Does my cat have dementia

[stracci2000]

Aww @stracci2000, I’m so sorry.

Yes we gave our Billy cat IV fluids the last year of his life on a regular basis. He had kidney and heart disease from years of diabetes which we treated with insulin injections twice a day for years but ultimately he developed kidney disease. He had a good quality of life until he didn’t and then we gave him peace when the time came.

The IV fluids helped and lengthened his quality of life with us. It became less difficult as he got used to it. Sending you hugs and good wishes and keeping you both in my thoughts.


(((Hugs))).[/QUOTE

Thanks Missy.
We are seeing some improvement in him today, with the new meds. He is moving around more.
We will consider the IV treatments, in light of his new demeanor today.

 

[YadaYadaYada]

So sorry about the diagnosis! I don't have any advice about the IV fluids but can definitely understand your concerns about making the cat more miserable. When Our cat Murphy was terminal with a throat tumor we had to give him steroids by mouth, let me tell you how miserable that was all around!

You are doing a great job, it's tough caring for a cat with an incurable disease. Big hugs! Keep us updated on how he is doing.

 

[mtsapphirelovingannie]

Stracci2000, I’m sorry your kitty had been diagnosed with kidney disease.

Yes I gave my cat subcutaneous fluids for kidney disease for several months. She also had diabetes for about two years before the kidney disease developed. I had been giving her insulin shots twice a day for that.

My kitty came to hate the vet. I don’t know how your fellow is doing or has done at the vets. I suggest you try giving the subcutaneous fluids at home a few times to see how he does. And how you do.

I don’t think it hurts after the initial needle poke. My opinion is that being forced to sit still and be restrained bothers cats more.

It was helpful for me to find the right place at home to administer the liquid, that allowed us both to be calm and for me to manage my kitty without much restraint. The process got better and less traumatic for both of us after a time. Unfortunately, the subcutaneous fluids didn’t really help her much and her decline continued.

Sending you hugs and warm thoughts as you work through this hard time.

 

[stracci2000]

So sorry about the diagnosis! I don't have any advice about the IV fluids but can definitely understand your concerns about making the cat more miserable. When Our cat Murphy was terminal with a throat tumor we had to give him steroids by mouth, let me tell you how miserable that was all around!

You are doing a great job, it's tough caring for a cat with an incurable disease. Big hugs! Keep us updated on how he is doing.

Thanks Stephanie. We are trying to keep him happy.
This is my first time dealing with a sick cat. All the cats I've had prior to this died suddenly, for various reasons.
Thanks for the kind words!

 

[stracci2000]

Stracci2000, I’m sorry your kitty had been diagnosed with kidney disease.

Yes I gave my cat subcutaneous fluids for kidney disease for several months. She also had diabetes for about two years before the kidney disease developed. I had been giving her insulin shots twice a day for that.

My kitty came to hate the vet. I don’t know how your fellow is doing or has done at the vets. I suggest you try giving the subcutaneous fluids at home a few times to see how he does. And how you do.

I don’t think it hurts after the initial needle poke. My opinion is that being forced to sit still and be restrained bothers cats more.

It was helpful for me to find the right place at home to administer the liquid, that allowed us both to be calm and for me to manage my kitty without much restraint. The process got better and less traumatic for both of us after a time. Unfortunately, the subcutaneous fluids didn’t really help her much and her decline continued.

Sending you hugs and warm thoughts as you work through this hard time.

Yes, this is what I'm worried about. He's going to decline eventually. He really hates the car ride and the vet. Stressing him out is not helpful and I don't want him to hate me when he sees me coming at him with that bag!

 

[cmd2014]

I'm sorry about Phrix. It's a tough call to know when it's time to say goodbye. We have had to have subcutaneous fluids administered to a few of our cats (never by us though, and not at home). FWIW, although none have loved it, none seemed like they were in a lot of pain either. But doing something as a one-off and doing it regularly are different things, so you will know with your furbaby whether it is helping more than harming and vice versa. I think you will also know when quality of life starts to suffer. I don't think it can hurt to try the interventions and evaluate how he seems to handle them and how he seems to feel with them on board. That way you'll have peace of mind knowing that you did everything you could to do the best for him. If he seems to tolerate it and is happy, you'll know. If not, you'll know. And I think that will help you know what to do going forward. Hugs to you. This is the hardest part of having a pet. No matter how much time we have with them, this stage always comes too soon.

