The Mackerel Update Thread. :3

[jalindal]

Otto - I think that what he means is that the 'terminal' part of the terminal illness is when the fluid settles in the lungs and makes breathing difficult.

So as long as that hasn't happened yet then she might live for a while longer.

At least, that's what I understood.

I'm certainly not under the illusion that this was good news in the... traditional sense.

Does that make sense? I'm going to have to do more research about wet form FIP. Anyone have any good links to share? First I need to give Mack her meds and get her calm and settled.

 

[carolina]

Originally Posted by Jalindal

Otto - I think that what he means is that the 'terminal' part of the terminal illness is when the fluid settles in the lungs and makes breathing difficult.

So as long as that hasn't happened yet then she might live for a while longer.

At least, that's what I understood.

I'm certainly not under the illusion that this was good news in the... traditional sense.

Does that make sense? I'm going to have to do more research about wet form FIP. Anyone have any good links to share? First I need to give Mack her meds and get her calm and settled.

I am just hoping it is not Wet FIP... Because that disease not only lethal, it is fast too...

But I as another member noted, it is very strange she is getting better and making progress, instead of worst.
Will be praying it is not it...

 

[kluchetta]

Search these forums for "interferon" ... someone here has kitties (two) that have FIP and have been being treated for it for some time now.

I do think there is a way to aspirate the fluid and test it, but I'm not 100% sure about that. Vibes and love to you and Mack!

 

[jalindal]

Hey guys, just got the test results back, they're not good. Her creatnine, urea and phosphorus levels are all really high again and her anemia hasn't improved at all. The vet's said the only thing we could really do would be to bring her back in to the vet hospital on the drip again... but that would only buy us another few weeks, and... well, I wouldn't be able to see her more often than for a couple of hours every other day.

She says that it looks like Mack has progressive kidney failure, and there's nothing we can do to reverse the damage - I asked about interferon for the FIP but she says that her kidneys are too damaged to handle any other drugs.

 

[lauren_miller]

I am so sorry to read this!

~hugs~

 

[otto]

Originally Posted by Jalindal

Hey guys, just got the test results back, they're not good. Her creatnine, urea and phosphorus levels are all really high again and her anemia hasn't improved at all. The vet's said the only thing we could really do would be to bring her back in to the vet hospital on the drip again... but that would only buy us another few weeks, and... well, I wouldn't be able to see her more often than for a couple of hours every other day.

She says that it looks like Mack has progressive kidney failure, and there's nothing we can do to reverse the damage - I asked about interferon for the FIP but she says that her kidneys are too damaged to handle any other drugs.

Oh no. I'm so sorry. I'm just....so sorry. I guess what you do now is keep her home and love her as much as you can until she's told you she's had enough? Aw, and she's been fighting so hard.

 

[my4llma]

Originally Posted by Jalindal

Hey guys, just got the test results back, they're not good. Her creatnine, urea and phosphorus levels are all really high again and her anemia hasn't improved at all. The vet's said the only thing we could really do would be to bring her back in to the vet hospital on the drip again... but that would only buy us another few weeks, and... well, I wouldn't be able to see her more often than for a couple of hours every other day.

She says that it looks like Mack has progressive kidney failure, and there's nothing we can do to reverse the damage - I asked about interferon for the FIP but she says that her kidneys are too damaged to handle any other drugs.

I'm so sorry to read this.

 

[calvin&i]

Jalindal - am so so sorry that the news is not better.

Have been following your threads and rooting for Mack. She is such a brave fighter and what a sweetheart.

Sending a lot of to both of you.

 

[libby74]

Oh sweetie, I'm sorry, so very sorry.
Please give Miss Mackerel a gentle head skritch for me, and a gentle hug to you, too.

