Purrs In Our Hearts - Cat Forum UK
Cat Health & Behaviour => Health & Behaviour General => Topic started by: Baggy on January 28, 2009, 22:23:44 PM
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Sorry folks, another new thread...
Dinah had IV fluids two weeks ago to help her CRF and flush her kidneys through. She seems bright, is eating well, drinking less, the colitisy poos she was suffering from have settled, and she's still coming downstairs to spend time with us by the fire.
BUT, she has a huge tum as a result of the IV fluids, obviously can't get comfortable, is finding moving round quite difficult as she's suddenly heavier, and is very quiet (she was very chatty before).
The vet does not want to sedate her to remove the fluid (and says it will probably just come back), and is not keen on giving her a diuretic 'cos of her kidneys. They have said it's not painful, but her tum seems to be getting tighter so I can't believe it's not putting pressure on her heart and lungs.
Diuretics will not be good for her kidneys but if they improve her quality of life for a short time it might be a risk worth taking?
I don't think she's going to be with us very much longer, but she's still Dinah and she's not ready to go yet. Me and OH just want to make her as happy and comfortable as possible. We feel so frustrated and helpless, the CRF has progressed but seems stable again, and now if we can't remove the fluid think she's going to end up more poorly :(.
I know these are decisions that only we can make with the vet but it's coming up to two years since the Proot went to the Bridge and we're not coping very well this week...
(original thread here) http://www.purrsinourhearts.co.uk/index.php/topic,21722.0.html
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Difficult I know, :hug: I have Sam who has CRF but also has heart failure. He had fluid in his chest due to the heart failure which had to be drained off and he was then put on diuretics (20mg ever other day) and fortekor. This had to be increased to 3 consecutive days a few months ago when it looked like fluid was buiding up again (and vet wasnt keen to drain again - nor was I), which did the trick and then he went back to the every other day dose. The diuretics are kept at the lowest dose possible to prevent fluid build up again and I now have him on half a 20mg dose every other day, which seems to be working.
I'd have another chat with your vet about your concerns with the pressure on heart/lungs etc - I'd certainly not want to go down the draining route either, but if the fluid really needs to be removed, I'd have thought diuretics were the least worst method if you see what I mean?
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Well, that's made me feel a bit more hopeful :thanks:. Sorry to hear about lovely Sam, though it sounds like he's doing ok and you've struck a good balance.
I'd have another chat with your vet about your concerns with the pressure on heart/lungs etc - I'd certainly not want to go down the draining route either, but if the fluid really needs to be removed, I'd have thought diuretics were the least worst method if you see what I mean?
I see exactly what you mean, and that's how we feel about it, I don't think she'd pull through the draining route.
We're calling the vet tomorrow to talk it through again. She has definitely got bigger (she looks like a pear drop!), but if it's not going to do any harm we'll just let her be and watch her like a hawk for any more symptoms - otherwise hopefully the vet will suggest diuretics.
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I dont have ezperience like Gillian but I am sure that Dinah needs help and Gillian and her vet seem to have got this sorted for Sam.
I dont think she will be able to cope if she is exploding with fliud and it must be very uncomfortable and not dignified for a beautiful cat like her.
I would go down Gillians route if Franta was like that
:hug: :hug: :hug:
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Haven't got advise, but I'm glad that some of Dinah's ailment's are improving
but I'm sure your if you mention what Gillian has said to your vet he/she should be able to help
sending some healing vibes Dinah's way....oh, and Sam too !!
:hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug:
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No advice/experience, but I do hope you can talk to the vet about diuretics, I would have thought they were worth a go at the very least, just in case they can help.
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Can you explain why her tummy has fluid from her therapy? When any of mine had fluids given to them be it IV or sub cut they have absorbed it normally, never stored it up so to speak so would find it interesting to know :thanks:
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Can you explain why her tummy has fluid from her therapy? When any of mine had fluids given to them be it IV or sub cut they have absorbed it normally, never stored it up so to speak so would find it interesting to know :thanks:
One reason could be that the fluids overloaded her system, weren't being processed quickly enough and escaped into a body cavity instead. There's a bit on Tanya's CRF site: "Sometimes a CRF cat may develop problems with fluid retention, particularly if s/he is receiving too much fluid, either via IV or sub-QS, and/or has a heart problem. Fluid may collect in the lungs (pulmonary oedema), or around the lungs (pleural effusion) or in the abdomen (ascites)."
