The cat

[wraithfodder]

Alas, the poor kitty, now age 16, started showing some bad behavior around the kitty litter box (and rugs!) so of course this happens on a holiday weekend, and we took him to the vet as soon as they were re-open. Alas, it was as I feared. His kidneys aren't doing well :( His BUN level was 48, when it should be no more than 36, and his WBC (white blood cell count) was up to 22.68, pretty high. He also has some pancreatitis. He spent two days at the vet, on an IV to flush his system plus now he's on Baytril, Pepcid, senior cat vitamins, and oh yes, the Lactated Ringer's drip which we must administer as a SubQ injection/whatever, twice a week, I suspect, for as long as he lets us do it, or rest of his life. The vet said he could, if he does well, last for a few more years, or.... we'll know in a month when he goes back to rerun the numbers.



Here's the little guy at the vet, with the IV things in his arm. Not a happy camper. He's lost a bit of weight over the last half year, which we thought was due to being a picky eater and well, just being an older cat. We hope to get some weight back on him. We can give him cream cheese, to help with the pilling, which was sheer hell the first couple days. He bit me. We think we have now perfected the 'burrito cat' roll: swaddle him up in the big thick blanket, wrap twice, pin to chest, quickly (that was the secret) pop open mouth without shedding my blood, and have pill tossed in, then clamp mouth shut. Afterwards, I gave him some cream cheese to make him happy.



So now he's back home, and once the antibiotic runs out in a week, he'll be down to two vitamins a day plus the Pepcid, every single day for the rest of his life (oh god, I hope he relaxes and lets us pill him with less stress) plus the bi-weekly SubQ things, which he did well with at the vet but tomorrow night we'll find out and I guess, I'm going to have to be the one to stick him. Euuuuu.

Here he is going, sigh, back home!

Don't even ask me what it cost. Guess I'm not going on vacation anywhere anytime soon!!

Comments

[casett.livejournal.com]

**hugs**

And for your cat too.

[wraithfodder.livejournal.com]

Thanks!

[kriadydragon.livejournal.com]

Aww, poor boo *hugs you and cat*

[wraithfodder.livejournal.com]

Kitty's hanging in there :)

[kosmikdawg.livejournal.com]

*squish*

[wraithfodder.livejournal.com]

Thanks :)

[adafrog.livejournal.com]

{{{hugs}}} I hope the pilling goes better.

[wraithfodder.livejournal.com]

Alas, no. We'll have to work another way around it.

[nosurething2.livejournal.com]

I know it is tough and expensive, but so much worth the effort!!!!!

[vecturist.livejournal.com]

{{{Hugs}}} Poor kitty - and I'm sure he let you know how he feels. Kidney problems are one of those things cats get - mine dealt with it for about 4 years.

[wraithfodder.livejournal.com]

We'll make his life as comfy as possible.

[kodiak-bear.livejournal.com]

Aw poor kitty, and poor kitty mommy. :( Praying for an easier time with meds and needle!

[wraithfodder.livejournal.com]

Needle stuff is going fine, pills. It'd be easier to pill a gator!

[black-raven135.livejournal.com]

Oh dear.....it just seems as though we feel so helpless when it happens and the animal is unable to fully comprehend, as a child would be, what is going on.........
Don't have a solution for him or you, but sending this your way with a hug for you both:

[wraithfodder.livejournal.com]

He just knows pills are evil...

[black-raven135.livejournal.com]

Well he is not alone

[syble4.livejournal.com]

A Pill Shooter was my saving grace. I'd never have gotten those pills down my cat without it! Ask your vet for one!

SubQu fluids, depending on the cat, can be a relaxing time. My sister's cat purred on her lap while getting hers. My cat, not so much. I'd gave her fluids up until she managed to fight me off. Oo

Good luck!

[wraithfodder.livejournal.com]

We have two pill shooters. Ain't working with this little beast! SubQ doing fine. Much easier!

[timespirt.livejournal.com]

"hugs"

[wraithfodder.livejournal.com]

:)

[montybird.livejournal.com]

**HUGS** to you and your kitty. My kitties send hugs too! I hope his blood work improves! Kidney issues are no fun.

[wraithfodder.livejournal.com]

He goes back to vet next week for more blood tests. FIngers crossed.

[abracah.livejournal.com]

Good luck with all you need to do. They are family and are worth it. We have to give one of our dogs a shot each month and he is fine with it. Of course, he IS a dog and not a cat.

[wraithfodder.livejournal.com]

Dogs are so much easier than cats when it comes to pills and shots (well, cat tolerates SubQ amazing well thus far).

[alyssa22.livejournal.com]

Poor little monkey. I hope he feels better soon.

[wraithfodder.livejournal.com]

Seems to be doing fine so far.

[leesa_perrie]

*hugs for all* I hope he relaxes about the pills soon. *more hugs*

[cimmerdeux.livejournal.com]

Oh I feel your pain. The sub Q thing is scary, had to do it for a cat of mine that had cancer but up by the shoulders where a momma cat would grab them is the best place (as I'm sure your vet showed you). Just grasp the skin as if you were picking him by the scruff and slip the needle in and massage a bit. I always gave mine a bit of Haagen Daz vanilla ice cream afterwards (don't know if that's allowed for yours though) just for some positive reinforcement.

You love them so much, you try to do your best for them and vacations are over rated; that's what I tell myself anyway when we have an animal crisis. lol

Hugs and good luck.

[wraithfodder.livejournal.com]

I haven't had to stick the needle in - I hold him while my brother sticks it in. Last time, the cat purred!

[jya-bd-cp-ttgb.livejournal.com]

hang onto a empty jar, put a tablespoon of scalding hot water in it, drop the pill, cap it, shake the hell out of it until the pill dissolves, cool slightly, mix into cream cheese. Or get a meat tenderizer and grind the pill, then mix it into the cheese. I've had luck with both.

*skritches kitty* You'll be better soon buddy. You got a good human.

[wraithfodder.livejournal.com]

i'll try the cheese method. don't think he can have too much tho.

[pavaneofstars.livejournal.com]

*hugs* for you and the kitty. I had to give pills to my cat when he was a lot younger. I would hate to have to do it now. It really is a science.

[wraithfodder.livejournal.com]

they could make a reality show of "how I pill my cat"! Not as easy as it looks on Youtube, I'll tell ya!