[BeyondtheRainbow]

She's 21 and has been in kidney failure for 7 or 8 years. I was told a few months left in June 2014. There is no way that I can't be thankful for the time we've had; we've had such a gift of time and she's been amazingly healthy since a diet change in October 2014.

But the last few days she isn't waking up to eat every few hours as she has for years (I'm so used to be awakened during the night that I no longer really notice), she's not eating that much unless I wake her and carry her to her food and she's not peeing very much as opposed to the huge amounts that are typical for her. She's also not been coming to my bed to ask me for attention although she did that a little this morning. When she walks she is wobbly.

I did just get her to eat a little and she ate some kitty food this morning but nothing like her usual. I might call for some antibiotics for her tomorrow in a can't hurt, might help approach but if her kidneys are not working the antibiotic may just make things worse.

Even though I've known for a long time that time with her is a gift and I can't know for sure that this is the end my heart is breaking. The holidays are so hard as it is and losing my girl will be so hard. I've had her for half my life......

[Ocean Swimmer]

She sounds very loving.
You may know, I got over my grief by becoming a foster mom. They bring u orphans.
It really helped me.

[Yoda]

I am sorry your kitty is ill.

[Ocean Swimmer]

Also, when I've dealt with a sick cat, I buy kitty treats. Feed one at a time by hand.
Boneless skinless sardines. A small amount stirred I'm with lots of warm water for gravy.
Chicken livers also with lots of gravy.

Goats milk too.

[BeyondtheRainbow]

She is barely eating baby food which is usually my go-to when she's ill. She did eat a bit of it and a little turkey (which is her favorite food in all the world). I have to be really careful what I give her because she can't have any grain and my other cat (who I have no way to feed separately) cannot have food over 2% fat. It's quite tricky but I have found foods they both can eat but we're fairly limited to those foods. I may boil some fish for her later.

Sorry to hear about your cat. Pets are family... they mean a lot to us.

You sound like a loving mother, and I'm sure she is eternally grateful that you have been there for her every step of the way.

I hope your cat continues to defy all odds and pulls through.

[leejosepho]

It is great to know your cat has such loving care, and I will grieve with you at the time of your eventual loss of her. My wife and I have a fourteen-year-old that was either abandoned or lost at birth, and I know we will miss her greatly when her own time comes.

(((Hugs))). My heart goes out to you. Please take her to the vet. When my golden stopped eating we knew it was bad. That dog had an appetite. He had cancer and they said he was in terrible pain and nothing could be done so we let him pass peacefully with me by his side hugging him.

I really hope you cat recovers but you have had so many great memories. That makes it harder....kinda bitter sweet in that you are grateful for all the time but sadder because there is so much bond and time and you are used to having your cat by your side for such a large chunk of your life.

Please keep us posted. I hope your cat surprises you and gets better. (((Hugs)))

[LillysMom64]

My 19 year old kitty was in kidney failure. The vet suggested we give him sub q fluids....(fluids under the skin) it made him feel better, seemed to keep him a little more active and it kept him eating....he was with us longer than we expected. But he also let us know when it was his time. (((Hugs))) to you....losing a pet, especially when you have had one a long time is so so sad....there is no other pain like it. I have lost 9 pets in my lifetime so far. Hopefully your cat will bounce back and regain some strength and you will have her for a little longer....21 is pretty awesome.

[mommyto3furballs]

So sorry to hear about your cat. We (hubs and i)lost our dog back in August and we are still devastated. Even my 15 year old cat misses his puppy. I don't think he will last too long either.

Sometimes our animals surprise us...(((hugs)))

[BipolaRNurse]

I'm so sorry your kitty is not doing well. Pets aren't like family, they are family. But please, if you haven't already, take her to the vet. You don't want her to suffer, and for an animal, kidney failure is one of the most difficult ways to die. As much as you don't want to let her go, it would be a kindness to her. Gentle ((((hugs)))) for you and your fur-baby.

[BeyondtheRainbow]

She seems a little better. She ate and drank a little bit (and just noticed the water I put by her bed) and she let me hold her and purred for a little bit. She also peed some which is good. She's actually drinking quite a bit right now....yay.

