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I couldn’t see if people were donating unfortunately | r/renalcats | comment | r/RenalCats | 2024-06-08 |
I know it’s not the end of the world, but I’ve had her since she was 1. She also started solensia injections last week, but we’re going to keep an eye on her bloodwork to make sure the solensia and renal disease aren’t affecting each other.
Also considering asking my vet about a phosphorous binder for her fancy feast. She grazes on dry food throughout the day, so I bought the hills science k/d dry food. This is already significantly more than her other hills science food, and the canned k/d is ridiculously expensive 🥲 | r/renalcats | post | r/RenalCats | 2024-01-08 |
You can find low phosphorus regular food. I always look at the nutritional info on food on Chewy and try to stick to food with .7% or lower. Are her phosphorus levels high? My boy has been stage 2 for over 2 years and phosphorus is in the normal range so I don’t get too panicky about those. | r/renalcats | comment | r/RenalCats | 2024-01-08 |
Don’t despair! Stage two is very manageable | r/renalcats | comment | r/RenalCats | 2024-01-08 |
Yes, I think her phosphorus was high. I can’t 100% recall because I wanted to write everything down since I have a bad memory due to unmedicated ADHD, but I wasn’t in a situation where I could write things down when they called about her bloodwork. Her Hills Science k/d just arrived yesterday, so I’m hoping that will help as I gradually add it to her current food. I’ll be taking her back in a month to get more bloodwork done to make sure the solensia isn’t lowering her red blood cell count, so hopefully we’ll find out then about a change in her phosphorus levels. | r/renalcats | comment | r/RenalCats | 2024-01-08 |
Oh I know! She’s just my baby and it has certainly shaken me up and I realize now she truly isn’t immortal lol. I’ve had her since I was 9, and I just turned 27. I don’t know life without her! | r/renalcats | comment | r/RenalCats | 2024-01-08 |
aww I totally get it!!! I feel the same way about my baby Peter, who is 16 and I’ve had him for 10 years. He was a neighborhood kitty abandoned by his family after they moved and he decided to adopt me. They really do capture our hearts. I wishing you and your baby all the best! 🙏🏼♥️ | r/renalcats | comment | r/RenalCats | 2024-01-08 |
Honestly at 19, stage 2 CKD isn’t bad and can likely be managed for the rest of her life. I would definitely get your cat on a more appropriate diet, though- most Fancy Feast varieties are pretty high in phosphorus which is the #1 thing CKD cats should avoid. Check out Tanya’s website (stickied at the top of the subreddit). It’s a wealth of information and also has lists of wet & dry food sorted by phosphorus content. | r/renalcats | comment | r/RenalCats | 2024-01-08 |
Oh wow! I just checked out the website and saw the long list of canned foods. I just had this subreddit recommended to me earlier today, so I hadn’t even noticed that at the top. Thank you so much for telling me, I’m definitely going to be doing some more research after work! | r/renalcats | comment | r/RenalCats | 2024-01-08 |
She looks good OP | r/renalcats | comment | r/RenalCats | 2024-01-08 |
My kitty is the same way! My husband got her as a baby when he was 9 and he’s 29 now. She turned 20 in June and her kidneys aren’t amazing but they’re pretty good. I only came into her life when she was 15 but the bond is indescribable. I hope your girl keeps living a long and healthy life. | r/renalcats | comment | r/RenalCats | 2024-01-08 |
I have 17 year old cat last two years stage 4. We just started fluids few months Go now twice a week. She has extra water bowls everywhere. Does not like the prescription food except the dry a tiny bit. She loves rotisserie chicken white meat shredded - some salmon and some tiny pieces of steak. She main eats at night few bites at a time. Likes Iams salmon pate and Costco brand of pate. Appetite changes a lot and small frequent meals have kept her happy and enjoying quality life. She is getting really thin. I have the vet tech do the fluids as they do it quick. My vet said feed her anything at this point. She is a gift and I am making sure everyday she knows how much I love her. I do blood work every three months. Initially it was very six months. | r/renalcats | comment | r/RenalCats | 2024-01-08 |
I am so sorry | r/renalcats | comment | r/RenalCats | 2024-01-08 |
Thank you!! Every time I’ve had to take her to a new vet or had her meet a new person, everyone is shocked by her age. She drinks from the fountain of youth (and by fountain of youth, I mean my cup of water she always steals water from) | r/renalcats | comment | r/RenalCats | 2024-01-08 |
