(no subject)

[ebonlock]

Taking a short break from my homework to post a quick update. First, for those keeping score it has been 6 days since I was inundated with Scientology texts and cds and they are still sitting near my front door. This despite 3 phone calls to FedEx. So I called again (I've got it on speed dial at this point) and was told this time for sure they'd be picked up tomorrow. If not, much as I hate the waste, I'm thinking they go to the dumpsters.

But before I could come home I had to drive down to Santa Clara to stop at the vet's office and pick up more meds for Kage. It turns out she has Pyelonephritis, a urinary tract infection, and a pretty bad one at that. Oddly she has no fever or anything but it can apparently show up without any real signs at all and has to be discovered via lab tests. The vet complimented me on having okayed the tests on Saturday, especially after Pye's had all come back negative. It helped relieve that little knot of guilt and cat mom anguish I've been carrying around all day.

That, sadly, is the good news.

The bad news is that she's also got Chronic Renal Failure which, unfortunately, is fatal in cats. I've kind of known this was coming since she started losing weight and just never stopped, and given her age I've been incredibly lucky up to this point. Given what I've been reading the average age for the disease to show up is 9, and she's 16 so that's pretty good.

So the long term outlook is pretty grim but in the short term with the right meds and fluid treatment she should be ok. I'm not really looking forward to giving her i.v. fluids, especially after the wrestling match that was my attempt to give her one small pill and some liquid antibiotics. On the plus side she was almost relieved when I got to the topical medication so I guess that's something.

And now I've got lots of reading to do on the subject of CRF, some from the vet, and some from fellow cat mom jakejr who's in the same boat, sadly. Then I think I may just curl up somewhere and have a good, cleansing cry. But after that I'm putting the guilt and self-pity away and focusing on doing everything I can to help Kage.

Comments

[silkblade.livejournal.com]

Oh, poor Kage. And poor you.

I hope her treatments go well.

[ebonlock.livejournal.com]

Thanks, hon.

[windrose.livejournal.com]

Oh, honey, I'm so sorry.

[ebonlock.livejournal.com]

Thanks, dearest.

[zdashamber.livejournal.com]

I'm really sorry. I hope things between you and your cats are generally peaceful and fun for the next while.

[ebonlock.livejournal.com]

That may be difficult with the way she reacts to meds...and, well Pye in general, but here's hoping :)

[honey-wheeler.livejournal.com]

Aw, poor kitty! Hopefully she responds well to treatment.

[ebonlock.livejournal.com]

Fingers crossed. The skin irritation on her head that started all this does look better so that's a step in the right direction.

[esmerel.livejournal.com]

Poor kitty, that sucks :/

[ebonlock.livejournal.com]

It does but I'm reminding myself at her age it could be *so* much worse. I had a cat with feline leukemia many years ago, that one just about broke my heart.

[jakejr.livejournal.com]

The good news is that's not really IV fluids. You don't have to hit a vein or anything, the needle just goes in her scruff. Anything under the skin is fine.

[ebonlock.livejournal.com]

I was reading about that and it sounds rather odd, so I'll be interested in seeing the procedure done.

[missjones.livejournal.com]

:( Poor kitty. And poor Kitty-mom too. But Kage couldn't be with a better mom, because you will do everything you can for her. I will be sending my best thoughts to my furry niece.

[ebonlock.livejournal.com]

Any good thoughts greatly appreciated.

[reluctantgenius.livejournal.com]

I've been involved in giving a cat IV fluids, and it wasn't that difficult. Although that may have been a function of that cat's personality, I think most of it was that we weren't trying to ram something down his throat. Getting the needle in was fairly easy, didn't even have to hold him down, and just had to hold him still to keep him from wandering around with the needle in until the treatment was complete. My job, btw, was to hold the fluid bag up so it would drip properly.

[ebonlock.livejournal.com]

I actually have something of a plan that involves adding a plant hook to one of my chairs and holding her in my lap while the fluid bag empties. Wrapping her in a towel on my lap has been the only way to get her to take her oral meds so far.

[phillipalden.livejournal.com]

I would take the Scientology crap to the dumpster. If you don't want to carry it, just tell a few people what it is and they'll likely do it for you.

I'm so sorry to hear about Kage. I know how much she means to you. I will say a prayer for you both.

[ebonlock.livejournal.com]

Thanks, and the problem isn't taking the crap to the dumpster, rather my own intense dislike for waste, and especially adding a lot of plastic to the local landfills. Hopefully FedEx will actually come through and take them away today (fingers crossed).

[tersa.livejournal.com]

Oh, honey. I'm so sorry for you and for Kage. *hug*

If there's anything I can do to help, let me know. I've had some experience giving IV fluids, so if Kage is such that you need a second pair of hands to help out, give me a call.

[ebonlock.livejournal.com]

I just may take you up on that. jakejr says they're likely to give her one or two of the treatments in house while they show me how it's done. And I don't have to hit a vein so that's good. I think I remember most of the needle protocol I learned about 7 years ago so that's good too. My only concern is keeping her still while I'm doing it :)

[tersa.livejournal.com]

And I know how to restrain (most) cats, so just let me know. :)

[chazpure.livejournal.com]

Aw, honey, I'm so sorry! Poor kitty!

I hope she responds well - the fluid injections can make a big difference. My stepmother has been giving subcutaneous fluids to her elderly cat with CRF for several years now (in fact, I think it started right around the time my dad died, five years ago). The cat is skinny as a rail, but still enjoys life, loves being petted and in general seems not to be in any discomfort.

{{{hugs}}}

[ebonlock.livejournal.com]

Five years? Wow, really? You have no idea how much hope that just gave me. I mean I don't expect Kage will make it to 21, but if I could have another couple of years I'd be unbelievably pleased. And a good quality of life too, that's really at the forefront of my mind right now.

[chazpure.livejournal.com]

*nodding* Really. Chicago went from being a big fluffy cat to being a tall, skinny fluffy cat, but the last time I saw him, he was still moving with no signs of pain, just the normal deliberation of an elderly cat. And he still enjoys being scritched and still comes trotting (at a dignified Senior Cat pace, of course) when food is on offer. :-)

[elenderel.livejournal.com]

*catching up on my LJ*

Oh gosh ... *big hugs* to you and Kage. Such news :(

But I have every faith that things will go well, I mean you're a wonderful cat-mom and I know you'll do everything in your power to help her and give her the best life possible.

Waay back in the day, I had to administer injections to puppies at a pet shop where I briefly worked. It wasn't bad at all - scrunch up the skin on the back of the neck and inject. They hardly noticed. Granted, maybe that was because they were a)babies and b)canines, but I'm thinking/hoping that it should go similarly smooth for you, too. Do please keep us updated!

[divine-debris.livejournal.com]

Oh, I'm so sorry to hear about Kage. Having 2 cats that are FIV positive in the house we know what it is like to feel the cat Mom guilt and the woe when they are ill. The best you can do is make her comfortable and happy, that's all a kitty can want anyway. :(

[chaos-rose.livejournal.com]

Cats with CRF can go a long time with fluids and meds. The special diet might be a bigger bone of contention than the meds!

*hugs you both*

By the way, my new LJ is going to be cathouse_mary.