Official RJ Pet Thread

[nullnor]

on the phone with the nurse from upenn for an hour trying to do my best to get my cat accepted for a transplant. also, i totally molested the ny animal medical center about stem cell therapy. and even tho renal stem cell therapy is still only in clinical trials, i can tell they'll take me (for treatment and not under a trial) if upenn falls through. but unfortunately stem cell at this point only heals damage, it doesn't create new kidneys or nephrons etc...so since my cat is at stage 4, my only option real option is transplant.

..i could buy a house right now. i've never owned one. or i could get my cat a new kidney (if she can make it for the next 4 weeks and they accept her). i want to buy a house. it's like my only chance to before i die. i may never get the chance again. or i may never get the chance to utilize medical science to save my cat for few more years.

so who do i trust. economics and buyer agents and mortgage guys, or doctors? .. no, im going to go with science and things that have the spirit to live. and i want them to have part of mine. they have a part of my life force. giving it willingly to the needy instead of the greedy. you gotta live in the moment and have some faith and hope. and even if you fail, know you did the right thing.

[nullnor]

but im here to tell you that before everything goes to ****, fluid therapy is the gold standard in keeping my cat alive right now doing it twice a day. but if i did it better before, i wouldn't be in this situation right now, yet. but we learn. even if it's too late sometimes. but it's still better to know.

maybe someday i'll be able to travel back and time, and then i'll know how to make it better.

[Gregg]

It sounds like there are many problems with your beloved cat. I know with our last one Sam, it was time for him to go. It was very sad for all of us.

Something funny with animals, the best dog I ever had was Max. If you would have told me that I could have made that statement after owning John Henry I would have thought you the fool. Max only made it 4.5 years. We did everything to save him, but failed. It was such a sad day for our family I almost tear up remembering it now. Our current dog is a nice dog and well loved. Even though Max was my favorite dog, I would not trade Phoebe (current dog) to get Max back. I have mourned Max, have great memories and stories to tell. I would not cut Phoebe's life short to get him back. When Phoebe goes we will mourn her. We will also get another dog who's own personality will endear them to us.

After reading your house or save the cat comment, I can't help wonder a few things. If you spent the money and the cat dies, it is in vain (although you can rest as you did your best). If you bought a house, could you rescue 2 or 3 cats (no cat hoarding now that is not good for anyone). Your house your rules.

If your cat could talk I suspect she would tell you how she knows how much love and effort you have put into her her. Would she want you to hurt yourself in the long run for just a bit more time with her?

Tough times and tough choices.

[senorsheep]

Charlie The Evil Yet Charismatic And Adorable Dick Of A Siamese sends his regards.

Charlie.jpg

[Judge Jude]

update on the cat that was the subject of the initial post 5 months ago.

he won't last forever - and none of us will, either.

but he's curled up in my lap and purring right now, anyway.
not even sure he needs the low level of insulin anymore, but if it ain't broke, don't fix it.

some senior moments (by him), as he seems to enjoy getting that ice cube in the water dish more than he needs to, but we have struck that deal as "on demand."

will report back, but at this point, the cat still stands (ok, sits).

[DMT]

Glad to hear JJ.

Sadly, I had to put my cat down yesterday. As some of you may recall, this is the cat I got from my sister 10 years ago because her roommate was allergic. She developed diabetes about four years ago. It was a very tough decision but she was not eating and had lost a lot of weight for the 2nd time in 2 months...and unlike last month she just didn't have anymore fight in her. She had a mostly good 11 years and will be fondly remembered.

[Judge Jude]

Sorry to hear, DMT.

But you should be consoled that you did the right thing.

The "fight" has to be part of the decision. My guy here still has it, and no sign of any suffering at all. He seems quite happy.

So we're working out everything else, while those conditions remain.

[nots]

Glad to hear JJ.

Sadly, I had to put my cat down yesterday. As some of you may recall, this is the cat I got from my sister 10 years ago because her roommate was allergic. She developed diabetes about four years ago. It was a very tough decision but she was not eating and had lost a lot of weight for the 2nd time in 2 months...and unlike last month she just didn't have anymore fight in her. She had a mostly good 11 years and will be fondly remembered.

Sorry, man--I know how tough it is.

[Mithrandir]

Glad to hear JJ.

Sadly, I had to put my cat down yesterday. As some of you may recall, this is the cat I got from my sister 10 years ago because her roommate was allergic. She developed diabetes about four years ago. It was a very tough decision but she was not eating and had lost a lot of weight for the 2nd time in 2 months...and unlike last month she just didn't have anymore fight in her. She had a mostly good 11 years and will be fondly remembered.

Sorry for the loss DMT. Losing a pet is so very difficult.

[heyelander]

very sorry to hear Jason.

[nullnor]

IIf you spent the money and the cat dies, it is in vain (although you can rest as you did your best). If you bought a house, could you rescue 2 or 3 cats (no cat hoarding now that is not good for anyone). Your house your rules.

If your cat could talk I suspect she would tell you how she knows how much love and effort you have put into her her. Would she want you to hurt yourself in the long run for just a bit more time with her?

Tough times and tough choices.

it's exactly what the vet said. i guess she's seen her enough times now that she is sorta close to my cat. im worried that im being cruel playing god with her. but i told her i'd rather fail and know i tried my best. and i really could use and house with look fwd to rescuing some older cats to.

but, i can't stop. i can't allow my cat to cross the rainbow bridge. i've been calling around all morning to try to find a cat dialysis machine. i can't find one to buy, rent or lease! moreover the few vet i talked to told me i can't do it! but i know i can do it. ..it's like there are plenty of human home dialysis clinics but no animal ones. i have heard that pediatric dialysis machines can be set for small animals. can anyone help me find one? ..they say it takes 4-6 weeks to train someone to use one, so i don't believe the vets when they tell it can't be done.

you know you're possibly looking at the beginning of the nullnor school of medical animal dialysis clinic popping up all around america. nobody is doing this. help. what should i do?

my pets going in for dialysis today. im going to keep her alive for the next three weeks with dialysis treatments while i figure out my next move. i need to find places i can rent, buy or lease dialysis machines that work on small animals. and then after i do hire medical professionals to train me to use it in 4 weeks. help

[heyelander]

I know you love your cat nulley, but I think you are right up against, if not slightly over the line where you are doing this for yourself and not for your pet.

[nullnor]

i will quit trying to help her when im sure the treatments im making her go thru no longer make her feel better. im am trying to be more focused on quality of life than time. but i can always use some help telling me im going to far. there's never been a time that i've never needed that.

[johnnya24]

I agree with Heye here ... all pet owners have to make this decision at some point. It really sucks, but you have to think about the cat's well being. The animal is not going to have any quality of life. When cats know it's their time, they will often slink off alone and find somewhere to die quietly. It's just not natural to make a cat hold on like this.

Yes explore all avenues ... yes get second opinions etc etc. But there is only so much you can do. Time to let go IMO. It really sucks ... but it's pretty clear like you are making the wrong decision here ... and you are making it harder on yourself when s/he eventually does give up.

[nullnor]

ok i've realized home dialysis isn't something i can do for my cat. but not before i made myself look like an idiot thinking it was a possibility. even peritoneal dialysis isn't an option as it would probably be cruel and the catheter would probably get infected. also, animal dialysis clinics was a stupid idea. i'll have to help her cross the rainbow bridge. im still kind of surprised tufts shot me down for professional dialysis.