It's a disease of old age. Join Facebook group FELINE CHRONIC KIDNEY DISEASE! | r/renalcats | comment | r/RenalCats | 2024-01-08 |
I am doing research on wet foods with low protein and phosphorus that are more in my price range. dry food is not going to be her primary source of nutrition. She grazes on it throughout the day though. Sorry if my knowledge isn’t perfect regarding all of this, this is all very new to me and it’s a lot to take in. | r/renalcats | comment | r/RenalCats | 2024-02-08 |
Thank you so much for recommending this group to me. It’s helping me get such a great grasp/understanding of this all. It’s so much to take in | r/renalcats | comment | r/RenalCats | 2024-02-08 |
What is phosphorus binder? And do you feed fancy feast tinned food? We do also with our 17 year old with kcd. He won't eat the kidney food so vet said just give him what he'll eat. | r/renalcats | comment | r/RenalCats | 2024-03-08 |
Research cordeceps medicinal mushrooms for kidney function | r/renalcats | comment | r/RenalCats | 2024-04-08 |
r/renalcats | post | r/RenalCats | 2024-01-08 | |
I think you can tell by the graph its not good. | r/renalcats | comment | r/RenalCats | 2024-01-08 |
Sorry OP thats not good . | r/renalcats | comment | r/RenalCats | 2024-01-08 |
Hi the doc didnt tell me like wat stage my cat are at. Can this reading indicate how bad or what stage of pkd is my cat at? | r/renalcats | comment | r/RenalCats | 2024-01-08 |
Hi the doc didnt tell me like wat stage my cat are at. Can this reading indicate how bad or what stage of pkd is my cat at? | r/renalcats | comment | r/RenalCats | 2024-01-08 |
It can. I think there id a couple other factors. I can't remember it all from our last vet visit. Giving her renal food has got her numbers in the good zones. But she also has hyperactive thyroid. | r/renalcats | comment | r/RenalCats | 2024-01-08 |
The Bun/Crea ratio is on the high end, so there is some dehydration involved. A round of IV fluids will often bring those values down and make the kitty feel better for a while (ideally the kind they get in the veins at a veterinary hospital, not the ones we give under the skin at home)
If she's already been on fluids and this value is persistent, it would indicate stage 4 (crea greater than 440). Stages are the same for both PKD and CKD, as far as I've read.
Prognosis can vary wildly. With proper treatment, the values sometimes go down and she might have a bunch more good time. Sometimes, in spite of our best efforts, decline is rapid. On average, the survival tends to be a few months.
I hope your kitty's values will go down with treatment, and that she'll be one of the outliers who survives a really long time! 🙏🤞 | r/renalcats | comment | r/RenalCats | 2024-01-08 |
I’m sorry my friend, I feel your frustration. Our vet didn’t tell us that either. We had to see a second vet just to get an idea of his illness phase. He also made a point to say he’s just a general vet and if we wanted more testing or information we would need to see a specialist. Our 15 year old cat, Kitty, just had his teeth cleaned and they did blood tests again (less than 3 months later). His numbers have gone up even though he’s on the special diet. We will not subject him, or ourselves, to ongoing traumatizing vet visits, tests and treatment. He is currently doing pretty well. We are going to keep him on the diet, with plenty of treats (even occasional non diet treats) and do everything to keep him happy and content for as long as he has left. | r/renalcats | comment | r/RenalCats | 2024-01-08 |
No idea OP I was never told either. | r/renalcats | comment | r/RenalCats | 2024-01-08 |
This advice right here is spot on. I did the 4 day IV treatment which was pricey and the constant dropping them off for the day but it did bring the values back down. Over a year later for reference my guy came back at 270 creatinine and I just started fluids at home. There's no easy way to say 500+ is not good at all, I would go for the in patient iv flush if you can afford it then start on at home daily IV fluids if the flush helps bring it back down.
CKD is in the end a losing battle but all we really have is the IV flush, prescription kidney food, and subq fluids at home.
My guy went through the radioiodine treatment for thyroid that fixed it but then we discovered the CKD, immediately switched him to renal food. Had the iv flush done in March of 2023 and it helped, his levels actually came back not as bad as last year so he's been fighting hard.
