Mackerel's taken a turn for the worse. :(

Hey guys, continued from: http://www.thecatsite.com/forums/sho...d.php?t=227016

I just thought I'd start a new thread with the info up in the subject because it's such a change in the information I had for you on Saturday. At that point in time it looked like she would be ok, coming home with mild CRF on Wednesday or Thursday this week.

Unfortunately her new blood test this morning shows that just about everything is worse. She's severely anaemic, and her kidney function is going downhill. She's not eating anymore, either.

My friend K (who's a vet nurse at the new practice I took Mackers to.) says that I can bring her home this afternoon and take her back to the vet when it's... time.

I'll have a word with the vet, see what he says about timeline and stuff. I really don't want to leave it too late, because I couldn't stand it if Mackerel suffered. Does anyone know the symptoms of a cat dying from ARF? Whether it's painful?

What I'd really like to do is to have Mackerel PTS at home with me, and I'm hoping that I can ask my friend K if she could administer the shot. What do you guys think? Would a vet nurse be allowed to do that? Is it selfish of me to ask my friend to do that for us?

Sorry for all the questions, guys. You've all sort of become my guiding light for this type of thing. I'd just like to say as well that everyone who's been asking questions about how she is and giving advice and vibes through this whole thing... you guys are really wonderful. I appreciate it, and if Mackerel knew that she had so many friends all over the world wishing her well I'm sure she'd be touched.

Oh honey, I can't imagine how your heart must have fallen and your stomach must have flipped . My mind is just reeling... no point in an appetite stimulant? Epogen (generic is erythropoeitin (sp?) (to boost red blood cell production?))? Dialysis? I don't know anything about ARF or CRF, so I'm sure I'm grasping at straws....



I can't answer any of your questions. I can just hope that coming home helps her heal in ways she can't at the vet.

Oh, this is heartbreaking to read. I am so sorry!

I'm not sure, LDG. I think the damage to her kidneys is just too extensive, and they're just not going to cope. I'm going to ask whether administering SubQ fluids at home would be something that possibly helps, and I'll add those to the list. Thank you.

Did they ever find out what caused mackerel to have ARF at such a young age? I know you have a big thread going, but I was not able to read every page and just wanted to make sure I didn't miss it.

The leading theory is antifreeze poisoning. Possibly from a fridge or a broken down car on the street. She got out a couple of times just before she got sick.

There's also a nasty rumour going around that a neighbour was bragging about having put down poison laced cat food. -sigh- But the person who told me that is very... drama-oriented, so I think that she's just trying to stir things up, not sure I give it credence.

I'm so sorry to read that Mackerel's tests showed she's worse.

I just opened up tcs to this thread and my heart dropped. I can only imagine how sad you must be.

I was really, really rooting and praying for your dear little tabby cat. I'm so sorry she is doing worse.

I can only hope that things turn around again. It is so very difficult.

I don't have any answers to your questions either. The vet would know.

You and Mackerel will continue to be a focus of my prayers.

Robin

Originally Posted by Jalindal

The leading theory is antifreeze poisoning. Possibly from a fridge or a broken down car on the street. She got out a couple of times just before she got sick.

There's also a nasty rumour going around that a neighbour was bragging about having put down poison laced cat food. -sigh- But the person who told me that is very... drama-oriented, so I think that she's just trying to stir things up, not sure I give it credence.

Click to expand...

That is awful. I lost a puppy to antifreeze poisioning when I was a child.

Ah, no I'm so sorry.

I don't know your laws on vet techs administering euthanasia, the laws vary from place to place. I can understand your wanting this to be done at home, but...sometimes it can be traumatic and if your friend does not have a lot of experience in it I would hesitate to try it. Would the vet be willing to make a house call?

I'm so deeply sorry it has come to this. She's fought so hard and long, I guess her little body is just worn out.

Still hoping for a miracle, but weeping for your little Mackerel.

Oh NOOOOOO!! I am just so sad to read this! My heart is just breaking for you. Callie was in ARF as a result of her CRF when she passed. I don't know that it's painful, but it is definitely uncomfortable. In Callie's case, she wasn't eating and was becoming increasingly agitated and almost paranoid due to the fact that the toxins in her body weren't being filtered out of her system. She had started to have some neurological problems as well. She was having tremors and shivering like she was cold, but she wasn't. That was, again, caused by the toxins. She was very lethargic and when I would pic her up, she would wimper. It was very difficult for me to see her this way, especially after we'd made the decision to have her PTS and had to wait until late in the afternoon for the appointment.

I've just spoken to my friend K about the possibility of a home euthanasia. She says that although she can't legally do it, there is a vet who does home euthanasias and we can arrange for her to come to my house.

She also says that because of the anaemia, Mackerel might have fits and seizures while she's at home with me, and may go into a coma. I'll get more information from the vet when I speak to him this afternoon. My appointment's in two hours.

Oh honey, I am just sorry beyond words...

I am sorry to hear she has taken a turn for the worse, just when things were looking so promising. I hope you can get some answers from the vets, and that she can have a bit of quality time at home with you. You will be in my thoughts.

Hey everyone, the vet has said that with these latest symptoms it seems likely that Mackerel has Feline Infectious Peritonitis. I've looked into it myself and it sort of explains everything. -sigh-

She's very very weak and uncoordinated, very thin, but she seems happy to be home, she's purring and cuddled up on my lap. She doesn't seem to be in any pain or have much discomfort.

The vet has said that she probably wont last another couple of days, so I'm calling a mobile vet to make a housecall and have her PTS tomorrow evening. Apparently the really hot weather we're having atm could trigger fitting and coma, and I really don't want her to have any fits if we can help it, because I'm sure that's just... terrifying for an animal.

So, tonight and tomorrow will be a lovely calm time at home for Mackerel and I. Then tomorrow evening she'll be PTS with my parents here as well, and then I'm going to take her to my parent's house - my childhood home - and we're going to bury her in the yard and plant a tree over her resting place. I think I'm going to lay her to rest in her favourite napping basket. I don't know what type of tree, but I think something that will grow with lots of low branches on the trunk, because Mackers has always been eternally frustrated with trees with straight trunks. XD She gets about a meter up and then peels off and falls backwards.

Words can't express how sorry I am that you are losing your Mackerel. Your love for her is so evident and the two of you were lucky to share your lives, even if it was for a much shorter time than you deserved. I'll keep you in my thoughts over the coming days.

Oh my goodness, no. I am just weeping for your little one and you. She is a beautiful, wonderful, brave girl.

I can only keep you both in my prayers. Please let her slip away with no pain. Let the love you have for her be the gentle hand that guides her to the Bridge.

So terribly sorry, hun.

God speed Mackerel.

I'm glad you have your beautiful baby girl at home with you. Is she able to show her happiness at being with you? I'll be thinking of you both for the next day, I know you will make the best of every moment with her until the time comes. Many hugs.

I am so sorry - but try to remember your lovely Mackerel has had your love during this all too short time here - and she'll be waiting for you on the Bridge, all healthy and happy.

Oh no...I'm so sorry this is how things are turning out.

I'm glad that you'll at least have the chance to have her home for a little with you.