Conference misery::feline_v1

    Chris,
    
    So sorry to hear about Chessie.  It's so hard to watch our
    beloved pets suffer and, if it comes to that, letting them go.
    
    Our prayers are with you and Chessie--may she have a miraculous
    recovery!
    
    Barbara, Melody, Missy and Brittany
    

    Chris,  don't get too down until you get all the results of the tests
    in.  Even then,  no cat will go before its time.  Chessie might still
    have many years left yet, if the problem can be treated.  I know my
    Ruby had several bad times during his lifetime, but his will to live
    and love was stronger and he lived to be very old indeed, despite all
    those times he scared us all.  I know how you feel though,  sad isn't
    the word,  I don't even know of a word.  But hang in there, and
    tell Chessie to hang in there too!
    
         and be sure to let us know what is happening!
    
                                  Denise and the gang of 8

    Chessie may turn around and give you years of companionship to come.
    One thing I have learned about cats, they give up easily.  They
    have to be encouraged to go on.  If they think it is hopeless, they
    will just shut down and wait to die.  Give Chessie lots of
    encouragement and try and get her to eat her k/d.  
    
    When Laci was in shut down mode, I would just hold her against me
    and tell her how much she meant to me and how I wasn't ready for
    her to leave me yet.  It took several days but she turned herself
    around.
    
    Hang in there,
    
    Jo

    I'm so sorry to hear that Chessie is sick.  Please keep us
    informed about how she is doing.
    
    paws crossed,
    K, S, H, and LB.
    

    Maybe she and Cinnamon can spend time together except at mealtimes?
    They must miss each other.
    

    
    re .5...for the moment I'm keeping them apart so I can see whether
    Chessie is eating the K/D when I'm at work. Their relationship has
    always been like siblings who don't quite like each other, but you're
    right, companionship might help. They both get a place on the bed at
    night. Funny thing is, Cinnamon definitely knows something is up. She 
    hides under the bed all day and won't eat. Still purrs and runs around 
    playing with the water bowls at 3am, so I guess she's ok.
    
    I really appreciate all the support. Thanks a lot to everyone.
     
    I guess this is what it feels like to have to tell a loved one "no more
    cheeseburgers for you, now you only get tofu". Chessie keeps giving me
    her usual breakfast-boycott-boogie. At least she's still spirited
    enough to argue. 
    
    Time to call the vet tonight if she doesn't call before then.
    
    For you regulars, are there any topics here on the fine art of
    convincing a cat to eat yucky medicine food? My mom used to crush
    aspirin up in a spoonful of grape jelly....
    

    Wish I could answer some of your questions but I can't--I haven't been
    able to get my cats to eat anything they didn't like, no matter how
    beneficial.  I have lost two elderly cats in the last 18 months both to
    thyroid malfunction.  The outward signs were similar -- loss of weight
    and condition inspite of voracious appetites.  Let Chessie do what
    she likes as far as possible) and try not to get anxious--cats pick 
    that up and that may be the reason Cinnamon is uneasy.  And, as 
    always, lots of love and cuddles.
    
    

    Think positive thoughts and make sure you keep telling Chessie how
    much you love her.  13 isn't that old for a cat and she may just fool
    you.
    
    Hang in there!  We didn't think Laci was going to make it either.
      Nancy DC

    I just lost HRH to kidney failure.,.. she absolutely refused to
    consider eating K/D..(right Cin and Sue). My vet has a 22 year old
    siamese in his practice who was diagnosed with kidney disease at
    the age of 17 .. They put him on K/D and did Subque therapy
    every 3 monthes for 3 consecutive days at 100 cc's per treatment..
    the key to "successful treatment is  the K/D..  Happy, Preschie
    and I will will remember you in  our kitty prayers..!!!!!
    keep you chin up..
    Kate, Happy,(HEY MOM.. THIS IS GREAT STUFF!!) Preschie(ya this is good
    stuff)

    Is there any substitute for KD that cats with this
    problem might find more palatible?
    

	I agree with all those who say to give her lots of love and
	encouragement.  We nearly lost our C.C. to kidney failure three
	weeks ago.  The vet says that her kidneys had just shut down.  He
	gave her a diuretic and kept her on IV for a weekend to re-hydrate
	her.  Her kidneys started working again and we brought her home
	with lots of hugs and cuddles, and like Jo, I had some long talks
	with her, too :^}  Fingers crossed, but she's hanging in there,
	gaining weight and playing like she used to.

