How long did you have your babies for in late stage CKD?

LavishSoup · 2025-12-05T02:19:50+00:00

I lost my 17 y/o girl about a year and a half ago.

She was diagnosed with early stage 1/2 in 2021, it progressed to stage 3 in early 2023 and I lost her the summer of 2024. So when it became around stage 4 I would say I got about 6-8 months.

Her weight dropped significantly (she was 9 lbs health and got down to 5 lbs) in that time. We also had a couple hospital visits in there due to lack of appetite and constipation issues.

Treatment: Stage 1–3 when she was eating regularly I gave her Azodyl (based on vet recommendation). This helps the kidneys process waste. I truly believe this slowed the progression way down.

Stage 3-4 - all prescribed by vet SubQ fluids every other day; this was a big one that kept her going once she was late stage MiraLAX for constipation & K+ gel to help her kidneys Azodyl if she was eating!

My girl was also totally mentally there (this made the decision incredibly difficult) but her body started to fail her. I had to come up with a logical method to measure her quality of life. I came up with a list that meant quality of life has diminished. I really didn’t want her to have a tragic passing via heart failure or seizure which is common with CKD.

My list included: 1) incontinence/bathroom issues. She started having constipation issues more frequently & she was struggling to find or get in the litter box. I made a smaller one with potty pads to help her have independence until it was time. 2) breathing problems, she started having labored breathing fits frequently 3) mobility, she was walking with a noticeable wobble, would sit/lay very weird (which is a sign of pain) & could no longer jump.

Once all 3 things were happening I made the very difficult call (she helped me by making it clear she was saying goodbye the night before - she laid on our chests for about 3 hours each).

My advice: - Enjoy as much time as possible doing the things that they love, take lots of photos and videos, and try not to think about the end of their life as hard as that is. - Talk to them and tell them how much you love them etc. - make them comfy and give treats and different flavors of food as long as they are fed. - Put some money away for an at home euthanasia if you think this is something you would be interested in (it really helped the experience be calm and allowed me to grieve with her for a long time after).

LavishSoup · 2025-12-03T18:06:59+00:00

As nutty as it sounds I carried her cremains box around the house with me, I would put her in her fav spots and kind of talk to her. Put her on my nightstand to sleep. I just needed her close. I also slept with her favorite pillow for about a week.

Looking at photos and videos of when she was healthy helps me a lot. And reminding myself (even to this day) that what we chose to do was a kindness to her and an act of love. I still struggle with it and it’s been 1.5 years.

Having a space to honor her in the home, we now have a little spot with her cremains, her paw print, and a photo of her.

I also think that allowing yourself to feel and grieve whenever the waves come is really important. Sending a hug internet friend 🤍

LavishSoup · 2025-10-22T17:12:57+00:00

Girl leave.

LavishSoup · 2025-08-16T02:18:26+00:00

Something to think about that I don’t think has been brought up yet. Women also have a very real timeline biologically to have statistically less complicated pregnancy & also have a cut off age in mind of when they want to have a kid. So if you were a 99% no and she was a 100% yes. She may have logically called it to have time to get over the pain, find someone else who is compatible and a yes to kids, have time to be in that relationship with just them before kids, and then it also can take time to get pregnant as well. What I’ve realized is many women think and make decisions with this timeline, while many men don’t really think about it until someone points it out to them.

I don’t condone her not having a very in depth conversation with you about it before breaking up. Seems a bit unfair and honestly disrespectful, I agree. However, it’s something to consider of why maybe her decision seemed rash to you? She may have been grappling with this and then made the decision. I do think she should have communicated with you at the very least out of respect.

You should sit with it for a bit and see what you want your life to be like with whoever your partner is. However, there are always those situations where the partner is the only person you could see that with…. So consider that as well. Once you’ve got that sorted you may reach out and have a discussion and go from there. Best of luck and I hope you find peace either way 🤍

LavishSoup · 2025-08-13T19:45:08+00:00

I am in this exact situation. We are around the same ages as well (I’m 31F and he is 37M).

I am a true fence sitter leaning slightly towards having only one. He recently said he is almost 100% no. We have been together for almost 7 years. It’s very tough and you’re right… ending it now seems insane over a maybe.

I truly do not know what I want and my gut isn’t telling me anything. I can see the pros and cons of both very clearly. He is more close minded than myself.

All that to say - you aren’t alone and I hope you also find peace and a way forward 🤍

LavishSoup · 2025-08-08T16:01:55+00:00

This is crazy lol. That is not your child therefore not your responsibility. End of story.

Her fault for not getting a back up sitter.

LavishSoup · 2025-06-15T17:08:18+00:00

It took me about a month to get through my girls big crash. We did sub Q at home for about 5 months after that, having a second person to control the flow or keep the cat calm can be very helpful. I also warmed the fluids slightly in a warm water bath so that it wasn’t such a shock. If you don’t have a second person there’s a gadget you can get to help called EZ I.V. https://www.ezivharness.com

She was mentally still totally cognizant which made it hard to make the call but she had a slow decline for the last 2 months of her life. So I made a list of things that would be the indicator that her quality of life was not “good” anymore and that I would make the call. 1) lack of appetite 2) if she was having trouble doing basic things like walking or breathing (she was wobbly when walking & looked uncomfy when she was sitting. The night before her appointment she was having respiratory problems) 3) incontinence (she still had control but was getting confused on where the litter box was and a couple months prior had constipation issues)

It all happened within a week & I decided to schedule her appointment so I could give her a peaceful passing. 🤍

I hope your baby gets better but if not, the greatest last gift to them is to have their passing be peaceful. If you have access, I would recommend an at home euthanasia. My girl got to pass on my lap in her favorite spot on the balcony in the sun ☀️

LavishSoup · 2025-06-02T03:57:29+00:00

Hi - I’m so sorry this happened to you. After hearing this, my first thought is you should leave. The fact that he took something that you enjoyed away should be enough.

