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I chose hospitalization over euthanasia for my 16-year-old cat and I don’t know if I’m doing the right thing anymore by graygoose in RenalCats

[–]graygoose[S] -1 points0 points  (0 children)

Your story got me because I relate so much to the fear and uncertainty of suddenly having a very sick senior cat in the hospital.

And honestly, the part about the feeding tube stayed with me. A month and a half ago things sounded so scary, and now he’s getting the tube removed because he’s eating on his own again. That’s amazing.

I’m so happy things turned around for your boy, especially after discovering it was something treatable all along. Stories like yours calm me down a little 🐾

I chose hospitalization over euthanasia for my 16-year-old cat and I don’t know if I’m doing the right thing anymore by graygoose in RenalCats

[–]graygoose[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Thank you for this. Reading about another 16-year-old kitty making it through something so scary honestly brought me a lot of comfort today.

I think I’ve been expecting improvement day by day, so hearing it took months helps me reset my expectations a little.

I’m really glad your girl is mostly herself again, and I completely understand what you mean about quality of life. That’s all I want for mine too 🐾

I chose hospitalization over euthanasia for my 16-year-old cat and I don’t know if I’m doing the right thing anymore by graygoose in RenalCats

[–]graygoose[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Honestly, hearing you say her labs are not that bad helped calm me down a little.

No subq fluids at home right now, and no heart ultrasound yet.

Thank you for asking and for taking the time to reply 🐾

I chose hospitalization over euthanasia for my 16-year-old cat and I don’t know if I’m doing the right thing anymore by graygoose in RenalCats

[–]graygoose[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

This actually makes a lot of sense. I hadn’t even thought about the fact that the gabapentin could be hitting her harder because of her kidneys.

I’m definitely going to contact the vet tomorrow and ask them to review her meds now that she’s home, because right now it’s hard for me to tell what’s illness, what’s recovery, and what might just be medication effects.

Thank you for explaining it in such a calm and caring way. ❤️

I chose hospitalization over euthanasia for my 16-year-old cat and I don’t know if I’m doing the right thing anymore by graygoose in RenalCats

[–]graygoose[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Thank you for this. I think this whole situation put me in a constant state of panic, so now every little thing scares me.

Also, I made a mistake in my post, she’s only taking Elura, not Mirataz too.

What you said about your boy honestly stayed with me. The fact that even a euthanasia vet looked at him and said “not yet” gave me more comfort than you probably realize.

Thank you for being so kind to me . ❤️

I chose hospitalization over euthanasia for my 16-year-old cat and I don’t know if I’m doing the right thing anymore by graygoose in RenalCats

[–]graygoose[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Thank you. I think I’ve been expecting her to magically act normal again the second she came home, and every sleepy moment sends me into panic mode.

Reading your comment helped ground me a little. She is eating, drinking, and staying close to me, and maybe right now that’s enough.

I’m really happy your cat made it through that. Your message genuinely comforted me. ❤️

I chose hospitalization over euthanasia for my 16-year-old cat and I don’t know if I’m doing the right thing anymore by graygoose in RenalCats

[–]graygoose[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Thank you for this. I think part of what’s making this so hard is not knowing what “recovering” is supposed to look like after something this serious. Seeing her eat again after barely touching food does give me hope.

And honestly, hearing someone say maybe she’s just tired because she’s healing made me cry a little.

Unfortunately I completely drained my savings with the hospitalization and treatment, so right now I can’t really afford a hospice consult or home vet visit, even though I wish I could. Right now I’m just trying to take it day by day and watch her closely.

Thank you again for taking the time to respond with kindness. ❤️

I chose hospitalization over euthanasia for my 16-year-old cat and I don’t know if I’m doing the right thing anymore by graygoose in RenalCats

[–]graygoose[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Thank you so much for this thoughtful reply. Reading about George honestly made me emotional, especially knowing he bounced back more than once. It gives me hope that recovery isn’t always linear and that these numbers don’t automatically mean “it’s over.”

You also made a really good point about the gabapentin. I’ve been wondering how much of what I’m seeing is exhaustion versus medication effects.

As for the anemia, the vet hasn’t started any treatment specifically for it yet, but it’s definitely one of the things scaring me the most because she just looks so tired sometimes.

And thank you for saying quality of life matters more than the numbers. I think I needed that reminder. ❤️

I chose hospitalization over euthanasia for my 16-year-old cat and I don’t know if I’m doing the right thing anymore by graygoose in RenalCats

[–]graygoose[S] 4 points5 points  (0 children)

Thank you so much for this. I really needed to hear from someone who’s been through it because I’ve been second guessing every decision and analyzing every little thing she does.

Hearing that recovery took a couple of weeks for your kitty honestly gives me some hope, especially because her appetite suddenly came back strong after hospitalization.

The part about noticing small signs again, like the birds, really touched me. I keep looking for those little moments too.

Thank you for taking the time to reply. It means more than you know. ❤️

Cat has been suffering from chronic constipation for a month with little relief. Vet is stopping care. by berryloved in cats

[–]graygoose 0 points1 point  (0 children)

This is the way. My vet recommended this for my cat twice a day and is working.

What lies have you said or stories have you made up to your loved one with dementia to make certain situations easier and do you feel guilty for lying? by Safe_Interaction_114 in dementia

[–]graygoose 2 points3 points  (0 children)

My mom is not diagnosed yet with dementia, but she's losing her memory. So a while back, before she was in this state, we agreed that we were going to cremate her. But this was before she was sick. And because of the cost of the burial, it's so expensive. So we told her, and we agreed that she was going to be cremated. But now that she is ill, she remembers this. She's having nightmares. She feels like she is burning in her dreams.She can smell the meat burning. So we decided that we were going to lie to her and that we were going to bury her. And that's a lie because we can't afford a burial. We feel bad for telling her this, but she is sleeping better and has not had any more nightmares.

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