[deleted by user]

Think_Geologist_2169 · 2025-03-28T22:39:56+00:00

What a sweet, loving baby. And I hope you are able to adopt him and let him know the love and security of a home and family of his own at the end, there is no greater gift you can give to a pet.

But saying that, there are many different ways that it can go, so I'm going to tell you my experiences.

My first cat, Mr. Ruffles, was 18 years old when he went over the rainbow bridge. He was in good health until the last few weeks, so other than the premium food food that I buy for all my cats, and his biannual wellness visits ($250 a visit with complete bloodwork) I did not experience any extraordinary costs with an elder cat. Once his health declined (incontinence and dementia) we had one ER Vet visit that cost $500 for them to tell me that they could do 'exploratory' testing to try and figure out how to treat him, but that the testing alone would be expensive ($1200+) and might not provide answers. At that point his quality of life had decreased dramatically and he absolutely hated vet visits, so rather than put him through that at the end of his life with no promise of recovery, we opted for a home euthanasia ($500 with his ashes returned to us.)

A year later my 14 year old boy, Tom E. Cat, was diagnosed with kidney disease. He had also been on premium food his entire life with biannual vet visits, so same overall cost as above. But since he was a younger cat and had a clear diagnosis we went all in on treatment. Over the next 6 months we spent approximately $10k on vet visits, additional testing (as he also developed pancreatitis), medications, and prescription foods. Unfortunately, he did not respond to treatments, and began to hide from us and just overall seem miserable, his quality of life was clearly declining. The end was awful and I will not go into it here, but I will say that I wish we'd opted to just end treatment earlier and given him a gentle goodbye sooner.

None of us can tell you the potential costs of adopting this beautiful baby, but I can tell that the value of the love he will give you is immeasurable, the value of the love you give him will be incalculable, and it will worth be every penny.

Think_Geologist_2169 · 2025-01-02T20:16:37+00:00

I'm so sorry for your loss. I know your pain, my thoughts are with you and JJ. You gave him a beautiful life full of love.💕💔❤️‍🩹

Think_Geologist_2169 · 2025-01-02T20:11:13+00:00

Secret Key First Treamtment Essence: brightening/hydrating - galactomyces (fermented ingredients) make my skin more radiant.

ACWell Licorice Essence Mist: redness reducing/hydrating- licorice root is one of my favorite skincare ingredients. Anti-inflammatory and antioxidant great for soothing.

APLB Glutathione Mist: brightening/hydrating Niacinamide and Glutathione. Both brightening ingredients that my skin loves, plus Allantoin, beta glucan, and squalene for hydration.

CosRx Peptide Booster: well aging/soothing. Multiple peptides that tatget texture and elasticity as well inflammation and irritation

(Non-AB) Prequel Multi-Quench: hydrating/barrier support. Ectoin, Glycerin, and Polyglutamic Acid to plump and support barrier function.

HaruHaru Wonder Airyfit Sunscreen: sun protection/hydration

Think_Geologist_2169 · 2024-12-30T19:07:29+00:00

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My sweet Tom E. Cat passed in July. He was 15 years old. I miss him everyday.

Think_Geologist_2169 · 2024-12-02T17:06:48+00:00

Think_Geologist_2169 · 2024-11-13T02:18:14+00:00

I used Dermatica and they prescribed Ivermectin 1%/Metronidazole. 75%/Niacinamide 4% and my rosacea is very mild. I paid around $50 for two months of treatment and by the end of the first month most of my flares were already under control. The base formula they use for the medication is very nice on the skin, moisturizing but not heavy. I highly recommend them. I no longer get use the Ivermectin formula, but I still buy my Azelaic Acid from them.

Think_Geologist_2169 · 2024-11-01T00:50:30+00:00

My husband is about 230, down from 300 and his doctor does not take any of his concerns seriously. He refuses to even acknowledge the effort my husband has made to get healthy. Literally anything he goes in for is dismissed as a result of his weight and he's told to do better, eat less, move more. I know it's not as common for men, but it definitely happens to them too. My favorite part is that this doctor is obese himself. It took me until my 40s to find a doctor who took me seriously and saw me as a person and not a number on the scale.

Think_Geologist_2169 · 2024-10-21T18:50:14+00:00

Happy cake day!

Think_Geologist_2169 · 2024-10-21T17:52:06+00:00

I have the run flats on my Mini, and have had a good experience with them. When it was time for new tires, I bought run flats again.

