Cleo needs you prayers

[Anna]

My parents kitty Cleo needs your prayers again.  Over the long weekend Cleo developed problems with the mobility of her back legs and seemed to have trouble peeing.  She was taken to the vet yesterday and had blood and urine tests done.  The results came back today and Cleo is in chronic renal failure with minimal kidney function.  She also has a bladder/UTI infection needing antibiotic treatment and Cleo reacts VERY badly to antibiotics with vomiting and diarrhea.  My parents regular vet in on vacation and they are stuck with (in my opinion) an inferior substitute who claims that the reason her back legs aren't moving well is because of the UTI which makes no sense to me.  Whatever the causes Cleo needs IV treatment for her kidneys and antibiotics for her UTI/bladder and both are going to cause a great deal of stress to this timid 15 year old lady.  Please keep her in your thoughts.

[SpeedyPug]

Good wishes and thoughts to poor Cleo...i know how that feels.  I lost my 15 year old cat Fat Baby back in Februry to renal failure; its the most common cause of death in old cats.  Modern foods and health care can keep our feline friends living longer but their bodies just weren't meant to go on and on.  My vet said the parts wear out before the will...and the worst part of having fur babies is that they don't live long enough, feline or canine.  Does anyone know of the feline version of the Rainbow Bridge?

[lmcpug]

oh dear, Anna, my best to your parents and Cleo!

I sure hope that things turn out for the best, please keep us posted!!

The boys and I will say a little prayer for Cleo!!

Lori, Pugsley and Bubba too!

[Nancy-Jean]

Prayers for Cleo, and for your parents.

[clummy]

Poor Cleo, my thoughts are with her any your parents.

[Jane aka 71337]

Same here Anna...we're sending healing thoughts to Cleo and your parents.  It just makes it worse when you aren't satisfied with the vet care at such a difficult time.  Is there any other vet they could take her to for a second opinion?

[pugmetender]

Anna, our thoughts will be with Cleo and your parents.

Maureen

[Anna]

Same here Anna...we're sending healing thoughts to Cleo and your parents.  It just makes it worse when you aren't satisfied with the vet care at such a difficult time.  Is there any other vet they could take her to for a second opinion?

Their regular vet is back on Monday and until then they had their files faxed to the emergency clinic, they don't want to deal with the replacement vet anymore.  Even the receptionist from the vet called and apologized to my parents for not heading him off at the pass in time.  Apparently he's very new and cares more about doing procedures than the effect it would have on a 15 year old cat, or her 64 year old owners.

My parents rescued Cleo 8 years ago from neglectful neighbours.  She was starved for attention (locked out of rooms and in other ones).  She spent days at a time without human contact and wasn't even named - just Cat or Kitty.  She was never taken to the vet and was fed the cheapest glow-in-the-dark garbage dry cat food the convenience store could offer.  My parents offered to "babysit" her when they found out about her and the opportunity arose, then just refused to give her back.  My Dad has made up for her rough start with some serious pampering (he places a saucer of lactose free milk by her head as a wake up treat from her afternoon nap) and she's lead the life of Riley for the last 8 years with my father as her willing cat slave.  Likely because of her start in life Cleo can't stand being crated.  She finds it highly stressful and gets very upset.  Considering this they don't know if lengthy IV treatments requiring confinement are going to be in her best interest considering she already has a heart murmur and thyroid issues.  My parents are trying to decide what is best for her quality of life.  I don't envy them the decision.  

Thank you all for your prayers.  My parents feel very linked to this community through me (I always keep them filled in on what is going on   ) and I know they appreciate the thoughts.

I'll keep you posted.

[Julie]

It is obvious that Cleo has had a wonderful life with your parents. Sending prayers that Cleo improves and they have more time together. Just a thought, With Cleo not doing well confined to a crate can they not do the I.V. at home? This is something that is quite common these days.

[Andrea]

Thinking of Cleo and your parents. I hope she is receiving much better care through the emerg clinic. That is a nice story about your parents taking Cleo in and it sounds like she has been really loved.

As Julie mentioned, when my cat was in renal failure we were offered to do Sub-Q therapy at home for her comfort.

[Anna]

They mentioned doing the IV at home but there is no way they'd be able to keep Cleo still for it without crating her and crating stresses her out even in her own home with her people there.  She just can't take it.  I've only seen this done with the cat crated so I don't know if it's possible to do it without, does anyone know?

[Candace]

I hope Cleo improves. Sending good thoughts to her.

[Julie]

Crating, why? Can she not lay in her favorite spot and just have someone watching for her to not move around too much?? If she isn't feeling great this should be easy to accomplish, unless Cleo is the type to hide.
I don't know how many bags of fluid are needed or how long it takes per bag, but I know a friend did this with her kitty and she also worked fulltime, so must be easy enough to figure out a way. Hope this helps!

[Anna]

Cleo took a severe turn for the worse during the night last night.

She went to the Bridge today at noon.

[pugmetender]

Anna, I'm sorry for your loss of Cleo and my condolences goes out to your parents.

Maureen