Friday, June 14, 2013

Jewel's Not Well

We went to the vet on Wednesday to get Jewel's blood drawn and weight checked.  They are going to need to do this every three months (at least).  

Jewel managed to gain a lot of weight with the a/d mixed into her normal food.  But now that I don't have help to get the Pepcid down her, she can't eat a/d anymore because it upsets her tummy.  The vet said I could try the slippery elm bark for now, but if her phosphorus or calcium levels get high, we can't use it anymore.  I guess the Epakitin is working well because her phosphorus used to be high.  So we will see if that helps any when I get it in the mail.

However, she lost nearly all the weight she had gained.  Still, she's up 1.5 ounces from last time.  She's 8 pounds, 10.5 ounces now.

The vet called today with Jewel's blood work.  It's not good.

Her BUN went up from 41 to 46 - but I don't know what that means.
Her creat. went up from 3.4 to 4.1.  The vet says that means her kidney disease has gotten worse.  It is now in stage 3, and she needs subcutaneous fluids because she's dehydrated.

To say that I'm overwhelmed, stressed out, and extremely sad would be an understatement.  This situation has some very unique circumstances I'm not at liberty to discuss in a public forum. 

I'm nearly blind (yes, my vision is much worse than the cut-off for "legally blind") and I don't know how I'm going to be able to give her these fluids if it's something that relies on vision at all.  

The vet gave her an appetite stimulant, but it's a pill, and I can't pill her.  Even when I had a sighted person help, it took both of us and several tries to get a pill down her.  She's VERY good at getting the pills out, even if they're halfway down her throat.  She refuses to eat Greenies' pill pockets or to eat her pills as a powder in anything.  So, how am I supposed to give her this appetite stimulant??  

On top of all of this, I have some other major stresses going on in my life - mainly financial - and as I move up the waiting lists for affordable/subsidized housing, I'm trying to figure out how I can get BOTH my companion animals (Carmine and Milita) into these places when everyone's "policy" is to only allow one.  Not only would it be detrimental to me, but it would be detrimental to them for either of them to be split from the household after 8 years together, and I am not willing to allow this to happen.  


Jewel: That awful human tried to get me to eat a yucky Greenies pill pocket tonight.  When I refused, she tried to put it in my mouth, so I drew her bloods!  Nobody is going to make me eat a pill if I don't want it!

If someone would kindly like to make a Purrs and Prayers badge for Jewel, that would be nice.  You are welcome to use any of the pictures on the blog of Jewel for it.

36 comments:

  1. I am so sorry you and Jewel are having to go through this. I don't know why some kitties are so hard to pill... all three of us, while not exactly willing or easy, are doable without drawing blood. I am sending a lot of purrs Jewel's way, and your way too, in hopes that there are some solutions to the dilemmas you are facing.

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  2. We're sorry things are not going so well for Jewel and your frustrations. We wondered if it would e worth asking at your vets if they know of any techs who would be able to help with the pilling and fluids? Maybe someone might live closeby to you and would be willing to help? You could also try contacting rescue groups to see if they have anyone who could help. Would it be worth reaching out to the sight impaired community to see if there are others in similar situations who have found a way to work things out?

    Your situation is not uncommon, a person coping on their own with disability and very poorly pets.

    In the UK we have The Cinnamon Trust which is a charity set up to help those who are disabled or unwell keep their companion animals with them and offer help at home with care. It might be worth a contacting them and asking if they know of any similar organisation in the USA.

    The link for the Cinnamon Trust is:-

    http://www.cinnamon.org.uk/home.php

    We are sending you and Jewel many rumbly purrs and love

    Gerry, Mungo & The Ape

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  3. In case you use a screen reader and the Cinnamon website is not screenreader friendly here are the contact details for them- you will need to add the international code for the UK for the phone numbers though -

    Telephone:- 01736 757 900

    Fax:- 01736 757 010

    Email contact is via webform on this page:-

    http://www.cinnamon.org.uk/contact-us/

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  4. Oh gosh, we are so sorry to hear all about your troubles. Sounds like you have some great suggestions as to the fluids. Techs at a vets office are usually such good people and maybe they could help you with the fluids. Also, if you can get her to the vet clinic, it doesn't cost very much just to get fluids.
    Good luck to you and sending tons and tons of purrs.

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  5. We are all sending our best purrs and prayers to dear sweet Jewel and we send hugs to you as well.

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  6. We're sorry to hear that Jewel's weight is down and her numbers are up. While those BUN numbers are discouraging, just remember that the important thing is to "treat the cat and not the numbers" and to do what you can to make Jewel more confortable.

    My previous generation of cats was -- if not easy -- at least possible to pill. These three, no way. Two people can't get a pill down Newton, so I understand how discouraging it is.

    Our thoughts and purrs are with you and Jewel while you're having such a difficult time.

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  7. we are so sorry to read this. I so wish I lived near you, I would come over and help try pill her. I am surprised that Jewel doesn't like pill pockets, I have never heard of a kitty who doesn't like them.
    Is there a neighbor or anyone near you that can come and help?
    Praying that the help you need comes your way

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  8. We are so sorry Jewel is not doing as well as you hoped. We are purring very hard for her...and you...and hope there are some solutions to the issues you are facing. oxoxox

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  9. Everycat had great suggestions.

    Please know we're keeping you all in our purrayers, every day, crossing our paws for good resolutions to all the issues you both are facing.

    Peace and Blessings.

