Not good news...Calley staying at ER clinic

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Kris10mo

Kris10mo

Member Since 2014
Ok, so once I saw her staggering in circles, head tilted to one side and her falling/rolling over and not moving for a bit, I knew there was something wrong. Called the ER vet and they said since this was an ongoing situation, they would not charge me the ER fee and to get her in there ASAP. I left at 11:30pm

Vet looked at her and took BP...it was down to 70. Was 240 just 18 hours ago. Blood sugar was 305...same as when I took it at 8pm.

Vet is unsure if the neurologic situation is result of the HBP meds or a brain issue(maybe why I could not get her BG regulated?

So they kept her. Will give her fluids since she hasn't eaten/drank in 48 hours. They said if the fluids perk her up and she regains her abilities, then they know the meds were the reason for everything. If the fluids do not improve the situation, then they know it is a brain/neuro issue and more testing will be needed.

Well the bill for just one overnight of fluids and a few more BP checks came to $450. I hate to say this, but if she is blind and is going to have permanent neuro issues, I will probably have her put down. Blindness she can overcome, but blindness, diabetes, HBP and brain issues???.......nah..don't think I'm going to put her through all of that. Not fair. I had to sign a form saying not to resuscitate her if she goes into cardiac arrest.

I left her in the small ER cage....lying in a ball on a blanket....body twitching, eyes glued shut, not responding to my voice or touch. If she wakes and is responsive then I will be very surprised.

I can't help but be pissed off. Sorry for swearing....but god damnit. She was happy, eating, drinking, using the box ......before she started the HBP meds. But maybe there was more going on and all the symptoms hadn't shown themselves yet? Don't know....not sure i'll ever know.

Just stressed. And if I have to tell my 8yr old little girl that HER kitty has to go to Heaven.....she will be crushed. It's been a yell of a year since Calley's diabetes diagnosis....in Dec 2013.

Going to bed. I have to try to rest before I have a stroke from all of this stress. :(

Will update you all when I hear from the vet in the AM.

Hugs to all us kitty lovers.
 
{{{Kristin}}}

I'm glad you took her in. I will be praying that she perks up and you get to bring her home again to your little girl. Sometimes life just isn't fair. Sending lots of healing vines and hugs. :bighug::bighug::bighug:
 
That just sucks Kristin! These furry balls of love just break our hearts.

Thinking of you and Calley tonight with love and light, xxx.
 
big hugs to you and your daughter! I hope the fluids will perk Calley, sending vines and snowflakes for a speedy recovery.
 
So sorry that you guys are going through this :bighug: I have been watching Calley's story, keeping my fingers crossed that it's the BP meds causing the problems and you'll get good news tomorrow :bighug:
 
Prayers for Calley, that she will feel better with the fluids and make a speedy recovery.
(((Kristen)))
 
Sending tons of healing vines, and positive thoughts your way. Wishing for Calley to make a full and speedy recovery. Please keep us posted.

FWIW, Blackie has neuropathy. She walks around in circles at times, and walks around the house a lot of the time. I'm making her as comfortable as humanly possible until she tells me its time. In the meantime, she still eats, drinks, poops and pees. I think the neuropathy has affected her up/down head movement so I sit on the floor and help her to eat/drink. Unfortunately, I think neuropathy is part of the diabetes, and presents itself over time. It's not something we like to see in our kitties, I know.

Sending you tons of :bighug: .
 
Praying for you! When I took Cedric to a specialty vet in 2013 I signed a do not resusitate order too. they gave him a 50/50 chance and while he improved, he then took a dive and passed away. He, like Midora before him, took the decision out of my hands. He went DKA earlier in the year (in July, he died in Oct) and wasn't inproving - turns out he had acute necratizing pancreatitis - at least that is what they believe since I did not order an autopsy.

I hope she improves but if she doesn't, I hope she makes that decision for you. Hugs!
 
Kristin. I am so sorry you and your family are going through all of this. Sorry for Calley too... I will hope the best for her. paws crossed big time. Be well little one. Hugs to you Kristin.
 
((((Kristin))) )

I hate leaving my kitties at the vet. I hope it was just the meds and that she'll be able to sleep it off. The fluids should help her feel better too. I hope things are looking brighter this morning.
 
(((((Kristin))))

Sending many, many prayers for your beautiful girl that she will have a full recovery.

For what it's worth, dehydration can really drop the BP. Here's hoping that once she is rehydrated, the BP will come up and she will perk up.
 
Hi all. Thanks for all the well wishes and hugs. I can use them for sure. Vet called at 9am. Not sure how to interpret this....but her head tilt is gone and vet says that the saucer eyes have gotten smaller a bit and that they are more receptive to light. All good. HOWEVER, she is not moving, getting up, or using the box. Her third eyelid on left eye is closed. Her BP is back up from 70 last night to 156 the last time they took it when they called. They are going to hydrate all day and hope to see her get up and be able to use her legs etc. Doctor is thinking brain tumor possibly?? Can't afford MRI but might try the blood test for the Acromagely(sp)....if it isn't too expensive. I'm thinking the HBP meds gave Calley a stroke/seizure and I just didnt' see it happening.

Vet said Calley was just lying in her cage....swishing her tail, head up, and eyes opening upon stimulation. Not much else happening. :(

Vet and I are waiting to see if she regains some neurologic function. If she can walk around and starts eating/drinking/using box on her own....I'll bring her home. If the prognosis for that is slim.....then I will not put her and my children through anymore pet stress.

Did I cause this by reducing the BP meds last night?

