Topic: RIP baby Max: PLEASE READ UPDATE THREAD (Read 97163 times)

Maddiesmum · « **Reply #350 on:** June 09, 2009, 11:15:11 AM »

Well it is good that he is not feeling ill. I am glad he enjoyed his chicken and a cuddle with his mum

swampmaxmum · « **Reply #349 on:** June 09, 2009, 10:55:17 AM »

Max was a little happier this morning and sat on my lap and nearly took my fingers off with the few little bits of fresh chicken I'd taken in. I'm going back this afternoon as usual to spend longer with him. Looking at him, it is still so hard to believe.

Bazsmum · « **Reply #348 on:** June 09, 2009, 03:39:07 AM »

Please give Max head rubs from us all, give yourself big hugs and Swampy a cuddle too! Am thinking of you all!

Maddiesmum · « **Reply #347 on:** June 08, 2009, 20:42:09 PM »

See how he goes over the next couple of days Kate, if it gives him a chance to feel well for a while. You are all in my thoughts

swampmaxmum · « **Reply #346 on:** June 08, 2009, 19:30:32 PM »

The vet was very bleak in his prognosis for Max. His creatinine went up 10 points from saturday lunchtime to today despite us giving him sub cuts. I wanted to bring him home tonight but the vet says it's not an exact science and he thinks another day or two would give Max a few really good days before he starts to go downhill. Max was fed up and stayed in his bed. If he is like that tomorrow I am going to bring him home. This is so hard

swampmaxmum · « **Reply #345 on:** June 08, 2009, 12:00:31 PM »

I took baby Max in. I felt like an axe murderer as he was so happy to be home, but think it is necessary. Certainly he was a lot better at the weekend than he's been for a while so last week helped, even if it's only for a while, we'll see. But I was fed up as I starved him, effectively from 5.30 last evening, as he did nibble after that but sicked it up, then Swampy found the Applaws I'd left out in the night (!) so this morning Max fancied a little meal (he doesn't eat much any more) but I 'd been told he's having bloods so to fast him. Then I get there and no, he's not having bloods so now he'll have to eat what they give him in hospital. His little bed of last week has also been reclaimed by its rightful owner so lucky I bought that little PAH dog bed and I took in his spare blue blankie that smells of home. I'll go in later and spend 1 1/2 hours with him. If he becomes unhappy, we've decided that we will just bring him home and try the sub cuts until such time as he is not able to cope.

But fortekor takes at least 4 weeks to really kick in so the idea is to try as hard as possible to keep him going for a month so that we can see how much his existing kidney function can cope with. He can't be maintaining weight and coat looking good with zero kidney function but something has stopped them working somehow. His actual readings are apparently "moderate" (under 500 creatinine is moderate) but it's just they don't seem to stay there but keep climbing.

I just hope this is the right thing to do. I know with both my boys I have to do whatever I can to help them, no matter what. (I just hope the insurance pays btw as I am now clocking over £1500

). As it is, will have to find 35% of that even if they do. Of course last night I broke my rules on "no Max under the duvet" so I only got about an hour's kip as he kept on adjusting to a more comfy position! But at least he was happy.

Maddiesmum · « **Reply #344 on:** June 08, 2009, 08:10:23 AM »

I echo what the others have said missus, don't knock yourself, you do so much for your fur babies - I would NEVER be able to do the fluids. Glad he has had an ok time and enjoyed his new bed. He is probably hiding from you so you wont stick a needle in him. Charlie runs in the opposite direction from me in case it's meds time. Hope things go ok this week, try to stay as positive as you can xxx

bonnielass · « **Reply #343 on:** June 08, 2009, 07:49:11 AM »

You have a lot to contend with at the moment but your doing great

so dont think otherwise, hope everything is okay this morning and good luck at the vets, sending positive vibes for the brave lad

Bazsmum · « **Reply #342 on:** June 08, 2009, 04:53:04 AM »

I would be useless Kate having to do that so I reckon you sell yourself short!

Good vibes being sent to Max~~~~~~~

swampmaxmum · « **Reply #341 on:** June 07, 2009, 21:01:21 PM »

It's been good, thanks. I bought a new cushion 'dog' bed at PAH on sale and he's been fast asleep on that. We gave him some fluids (not enough: we are hopeless) and he's eaten a little chicken today. The hospital stay has made him so much better this weekend than last but of course it's if he can sustain it. But he had a game with me too. Only downsides which have been a worry are that he hid under the bed (when I got him out and cuddled him, he slept happily next to me, but I don't like the hiding) and he also came to the kitchen looking for food but then wouldn't eat it and then cried loudly. Both were things he did last weekend.

What was a bit sad for us was that we have a mad pigeon who thinks it's a good idea to fly into our bedroom window and sit on our mezzanine area (it cr*ps everywhere

). I remember a time not so long ago when both Max and Swampy would have had lunch out of that fat pigeon. We showed Max who wasn't even interested.
I am very nervous about tomorrow and this week in general. If he can stay the way he is today it would be all right, but I don't really understand why, but sub cuts seem so much more feeble than a drip.

