Oh God Not Again!, Taz in sudden renal failure Options

[Snickster]

I'm going out of my mind & don't know what to do.... not again, not so close to Inky!

We got home from work on Friday night to find Taz literally covered in feces. He couldn't get up, wouldn't open his eyes and looked horrid.

We scooped him up and rushed him over the the vet, although "our" doctor wasn't in until Saturday, we let the other vet (idiot) check him. He said "he's not sick, I think he just has some poop in his colon and his a little blocked. He'll be fine!" They kept him overnight for fluids, observation and a (now) much needed bath.

at 10:00 yesterday morning my cell phone rings as I'm about to call and check on him. It's our regular vet saying that she doesn't understand it, but Taz is very sick and she feels it's renal failure. She said a lot more, but after that I didn't hear much....

We went to pick him up at noon and he's scheduled for a sonogram Wednesday morning. She feels he'd be more comfortable at home until then since they can't really do much until they are sure of what they're dealing with.

I don't need tests... I can see in his eyes what's happening. This is a look we all know... that look of "I'm trying, but I just can't do it any more, Mommy."

Taz has not been himself at all since Inky died. He was a spunky, huge, 30 pounder at one time. He pretty much stopped eating since Inky died, became extremely aggressive to the point of being put on Prozac and has lost a lot of weight. When he got weighed yesterday, he was 17 pounds.

I know what this is. I know what the ultimate outcome is. I can't do this again.

[luv_my_catz]

You poor dear! You are brave and courageous and filled with love for your Taz ~ I can so relate to your feelings of "knowing" ~ we are all here for you and know your despair ~ Although I am relatively new to LS after losing my precious Amber to CRF 28March, I have gotten so much comfort here from you and all ~ Please know my thoughts are with you and my heart goes out to you ~ since I have become a member here I have come to know all the animals that are represented here and guess what I love them all ~ it is true ~ and I feel the pain of all the sick and suffering ~ both human and animal alike ~ Hugs and Comforts to You ~ this is a time for bravery and courage and all the love in the world to surround you ~ and God will hold you in the hollow of his hand ~ With Sincere Thoughts of Empathy and Support ~ Kathryn

[Susanv]

I'll keep you and Taz in my prayers, Snickster. My heart goes out to you. I hope all turns out well!

[kimberlyheide]

My thoughts and prayers are with you. It is very hard to lose one after another. I lost my 2 favorite boys within 9 months of each other and it is very hard.

Please know that my thoughts are with you and Taz,

Kim

[Jazzygirl]

I am so sorry to hear this horrible news. I can't imagine losing pets so close together. There are many people on this board who have though, and they have been an inspiration for us all on how to cope with the pain. I fear everyday that I'll lose Bailey suddenly, just like I lost Jasmine. We all understand. *hugs*

[Ann H]

Dear Pat, I am so sorry that your little Taz is so very sick. Why in the world can't they do the sonogram before Wednesday. That is to long to wait when he is so sick maybe you should insist they do it Monday.

Yes, I know that look all to well my Snookie told me with her eyes that she could not make it. I told her it was alright to go and she should go find Chili Bean and all the fur babies from LS. I thought I would go out of my mind too but somehow I made it through. Somehow we have more strength that we ever though we would have.

Had it not been for God, my family and this LS family I don't think I would have made it. The pain of Chili Bean was almost more than I could bear but when Snookie went 6 weeks and 3 days later it all but destroyed my heart and soul. Everyone's outstretched hand helped me make it through.

I know how terrified you must be and how your heart is breaking. Give you baby all the love you can and if he will let you hold him then do it a lot. Maybe you can get some fur off him enough to save in an envelope or put in a heart necklace. Take some pictures if he doesn't look to sick. See if he will eat any special treats. Do anything you can to make him comfortable, I'm sure he knows how loved he is but tell him over and over how much he means to you, what joy he has brought into your life.

I hope that your precious Taz gets well and recovers and this will just become nothing more than a terrible scare. But if not Taz wont be alone for he will go find Inky and all our babies. We are here and will be here to hold your hand and to help you through. Hold on to us, no we will not be able to heal your broken heart but we will comfort you and reach out to you with love in our hearts. I too am praying for Taz.
Love, Ann

[Norah'sMom]

I am so sorry Taz is sick. I am praying for all of you.

