Topic: Taking Max for a check up today - good vibes required please (Read 12535 times)

JackSpratt · « **Reply #65 on:** July 24, 2009, 16:25:55 PM »

Quote from: clarenmax on July 24, 2009, 10:15:08 AM

I guess its normal, not having ever been through this before? Highs and lows I guess?

Completely. I was like that with Tobes when it hit me how ill he was. I think part of you pretends it isn't happening and every now and again reality slaps you and makes you face up to it.

Glad Max is doing well - if he'll allow a fuss I'm sending him one!

And sending you one of these:

Bazsmum · « **Reply #64 on:** July 24, 2009, 15:08:55 PM »

Im glad to hear that Max is in good form, sounds like he has picked up over the last couple of days! More positive vibes for him hun~~~~~~

Your reactions are normal Clare, our big old silly hearts and heads dont take this too well and thats why our furbabes are to be so well commended!

Janeyk · « **Reply #63 on:** July 24, 2009, 10:21:28 AM »

Glad he's still doing well Clare and make the most of your special time together

Gill (sneakiefeline) · « **Reply #62 on:** July 24, 2009, 10:18:55 AM »

Yes its good that he moving around and coming down for things and you are right the ups and downs of your emotions are quite normal. Enjoy every day with him, handsome Max

clarenmax · « **Reply #61 on:** July 24, 2009, 10:15:08 AM »

Hey everyone, just popping on to say thanks again for all your good wishes.

I'm sure they're helping my boy, although life in our household has slowed down a lot, he still seems content for now. He's not just sitting in one place, which I'm taking to be a good sign. He varies between the 2 sofas, and the windowledge at the moment. He still goes downstairs fine to his tray, and the last 2 mornings he's come downstairs for his brekkie, whereas the days before I'd bought it up to him to try and encourage him to eat a bit more.

I know our time is limited, I don't think he's putting any weight on that's for sure, but as long as he's happy and enjoying the basics, then I will let him hang in there

I'm not sure how I'm feeling right now? I go from having a good couple of days, being able to talk to people about Max and the problems we're having, whereas last night just this wave of emotion overtook me, and I just started sobbing the bath

I guess its normal, not having ever been through this before? Highs and lows I guess?

Anyhoo, thanks for listening

Kay and Penny · « **Reply #60 on:** July 20, 2009, 16:19:47 PM »

for you and Max, Clare

Trigger always leaves lumps, so I mash them up with a fork, with extra water added

Dawn F · « **Reply #59 on:** July 20, 2009, 16:16:32 PM »

oh Clare I'm just catching up and I am sorry to hear this

clarenmax · « **Reply #58 on:** July 20, 2009, 16:15:51 PM »

Quote from: swampmaxmum on July 20, 2009, 15:18:13 PM

My Max now just eats Applaws as it's what he likes, but I'm still trying renal k/d with Swampy as he likes it, but has just gone off all food so no doubt will soon be in the same boat with him.
All I do know is that fish isn't a good idea which is a pity as when they feel yuk, sardines in tomato sauce seems to go down better than anything else.

I can always guarantee with my Mr Max that a bowl of chicken and cheese will be hoovered up almost immediately, I've got a few tins of that in reserve as well!

clarenmax · « **Reply #57 on:** July 20, 2009, 16:14:34 PM »

I've been out this lunchtime and bought a few boxes of senior Oh So Meaty, as I know he will usually eat that, and the binder powder gets absorbed quite easily into the juice as well, so that should hopefully tempt him. He's also got Natures Menu as a smoother pate style option, as with his teeth I think he has trouble with some of the larger chunks like Felix. I've also bought him some ordinary dry food as opposed to his usual renal biscuits, I'll mix them in so its half and half, just so he gets a few more interesting flavours, as the renal stuff is just so bland

Its a shame the fishy ones are bad, as they smell so much more tempting and he always eats them, so again will use these as a last resort with the phospherous binder in them, to make it a little less bad!

Apparently he's eaten a little bit this afternoon, but not a huge amount, so I'll have to try and tempt him when I get home with something yummy

swampmaxmum · « **Reply #56 on:** July 20, 2009, 15:18:13 PM »

a big hug for Max

and his mum

I hope that you still have quite some time together and know just how it feels to wonder what to feed and how if you give the "wrong" food that somehow you may be hurting him. I'm not sure about the foods and how much they help or hinder anyhow, if you aren't feeding them for years I mean - can he tolerate binders? My Max now just eats Applaws as it's what he likes, but I'm still trying renal k/d with Swampy as he likes it, but has just gone off all food so no doubt will soon be in the same boat with him.
All I do know is that fish isn't a good idea which is a pity as when they feel yuk, sardines in tomato sauce seems to go down better than anything else.

