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Post by Deleted on Mar 6, 2017 4:15:46 GMT
This all sounds quite distressing. I think the not meowing would get to me the most, just like when a noisy child goes silent.
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Post by Kimby on Mar 6, 2017 4:57:33 GMT
Mo seems to have gotten his appetite back and is doing well, considering he's got cancer, but Mia is our concern now. A week ago she was just fine, then she hit the wall late last week, not eating or drinking and hunching - in discomfort?
Since the weekend was looming, we decided to find a vet near the lake cottage. The first one we called was out "calving" all day! But we found another vet who could squeeze us in at 4 on Friday afternoon. We were able to capture a urine sample and took it in to be tested.
After a fairly thorough exam and urinalysis, the vet said she did have a UTI. Gave her a subcutaneous boost of fluids (lactated ringers) and a dose of antibiotics and an anti-emetic/appetite stimulant, and sent us home with the rest of the IV bag and more needles, so Dr. Kimby could rehydrate her once a day. She wasn't active at all, just crouched on the sofa and dozed all evening.
I woke up around 3 am and carried her to her water dish and she took a long drink, then walked to the litterbox and took a leak. While my back was turned she disappeared in the dark cottage, and I finally found her on the foot of our bed! Somehow she'd gotten up there by herself, without waking Mr. Kimby.
But today, although she's eating and drinking a little, she is having a hard time getting around. It's Sunday, and we decided to leave the cottage and come home to Missoula in hopes of getting in to see her regular vet tomorrow. She walks very gingerly, almost limping, and sits strangely. We can't imagine what could cause such a sudden change in our sweet little girl.
Our "Cat Owners' Home Veterinary Handbook" lists some possible scary diagnoses. Like Arterial Thromboembolism, a blood clot ithat lodges in the aorta where it branches to the rear legs, cutting off circulation to the legs, causing them to die. But her toes don't feel cold, so I hope that's not it. That wouldn't be survivable. Other possibilities are cancer affecting her spine, and maybe renal failure.
I hope the vet can figure it out. Cats are so inscrutable! Not only do they not talk, but they are very stoic and hide their pain. In fact, Mia, who is is usually very vocal, didn't make a sound for over 48 hours. The fact that she complained about being in her cat carrier for the two-hour drive home, we took as a good sign.
She's sleeping on my lap now as we sit in front of the fire. Every moment is precious now.
Who'd a thunk BOTH our kitties would get so sick at the same time? :-(
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Post by Deleted on Mar 6, 2017 13:50:59 GMT
I had been wondering how they were doing. So disconcerting and having been through this same thing oh so recently can fully comprehend the helplessness and despair you are feeling. With Sadie it was exactly the same in that her symptoms were so very sudden, one day seemingly ok but took a rapid radical turn. I do hope that some peaceful and painless resolution arrives soon and am thinking of you.
Our new little kitty," Pompeii" who is 3 months old developed a respiratory ailment that included sneezing, watery eyes and a slight and brief form of wheezing. It started just after coming home with us so we aren't positive that she already had it or developed it after bringing him home. When we took him to the shelter for his rabies booster vaccination we told the vet about it and she said it could be an environmental thing (I don't keep a real sterile house and yeas there is dust and the like). She noted some signs of congestion but upon listening to his lungs was able to determine that they were clear. Since that time it continued and worsened a bit. It didn't effect his energy level or appetite and when episodes occurred they were very brief.
Finally, I decided to take him to our regular vet. She was able to determine that he had a upper respiratory infection that she said was very common in kittens and likely had gotten it from his mother. She prescribed him some antibiotics and he does seem to be getting better.
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Post by Kimby on Mar 6, 2017 14:05:15 GMT
Whew! Isn't it nice when it's something fixable with a shot? I hope our vet visit goes as well. I rather doubt it will, though....
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Post by Deleted on Mar 6, 2017 14:15:49 GMT
It was a relief especially because he is so young and I did not want any pet trauma so soon after the last, not that we ever want any at all. And I dared not wait because of that same fear and being the obsessive neurotic that I am began catastrophizing all kinds of things. You were brave to look it up in your cat care manual. I could never. I toyed with" googling" and refrained because of previous experiences doing that. Here's hoping for the best dearheart.
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Post by Deleted on Mar 6, 2017 14:44:17 GMT
I don't think cats need or even want to live in a sterile house. I'm sure your place is perfect for them, Casimira.
