Mara and Mitzi
Member Since 2014
Alright, so sorry I dropped off the Earth but the vet I saw last week had me believing that Mitzi was on her death bed and had days, if that. So I didn't sleep for 3 days straight as I stared at her and bawled my eyes out. Anyways, I'm going to update you all by days cos it seems like it might be easier that way. And I want to personally thank you all for your love, thoughts, prayers, kindness, and help through this all. I've been on Facebook some and Donna and Marje have both told me about everyone wondering about my baby and that I'm thankful for. You have no idea.
So as you all know, last Thursday (2/27) I took Mitzi to the vet for acting weird, etc. Her appt was at 250pm and I didn't end up getting home till after 8pm. I received nothing but bad news. I went in there with a list to have her checked for a uti, acromegaly, iaa, cushing's, etc and they wouldn't do any of it because she's old and not gonna recover anyways so it wouldn't matter. Remember, these are NOT my words. The vet came in and I asked if she had ketones in her pee and she said no and I was smiling ear to ear cos that made me happy. But, that turned to tears in seconds as she told me Mitzi is in grave danger and needs to be hospitalized immediately to even have a chance. She needed to stay there till Monday and be on IV fluids, antibiotics, etc and I obviously agreed to it cos she's my world. My life. And being diagnosed with stage 4 kidney failure, pancreatitis, a heart murmur (unidentified), anemia (non-regenerative), hypercalcemia, leukocytosis, gingivitis, and dental calculi I had no choice but to admit her. Obviously. Especially with her diabetes being OUT OF CONTROL to top it all off. And with her about to turn 17 this May, she needs all the help she can get cos her age doesn't help matters either. I admitted her, but only after laying down a minimum payment of $800 for her to even be seen/treated. Wasn't thrilled about that cos I'm a jobless full-time college student and now my bank account is drained and I have nothing. I'm not complaining cos I'd literally sell my organs on the black market for Mitzi I'm just saying my luck is **** and this would all happen to me. Just not fair. Not even a little bit.
Friday:
Didn't sleep. Been up since Wednesday. Went to school only cos I didn't want to bawl all day in my bed alone and being around friends/classmates would make things a little easier I thought. Ended up leaving my 2nd class towards the end cos I couldn't focus on anything and was just staring at my phone. Headed to my car and called the vet as soon as I got in it. Autumn, the vet, told me that Mitzi wasn't making any progress and that she needed to be put down. Water works immediately. You can only imagine. I told them not to touch her and that I'd be there within an hour or so to pick her up cos "I wanted to spend one more night with her." I had no intentions on putting her down cos I knew/know it's not her time and I just told them that so they wouldn't do anything. I'm sure they wouldn't do anything but I'm not very trusting so I was trying to be on the safe side. You never know, honestly. Better safe than sorry. I had my friend Tiffiny pick me up from my house to drive me across town to the vet cos I was in no state to drive myself. When we got there they took Tiff and I to a room and then brought me Mitzi. Autumn, the vet told me she needed to be put out of her misery because she was suffering and with her age, there would be no recovery or progress made. When I asked her how she knew Mitzi was in stage 4 kidney failure, she legit looked at me and told me, "Well, I spose I went to school to be a vet for 8 years and I think I'd know." I've never been SO PISSED OFF in my whole entire life. Tiff and I looked at each other and couldn't even believe what we just heard. Aren't vets spose to be empathetic when someone is receiving HORRIBLE news and is bawling their eyes out all while holding their baby?! My normal self would've said something smart to that but the ***** wasn't worth my time so **** her. I also asked her a bunch of questions like if she could please give Mitzi an xray to check for cancer masses or to see if she had heart failure too cos her wbc is/was sky high. She told me there was no point and that she'd be seeing me tomorrow to put Mitzi down. Tiff and I then left pissed off, sad, broken, shocked and so much more. I had no intentions on bringing her back Saturday to put her down. I was actually still irate that they wouldn't keep her the whole weekend with IV fluids and antibiotics cos no ****ing **** most patients aren't going to make progress in one night. Why the hell couldn't she stay all weekend?! I'm the one paying for it so why can't she stay there?! They just said there was no point. Assholes. Tiff and I then got home with Mitzi and put her down on the floor and guess what...she went right to her water fountain and was banging her head on it, which she always does when she's happy, and then drank some water and headed to her favorite spot in the bathroom to take a nap. I brought her food to which she gobbled up, which kinda surprised me considering the vets told me she wasn't eating. Maybe they didn't even feed her?! Wouldn't put it past them when they gave up on her so fast. Anyways, Mitzi was headed to the bathroom and guess what was on her leg...a ****ing catheter. THEY DIDN'T TAKE IT OUT SO I COULD BRING HER IN SATURDAY AND PUT HER DOWN. IT'D BE EASIER FOR THEM NOT TO HAVE TO FIND A VEIN AGAIN. Can you even believe it?! I had called them to ask about it and that's what they said to me. ****ing bastards. Makes me sick. The night went on with me bawling and not wanting to leave Mitzi's side. Still couldn't sleep a minute. Who could?!