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  10. So sorry to hear about your darling Jewel's health issues and all of the stress in your life...Giving fluids is not difficult and I believe the vet would help you until you would feel comfortable doing it on your own...Bless you and your precious babies, good luck to you all...hugs...J, Calle, Halle, Sukki, MC, DC

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  11. Sending purrs for Jewel and for you! We had to rush but we threw a graphic together for you and mailed you a copy.

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  12. I'm sure this is all frustrating for you :( It makes me wish I lived nearby to offer a helping hand or something. The SQ fluids probably need vision because you need to see the amount you are giving... I'm sure there is a way to get around that, but even so there are many cat parents who have a hard time with it. Our vet clinic would do it for some pet parents who were willing to come in and have it done.

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  13. Is there a community service in your area that helps those who are legally blind? Perhaps someone can arrange for help for you with Jewel. All I can suggest is to get a pill popper tool from the vet; our vet gave us one, no cost, and it makes giving the pill much easier. If necessary, a light scruff hold keeps the cat from biting and the pill popper is about 8 inches long so you can keep your hand out of the cats claw range. I had never used one before and wish I had it when my Tasha was always spitting those pills half way across a room! Mom Linda and I send you warm purrs, and warm hugs, Savannah

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  14. We are so very sorry, it sounds as caring for Jewel is overwhelming for you. We are sending healing purrs for Jewel and our paws are crossed that everything works out for you.

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  15. I am so very sorry you are having so many problems. I hope some of the suggestions will be of help to you! Sending purrs and prayers for your situation to be resolved xx

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  16. WE are so sorry that you are going through all of this. Many of our friends have offered great suggestions above. Know that we love you, Jewel, Carmine and Milita, and that we send all of our purrs and prayers. And hugs, too.

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  17. We will be purring for you. Our Mumsy is disabled. We know it can be so hard sometimes. We so glad our friends have gots good suggestions for you as we just don't know what to do but send you hugs and kitty kisses, and promise we will be purring for Jewell, you and all.

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  18. We're sending lots of purrs and prayers your way.

    The Florida Furkids

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  19. We heard about Jewel on the CB. Our purrs to all of you-

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  20. Sending PURRS & PRAYERS from all of us at Purrchance To Dream.

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  21. Lots of purrrs and prayers for you Jewel & Your Mom, too!!
    Hugs from your TX furiends,

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  22. Oh how awful! We're sending you our best purrs and hope for better news soon.

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  23. We are so sorry to hear all that is going on with you and Jewel. Will keep you both in our thoughts and prayers. Hope you have better news for us very soon. Hugs and nose kisses

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  24. I am sorry to hear your Jewel is having troubles. I wish I had some ideas, but thankfully some kitties here have had good suggestions. I too have a kitty I doubt I could ever pill or give meds to; I don't know how I'd get meds down him if I ever need to, so I do sympathize. The only "treat" Spitty will eat is baby food and I'm not sure that would work to disguise a pill. XOXOXO

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  25. hugs and purrs for you and Jewel. CRF is such a hard road and will be harder if you're not able to see well.

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  26. We're so sorry you have to go through all this. You have several great suggestions, and we're hoping one of them will work out for you and jewel. I'm purring for you and jewel - M sends you hugs.

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  27. I know how hard this is - I have had 2 cats renal failure. I used Tripsy herbal blend and now use Renavast - both can go in food or in a needless syringe to squirt in her moth. Renavast works to bring the numbers to normal and many have had good results with this. I also give fluids at home but not being able to see would be a problems - please do ask for assistance form your local Blind Association. We got all kinds of help for my mother in law. I am here if you have any questions - calcatsndogs AT gmail DOT com.

    Cats of wildcat woods

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  28. Praying for your Jewel! My grand kitty Bunny has. Been on sub fluids now. For almost two yrs. and is doing great. You can order off the Internet too. Get bet to. Write script out so you can order off the net. A lot cheaper. Once you learn how to give the fluids it's not that bad. Wishing you luck. Where do u live? I live in Alabama. I could help u.

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  29. Mom is away, but said she saw that Jewel was having troubles and that we should all send our best purrs to her. We know that this is an especially hard time and mom sends her reiki love to you and the all the kitties.
    Harry, Dexter, Tipp and Willow

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  30. My name is Marjorie and I blog with Dash Kitten, we are new to you but want you to know that we wish you lots of love and hope Jewel recovers a bit for you. We have had sick kitties and know the hurt.

    * brave and loving hugs *

    Marjorie and Dash Kitten

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  31. We're sending hugs at this difficult time. We've been there and know how helpless and scary it can be. I was going through the same thing with sub Q etc three years ago when Coco died. It's exhausting. Then her brother Merlin was diagnosed with kidney disease too but he's still with us at 18.6 years! It's all out of our hands.

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  32. We're so sorry to hear about Jewel. We're sending purrs and purrayers. If no one has agreed to make a badge for you yet, please email us at sweetpurrfections@sc.rr.com and we'll put one together for you.

    Truffle, Brulee, and Mom Paula

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  33. We're sorry that Jewel is so sick and that you are having such a hard time. We hope you can get some help from somewhere nearby. Sending you positive thoughts and kitty purrs from Australia,

    (((hugs)))

    Tasha & Buddy & Karen (Mum)

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  34. So sorry to hear Jewel is unwell and there are other problems. Sending our very best PURRS to help.

    Love Milo and Alfie (and our mom).

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