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Post by Deleted on Mar 6, 2017 16:04:21 GMT
While at the vet and her telling us it was not an environmental thing, both T and I had the same thought, "oh good, does this mean we don't have to thoroughly clean the house?"
He particularly loves the upstairs balcony where he keenly watches everything that moves and twice in the evening has brought me alive palmetto bugs into the bed and deposits them right next to me which freaks me out and I am trying to discourage.
Next it will be lizards I am sure.
Eventually we will introduce him to the garden but not quite yet.
There are coyotes roaming our neighborhood and reports of ravaged young cats and chickens etc. have been reported. Little Pompeii is only 6.5 pounds.
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Post by Deleted on Mar 6, 2017 16:36:41 GMT
All of us know that it is 'cute' when cats bring their prey to us to share/approve/chew on. If anybody ever discovers how to teach cats that we love what they are doing but please don't do it again and we will feed them appropriately, that person will deserve a big big prize.
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Post by Deleted on Mar 6, 2017 16:43:50 GMT
I know it's futile but, I am hoping that my visceral response will discourage it. It's one thing for them to leave "offerings" in places where they seem to know we will find them but bringing them to me directly while still alive, I am going to respond the same way no matter what so, maybe, just maybe he'll pick up on my actual phobic/fear of palmetto bugs.
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Post by Deleted on Mar 6, 2017 16:46:17 GMT
Live prey is supposed to be much tastier and more fun.
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Post by Kimby on Mar 6, 2017 20:57:02 GMT
Mia survived her 2nd trip to a vet in 4 days. She is having trouble walking, and sits really funny with her feet splayed out to the side, but has recovered some of her appetite and is drinking and peeing almost normally. Her temp is quite low though, and after her bloodwork results come in tomorrow, we are to take her to the kitty internist who diagnosed Mo's lymphoma. So tomorrow we may know more. Or not....
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Post by Kimby on Mar 7, 2017 12:57:59 GMT
Up early, can't sleep. Mia and Mo and I are sitting on the couch together at 5 am, maybe for the last time. Mr. Kimby and I are expecting to hear that Mia's blood tests show she is in renal failure. We know where that goes, having experienced it with our first cat, Boodles, and wish to spare Mia the indignities and discomfort - and ourselves the anguish of watching her slip away. She went downhill so suddenly, however, that I'm not really prepared for her to be gone. But if the vet says it's a hopeless case, we don't have much choice.
Meanwhile, terminally ill Mo keeps plugging along, in good spirits and better appetite than before. He seems curious about what's going on with his sister, but not unduly concerned. I wonder how he'll react if we come home from the vet without her...
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Post by breeze on Mar 7, 2017 13:22:07 GMT
Sorry for you and your husband, Kimby. This is a tough time in an animal-lover's life. Their lives are too short.
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Post by Kimby on Mar 7, 2017 18:19:49 GMT
Vet called. Mia's BUN and creatinine and phosphorous are off the chart for renal failure. And they were only slightly elevated in January.
Because the onset was so sudden, the vet said it might be possible to rescue her by offering fluids and food. So far she isn't enthusiastic.
Me either. I don't like heroic measures. But IF she can be saved, and get back to near-normal, shouldn't we try? If it was hopeless, I hope the vet would say so.
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Post by chexbres on Mar 7, 2017 19:31:59 GMT
casimira - "coyotes" in New Orleans? For all the rest of you who are suffering with sick animals, I hope things get better soon...
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Post by Deleted on Mar 7, 2017 21:25:52 GMT
Kimby, Mia will let you know in her own way when it's time.
When this happened with Sadie, I asked the vet about forcing fluids and using Pedialite to up her electrolytes. The vet told me that yes, I could do this but it would only prolong the inevitable. That night when she cried all night and I had to manually position her back legs to make her more comfortable then I knew.
With renal faliure they go rapidly.
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Post by Deleted on Mar 7, 2017 21:32:02 GMT
casimira - "coyotes" in New Orleans? Yes Chexbres. For several years now there have been coyotes in Uptown Riverbend on out into Jefferson Parish along the river. The good ol' Army Corps of Engineers destroyed a huge wildlife habitat when they tore out whole sections of woodland along the river. Lots of reports of sightings and many accounts of people losing their small animals, fowl etc. My husband saw one in broad daylight up on the batture within the last six months. So we have coyotes, raccoons and opossum all foraging for food in residential neighborhoods. Last week there was a report of one seen running down Broadway on the riverside of Saint Charles.