Not a doctor but I'm guessing 500 is in the end stage category of stages? | r/renalcats | comment | r/RenalCats | 2024-01-08 |
By far, the single best thing you can do for your kitty is to join the feline CKD support group at https://tanyackd.groups.io/g/support. The many experts there have decades of experience with CKD and will help you and your kitty navigate this. Every situation is different, obviously, but some folks there have had stage 4 kitties lead quality lives for years. | r/renalcats | comment | r/RenalCats | 2024-05-08 |
Not sure if this is the best place to ask this, if there may be a better, please let me know! My 15 year old girl was diagnosed with stage 2 ckd last week. I am not confident we're receiving the best treatment/preventative proactive plan from our current vet. I would love to find another opinion with another vet but I'm afraid of wasting our time and money with someone that also isn't well versed in kidney disease. Particularly looking for someone that stays up to date on latest medical information as there's a lot of older in information that may not be the best course of treatment any longer. Any recommendations are appreciated. I'm hoping to do everything I can at this time to keep her as healthy as possible for as long as possible.
(I know of Oakland referral services and may go there but they are currently scheduling over a month out and was hoping to go somewhere a bit sooner)
Thanks!! | r/renalcats | post | r/RenalCats | 2024-01-08 |
Hey guys. Our dear Cookie has stage 4 renal disease and will only eat wet food. My problem is that renal food is hard to come by where I live (Turkey).
I'm visiting my family in the USA and want to take some food back with me, but it looks like I need a prescription to order the stuff. Cookie is still in Turkey with my wife, so I can't exactly get her an appointment with a vet here. Do you guys have any advice for me for how I can get ahold of the stuff? I was thinking of calling up my local vet and trying to explain my situation. Are there any vets on here that are willing to help or give advice? Thank you so much. | r/renalcats | post | r/RenalCats | 2024-01-08 |
Weruva Wx is available without a prescription.
There are also some wet foods that aren’t specifically made for kidney cats, but may be suitable depending on how advanced your cat’s kidney disease is. At stage 4, you probably wouldn’t want to feed these as-is, but maybe some of the lower phosphorus options with a phosphorus binder would work. I haven’t had to use a binder, but am assuming it would require a prescription, though. | r/renalcats | comment | r/RenalCats | 2024-01-08 |
Thanks so much for your response. Any idea what the difference between the Weruva and something like Hills Renal is? Weruva seems like a good option, especially if it's my only one. | r/renalcats | comment | r/RenalCats | 2024-01-08 |
I would recommend your vet in Turkey send you an email and a prescription and then maybe speak with a vet here and see if they will write you one? Also maybe the emailed prescription from the vet in Turkey would be enough? In my experience the employees at Petsmart barely look at the email when I buy the food anyways. | r/renalcats | comment | r/RenalCats | 2024-01-08 |
That's good advice thank you. | r/renalcats | comment | r/RenalCats | 2024-01-08 |
Sure. I’m not a vet but would think if you had it in writing from your cats vet and showed your local vet then they would write the prescription. Plus it’s just food it’s not for pills or anything like that. Good luck! | r/renalcats | comment | r/RenalCats | 2024-01-08 |
Thanks, i don't know why I didn't think of this. | r/renalcats | comment | r/RenalCats | 2024-01-08 |
The fancy feast classic pate and senior fish pate has a very low phosphorus level and is a complete meal, which would be my personal second suggestion to Weruva WX
Edit for specificity | r/renalcats | comment | r/RenalCats | 2024-01-08 |
They’re different brands with different philosophies.
