9/9 - Frosty hospitalized

Last post: http://www.felinediabetes.com/FDMB/...ely-chronic-pancreatitis.202777/#post-2251172

He was very dehydrated with low BP and HR, acute kidney failure (BUN 60s / Cr 2.something on iSTAT), and low electrolytes so I had to leave him ther overnight.

He’s on IVF, cerenia, and 1/2 the dose of buprenex since he was so stoned yesterday from it.

I visited him earlier. He’s slightly less sluggish, but still not eating - and as we know, Frosty will eat anything and everything, so he’s definitely very sick.

Thanks. I needed to hear that last night because I didn’t wanna leave him. But when I went back to see him, he was curled in the bed they provided for him and wouldn’t even lift his head. Seeing him that lethargic just confirmed he needed to stay there.

I asked to be sent home with cerenia and sub q fluids after he gets released bc we know this will happen again and I can’t spend $3000 every few weeks and have him get this dehydrated. They said they would give it to me.

I will keep the reglan but will give it only if cerenia isn’t working, to give him some extra help moving things along. I think yesterday showed that Reglan is not a good first choice treatment for him.

Of course, his IM vet is away at a conference this week, which was another reason I felt hospitalization was necessary - even if I were to administer fluids and meds myself, who was he gonna follow up with to make sure his labs were improving? The other vets don’t know him and when she’s not there it’s hard for me to even get a call back.

I did finally speak with that hospital this morning to figure out the best way to get in touch with someone when our IM doc is away, they said to specifically ask to speak with IM and gave me the hours between which they are there. That definitely helps, bc their ED docs are super busy overnight and can’t always call me back. (It’s a big hospital with specialists and ICU so often big traumas and very sick animals are referred there from other ERs)

I’m struggling with that part right now. I don’t know why he was brought to me and if I’m doing the right thing treating all of these problems. It seems the more we treat him, the nore problems we discover. Obviously he had all these issues long before he came to me. I don’t even know how he survived on the street with all of them. I wonder if he was even getting treatment from his previous owner, or if he as dumped for his behavior due to Cushing’s and diabetes.

I was really upset last night. I know a lot of people here have cats with multiple problems, but these are cats they had for many years and it makes sense to treat all their ailments and try to prolong their life. I adopted frosty just 8 months ago and I do wonder at times if I am just prolonging his suffering. When he’s not having a pancreatitis flare he’s very lively, but he’s also constantly crying and begging for food. He doesn’t do anything except lay in the kitchen and wait for food. Is that a good life? He gets so anxious about food I don’t even know if he’s happy. I don’t know what he was like before all these illnesses. Would it have been better if he was put down when they found him? I don’t really know.

Obviously I am now attached and invested (both emotionally and financially) in his well being, but this is a lot. Dan and i also want to have kids, I don’t know if I can do this with a child and I don’t know how much more I can afford. Yes i do well with my job but i havent been able to save any money since i got him. It just sucks. Did I make a mistake?

 

I'm so sorry you're going through this. All I can do is give you these and send healing vines to Frosty.

 

No. Compassion is never a mistake. Giving a living creature a chance to know what it feels like to be loved is a priceless gift to give. Believe me, I understand exactly what you're feeling. In the year that Grandpa has been here, I maxed my CareCredit to have the lens removed from his eye because the alternative was to let the eye die. I wanted to help him keep his sight. I had no idea that three months later he would be diagnosed as diabetic and one month later would have terminal cancer. I caught myself wondering why...

I'm broke. I have too many cats. I'm stressed, overwhelmed, and heartbroken. But I look at Grandpa and see that he's here. He's alive. I don't know how much longer that will be true, but every day he's known that he is loved and that he belongs. Frosty has, too.

Try not to look back or too far forward. Think of only now and the next thing in front of you. Hugs to you and prayers for Frosty.

 

Ugh.... I am so sorry that Frosty is that sick and is in the hospital ,and I will send prayers. Your post and @Beck and Grandpa post is making me cry as I type now and want to say that you both are incredible with your commitment, time , compassion , and love.

 

So sorry Ana. Your background will help you medically and with the subQ. For everything else you both have my thoughts and .
You are doing the right thing. We always put pain and dignity at the top of our list but we're not where you are right now. Noah is not the big fluffy cat he once was but he knows who he his, who we are and is not in pain. If you need help or advice with administering subQ I can tag someone for you.

 

I have always believed that cats tell you when it's their time. At least that's the way it's been for me with my kitties. It's our job to be smart enough to listen and until that time, give them our love and the best life possible.

Frosty knows how lucky he is.

