Chronic Renal failure

I'm guessing this is what you've read regarding crashing:

http://www.felinecrf.org/symptoms.htm#crashing

I read and re-read and re-re-read that page and I was never sure either, because so many of the symptoms could be just par for the course. I don't know how I knew but Lucky crashed the day before I had him put to sleep. As I'd said before, he could barely walk, he was miserable, he was becoming incontinent. That last one was the big clue for me. I would have had him put to sleep that day, but the vet closed at noon, and by the time he got pretty bad, the weather outside was really bad. The ER vet was a good drive away (compared to my regular vet next door) and he hated being brought out of the house. My vet had re-assured me that while he was miserable, he was not in pain. And he didn't seem to be pained.

I think if your kitty crashes, he won't be eating at all, not even treats. And glad to hear he ate some of the treats. Hiding is definitely something that was always a bad sign from what I'd read - Lucky never quite got to that point. I kept thinking he would, but he never did. So, it doesn't quite sound like your kitty is crashing - yet. But might be on his way to that.

For me, eating has always meant life. That has been the biggest indicator to me of things like "when is it time". It doesn't matter WHAT they are eating, just that they are eating. That's how I see it anyway. Obviously there are exceptions, which is why I say to have a heart-to-heart with your vet. Your little guy sounds like he might be how Lucky was the first weekend after he got diagnosed. He had ups and downs. Probably more of the latter unfortunately, but I treasured the "up" days. That was Halloween weekend. I gave him catnip to see if it had any effect. It did I knew then that he'd make it through the weekend.  Weekends really are the worst when it comes to our pets.

chicago93 said:

He had 200 ml of sub q around 9 this morning and has had a bowl of water and some water from his filtered bowl. His skin is still snapping back and his mouth looks good and moist, so I don't think he is dehydrated.

Click to expand...

For what it's worth, he doesn't sound like he's doing too badly right now, considering everything of course. That's a really good thing. I definitely would still ask the vet on Monday about the Pepcid and anti-nausea meds though. It's SO easy to give both of them (injectable forms of course) when you're doing subqs too. The famotidine can just go in the port. The Cerenia I had to inject into the "bubble" after the subqs because it can sting otherwise. Lucky wasn't bothered by it at all.

It sounds like you are doing all the right things. I know you have a couple added layers of complexity but I know you are doing the best you can for him. Does he still purr when you pet him, or react like he always did in general?

I'm just scared of losing him. I'll keep on eye on him through the night and get him on those meds right away. Thank you for responding to me. He still purrs and will look at me for a little bit, but he doesn't really look "home" a lot of times.

He is now stretched out on his heating pad, so maybe he was just cold and that's why he was laying in that position.

That was the website I was reading, maybe I need to stop so I don't overthink everything.

Thank you again so much!

chicago93 said:

I'm just scared of losing him. I'll keep on eye on him through the night and get him on those meds right away. Thank you for responding to me. He still purrs and will look at me for a little bit, but he doesn't really look "home" a lot of times.

He is now stretched out on his heating pad, so maybe he was just cold and that's why he was laying in that position.

That was the website I was reading, maybe I need to stop so I don't overthink everything.

Thank you again so much!

Click to expand...

It's a bit overwhelming trying to take in that website, so I get it. I was trying in the span of 16 days. Yeah, i get it totally.

And anytime. Please let us know how he's doing over the next couple days and how the vet appt goes. And also please reach out any time you need help or have a question or just need to talk. I get it, completely.

Just thought I'd check in and see how you and your kitty are doing... Hopefully the vet appt went ok.

