Booboo is confusingly not well

I am taking this cat to the vet shortly (this am) and will update when I get back. I was wondering if anyone can put these pieces together, because he is confusing me to all grades of crazy!
My now 15 year old neutered & P/U'd male Persian has lost a surprising amount of weight, but we had thought it was from a rotted tooth. He had given up on his dry food and only wanted wet. We feed only feline C/D (Hill's Prescription Diet, per vet instructions because of crystals and blockage, hence the P/U) He has been doing fine on that, until his tooth, which I had extracted. He was on three rounds of antibiotics afterwards because the extraction site was still a little red and there is STILL a white scabby looking thing over the site (Extraction was done 2 months ago)
I am worried it is kidney failure, but he is not vomiting, he is peeing, he is drinking his water but not constantly, or "too much", pretty much the same there. He is not pooping very much but has not eaten very much. At times he will walk a few feet and lay down like he is exhausted, then he will go bounding up the steps like a kitten!
He scratched on his 2x4 (Their scratching post) today with all of the normal energy he usually has. Then he stands around looking as if he'd just gotten back from being put under at the vets, kind of disoriented. He also has a creamy/very light yellow discharge like snot from his eyes. I use a Q-tip at the inner corners and roll the q-tip (Never touching his eyeball) and it comes out just like SNOT. It's very strange. His ears are not hot, his nose is not hot, though he did have the sniffles and sneezed on and off for about 4 days (So did my younger female cat, though).
I am just so confused and will update when I get back from the vet. I've never had to put a pet to sleep and it is extremely terrifying for me.
Thank you for taking the time to read this and/or respond to any of it.

i cant offer any advice but just that everything is ok

Had to leave Booboo at the vet for a few hours. Vet says he is dehydrated, constipated and possibly anemic from possible kidney impairment. He is getting an enema, sub-q fluids and a blood test to see what is going on. I feel like the world's worst furbaby mom ever for not taking him sooner. Vet seemed to be a bit upbeat and told me it was manageable depending on the results, and they would show me how to do sub-q fluids at home (so scared of that) and possibly change his food to a kidney diet food. I've read that a lot of cat owners horribly dislike C/D (say it is junk, I don't doubt them there) but he's done so well on it up til now.... goodness IDK I am a wreck already.
Thank you for the vibes Aj, they are so appreciated! Will update when I get all the info back.

subq fluids are easy to give at home, once you get over any fear of needles

One of the best things the vet told me about home subq fluids was to imagine the cat was wearing a saddle, as a horse would, and give the fluids anywhere within the saddle area, changing places up each time to minimise scarring

As far as the food being junk, it is, and knowing people with cats on c/d diet, they have typically liked the Purina Prescription verson. But sometimes you cat does need to eat prescription junk because its what works for them, but cats with kidney issues are usually put on K/D
http://www.felinecrf.com/managd.htm has some info on the various kidney diets and there are a lot of people dealing with CRF on here who can give you their opinions on the various foods

Prescription food is designed for a reason (my own cat is on Hills CD and, knock wood, it's working). What looks like junk to a layman may (and apparently has been for many cats), life-saving. I'd say work with the vet re diet and truly, best of luck for a good diagnosis and a treatable condition.

I have a friend who maintained her cat on fluids for over two years. She said it got to a routine for both her and her boy.

Fingers crossed for him - bloods done on a dehydrated cat wont be accurate though, and if they do show kidney issues, they might be misleading. If he does have true kidney issues and doesn't like the prescription food, let him eat whatever, as not eating will make him poorlier a lot quicker. My CRF cat is currently refusing all prescription food.

for you and Booboo. I hope he heals soon!!

Hope Boo Boo is going to be okay. Please post an update when you have one.

