I was originally going to do a play-by-play account of what my Prissi endured two weeks ago today, but it struck me as internet-melodramatic (not to mention that the past two weeks have been somewhat of a blur), so I'm going to try to get to the crux of things as quickly as possible. Though I'm going to try to stick to the facts, let it be said that this timeline has been full of more tears and prayers than I ever thought I could muster...
Thursday morning: I awaken to find my Prissi in a cardboard box, awake and alert, but not "right". To the vet.
Friday: Blood test results indicate kidney failure. A week's worth of of antibiotic shots and fluids are on the docket.
Saturday morning: I'm sitting at the vet having a breakdown, and call my closest friends to say goodbye if this was to be the last time they see my dear Prissi. Within two days, she seemed to have nothing left. Limp, with pitiful cries, are all that was seemingly left of my sweet, sassy girl. I'm informed that putting on her an IV is the logical next step, if I choose to go that route.
I have to admit, I honestly don't know if anyone in the room with me thought it was a good idea to try to keep Prissi alive. At least one friend has admitted she would have had her put down. I wouldn't have blamed her if the roles were reversed; I was indeed beside myself with guilt, wondering if I was causing more pain to my girl, who only wanted me to let her go. Though all of my cats have done their part in teaching me how to truly love, my Prissi is special in that respect. We have moments where we share the pillow in the morning and just look at each other, and everything is okay with the world. She's, well...she's my Priss.
A few days at the vet, trying to get her to eat...IV in tow...visiting her as often as I can...bringing her home with the IV...she's overstimulated and anxious, eating and drinking very little...and doesn't have a good night...
Back to the vet. Right now, it's where she belongs. More observation, meds, and encouraging her to eat. Dr. Erin asks me if I would mind if a feeding tube is installed. Of course, they have my blessing. This is on Tuesday, I believe.
By Wednesday, feeding tube still installed, she starts to show a desire to eat, without being repulsed by food or water (the ulcers in her mouth, caused by the kidney toxins, have turned her off to food since day one...and likely before).
Thursday: I take her home.
Friday and Saturday I take her in to get fluids through an injection. A bit dehydrated Saturday morning.
Monday morning she has her numbers run, and while they're still not "normal" by any means, they're actually better than when they ran them the day after she was taken off the IV. That evening, she shows her first real enthusuastic attempts at eating and drinking. She is eating two small wet meals per day, drinking regularly, and nibbling on DM (diabetic) food for a snack (yes, I know the DM isn't the greatest for her...but right now she just needs to eat...and she gobbles it up like candy Going to the vet later today to reassess her fluids/hydration level.
Okay, I guess I got more descriptive than I originally designed. My point with all of this was to highlight the work done by Blackman Animal Clinic in Jackson, Michigan. Dr. Gorczyca's staff treated my Prissi with more care and love than I ever could have hoped for from another human being. They were always informative and patient with me, and let me visit with Priss whenever I asked. I don't know everyone's name involved, but the key players - Dr. Erin, Valerie, and Jennifer, will always have a special place in my heart for what they did for me and my Priss - and for what they do with other people and their animals. Special thanks to Dr. Jason for diagnosing Prissi to begin with, and for dealing with my lunacy and my 5AM emergency call.
To the angels working at Blackman Animal Clinic, thank you so very much for all that you do.
Thursday morning: I awaken to find my Prissi in a cardboard box, awake and alert, but not "right". To the vet.
Friday: Blood test results indicate kidney failure. A week's worth of of antibiotic shots and fluids are on the docket.
Saturday morning: I'm sitting at the vet having a breakdown, and call my closest friends to say goodbye if this was to be the last time they see my dear Prissi. Within two days, she seemed to have nothing left. Limp, with pitiful cries, are all that was seemingly left of my sweet, sassy girl. I'm informed that putting on her an IV is the logical next step, if I choose to go that route.
I have to admit, I honestly don't know if anyone in the room with me thought it was a good idea to try to keep Prissi alive. At least one friend has admitted she would have had her put down. I wouldn't have blamed her if the roles were reversed; I was indeed beside myself with guilt, wondering if I was causing more pain to my girl, who only wanted me to let her go. Though all of my cats have done their part in teaching me how to truly love, my Prissi is special in that respect. We have moments where we share the pillow in the morning and just look at each other, and everything is okay with the world. She's, well...she's my Priss.
A few days at the vet, trying to get her to eat...IV in tow...visiting her as often as I can...bringing her home with the IV...she's overstimulated and anxious, eating and drinking very little...and doesn't have a good night...
Back to the vet. Right now, it's where she belongs. More observation, meds, and encouraging her to eat. Dr. Erin asks me if I would mind if a feeding tube is installed. Of course, they have my blessing. This is on Tuesday, I believe.
By Wednesday, feeding tube still installed, she starts to show a desire to eat, without being repulsed by food or water (the ulcers in her mouth, caused by the kidney toxins, have turned her off to food since day one...and likely before).
Thursday: I take her home.
Friday and Saturday I take her in to get fluids through an injection. A bit dehydrated Saturday morning.
Monday morning she has her numbers run, and while they're still not "normal" by any means, they're actually better than when they ran them the day after she was taken off the IV. That evening, she shows her first real enthusuastic attempts at eating and drinking. She is eating two small wet meals per day, drinking regularly, and nibbling on DM (diabetic) food for a snack (yes, I know the DM isn't the greatest for her...but right now she just needs to eat...and she gobbles it up like candy
Going to the vet later today to reassess her fluids/hydration level.Okay, I guess I got more descriptive than I originally designed.
My point with all of this was to highlight the work done by Blackman Animal Clinic in Jackson, Michigan. Dr. Gorczyca's staff treated my Prissi with more care and love than I ever could have hoped for from another human being. They were always informative and patient with me, and let me visit with Priss whenever I asked. I don't know everyone's name involved, but the key players - Dr. Erin, Valerie, and Jennifer, will always have a special place in my heart for what they did for me and my Priss - and for what they do with other people and their animals. Special thanks to Dr. Jason for diagnosing Prissi to begin with, and for dealing with my lunacy and my 5AM emergency call. To the angels working at Blackman Animal Clinic, thank you so very much for all that you do.
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