I just got home and gave him his medicine to help his stomach and with nausea. They didn't make me bring him in, I'm glad because he is so sick of going. Hopefully it'll kick in soon and he'll start feeling better. Last night he started gagging whenever he smelled food. One of the vets I really like and trust was there, so I had a talk with him about how serious Sky was. He said at this point Sky is in hospice care, and we need to just worry about keeping him comfortable. I was checking on him earlier and his stomach seemed really tender. We'll see how he is tomorrow, I'm hoping the medicine kicks in pretty quickly, it's an oral liquid that he gets with his steroids.

chicago93 said:

I just got home and gave him his medicine to help his stomach and with nausea. They didn't make me bring him in, I'm glad because he is so sick of going. Hopefully it'll kick in soon and he'll start feeling better. Last night he started gagging whenever he smelled food. One of the vets I really like and trust was there, so I had a talk with him about how serious Sky was. He said at this point Sky is in hospice care, and we need to just worry about keeping him comfortable. I was checking on him earlier and his stomach seemed really tender. We'll see how he is tomorrow, I'm hoping the medicine kicks in pretty quickly, it's an oral liquid that he gets with his steroids.

Click to expand...

I'm glad they were able to give him meds to help him feel better without bringing him in. Did they give you any for after today or do they just want to wait till tomorrow? I forget how long it takes for the Pepcid to kick in, the anti-nausea (is it Cerenia?) kicks in pretty fast, although we had the injectable kind. 

Lucky was like that (tender tummy) for the first few days after I started the Pepcid. Poor boy, the nausea was so bad that I could feel his stomach heaving when he was laying on top of me one evening. He was started on Cerenia the very next day. I know his stomach didn't feel good to touch then either but it was a bit different, less like it pained him for me to touch it. 

Donutte said:

I'm glad they were able to give him meds to help him feel better without bringing him in. Did they give you any for after today or do they just want to wait till tomorrow? I forget how long it takes for the Pepcid to kick in, the anti-nausea (is it Cerenia?) kicks in pretty fast, although we had the injectable kind. 

Lucky was like that (tender tummy) for the first few days after I started the Pepcid. Poor boy, the nausea was so bad that I could feel his stomach heaving when he was laying on top of me one evening. He was started on Cerenia the very next day. I know his stomach didn't feel good to touch then either but it was a bit different, less like it pained him for me to touch it. 

Click to expand...

They gave us about a month supply. He is on metoclopramide. It's supposed to help with nausea, throwing up, acid reflux gastrointestinal issues, and to help make his stomach feel better. Our vet said it should help food pass through easier too.

im hoping it helps his stomach, he seems restless and like he can't stay comfortable while sleeping. He lays down really slow too, like it hurts him.

chicago93 said:

They gave us about a month supply. He is on metoclopramide. It's supposed to help with nausea, throwing up, acid reflux gastrointestinal issues, and to help make his stomach feel better. Our vet said it should help food pass through easier too.

im hoping it helps his stomach, he seems restless and like he can't stay comfortable while sleeping. He lays down really slow too, like it hurts him.

Click to expand...

I had to look that one up. I think the restlessness/moving slowly are possible indicators that the toxins are building up. Lucky got like that too. My vet said it feels (in human terms) like a bad flu that makes them feel really crappy. He may also be feeling the need to pee a lot. Lucky's last day, he was just back and forth all night. 

Donutte said:

I had to look that one up. I think the restlessness/moving slowly are possible indicators that the toxins are building up. Lucky got like that too. My vet said it feels (in human terms) like a bad flu that makes them feel really crappy. He may also be feeling the need to pee a lot. Lucky's last day, he was just back and forth all night. 

Click to expand...

He said that this medicine is used a lot of times for patients receiving chemotherapy.

He is already peeing a lot, but is still able to make it to his box. He was such a clean cat, so if he starts going where he is, I'll know it's time... Out vet said they do in home visits, so he'll be in his surroundings and his animal siblings can say goodbye.

I'm not giving up yet, but the vet did say that he thinks Sky's time might be coming. I don't want him to suffer. He seems to have some trouble walking and is very wobbly, I agree and believe that might be from toxins as well.

They said we will know when it's time.

chicago93 said:

He said that this medicine is used a lot of times for patients receiving chemotherapy.

He is already peeing a lot, but is still able to make it to his box. He was such a clean cat, so if he starts going where he is, I'll know it's time... Out vet said they do in home visits, so he'll be in his surroundings and his animal siblings can say goodbye.

I'm not giving up yet, but the vet did say that he thinks Sky's time might be coming. I don't want him to suffer. He seems to have some trouble walking and is very wobbly, I agree and believe that might be from toxins as well.

