:( My baby isn't feeling well. Over the past month he has lost a lot of weight. He is bony feeling. :scared2: He has been over weight since he was 9 months old. He was puking a lot over the past while..then I changed their food. I think he may have an allergy problem with food. I hope that is all that is wrong with him. He is 8 year old this month.
Tomorrow he will be seeing the vet at 2pm. I am very nervous for him.
Send good vibes for my boy.

Aw, poor Milo!! Hope he checks out and it's just a little virus or allergy or something.. Sometimes it can be something as simple as teeth problems! If his gums hurt and he swallows food whole, it may upset his tummy. Feel better Milo!!! Don't worry mom so much! :comfort:

:comfort: :comfort: :comfort: I hope it's nothing serious... :kittyluv: :smooch: :smooch:

Yesterday was crazy!! Around 12:55pm our super came pounding on our door, the fire alarm was going, but it is USUALLY a false alarm. Nope not this time. A small fire broke out in the other end of our building, no one was hurt. But we all were in heart attack mode the whole hour we were stuck outside. You should have seen Ty and I trying to get all 4 cats in the carriers. :rotfl:
Needless to say we weren't able to make his appointment, but he has one in a half hour.
I think it's just his tummy, so I am not as stressed as I was.

He needs a change in diet again.

I started giving Eukanuba to the girls and they all digest it fine, maybe you could try it... ;)

:( Milo has the beginning stages of chronic renal failure. With low protein food and lots of water, plus medication and 2 days of fluids at the vets...he will feel better, and live for awhile. It's not a death sentence, but it's a serious health issue. It's going to cost a bit for the 2 days of fluid, but I will find the money somehow to get the proper treatment for my special guy.
The past few days have been stressful! :ack:

Poor Milo! I'm sorry Allie. :comfort:

Thanks Liz :hug:

:hug:

Nala has renal failure - we have her on fluids twice a week. Are you going to be starting any type of regular fluid treatment with him?

I'm very interested to hear about his progress - it sucks, but like you said, it's not a death sentence. You are so good to your kitties, I know that he's going to get what he needs so he can stay as happy as he has been.

Yup he got fluids yesterday, and the vet wants a 2 days treatment. My aunt and parents will help out if needed. My parents are away until Monday, so I am waiting for them to come home to do more for him. We got food for renal failure/low protein and I am going to whatever it takes to make sure my boy has a few more years. He is eating the Hills science diet brand.
I will keep everyone updated on his progress in this post.

Good luck. I was squeemish at first about the fluids, but I practiced twice at the vet and now we do very well with it. I'll share with you how I go about it, maybe you can pick up some pointers.

What I do now is give them in the bathroom (I used to have a station set up in our basement) - I put a hook up in the ceiling that I hang the bag on, and I keep it stored in the closet on a hook I put in there. The higher up you hang it when you give it to them, the faster it goes. We're down to about 2 minutes now.

I have a coffee container that I keep all the used needles in, and I take that to my vet when it gets full for them to dispose of correctly.

You can warm the fluid on a heating pad or in hot water to warm it up before it goes into him - if the water is cold, it's going to be even colder going into him. I used to do the fluids in our basement but it would take a good 20 minutes to get that water warm in a heating pad so I just brought it up here, and now I don't have to bother heating it.

I used to wrap Nala in a towel and put her on my lap to administer the fluids. Now the towel isn't necessary, she's used to it - but I sit on the side of the tub and put her on my lap and give her the fluids. If he wears a collar, watch how high up you go - the one time I was higher up on her shoulders and as the fluid was going in I didn't realize how tight the collar was getting and it was choking her (I got it within a minute or two when she started fidgeting) - so just watch.

If you get frustrated or if he fidgets too much and you can't get the full amount into him, just let it go and do it again the next day. You'll stress him out and the next time you go to do it, chances are he'll get aggravated quicker than normal (at least that's how Nala is).

