Hi, I haven't been on the site for a while - I've been enjoying two crazy not-so-kitten-size-anymore cats and a wonderful 15 1/2 year old cat who has recovered nicely from surgery last spring (stones removed from urinary tract). All was well until this week. I brought Ophelia (the 15 1/2 year old) in for her routine check-up last week and she seemed to be acting normal. She got her rabies booster and the vet took blood for routine tests. I got the news on Wednesday that she is in early stage kidney failure and has hyperthyroidism. I could actually handle that news since she has always been so resilient, but she stopped eating later that day and has not been urinating much.
I brought her to another vet today (mine, unfortunately, is on vacation until Monday) and they took x-rays and gave her sub-q fluids because she was dehydrated. She absorbed the fluids quickly. They also gave her something to calm her stomach. The x-rays showed more issues: kidney stones and calcification at the base of the urethra (perhaps why she cannot urinate). According to the doc, her bladder was not full enough to worry but, if she does not urinate by the morning, I have to bring her in again.
Again, I could actually handle this too. I brought her home and she actually ate a little wet food mixed with water - a good sign. But since then, she has become increasingly lethargic, won't eat anymore, won't urinate. She is still loving, friendly, and purring but I am getting more and more worried, even though I am trying to stay positive.
The vet wants a call from me first thing in the morning for an update, and I have a follow up with my regular vet on Monday. Most likely, she will need to have her bladder expelled tomorrow - it does make me a little nervous that it won't be her regular doc but she certainly can't wait.
I'm not really looking for any answers, just needing to talk. I want to hang out with her but I'm feeling so sad and afraid and don't want her to react to my emotions. She, like so many of our wonderful companions, are very sensitive to us and our feelings. Thanks to all who have listened.
I brought her to another vet today (mine, unfortunately, is on vacation until Monday) and they took x-rays and gave her sub-q fluids because she was dehydrated. She absorbed the fluids quickly. They also gave her something to calm her stomach. The x-rays showed more issues: kidney stones and calcification at the base of the urethra (perhaps why she cannot urinate). According to the doc, her bladder was not full enough to worry but, if she does not urinate by the morning, I have to bring her in again.
Again, I could actually handle this too. I brought her home and she actually ate a little wet food mixed with water - a good sign. But since then, she has become increasingly lethargic, won't eat anymore, won't urinate. She is still loving, friendly, and purring but I am getting more and more worried, even though I am trying to stay positive.
The vet wants a call from me first thing in the morning for an update, and I have a follow up with my regular vet on Monday. Most likely, she will need to have her bladder expelled tomorrow - it does make me a little nervous that it won't be her regular doc but she certainly can't wait.
I'm not really looking for any answers, just needing to talk. I want to hang out with her but I'm feeling so sad and afraid and don't want her to react to my emotions. She, like so many of our wonderful companions, are very sensitive to us and our feelings. Thanks to all who have listened.