Weruva Wx is lower in phosphorus (which is pretty much universally agreed upon as a necessity for cats with CKD) but not in protein (there is less evidence to support this being necessary, especially in the early stages of CKD)
There’s no legal requirement for cat food companies to require prescriptions for specialty diets in the US, they just can’t market them as a complete cat food (in this case because phosphorus is below the levels required to be considered complete). The big brands with prescription cat foods limit them to prescription largely as a way to control the market and charge a premium, though I’m sure they’d say it’s to ensure they’re only fed to cats who truly need the special diets. Weruva has opted not to require a prescription. | r/renalcats | comment | r/RenalCats | 2024-01-08 |
Which specific varieties of Fancy Feast senior pate are low in phosphorus? I only looked at a couple on Chewy but they were quite high in phosphorus (1.81% for the Chicken Feast Classic Pate Senior 7+ and 2.04% for the Beef version, for example) | r/renalcats | comment | r/RenalCats | 2024-01-08 |
Oops yea it’s only the fish option and most of the non senior classic, just rolled outta bed. Also adding for OP that you can get non prescription phos binder online if that’s not something you can find there as well | r/renalcats | comment | r/RenalCats | 2024-01-08 |
Can you find someone that has a cat? Or just go to any vet and buy from them. It works for me but I am in Canada. | r/renalcats | comment | r/RenalCats | 2024-01-08 |
Thank you so much for taking the time to respond. This is very helpful. | r/renalcats | comment | r/RenalCats | 2024-01-08 |
Good idea thank you | r/renalcats | comment | r/RenalCats | 2024-01-08 |
Thank you so much for taking the time to respond. This is very helpful. | r/renalcats | comment | r/RenalCats | 2024-01-08 |
Phos binder is great if your cat has high phosphorus. My cat grew tired of the WX even though they are def the lowest. The classic pate is cheap and while many will say it’s bad, they are developed by trained animal nutritionists and have low phos. It’s hard out there caring for a renal kitty ❤️ they do say “fed is best” and I used to immersion blend water into all her foods to keep her juicy along with the fluids lol | r/renalcats | comment | r/RenalCats | 2024-01-08 |
I'm not sure if it's available in Turkey but Epakitin is a phosphate binder. Add it to normal cat food and it binds the phosphate and makes it harmless. | r/renalcats | comment | r/RenalCats | 2024-02-08 |
Thanks so much for this. | r/renalcats | comment | r/RenalCats | 2024-02-08 |
Thanks I'll look into that if I can't find the food I need. | r/renalcats | comment | r/RenalCats | 2024-02-08 |
It's so hard.
Cookie is eating the perscription renal food and she seems okay--there wouldn't be any need to add a phos binder because that's one of the features of renal food, right?
We're also giving her a complete kidney supplement but it's expensive and I'm really not sure what is in it. Any supplements you would recommend? | r/renalcats | comment | r/RenalCats | 2024-02-08 |
Hi guys,
I have a 16 year old named emmie who i just brought to the vet for her senior checkup. She’s in great spirits, eating great, drinking great, bathroom habits great, etc. But I noticed a lump about an inch and a half under her armpit. Doctor spent some time examining it and said through his years of experience it feels like fat accumulation and that he’s almost certain not to worry about it, but to monitor it and come back if anything changes, like it’s size or if it suddenly becomes hard (yay)!
Anyways..
She is eating and drinking fine. Appetite same as it’s always been. If anything, she’s drinking a lot more since I got her a cat water fountain.
Her blood work came back as creatinine 2.0 (normal range goes to 2.3 on this blood test), Total Protein came back in the normal range. BUN came back as 44 (high), and sodium came back slightly elevated as well. Bun/Crea Ratio was 22. The doctor said that because her creatinine is 2.0 (less than the normal high range of 2.3) that the elevated BUN is probably just a result of too much protein in her diet. Given the creatine is still pretty high (2.0), i’m not sure if I trust this. I did some research and it said some consider anything above a 1.6 to be high. I feel like this is especially the case considering her BUN was elevated. Should I treat this as early CKD? I know it’s very common in older cats. I’m a college student and want to save my money and wait for the next visit since she just got back from one, and all the blood work and meds for her anxiety she gets are expensive.
Thoughts?
Thanks!
Julia | r/renalcats | post | r/RenalCats | 2024-01-08 |
Did the vet run SDMA by any chance? | r/renalcats | comment | r/RenalCats | 2024-01-08 |
Where would I find that?? I don’t have the paperwork with me right at this moment as i’m at work, but I have all the results on paper at my house. They ran like a full blood panel- CBC and Chemical profile. I don’t think they did anything with urine. | r/renalcats | comment | r/RenalCats | 2024-01-08 |
It does sound like it could be early stages CKD, though a diagnosis usually requires a urine test and/or repeat blood test after a few weeks.
Did they do a urine test? If it is CKD, the urine will be more dilute, and it can also check for other problems that cats with CKD often have, like proteinuria.
Definitely a good idea to lower protein levels in the food. What were you giving her before? Senior diets usually have lowered protein compared to adult foods. You can also ask the vet about giving her Early Renal.