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Post by Kimby on Mar 7, 2017 23:43:19 GMT
Mia has not yet cried at all. She's the stoic type, or she isn't in pain. I bet she's puzzled why her legs aren't working right, though. She takes 4 or 5 steps, stops, 4 more steps, stops... She does walk from food bowl to litterbox on her own, and back to fireplace to lie on the hearth rug where it's warm. Her brother is hanging out near her, but not hassling her, which is good. I've heard that cats sometimes attack when they sense weakness in their rival.
Both kitties are enjoying the fact that the two-meals-a-day and nothing-in-the-morning (so they don't wake us up to be fed) house rule has gone out the window!
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Post by Deleted on Mar 8, 2017 14:49:28 GMT
I'm glad she is comfortable. The image of her lying on the hearth rug is heartwarming.
And, no crying a comfort as well.
There's nothing quite so awful as hearing an animal cry.
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Post by Kimby on Mar 8, 2017 15:28:26 GMT
I'm skeptical she'll pull out of this crisis, though the vet said if we got her eating and drinking she could. There will just be another crisis down the road. Her life as she - and we - knew it is over. Our fearless, chubby snake-killer and "bed bug" is mostly gone, though Mr. Kimby does bring her under the covers for a morning snuggle. He's heartbroken to be losing "the love of his life". If I had to guess, I'd say we'll be visiting the vet before the weekend...
Mr. Mo, however, is doing great, considering his grim diagnosis. Eating and drinking and snugly and vocal. He lies down near his sister much of the time, or he's on our laps offering "Mo kisses" and head bumps.
A peaceful meditative interlude in the Kimby household..
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Post by whatagain on Mar 8, 2017 18:41:32 GMT
'Both kitties are enjoying the fact that the two-meals-a-day and nothing-in-the-morning (so they don't wake us up to be fed) house rule has gone out the window!' We have invested years ago in a food dispenser - if they eat too much, they get fat.
We had our dog suffering from renal problems too and the vet put him back on his feet for something like 3 weeks. I am glad he did. We could say goodbye proprerly.
I know it is not hte place but our 9th is now 4 months old and must be wighing 800 g and is super cute. She has found her place in the house very quickly.
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Post by Kimby on Mar 8, 2017 18:56:28 GMT
We could never take advantage of food dispensers, even electronically timed ones because (until she got sick, anyway) given access to food, Mia would eat till she exploded, pushing Mo off his dish and eating his food too.
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Post by mich64 on Mar 10, 2017 3:13:08 GMT
Sorry to read about the health issues Mia and Mo are enduring Kimby. You are doing everything for them that you can. Hugs and your love is what it is all about right now. Take care.
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Post by Kimby on Mar 10, 2017 4:06:08 GMT
Well, Mia got blood drawn this morning and we hand-carried the vial to the hospital that actually runs the tests so we could get the results ASAP. The good news is her numbers are going the right direction. The bad news is that they aren't going far or fast enough in that direction. But she seems more alert, and is still interested in eating and drinking, so we are continuing with twice-daily subcutaneous fluids (thankfully Mr. Kimby is Dr. Kimby) and offering food, water and litterbox often throughout the day. She sleeps all night on the foot of our bed with her brother. It's been more than a week since she last "killed" her rubber snake and dragged it up the stairs to the bedroom...
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Post by Deleted on Mar 10, 2017 5:35:06 GMT
I'm glad that things are not going downhill. Even if the ultimate outcome is inevitable, you will at least have had the consolation that you are doing everything possible for your fur babies.
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Post by Kimby on Mar 10, 2017 14:13:35 GMT
"Baby" is the right word, as we are getting up in the middle of the night for feedings and toileting!
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Post by bixaorellana on Mar 11, 2017 1:13:14 GMT
So difficult for you and Mr. Kimby. Maybe the kitty siblings want to go out together. I so hope they will just exit peacefully and you all won't have to do any heart-rending intervention.
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Post by Deleted on Mar 11, 2017 5:35:03 GMT
I saw a headline in the paper yesterday along the lines of "97 year old twins die within hours of each other."
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Post by Kimby on Mar 11, 2017 13:47:40 GMT
Groan! Getting two kitties was supposed to ensure we had a spare when the first one died...
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Post by Deleted on Mar 11, 2017 13:55:06 GMT
We almost adopted one of our new kittys siblings. For economic reasons we didn't. Having pets gets expensive.
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