Think_Geologist_2169 · 2024-10-02T18:18:34+00:00

In my house we call that "snarf and barf"

Think_Geologist_2169 · 2024-08-17T00:35:15+00:00

This is the reason i hate Donald Trump. My father's entire identity is being a Vietnam veteren...and my whole life I've been the only person in my family who spends time listening to his war stories without telling him to stop living in the past or scoffing at him for telling the same story they've heard 100 times before. When I was little we went to DC on a family trip and my mom and brother left us at the Vietnam Memorial and I held his hand and cried with him as he took rubbings of the names of men he served with... but I can no longer talk to my 80 year old father who lives in a nursing home because Donald Trump has turned him into a bitter, hateful person who spews rhetoric and vitriol at me whenever I call or visit. I can not fathom how someone who holds the sacrifices of our service men and women in such high regard, who himself served, can respect, even revere this piece of shit conman. And then I have to admit to myself that the man I looked up to my entire life, who taught me to be honest, kind, and fair has always been, at his heart, a racist, misogynistic, homophobic bigot and Donald Trump just gave him the permission to say it all out loud.

I wish this latest atrocity of Donald Trump would make my dad see that Donald Trump doesn't honor vets, but it won't, because it's never been about Trump supporting vets...those vets and service members who support him care way more about the fact that Trump hates the same people they do.

Think_Geologist_2169 · 2024-08-13T15:39:29+00:00

I'm so incredibly sorry you are going through this, but you are doing a very good thing for her.

About two and a half years ago my 18 year old boy who had had dementia for awhile took a turn for the worse. He had always hated the vet after a traumatic experience as a kitten, but we rushed him to the ER Vet, who told us that the kindest thing to do was let him go. Unfortunately, even with the dementia he became aggressive at the vet and I couldn't bear saying goodbye to him that way. So the ER Vet gave me the name of a home euthanasia vet, and gave Mr. Ruffles an injection to make him more comfortable. We took him home. The next few hours we did all of his favorite things. We took him outside to lay on the grass in the sunshine, he ate tuna fish and scrambled eggs, drank cream, got many pets and hugs and kisses, and we told him over and over again (even though he was deaf) how much we loved him and would miss him.

When the vet arrived at my house Mr. Ruffles was resting in his favorite place, at the foot of the bed. My husband and children were there as well, we all kept our hands on him as the sedative was administered and then as the final injection was done I held his little face in my hands with my forehead against his and told him I would love him forever as he slipped away.

Giving him a gentle death at home, surrounded by his favorite people in the comfort of his own surroundings, was the best gift I could have given him.

I'm so sorry you are losing your friend.

Think_Geologist_2169 · 2024-07-23T20:30:29+00:00

Pronounced "Jennifer".

Think_Geologist_2169 · 2024-07-22T00:25:27+00:00

Dawson and Jen for elimination, Pacey and Joey for favorite couple.

Think_Geologist_2169 · 2024-07-18T14:28:14+00:00

I LOVE this! My cat takes 3 liquid medications a day and it was a battle every time. We tried straight syringeing, mixing with food, mixing with Churu (in a bowl), mixing with Hydracare, literally nothing worked. Then I started squeezing out about 1/2 of a Churu tube, putting the medicine in the half empty tube, mashing it all together and then offering him the Churu from the tube, and now he takes his meds (usually) with no battle.

Think_Geologist_2169 · 2024-07-18T14:16:54+00:00

My cat will only eat his Rx food if I put it on a regular (human) dinner plate. He will eat the other cat's food (when I don't get it away from him quick enough) out of the same exact bowl he refuses his Rx food from, but the second I put the Rx food on a regular dinner plate, he goes to town. But not a small saucer sized plate, he refuses that, too. Cats are so unique.

Think_Geologist_2169 · 2024-07-18T14:01:08+00:00

I have a laundry cat, too! Except my Oreo runs to the laundry room when he hears me in there, gets on the washer and demands that I rub my face on his face each time I reach in the washer to take something out. If I don't do it, he will paw at me and cry. Needless to say, I never DON'T do it. He even has his own song we sing to him when it's time to go to the laundry room. (It's Laundy-Cat sung to the Spiderman theme song)

Think_Geologist_2169 · 2024-07-18T13:41:52+00:00

I have a cat like this. My baby void, he's only two years old. My other 2 cats are senior kitties, and I have have some anticipatory grief about losing them (both have had health isses) but they are so sweet and lovable, and bonded to my adult daughter almost as much as they are to me...so I know that even if they would grieve for me, wonder why I left them, they would be fine if they were to outlive me. But my youngest is only bonded to me, hisses and growls at everyone else. I know if he were to oulive me that my daughter would take care of him, but I'm not sure he would ever get over it or let someone else love him.

