Things have been a bit off around here the past couple of weeks. I've been working some insane hours at my job so I haven't had much time to cook, post or answer my e-mails. But the main thing on the minds of both Mr. L and I is our kitty cat Toaster.
Last year a couple of weeks before our wedding, we were informed that Toaster had been eating the "tainted" pet food that was killing pets left, right and center. We weren't that worried since she hadn't had a chance to eat a lot of it (we'd only started her on it a week before). But the vet did some tests anyway and noticed that her kidney's weren't functioning to the best of their abilities so Toaster was put on special 'kidney helping' cat food. Subsequent tests had her kidneys keeping at the same levels which was good. She even managed to lose a little weight on the new food which they said she needed. At 16, she's getting up there in cat years, so we've kept a pretty good eye on her this past year just in case.
Two weeks ago we took her in for her yearly check up. She's been fine with no noticeable changes in any of her habits so we weren't too concerned. The annual blood tests though, came back that her kidney function had lessened even more. The voice mail left by the vet mentioned something about giving Toaster some shots so Mr. L and I rushed down to pick up our cat and learn how to administer these shots. Hey, shots can be easy right? Just takes a few seconds, won't hurt the cat that much and what the heck, we could practice on some oranges to get the technique correct right?
Well, it turns out that "shots" aren't exactly what they had in mind for Toaster. Ever been to a hospital and seen patients (in horribly revealing hospital dresses no less) walking around with a big needle in their arm, dragging a metal holder with a nice bag of liquid draining though a tube through the needle into their arm? Yeah, that's what they wanted us to do to our cat. Give her an iv.
Three weeks they said. We do this twice a week for three weeks and then they retest her to see how her kidneys have reacted. So with vet watching and guiding we learned how to lift up the skin on Toasters back, insert needle, start the iv drip and hold the cat still for five minutes while several liters of liquid entered her body. Seemed easy enough at the vets...but of course it was AT THE VETS so everything went smoothly.
The first try at home didn't exactly go as planned. We decided to do this "treatment" on a table that she would never get up on so she wouldn't associate bad things with her normal haunts and hideaways. I thought I would be brave and try to do the needle thing. Wrong. Toaster did a bit of a freak, I did a bit of a freak and we probably didn't even get half of the needed liquid into her. And while Toaster seemed fine I had a complete meltdown. Even Mr. L was having a hard time keeping it together. The next "treatment" went much better. We wrapped her in a nice soft towel and Mr. L was in charge of the needle while I cooed sweet nothings to her and stroked her head. Though she did cry a bit, the whole experience didn't seem to bother her much. I think she was more afraid of being up on the table than anything else. She got a nice salmon snack as a treat for being so good and the rest of the night she treated us like she normally would, sitting in her little cat bed while we were in the computer room, snuggling with me when I got in bed to read before going to sleep.
Now she doesn't even cry. You can tell she's not thrilled with being picked up and held for five minutes (she's always hated being held), but after the treatment she doesn't run away, she waits to get her salmon snack and then she treats us as she always does. I was so afraid she'd run from us and fear us getting anywhere near her so that has been a relief.
So for another week, two more times, we help flush her kidneys. And then we have more tests done. And then we wait. We try not to think past that next vet appointment where the reality of the situation, either positive or negative will be laid out for us. We adore our cat, but we also don't want to make her miserable just to keep her around for us. So we think positive. And we wait.
Oh, my heart goes out to all 3 of you. We love you, Toaster!
Posted by: Louise | August 08, 2008 at 06:10 AM
Oh my, I thought having to give them a pill was tough.
Hoping the news is good for Toaster.
Posted by: Matt | August 08, 2008 at 07:12 AM
Wow, this is really hard for all of you, I can only imagine. Good luck with the treatment and with the upcoming tests! I'm keeping my fingers crossed for you guys.
Posted by: Miri | August 08, 2008 at 07:39 AM
Oh poor baby... you and the cat! Good luck with all of this.
Posted by: Kristen | August 08, 2008 at 11:57 AM
poor toaster... and mom & dad. it's traumatic enough to know the vet did it to them, but to have to be the one doing it. yikes.
Posted by: chefbarbie | August 08, 2008 at 04:51 PM
Oh wow, poor things. I hope things turn out well. Pets are so wrapped up in our hearts and lives.
Posted by: noble pig | August 09, 2008 at 12:01 AM
My poor grandchild. Toaster is such a sweet feline. I have had to put up with a lot of my daughter's cats as she grew up plus those at her grandparents house but Toaster I like. She is lovable (I always say he). Yeah, my poor daughter, I knew she would have a hard time giving the needle. I am glad my son-in-law took over.
Posted by: Mom | August 09, 2008 at 12:11 AM
i love your dedication to your kitty and i hate that this happened to her. i hope things are back to normal again soon!
Posted by: grace | August 09, 2008 at 12:42 AM
Oh my! I don't think I would be able to do that. I am such a wus that when they have to do anything to Murph at the vets I leave the room. Hugs to Toaster!
Posted by: Jan | August 10, 2008 at 04:18 AM
As you've already read over on my blog I'm in a similar kitty situation with my beloved Patches, except he gets a little vicious with me. I sincerely hope that Toaster will be ok, I know how much cats can mean to someone.
Posted by: Mrs. D | August 10, 2008 at 02:24 PM
i'm so glad you have mr. L with you at this time. i'll be thinking of the three of you and sending healing and happy thoughts your way.
Posted by: NotSoccer Mom | August 11, 2008 at 10:01 AM
Thanks for all the good wishes. As we get more experienced it's less of a freakout on all our sides (cat included). We're just keeping our fingers crossed for the blood test results next week.
Posted by: Mrs. L | August 12, 2008 at 11:31 AM
I have had to say good-bye to two of my beloved pets, my cats are all rescues and they really are members of our family. Reading this, tears are pouring down my face because my little Scruffy will not be with us too much longer ... and then there will be just one.
(((Hugs)))
Posted by: OhioMom | August 13, 2008 at 06:26 PM
Weeping. Hoping.
Can't wait to hear what you hear.
Posted by: cookiecrumb | August 15, 2008 at 05:35 PM