:hug: Thanks Crystal. I am SO glad I have you guys on the forum. Especially someone who is dealing with the same issues. All I have been doing is bawling my eyes out. It was a shock to hear them say CRF with my special guy. :( All the other cats know something is up too.
I have been reading up on it more and have talked to the vet over the phone, yesterday I was too wigged out to absorb the info.
They want to keep Milo for 2 days on IV fluids. Then meds which should be a HUGE task with him. He HATES taking pills. They said at this point they don't feel it'll be necessary for the 2 days a week fluid thing with Milo. Thanks goodness. But they will be showing me how to do it, myself :ack: I had to call the vet so I could get better idea of what the initial cost are, almost $500, spent $300 on his visit the other day...and the monthly costs will be. Not so bad. So much for moving outta here amutime soon. Hopefully the summer.
I cannot get Milo to eat the vets wet food. Hills SD K/D, and another kind in a pouch. He is not a fan of wet food. I know it's better for him. Is there any other kidney friendly brand food out there you can get at a pet shop?
This is going to be a new experience for me and all of us here. I have a chronically sick boy. :wha: I still cannot believe my poor Milo has to go thru all this. :bawling:

I spend about $12 on a bag of fluids - overall it's not that much. Initial costs were large, though - tests and all. And every 6-8 months we do tests and that's a bit costly.

It's a shock, yes - I remember when I heard about Nala....I took her in because I thought she had a simple UTI, like you. It's a shock to hear it's not something simple like you originally thought. I found out Nala had this almost 2 years ago now, I think...and she's still doing great. I would think positive thoughts.

One thing that bothered me is that the vet who diagnosed her implied that I put her down. :mad: She's the other vet at the clinic I go to...needless to say, I ONLY see my main vet now (who is 100% supportive and looks for answers to things). Imagine if I was someone less educated who thought, okay, I need to put her down...she's living a GREAT life. She said at some point she may get too weak to get to the box and start peeing herself...but let me tell you, we have issues with her using the box (I believe it's anxiety - I have a Feliway plug-in now that's helping), but she does NOT act sick at all.

After all of our treatments, Nala's numbers have only increased, too. Milo can be the same way.

:hug: We're all here for you.

:hug: Thanks again Crystal. Yeah it's going be an expensive week next week, but as you said. The regular care is not that much.
Milo is looking much better now. :jump: He was up and about being cute. Being himself. :bow: The food and the fluids from the other day are helping. He is eating and only puked once the night of the vet visit. He is drinking a lot, doesn't look so dull.
At least I know what a dehydrated cat looks like now.

:jump: :jump: :jump: Great to hear!

I guess fluids in our body as mammals must gather around bones too or creates some sort of layer...Milo feels less bony. :confused: This will be an interesting experience on the science level of the situation. Too bad my kitty is the subject.

I hate to see what I'd be like if I had a sick child. :duh: Thank god I am on anti anxiety meds. :thumbsup: lol

WOW, how do you administer the fluids? Is it IV?

I'm sorry to hear this Allie, but glad to hear he's doing and looking better! :hug: You're an awesome meowmie! :hug: Keep us updated on the handsome boy's progress.

There are two way to give them fluid, the IV and a needle. :shock: I am not good with stuff like that. BUT I have NO choice. They vet will be showing me how to do it.
Here's a great site I found on CRF.
CRF

:hug: Thank Jessica, I will.
I am going to be a broke meowmie. :duh:

Sending hugs, purrs and prayers!

:hug:

Poor Milo :comfort: :hug:

So glad he's been feeling better - and yes Allie he couldn't have a better meowmie! :bow:

:hug: Thanks Sarah.

He goes in tomorrow morning for the 2 days of IV Fluids. :( I hate the thought of leaving him there for 2 days. It's has to be done. He is still eating, but no as much as he should be. He is very dependant on me right now. He knows he is sick and I am helping him feel better. :coocoo: It nuts, but I know this cat so well. I have a bond with him unlike I have had with any cat ever.
He is being so quiet and sweet these days. He lets out this cute little meow when he wants fresh food or water. He didn't do that before. :confused: This battle with CRF is going to bring us closer.
The other kitties don't eat his food and know something is not right with Milo. No one is trying to play with him right now. It's like they respect that he needs to be left alone.
The next few days are going to be hard. They say what doesn't kill you makes you stronger...I think this is one those things.

I sort of know how you feel.
Motley's my little baby - I've brought her up since she was a little scrap of a kitten 9 years ago, and we have a strong bond, not like with the other cats.

When she got really sick a couple of years back I was in bits when I had to leave the vets without her so she could have fluids, tests and treatment etc - and although I didn't have any money at the time it wasn't an issue as I knew I'd find it somehow.

Motley also knew me and the vets were helping her to get better - and Sparkle acted like the perfect gentleman around her!

Hope Milo goes ok with the fluids - and try not to worry too much if he seems a little down when he gets home after, I was told this was quite common after just finishing IV fluids as they have to get used to NOT having them!