PS we got more fluids down him so almost 100mls today in 2 gos. He wasn't pleased by the second one particularly but he was yelling and these days we are never sure if it's toxins, hunger, feeling upset or what so we thought we'd better give as close to the recommended maximum dose as possible just in case.
Then taking off the needle I put it straight through my (pill giving) finger....I need more practice as it is just not as easy as it looks, even with 2 of us doing it.

Maddiesmum · « **Reply #340 on:** June 07, 2009, 11:17:55 AM »

Glad you had your wonderful cuddle. Hope the fluids go in ok and he stays feeling well. Big hug for a lovely Sunday together

bonnielass · « **Reply #339 on:** June 07, 2009, 11:07:14 AM »

Im glad to hear your night wasnt too bad with Max, i bet you enjoyed your cuddle this morning

im glad your also trying to keep relaxed with him ,im sure it makes all the difference to him and also Swampy and have a good day together

swampmaxmum · « **Reply #338 on:** June 07, 2009, 10:56:12 AM »

He and I had a lovely cuddle for 2 hours under the duvet this morning. He is only eating a very little, mostly fresh chicken or Applaws, but I'm trying to relax about that as long as something is going in. He's drinking a lot. We have to do sub cuts later on so wish us luck. Trying to get 100mls or just under into him. I think I may mark the bag with a pen so that we can see as working it out from the size of the hump forming in him doesn't work too well (or at least I'm inept). He has peed on his own although sings loudly when he goes and scratches for minutes first, which he didn't do in hospital. He ate more in hospital too - stress related maybe? I'm just trying to make his sunday special as he has to go back into hospital at 11 tomorrow morning.

swampmaxmum · « **Reply #337 on:** June 06, 2009, 15:21:17 PM »

apparently a skinny cat's dodgy kidneys cope better with less body weight. I got a full explanation but as usual just got the drift of it.

CarolM (Wendolene) · « **Reply #336 on:** June 06, 2009, 15:00:52 PM »

Glad he's home and feeling perky - everything crossed that he can maintain that

Sorry if I've missed the explanation but I don't really understand why its so important to get his weight down though.

Maddiesmum · « **Reply #335 on:** June 06, 2009, 14:37:56 PM »

Glad he is home and hope it goes ok for you all . Big hugs for Max

Bazsmum · « **Reply #334 on:** June 06, 2009, 14:27:10 PM »

Bless...Glad Max is home for the weekend, Im sure there is happiness all round! Hoping the time goes smoothly for you all and good luck getting his no.s down!

swampmaxmum · « **Reply #333 on:** June 06, 2009, 14:23:57 PM »

Max is home and very glad to be. Because of the 5 day fluids, he's been as bright as a button, but then he was last time too. We did have a good chat and he is going back into hospital for a few days next week to try to get his numbers even lower, as they did come down nearly 180 points in 5 days and his coat, weight etc mean that there is some kidney function left, but just it isn't working. So the strategy is to keep his weight lower (if he weighed a kg less it would help) while still getting him to eat; try sub cuts daily and I am getting a special 50ml syringe with a long catheter type needle which is easier than a fluid bag (anyone used one?);
and frequent bloods to see how he is doing. The vet thinks he has a less than 50% chance at his age, he said maybe 30%, but it's important to feel that we have done all we can. He said it's worth another few days just in case (he doesn't know if it would help or not) also because Max so far has done all right in hospital. So if all is ok all weekend, he goes back in on monday at 11.30am. He could have stayed in all weekend but there would have been no visits at all, so we thought from 1pm saturday to 11.30am monday, please be all right as it's better for him.

I love seeing him the way he is today and just pray he can maintain that, even if it's not for long.

Maddiesmum · « **Reply #332 on:** June 06, 2009, 11:32:34 AM »

Hope both your boys had a decent night and that Max can come home with you for the weekend at least. Hope you get to speak to your vet without having to resort to a sit in! Love and hugs and positive vibes to you all xxx

clarenmax · « **Reply #331 on:** June 06, 2009, 09:00:06 AM »

Topping up with more get well vibes, hope his creatinine levels can stay down this time whilst not on the drip xxx

Bazsmum · « **Reply #330 on:** June 06, 2009, 03:28:58 AM »

Thinking of you all! x

bunglycat · « **Reply #329 on:** June 06, 2009, 02:01:13 AM »

hope Max picks up and all his levels go down - lots of healing vibes to Max and Swampy and take care of yourself too .

Gill (sneakiefeline) · « **Reply #328 on:** June 06, 2009, 00:04:09 AM »

Gillian Harvey · « **Reply #327 on:** June 05, 2009, 23:39:38 PM »

At least the creatinine has come down, I hope it can stay down when he's off the drip - will you be giving subQs at home too? Hope you get to see the vet tomorrow.

