Eggasperated Posted January 11, 2013 Share Posted January 11, 2013 (edited) My nearly eighteen year old rescue cat, Rosie, who I've had for sixteen years, is having to stay at the vets over the weekend. Last weekend she started being sick after every meal, on Monday she saw the vet and had a couple of injections, she ate a little on tuesday, but hasn't eaten since then; she has also hardly drunk anything so is dehydrated. She had some blood tests today and is showing signs of kidney deterioration, at her age I hope I have made the right decision to try and give her a bit more life - she is on a drip to rehydrate her, then they will assess the extent of her problems, try to encourage her to eat and see how she responds. Up until last weekend she has always been well and keeps herself busy keeping the dog and the younger cat in order, at around £250 for the initial treatment I still feel I should give her a chance, I really don't feel like giving up on her yet. Sorry long ramble. Edited January 15, 2013 by Guest Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Couperwife Posted January 11, 2013 Share Posted January 11, 2013 Oh no sending snuggles to Rosie from us and piper kit. Xx Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
counturchickens Posted January 11, 2013 Share Posted January 11, 2013 Oh poor you and Rosie. Our beloved minky who died when she was 20 had a few things in her last few years. One time she had been particularly bad I actually booked the appointment to have her pts, but she perked up and she had another year or so. You'll know if or when it's time to call it a day and i certainly would want to give her a chance. Sending hugs x Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Groovychook Posted January 11, 2013 Share Posted January 11, 2013 Sorry to hear about Rosie, you must be so worried about her but I'm sure that you're doing the right thing to give her the best chance to recover. Thinking of you and wishing you both well xx Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Olly Posted January 11, 2013 Share Posted January 11, 2013 Sorry to hear this. It depends on how far the kidney disease has gone - she may well perk up, and with the special diet and treatment she can have a good quality of life. I've had an elderly cat (not quite as old as Rosie) who lived another two or three years with kidney disease - as said above, you will know if it's time. I hope you get some good news from the vet. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Eggasperated Posted January 11, 2013 Author Share Posted January 11, 2013 I had a call from the vet this evening to say Rosie seems to responding to the drip - she did eat some food when it was offered but unfortunately it gave her diahorrea, but it looks a bit better than when she went in this morning . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
redbug Posted January 12, 2013 Share Posted January 12, 2013 That is a good start. hope for improvement over the weekend. xx hugs to you and family. xx Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chicken bark Posted January 12, 2013 Share Posted January 12, 2013 I wrote a long reply then my internet hiccuped and it was lost. Suffice to say I feel for you and I hope she comes home soon. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sparkysmum Posted January 12, 2013 Share Posted January 12, 2013 Hoping for more good news and a happy outcome. Alli x Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Luvachicken Posted January 12, 2013 Share Posted January 12, 2013 Awww, I hope your cat is feeling much better today. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Eggasperated Posted January 12, 2013 Author Share Posted January 12, 2013 2 phone calls from the vet today - Rosie started the day by doing much better and has been continually asking for food, unfortunately she then started being sick again which is where it started so they are trying some different treatments. For the time being she is staying on the drip to make sure she stays hydrated and we have to wait another day to see if she can keep some food down. On the positive side the vet says that, for her age, she has responded very well to being on the drip so there is every hope for her once they can find out why she is being sick. chicken bark - thank you for your post, I think we've all done that with the long post followed by an Internet blip . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Eggasperated Posted January 13, 2013 Author Share Posted January 13, 2013 Further update from the vet first thing this morning - Rosie is now refusing to eat again so we just seem to be going round in circles . They can't find anything that would explain the reason for this being sick / not eating cycle so are expecting to keep her for another 24 hours to try and find out what's going on, also keeping her on the drip so things don't get any worse. I don't feel quite as optimistic this morning . