We now have two kitties in the hospital. This evening David told me that Inga, our 19 year-old who has been in kidney failure for two years, stumbled on the stairs today before I got up. Since we're leaving town tomorrow and since we hadn't checked her bloodwork for a while, I thought it would be prudent to take her in tonight and do a bit of workup. Like their human counterparts, it often doesn't take very much to get an old lady kitty down.
Sure enough, she's pretty badly dehydrated and her kidney values have gone up a good bit. It appears she has a low grade urinary tract infection, so I'm hoping a few days of antibiotics and IV fluids will make a big difference.
Dolores is a somewhat different story. Her pathology report came back as abscess, but sometimes abscesses can be caused by malignancies and I'm waiting to hear back from the pathologist with a couple questions I had. She still doesn't look very well and definitely isn't out of the woods yet, so it's going to be one day at a time for now.
UPDATED UPDATE:
Dolores's condition worsened considerably and some repeat bloodwork this morning was bad. Really, really bad. Weighing what really would have needed to be done (a lot of very unpleasant things, including very major surgery) against the slim likelihood of having a happy, healthy kitty at the end of it, I decided I couldn't justify putting her through any more. I don't believe in heaven or treacly rainbow bridges, but I do believe that it's good not to suffer anymore. I've shed a few tears and will likely shed more over the next few days, but it was the right thing to do for her and at least I know that she was well-loved.
29 comments:
While I sympathize for the worry you and David have for these two kitties, I am so very grateful that they are getting excellent care and love. Not all of the creator's little creatures wind up being treated with the care, kindness and concern you exhibit.
My own dear Perry P (age 18) is also in kidney failure and suffers from hyperthyroidism. Each day is a gift - even those when I manage to administer her thyroid medication against her vociferous protests :)
Sending healing kitty thoughts your way. Hope your weekend away is relaxing!
Enjoy the retreat. Relax and knit.
and "hi's" from me to all the men there.
oh, and p.s. I only covet the Wonder Woman costume.
It's good to know that your kitties are getting the care that they need.
I took my old lady cat to a new vet yesterday and we scheduled her surgery to remove the tumor from her head. I really like the new vet and my confidence level is much higher thanks to your reassurance about the anesthesia. Thanks again for that.
She's going to end up with bunny ears as we have to remove so much skin from her head that it will bring her ears quite a bit closer together in the front.
Fingers crossed for both girls. My 17yo Red Chief has chronic renal failure, too. It's kind of crazy-making how he can be fine for 18 months, and then crash for no reason we can see from the outside.
I'm usually a silent lurker here, but having just lost a kitty myself I had to send best wishes for your cats. I hope they are doing better soon!
(((hugs))))
Best wishes for you all.
One of ours will be 20 next month and we've had her on fluids for over 2-years now. We live life in fear - she is one of the most amazing animals I've ever known (and that covers quite a few).
{{hugs}}
Mel, I'm so sorry to hear about the loss of your sweet kitty.
Hugs to you and David. And sending healing thoughts to Inga...
{{{{hugs}}}} to you and your parents.
thank you for having the wisdom not to make dolores suffer more than necessary.
may your memories of her comfort you.
sending good karma to inga also.
Just lost my 16-year-old Himalayan boy to kidney failure on Monday -- while it sucks to take a life (the main reason I left lab research), it sucks more to watch them suffer. Condolences, Mel, and good thoughts for Inga.
Oh Mel, I'm so sorry. *hugs*
I'm sorry that your Dolores is gone. It is such a sad thing to go through, but I am quite sure that the best loving act is letting them go at the right time. It's just so damned hard.
Take care.
Oh, I am so sorry, both for Dolores's sake and for yours and David's. We had to make a similar decision here on Monday, and no matter how much you suspect it is coming to that, it is difficult and sad.
Enjoy your retreat!
*hugs*
I'm so sorry to hear of your loss. But you did the responsible thing and didn't let your own feelings cloud what was best for her. If only all pet owners could be so unselfish at the end of their friend's life.
Ya done good, honey. Sending healing light your way.
I am just so, so sorry... Sometimes doing the right thing is a comfort of sorts, but it doesn't hurt any less. Be well. I'm thinking of you.
Mel, you did the right thing. Cyberhugs.
Ann
I'm sorry for your loss.
So sorry about your kitty Dolores....
I'm sorry about your kitty. I have a 19 year old in "hospice" care right now. Even though I work every day at a Veterinary hospital it does not make it easier just more convenient. Enjoy your retreat.
Mel & David.... so sorry to hear of your loss. Your in my thoughts.... HugZ...
bj
I'm so sorry to hear about your loss. I had to give a dear cat a dignified death a few years ago and remember bringing him home (I couldn't bear not burying him myself) and standing in the doorway between kitchen and living room just holding him and sobbing.
The loss can be overwhelming. My thoughts are with both of you.
Grace and Peace,
`tim
I am so sorry about Dolores. It is different when you've had a pet for so many years. I lost my Sylvester at almost 19 and it was such a loss.
I hope Inga continues to improve.
Hugs Mel. Our thoughts are with you.
Mel, I'm a little late to the party, but I'm sorry to hear about Dolores. I'm also very sorry that you will not be at KnitCamp, though I understand why! My best to you and David.
Susan in HK
Oh, Honey, I'm so very sorry to hear about Dolores. My heart goes out to you.
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