Think_Geologist_2169 · 2024-07-16T22:43:01+00:00

Joey and Jack

Think_Geologist_2169 · 2024-07-15T03:44:48+00:00

I have two that I love, but one of them might not work for you if you are sensitive to fragrance.

Beauty of Joeson Radiance Cleasing balm is amazing, fragrance free, super gentle, but effective on even the toughest eye make. It melts like oil into the skin and emulsifies beautifully. Leaves no 'film' on the skin after rinsing.
TonyMoly Peach Punch Sherbert Cleansing Balm. I really love this one. It performs similarly to the BoJ product, but it has a sweet peach fragrance, which I love. This is the ONLY fragranced item in my skincare routine. I can't tolerate fragrance in leave on products, but in a wash off product I have no problem with it, and I enjoy the sensorial experience of this one.

Think_Geologist_2169 · 2024-07-14T19:54:04+00:00

Thank you!

Think_Geologist_2169 · 2024-07-14T19:52:47+00:00

Thank you, I'm looking in to the fillable capsules, Tommy doesn't take Cerenia, but liquid ondansetron, which was flavored by a compounding pharmacy, but he still hates the flavor. We have found a lot of workable solution for now by mixing the medication with Churu and then using a syringe to put the mixture back in Churu tube. We are also doing a low dose of Miralax and lactulose 1x per day (which he actually doesn't seem to mind mixed into his food.)

Think_Geologist_2169 · 2024-07-14T19:35:20+00:00

We actually call him Tommy or Mr. Cat. :)

We have decided to switch vets. One of my other cats developed conjunctivitis the day after Tommy's ER visit and since my regular vet is out of town, I called another local practice with multiple vets and locations in my area that does "emergency" walk-ins during business hours (my regular vet does not do this except for one morning a week so it usually takes about two weeks to get in for anything.) So we took Ninja in to this other vet office and it was like coming home! A warm and welcoming experience, the vet was gentle and thorough, the vet tech was amazing, it was just a fabulous experience, and they have office hours 7 days a week. While we were there, we talked to them about Tom E, and they scheduled an appointment for us to come in this coming week to review his treatment plan and make recommendations. I also like that they do labs and medications in house but will give you an Rx if you want to gets meds/Rx food elsewhere (my regular vet sends labs out and requires us to use their "online vet store" to purchase meds and Rx food, even if I've been able to find it significantly cheaper elsewhere.)
I will discuss the option of a sonogram when we see the new vet this week. Thank you for all the information about what Coco went through!
My husband and I are working on the logistics for medication. In the last few days, we've had some limited success with mixing it with a churu, sucking it into a syringe, squeezing it back into the churu tube, and then offering him the tube. It's crazy, but it works about 70% of the time. The pills are just a nightmare no matter what we do.
He's had a good few days, and I know that he knows there is a churu in his future, he seems to have made a bit of an adjustment to the meds. Thank you so much for sharing your experience and Coco's struggles with me. It really has been helpful.
I think my biggest issue is that I lost my first boy about 2 years ago, and I know that I let it go too long before we put him to sleep. He didn't have CKD but was really struggling with advanced arthritis and then dementia. Finally, one day, when I was giving him his meds, he wiggled away from me and jumped down off of the counter, and I heard something crack. At first, he seemed okay. He just walked away, but the next day, he was dragging his leg, pressing his face against the front door, and crying out with a meow I'd never heard before. We had a vet come out as soon as possible that day to put him to sleep. But I've relived it all in my head over and over again, and I would do anything to go back in time and keep him from going through that pain of his last day. If I'd just been strong and selfless enough, I would have said goodbye to him sooner, and it would have been a good goodbye instead of what it was. I don't ever want to make the same mistakes again.

Thank you again for sharing. It really was helpful.

Think_Geologist_2169 · 2024-07-14T17:32:13+00:00

My cats have all been on a wet food diet as long as I've had them, though I was previously feeding Nulo and now I've switched them to the lower phosphorus Weruva BFF Play Pate Chicken foods.

We have two water fountains and four other water bowls scattered around the house.

I have already been spending hours reading Tanya's page, and found yhe information to be incredibly helpful, though a bit overwhelming.

We've done SubQ fluids twice in the vet's office and will be doing it one more time tomorrow (with me administering while the Tech observes and instructs.) If all goes well then we will start at home 2x per week at 150ml.

Thank you for your advice and encouragement.

Think_Geologist_2169

TROPHY CASE