The other possible reason is that her kidneys have worsened and she's collecting fluid instead of processing it properly.
We rang the vet, they are reluctant to administer diuretics because they don't know what is causing the build up, and would like to see her again so she's going back tonight. Our usual vet isn't on this evening...but has spoken to the one we're seeing :Crazy:.
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grrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr bloomin vets.....remember its your cat :hug: :hug: :hug:
Lots of luck tonight and love to Dinah :hug:
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Thanks Baggy, good luck for your appointment this evening
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Best of luck at the vet, look forward to your update :hug:
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Beautiful Dinah is on January page of the calendar ;D
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Thanks everyone for your support. I'm afraid I can't give you any good news.
The vet says that Dinah is dehydrated again already, so her kidneys must be failing. The IV fluids have flushed out the toxins so she feels better - hence eating and seeming brighter, but at the same time her system obviously couldn't cope with the extra fluids.
As she is already dehydrated they can't administer a diuretic, so we have decided to say goodbye to her on Saturday. We want her to go with the dignity she deserves and before she goes downhill.
Sorry, can't type any more now.
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I'm sorry the vet didn't have more positive news for you, and that you have had to make the dreaded decision. I hope you have a great day with her tomorrow and will be thinking of you on Saturday
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I am so sorry to hear this :hug:
Will be thinking of You tomorrow as you spend your last day together xxxx
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I'm so sorry to hear the sad news. I hope you and Dinah have a lovely day together tomorrow and you will be in my thoughts are prayers on Saturday :hug:
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im so sorry, it must be a very hard for you having to make this decision but better to let her go with dignity then watch her suffer,my thoughts will be with you for Sat :hug: :hug:
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So sorry, I totally understand your decision to say goodbye before she deteriorates :hug:
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I'm So so Sorry, You know Dinah better than anyone else, and I know you have done your best for Her this while back
Hard as it is, I admire you for putting Dinah's needs first and I send you all my strength for that which must be done
My thought's are with you
:hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug:
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So sorry to hear this, will be thinking of you :hug: Dinah is a lucky litle girl to have you both, she has had the best retirement home there could possibly be and she will be loved 'til the very end, I know how hard this decision must have been for you but it sounds like it's the right one for Dinah :grouphug:
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I am so sorry to hear this sad news and hope you have a wonderful day with her tomorrow, I will be thinking of you :hug: :hug: :hug:
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Ever so sorry to hear this :hug:
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So many people losing their little furballs at the same time.... :(
I'm so sorry, Baggy. I hope the passing is peaceful for Dinah.
I know how difficult the decision is so sending you and your partner a hug.
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So very sorry that you have to make this decision and I will be thinking of you and Dinah on Saturday. Hope her crossing to the Bridge is peaceful. :hug:
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Sorry to hear your sad decision, the greatest gift you can give her :hug: :hug:
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Sorry to hear about Dinah :'( :hug:
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Thank you everyone for your hugs and best wishes.
Dinah passed to the Bridge very peacefully this morning.
Our last day together was good, there was lots of fuss and purr, a roaring fire to snooze in front of, lots of delicious Kentucky Fried Chicken and Auntie Jay came to say goodbye.
I'm sure the Proot is waiting to show her the ropes, along with her Mummy and Daddy K who will be so delighted to see her again.
We will miss her so much.
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Oh sweetie I am sorry.
RIP Dinah and play hard on the rainbow bridge with my Sofa and Vesti :( My furbabbies will show you the way sweetie x
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I'm so sorry :(
My thoughts are with you both :hug:
:RIP: sweet Dinah, have lots of fun at the bridge
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:'( very sorry
godbless Dinah xx
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RIP Dinah :( thinking of you :hug:
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RIP Dinah. Your humans will always love you; they let you go and gave you dignity in your passing even though it broke their hearts.
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I am so sorry for your loss, Baggy. You gave Dinah your greatest gift when you put her needs before your own and spared her suffering. My thoughts are with you.
