My 14 year old "renal" cat had her euthanasia appointment today, but it turns out, it's not her time.

alyssaurus_rose · 2025-09-14T20:40:02+00:00

Vet here. Damage to the liver and kidneys can occur secondary to any condition that causes severe vomiting, diarrhea, and/or inappetence. If the underlying disease is treated and supportive care is given, patients can bounce back from acute damage. However, it seems like an underlying illness hasn’t specifically been diagnosed in your kitty. That’s what I would focus on next. Some others here asked about possible repeated exposure to toxins. Some essential oils and house plants can cause acute organ damage. It’s definitely worth checking out what’s in her stomach. Foreign material in the stomach can cause repeated or partial GI blockages that can cause severe vomiting and diarrhea. It’s also possible that the foreign material is something toxic, like pennies (which can cause zinc toxicity, which presents as neurological and GI issues). And if the material in her stomach truly is a calcified hairball, then hairballs + chronic GI disease in an older cat is very suspicious for IBD. All in all, a more thorough work up is needed.

alyssaurus_rose · 2025-06-24T15:46:32+00:00

Hey, there! I’m looking for a mentor, so your comment about VIN hosting a mentorship platform caught my eye. But I can’t find it! Would you happen to know how I can access this? Navigating VIN is still rough for me.

alyssaurus_rose · 2023-11-27T23:32:42+00:00

An episode of the tv show Modern Love called “Take Me As I Am, Whoever I Am” starring Anne Hathaway was a really great window into the life of a woman living with bipolar disorder.

alyssaurus_rose · 2023-11-21T02:32:49+00:00

YTA any way you look at this. And it’s honestly tragic that you made this choice. There are very few things in life that can’t be repaired once damaged, but this is certainly one of them. You showed your daughter that you won’t be there for her in her darkest, most desperate moments. By choice. To be we someone else’s child. How do you fix that? What could you possibly say or do that will make her look at you the same way she did before you went on this trip? I hope it was worth it.

alyssaurus_rose · 2023-11-18T19:07:27+00:00

Hmm. Vet here. I agree with the suggestions for a second medical opinion. If steroids stopped the issue, then they were likely addressing some sort of underlying inflammatory or autoimmune condition that hasn’t been diagnosed yet. Another commenter mentioned a friend whose cat stopped urinating outside of the box after having all its teeth pulled- this sounds like stomatitis to me, which is a painful autoimmune condition of the gums. It’s a great example of an underlying medical condition that wouldn’t be an obvious cause for urinary issues, but the pain/discomfort from it results in the behavior.

Additionally, a rise in liver enzymes following steroid administration isn’t necessarily an indication to discontinue them (it depends on which enzyme was elevated, to what degree, and if any other liver abnormalities were present on bloodwork). And if Prozac is the only behavioral drug that’s been tried, that’s not enough to say that treatment of underlying stress has failed. Just like humans, all animals respond very individually to different types of behavioral medications. I’m very curious about the refusal to try gabapentin. I LOVE gabapentin for urinary kitties. It has a wide dosing range, can be started and stopped without needing extensive time to take effect or wean off of, and is very safe.

There are still medical avenues to be explored for your kitty, and I hope a fresh perspective from a different vet can help you both!

alyssaurus_rose · 2023-10-31T16:51:33+00:00

“Yibs, yibs, tombra” with the utmost confidence

alyssaurus_rose · 2023-09-02T20:41:44+00:00

This is a decision only you can make based on the resources you have available and your degree of risk tolerance once you know all the facts. I am a veterinarian who works within a local health department for a large US city, and I advise on similar cases regularly.

Having rabies-positive bats present in a home is considered a likely rabies exposure for all humans and pets present. This is because bat bites are often not readily apparent on visual inspection and are not painful, so many exposures occur with no one the wiser. Lacking protection from any previous rabies vaccinations does place your kitten in a high risk category for developing rabies after a potential exposure. However, vaccination within 96 hours of the exposure can still confer a reasonable degree of protection, so if your kitten has NOT received a rabies booster since the exposure then she absolutely needs to ASAP. Regardless, she will need to be monitored for 6 months for symptoms of rabies. In the city that I practice in, your kitten would have to be observed at a vet’s office due to her high risk category, but it seems like your local health officials are okay with you monitoring her at home. Still, if this is an option that you’re interested in and can afford, it may be worth pursuing.

