Sinda here - I haven't been feeling particularly well lately - so Mom stuffed me in the PTU (Prisoner Transport Unit) on Thursday and took me to see Dr. Perry. "Mom" here - Sinda wouldn't eat ANYTHING I put out - stuff she has been eating for years - chicken baby food, which she loves - she just turned kind of queezy looking and walked away - then I realized that she wasn't drinking very much water either - and had gotten very dehydrated (which kind of caught me by surprise because I watched her so closely all summer to make sure that didn't happen) - yes, you who've been here before know that her kidney's are failing.
Todd said that when animals get dehydrated, they sense of smell and taste goes off and everything makes them queasy, in turn they don't eat and get worse. He suggested that they do a Sub-Q re - hydration - actually, that they do two - so I left my baby girl at the V.E.T.'s office and "with a heavy heart", went to work - They did blood tests before and after the re-hydration and the numbers changed so much that he was really encouraged - and when I got her home, after first using the kitty box, she acted very hungry - so I made up some ocean whitefish with tuna and she chowed down. same Friday and Saturday she ate some chicken & gravy - so I was encouraged - but today again, she won't eat and doesn't seem to be drinking much water either -
She's 21 1/2 years old - I can learn to do the sub-Q hydration - but will she stand for that every three days? I practically have to call out the National Guard to give her a pill -
My heart and mind are not on the same page with this - I thought I was prepared, but apparently not.....
10 comments:
Oh, Tina....
I don't think you're ever really ready for things like this. I know I wasn't. So sorry Tina.
Oh no, Tina. This makes me want to cry. No dear, we're never ready to lose them.
Tina, I'm so sorry. I knew Sinda was 'up there' but I was thinking upper teens. She looks amazing for 21 and 1/2! I know how hard it is to even be thinking about this. If you are not sure yet, maybe you should just go forward with the sub q for a few to see if she stabilizes or if it makes any decisions easier for you. I know Kathy has much experience with this sort of stuff....
Take care, you will be in my thoughts and prayers.
Tammy
I understand the heartbreak... It's never easy to make those tough decisions. Most important - think of Sinda. What would she want? To be poked all the time? Or to peacefully bid the world "Adieu"? She's been an awesome kitty, and she'll be missed terribly...
Please read up on giving Sub-Q fluids, cats tolerate it very well for lengthy periods of time, and your Vet will be able to show you how to administer.
Purrs and prayers for you and Sinda.
Abby
21 1/2. What a long - and we would guess happy - life. We're sad she isn't doing well now. We send purrs and tail wags for her.
The price we pay for having these wonderful creatures share their life with us is watching them come to the time of their lives when they aren't as spry or energetic as they once were. (And we see this in friends and family as we age as well). It just plain sucks.
I know she's rallying - what a trouper! Keeping good thoughts and purrayers that she keeps going on for another healthy 21 years!
And many hugs for her Mom!
I'm so sorry, Tina----it's so hard.
I had no idea that cats could live that long! You've obviously taken excellent care of Sinda and I would trust my instincts if I were you. You clearly love her and will do what's best. She's a lucky kitty and will live on in your heart forever!
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