My Cedric Kitty is Sick

I haven't blogged much lately because I've had my hands full with a sick kitty.  Last week I noticed that Cedric, my 13 year old cat, wasn't eating or using the litter box.  My first suspicion was that he had a hairball he couldn't pass.  That's happened to him a few times, and I was usually able to give him some Petromalt and get things moving.  After two days of not eating and looking very listless and ill I called the vet.  Something was definitely not right with my kitty.  The fact that I was able to get him into the cat carrier without a fight shows just how bad he felt.  Blood tests revealed that he had kidney disease, which I believe was the cause of Ozzy's death only about a year and a half ago.  The vet said that we could try giving Cedric subcutaneous fluids to get him rehydrated, Pecid for the ulcers that the come with kidney disease, and antibiotic drops to combat whatever infection he was fighting.  She gave him his first dose of fluids in the office and showed me how to insert the needle under skin.  I don't like poking my kitty, but I'll do whatever I can to help him feel better.  After we got home I opened a fresh can of food to see if he would try any and was very happy when he ate about 1/4 of it.  Drinking is also an issue- he needs to get as much liquid as possible to help his kidneys flush the toxins out.  The problem is, Cedric's always been a little weird about drinking.  I've had to get creative since he doesn't like to drink out of bowls.  For years now his water bowl has been a glass measuring cup- it was the only thing he would drink out of, other than the toilet.  Now I've been taking glasses of water (and it has to be in a glass) to him wherever he's laying in order to encourage him to drink.  Calcifer helps by taking a few sips to show Cedric it's good.  It works too- Cedric sees Calcifer drinking and he wants it too.  We've been doing the same thing with the food.  Calcifer takes a few bites, then sits back and lets Cedric eat.  Calcifer also gives moral support while Cedric's getting his fluids.  He sits nearby, nice and calm, and watches over his big brother.

  He's a very calming influence for all of us! When I give him his fluids I put Cedric in his round cat bed with high sides so he feels safe and comfortable and doesn't squirm around while the needle is in.  First I tried simply doing it on a table like they did at the vet's office, but he kept trying to get away.  The cat bed works out so much better.  I've seen a huge improvement in him the last few days.  He looks healthier and more alert, has an appetite again, and is pretty much following his usual schedule, including watching the birds from the back of the couch.  It's so nice to see him interested in things again!

  Calcifer has been amazing and so gentle with Cedric.  He's just 1 1/2 years old, but so full of love and understanding.  Hopefully he can have his big brother around for as long as possible.  I'll continue to give Cedric fluids and Pepcid, and I'm looking into Azodil as well.  If he starts to decline in spite of this, I'll have to trust that I'll know what to do when the time comes.  I knew when Ozzy was ready to pass away (he told me, in that special way cats have), and he actually passed away shortly before the vet appointment.  Cedric isn't ready to go yet, but I'm sure he'll tell me when the time comes.  Until then I'll enjoy every moment I have with my very special cat.
-Michelle of CreativeCritters