The Bun/Crea ratio is also showing mild dehydration. It may be a good idea to add a bit of extra water to her food.
A cheap way to keep an eye on her is getting a cheap second hand baby scale and weighing her once a week or so (regular ones for adult humans are too inaccurate). If you see her weight going down consistently, either a lot in 2 weeks or gradually over the course of a month, it can be an early warning that she may need more treatment.
If she's doing well for now, it makes sense to just monitor. | r/renalcats | comment | r/RenalCats | 2024-01-08 |
I was giving her Purina One Senior Indoor dry food before, and just regular 1/2 friskies canned food. But about 3 weeks ago I switched it to Adult 11+ Hills Diet dry food and limited ingredient canned food. Do you think I should stick to this or maybe switch to a hills science food for kidneys especially??
They did not do urinalysis. Should I just monitor her for now then her back to vet for urinalysis/follow up blood test in a couple of months, after switching up her food? As a college student I am pretty broke and want to wait at least a little before going back, but also want to make sure she’s okay and getting care she needs.. | r/renalcats | comment | r/RenalCats | 2024-01-08 |
SDMA is in the blood work, but isn’t always included in the standard panel the vet does. Here’s a little about the test: https://felinecrf.org/early_detection.htm#sdma_test | r/renalcats | comment | r/RenalCats | 2024-01-08 |
A few things I’d do: increase hydration (water fountain or liquid treats / broth food toppers). There are conflicting opinions on reducing protein in food so I won’t speak to that. However, I would reduce the phosphorus level in the wet and dry food! It doesn’t have to be prescription food to accomplish this. Most cats don’t like renal food and it’s expensive so I’d push that off until absolutely necessary.
The feline chronic kidney disease facebook group has a list of wet and dry foods that are kidney friendly.
You could look into the kidney support gold drops. There’s no scientific evidence to prove they work just anecdotal. In July 2020 my cat (at the time 13) had a creatinine of 2. August 2021 it jumped to 2.4 and I started the drops per his vet’s recommendation. August 2022 his creatinine was down to 1.6. Is that all coincidence or did the drops work? Who knows. We didn’t change his food or anything else during that time.
If funds aren’t an issue I would have a urine analysis taken only so you can get a baseline for urine specific gravity. Maybe go back in a month or two if you’re already planning follow up bloodwork. USG seems to be a leading indicator for CKD whereas bloodwork won’t reflect kidney issues until upwards of 66% function has been lost. | r/renalcats | comment | r/RenalCats | 2024-01-08 |
yeah i’ll go back in a couple of months for urinalysis after increasing water intake and decreasing phosphorus.. do you know how much a urinalysis usually is? | r/renalcats | comment | r/RenalCats | 2024-01-08 |
thank you! | r/renalcats | comment | r/RenalCats | 2024-01-08 |
Vet costs are so dependent on region but at the private practice I go to in an upper end MCOL city it’s $90! Make sure on the next bloodwork they test phosphorus - that’s not standard on most panels. For me, it’s an additional $18.
ETA: some people will bring in a urine sample but I always did cystocentesis (they insert a needle directly into the bladder). This is the most reliable method but definitely make sure you trust your vet! | r/renalcats | comment | r/RenalCats | 2024-01-08 |
So, creatinine is related with muscle mass. Being high does not necessarily mean your cat has kidney disease. However, the high SDMA is another story.. 19 is high.
But consider the circumstances the tests were done, was your cat dehydrated? This could increase SDMA.
To diagnose chronic kidney disease they would need 2 samples with a 2 to 4 week interval. With urinalysis is better, as you can see if there is protein in the urine and urine gravity.
Just for your information, SDMA is a kidney biomarker not affected by muscle mass and it allows to detect kidney disease at early stages (anything more than 40% loss of kidney function, other indicators only show change at around 75% of kidney function.