I will take her to the vet tomorrow if needed. If she is clearly nearing the end we'll go for sure, even if that happens in the middle of the night if she is suffering. If she seems stable and not in pain tomorrow we'll keep going moment by moment. The thing is that going to the vet is extremely painful for her because she has very severe arthritis. She used to love car rides and now they hurt. The exam is excruciating and the vet and I agreed years ago she is a hospice patient so we don't do tests that will just confirm that she's dying and has been for much longer than anyone could have expected. They'll give me antibiotics for her at my request and I can just pick those up. I'll do that if things are stable; after watching her eat and drink that may be possible. Right now she doesn't seem to be in pain at all. She's even let me hold her and snuggled with me and purred and seemed quite comfortable. Overall she's better than she was a few hours ago so maybe she'll push on for a while longer. She's certainly surprised us before. I'm pretty sure I'll know when it is time for a kind ending without a doubt; we're not there yet but at the same time I won't be shocked if I wake up and she's gone. Earlier I was pretty sure that would happen. Now I'm less sure but I still don't expect to have her here much longer based on what I'm seeing. I guess we take it one step at a time, together, just like we've been doing for 21 years.

[raspberrytorte]

Hugs, rainbow.

[Wander]

So sorry to hear this. It must be heartbreaking. Seeing strength and HUGS xx

You and she will be in my thoughts. BeyondtheRainbow

[bizi]

This is so hard to watch...am sorry for you guys. Know in your heart that you have been the best mommy to your fur baby that you could possibly have been. It is so hard to watch them go. We put our sweet baby girl down when she stopped eating.
(((((HUGS)))))
bizi

[BeyondtheRainbow]

After a rough night where my anxiety was fighting my meds (and clozaril seems to always win when it is that versus my wanting to stay awake) but with many times waking to check on her/feed her she seems a little better today. When I woke up and went to the bathroom she got up on her own and squawked at me to feed her which is a very good sign. Every time I've fed her she's eaten a bit and is drinking. Most importantly she is peeing.

So I am beginning to hope that I was wrong that she's dying immediately. I think maybe instead that the process is beginning but she's not ready to be done yet. I also think her arthritis is an issue and am giving her meds for that which should help more over the next few days.

I'm still terrified that I'm going to lose her. I know that it's coming; at 21 there's just no way to doubt that. But not today. I think.

[leejosepho]

Last night our old cat let me pick her up and lay her on my chest where she has often slept in the past, and this time she settled in and purred where she has not done that in quite a while. So, maybe last night was a good one for old cats...

[Yours_Truly]

It's always so hard to have them go. I'll be thinking of you both & sending warm hugs.

[Moose72]

Thinking of you and your cat.

Originally Posted by BeyondtheRainbow

After a rough night where my anxiety was fighting my meds (and clozaril seems to always win when it is that versus my wanting to stay awake) but with many times waking to check on her/feed her she seems a little better today. When I woke up and went to the bathroom she got up on her own and squawked at me to feed her which is a very good sign. Every time I've fed her she's eaten a bit and is drinking. Most importantly she is peeing.

So I am beginning to hope that I was wrong that she's dying immediately. I think maybe instead that the process is beginning but she's not ready to be done yet. I also think her arthritis is an issue and am giving her meds for that which should help more over the next few days.

I'm still terrified that I'm going to lose her. I know that it's coming; at 21 there's just no way to doubt that. But not today. I think.

I am so glad your cat seems better and I hope it continues. My cockapoo Aimee is struggling to get up steps now.....she's only about 11 but I worry so much. My heart goes out to you. Keep us posted. (((Hugs)))

[Wild Coyote]

Much love to you and to your pet during this challenging time.


WC

[hopeless2015]

Thinking of you, glad to here your cats is doing better today..hugs

[*Laurie*]

Our pets being sick or dying is so, so miserably hard. Tears me apart and I fear it to the point of psychosis. My heart goes out to you. And to your kitty. I hope she has some time with you yet. Love to both of you.

[BeyondtheRainbow]

Originally Posted by LauraBeth

Our pets being sick or dying is so, so miserably hard. Tears me apart and I fear it to the point of psychosis. My heart goes out to you. And to your kitty. I hope she has some time with you yet. Love to both of you.

This is pretty much exactly how I feel. Even after 21 years I want to keep going for another 21 years and pets just don't do that.I wish they did.