:hug:

Thanks again Sarah. Milo looked a bit poed when I said good bye this am.
I'd be depressed too, stuck in strange place with an IV attached to you. :(
Friday morning cannot come soon enough. :bow:

That's awesome - my Figaro is my little baby, we sleep together every night.

When Minnie got a bad eye infection a few years back, she and I bonded - we had never been close and that brought us a bit closer because she was always looking to cuddle. I realized how much I had overlooked her - that doesn't happen anymore.

It's funny how the other cats always seem to know something's going on.

Talked to the vet this am. Milo is still not eating there, but he is feeling better today. They are going to do another blood test to see where is levels are now after the 1.5 days of flushing his system. The good thing about this particular vet is they don't try to guilt you into spending money you don't have. They won't make me spend money on treatment when they know it's time to let him go.
I have to accept the fact that my Milo isn't going to be around another 8 yrs. That I am lucky to have the time I have had with him. I have to a grow up about this and know to let him go when the time comes. Whether it's 6 months from now or 5 years. At least when Milo does get really sick and dies, we'll know why. :(
In the meanwhile I'll just take care of my 4 babies as I have been.
I cannot wait to be my boy in the morning. I haven't slept properly since he got diagnosed.
Man I am so glad I don't have kids. Could you imagine have terminally ill kids? A sick cat feels horrible...I cannot imagine having a child who was sick. :shock:
Hope the test shows his levels are down a lot.

:hug:

:hug:

His condition is definitely more severe than Nala's - she didn't have to go through nearly what he's going through.

I'll be thinking about him and hoping the numbers are good tomorrow.

Figaro got really sick with pancreatitis when we lived in NC and had to be hospitalized for two days. I went to visit him and he got up and walked to me in the cage (he had been so weak when I took him in that he could barely stand - I'll pick him up and he'd flop over) with the little boot on to keep him from messing with the IV in his arm, and he hugged me (he always does that)...I just lost it and started crying. And this is a CAT. :duh: I wonder how I'll be when I have kids, too. :lmao:

I'll be thinking about you guys - be sure to update us tomorrow.

:hug:

Allie :comfort: Keep us posted!

I try never to think of having a terminally ill child! I cry when I see them on TV. Ugh!! But I also cry when I see ill pets come through the clinic. The innocent, two or four-legged, just don't deserve it. :( Hang in there!

:hug: Thanks Liz. This is really hard, especially today. They want to me to pick him up tonight at 7pm. They want to make sure he's flushed well I guess. This is pure torture for me and for my boy!
I have a bad feeling about my Milo. I will do whatever to make him comfortable for the rest of his life. However long that may be. :(

:hug:

:comfort: :comfort: :hug:

:( :comfort: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug:

Well Milo is home. His levels are lower, his phosphorus level is good, went way down...but the rest are still not where the vet wants them to be. :(
He is home and acting normal. He keeps cleaning where they shaved him for the IV. :nono:
Basically the next two weeks will tell us more about how Milo is tolerating the treatment. 3 meds all can be taken in food 1 a day and fluids from home ,1-2 times a week. The vet gives Milo 6 months to a year. I kinda had a feeling I wasn't going to get 100% good news.
It was so cute when Milo first saw me at the vet's. :luv2: He came right up for a hug and a head butt. They brought him in to demonstrate how to do the fluids at home with the needle. :ack: It's big needle. Milo didn't even flinch. I dunno if I'll be able to stomach it, but Ty will. I'll hold him while he injects the fluids.
Hopefully Milo's levels will get lower and stabilize for a awhile. :praying:

:kittyluv: So glad he's home!

I would stay positive and see what happens - Nala's numbers were crazy and then after 6 months of treatment they were pretty decent...so time will tell.

:hug: I'm so happy he's home with you. :D

Aw, you're such a great meowmie! :hug: I'm with Crystal, stay positive. And I'm glad he's home with you. I bet he is, too!

Me too! Yeah I want to be positive and realistic too. Time will tell, but my nerves are shot. Now if I can only get him to eat the food with meds in it. :pullhair: I have to look up some tricks to get cats to take meds.
Thanks guys, I am so glad I can chat here about this. :hug: :kittyluv:
Milo is acting normal, but still not eating like I want him too. He is very glad to be home. He must have walked around sniffing everything for 2 hours last night. :lmao:
Lucky hid from him :coocoo:...Georgie was the bum sniffer & Jake kept giving him odd looks.