For those interested: Mr. Squeak is back from the vet hospital

[dianeduane]

Squeaky practices the stink-eye

"Recovering at home," I guess, is the best phrase to use. He looks a little peculiar, since they partially shaved both his forelegs -- one for the first IV he was on, and the other to use when he (somehow or other) pulled the first cannula out. He's been ambling around looking vague, or else sleeping a lot, and right now -- today being an unusually nice day for Ireland, sunny and still -- he's sitting out in the back yard soaking up the sunshine.

...But "recovering" is kind of an optomistic usage here. Chronic renal failure is 100% fatal, eventually. It's just a question now of how long "eventually" takes. Right now we have to give the medications Squeak is on enough time to kick in, and see whether they help his appetite (which right now is worryingly marginal) and his other symptoms. He's drinking well enough, though not as much as he was when he was in crisis last week -- which is a good thing. The question now becomes whether he'll start feeling like eating enough to make some kind of improvement in his condition likely.

This is, finally, a quality-of-life issue. Squeak has always been a dignified cat, and there's no point in depriving him of that dignity, especially at his advanced age, just for the sake of what might be only a few more months of life. I'm guessing that within a couple of weeks we'll know whether there's any point in continuing vet runs for blood work and so forth, or if it would be kinder for all concerned -- especially our most senior puss -- to ask our local vet to make one last house call.

Meanwhile, through all of this, work goes on. It ain't easy. But thanks to everybody who's tweeted or emailed to send support. (And thanks also to all those who picked up a subscription to The Big Meow, or a copy of the Uptown Local and Other Interventions anthology or something else from the ebook shop, to help with the vet bills. It's seriously appreciated.)

Comments

[miss-next.livejournal.com]

Poor old boy. He looks like such a character, too.

[st-aurafina.livejournal.com]

Dear old guy - I hope he's a bit more comfortable at home, at least.

Get the vet to have a look at his gums, too - we have an elderly cat with renal insufficiency, and it can cause gingivitis. The first time it happened, we thought her weight loss was a worsening of her renal condition, but it was actually that her gums were too inflamed for her to eat.

Aeon, our dear old lady, is doing well on an ACE inhibitor and diltiazem. She's holding steady for the time being and very comfortable. Here's hoping Squeak will do the same.

[foomf.livejournal.com]

It's a slight loss of dignity but feeding a sick cat through a syringe that has had the end cut off, can get them through illnesses that would otherwise take them down. We brought our first cat through a bout of anemia from Feline AIDS that way. (Sadly, she was exposed to FIP on a vet check-up.)

[roseandheather.livejournal.com]

From a vet nurse in the making - best wishes for Mr Squeak, and may veterinary medicine come through for you!

[cjsmith.livejournal.com]

Best wishes to Mr. Squeak. I'm glad that at least he is home, with his own humans, in his own place, soaking up the sun.

[were-gopher.livejournal.com]

Here's hoping recharging his solar cells in a favourite spot makes him feel better. He's a beautiful boy and I hate to hear he's unwell.

[fgherman.livejournal.com]

I know that you and Peter will do what is in Squeak's best interest.

We do grow to love the kitties so.

[jaxomsride.livejournal.com]

Aww he is such a dear. it will be hard to let him go, I know. So here's hoping he does improve!

[zenfrodo.livejournal.com]

It's hard to let your friend go. It's hard to make that decision for your buddy. But you'll make the right decision. The end of pain is just as much a gift as life is, and (as you say in your books) there's always Timeheart; what's loved, lives.

[baka-kit.livejournal.com]

I hope he responds well to treatment, and that he has as much healthy time as possible.

[ann-mcn.livejournal.com]

I am sorry. Hard decisions to make.