Rosa in the ER - please send vines and any advice you have for me

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manxcat419

manxcat419

Member Since 2015
We had to take Rosa to the ER this afternoon. She had been doing really well - just last night she was chasing bugs around the house. She was fine this morning - ate well, seemed really relaxed and was cuddly as always. This afternoon I went to take her for her walk outdoors and she seemed a little wobbly, but she'd only just woken up to go out so I thought it was that. When I got her outside, she found a sunny place to lay down (she always does that first before we go for our walk) and when she stood up to start walking, she was wobbly again. I called our regular vet and they told me to take her to the ER. The ER said she's dehydrated (even though she's been getting 100 ml of fluids every day at 9.3 lb), her anemia is worse - her PCV was 20% but they said it's more likely to be around 16% in reality because of the dehydration. But the worst thing is her potassium - it's all the way up to 7.8.

They're going to give her 2-3 days of IV fluids to bring the potassium down and they're planning a blood transfusion and for her to start on Aranesp. But they weren't really all that sure about treating at all. They said her potassium is just going to go back up as soon as she's off the IV and that we're maybe buying her 2-3 weeks. We insisted we wanted the treatment - she doesn't think she's done yet, she's nowhere near ready...I can see her love of life still in her eyes. Her BUN and CREA haven't really changed in the last 6 weeks, for the first time since she was diagnosed. So, I need some help - what else can I do? What can I give her or not give her when she gets home to help keep her potassium down for as long as possible? I'm devastated right now - I can't even think straight to do any research myself. If anyone has any ideas at all, please let me hear them.
 
Oh April!! So sorry to hear Rosa isn't doing well!!

I don't have any suggestions for you but I sure will add Rosa to my prayers and send lots of healing white light (and of course lots of good vines)
healing light (Custom).jpg
 
Thank you all so much. I'm really struggling with today - probably going to try for an early night and watch a movie or something. I doubt I'll get much sleep, but I have to try.
 
Very sorry to read this. I don't have any advice for the situation, but I wanted to let you know that I'm keeping you and Rosa in my thoughts and sending vines. :bighug:
 
I am so sorry that both of you are having such a hard time.

On Rover's vet chart, there is listed the maximum subq fluid he can safely be given over the course of the day. Ask your vet to calculate what the maximum amount of subq (Rover's is based on weight) that Rosa can safely be given. If it is more than 100 mls, it would have to be divided into a morning and evening session. If she can tolerate more fluids, it might help with the potassium and other toxins. Kitty dialysis.
 
Thank you all for the well-wishes and vines. I'm waiting for an update from the ER vet on how Rosa is doing today - but in this situation, no news tends to be good news so I'm glad they didn't call me early this morning! @Red do you happen to know how they figured out the maximum safe level of fluids? I've always read that it's 10 ml per lb, but we're already slightly above that and it doesn't seem to be quite enough! I'm also doing a lot of reading on metabolic acidosis, which apparently could be the problem...but apparently most vets don't test or treat for it either. So I have some pushing to do with them today to get them to find out if that's what's causing the problem. I will update when I know more.
 
manxcat419 said:
@Red do you happen to know how they figured out the maximum safe level of fluids? I've always read that it's 10 ml per lb, but we're already slightly above that and it doesn't seem to be quite enough!
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Sorry, I don't know. The vets (it's a clinic) worked out max dosing for subq, pepcid AC, ranitidine, etc. and put it on the top of the chart. Think they got tired of having to run into the back and do the math without me seeing so they could double-check what I was doing. The subq was their figure, not mine. I have a currently 10 pound cat who now gets 2 x 75mls. He was on 100 mls daily until a recent infection. Because of the dehydration caused by feeling awful from the infection, plus drinking a lot (diabetes/CKD), plus kidney numbers higher on his most recent blood panel, I suggested the 2 x 75mls, the vet agreed, checked the chart, and told me the max number of 190ml subq per day.

Hope you get good news when the phone rings.
 
No worries - and thank you for the information. It does sound as though, based on that, there is leeway to exceed the 10 ml per lb by a little more than we have been doing. I'll be sure to question the vet on that today! I'm about to give them a call just to see how she's doing - the waiting is stressful...I'd at least like to know that she's eating OK because if she isn't then I need to go spend the rest of the day with her getting her to eat something!!
 
Sending more :bighug::bighug::bighug::bighug: For you... The not knowing is perhaps the most stressful part in all this and yet one is dreading the knowledge at the same time.... Sending thoughts of good eating your way...
 