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chicken bark Posted January 13, 2013 Share Posted January 13, 2013 As you say she is not getting any worse being on the drip. I hope they sort it quickly for your sake as well as Rosies. It is that horrible 'quality of life' debate we all have when a pet (rubbish term they are much more than that) is old and ill. I really feel for you and hope for the best. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Seagazer Posted January 13, 2013 Share Posted January 13, 2013 It is worrying with an older cat as to whether you are doing the right thing or not. I have to say that our vets are quite good at saying if they think its a losing battle or not. I hope Rosie improves, you are all trying your best for her. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Groovychook Posted January 14, 2013 Share Posted January 14, 2013 Just wanted to say that I hope she's picked up a little xx Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Eggasperated Posted January 14, 2013 Author Share Posted January 14, 2013 Have just picked Rosie up from the vets, unfortunately there is no more they can do for her without invasive procedures, if I'm able to get her to eat and drink she may have a few more months, otherwise I'm going to have to say goodbye to her. Things aren't looking good as she's refusing all her favourite titbits . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Groovychook Posted January 14, 2013 Share Posted January 14, 2013 Oh, I'm so sorry It's an awful situation to be in- I remember it well. Thinking of you xx Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Minnie&Moose Posted January 14, 2013 Share Posted January 14, 2013 Really sorry to hear Rosie's not doing as well as you'd hoped. We have a nearly 17 yr old cat, Max, who we've been supporting with kidney disease for over 10 years (he started showing signs when he was only 6). He's gone through phases of not eating associated with numerous 'crisis' events. When this happens things that tend to work for him are - small, frequent helpings of cooked white fish (boiled in water or microwaved and water added) presented when still warm (coley or pollock seem to work best - perhaps because they smell very strongly) - initially I give cooked fish on its own and then, providing it stays down and he's showing some enthusiasm, I gradually mix in more of his special diet food (I use wet food rather than dry - he tends to vomit with the dry forms of renal support diets). I also will hand feed him very small pieces of freshly cooked chicken if we have any available. Once he's back on track re eating I reduce the amount of fish being added to his diet food. I also will warm his food before serving - that can help. Re drinking - he's never refused to drink but he won't drink out of a bowl (unless it's the rabbit's bowl and she's having a drink at the same time ) - instead he drinks from a dripping tap in the bath But he does sometimes drink too much and will vomit as a consequence, so we try to encourage him to eat and drink small amounts at a time but to do it very frequently - which seems to help. Also, if he has just vomitted water only I try to get him to eat a small fish & cooking liquid meal which seems to settle things down. I do hope things settle for Rosie and you get some more time with her - it's an emotional roller coaster watching them go through this - thinking of you x Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Olly Posted January 14, 2013 Share Posted January 14, 2013 So sorry to hear this, you've done everything you can for her. I was going to suggest very strong-smelling fish - sardines or mackerel - might tempt her. I hope she picks up. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Seagazer Posted January 14, 2013 Share Posted January 14, 2013 Oh I'm so sorry, sad news indeed. I hope you manage to get Rosie to eat something so that you do have more time with her. I'm sure you'll know when its time, this is really the worst part of having a pet. It is hard but I always remember my Dad saying after he left my cat (from my childhood) too long before having put to sleep that he'd never do that again. I'm sending (((hugs))). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chicken bark Posted January 15, 2013 Share Posted January 15, 2013 An awful time for you. You'll know when you need to make the decision. There is no wrong choice. I hope she eats and drinks something and rallies for you. xxx Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Eggasperated Posted January 15, 2013 Author Share Posted January 15, 2013 Thank you all for your kind words - I'm afraid she's gone . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Groovychook Posted January 15, 2013 Share Posted January 15, 2013 So sorry Sending you lots of love xxx Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Minnie&Moose Posted January 15, 2013 Share Posted January 15, 2013 I'm really sorry. You did everything you could for Rosie and she was obviously very much loved. hugs x Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Seagazer Posted January 15, 2013 Share Posted January 15, 2013 Oh I'm really sorry, sending lots of (((hugs))) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
