@Bron and Sheba (GA) @tiffmaxee @Red & Rover (GA) Thank you all so much for your support! It truly means a lot.
We're moving in three weeks, to Peoria IL area.
Diabetes will be figured out. Thanks to all you wonderful people Merlin is looking a lot happier after finally getting on the Lantus. He's acting pretty normal again, putting on weight and playing. Steep learning curve but we'll get there. It feels doable.
My old man (age 15ish) with thyroid issues was originally on meds for several years, but when he started losing weight rapidly and vomiting lots I brought him back in because I thought maybe the dose needed adjusting. They tested him and said he was near zero and to stop the meds entirely for a while. After a month or so I called for advice because he didn't seem normal to me, and they said I could put him back on half dose. That didn't work at all. And he ended up getting maybe a quarter of the dose due to all the vomiting. Took him to the new vet (that Merlin had just seen) and had complete labs done. Besides conjunctivitis and underweight his only issue is thyroid which is extremely high, but at least I know what's going on. He's terribly scrawny, but has actually started playing a tiny bit today so the new meds are working. Yesterday he wouldn't eat despite Cerenia and Mirataz, and I was feeling really hopeless. I feed him a variety of wet food - often - and give additional high calorie gel and also coconut oil at times. But overnight he finished all his food (a full bowl of five different things to keep him interested) and he's hungry again. I keep him crated - at night only - to make sure he actually gets everything to himself. So far this morning he's screaming for food every 15 -20 minutes. And actually eating it. I'm guessing he's making up for lost calories...? He can eat as much as he wants as far as I'm concerned.
My kidney disease boy (also around 15 or so) got really bad really fast, seemingly out of the blue. When I rushed him in Saturday he was vomiting, staggering and just looking like something was neurologically wrong. After complete labs he was diagnosed with late stage kidney disease with severe anemia. He was given 250 ml sub q fluids and a shot of B12 plus Cerenia. I was told that it doesn't always help, and I may need to prepare for some hard decisions. Nevertheless, on Monday we went back in and got supplies and a lesson in proper home infusion technique. They said 200 ml twice a week. I had already found the felinercf site and joined. I had ordered a kidney support powder, and learned about the phosphorus binders. But the vet's office had no idea what I was talking about, so I went home and also ordered Phos-Bind and low phos food for him. Also started him on Slippery Elm which I had on hand. He received some more Cerenia and Mirataz yesterday but remains extremely lethargic. Almost Zombie-like at times. It's horrible to see and I'm having a really hard time with it. Supplies won't arrive until Monday, and this area is underserved when it comes to a lot of things, so I can only get the most common cat food here. Is there anything else I can do for him until then, besides the sub q fluids?
On the food chart
here, I see phosphorus content listed, but I'm unclear on how to figure out the percentage. He's supposed to stay below 0.5% I believe. Can anyone enlighten me? What am I missing?
@Red & Rover (GA) is this what you mean?
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, as fast as I can, and watching the credit cards go off the charts before we even get on the road. I WILL do everything I possibly can, but calling it stressful is an understatement.