Additional info of ckd staging and SDMA
https://www.idexx.com/files/iris-pocket-guide-2.pdf
http://www.iris-kidney.com/pdf/2_IRIS_Staging_of_CKD_2023.pdf
https://www.idexx.com/en/veterinary/reference-laboratories/sdma/interpreting-your-sdma-results/ | r/renalcats | comment | r/RenalCats | 2024-01-08 |
r/renalcats | post | r/RenalCats | 2024-01-08 | |
Wow, he is stunning and looks like he knew it! I'm sorry for your loss of this fine gentleman. | r/renalcats | comment | r/RenalCats | 2024-01-08 |
Sorry for your loss . | r/renalcats | comment | r/RenalCats | 2024-01-08 |
Thank you for your kind words ❤️ He definitely knew it! | r/renalcats | comment | r/RenalCats | 2024-01-08 |
Thank you ❤️ | r/renalcats | comment | r/RenalCats | 2024-01-08 |
I am so sorry for your loss 💔 | r/renalcats | comment | r/RenalCats | 2024-01-08 |
I’m so very sorry 😢 | r/renalcats | comment | r/RenalCats | 2024-01-08 |
I'm so sidi. But how much time will it take? The pain is still real and it's been a month. | r/renalcats | comment | r/RenalCats | 2024-01-08 |
Oh my goodness what a beauty. I’m so very sorry | r/renalcats | comment | r/RenalCats | 2024-01-08 |
I am so sorry for your loss | r/renalcats | comment | r/RenalCats | 2024-01-08 |
I’m so sorry for your loss. Very beautiful kitty. | r/renalcats | comment | r/RenalCats | 2024-01-08 |
So very sorry. It hurts but the pain will turn into a gentle sorrow which is tolerable. Your baby will always live in your heart | r/renalcats | comment | r/RenalCats | 2024-01-08 |
Rest in peace, little guy. He looks very sweet, I’m sure you two had a lot of fun together. I’m sorry he’s not there to keep you physical company any longer but I’m sure he had a good life with you :) | r/renalcats | comment | r/RenalCats | 2024-02-08 |
Aww. So sorry. Beautiful kitty | r/renalcats | comment | r/RenalCats | 2024-02-08 |
Hang in there, we all process the pain at our own speed. It's going to be okay. I still break down crying sometimes randomly. It's normal and okay to just embrace the loss at your own speed. | r/renalcats | comment | r/RenalCats | 2024-02-08 |
I meant to say I'm so sorry but my phone said sidi for some reason. Thank you, yes, I have been doing that as well. Thank you for your kind words. | r/renalcats | comment | r/RenalCats | 2024-02-08 |
Sorry for your loss 🙏 | r/renalcats | comment | r/RenalCats | 2024-02-08 |
Sorry for your loss | r/renalcats | comment | r/RenalCats | 2024-02-08 |
I just had to put mine down yesterday. My heart is aching so badly but I know I relieved his pain. It hurts us but it helps them.
Such a handsome boy. I’m so sorry for your loss. Its so hard but he was well loved and our babies will be waiting for us on the other side | r/renalcats | comment | r/RenalCats | 2024-03-08 |
They absolutely will be waiting. I'm so sorry for your loss. Hang in there. It's awful when we have to make that call even if it's in their best interest | r/renalcats | comment | r/RenalCats | 2024-03-08 |
What a beautiful cat. Sorry for your loss. | r/renalcats | comment | r/RenalCats | 2024-03-08 |
Thank you 🩷 | r/renalcats | comment | r/RenalCats | 2024-03-08 |
one cannot dispel the years of companionship, of love, and moments so endearing...YOU were his everything..the joy's the friend..the one who satisfied his hunger, and his pain..Memories last a lifetime... | r/renalcats | comment | r/RenalCats | 2024-03-08 |
Thank you ❤️ | r/renalcats | comment | r/RenalCats | 2024-03-08 |
I’m so sorry for your loss OP. RIP sweet boy. ❤️ | r/renalcats | comment | r/RenalCats | 2024-04-08 |
I am so sorry. | r/renalcats | comment | r/RenalCats | 2024-04-08 |
Thank you <3 | r/renalcats | comment | r/RenalCats | 2024-04-08 |
Strong love implies strong loss. Down the road. Consider being an overflow Foster. Bring a little Joy to your home | r/renalcats | comment | r/RenalCats | 2024-04-08 |
Close to a year for me and the pain is definitely still there | r/renalcats | comment | r/RenalCats | 2024-05-08 |
I’m so sorry. May he rest in peace until you meet again 🌈🐾🙏 | r/renalcats | comment | r/RenalCats | 2024-06-08 |
I met my cat Dublin in November 2007. I was volunteering as a “cat comforter” at the local humane society and one day I walked by a cage and a tiny black and white arm stretched out toward me. Immediately I felt that he was reaching for me for a reason. I asked if I could adopt this cat (named Franklin at the time) and they said there was a three-day waiting period to make sure he wasn’t claimed. Once that period was up, I brought him home with me and renamed him Dublin, after the city where I had just met my two new best friends/roommates on a study abroad trip. The first pet I had adopted on my own, living with me at my first apartment.