Saturday:
Bring Mitzi to the vet and tell them I'm NOT putting her down and that I want pain meds, antibiotics, and sub q fluids to administer to her myself. They agreed as they were gonna or my vet back home was gonna give me everything I wanted cos she actually cares about Mitzi, not money. Plus, I'm a demanding person and they really would've been sorry to not give me what I wanted...not even kidding. Anyways, they took her catheter out, gave me buprenorphine for pain, baytril, and sub q fluids. Was told to give her 300 ml of fluids twice a day. So I did as was told. Called my vet back in my home town once Mitzi and I were back home and comfortable and my vet couldn't believe how they treated me and Mitzi. She wasn't thrilled to say the least. And she said I made the right decision cos from the sounds of it Mitzi was doing alright and not ready. She said I'd know cos I'd be able to see it in her eyes when it's time and I agree with that. Mitzi is bright, alert and responsive...all of which was written on Mitzi's paperwork so why the **** would they put a bright, alert, and responsive cat down is what I wanna know?! Just cause her numbers are bad? Makes a lot of sense. NOT. Vet Autumn wasn't happy when I asked her if she'd put her gramma down if her gramma had all this. She said it wasn't the same...is to me. Mitzi continued to eat throughout the night, go potty and seemed well.
Sunday:
Mitzi wouldn't eat breakfast but after I force fed her she wanted food. I spose because the pain meds were making her have an upset tummy and who wants to eat when they feel sick?! She started having explosive diarrhea but the vet told me not to worry cos Mitzi only eats wet food, and with all this going on her poop is bound to be runny.
Present: (Today)
Mitzi's still having explosive diarrhea but I talked to a new vet (Emily) today and she said not to worry too much cos Mitzi isn't getting solid food and all this medicine can make that happen too. I asked her a million questions and she answered them very kindly. I told her I was worried about Mitzi having fluid build up/retention cos last night she started breathing with her mouth open when we were cuddling and she was purring like a freight train. Emily said to keep an eye out and if it happens again to call and that we could prolly do an xray or see if she has fluid build up that needed to be removed. I told her I was concerned she was getting 300 ml (150 ml at a time) twice a day and she couldn't believe how much she was getting and said to drop it to 200 ml (100 ml at a time) twice a day since Mitzi was so dehydrated and anemic. She said to keep an eye out for her breathing and we'll start with that to see how it works. I'm still not sure I want to give her that much as she has a heat murmur and had stressed breathing so I was thinking about 75 ml twice a day?! Many of the crf people on facebook told me to lower it as well and couldn't believe how much Mitzi was getting cos it would make a heart problem worse. So I think I'm going to lower it to 75 just to be safe...idk?! Mitzi is eating well and going potty well. I mix her food with baby rice cereal and quite a bit of water and that helps a little with loose stool. Been doin it for years and the vet Emily said it was ok to do and that it's help so I'm gonna stick to doing that. Mitzi is actually gonna get a bath here pretty soon. She hasn't groomed herself since her diabetes diagnosis almost 2 years ago so her cleanliness is up to me. LOL. And her butt is stinky right now from the diarrhea so it needs to be done. Mitzi just sits in the tub and doesn't care so it lasts 5-10 minutes tops. And I'm only washing the bottom half of her so it will be quicker than normal. And don't worry, she sits there and lets me blow dry her so she won't get cold or sick from it. She's legit the most tolerant babe you'll ever come across. Ask anyone.
So, what do you all think? About everything? Marje and I talked a bit today and we both think she's in stage 3 kidney failure with her numbers and not 4.
Also, Mitzi's insulin dosage was lowered to 5 units twice a day (it was 7 twice a day) but her numbers are still high so I made it 5.5 twice a day cos 5 was doing nothing. I will check her numbers tonight. Haven't been keeping up with the SS the last week or so cos of everything going on and they told me to focus on the worse stuff first...obviously.
I also have Mitzi on turkey and giblets pate special diet cos Donna told me it was the best for her cos it's low in phosphorous and carbs which is important for her kidneys and diabetes. The vets wanted me to feed her royal canin renal diet but that stuff is SO high in carbs that it wouldn't be helping the diabetes, which needs to be controlled better, too.