 

[jalindal]

Thanks guys. I'll keep you updated about how she's doing... I don't really know if there's a timeline for this at all- the vet says that because they're not really sure how long she's been in renal failure they can't make a prediction about how long we have together- something about how when kidneys are failing other ways to process waste and toxins are used, and those ways get more efficient than they normally would, like a blind man who has an awesome sense of hearing to compensate. So I get the impression that it all depends on Mackerel and how much of a fighter she is. I wont be making any drastic treatment choices, but I will continue to keep giving her the meds to stimulate her appetite and improve her kidney function.. so hopefully we can keep her going for a while. Just... not too long.

How can you tell?

I really hope I'm making the right choice.

 

[ldg]

Sweetie, you have to trust your vet's information, even if the "prognosis" itself isn't correct. And the bottom line is that at this point she's better off at home being loved. Look at what a drastic change it made in her health the last time! She needed to be at the vet to give her the fighting chance - but she needed to be home to want to fight.

I'm so sorry for the sad news, sweetie. Since she's not currently in any pain (and I think that's really the deciding factor), I know you two will enjoy what time you have.

With the "love and cheese danish" principle (which is the course of action you're taking), cats have lived for MUCH longer than the vets ever thought possible.

 

[aprilyim]

I'm so sorry to hear about Mackeral...

You're choosing whatever is best for your baby. That's a good choice.

 

[otto]

Originally Posted by Jalindal

Thanks guys. I'll keep you updated about how she's doing... I don't really know if there's a timeline for this at all- the vet says that because they're not really sure how long she's been in renal failure they can't make a prediction about how long we have together- something about how when kidneys are failing other ways to process waste and toxins are used, and those ways get more efficient than they normally would, like a blind man who has an awesome sense of hearing to compensate. So I get the impression that it all depends on Mackerel and how much of a fighter she is. I wont be making any drastic treatment choices, but I will continue to keep giving her the meds to stimulate her appetite and improve her kidney function.. so hopefully we can keep her going for a while. Just... not too long.

How can you tell?

I really hope I'm making the right choice.

You are. She'll let you know when she's had enough. She really will. I don't think you will make the mistake of keeping her longer than she wants to be here for yourself.

Keeping her happy and comfortable until that time is a difficult job, but I know you are up to it, may it be a much longer time than the vet predicts.

You and Mackerel are deeply bonded. Talk to her about all this. Tell her how you feel. Tell her you wouldn't let her suffer for anything, and ask her to let you know when she's had enough. She will.

Weeping too much to type any more now.

 

[libby74]

Originally Posted by otto

You and Mackerel are deeply bonded. Talk to her about all this. Tell her how you feel. Tell her you wouldn't let her suffer for anything, and ask her to let you know when she's had enough. She will.

Weeping too much to type any more now.

Wonderful, wonderful advice; now off for a tissue.

 

[jenwales]

I'm really sorry that the news isn't better.

I'm crying too. My heart kitty Jack died in the middle of January and in his last days I had lots and lots of heart to heart talks with him. It made me feel better to express my feelings out loud, and I really think he understood on his own level. Those last days were hard but I'm so glad to have had them. Mackerel loves you and will understand what you are telling her.

 

[mystik spiral]

Oh, sweetie, I was really hoping you would get better news. Just keep on doing what you're doing with your sweet girl, love her and cherish her exactly as you have been, and no matter what happens down the road, you and Mack will both know that she had a great life.

 

[angier106]

I'm sorry too.
Sending hugs to you and your little girl.
Angie

 

[feralvr]

Oh I am sooooo deeply sorry for you, sweetie and very, very sad to hear this news. You are such a wonderful meowmy to your darling Mack. Just let her be with you for the time she has left and just tell her about what is going on with her health, she will understand. This is just awful and I am so sorry you are going through this with this amazing cat (who is such a fighter

) You and Mack are both very strong and know you have tons of support and love going out to you both

 

[jalindal]

Thanks for the love and vibes, everyone.

I woke up this morning to find Mackerel eating litter. That's a sign of anemia, right? Should I stop her doing it? I don't know whether eating the litter is harmful in any way or anything...

 

[jalindal]

I've done some research, we use crystals.. so what I've done is to change the litter so it's very clean and every time she goes to eat it I'm distracting her with food and other things.