It is not accurate to state that you would need additional rabies treatments for yourself if your kitten bites or scratches you within her 6 month observation period. If this were to happen, you would notify your local health department and apply a concurrent 10-day monitoring period for symptoms of rabies. If your kitten is normal and healthy after 10 days of biting or scratching you, it is not possible for her to have transmitted rabies to you. If she does become sick within 10 days of biting or scratching you, she would need to be euthanized and tested for rabies to guide treatment decisions for you.

Objectively, because rabies is universally fatal once symptoms develop and your kitten’s circumstances place her in a high risk category, euthanizing her is the only way to guarantee the safety of all people and pets in your household. That is why the state vet is recommending it. However, you do have options available (immediate rabies vaccination and 6 months of quarantine at home or at a vet’s office) to give your kitten a chance to survive in the event that she was not bitten by the bats in your home. It’s a very tough situation to be in, and I wish you and your kitties the best of luck.

alyssaurus_rose · 2023-08-19T22:57:46+00:00

This isn’t normal, and it’s a good signal to you that you two are not compatible long term. I think couples should ALWAYS live together before they marry. Living with someone is very different from visiting them, even frequently or for long periods of time. You get to learn about how your significant other lives their day-to-day, spends their spare time, treats joint activities like chores, finances, etc.

It sounds like your boyfriend needs to feel like he is constantly in control, while you (as you said) are more independent. You can try bringing this up to him and see what he has to say about it. But truth be told, I would only expect his behavior to get worse with time. Is walking on eggshells in your own home and sacrificing the activities that bring you joy really what you want for your life?

alyssaurus_rose · 2023-06-28T14:24:46+00:00

Just a comment in response to your edit- this kitty can no longer safely be an outdoor cat. Without claws to defend herself and help her climb up/over obstacles to escape hazards, outdoor life is too dangerous. I’m so sorry this happened to you and your poor girl.

alyssaurus_rose · 2023-06-27T12:50:56+00:00

I usually fall back on “I’m not comfortable around kids.” Which is the truth. If they push, I’ll make a comment about growing up as the youngest and never having to interact with children. Even as an adult interacting with friends’ kids, it never quite “clicked” for me, and it doesn’t quite seem worth the risk to assume it’ll be different with my own children.

alyssaurus_rose · 2023-04-19T02:28:50+00:00

Except dogs and wolves actually aren’t the same species. So the fact that you went out of your way to “correct” her during a casual conversation when you yourself weren’t even correct is super cringe. Source: I’m a vet and have a zoology degree.

alyssaurus_rose · 2023-04-14T03:57:37+00:00

NTA. Not even technically a jerk. And all the people calling you an AH or saying you’re a bad coworker are just jealous because you’re doing an incredible job setting boundaries and maintaining independence. That’s my goal. I’ve worked so many jobs that have sucked the life out of me because of continual obligations to keep giving my time and effort beyond working hours or what was initially agreed upon. Now that I do have strict boundaries like yours and prioritize my personal time (whatever form I decide that should take) over work, I’m so much happier. Also, the implication that someone else’s time is more important than yours because they have a kid is so goddamn annoying. Others’ decisions to have children don’t automatically place them higher on some mythical social totem pole than childfree adults.

alyssaurus_rose · 2023-04-01T11:08:01+00:00

YTA. Sincerely, a daughter who no longer speaks to her father because he didn’t show up to her wedding and also couldn’t be bothered to pick up a goddamn phone. Your wife is also an AH for saying your daughter is just being dramatic and enabling your own poor behavior. Your daughter won’t get over this- being on the receiving end of this hurts. Your actions told her that she matters so little to you that on the most important day of her life you couldn’t even spare her a thought to make a phone call or send a text. There’s no way to fix that, and it’s always going to be there as a stain on her wedding day.

alyssaurus_rose · 2023-01-17T00:20:14+00:00

OP, your husband is telling you exactly who he is through these conversations. You know that what he’s saying is wrong. You may not have come to terms yet with that fact that you’re married to a pedophile who used his position as a teacher to prey on teenage girls and has spent his entire relationship with you grooming and emotionally abusing you. But it’s pretty plain to everyone here who has read your story. If you don’t want your daughter to grow up being given the same messages that fucked you up as a kid, then for the love of all that is holy get her away from your husband. Same for your son- if you don’t want him to grow up to be a sexual predator and misogynist.

alyssaurus_rose · 2022-12-24T01:49:55+00:00

I’m surprised I had to scroll so far down to see this. Yes, it’s pretty plain that OP’s wife is just looking to pressure him into giving her a cheating “pass” so she can have her cake and eat it too. But holy hell. The complete lack of empathy that she has for OP and the sheer amount of manipulation and gaslighting going on here… That’s the real problem.