Thank you thank you thank you for all of the replies and good vibes. The vet did tell me that because he was dehydrated the numbers of his CBC might be a off a bit. His BUN was greater than 130, and his Creatinine levels were extremely high too. His Blood sugar was up slightly but he said he figures that is because of his dehydration. He went poop, he pee'd when he got home (refuses to pee at the vet, ever) and we have a couple cans of Hill's K/D and he DUG into that ferociously when he got home. He started salivating very heavily and scared me, so I called back and they told me if he's still doing it by 5 he'd have to come back up there. But he seems to be calming down now.
I am also a little miffed that they did not clean him up after his enema? I had to put him in the tub and get as much off as gently and quickly as I could before he started flipping out. He is drinking water and eating his treat and calming down now.
I will be taking him back each day around 9:30AM to get his Sub-q's and then once I'm comfortable with doing it myself I will do it.
The vet told me if his numbers don't improve after the next almost week of sub-q's, water and K/D wet food that it means there is not much we can do and we will "have to make a choice"
Thank you again for all of your replies and vibes.

I'm afraid I dont agree with your vet - a week isnt' nearly long enough, as his kidney values could be false due to his dehydration. I would say go with the CRF Mantra - treat the cat, not the numbers. I am glad he is eating the k/d, but as Mews2much says, there are other kidney diets out there. I dont know about where you are, but in the UK, Fortekor is often prescribed to CRF cats, and I know people who's cats have had years with it (my CRF cat can't have it though)

All my prayers go out to you and Booboo. I hope his health turns around and you get to spend more time with him in this life.

Thank you again for your replies. I'm in the US, btw. Vet said they will do another blood draw at the end of this week (or beginning of next) to see how the fluids may have changed the numbers. Yes, I read that CRF site and still am looking at it, so much info and God Bless the person who put all of that together! I agree, treat the cat, not the numbers. This morning he is doing a bit better, he is purring, he stretched, and he is able to jump into his favorite rocking chair. His nose was pink when I got home but after about an hour it has gone pale again. The vet said this was a sign of anemia, but I believe during his whole life when he is still for long periods of time or it wasn't VERY warm in the house, his nose would go pale like that. I never thought anything about it. I did notice his gums when the vet showed me and they WERE pale. I will talk to the doc about doing something for the anemia and everything else. Also a sanitary shave (wish they would've done that before they gave him the enema) and to try and wash his tooshie so he doesn't get a UTI.
I will update if I get any new news or information. Blessings to all of you for being such kind hearted people.

I would be furious that they left him in his own poop. That happened to a cat of mine once, and that was the last time I went to that vet.

I agree with the others that a week isn't a good indication of how the fluids will help him. I would wait at least two weeks before doing blood work again.

Hills Prescription c/d is a great food for what it is designed for. I have a cat on it, and do worry sometimes about what will happen when she ages and may need some other special diet.

Ootay, my CRF kitty was on sub q for kidneys for three years. It wasn't the CRF that got her in the end it was stroke. Be sure the vet stays on top of checking THYROID and BLOOD PRESSURE. Both these often accompany CRF.

Regarding constipation, also common with CRF. He may need to be on a stool softener (such as miralax)

Please try not to blame yourself. Cats are masters at hiding illness.

Keep us updated on BooBoo and of course don't hesitate to ask questions, as many of us have been where you are today.

I am definitely going to speak to the Vet himself about leaving him in his own poop. They know I am one of those cat momma's that want him home ASAP and I can't stand leaving him there by himself. I think they've become annoyed with me being how I am. I've overheard several nurses there gossiping about other owners. The Vet himself I like, and the staff gossips about him too, but I would prefer another vet in another county, but like I said, with Booboo going downhill like he was, I didn't think he could cope with a 30 minute car ride there and hours of wait time (That vet is -extremely- popular). I will also consult with the Vet about thyroid and blood pressure, along with the anemia. You all help to save lives I believe, and I thank you soooo much.

My vet always says that owners who don't call and check on their cats etc worry her, so I would be worried about a vet clinic that doesnt want to deal with the calls - it is part of their job (as long as you are not calling every 10 mins).

But then I went through several vets before I found one I like dealing with

Originally Posted by icklemiss21

My vet always says that owners who don't call and check on their cats etc worry her, so I would be worried about a vet clinic that doesnt want to deal with the calls - it is part of their job (as long as you are not calling every 10 mins).