They said we will know when it's time.

Click to expand...

You will definitely know. You're very in tune with your cat it seems, and that will help considerably. Lucky told me for two days with, but I needed the confirmation that came with his next blood test. My vet called me from home on his day off to tell me how bad it was. He first left a voicemail saying it was much worse. No numbers yet until he called back later, but it's like Lucky heard the vet or something. He started walking so weirdly, almost like on stilts or something. He did pee on us that last day also, after we'd already decided tomorrow would be the day. Three times. The third time, I think he was trying to tell me in no uncertain terms that he was ready. He was laying next to me, got on top of me, and let loose. Staring at me the whole time.

My mom said he was telling me he loved me by giving me something only he could give, ha.

I would just say enjoy your time with Sky as much as possible, give him love and kisses and anything else that makes him feel happy. 

Donutte said:

I had to look that one up. I think the restlessness/moving slowly are possible indicators that the toxins are building up. Lucky got like that too. My vet said it feels (in human terms) like a bad flu that makes them feel really crappy. He may also be feeling the need to pee a lot. Lucky's last day, he was just back and forth all night. 

Click to expand...

He said that this medicine is used a lot of times

Donutte said:

You will definitely know. You're very in tune with your cat it seems, and that will help considerably. Lucky told me for two days with, but I needed the confirmation that came with his next blood test. My vet called me from home on his day off to tell me how bad it was. He first left a voicemail saying it was much worse. No numbers yet until he called back later, but it's like Lucky heard the vet or something. He started walking so weirdly, almost like on stilts or something. He did pee on us that last day also, after we'd already decided tomorrow would be the day. Three times. The third time, I think he was trying to tell me in no uncertain terms that he was ready. He was laying next to me, got on top of me, and let loose. Staring at me the whole time.

My mom said he was telling me he loved me by giving me something only he could give, ha.

I would just say enjoy your time with Sky as much as possible, give him love and kisses and anything else that makes him feel happy. 

Click to expand...

I've been babying him like I have always done. I've had him since I was 9, he was a birthday gift and my first cat. Sadly, he just walked into our living room and peed right in front of me while looking at me. I think he just told me...

chicago93 said:

He said that this medicine is used a lot of times
I've been babying him like I have always done. I've had him since I was 9, he was a birthday gift and my first cat. Sadly, he just walked into our living room and peed right in front of me while looking at me. I think he just told me...

Click to expand...

I'm so sorry to hear that. Poor little guy. That's amazing you've taken good care of him for so long, from such a young age.

I am hoping he is just having a bad day. 

Zed Xyzed said:

I am hoping he is just having a bad day. 

Click to expand...

I hope so, we'll see how he is tomorrow.

Sky is still with us, but is getting worse. He peed again in front of me on our living room rug a couple days ago. Last night he jumped on my bed and started peeing right next to me. He stares at me the whole time he is doing it. This was right after he came out of his room, where his liter box is. I clean his box everyday and actually just cleaned it before his accident last night. He seems to have trouble keeping his eyes all the way open, they are always half closed or his third eyelid is showing. He is throwing up again, and has coughing fits that sound like he has fluid. We will probably be having the vet come out on Friday. Thank you for all your help!

I was just wondering about you guys last night.

If his breathing is being affected, you may not want to wait until Friday. He's at the point where he's truly suffering it sounds like. I know this is such a hard thing to do, but try to think of it more from his point of view. It's almost like we have to remove ourselves from this particular equation.

It's so tough to make the decision, but I know it's for him. He hasn't started coughing yet today, but was for a few seconds last night. If it happens again, I'll call them to come out sooner. I know he isn't comfortable anymore, I just need one more day to say goodbye if he can hold on. If he can't, then I know what I have to do.

I am so sorry you have to make this decision 

It's very hard. I remember always hoping for Lucky in particular that when his time came, it would be peaceful and not something drawn out requiring me to make that decision. And it was. It was one of the hardest decisions of my life, even though I'd been through this so many other times.

I get needing that extra day. Just, please, make sure if he gets worse that you don't make him wait.

I will be thinking of you and Sky.