I just got off the phone with the IM specialist. Apparently Rosa had her transfusion last night and is on an IV. She's feeling better today too - he politely described her as 'feisty' (otherwise known as 'she's threatening to rip people's hands off'). They still can't pin down why her potassium is so high just yet, though of course it is reducing with the IV. But he was a little more hopeful that we can find and treat the cause than the on-duty vet was yesterday - her kidney values aren't even close to the extreme end stage ones that would usually cause high potassium, her blood work doesn't support the underlying conditions that would usually cause it either. He's going to do an u/s this afternoon to check on the status of her kidney stone in case that's causing it. And he's consulting with a number of other specialists to see if any of them have seen this before and might know how we can help to fix it for her.
 
OH April... I am just seeing this--sending tons of prayers for Rosa and ripping hands off is a good sign:rolleyes:
Maybe with the treatment the potassium will resolve itself?? Maybe??
I don't have answers but I am keeping you and Rosa and of course Regan close in my heart:bighug::bighug::bighug:
 
manxcat419 said:
I just got off the phone with the IM specialist. Apparently Rosa had her transfusion last night and is on an IV. She's feeling better today too - he politely described her as 'feisty' (otherwise known as 'she's threatening to rip people's hands off'). They still can't pin down why her potassium is so high just yet, though of course it is reducing with the IV. But he was a little more hopeful that we can find and treat the cause than the on-duty vet was yesterday - her kidney values aren't even close to the extreme end stage ones that would usually cause high potassium, her blood work doesn't support the underlying conditions that would usually cause it either. He's going to do an u/s this afternoon to check on the status of her kidney stone in case that's causing it. And he's consulting with a number of other specialists to see if any of them have seen this before and might know how we can help to fix it for her.
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"Feisty" seems to be a good sign!!! I hope they can get to the bottom of it all, and I'm so glad to hear she is feeling better! More prayers and vines going out to you and Rosa! :bighug::bighug::bighug::bighug::bighug::bighug::bighug:
 
Thank you Jayla. :bighug:

I'm really hoping we can get this resolved for her. If she's fighting that much, then she's not ready to quit yet. I've just to make sure that I'm fighting in the right direction for her with treatments!! I was so happy when they said she was being difficult today - that proves to me that she's not done with this life yet!
 
Squalliesmom said:
"Feisty" seems to be a good sign!!! I hope they can get to the bottom of it all, and I'm so glad to hear she is feeling better! More prayers and vines going out to you and Rosa!
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It really is. She's fighting - and that means a lot. I just really hope they can find the cause for this so we can actually treat it. It doesn't matter if it's complicated or if it makes timings difficult for meds - whatever she needs, she'll get. I just need there to be a treatment available!
 
manxcat419 said:
Thank you Jayla. :bighug:

I'm really hoping we can get this resolved for her. If she's fighting that much, then she's not ready to quit yet. I've just to make sure that I'm fighting in the right direction for her with treatments!! I was so happy when they said she was being difficult today - that proves to me that she's not done with this life yet!
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I completely agree.... when they give up there is no fight....
She is a tough kitty! and has a tough mama!!
:bighug:
Sending prayer for the Dr's to figure it out too!
 
Thank you. :) We're waiting for more updates when they get the rest of the testing done. But we already had tickets for a soccer game, so we're going to that anyway - it will distract me if nothing else while we wait. And then we're going to visit her on our way home so she doesn't feel like I've abandoned her in there. I did tell them that if they need me to come in and calm her down while they work on her, just to call me - no matter what time of day or night, I'll be available for my girl!
 
We have our answer. The kidney stone that she has in her one working kidney has moved and is blocking her ureter. The good news is that it explains the high potassium and everything else that's going on. The scary news is that the bypass surgery, which she'll be having tomorrow is fairly major. But if she makes it through surgery, hopefully things will settle down for her and she'll have more time with us yet. And I have to give massive thanks to my DH for offering to pay the huge cost of her surgery. If it wasn't for him, I might be facing having to say goodbye to her tonight. Please keep Rosa in your thoughts for tomorrow. I love her so much.
 
Sorry to hear it's such a major problem April, but at least you know what's going on now and hopefully they'll be able to fix it!!

Rosa's a strong girl .....I just know she'll sail through surgery just fine but of course I'll be saying an extra prayer for both the vet and for her tonight!!

