April 13

Well today is Friday the 13th but we hope this isn't going to be a bad day. My dear Sweet Donny has been diagnosed with some Kidney failure. At first I was in denial and disbelief. I mean, his sister died at age 6 from PKD (Polycystic Kidneys) and I had Donny and his siblings tested for PKD right after she was diagnosed and died. They are all negative, so this is the last thing I thought I would be dealing with right at the time of his 13th Birthday. He was fine when we went to the Vet- they said- he has lost a pound since August. I was like, no put him on the scale maybe you didn't read it right? They re-check. It's right. Then they take blood and do his exam. I tell them he has a fascination with water and loves to beg in the bathroom for water. I mean he had 4 kidney stones surgically removed 4 yrs ago, and we encourage water and that is what he gets for treats and when he beggs for something. So I did not think this was a red flag, but I mean lately...he has been begging at 4:30 AM and waking us up, even though we have 2 bowls of fresh purifed water upstairs and downstairs........

So we go home and wait for the call about his blood work. The Vet calls-sadly- his BUN was 40 in August (a little high), but his Creatinine was 1.8- normal, now his BUN is still a litlte high, but his Creatinine is now 2.1, elevated. I am in denial. Maybe he has another kidney stone??? They say I have to take him off the Royal Canin Urinary SO that he has been on for 5 yrs to prevent more stones. I am worried. We get Royal Canin LP (low protein) to feed him. He likes it, but it is chunks and gravy and he is just licking the gravy, unable to pick up the chunks with his flat little Persian face. So I call and ask for the pate version that I find is available too. they say we will order it. I buy him a nice ceramic water catfountain, he loves it.
Well before we get it, he is now acting sick 2 weeks later. Vomiting. not wanting to eat. We take him back to the vet- they do more bloods. the creatinine is 2.4, BUN 45. I feel he is dehydrated. They say the bloods do not show that?? He acts dehydrated- they give him some sub q fluids, and Pepcid and give me a bottle to take home, along with carafate. They say he "wins the prize for the HARDEST CAT TO PILL!" Yes, I know this!
He is still not acting right, good days, bad days, liking the pate at first, not now. Finds a few morsels of cheese that dropped at Easter when making stuffed shells- He has a memory like an elephant and will not stop begging for more cheese every chance he gets. He doesn't get it- I am afraid to give him anything that might make his kidneys worse.
Fianlly last night- success- I get a urine specimen that I have been trying to get for weeks- I am sitting here waiting for the Vet to call with the results.
Sorry so long, but I want to document Donny's days with his illness. I wish I had more time with his sister, my sweet Marie, but it wasn't to be. Now I feel like I am losing him too fast. I sit here crying, unable to do anything right now! Just hold him thru my tears of saddness.
Donny's Mommy Marcia