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So sorry RIP Dinah, glad you had a lovely day together :hug:
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I am so very sorry to hear this, but you did the best thing for her, however hard it was for you, and she will be grateful for that. She had a wonderful time with you. RIP little one
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RIP Dinah, she'll be safe and sound at the Bridge by now :hug:
You did a very brave thing for her and gave her the greatest gift...
The Greatest Gift
I always knew this time would come,
From the very instant our eyes first met.
How I loved you then! How I love you now!
I made a promise then, and I will keep that promise now...
You will not suffer from a pain that will not heal;
You will not know the loss of a life remembered, now gone.
It is for me alone to make this decision,
The price for the bright joy and pure laughter
You brought me during the time we shared.
I am the only one who can decide when it is time.
When my hope dies, and my fear rides high,
Just when I need you most, I must let you go.
It is for you alone to tell me when you are ready
For without your guidance, I will not know
When to lay my grief, my guilt, my anger
My sorrow and my selfish heart aside
And give you this last gift, this greatest gift.
Your eyes will speak to mine, and I will know.
The pain of this moment is excruciating.
Tears stream down my face in a river of sorrow.
And my heart drowns in a pool of grief.
For you have spoken and I have listened,
And unlike other decisions I have made
This one brings no relief...no comfort...no peace.
For if there´s one thing you´ve taught me,
If there´s only one thing I´ve learned...
Unconditional love has a condition after all,
I must be willing to let you go, when you speak to me
I must be willing to help you go, if you cannot go alone.
And I must accept my pain so you can be free of yours.
Go easily now, go quickly now,
Do not linger here, it is time for you to leave.
Go find your strength, go find your youth.
Go find the ones who've gone before you.
You are free to leave me now, free to let your spirit soar
Rest easy now, your pain will soon be gone.
I pray I will find comfort in my memories...
In the dark and lonely days ahead.
I cannot say I will not miss you, I cannot say I will not cry.
For only my tears can heal my broken heart.
But, I promise you this; as long as I live,
You will live, alive in my mind, forever in my heart.
So I give you this last gift, all I have left to give,
And this will be my greatest gift...sending you away.
It is the measure of my unconditional love...
For only the greatest love can say,
"Good-bye, go find the bridge, we'll meet again,
Loving you has been the greatest gift of all."
Forever and Always... Until Rainbow bridge....
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So very sorry :hug: :hug:
RIP Dinah, you have left a pawprint forver in your humans heart
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I am so sorry. :hug:
RIP Dinah. :(
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Safe journey Dinah ...enjoy the Bridge xx
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So very sorry.
RIP sweet Dinah
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Im so very sorry :(
RIP Little one xxx
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I'm so sorry Baggy.
RIP Dinah , safe at the bridge. :'(
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Baggy don't know what to say. Am sitting here in tears.
We collected our Dinah today (we named her ... beautiful name) and her 2 babies from Judith at Covcats. Hope we can provide her with as good a home as your Dinah had. We intend to at any rate. Just want to pass on my very sincere condolences. So very sad for your loss.
:hug: :'(
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I'm so sorry. RIP little Dinah. Play well with the Proot :hug: I'm glad that at least your last day together was so gentle and loving.
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Sorry hunnie, I've only just seen this :hug:
Play hard on the Bridge Dinah sweetie.
:hug: :hug:
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Im so sorry for sad loss :( you made a very brave but hard decision to save her from suffering and let her go with dignity and my heart goes out to you :hug: :RIP:sweet Dinah
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RIP Dinah.
A hard decision but the right one. Join Iddle at the bridge.
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Glad to hear your last day together was peaceful :hug: RIP Dinah
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Many thanks to everyone, it means so much to know that you all understand and are always here.
Our first snowdrop appeared this morning, which I'll take to be a sign that our sweet little girlie has completed her journey.
As soon as I can manage it I'll post something for her on the Rainbow Bridge.
We collected our Dinah today (we named her ... beautiful name) and her 2 babies from Judith at Covcats. Hope we can provide her with as good a home as your Dinah had. We intend to at any rate.
Your Dinah is beautiful Rosella, I'm so glad you chose to take her as well as her kittens. She will have such a wonderful home wth you.
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A snowdrop from Rainbow Bridge how lovely :hug:
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:hug: