Old Man Fred

[Mews2much]

I am glad his bp is ok.
They though my Coco had diabetes also because her blood sugar was so high .
They did a special test and it was not diabetes.
My Coco had arthritis since she was around 9/10.
Did you have his PCV checked to make sure he is not anemic?
Cocos back legs did not work at the end and she threw blood clots.
Same thing with Stripe.
I know CRF so well and hate it.
It makes me cry that you will lose a cat to it also.
Your posts make me think of Coco and Stripe.
Can you post his numbers?

 

[Jennifer]

You are doing you best. you are wonderful to keep Fred "comfortable" He will be greeted by many friends and will no longer be in pain. You had 3 extra years of love from Fred. Just remember all the great times that you have shared.

 

[NakedNinja]

I am glad his bp is ok.
They though my Coco had diabetes also because her blood sugar was so high .
They did a special test and it was not diabetes.
My Coco had arthritis since she was around 9/10.
Did you have his PCV checked to make sure he is not anemic?
Cocos back legs did not work at the end and she threw blood clots.
Same thing with Stripe.
I know CRF so well and hate it.
It makes me cry that you will lose a cat to it also.
Your posts make me think of Coco and Stripe.
Can you post his numbers?

I'll ask Annie to e-mail me his numbers when she gets everything from the lab. Pretty sure she checked for anemia. I think she just ran a standard geriatric/CRF panel.

He's got a fluffy, comfy pillow by the fire, and a cat heating pad on the arm of the couch. He's sleeping with us every night. I'm giving him gentle "sponge baths" because he's too weak to groom himself completely. We've been through it before, with Mr. Pibb. All will be well, one way or another.

 

[Mews2much]

I am glad you gave him a good life.
So many people get rid of pets because they are sick with is very wrong.
Coco could not groom herself either.

 

[Sianne_and_Alice]

This is all just so sad, I'm so sorry you're going through this.....

 

[NakedNinja]

Figured I should share some pictures of the sweet old guy.

 

[Diesel]

Fred is in my thoughts.

 

[Mews2much]

He is a nice looking cat.

 

[marlene]

He's so handsome and we can see how much he loves his momma.

 

[susi794]

He's such a handsome boy. He seems like a wonderful boy who has been blessed with a loving family. Thank you for having rescued him and for giving him a love filled life. And especially for keeping him comfortable until he lets you know it's time. Bless you for being such a good mommy.

 

[NakedNinja]

Guarded good news from Dr. Annie this morning. As I suspected when I saw the back legs, dear Fredder is diabetic. His kidneys are still awful, but getting his glucose regulated will help him feel a WHOLE lot better.

Mews: His numbers:

glucose 599
BUN 82
creatinine 4.3
phos 4.7
electrolytes all low
potassium 3.4
CBC was good
hematocrit 34.5

Urinalysis was fine, no infection, no blood. Dilute, of course, and glucosuria.


Treatment plan:

Potassium gluconate 2 mEq or 150 mg twice a day

Start calcitriol next week after we get sugars regulated

100- 150 cc subQ LR daily

PZI insulin three times a day, check levels in a.m., then 4, 8 and 12 hours after first dose. If under 250 in a.m. don't give insulin. If under 100 call Annie.

Diabetic diet, which we did with Mr. Pibb, so it's all set.

Once again, thank GOD for insurance. It will cover his insulin, testing supplies and labs for the diabetes. The CRF is pre-existing, but it's the cheaper of the two conditions to treat.

Thanks, everyone, for all your continued thoughts and prayers.

 

[Mews2much]

Sorry he has diabetes.
His Bun is high but it could be worse.
I see his Crea is high also.
His hematocrit is great.
Do you have the numbers range for your vet?
Coco had a bun of 79 and we got it down to 56.
I hope the meds help him.

 

[NakedNinja]

4 hours post-insulin he's down to 158. Now as long as he doesn't go any lower, we're happy.

Tonight? Chicken baby food with binder, 100 cc fluids, glucose checks every four hours. Whee!!!!

 

[Mews2much]

I bet Shivas owner could give you advice on Diabetes.
To bad she lost him.

 

[NakedNinja]

Fred is our second "Sugar cat." Steve's cat, Mr. Pibb, was diabetic and we managed him at home with insulin, diet, and good ol' ear sticks. I feel like an old pro at this, and the news that Fred was diabetic only frightened my checkbook...LOL

 

[Mews2much]

I am glad you know how to take care of a cat with diabetes.

 

[NakedNinja]

Finally, some progress!
Fred's numbers started coming back down yesterday. 300 at nadir, 449 pre-insulin this morning. We're making progress.

If I mix the DM food with either plain canned salmon or baby food chicken, and heat it up a bit, he'll eat it. Not ideal, but better than nothing.

Neuropathy is still pretty bad in the legs, but he was more "alert" and vocal this morning about breakfast.

As I keep saying, I just want the poor old man to be comfortable. Thanks again for your continued thoughts and prayers.

 

[susi794]

PRAYERS AND BLESSINGS!
Much love,
Susi

 

[Mews2much]

I am glad he is better.

 

[MissMySphynxBoys]

I'm glad to hear Fred is holding his own.

 

[linepp]

Thinking of you and Fred tonight, and wishing you both the best.

 

[NakedNinja]

Thought I would update everyone on Fred. He's had a very rough couple of days. We thought we were going to lose him Saturday night. His blood sugar spiked back up over 600, and he was vomiting and had diarrhea. He was too weak to even bathe himself.

However...he's rallied yet again. I don't know how he does it. I'm just working hard to keep him comfortable at this point, so when he has a bad day I just give him some extra Gerber chicken (his favorite) and an extra dose of subQ fluids, and make sure he is comfy on his heating pad. This morning, he was up stomping around, yelling for food.

For those of you who have continued to keep him in your thoughts and prayers, our eternal gratitude. I know that all those little whispers are adding up, and giving him the strength to fight one more time.

Right now he's curled up on his big fleecy pillow, enjoying a spot of spring sunshine that is streaming through the window. He looks very content and peaceful. As long as I continue to see that "content" look on his face, I'll keep fighting for him.

Thanks again, everyone! Much love,

 

[momofmaxamillon]

Will be praying for Fred, sounds like he is having a peacful morning very nice!

 

[Boonecat]

My first rescue, "Old Man Fred," isn't doing so well. We're not sure exactly how old he is, but from our best estimate he is at least 16, probably older. He was hyperthyroid a few years ago, got the I-131 treatment and did really well. But, he's also got CRF, and I think it's getting bad. He absolutely hates the "kidney diet" food, won't touch raw, so my hands are tied except for adding a little phosphorus binder to his food when he needs it.

I plan to take him in to see Annie (our lovely vet) next week, but I've got a gut feeling he's at the "just keep him comfortable" stage. He's losing weight, not grooming himself, and looking pretty gimpy when he walks.

I've been ready to say "goodbye" to him for a couple of years. He's been having good days and bad days for so long. Just wondering if anyone here has experience with end-stage CRF, and if there is anything extra I can do to help him be more comfortable.

I'm so sorry to hear about your Fred. You're both in our thoughts & prayers. Just talk softly to him often & offer gentle hugs n' kisses to show your love. Hopefully some of the advice others have given you here will help him. Keep us posted.

 

[DoctorSpock]

Spring sunshine will do that... sortah renews energy, and hope for better things to come...
I've been following "Old Man Fred" and it's nice to hear the good news.