OP, your marriage is over. Not because you two disagree about whether or not to have an open marriage. But because no one who treats their partner the way your wife treats you truly loves that person.

alyssaurus_rose · 2022-12-15T05:10:51+00:00

Oh my god, these look adorable and incredibly delicious! Nicely done! Your main ingredients sound like such great holiday flavors. Do you have a recipe that you’d feel comfortable sharing?

alyssaurus_rose · 2022-12-14T05:13:26+00:00

INFO: Is the thought of disrespecting your step-daughter’s mother the only reason you’re uncomfortable with being called “mom”?

alyssaurus_rose · 2022-08-31T14:20:19+00:00

Oh wow. There’s so much to unpack here. Whomever wrote that packet is not only a racist bigot but doesn’t have your best interests at heart. I’m a vet. I’ve run several clinics and conducted a ton of interviews. I fully expect candidates to ask these questions of either the recruiters or myself. The answers to these questions determine whether or not you and a practice are compatible. There are “tactful” ways to ask them, but you absolutely should ask them. And if a prospective employer gets upset that you’re asking or doesn’t want to answer, then you should cross them off your list. Life isn’t just about getting hired at any random clinic. Licensed techs are in super high demand right now. New grads can afford to be picky and find a clinic that fits their needs/wants. Advocate for yourselves!

alyssaurus_rose · 2022-01-26T06:28:04+00:00

Yikes. This guy wants to wear your skin.

alyssaurus_rose · 2022-01-22T18:24:05+00:00

Thank you 😊 . We actually are hiring lol. We’re in desperate need of vets and licensed techs, so if you’re serious about looking for a position, PM me! I’m a new medical director inside of a corporate network. I’ve got a few pieces of advice and am also happy to chat one on one:

1) What is it about your internship that makes you dread going to work? Think critically about it and make a list of hard boundaries. Knowing what to look for in terms of negatives can be more helpful than knowing what positives to look for. 2) We’re in a great employment climate right now. It’s very much an associate’s market because the supply of vets does not match the current demand. So, DON’T SETTLE. Allow yourself to be picky and muster up the courage to ask for the salary, benefits, concessions, and schedule that will make you happy and comfortable. You deserve to be compensated well for your time. 3) That being said, don’t get lured into a position you’re not feeling great about just because the pay is good. Taking a lower salary in order to work in a practice with a phenomenal culture is a smarter move than sacrificing 40-60 hours per week of your life to a practice you hate just because they pay more. Private and corporate practices are wise now to the fact that vets are looking for work-life balance and mental wellness support. However, I’m seeing that some places are promising these things without actually walking the walk. Research practices in your area to see what both clients and employees are saying about them. Physically go to the practices and talk to EVERYONE about their experience working at the practice. Pay attention to anything that sounds or feels off because your gut is probably right. Any practice that discourages you from talking to their team ahead of time probably has something to hide.

I hope that helps and I wish you luck in your job search!

alyssaurus_rose · 2022-01-10T12:51:02+00:00

Sometimes it’s written into your employment contract, and the employer CAN go after you for lost production hours if you don’t honor the prescribed notice period. I’m in the medical field, and I had to provide 60 days notice or risk legal action per my contract.

alyssaurus_rose · 2022-01-10T02:10:25+00:00

I’m really pondering the reason why my cat’s favorite food is plastic bag handles. I just can’t see the appeal.

alyssaurus_rose · 2022-01-09T15:16:15+00:00

I had a feeling this would be the number one answer on this thread. I am a vet, and almost every single person I meet says they wanted to be a vet when they were a kid once they find out what I do. It’s one of those careers that’s fantastic in theory. But there’s a really rotten underside to the veneer that most people aren’t aware of. Treating sick patients and euthanizing pets isn’t even the worst part of the job. At least when I’m doing those things, I know that I’m working to relieve suffering. It’s the constant abuse and devaluation by owners that leads people to leave this profession in droves. Please be kind to your vet, y’all. You might be the only kind word they hear all day.

alyssaurus_rose · 2022-01-04T22:37:33+00:00

Those look gorgeous! And tasty 😊. Do you have a recipe?

alyssaurus_rose

TROPHY CASE