I think this is all I've got for now. Sorry I wrote a novel. I'll be better about posting on here cos I know that you all care and want to know what's going on so you can help me. I appreciate that, too! So thanks again!
And please, give me any and all advice that you have. I take it all in. Every last bit of it.
Much love.
So as you all know, last Thursday (2/27) I took Mitzi to the vet for acting weird, etc. Her appt was at 250pm and I didn't end up getting home till after 8pm. I received nothing but bad news. I went in there with a list to have her checked for a uti, acromegaly, iaa, cushing's, etc and they wouldn't do any of it because she's old and not gonna recover anyways so it wouldn't matter. Remember, these are NOT my words. The vet came in and I asked if she had ketones in her pee and she said no and I was smiling ear to ear cos that made me happy. But, that turned to tears in seconds as she told me Mitzi is in grave danger and needs to be hospitalized immediately to even have a chance. She needed to stay there till Monday and be on IV fluids, antibiotics, etc and I obviously agreed to it cos she's my world. My life. And being diagnosed with stage 4 kidney failure, pancreatitis, a heart murmur (unidentified), anemia (non-regenerative), hypercalcemia, leukocytosis, gingivitis, and dental calculi I had no choice but to admit her. Obviously. Especially with her diabetes being OUT OF CONTROL to top it all off. And with her about to turn 17 this May, she needs all the help she can get cos her age doesn't help matters either. I admitted her, but only after laying down a minimum payment of $800 for her to even be seen/treated. Wasn't thrilled about that cos I'm a jobless full-time college student and now my bank account is drained and I have nothing. I'm not complaining cos I'd literally sell my organs on the black market for Mitzi I'm just saying my luck is **** and this would all happen to me. Just not fair. Not even a little bit.
Friday:
Didn't sleep. Been up since Wednesday. Went to school only cos I didn't want to bawl all day in my bed alone and being around friends/classmates would make things a little easier I thought. Ended up leaving my 2nd class towards the end cos I couldn't focus on anything and was just staring at my phone. Headed to my car and called the vet as soon as I got in it. Autumn, the vet, told me that Mitzi wasn't making any progress and that she needed to be put down. Water works immediately. You can only imagine. I told them not to touch her and that I'd be there within an hour or so to pick her up cos "I wanted to spend one more night with her." I had no intentions on putting her down cos I knew/know it's not her time and I just told them that so they wouldn't do anything. I'm sure they wouldn't do anything but I'm not very trusting so I was trying to be on the safe side. You never know, honestly. Better safe than sorry. I had my friend Tiffiny pick me up from my house to drive me across town to the vet cos I was in no state to drive myself. When we got there they took Tiff and I to a room and then brought me Mitzi. Autumn, the vet told me she needed to be put out of her misery because she was suffering and with her age, there would be no recovery or progress made. When I asked her how she knew Mitzi was in stage 4 kidney failure, she legit looked at me and told me, "Well, I spose I went to school to be a vet for 8 years and I think I'd know." I've never been SO PISSED OFF in my whole entire life. Tiff and I looked at each other and couldn't even believe what we just heard. Aren't vets spose to be empathetic when someone is receiving HORRIBLE news and is bawling their eyes out all while holding their baby?! My normal self would've said something smart to that but the ***** wasn't worth my time so **** her. I also asked her a bunch of questions like if she could please give Mitzi an xray to check for cancer masses or to see if she had heart failure too cos her wbc is/was sky high. She told me there was no point and that she'd be seeing me tomorrow to put Mitzi down. Tiff and I then left pissed off, sad, broken, shocked and so much more. I had no intentions on bringing her back Saturday to put her down. I was actually still irate that they wouldn't keep her the whole weekend with IV fluids and antibiotics cos no ****ing **** most patients aren't going to make progress in one night. Why the hell couldn't she stay all weekend?! I'm the one paying for it so why can't she stay there?! They just said there was no point. Assholes. Tiff and I then got home with Mitzi and put her down on the floor and guess what...she went right to her water fountain and was banging her head on it, which she always does when she's happy, and then drank some water and headed to her favorite spot in the bathroom to take a nap. I brought her food to which she gobbled up, which kinda surprised me considering the vets told me she wasn't eating. Maybe they didn't even feed her?! Wouldn't put it past them when they gave up on her so fast. Anyways, Mitzi was headed to the bathroom and guess what was on her leg...a ****ing catheter. THEY DIDN'T TAKE IT OUT SO I COULD BRING HER IN SATURDAY AND PUT HER DOWN. IT'D BE EASIER FOR THEM NOT TO HAVE TO FIND A VEIN AGAIN. Can you even believe it?! I had called them to ask about it and that's what they said to me. ****ing bastards. Makes me sick. The night went on with me bawling and not wanting to leave Mitzi's side. Still couldn't sleep a minute. Who could?!