But then I went through several vets before I found one I like dealing with

Click to expand...

Me too. Took 7 years and four practices, the fifth practice was the charm, and out of the six staff vets, I finally found my dream vet.

I have heard staff gossiping among themselves over clients too, and one time it was about ME, so when I spoke up and said so, hopefully that taught them to be more discreet. I don't necessarily disapprove of staff having discussions among themselves, we all have to relieve our feelings, and it's human nature to vent to one another.

They just need to be more tactful and discreet and make sure they aren't audible to any clients at all.

Having said that:

To the OP: I hope you don't concern yourself with what the staff may or may not being saying about you. You are a loving attentive concerned mama, and are doing what is best for you and your cats, and it's not for them to approve or disapprove

They are there to answer the phone and to provide these services to you. If it weren't for conscientious pet owners, they wouldn't have a job.

I found my vet when I called every vet in the city, even the ones I will not use on a regular basis for an emergency appointment when my vet refused me an emergency appt but his staff later called to schedule a vaccine/annual check up appt and suddenly had lots of availability. I went with the earliest appt I could get with a tiny practise near me that deals with cats only - she didnt have an appointment but said she would stay late if I could come at 7 when she closed.

I just loved her, she was so great with Scully, answered all my questions and included me in every decision we made. I didn't dislike my vet before that, they were not as 'into' the care of my cats as my previous vet who had retired from that same practise but they were not bad - but they seem to want to concentrate on the easy money making stuff rather than diagnostics etc

You are right I should not concern myself. I fear that any dislike of me will spill over to my cat, though. I always try to be as nice as possible. That being said, I watched the injection today, and... I cannot do it. I just cannot possibly do that to him. I thought it was a needle of fluid, not a 1000ml bag hung up and an IV drip! He got 200 ml today, and I had to hold him during it. He was NOT happy and I've never seen him get that furious before, it was scary. They used an "18" needle, whatever that is, as one of the Vet docs there said "at LEAST use an 18" (I do not prefer this doc, same doc that somehow misdiagnosed a fungus in his ears for "dog mites") Is that needle too large? I will do some research. I cannot do this to him. I was good to go right up until she showed me how to tent his skin and stick the needle in, then told me if it stops flowing I would have to move the needle around a bit and pull on his skin a bit, and... UGH I can't do it! Too much risk of him trying to injure me severely or cause me to inadvertently injure him, I will just have to pay them. I am also going to purchase some Feliway (45 dollars there, for a small spray bottle?) to calm him. In the future I may just have to go to 1 of the 2 other vets available that are further but are, in my opinion, more careful and caring. I will try to watch each time to get more comfortable. We will see >.<
As for the stool issue, the doc that always works on him was off today so I asked politely that he call me when he has a minute TOMORROW and that I needed to speak with him about a few things.
Good news though, Booboo's eyes are much wider, clearer and livelier, he did not drool or seem to get -as- stressed out (His butt was cleaned and shaved so that is part of his aggression at the vet) so maybe having to go every day for a little while will get him more used to it? I hope so. I really have to get some sleep
Again, thank you so much, I cannot express in words how much help you have all been and you are all priceless. Blessings to you! Will update if anything changes...

Usually the amount will come down over time.

An 18# needle is completely normal, personally I prefer the 20#, it takes a bit longer but the needle isnt as mean looking - it also depends how well they tolerate the needle, for some cats the quicker the better and so need the 18#

Honestly, it does get easier, the first time I did it was at the shelter and the vet talked me through it on the phone (I do know how to tent the skin and inject other things, like microchips, just had never done fluids) - I was really freaked out but it becomes second nature.

If he does need fluids ongoing, they can implant a little tube into the cat that you attach the bag to which can be easier on everyone and some cats need a restraining bag while getting fluids to keep them still long enough.

This link walks you through it quite well with pics
http://www.weirdstuffwemake.com/weir.../catjuice.html


I think you can get Feliway cheaper elsewhere, even in the large pet stores. The spray is on sale for $26 at petsmart.com (print it and they will honour the price instore) and the plug in with a refill for $38