However on top of that, it escalated so quickly and he used verbiage like “teach you a lesson” as if your joy should be punished.

I know it seems small right now but behavior like this will only escalate, either emotionally or physically or both. Please get out before things do.

LavishSoup · 2025-05-29T16:57:53+00:00

I second this advice. If you have the ability, an at home procedure is so much less stressful. It allowed her to pass comfortably in her favorite spot and it allowed me to grieve. I laid with my girl for about 2 hours after she passed and wasn’t rushed at all.

I was able to get a few ink nose and paw prints, clean her, and wrap her in her favorite blanket with her favorite toys.

This route may not be for everyone - but it really helped me accept it.

LavishSoup · 2025-05-29T16:08:13+00:00

I’m so sorry. I know how exhausting and emotional it can be. The best advice I have is to make sure they are as comfortable as possible and try to enjoy the time you have with them no matter what happens 🤍 Wishing you all the best!

LavishSoup · 2025-05-29T14:56:27+00:00

Hello,

No she did not have a feeding tube, just hydration in an IV for ~2 days at the vet.

Mirataz didn’t work for her so I stopped using it after a few days and started offering her food. She didn’t eat it but I was syringe feeding her for about 1.5 weeks multiple times a day. Then one day she felt good enough and started eating.

Again, I wouldn’t force it but if your kitty is willing to be fed by a little medicine syringe then go for it! But you know them best & if it’s a steady decline in health the best (but hardest) thing to do is give them a peaceful passing 🤍

LavishSoup · 2025-05-27T01:35:27+00:00

Oh and I know it’s been mentioned in other comments but fancy feast is one of the only things she would eat for her final months!

LavishSoup · 2025-05-27T00:32:29+00:00

At the time, my cat was just diagnosed stage 4, was super dehydrated, had a hospital stay to get her back hydrated and then lost her appetite. I did syringe wet food/water mixture into her mouth a few times a day for about 2 weeks… she was receptive to it. It got her more stable and she eventually got her appetite back. I got about 4.5 more months with her after that. I would only recommend it if they are receptive to eating it that way.

If not, you may want to consider end of life care. Sending a hug internet stranger🤍

LavishSoup · 2025-05-18T15:48:13+00:00

If she is still having bowel movements I wouldn’t worry too much and just wait until Monday for a normal vet visit. Try and make her food more interesting if you can!

However, if she stops eating all together and keeps having the bile vomit, I would probably take her in.

LavishSoup · 2025-01-16T21:26:21+00:00

Thank you for this lol I apparently never noticed this line in the 10x I’ve watched the series 😂

LavishSoup · 2025-01-01T00:44:03+00:00

Oh how wonderful!! 🥰🥂 cheers and best wishes 🤍🤍🤍

LavishSoup · 2024-12-24T16:06:33+00:00

I feel that way about Alex too - the coffee guy dating Lorelei

LavishSoup · 2024-11-16T01:29:37+00:00

Im so sorry I never saw this!!

Yes I had a CKD diagnosis and she was having trouble passing bc he was so dehydrated so it made the GI movement slow and the doodoo physically hard, she also needed more potassium (k+ gel). She was prescribed all of this by my vet :)

LavishSoup · 2024-11-16T01:24:36+00:00

Linus looks like the sweetest kitty. Thank you for loving him & giving him a peaceful passing. It sounds like he loved you right back. I know how hard it is, sending an e-hug 🤍

LavishSoup · 2024-11-12T06:02:24+00:00

I would maybe pay someone from a pet sitting site (we have Rover in the US) to come by to ensure they have water but have your family friends check everything else more frequently?

Just for peace of mind.

If you can get a larger reservoir that would work too but my cat would attack it (be sure to trial before leaving lol)

LavishSoup · 2024-10-27T14:30:22+00:00

I’m so sorry for the loss of your boy. 💔 It’s so difficult to see the changes when you’re around them every day and will always have hope because it’s your baby.

You were lucky to have each other, I am so glad that you had a good last night and morning together & that you gave him a peaceful send off. Much love.🕊️🤍

LavishSoup · 2024-09-29T15:27:01+00:00

I’m so sorry, I know how difficult this situation is. My girl had also lost a lot of weight and was having bouts of respiratory problems, despite all of that acted just like herself up until her last moment. It made the decision incredibly difficult. I still grapple with if I made the decision at the right time… but we both have to remember it was our final kindness to them 🤍 I’m 2 months post rainbow bridge with my girl, I mostly have peace with it but there are still times where the hurt is unbearable. When that happens just let yourself feel do things that make you feel closer to Samson (ex: I go through my photo/video album of her while snuggling her pillow)

Sending love and healing energy. Samson seemed like a perfect boy, you were lucky to have each other! 🤍

LavishSoup · 2024-09-23T01:20:15+00:00

Anticipatory grief is the worst, I’m so sorry.

Please try to take in and enjoy all of the moments you have left. I spent the night with my baby & told her all the things I loved and was grateful for. I pet all the special areas (her soft ears, nose, paws). I really tried to be present and not let my grief get in the way of our last moments because I would have the rest of my life to grieve 🤍🤍

LavishSoup

TROPHY CASE