Sam (Fussy_Furball) · « **Reply #326 on:** June 05, 2009, 22:14:55 PM »

swampmaxmum · « **Reply #325 on:** June 05, 2009, 21:37:48 PM »

thanks to all of you

I still didn't see the vet who had (apparently) only a 10 min break all day, but I must see him tomorrow. Max is being sent home. I can't help wondering if it was a tuesday or wed tomorrow if he wouldn't be kept in a little longer. Not too long obviously, but only a drip can bring his numbers down and if his kidney function is nearly all gone, surely the lowest nos to cope on his own the better. His creatinine is at 476 in house which probably means about 376 at the lab, which is still very high. He was brighter today and this afternoon he lay on my lap with his little head on my arm and had a little shut eye and purr, while I stroked his warm little tum (the hair's still not grown back), which was so lovely for me.
The locum said we had to do this properly to give him a chance. I don't know how long he should really be in for. The vet's plan is (acc to the nurse) to see how he is in a week. That is a long way off right now.
I've emailed him to say I'm sorry but Max is too ill for us not to chat to you tomorrow. It just adds to the upset and anxiety really.

bonnielass · « **Reply #324 on:** June 05, 2009, 18:49:36 PM »

Topping up those positive vibes that Max is feeling happier today and that you are able to bring him home, and please take care of yourself Kate as both the boys need you now and you need to try and get some rest or your going to make yourself ill

Bazsmum · « **Reply #323 on:** June 05, 2009, 15:34:10 PM »

I feel stressed just reading these posts, I cant comprehend how awful it must be for you with 2 cats that arnt well......

More positive vibes being sent Max's direction!

Maddiesmum · « **Reply #322 on:** June 05, 2009, 15:02:42 PM »

Hope you managed to speak to the vet. It is so worrying and they must learn to realise how anxiety making it is for fur mummies. Hope Max has come out of hiding and hope if he comes home this weekend that you can manage his fluids and he does well. Big hug from Manchester xx

sheryl · « **Reply #321 on:** June 05, 2009, 13:03:55 PM »

Love, huggles and positive vibes for Max and great big

for you and Swampy.

You must be exhausted Hun - take care of yourself xxx

clarenmax · « **Reply #320 on:** June 05, 2009, 11:45:15 AM »

Leanne · « **Reply #319 on:** June 05, 2009, 09:33:53 AM »

to you, Max and Swampy

swampmaxmum · « **Reply #318 on:** June 05, 2009, 08:44:05 AM »

I'm going to try to catch the vet between consults and ops this morning if I can leave Swampy ok. Max is apparently still under his blankie, hiding. If I CAN get away for even 10 mins, I may bother the nurses and ask to go in to see him twice I think. I presume he is coming home tomorrow but right now I just don't know anything.

Sue P (Paddysmum) · « **Reply #317 on:** June 05, 2009, 07:05:27 AM »

Sending lots of gentle snuzzles for Max this morning, Kate. Hoping you can coax a happy purr from your lovely boy today.

swampmaxmum · « **Reply #316 on:** June 04, 2009, 23:12:37 PM »

me too. I feel so awful knowing that he is all alone and scared down there in the hospital, when there is probably not that much hope of him recovering. I just want him home and to cuddle him. I'm doing this though because the vets both say that it's his only hope and they think it is worth the try. Max is a cat that just loves cuddling right up to me while I hold his plump little pink, warm tum and purring softly and I miss that so terribly.

Tomorrow they will do bloods I think and that makes me nervous. Everything is so scary right now. I'll go in and see him and take him some more chicken in the morning. The nurses say he mostly eats at night or early in the morning, when he is alone. I think he must be so nervous poor little man.

Baggy · « **Reply #315 on:** June 04, 2009, 22:38:03 PM »

Really hoping he's feeling a little better tomorrow

.

pappilon · « **Reply #314 on:** June 04, 2009, 21:20:32 PM »

For you and Max. You are in my thoughts, i know how hard is to look after 2 sick cats.

Maddiesmum · « **Reply #313 on:** June 04, 2009, 19:58:53 PM »

It is probably the FOrtekor. The vet told me it can make them a bit lethargic for the first few days. Big love and hugs to you all

Michelle (furbabystar) · « **Reply #312 on:** June 04, 2009, 19:58:44 PM »

Sending Max lots of love ......and a

for you Kate xx

swampmaxmum · « **Reply #311 on:** June 04, 2009, 19:30:03 PM »

He was more subdued this afternoon. He didn't want to sit on my lap, but wanted to stay in his bed safe under his blankie and be stroked in there. He ate some fresh chicken that I took in for him and we shared a yoghurt, but I'm afraid he is either weakening or getting fed up with being in hospital. There weren't any dogs or noisy cats to stress him out but he just has hunkered down. I didn't see the vet at all today to talk about him. I wondered how quickly the fortekor spikes if it does as I suppose his second day on that , he could be feeling a few side effects. I was hoping they would recheck his bloods before starting it, but it seems that they'll only do so tomorrow. I just hate saying good night to him and can't wait to see him again tomorrow morning. Every second is special, I know that so many of you know how that feels.

Author Topic: RIP baby Max: PLEASE READ UPDATE THREAD (Read 97163 times)