Saturday:
Bring Mitzi to the vet and tell them I'm NOT putting her down and that I want pain meds, antibiotics, and sub q fluids to administer to her myself. They agreed as they were gonna or my vet back home was gonna give me everything I wanted cos she actually cares about Mitzi, not money. Plus, I'm a demanding person and they really would've been sorry to not give me what I wanted...not even kidding. Anyways, they took her catheter out, gave me buprenorphine for pain, baytril, and sub q fluids. Was told to give her 300 ml of fluids twice a day. So I did as was told. Called my vet back in my home town once Mitzi and I were back home and comfortable and my vet couldn't believe how they treated me and Mitzi. She wasn't thrilled to say the least. And she said I made the right decision cos from the sounds of it Mitzi was doing alright and not ready. She said I'd know cos I'd be able to see it in her eyes when it's time and I agree with that. Mitzi is bright, alert and responsive...all of which was written on Mitzi's paperwork so why the **** would they put a bright, alert, and responsive cat down is what I wanna know?! Just cause her numbers are bad? Makes a lot of sense. NOT. Vet Autumn wasn't happy when I asked her if she'd put her gramma down if her gramma had all this. She said it wasn't the same...is to me. Mitzi continued to eat throughout the night, go potty and seemed well.
Sunday:
Mitzi wouldn't eat breakfast but after I force fed her she wanted food. I spose because the pain meds were making her have an upset tummy and who wants to eat when they feel sick?! She started having explosive diarrhea but the vet told me not to worry cos Mitzi only eats wet food, and with all this going on her poop is bound to be runny.
Present: (Today)
Mitzi's still having explosive diarrhea but I talked to a new vet (Emily) today and she said not to worry too much cos Mitzi isn't getting solid food and all this medicine can make that happen too. I asked her a million questions and she answered them very kindly. I told her I was worried about Mitzi having fluid build up/retention cos last night she started breathing with her mouth open when we were cuddling and she was purring like a freight train. Emily said to keep an eye out and if it happens again to call and that we could prolly do an xray or see if she has fluid build up that needed to be removed. I told her I was concerned she was getting 300 ml (150 ml at a time) twice a day and she couldn't believe how much she was getting and said to drop it to 200 ml (100 ml at a time) twice a day since Mitzi was so dehydrated and anemic. She said to keep an eye out for her breathing and we'll start with that to see how it works. I'm still not sure I want to give her that much as she has a heat murmur and had stressed breathing so I was thinking about 75 ml twice a day?! Many of the crf people on facebook told me to lower it as well and couldn't believe how much Mitzi was getting cos it would make a heart problem worse. So I think I'm going to lower it to 75 just to be safe...idk?! Mitzi is eating well and going potty well. I mix her food with baby rice cereal and quite a bit of water and that helps a little with loose stool. Been doin it for years and the vet Emily said it was ok to do and that it's help so I'm gonna stick to doing that. Mitzi is actually gonna get a bath here pretty soon. She hasn't groomed herself since her diabetes diagnosis almost 2 years ago so her cleanliness is up to me. LOL. And her butt is stinky right now from the diarrhea so it needs to be done. Mitzi just sits in the tub and doesn't care so it lasts 5-10 minutes tops. And I'm only washing the bottom half of her so it will be quicker than normal. And don't worry, she sits there and lets me blow dry her so she won't get cold or sick from it. She's legit the most tolerant babe you'll ever come across. Ask anyone.
So, what do you all think? About everything? Marje and I talked a bit today and we both think she's in stage 3 kidney failure with her numbers and not 4.
Also, Mitzi's insulin dosage was lowered to 5 units twice a day (it was 7 twice a day) but her numbers are still high so I made it 5.5 twice a day cos 5 was doing nothing. I will check her numbers tonight. Haven't been keeping up with the SS the last week or so cos of everything going on and they told me to focus on the worse stuff first...obviously.
I also have Mitzi on turkey and giblets pate special diet cos Donna told me it was the best for her cos it's low in phosphorous and carbs which is important for her kidneys and diabetes. The vets wanted me to feed her royal canin renal diet but that stuff is SO high in carbs that it wouldn't be helping the diabetes, which needs to be controlled better, too.
I think this is all I've got for now. Sorry I wrote a novel. I'll be better about posting on here cos I know that you all care and want to know what's going on so you can help me. I appreciate that, too! So thanks again!
And please, give me any and all advice that you have. I take it all in. Every last bit of it.
Much love.