Will update when I know more.
 
I don't have any first-hand experience with this sort of thing, but it all sounds very complicated and there probably is no way to pinpoint any one possible cause. YOU have done an amazing job caring for her, so don't even think about pointing any fingers are yourself, OK?

I had one thought...since it seems all of this started when Calley began the BP meds, and her meds are a compounded liquid - I wonder if the pharmacy made a mistake in the concentration and made it too strong. I don't know if there is a way to test for that or not, but it may be something worth mentioning to the ER vet.

It does sound like she is ralllying, and that is good. If she did have a stroke, sometimes they can recover well enough to still have a good quality of life. If your able to visit, it may help lift her spirits. Does she have a shirt of yours and your daughter's in her cage, so it smells like home? If not, taking one to her may also help.

I don't know if the acro test will really help with this sort of situation, but there are others here who are much better versed in acro than I am.

Continuing to send endless prayers your way...
 
More positive thoughts and prayers for you and Calley and your family.

Just wanted to add that there was a kitty on the PZI board when Eddie was on ProZinc that had a minor stroke that did recover quite well afterwards, so if that's what's happened, hopefully, she'll experience no long term effects.
 
Oh Kristin:bighug::bighug::bighug::bighug::bighug: if her BP was so very low when you took her in I doubt that reducing the BP meds could have been the cause. Sending tons of healing vines for Calley, I do hope you can visit and she will respond to you. We will all be thinking of you today.
 
Please be gentle with yourself. We have all witnessed you doing an incredible job caring for Calley over the past few days. She is so lucky to have you, and we know that any decisions you make going forward are made out of love for her. I am still hopeful that your girl is turning the corner and will improve over the day.
 
I don't think the tests for acro will tell you anything. What the test assesses is the level of growth hormone. It's a very specific form of tumor.

Even if this is a stroke, and no one can say that for certain, lots of people regain a great deal of function after a stroke. Do not underestimate Calley. A lot will depend on how much she's willing to fight.

I would suggest getting a smelly t-shirt or socks -- anything that smells like you, and bringing it to the clinic if she's going to be there for at least another day. Your scent will help to calm her. She's someplace unfamiliar with lots of unfamiliar noises and she can't see. She's got to be frightened so something that IS familiar will help.
 
Just talked to the vet. Calley hasn't gotten any better with going on 18 hours of fluids. Her BP is going back up rapidly and she is not responding to the doctor. She is not moving and is not able to stand. The only thing is that her third eyelid has retracted.

Doctor says that since Calley has not responded so far she does not expect improvement. She thinks it is a brain issue that caused the HBP, and the HBP caused the blindness.

Yes, she said I could bring her home for hospice/to see if she improves over time....but I don't have the time or resources to provide hospice care at home and I certainly can not afford to leave her at the ER to see if she improves.

Vet said she is not responding to her voice. Yes, I will go over there and see if I get any response out of her. But I have until 6pm to go and say goodbye/bring her home before more charges to into place.

What an impossible place to be in. :(
 
Oh my, we are so very sorry to read this. You are so right, it is an impossible place to be in. We wish we could be there personally when you go to the vet, but know we are over your shoulder in spirit holding you close. You know you kitty best and love your Calley best and whatever you decide, is the right decision.
Anne
 
You have done a wonderful job of caring for Calley and she is lucky to have you. Whatever happens and whatever you decide to do, it will be the right decision. My thoughts and prayers are with you and Calley.

Will
 
(((Kristin))) I hope Calley gives you a sign when you visit. :bighug::bighug::bighug:

I agree with Sienne, the test for acromegaly isn't worth it at this point. Neko has acromegaly, it's a benign tumor, but has side effects from excess growth hormone produced. In addition, the tumor is on the pituitary and when it gets really large it can have some neurological effects, including eyes, but it's not something that happens suddenly. I figure Neko's been acro at least 3.5 years. Usually the first symptoms with eyes are sensitivity to light or pupils always being big and not being able to go down slits.
 
I wish I had a crystal ball. I'm sitting here trying to figure out how to tell my daughter. I got Calley six months before she was born. Calley has slept with her all of her almost 9 years. Even in the crib no matter what I did to keep her out of it. Sigh.
 
Oh Kristin, what an impossible position to be in. I am so sorry! Whatever you decide, your love for Calley is so evident. I hope you find peace with whatever decision you make. I can't imagine the conversation with your daughter. You are all in my prayers tonight.

~Suzanne
 
It will be hard to talk with your daughter about this. And she will learn that the most humane thing you can do for a suffering or non-recovering beloved companion is to help them across the bridge with love and compassion, as peacefully as possible.
{{hugs}}
 
I'm sorry you're in this position, Kristin. It's obvious that whatever decision you make, you are making it with Calley's best interest in your heart. You'll do the right thing.
 
When I've been in a position to make this decision, I had to trust in my cat. I had to listen closely to what he was telling me. Cats know. As heartbreaking as it can be, it is up to us to listen. Whatever you decide, it will be what is right and kind for Calley.
 
Many many prayers for you, your daughter, and Calley. She will tell you what she wants. Just open your heart and listen. Remember kids are much more resilient than we think.
 
((((((((((Kristin)))))))))It is always hard to make these decisions, doubly so for you since you need to explain it to your daughter as well. I don't know if it would be easier for her to get a chance to say good bye to Calley? It might give her closure.
 
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(((kristin))))

i have no doubts that you love her completely and your choice will be the right one. i'm so sorry you're going through this. sending you a giant hug :bighug:
 
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