Mackerel has Acute Renal Failure

Originally Posted by Jalindal

Mackerel's at the new vet on an IV and settled in, and eating and drinking as well apparently. :-) I'm really thrilled at the way the vet is talking to me and letting me know everything that's going on.

If anyone's in Perth I would really recommend Henly Vet and Hospital in Bassendean. Stay away from My Best Friend Vet Center in Leederville, though. I'm going to be filing an official complaint against them, I think.

Click to expand...

Thank goodness you've got her there in time. Filing an official complaint is a good idea. Your complaint may save a life down the road.

Please keep us posted on your beautiful girl.

Mackerel

Thanks Otto. :-) The vet's been really careful to only speak in possibilities, so it may still have been too late... but he says that they're going to keep her for at least two or three days to give her a chance, and I got a text a few hours ago saying that she'd had some food and water on her own steam. :-)

The text also said that the urinalysis found an infection in her kidneys and that they're putting her on antibiotics, but when I asked the vet said that he wasn't sure if the infection caused the ARF or if the ARF weakened her kidneys to the point of being prone to infection. :-(

I also did a doorknock to all my neighbours with outside cats this afternoon and let them know about Mackerel so that they can keep an eye on their own cats- if it's environmental I don't want another owner to be taken unawares by it.

Originally Posted by Jalindal

I also did a doorknock to all my neighbours with outside cats this afternoon and let them know about Mackerel so that they can keep an eye on their own cats- if it's environmental I don't want another owner to be taken unawares by it.

Click to expand...

That is an excellent idea. One of the triggers for ARF is poisoning, so if there is something in the area that the cats are getting into, more cats can go through this.

I'm sending healing vibes your way.

Thanks MoM.

A vet that admits he doesn't know for sure is a good vet.

It's wonderful of you to alert your neighbors.

Antifreeze is a poison cats can't resist and it is everywhere. Leaking out of cars, put in the bases of those stand alone basket ball hoops, and also put down deliberately by sick people who want to hurt cats.

Clearing up that infection will help, and I'm so glad to know Mackerel has eaten on her own. She's a fighter for sure!

Mackerel

Still sending you and Mackerel tons of healing . It sounds as if you've found yourself a good, caring vet; sometimes that makes all the difference in a cat's prognosis.
It was very kind of you to alert your neighbors; you sound like someone I'd like to live near.

People put down antifreeze deliberately??????? The disgusting callousness that some humans treat animals with is... ugh, foul and unforgivable. I hope that that hasn't happened here, but there are some bombs and a car wreck in the apartment block car park that I thought might have been leaking antifreeze.

One thing for sure- I'm never ever ever letting Mackerel get outside ever again!!!

By the way- for anyone who knows the story of the original vet's diagnosis and examination... where he found a 5cm lump he told me was a tumor from Feline Leukemia.... the vet today couldn't find it. We have no idea what the original vet saw, but he couldn't find it in a very thorough physical examination or an xray. He said that based on the other vet's notes he could have mistaken her left kidney for a tumor.

What that says about this other vet....

Oh wow, I am SO GLAD you got referred to such a wonderful new vet! First of all, many more vibes for Mackerel - but that she ate and drank some water on her own has to be good news!

That was a really good idea to alert the neighbors. ( for their kitties too! )

Originally Posted by Jalindal

People put down antifreeze deliberately??????? --

Click to expand...

Sadly, yes. Not just for cats. I lost a puppy to antifreeze poisoning when I was a kid. He was in so much pain too.

people will soak kibble in antifreeze and either toss it or a fence for a dog or just leave it out for a cat. They are some sick people out there. When we first got Abby(Old English Sheepdog) when she was 4 months old someone deliberately antifreeze poisoned a dog on the next street over.

Taryn

Praying for your Mackeral to pull through and for your peace of mind.

It sounds like you've now found a great vet! It's such a good feeling to at least get a prompt answer.

Oh dear... "What's that kidney-shaped lump! OH NO, A TUMOR!" If that ever happened with my vet, I'd be outta there quicksmart.

All the best for Mackerel, such a beautiful kitty! I hope she pulls through without a hitch

Thanks guys. Mackerel's doing well today- she's started giving the vets some attitude, apparently. XD Growling when they have to take blood or urine or change her IV. It means that she's got more spirit then she did when I took her in. I just had a picture texted to me of Mackerel in a little jumper in her cage, eating some breakfast. <3 She is apparently very cuddly and in a good mood when my vet nurse friend who works there went to say hello.

Feistiness is a great sign! Are you able to visit with her daily?

Unfortunately not. Because I picked this vet on my friend's recommendation, and knowing that she worked there, location wasn't really an issue, and it's about... well, as far away as you can get without leaving the metro area, and I don't have a car. She knows K (my friend) though and I trust them to look after her and I'm sure K is coddling her a little bit, lol. I also sent a couple of my tshirts with Mackerel so she has something that smells like me. I hope that's enough, and hopefully the next time I see her will be when I pick her up for her to come home.

Oh good! She's at least got something that smells familiar and someone to love on her a bit while she's recuperating! I'm glad your friend is there and that she's sending you pics. Keep us posted!

Yeah. I'm 100% sure that she's doing better in this vet which is far away without me then she would be in the vet around the corner with me coming in every day. Especially because she has K there to fuss over her and vets who really seem to care about their charges.

My friend sent me this picture earlier- finally figured out how to get it from my phone to my computer, lol.



I love that they put her in a little jumper to keep her warm.

Awwwwww..... Thanks so much for the happy update. Hope she can come home soon.

Mackeral, girl, you get well now so you can come home. We are all pulling for you.