Mark · « **Reply #55 on:** July 20, 2009, 14:06:34 PM »

Clare - hope you don't mind but another straw here. If it is PDK, Pottassium Chloride is supposed to help and it is one of the ingredients of RC Persian food.

It says here that Pottasium Gluconate is preferable http://www.felinegood.co.uk/treatments/en/potassium.shtml

kellyn1201 · « **Reply #54 on:** July 20, 2009, 14:01:23 PM »

Only just seen this, I'm really sorry

to you and Max

Leanne · « **Reply #53 on:** July 20, 2009, 10:07:12 AM »

OMG Clare thats not what I thought I was going to be reading when I opened the thread,

to you and Max

woodlandcats · « **Reply #52 on:** July 20, 2009, 09:03:20 AM »

So sorry to read this, it's the kind of news we don't want to hear but time after time, we are confronted with it

Janeyk · « **Reply #51 on:** July 20, 2009, 07:48:05 AM »

I agree about giving him what he wants to eat Clare, the vet said with Schui that any food was better than none and so long as he is happy that's the main thing, glad to hear he is still enjoying have a little play

Kirst · « **Reply #50 on:** July 19, 2009, 21:25:13 PM »

OH Clare , just seen this and I'm so sorry. Maxy is a fighter tho , and I am sure he will be around for a while yet.

ems · « **Reply #49 on:** July 19, 2009, 20:47:39 PM »

Oh Clare

Only just seen this, sending lots of love for you and Max

pappilon · « **Reply #48 on:** July 19, 2009, 17:32:54 PM »

Quote from: clarenmax on July 19, 2009, 12:51:25 PM

I will speak to the vet about any other food which might build him up a bit again, I've got to get some more vidalta tabs next week so will have my list of questions ready by then.

Clare i have some Vidalta 10mg left its 11 tablets , if you want iam more than happy to send it for Max. Also have bottle of Renalzin which i used twice but Phoebe wont eat her food if i add any! If you do want any of them pm me your address and i post them to you.
Sending more good vibes and love to Max.x

Mark · « **Reply #47 on:** July 19, 2009, 16:55:31 PM »

Don't worry Clare - it is well documented now that the low protein thing for cats is an outdated myth.The original tests were done on rats and applied to cats and dogs - in fact too little protein causes muscle and organ wastage so a good binder with regular food is probably beter than renal food. The only other difference AFAIK is they add extra vitamin E to renal food. There is also mounting evidence that prebiotics and fish oil (and other long-chain EFAs support kidneys )

I would avoid fish though at this stage as it is very high phosphorus.

Are you using Renalzin? - apparently it is the best one. Willow has it but Clapton refuses to eat food with it so I have to use Ipakitine.

I also have some Rubenal (prebiotic) kidney support but haven't started using it yet.

Gillian Harvey · « **Reply #46 on:** July 19, 2009, 14:56:35 PM »

Quote from: clarenmax on July 19, 2009, 12:51:25 PM

At the moment I just want to make him eat more if I can,

so I'm feeding him whatever he wants right now with phospherous binder in it, it may speed up the downfall of his kidneys, but if these truly are his last weeks/months, whatever he has left, I want him to enjoy them, and if it means he gets food he actually likes, then thats what I'll do.

Yes, definitely feed him what he wants to eat, it won't speed up the kidney failure, phos binders will reduce phos load going through kidneys anyway.

Bazsmum · « **Reply #45 on:** July 19, 2009, 13:23:55 PM »

I would feed whatever within reason Clare, they stand a lot more chance with a bit of weight on....here's hoping that our gorgeous Max finds something that he loves and long may he reign!

clarenmax · « **Reply #44 on:** July 19, 2009, 12:51:25 PM »

At the moment I just want to make him eat more if I can, his weight loss has been quite dramatic over the last month since she last saw him, so if, and its a huge if, I can get him to put some weight back on, we may have a slightly better chance to keep him going. His renal diet is not appealing to him at the moment, so I'm feeding him whatever he wants right now with phospherous binder in it, it may speed up the downfall of his kidneys, but if these truly are his last weeks/months, whatever he has left, I want him to enjoy them, and if it means he gets food he actually likes, then thats what I'll do.

He's still wanting to play, albeit only in very short bursts now, then he wants to chill out and snooze again, so he's not ready to give up yet, and hopefully he'll carry on like this for a while longer!

I will speak to the vet about any other food which might build him up a bit again, I've got to get some more vidalta tabs next week so will have my list of questions ready by then.

