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Update on Callie (with Bloodwork Numbers)  

post #1 of 33
12/28/10 at 7:33am
Thread Starter 
Just got a call from the vet and Callie's bloodwork is horrible! We knew that, though, since she's been feeling like crud.

CREATININE: 22.4 (Normal is 0.8-2.3)
BUN: 183 (Normal is 15-34)
Potassium is elevated 6.2 (Normal is 3.9-5.3)
Phosphorus is elevated 14 (Normal is 3-7)

The vet recommended bringing her in and giving Sub-Q fluids twice today. Once in the morning when she arrives and once in the afternoon before we pick her up. We'll probably do this for a few weeks and then see how she responds before deciding if we want to do this at home or continue taking her in to the vet.

When Callie goes today, she will also get another Cerenia shot to settle her stomach.

The vet also recommended Tums (yes, Tums...How do you spell relief?) to help bind the phosphorus so it's not absorbed into the body. The vet recommended 1/4 tablet twice a day rather than going with a Rx phosphorus binder at this time.

The vet is also going to give us a prescription for the Royal Canin renal food so I can go to PetsMart during my lunch time and pick up a bag since I'd have to wait for them to order it.

So, that's where we stand right now.
post #2 of 33
12/28/10 at 8:26am
So sorry the news isn't better. I know nothing about CRF, but just hope things start going more smoothly for you all very soon.



C
post #3 of 33
12/28/10 at 8:29am
Quote:
Originally Posted by CatMom2Wires View Post
So sorry the news isn't better. I know nothing about CRF, but just hope things start going more smoothly for you all very soon.



C
lots of
post #4 of 33
12/28/10 at 8:37am
I'm another one with no experience here, but I'm glad you've got a knowledgable vet, and I'm sending lots of vibes!!!
post #5 of 33
12/28/10 at 8:42am
Get well soon, Callie
post #6 of 33
12/28/10 at 9:02am
So sorry the news wasn't better. But it does sound like you and the vet have a good plan in place for helping her get through the next few weeks. for improvement soon!

Will you have to do regular bloodwork to monitor her numbers?
post #7 of 33
12/28/10 at 9:40am
I'm sorry Callie didn't get good news at the vets today
post #8 of 33
12/28/10 at 9:41am
Holy cow! Those numbers are pretty bad...I'm surprised she didn't give you some other symptoms other than what she did. Lucky you caught this when you did. Hopefully after awhile you'll be able to taper off the twice daily sub-qs to something more manageable. Have you ever done sub-qs at home? It's really quite easy. There are plenty of people here on TheCatSite who never thought they'd be able to do them and found that they could. We are currently giving Sven sub-qs only once a week or so, but that's all he needs right now, thankfully.

You might call Petsmart before going to pick up the Royal Canin. Not sure they will carry it. We have to get ALL Sven's prescription (dry anyway) renal food from different veterinary offices. (as I recall, I had to call Royal Canin and ask them where I could buy it and they told me which Vets sold it in my area, same with all the other K/D) And don't be discouraged if Callie doesn't like one brand...there are others out there to try
post #9 of 33
12/28/10 at 9:46am
So sorry it wasn't better news. At least it's something that you can work with to try to help her.
post #10 of 33
12/28/10 at 10:08am
Poor sweet little Callie! I am so sorry the bloodwork results came in this way. No wonder she was shivering...Tons of get better vibes from us
post #11 of 33
12/28/10 at 10:29am
Thread Starter 
I'm going to call PetsMart and make sure they have the food. I can walk down there on my lunch to pick it up. We'll only do the sub-qs weekly as she's been eating some and drinking on her own some.

We had NO warning, other than the tremors and we chalked that up to old age, that she was going downhill so quickly. Now we know what to look for and hopefully can avoid it or at least slow things down a bit.

The husband and I have talked about doing sub-qs at home if it came to it. She stresses easily when restrained that I'm not sure I could do it. We had pretty much decided that when it got to this point that we'd have her PTS, but I'm not ready to give up on the old girl just yet.
post #12 of 33
12/28/10 at 10:49am
Stephanie, do you have a cat bag? If not, IMHO, time to get one... It is, for some odd reason, very relaxing... (I don't remember the name of the theory, but it has to do with simultaneous pressure over the entire body surface, releasing endorphins, besides full restraining, of course). The one I like the most is called Klaw Kontrol. The Cat Sack is very good as well, but Klaw Kontrol is better as far as relaxation goes. Bugsy gets very relaxed inside of it, and it makes the whole process easier on both of you... I bought on this site Shipping is more expensive than other sites - I think $8 or so, but in the end I believe they charged $5 for shipping, and I was way cheaper than anywhere else. (Even with $8 shipping it would still be way cheaper than anywhere else). The site is legitimate and the delivery is fast... They are good, it worked for me ;-)
post #13 of 33
12/28/10 at 1:22pm
Sorry the news wasn't better. Very disappointing.