[Kimi]

You and Taz are in my thoughts and prayers. I agree with Ann, that maybe Taz should have his sonogram Monday. I am so sorry for this helpless feeling you have right now, especially the not knowing. I would be out of my mind too!

Please let us know how things are when you can.

Many hugs, Kimi

[CheriAnn]

My thoughts and prayers are with you all and Taz. Please Keep us updated.

Cheri

[Snickster]

Thanks to you all for your words of encouragement and support to my Taz. He looks betters, but won't get up for food or water. That's ok, though... I deliver!! He will take a few bites if I bring it over to him, but only a few bites.

As for waiting until Wednesday for a sonogram, there really isn't an option. The vet doesn't have one on site and a technician comes in once a week only. She did call to see if he could make a special trip today, but he's booked up. It kills me to have to make him wait, but there isn't a choice.

One thing that I'm EXTREMELY mad at. I told you that our regular vet wasn't there when we rushed him in and that he was a mess. Well, that A-HOLE must have tried to shave some of the fur on the underside of his tail at the base. I was wondering why Taz was constantly licking and jumpy if you touched his tail area... IT'S BLOOD RAW! I cried when I looked at it and my husband is furious! When I spoke to my regular vet this morning, she also sounded more than annoyed that they would have done that to him. I'm going to pick up some ointment on my way home from work and hopefully that will make him feel a bit better.

This is a real nightmare.

I'll keep you posted and again, I cannot thank you guys enough for your help and support.

Pat

[Snickster]

Wanted to share a picture of my Taz

Attached image(s)

 

[luv_my_catz]

Thank you so much for your update on Taz~ how sweet he looks (and I know he is) in the photo ~

The POOR thing ~ with the tail ~ I get so mad when I hear about insensitive action and un-necessary pain that is caused to our babies by uncaring Vets and Technicians ~ I feel so BAD for you ~ we know how cats are about their tails anyway and to have that indignity is so sad ~ Good for your Vet at being aggravated ~ it never should have happened to your little guy ~

But on the bright side ~ Taz has a food delivery person who loves him and surrounds him with a cloud of pink hearts that will take away the memories of that experience ~ the one thing I love about what Amber taught me (one of 1000 actually) is that she had this way of moving past things ~ cats they are the greatest example of being strong and courageous and knowing ~ in being able to say - OK this happened now what are we going to do next ~ you know what I mean?

My heart goes out to you all ~ It warms my soul to know that Snickster has people who love him so much ~ My Very Best Wishes for all Good Things ~ I will be waiting as was said by others here ~ for updates ~ In the Meantime Sincere Thoughts are sent your way ~ Kathryn

[Kristie]

I am also very sorry to hear that Taz isn't feeling well and hope that all turns out to be fine on Wednesday.

Once thing you said in your last post caught my eye and reminded me about a problem Kasha had a few times. You said that his backside was raw after being shaved...is it the area right under his tail? Kash had a big problem with her &%^ sacs impacting and every now and then they would get so imflammed they would rupture. When that happened there was a quarter sized blister of raw skin on her bum which would bleed a little and would drive her NUTS (it looked very painful). She wouldn't let anyone near her tail area and would constantly lick and try to heal herself. Our vet always gave her a hydrocortizone shot to help with the swelling and itching and some antibiotics to help prevent infection. If that sounds anything like Taz's problem I'd double check with the vet's office and get some antibiotics. (I hope that's his only problem...it's usually very quick to heal!)

Did your vet tell you why she thinks it's renal failure that is making Taz feel so sick? I don't know if it's a common symptom but Kasha died of kidney failure and her most clear symptom was blood in her urine and feces, loss of bladder and bowel control, and the need to rehydrate herself. She drank water almost constantly near the end trying to keep herself from dehydrating. His symptoms remind me more of when Kash had kidney stones. She would lose weight, stop eating and drinking, (especially drinking, she didn't want to pee), and would just lie down refusing to move. I thought I was about to lose her more than once in her 15 years.

I hope that Taz's sonogram shows nothing serious on Wednesday and that he continues to improve. It's great that he's eating a little bit to keep his strength up. I'll say a prayer for you and Taz,

Kristie