Gillian Harvey · « **Reply #43 on:** July 19, 2009, 11:51:28 AM »

Sorry to hear this Clare

If it is PKD, then you are right, the treatment is no different, my Suzie and Jasper both had PKD. Suzie had sub q's for her last month which helped her feel better. Its been a problem in persians, and also many other breeds, but isnt exclusive to peds. Its interesting his creatinine has be reducing though - maybe there is just an infection going on and the abs will help, don't know if an infection would enlarge the kidneys though, possibly could I would have thought. I'd have a chat with the vet again when you are feeling a bit less upset.

clarenmax · « **Reply #42 on:** July 19, 2009, 09:42:05 AM »

Thanks Mark, have just been onto the site.

The treatment is no different to what we've already been doing unfortunately, as the cysts cause renal failure anyway, so whatever is causing his enlarged kidneys, I doubt the outcome would be any different.

I will ask our vet though

Mark · « **Reply #41 on:** July 18, 2009, 23:22:33 PM »

Quote from: clarenmax on July 18, 2009, 21:14:26 PM

What's pkd Mark xxx

Any suggestions welcome, I'm willing to try anything for my wee man

I will get together a list of questions and email them to her.

It's Polycystic Kidney disease - usually persians get it but I'm sure other cats can get it too. There is an explanation here which says an ultrasound will confirm so it's non-invasive http://www.cat-world.com.au/PolycysticKidneyDisease.htm
I have done so much googling since Clapon was diagnosed - even looking into transplants although I still haven't found anywhere in the UK. There is also the ethical dilemna

Maybe just clutching at straws - who knows what our mogs have in their lineage?

Feline Costumier · « **Reply #40 on:** July 18, 2009, 22:34:00 PM »

Baggy · « **Reply #39 on:** July 18, 2009, 21:58:01 PM »

Sorry to hear it wasn't the news you were hoping for, but sounds as if your miracle boy still has some fight left yet

clarenmax · « **Reply #38 on:** July 18, 2009, 21:14:26 PM »

What's pkd Mark xxx

Any suggestions welcome, I'm willing to try anything for my wee man

I will get together a list of questions and email them to her.

Mark · « **Reply #37 on:** July 18, 2009, 21:12:04 PM »

Not sure if this is any help but has the vet yested for PKD? - still not good but cats can live for years with it. The test is an ultrsound. Sorry if this is no help Clare but I always question vets/doctors as they aren't always right

Yvonne · « **Reply #36 on:** July 18, 2009, 21:07:23 PM »

Take care Clare

to you and Max

MrsR · « **Reply #35 on:** July 18, 2009, 20:52:53 PM »

Oh hunnie

Desley (booktigger) · « **Reply #34 on:** July 18, 2009, 20:26:52 PM »

I just wonder if it is worth doing them just in case the vet is wrong and there can be some kind of treatment.

cats_whiskas · « **Reply #33 on:** July 18, 2009, 20:23:20 PM »

Millys Mum · « **Reply #32 on:** July 18, 2009, 19:50:40 PM »

JackSpratt · « **Reply #31 on:** July 18, 2009, 17:26:44 PM »

Just wanted to send you guys one of these.

Michelle (furbabystar) · « **Reply #30 on:** July 18, 2009, 16:53:17 PM »

OMG Clare that was NOT what I thought i was going to read

I'm actually lost for words ...You must be so shocked

Hoping the AB injection does something to help

Sending Max a huge kiss....

Gentle hugs to You Clare xxx

cats_whiskas · « **Reply #29 on:** July 18, 2009, 15:00:10 PM »

I am so sorry to hear that your baby is ill. I too am about to lose my first ever cat. Who is now 9. I really feel for you and want you to know you aren't alone. x

clarenmax · « **Reply #28 on:** July 18, 2009, 13:05:48 PM »

She didn't think it was worth putting him through more blood testing etc at the moment, she's amazed that he's still alive full stop at the moment. His bloods were only done quite recently anyway, so we're fairly sure the levels of his treatments are OK at the moment. What's strange is that his creatinine levels had been decreasing, so she's perplexed as to what is going on really. All I know is that his kidneys feel about twice their normal size, and she mentioned cancer cells, by that point I was getting too upset to really deal with it all.

She's basically said keep him happy and comfortable, for as long as that may be, and that he really is a miracle boy

Desley (booktigger) · « **Reply #27 on:** July 18, 2009, 12:50:20 PM »

I am sorry that the vet wasn't more positive and I hope Max proves her wrong. Did she recommend blood testing in case his meds need readjusting, which might help?

bonnielass · « **Reply #26 on:** July 18, 2009, 12:45:11 PM »

Im so sorry to hear the news wasnt good

take lots of photo,s to make an album to look back on when the inevitable time comes,and until then treasure every moment with this special little man and take one day at a time,

Author Topic: Taking Max for a check up today - good vibes required please (Read 12535 times)