As a kitten, Dublin liked to lick my eyelashes as he slept on my neck at night. He was known for getting into laundry baskets and especially known for knocking over glasses of water, much to my roommates’ annoyance.
We moved at least six times over the last 17 years. Dublin was with me through most of my 20’s and all of my 30’s. He was with me through my marriage, my first home purchase, the birth of two kids, job changes, covid, personal challenges, personal growth. He’s been my best buddy for so many years. It was beautiful seeing my daughter develop a relationship with him as well; he would lay on the floor by her while she played Calico Critters in her room. Most recently, she dressed up like a cowgirl then put a bandana around his neck along with a homemade sheriff’s badge; twins! She was also always trying to “train” him, and although he often appeared indifferent as cats tend to, I did see him going along with her prompts on occasion.
I happen to think he’s better looking than the average tuxedo cat, but obviously I’m biased. He had the softest ears, a unique checkered mouth, adorable paws, and his head had the most comforting smell. I loved when he would sleep on his side with his paws up like an otter, when his tongue would get stuck out of his mouth, when he would rub against my glasses or give love bites, when he would purr loudly, and when his whiskers and paws would twitch while he was sleeping deeply. He was sweet and friendly and liked by all who met him. He was so easy to love, and he cemented my label as a "cat-lady."
I won’t pretend he was perfect. He was often underfoot, nearly causing you to trip or fall down the stairs. He’d bang at doors to be let in, he sometimes got feisty, and he loved to lay down right on top of a board game you were in the middle of. He also often tried to escape to the outdoors.
On Memorial Day weekend, at nearly 17 years of age, he finally succeeded in getting out the door unnoticed as we went in and out of the doors for a bbq. He was gone for three days and was not in our garage or within a two to three house radius as many online resources suggested. He was halfway around the block, nearly dead. If not for the kindest cat-loving neighbor who saw our signs and kept an eye out, we probably wouldn’t have found him in time. As it was, I took him right to the vet to be examined and his vitals were grave. He was in kidney failure. We sent him to the emergency vet for critical care and against all odds, he survived. For about a month it seemed as if he might have one more life left to live, if I kept up on meds, special food, and fluids. I'm so grateful we had this time together and that he had a good quality of life. But a few days ago, he started to decline, and he passed away at home before we could take him for euthanasia.
His death leaves a void in our family; there will be no pets bringing joy and interest to our days, at least not for a while. I’ll still be expecting to see him walking through a doorway or to find him sleeping peacefully in a cushy spot. I’ll be missing him so much for the foreseeable future, and even when grief lessens, I know that he’s made an indelible mark on my heart.
I love you forever Dublin. | r/renalcats | post | r/RenalCats | 2024-01-08 |
I'm so sorry for your loss, it's the absolute worst pain. | r/renalcats | comment | r/RenalCats | 2024-01-08 |
Ohh what a lovely tribute to his life | r/renalcats | comment | r/RenalCats | 2024-01-08 |
What a beautiful tribute to a fabulous soul.
When they pass, a piece of us goes with them to the other side. And a piece of them is left behind for us to cherish. Love is always an exchange.
Fly high sweet Dublin 🦋💗 | r/renalcats | comment | r/RenalCats | 2024-01-08 |
He was so handsome. I’m sorry for your loss. | r/renalcats | comment | r/RenalCats | 2024-01-08 |
😢😢😢😢🤍🐈⬛♥️🙏🏼 | r/renalcats | comment | r/RenalCats | 2024-01-08 |
Beautiful eulogy, I feel like I knew him. | r/renalcats | comment | r/RenalCats | 2024-01-08 |
Dublin shared your transition to adulthood with many life changes and that is a very powerful connection. Thank you for sharing his life story.
I hope that some day you can save the life of another cat, who can bring your family joy.
Dublin will live forever in your heart and your memories.
My condolences to you and your family on the loss of your sweet tuxedo cat. *hugs* | r/renalcats | comment | r/RenalCats | 2024-01-08 |
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