 

[mtsapphirelovingannie]

Yes, this is what I'm worried about. He's going to decline eventually. He really hates the car ride and the vet. Stressing him out is not helpful and I don't want him to hate me when he sees me coming at him with that bag!

Your concerns are very valid! My girl HATED the vet and I ended up doing antibiotic and other shots at home because she was so stressed and difficult at the vets. I mention the shots because it made visits to the vet less frequent. Subcutaneous injections are pretty easy to do.

She did not end up hating me for the shots or the subcutaneous fluids. She wasn’t happy about the subcutaneous fluids but her unhappiness passed quickly after each treatment. My girl had complex health issues before the kidney disease was diagnosed.

 

[VRBeauty]

I gave one of my cats sub-Qs for several months before he passed. They definitely seemed to make him feel better. I thought of that when I read an article the other day - I think it was in last weekend's WSJ - about how some hospitals are switching to "balanced" saline solutions that include potassium and some other minerals as well as the salt, because the addition of other minerals Ames the solution easier on the kidneys. It's possible this would not be the same for cats, or that the alternative hasn't yet been tested with cats... but it might be something to ask your vet about.

As MSLA mentioned, one key to giving sub-Qs at home is finding a good place in your home for administering them. And for me, it had to include having the cat on my lap, since he was calmest that way.

 

[stracci2000]

Ok, We just administered the first subcutaneous treatment here at home.
Phrix tolerated it well. DH held him his lap and I did the needle stick.
Not nearly as traumatic as I thought it would be! I am hopeful for some improvement.
Thanks to @missy, @mtsapphirelovingannie, @VRBeauty,, @cmd2014 ,@StephanieLynn who offered support on this.
And also thanks to all who replied to this thread! It really helps to hear about everyone's experiences.

 

[mtsapphirelovingannie]

That's good news! I hope Phrix responds well to the treatment.

 

[kmarla]

It’s good to hear that Phrix seems to be feeling better. Our Sealpoint Saphira had kidney failure diagnosed when she was 13. I gave her subcutaneous fluids at home for almost two years. The vet tech showed me how to do it at their office, and then I handled it at home. I was nervous in the beginning but Saphira and I got into a system and we both got pretty comfortable with it. The fluids really helped with her quality of life. Good luck and you’ll do a great job!

 

[YadaYadaYada]

So glad it went better than you expected! I will keep him in my thoughts for improved health.

 

[Missy]

Stracci, what a relief! So glad Phrix tolerated the treatment wel! Sending continued good wishes to you all.

 

[VRBeauty]

By the way, did I mention that I might have gotten over-confident with the procedure and stuck myself in the hand one or twice?

Try not to do that!

 

[stracci2000]

By the way, did I mention that I might have gotten over-confident with the procedure and stuck myself in the hand one or twice?

Try not to do that!

Yeah, that needle appears to be incredibly sharp!
So I gave him another treatment today, by myself. Kitty doesn't seem to mind at all. It didn't phase him.
Maybe he's just too sick to care?
I don't yet see any real improvement, and he still seems weak and listless. But it's only Day 2.
He likes the special canned food, and is peeing and pooping on schedule. I guess we'll take it one day at a time.

 

[Missy]

Yeah, that needle appears to be incredibly sharp!
So I gave him another treatment today, by myself. Kitty doesn't seem to mind at all. It didn't phase him.
Maybe he's just too sick to care?
I don't yet see any real improvement, and he still seems weak and listless. But it's only Day 2.
He likes the special canned food, and is peeing and pooping on schedule. I guess we'll take it one day at a time.

Stracci, it's very good that he is peeing and pooping on schedule and eating. All very good signs. I agree that taking it one day at a time is the best approach. He will probably have good days and bad days (like we all would have dealing with a chronic illness). You are such a good and loving mommy and Phrix is a lucky kitty to have you taking such excellent care of him. Sending buckets and buckets of healing dust his way and hoping he starts feeling much better very soon. (((Hugs))).

 

[stracci2000]

Stracci, it's very good that he is peeing and pooping on schedule and eating. All very good signs. I agree that taking it one day at a time is the best approach. He will probably have good days and bad days (like we all would have dealing with a chronic illness). You are such a good and loving mommy and Phrix is a lucky kitty to have you taking such excellent care of him. Sending buckets and buckets of healing dust his way and hoping he starts feeling much better very soon. (((Hugs))).