	Some of the suggestions for feeding the K/D include warming it
	up in the microwave, and/or adding some water to it (this is
	assuming that it's the canned variety).

	Good luck with Chessie - both of you will be in my thoughts.

	Sandy and the fearsome five...

    Re other diets..
     There are also some "homemade "diets that your Vet can recommend.
    HRH  was not pleased with these either.. although Happy liked them..
    Other things you can do.. add  some codliver oil to the K/D,
    or tuna juice.. Happy also enjoyed these to.. heh-heh.
    Kate...

    
    
    Just got off the phone with the Vet. She said to try mixing other stuff
    with the K/D to get her to eat it, then gradually back off the "other
    stuff" . That was going to be my next step. Tuna water ALWAYS works. 
    And her liver looks good. So, another urine test to check out the 
    protein levels, get her eating the K/D, etc., etc. Then the protein 
    levels can be adjusted......guess this sounds all too familiar to 
    some of you.
    
    It's good to hear that cats can recover from this. I'd rather have
    a little hope, and I'll go home and tell Chessie that a whole bunch of
    people and cats she's never met are thinking of her!
    
    
    Muchos gracias.
    
    

Would it be possible to add just enough "real" food to the K/D to make it
taste better?  I know I used to flavor my dobie's dry kibble with just a
spoonful of canned food so she would eat her diet food -- it worked and she
kept her weight down in spite of her limited exercise in later life.  If your
vet agrees, you might try adding a very fragrant, FAVORITE food to the K/D
in very small doses - just enough to convince kitty your are offering good
food for a change.

    sending best wishes for chessie to recover...
    
    diane stanley & stella
    

    
    
    Well, the inevitable end came a week ago. Chessie had to be put to
    sleep. She did eat the K/D for a while but she just kept losing weight.
    At the end she couldn't even jump up on the bed, which was really
    heartbreaking. She did, however remain good-natured and sweet - never
    complained. I don't think she was suffering. 
    
    The worst part was that I was on a business trip when the decision had
    to be made. She was staying at the vet (I didn't think she'd be ok at
    home) and they called me saying she was no longer breathing on her own
    ...you can guess the rest. It was early Sunday morning, so I didn't
    have to go into a meeting or anything. I spent the afternoon at the St
    Louis Botannical Gardens (which is really spectacular) remembering the
    days when she was an outdoor cat. 
    
    So, to cheer up a bit, Cinnamon is now top cat (and only cat) 
    , and she seems to know it. She meows about a thousand times more 
    often than she used to, (is she scolding me for leaving her alone? 
    is she asking me where Chessie is? - they were not on the chummiest 
    of terms..) and has taken up the role of kitchen pest during cooking 
    - even though she has never  liked people food! After a couple of 
    weeks I'll decide whether to get her another little friend. You can 
    bet I'll come back to this notes file if and when I'm looking.....!  
    
    The folks at Bulger Animal Hospital were great. (North Andover).
    As were all of you noters.  
    
    
    Chris
    

    Chris.. we are so sorry to hear about Chessie... sshe is now in
    Heaven with HRH and the rest .. 
    We will remember all of you in our prayers..
    Kate, Happy, Preschie..

    chris...
    
    also sorry to hear of the passing of chessie.
    
    diane, stanley & stella
    
    

    Chris -
      Please accept our condolences as well.  Chessie's name has been
    added to the Silver Lining Memorial list for Q2 FY91.  I hope that
    is some small comfort.
      Nancy DC

    So sorry.
    
    
    Lisa plus PR&F
    

    We are also sorry to hear of Chessie's passing.  Our sincere
    condolences.
    
    
    Heather + Muffy, Oscar, Pandora + Cocoa

	We're sorry to hear about Chessie too.  You did all that you could,
	and gave her a great life.

	Sandy, Smudge, Tas, Jenn, C.C. and Beau

    Silver Lining Memorial list? Haven't heard of it...
    
    All condolences most gratefully appreciated!
    
    Chris
    

    So sorry for you loss.  May the wonderful memories help you 
    through this hard time.
    
    So so sorry..
    
    Sandy (Tamba, Poco, and Barkley)

         I'm so sorry to hear of your loss.
    
    					- Andrea

    
    Chris,
    
    We, too, are sorry to hear of Chessie's passing.  
    
    Feline Sad,
    
    Sue & Panther & Spot
    

    Our condolences.......Michele & Nippa

    Very sorry,
    
    Karen, Sweetie, Holly, and Little Bit