As for DH, I think he's earned a big :bighug::bighug::bighug::bighug::bighug:....and maybe a special home cooked dinner of his favorite things when things have settled down
 
manxcat419 said:
We have our answer. The kidney stone that she has in her one working kidney has moved and is blocking her ureter. The good news is that it explains the high potassium and everything else that's going on. The scary news is that the bypass surgery, which she'll be having tomorrow is fairly major. But if she makes it through surgery, hopefully things will settle down for her and she'll have more time with us yet. And I have to give massive thanks to my DH for offering to pay the huge cost of her surgery. If it wasn't for him, I might be facing having to say goodbye to her tonight. Please keep Rosa in your thoughts for tomorrow. I love her so much.
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Sending tons of prayers and so thankful you have an answer.... I know it is scary but you have a good Dr and I know they will do everything possible for little Rosa.... as for DH.... :bighug::bighug:
Please update when you can :bighug::bighug::bighug:
 
((April)))

I'm so sorry Rosa has to have surgery but so glad they found out what is going on. Stupid question here but the fluids they are giving her are not lactated ringers solution, right? Because LRS has potassium in it.

Many prayers for a successful surgery and recovery for your sweet girl.
 
Thank you all so much for the vines, prayers and well wishes. We appreciate them SO much. @Marje and Gracie - the one thing I had made 100% sure of was that she wouldn't be on LRS. She's been on a 0.9% saline IV, which she will be on until after her surgery.

I haven't been on here this evening because after the game, we went straight to the ER and spent the rest of the evening with Rosa. And we transferred her to the branch of the hospital where the surgeon who will be operating on her tomorrow works. They had offered to transfer her for us, but we thought it would be easier for her if we took her so she was in a car she knows, with people she knows. And I got the chance to explain to her (which I wanted to do yesterday, but they wouldn't let me hold her) why she was there, where we were going to take her and why and that she was going to feel a lot better very soon after the new doctor fixed her up, but that she needs to be a good, brave girl for them so she can come home soon and see the other cats and have lots of fun and time outside in the sunshine. No doubt the staff thought I was crazy, but Rosa settled right down for them once it had been explained. And when we took her to the other hospital, I insisted that she came out of her carrier with us in the room so I could explain to her again that this was the new hospital I'd told her about, with the new doctor who will fix her. And she behaved so much better for them than she did for the staff at the local ER branch. They can think I'm crazy all they want, Rosa's a smart cat and she has to know what's happening before she can settle down! She's been eating very well - both for the hospital and for us - and her blood work is improving. Of course the big improvements should come after tomorrow once the pressure is off her kidney. I'm scared for her, but I'm trying to stay positive - she has to get better and come home!
 
Sending prayers and healing vines for Rosa! She knows she's loved and what you putting her through means saving her life and she is NOT ready to go yet so let's hope everything will go smoothly and Rosa will be back on her feet soon.
All this positive energy coming from well-wishers will help Rosa to recover.
Lots of hugs from Marlena&Rocky:kiss:
 
A quick update for you all. Rosa's surgery is on hold until tomorrow. I spoke with the surgeon this morning and he said that her kidney values have improved overnight and her potassium is almost back to normal. It is almost certain to be only as a result of the fluids, but on the small chance that she has managed to pass the stone on her own, he wants to repeat the ultrasound this afternoon. If the stone has not passed, then the surgery will definitely take place tomorrow. So I'm anxiously waiting another update from him later today. We will be visiting Rosa this evening and will pass on all your well-wishes to her.
 
OH APRIL this is fantastic!!!
I was hoping it would work itself out!!!
quick story....
When Dre was about 2 years old he had 3 stones in a exray....
I scheduled surgery thinking how awful it would be for a male cat to have to pass a stone-
We did surgery and there was ONE stone!!!
He had passed 2 and never made a sound!!
more prayers coming for sweet Rosa and for you!!
:bighug::bighug::bighug::bighug::bighug:
 
Just got back from visiting the invalid. The stone didn't pass - it's still right where it was - so the surgery is going ahead early afternoon tomorrow. I spoke with the surgeon while I was driving in to visit Rosa. He says she's in a really good place physically to come through well - her kidney values are improving, her potassium is back to normal and she's bright and alert (though very annoyed at having to wear the cone of shame to stop her pulling the catheter out of her leg). The catheter is annoying her too because she can't straighten her leg fully with it bandaged in place and what she really wants to do is be mobile. She's having a second blood transfusion overnight - the first one managed to stop the fluids bringing her PCV down, but it didn't really increase - and ideally he'd like it just a touch higher, though he said he thinks she will do fine even if it doesn't increase.
 
Glad to hear that Rosa is feeling better even if she is still confined and hooked up to things that restrict her movements... I'm sure you tried to help her understand what's going on when you visited her. Sending many many hugs and feel better wishes.
 
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