He’s been becoming weaker and lethargic for about a week now. Today we took him to the vet.
He’s a rescue, I got him at the Humane Society around eight years ago. They estimated him to be about five years old, then.
So, he’s considered “elderly.”
Based on the vet’s labwork, he’s got failing kidneys. I know how it goes when cats get kidney disease.
He’s got maybe three months. We return to SCal next week, to stay until after the New Year. I’ll probably say goodbye to him there. And then we will have him cremated and bring him home to AZ to beburied with his brother.
I’m sorry to hear that. Nibbler died from kidney failure as well. Although it’s always hard to know with cats, I did not get the impression that she was in pain or other serious distress. She just stopped eating and drinking at the end, and not long before couldn’t control her bladder. Maybe she could have held out a few more days, but I felt it was time then.
It sounds like you aren’t planning to wait until the absolute bitter end. I think that’s better for both Jasper and you. Make sure it is the end–some cats hold out longer than others–but aside from that it’s better to be too early than too late.
Good luck with everything. You gave Jasper a lot more good years than he would have had otherwise.
Shit. We lost Creamsicle to acute kidney failure. We’ve lost three cats since Mrs. L.A. moved in. (She brought Harvey, who died of a sudden respiratory distress – he also suffered from seizures; and Tonka died at 17 years, 7 months last June.) I’m devastated every time. At least with Tonka we could see it coming.
I certainly have. I’ve lost three cats to kidney disease in the past year. It comes on quite suddenly, and cats being cats, it is hard to notice until it is almost too late.
You did well in adopting an adult rescue. A few of mine over the years have been the same, and they always seem to have been grateful to find a loving forever home. I will keep Jasper in my thoughts, and will tell my cat Fiona to do the same.
He may go gently enough to be able to die at home without intervention. Talk to your vet., and listen to Jasper. He’ll be letting you know.
You might also talk to the vet about giving him subcutaneous fluids at home. It’s easier than it sounds; but it seems to be advised in some cases and not others.
Jasper seemed to positively respond to the Rx renal cat food. He was still obviously a sick baby, but he gained back a little weight. He didn’t yowl as much.
After we returned to SCal for T-Day, he needed more of the Rx food. The vet in SCal wanted to see him, to examine him, before he’d okay the Rx diet.
Mr VOW took him in while I stayed home to continue the post-Thanksgiving cleanup.
My cat does NOT have kidney disease.
However…
He DOES have Leukemia.
Well, shit.
He is in the early stage now. The vet recommended taking him home, give him supportive care, and give him love and affection. When he reaches the end stage, bring him in the final time.
IMPORTANT INFO: to all Dopers who are owned by cats, yes, there is a feline vaccination for Feline Leukemia.
I am so sorry. No matter how often we go through this, it never gets easier. Thinking about it, knowing what is going to happen makes harder every time.
Now is the time for treats all the time. It doesn’t do a bunch of good to keep a dying cat on a healthy diet when both of you will be happier with the “old sick cat gets whatever they want” diet.