Thanks Missy. I am doing everything the vet suggested, and giving him lots of love and attention. It's all I can do right now. I love him so much. We have been best buddies for 15 years!

 

[CJ2008]

I'm so glad that giving him the fluids turned out to be much less stressful than you were expecting. It's bad enough that he's sick and when they fight you and hate you it's so heartbreaking.

And the fact that he's pooping, peeing, and eating and doesn't hate the food is huge.

So glad to hear. Hope the fluids do him good and make him feel better.

 

[stracci2000]

I'm so glad that giving him the fluids turned out to be much less stressful than you were expecting. It's bad enough that he's sick and when they fight you and hate you it's so heartbreaking.

And the fact that he's pooping, peeing, and eating and doesn't hate the food is huge.

So glad to hear. Hope the fluids do him good and make him feel better.

Thanks, CJ2008. I wasn't surprised that he likes the food, Hills Diet Kidney Care.
He's never been a picky eater. I do pour a bit of seafood stock over the top, which I think enhances it, and he seems to like it alot.

 

[YadaYadaYada]

Our Murphy certainly had good days and bad days and you never knew which one is was going to be but maybe after a few days of getting the fluids he will feel better and pep up. Illness is really hard on cats, dogs have a higher tolerance for stress the vet told me.

I keep him and you in my thoughts!

 

[stracci2000]

I am very sad to report that I had to say goodbye to my precious baby Phrix.
He was just so sick. The treatments didn't make a difference. He could barely walk, and when he did he would stagger. I was helping him to the litter box, and holding the food dish up to his mouth.
The look in his eyes the last few days was heartbreaking.
I did everything I could for him. It was the hardest decision I ever had to make.
He took a piece of my heart with him.
We lovingly buried him under the rose bush next to our other cat who passed 5 years ago.

 

[Missy]

I am so so sorry @stracci2000.
You did everything you could and gave Phrix a wonderful life. Gentle (((hugs))). Keeping you and your family in my thoughts.
I am so sorry.
RIP Phrix.

 

[stracci2000]

I am so so sorry @stracci2000.
You did everything you could and gave Phrix a wonderful life. Gentle (((hugs))). Keeping you and your family in my thoughts.
I am so sorry.
RIP Phrix.

Thanks Missy.
We all love our pets so much, and losing them is so awful.
It seems like he'd been with us forever. I'm gonna miss him hard.

 

[junebug17]

Oh stracci, I am just so very sorry. What a beautiful boy. You took wonderful care of Phrix and did all you could. Sending you lots of comfort, support, and hugs, I know this is very painful for you.

 

[stracci2000]

Oh stracci, I am just so very sorry. What a beautiful boy. You took wonderful care of Phrix and did all you could. Sending you lots of comfort, support, and hugs, I know this is very painful for you.

Thanks Junebug. He used to sleep on my chest or my head. Sometimes he would make me hot or uncomfortable, but I always let him do it, knowing that one day he would be gone.

 

[Missy]

Stracci, the pain you are feeling is deep and I know hard it is losing your sweet Phrix. I just wanted to come back and share this poem with you. You did such a brave kind thing letting Phrix go. You put your love for him above your own need and desire to keep him and that is the bravest kindest thing anyone could do for anyone. (((HUGS))).

 

[stracci2000]

Stracci, the pain you are feeling is deep and I know hard it is losing your sweet Phrix. I just wanted to come back and share this poem with you. You did such a brave kind thing letting Phrix go. You put your love for him above your own need and desire to keep him and that is the bravest kindest thing anyone could do for anyone. (((HUGS))).

Missy,
I did want to keep him, but I was being selfish.
I have to keep reminding myself that he was miserable, and not going to get better.
Thanks for the beautiful poem. It made me feel better.

 

[YadaYadaYada]

Oh so sorry about your kitty. He had a great home, I'm sure he knew that and one of the most important things we do as pet parents is knowing when it's time. My thoughts are with you. Big hugs!

 

[stracci2000]

Oh so sorry about your kitty. He had a great home, I'm sure he knew that and one of the most important things we do as pet parents is knowing when it's time. My thoughts are with you. Big hugs!

Thanks Stephanie. And you just went through this same thing! He was my special boy, and I can't believe he's gone.

 

[cmd2014]

I’m so sorry. I know how heartbreaking this is. You did everything you could, and he was so lucky to have been so loved. I know how much you will miss him.