Aging Animals

smudgy_cat · Joined: 15 Apr 2004 Posts: 346

I just got a call from the vet about my kitty Smudgy, and she has kidney failure of about 70%. In February, her kidneys were functioning at normal levels, so I think it's pretty severe. She hasn't eaten much in the past week or so (I've been force feeding her water and food), so I think I will be euthanizing her sometime this week.

The only real treatment option is giving fluids, and when the vet did it yesterday, I could hear her howls in the waiting room. I don't think I can do it to her, but I feel bad because I feel like I'm letting her down.

It sucks when animals grow old.

lizzymahoney · Joined: 13 Apr 2004 Posts: 804

Yeah it sucks.

You aren't letting her down, though. Her quality of life is important to you and to her. If she's pretty miserable and there is no recovery, you just want to make her as comfortable as possible for her remaining days.

So she's not peeing much and the toxins normally excreted via the kidneys are building up. She's probably in pain: kidney patients always are. Her electrolytes are going way out of balance and she could very well have seizures before she passes. Can you deal with that?

What does your vet advise?

Hugs for both smudgycats.

manukenkun · Joined: 02 Aug 2004 Posts: 203 Location: Bristol

Oh I feel for you- my sweet cat Bernard was hit by a train and killed just over a week ago- whilst I wish wish wish it hadn't happened and am absolutely heartbroken and lonely now, I am glad I didn't have to make any tough decisions about him later in his life. I guess I would have much prefered to have him around for many years to come but the fact his end was so quick and hopefully he didn't feel too much pain makes me feel a little better. Take care of yourself and your kitty.
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Karla · Posted: Wed Aug 18, 2004 9:41 am Post subject:

I had to make the same terrible judgement call when my dog, Lindsey's, kidneys were failing from a neighbor feeding her antifreeze. It was very violent. I have never regretted for a second the choice I made. There really wasn't one...I mean, she was having convulsions at that time. It was a relief to see her pain finally end. I regret all the other things like letting my parents allow her to roam all over neighbors' yards or not going home to see her as much. But, those are the things I can't do anything about. You'll make the right choice when it's time.

Don't be too hard on yourself. This is a really tough thing to go through.

Karla

sublimestitcher · Joined: 22 May 2004 Posts: 196 Location: austin, tx

I'm so sorry, I had to be with a friend when he discovered his cat was sick and had to put her down in the same day. Your pet knows you love them, and it's a good thing to do so they won't suffer. I'm so sorry, I know how much it pains you to see them hurt and let them go. xoxoxo
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BubbleDragon · Joined: 26 Jul 2004 Posts: 21 Location: Pittsburgh

Smudgy, I'm feeling for you. My (my parents') yellow lab, Sandy is diabetic, and it looks like she's not doing so well. She's almost completely blind, and can't hold her bladder well at all. My parents had to make the decision to keep her in the garage when they sleep at night, because she's been peeing every where. I feel really badly for my poor old dog, though it looks like her mortal enemies, my cats (both are around 14) will outlive her yet.

As for Karla - if I found out a neighbor had actually intentionally fed on of my pets antifreeze, I'd make their lives a living hell. That kind of stuff makes my blood boil - my fiance's father keeps threatening to put antifreeze out in his garden because the local (trailer park) cats come around and 'annoy' him. *screams*

karikazo · Joined: 22 Apr 2004 Posts: 64 Location: N.C.

oh, smudgy, I"m so sorry. Kidney failure is often what takes older cats off. It's so sad to go through it.

I know it's really hard to put a cat to sleep, but when I *have* to do it, I try to remember that it's part of my committment to providing love and care for them throughout their life cycle....I don't want to let a devoted friend down, but I also don't want to inflict suffering when I could have eased it instead. I know it's hard to decide when.

I'm glad your kitty had a loving home with you.

smudgy_cat · Joined: 15 Apr 2004 Posts: 346

Smudgy has been doing well these past few days. She has an appetite again, so she's been eating tuna fish and moist cat food. She also seems to be drinking on her own, but I still force a dropper of water in her (mixed with her thyroid meds).