I hope Callie stabilizes soon.




Robin
post #14 of 33
12/28/10 at 1:24pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by stephanietx View Post
The husband and I have talked about doing sub-qs at home if it came to it. She stresses easily when restrained that I'm not sure I could do it. We had pretty much decided that when it got to this point that we'd have her PTS, but I'm not ready to give up on the old girl just yet.
We also decided "no heroic measures" with Sven, like pilling him, etc. because he fights tooth and nail with pills, plus almost everything makes him sick, but we ARE doing the sub-qs, because we can definitely see a difference in him when we do them, and even though he gives us a hard time when we are doing them (kind of), as soon as we're done, he acts like nothing happened at all ! Maybe I should look into that Klaw Kontrol that Carolina suggested. Giving Sub-qs doesn't seem to hurt the cats at all, and some cats will sit on their parents' lap purring the whole time and don't even seem to realize it's happening! When Sven's had it done at the Vet, he just laid there and didn't seem to notice. At home, he'll never lay down for us to get him started, therein lies the problem, I think . So we do it with him standing up, and he wants to walk away, which is why I say he gives kind of a problem . But, he still takes it like a champ.
post #15 of 33
12/28/10 at 1:29pm
I am so sorry ... I am very glad your vet is very good
post #16 of 33
12/29/10 at 6:25am
Thread Starter 
Thank you everyone. Mark and I are just really struggling with what to do. If we could figure out what brought on this soooo suddenly that might help, but we can't figure it out. I'm going to call the vet in a little bit and see if she tested her urine for a possible infection. It just seems a bit weird that she could go from feeling fine to an acute problem with such elevated numbers so quickly.

She's not eaten much since coming home, but with just getting fluids, I'm not surprised. She did eat several morsels of TOTW for me, though. She did greet me in the hallway this morning as I was making my mad dash to the bathroom. Her tail was up and everything. I put her on the counter and she drank a bit of water. She's still a bit slow-moving, but she's doing okay.

I'm not doing so okay, though. I've done nothing but cry since waking up and I cried last night before bed when Mark & I were discussing options and what we wanted to do. The problem is I really don't know what I want to do.
post #17 of 33
12/29/10 at 7:27am
I'm so sorry you are having such tough time. It's heartbreaking when our furry ones are struggling.

Perhaps at this point it would be best for you to simply take your cues from Callie. Observe her, treat what you can and love the dickens out of her. As things progress (or not) she will show you what she needs. And you two, being such a good cat mom and dad, will meet those needs.

I can't help but think that Tumbles came into your life just when you needed a bit of comic relief. I hope he's a comfort to you all right now.

Take care!

C
post #18 of 33
12/29/10 at 8:47am
Thread Starter 
I think that's what we have decided to do. Just love on her for the next few days and see how it goes. I just don't know if I can love her enough to let her go. I know that's what's going to happen, I just haven't accepted it yet.

You're right, Tumbles has been such a little comedian and such a joy during the last several days. His care for Callie has been amazing to watch.
post #19 of 33
12/29/10 at 9:37am
I am so sorry, but you will know what to do when the time comes, I promise you that!
post #20 of 33
12/29/10 at 9:43am


post #21 of 33
12/29/10 at 2:00pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by LDG View Post
post #22 of 33
12/30/10 at 4:58am
Thread Starter 
We are taking her to the vet today. I spent a lot of time with her yesterday and I know it's time.
post #23 of 33
12/30/10 at 6:23am
I'm sorry she's not doing better at home. and from the furkids.
post #24 of 33
12/30/10 at 6:27am
I'm so sorry you are having to make this decision. I'll be thinking of you and Callie today.

Hopefully you will find some comfort in the time you've spent with her this week, as well as in Tumbles and Hannah.
post #25 of 33
12/30/10 at 6:41am
Thinking of you and Callie today.
post #26 of 33
12/30/10 at 7:08am
I'm so sorry you and Callie are going through this. It is the worst thing about loving cats - that this time comes eventually, inevitably.

I really feel for you because I've been there a few times and my heart still aches - no matter how long it has been.

May you find comfort in all the joy she has given you over the years you had together, and the knowledge that you have taken such good care of her. She will always be with you.


Robin
post #27 of 33
12/30/10 at 7:15am
Oh sweetie, my heart is breaking for you.

My thoughts are with you, your DH, and Callie today.
post #28 of 33
12/30/10 at 8:52am
Oh no, I'm so sorry. We went through the same thing with Tigger. I'll be thinking of you and Callie.
post #29 of 33
12/30/10 at 8:54am
It broke my heart to read this. I am so very sorry
post #30 of 33
12/30/10 at 10:17am
I am also so sorry to read this. I honestly had no idea it would be this soon or I wouldn't have made a couple of "jokes" about sub-qs in an earlier post. I feel terrible about that, but I was just trying to put you at ease about doing them yourself.

Right now, though, my heart is breaking for you and DH.
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