8/24 - Alice (OTJ): AMBG 54: PMBG 58

[Geneva]

The vet called about John a few minutes ago. They've been giving him the subcutaneous fluid injections since he couldn't tolerate the IV. He did eat a little bit this morning. Now I feel guilty that I might have caused this crash by feeding him the Friskies pate for the last two months. All their flavors are high in phosphorous which can speed up the progression of kidney disease. I know I didn't cause him to have KD, that was 6 years on dry food, but I'm afraid the Friskies has accelerated it. :sad:

And I'm also worried that Alice may have kidney disease too. She lived on dry food twice as long as John and I've noticed that even with low BG numbers, she still drinks what I consider to be a lot of water. Consequently, she still pees a lot too. I just ignorantly thought, "Oh, my! Alice sure does love water!" ohmygod_smile

I need to take Alice to the vet, but I'm spending over $400 this weekend on John and, sadly, I just can't afford it right now. Most of the low phosphorous cat foods are expensive too. And/or high in carbs. And that's just the store-bought kind. I know the vet is going to want me to buy John some prescription kidney food. Wonder how much that is gonna be? :?

These have been the longest two months of my life!

 

[LindaMS]

Re: 8/24 - Alice (OTJ): AMBG 54

I know EXACTLY how you feel. After Sylvester passed away from "sudden onset kidney failure", I came to realize it was not so sudden after all. There were lots of signs, I just was unaware. i refuse to indulge in feeling any guilt about that though, because you only know what you know when you know it. We loved him, we did our best for him and he knew that. But I do wonder sometimes if my ignorance was a blessing... we enjoyed him for 16 years, and had I seen the start of it all (it was at least 2 years, I think) then those last years might have been filled with worry and interventions that would not have changed the outcome.

Between he and Sammy, I have spent over $2000.00 in vet bills in the last 9 months. And with Sammy sick now, it appears I am not done yet. I HATE to even put this in writing, but there will come a point with her where I will have to be realistic about spending too much money. I am not saying I am there yet, its early days with this current crisis, but I will have to face it one day.

As far as I know, none of us here are independently wealthy, so we are all in the same boat. Hugs.

 

[tibbs5]

Re: 8/24 - Alice (OTJ): AMBG 54

i know what you mean folks. It just costs so much sometimes it becomes impossible.
I hope so much that both John and Sammy get better but you have to remember you are doing the best that you possibly can. You didn't cause anything. We can only go with what we know at the time. it's impossible to fore see every problem and correct it before it happens. I had several kitty's live until almost 20 years old on dry food so it is just one of those things that happens with some of them. I am praying that both of your kittys get well and you just have to let go and do the best that you can. That's all any of us can do. You take fantastic care of your babies. They are very lucky to have you to care for them.
Lots of hugs :YMHUG: :YMHUG: :YMHUG: :YMHUG:

 

[Geneva]

Re: 8/24 - Alice (OTJ): AMBG 54

Linda and Nadine - Thank you SO much for understanding. It's hard to watch a kitty you love suffer, but it's also painfully true that those "interventions that would not have changed the outcome" are expensive. And when you have other cats to tend to, other mouths to feed, including your human family, at what point do you say, I can't do this anymore? I love John, I've known him since he was a kitten even though he's only been "mine" for two months. He's only 6 years old, but this is terminal and already in an advanced stage. He will die from this. And, like you, Linda, I hate to put this in writing, but how much can I realistically pay for the heroic measures it would take to give him possibly a few more months? I wish my husband was not out of town. I'm letting the emotional side of all this overwhelm me.

Linda - I'll be thinking good thoughts for sweet Sammy as she battles pancreatitis. It's hard, so hard to watch them hurt. :sad:

Nadine - thank you for your kind words. You made me cry, but it's a good cry. :cry: I hope to get caught up this week (I've said that for a month now). I haven't even had a chance to see how anybody else is doing. Hugs for you and tibbsy. :YMHUG:

 

[tibbs5]

Geneva
sometimes "heroic measures" are not always the right thing to do. i know from experience that there comes a time when, even tho you will miss them terribly, you need to let them rest & have peace. it's never easy but u know when it is the right thing to do. there's a beautiful place in the next step in their journey & sometimes we have to put aside what we want & allow them to continue on their journey. what ever happens, what ever you decide: trust yourself to know it is the right decision. from reading everything all of you have written, it is obvious that you are wonderful, caring people & you will do what is best for your kittys. lots & lots of hugs.

 

[Skunky's Mom]

I'm so sorry you're going through this.
But I don't think Friskies pates are particularly high in phosphorous, not from the lists I've seen. I don't know what is "low" but some of the friskies are significantly lower than fancy feast, for example.
I'm trying to stick to the lower phosphorous ones myself. But there must be something about phospherous that is yummy b/c my cat is not a fan of what I've been buying her. Which is OK with me she eats too much anyway.