I was reading a book on holistic cat care, and they have a special kidney failure diet for kitties that I think I'll cook up for her and the other cats. I've also started giving her some drops of a plant extract mixture. It's made from aspen, crabapple, and hornbeam. Here is a website with more info: http://www.drschoen.com/articles_L2_3_.html I have no idea if it will actually help, but I don't think it will hurt her. According to the book, the herbs are supposed to ease depression, nausea, and fear. In theory, this will allow her body to heal itself to some degree.
<crossing fingers>

soapandwater · Joined: 13 Apr 2004 Posts: 945

Holistic medicine can do wonders. I hope that goes well for you and your kitty.
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govegan74 · Joined: 28 Aug 2004 Posts: 10

I have been looking into natural remedies for my beloved dog. I just found out that he has stage 3 cancer which can not be treated. The vet only gave him about three months. I am heartbroken. He is going to be 11 but that still seems so young to me.
For the moment he is still Maynard, goofy, playful and lovable.

rahrah · Joined: 10 Jun 2004 Posts: 48 Location: Vancouver, BC

Oh how sad! I can really feel for you as I had to put my kitty, Venus down because of kidney failure a few months ago. The only symptom she showed was not eating for a few days before I took her to the vet.

The decision to put her down wasn't hard but I cried for a week after. She had been a good pet for 14 years and the kindest thing I could do was stop her suffering because there was no chance she was going to recover.
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cherriesontop · Joined: 29 Aug 2004 Posts: 75 Location: The Big T.O, Canada

im so sorry for you, it does suck.

when i was younger my family had a cat, cecil, who my mom had since she was 20. well i was born when she was 32 so cecil was already middle aged. my parents thought cecil wouldnt like too have a new baby in the house (i was their first child) and that he might reacte in a bad way. still they let stay just to see how things went. he reacted in a totally different way! he acted like my guardian and wouldnt let anyone near me. he protected me and we had a bond right there and then. every night he'd come into my room and jump up on the bed and say goodnight and he only did that with me.

well it was around when i was 8ish or 9ish that he started getting sick. he wouldnt come into my room anymore he was too sick and in pain all the time. instead we'd hear him meowing in pain like there was no tommorow. my mom finally said "guys, we have to put him down. the vets says there's no more she can do for hm and i dont want him to suffer anymore." i didnt no quite what was wrong with his body but it might have been arthritis or something. anyways, i was miserable the day we had to put him down, i rememeber waiting outside the vets office and crying hysterically . it hurt pretty bad. even though i know he's not here i still remember him. there's even a CECIL page in the family scrapbook!

well, that was my story. treasure your pets! and smudgy_cat, and everyone who has lost a pet, im sorry and i feel your pain.
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smudgy_cat · Joined: 15 Apr 2004 Posts: 346

Smudgy is still here!

I've been giving her the thyroid medicine like normal, and I also give her the bach flower essences 2-3x a day. I feed her babyfood, cat food, tuna, and steak/chicken (whatever she'll eat), and she's been eating. Not much, but a bit. I force feed her every so often, but after a few bites she'll eat on her own.

I know she's slowly going down hill, but she's happy right now. she has her cushion by the window and her kitty grass nearby. She seems pretty content.

My sister purchased some Rescue Remedy (based on the bach essences) and has been using it with her high strung cat. I don't know if smudgy's rally is from the essences or not, but it might help with your dog govegan. It hasn't hurt my cat.

cherriesontop · Joined: 29 Aug 2004 Posts: 75 Location: The Big T.O, Canada

yay!
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Glaistig · Posted: Sat Sep 04, 2004 9:32 pm Post subject:

Hugs to all y'all pet lovers!

Hubby and I had to euthanize our 16+ year old kitty Andy about a year and a half ago because of kidney failure. We had a wonderful vet and her passing was sad but peaceful. I still miss her. . . .

(((Sending love to Smudgy))) When it's her time to let go, you'll know and do what she needs to transition.