pads everywhere in the motorhome - and boy am I glad we have full tile! Thank goodness she hasn't peed on the furniture yet.

Anyway, because of the tumor in her bladder, and the fact that she's a little old lady and doesn't clean herself as well as she should, she is more prone to urinary tract infections. The vet I went to in Illinois gave me a supply of antibiotics before we left. Since she is still peeing everywhere after using those antibiotics, and seeing that she seems a little less active and a little less "spunky", I decided to call a Tucson vet that makes house calls. I didn't want to put her through the stress of an office call, so I'm so grateful to have access to this mobile vet.

He came out yesterday. We decided to do a culture of her urine to find out just what type of bacteria is in there - and then we can make sure she's getting the right antibiotics - but he also noticed that she was quite dehydrated. Between the dyhdration and some other symptoms I mentioned, he seemed to think maybe her kidney function is decreasing more than it was before, which would also contribute to the UTI's and her malaise. He also said it's possible the cancer has spread from her bladder to her kidneys.

What we decided to do was start her on a different antibiotic in the event it is a stubborn bacteria that may have become immune to the Baytril she was taking. We're also starting her on sub-q fluids - 100...whatevers...every other day for now. She was NOT thrilled with the sub-q fluids! She seems a little perkier today, but not dramatically so, and she didn't beg for milk when Terry was having breakfast which is HIGHLY unusual.

I'm hoping the antibiotics do their thing.....and I really hope that is the problem and it's not that the cancer is spreading. In a little over two weeks we're headed out to the desert where the nearest real town is 30 miles away and has all of 13,000 people in it - which is another reason I wanted her checked out before we go. I don't know what I'm going to do if she takes a turn for the worst out there, because there is NO way this mobile vet will make a house call out there.

So, once again I'd like to ask for prayers for my little old lady. They've dones such wonders for her in the past.

I fear "her time" is coming closer and closer, and neither Terry nor I want to think of what that really means.

**Catty1** · 11-12-2006, 11:36 AM

The dehydration would have quite an effect on poor Peanut...I know you aren't in the desert yet, but is it quite a bit dryer in your RV, or in the area where you are now?

I hope the fluids really make a difference. Does she eat wet food, and did the vet recommend adding a bit of water to it?

Poor girl - I hope the new AB and fluids do the trick!

HUGS to you and Terry - you just may have your girl for a good while yet, without the peeing!

**CultureJunky** · 11-12-2006, 11:41 AM

Poor Peanut. I really hope she makes a speedy recovery. Could it be stress related or is just the things she already has wrong with her?
She's being taken care of in the best way possible, and being thought about and cared for is all a cat needs.
I hope you feel better soon Peanut!

**jazzcat** · 11-12-2006, 11:46 AM

Lots of prayers for Peanut. I'm so sorry to hear she isn't doing well and I pray it's just a minor thing and not cancer.

(((HUGS)))

**Tubby & Peanut's Mom** · 11-12-2006, 11:50 AM

Originally Posted by Catty1

The dehydration would have quite an effect on poor Peanut...I know you aren't in the desert yet, but is it quite a bit dryer in your RV, or in the area where you are now?

Technically we are already in the desert. Tucson is very desertlike with humidity levels around 20% on a regular basis, and we had a small bit of rain shortly after we got here, but not a drop since then. Right now the....humidity reader thingy....in the motorhome says it's 31%, and that's only about the 2nd time I've seen it that high since we've been here, so yes, it is extremely dry compared to what we're used to

Peanut is really a bag of bones and I'm sure she's down to about 5 pounds now. The biggest difference I can see after giving her the fluids is that she seems "fluffier" and actually has a little weight to her now when I pick her up. Yesterday she was quite "sloshy"

but today she seems much more normal and not so bony.

The only problem with the fluids is that it makes her have to pee more, which she is still not doing in the box, but Terry has said that the pee pads everywhere don't bother him a bit (anything for his daddy's little girl

), so the fluids continue and hopefully the box will become more appealing soon.

Thanks everyone.

**Barbara** · 11-12-2006, 11:58 AM

I think Peanut looked a little scruffy in the van pictures- and that is not unusual in dehydrated cats. So I would expect that she looks a little fluffier now.

What can I say- I send my best wishes. Peanut for sure is happy to have her favorite humans close and she'll let you know when the time is there

{{{{{Hugs}}}}}

**catfamily** · 11-12-2006, 11:42 AM

Oh poor Peanut.I really didn't want to say anything when I saw those lovely pictures in your mobile van traveling with CJ and Peanut but she really DID look very tired not to well...maybe in pain(But beautiful as ever).I felt it was getting near,but didn't want to say anything because we hate seeing our old pets get 'old and sick'it's so heartbreaking and I knew you already knew she was getting to that point..I'm so sorry.Are you giving her Pedialyte found in the baby food area?You can get a no needle shringe and give her a couple cc's in the morning and a couple cc's at night to get rid of the dehydration.I think that would be something to do for a few days anyway.But of course ask your vet first.I do it with mine if I think they are dehydrated.Sometimes when they get old they are just to darn tired to drink enough water...plus her being in pain also makes her not want to get up and go to the water bowl.Gosh I'm so so sorry.We all Love your Baby Peanut.
Prayers...lots of prayers on the way to Dear Peanut.

Just saw you were using the sub Q fluids.Sorry.That will be a great help for her.

**jenluckenbach** · 11-12-2006, 12:02 PM

Big time prayers for little miss Peanut.

**Bengalz** · 11-12-2006, 12:14 PM

Lots of prayers and gentle hugs for dear little Miss Peanut. She is a favourite of mine; reminds me so much of our little Roxy (also a maine coon). She suffered with kidney disease and that's what finally took her at a young age - 11 years old

I really hope the sub q's work for Peanut and let her feel better.

Hugs to you and Terry and CJ

Betty

**Vio&Juni** · 11-12-2006, 12:23 PM

I am thinking of you. I hope Peanut will get better.

**AbbyMom** · 11-12-2006, 12:43 PM

Oh, poor Peanut. Prayers on the way.

Do you have room in the RV for a humidifier? One of those room-sized ones you can get at Walgreens or Target?

**Edwina's Secretary** · 11-12-2006, 12:58 PM

Dear Peanut,

Hydration, hydration, hydration! It is so important if you are living in the desert. Believe me...I know. I am thinking of you....

Sandily,

Edwina

**K & L** · 11-12-2006, 12:56 PM

I'm so sorry to read Peanut may be declining. I'm so grateful I got to meet and pet her! We will send extra prayers and hope all this TLC and antibiotics will do the trick.

**Uabassoon** · 11-12-2006, 08:10 PM

I'm so sorry to hear that Peanut isn't doing well, but glad to hear that she is doing better. I will keep you guys in my thoughts that all will be well during your voyage to the middle of the sonoran desert.