 

So sorry ur going through this, hope he gets better soon, sending healing vines to you guys

 

One more thing Ana. When you told us the story of how Frosty came into your life it was very touching and through some of your other post about the charity walks you've done I know you're a good person.
The money thing. We have spent mortgage payments on things like MRI's that we both failed to admit to each other were a waste of time. It wasn't a matter of not caring but more simply even if we knew the cause the end result was that the condition still remained untreatable. This is not the "It's just a cat" argument, it's the "When is it time" dilemma that has no answer. Noah should not be here but he is. His life is made worthwhile because no one picks on him and we treat his dental pain with transdermal BUPE. Having gone through this many times gives me no more wisdom than a first time cat caregiver.
Whatever else you feel shame, guilt and money have no place here. We know you care, Frosty knows you care.

 

I think you did the right thing with Frosty to save him. He is a mellow soul when he is healthy. And you have gotten him through a lot in the last 8 months. Maybe his health will settle down after this hospital visit. Sub-Q fluids will be easy for you to administer because of your background.

Leo is not in perfect health either. Last year was a multi-thousand dollar year. Then we got his small cell lymphoma under control. I think it is important to assign a general budget. If you are seeing drastic over-runs without real improvements, that could be the indicator. Someday, whether next week or 10 years from now, Frosty will tell you when it is time. I am pulling for him. You have done a stellar job getting him to this point.

 

That is so true.

Thoughts are with you and Frosty Ana

 

I am so sorry to read these updates. Tears for you, Ana. This has to be so hard. I wish I could give you a hug. You are one great mama bean.

 

Sending prayers.

 

Ana, thank you for your honesty and putting it out there, I understand your frustration when you feel so helpless; however, to me, helping a human or an animal is never a mistake as we place ourselves in a position to learn how to love without regard. People, animals, birds, squirrels - all living creatures - want to be loved. So why should we feel compelled to love and help people or creatures? Because they exist. Your care and love has cost you a lot, without the reward you were expecting. The reward is there, look for it in a different light; because once you find it, you will have learned a life lesson! You are in distress, we hear ya', just continue loving him the best that you can, and be ok with it, don't let anyone take that away from you. You gave him a home for the past 8 months and made him feel loved; all Frosty wants is to be loved, sooooo lucky he found you! Don't second-guess yourself and listen to your heart, not other people. Don't regret the finances already spent, not worth the time...move on...next...? Frosty is not alone, neither are you. Stay strong in your love!

 

You love Frosty and Frosty loves and trusts you.
Thinking of you both and sending lots of hugs and scritches.

 

Vines of healing for Frosty and comfort for you.

 

Oh my gosh, I am so sorry to hear Frosty is so sick. Sending the both of you lots of healing vines and prayers from the heart.

 

Hugs, healing vines and positive thoughts...

 

Thinking of you Ana.

You've done a wonderful job with Frosty so far. He has come so far since he came into your home. He was a lucky cat when you found him. But you are the one who sees him every day and knows him best. Listen to him. We will support whatever you do. But of course we'll all hope he turns the corner. Sending healing vines.

 

Sending you hugs and vines to Frosty

 

Ana, he is beautiful. One thing I noticed in your picture is what I call "making eye contact". With Gizmo this is one big tell-tale sign that he is (very) sick. He will not look me in the eyes. Especially when he is really, really sick. Frosty is looking directly at you and his eyes are bright. That is good.

Some cats will not eat when hospitalized. Gizmo will not. I have been able to get him to eat by going there and they put us both in a quiet room (just us) and given us plenty of time. Another time the vet gave us "overnight" visit privileges where I would bring him home after work (IV shunt in place but taped up well) and we would do our evening routine and feed at home (or attempt to) and then run him back to them before work in the morning where they would continue the fluids and meds). We did this for three days and he finally started eating (small amounts) on his own.

Visit him as much as you can and like I said before, make sure he has something that smells like you (home). I would take the towel from my shower every morning (dried of couse) to put in his cage.

Treating the pain and nausea is very important and the IV fluids are critical.

Just sharing what I have done in the past and what (eventually worked).

Praying you see major improvement soon

 

Sending hugs and prayers - healing vines for Frosty...

 

No You DID NOT make a mistake My little girl Amethyst was very healthy when I rescued her and her brother 5 years ago She got slammed with 5 serious medical conditions in just 1 1/2 years starting when she was 2 1/2 I am Disabled on a very limited income BUT she and JoJo when sent to me for a reason to give them lots of love and caring SO I will never give up on her even when I have to go with out essentials for myself. You were meant to be with Frosty God Bless!

 

What a beauty, that Frosty. Many blessings for you & your Frosty!!

 

You and Frosty were always a perfect match Ana.
Don't mistrust your judgement and instinct. You did right for you both.

I think you are both ace .

Hugs for your pain.