Emma Update
Well, we just returned from the vet, and our fears have been confirmed. Emma is at least in the beginning stages of kidney disease, and she may have cancer to boot. We’ve heard this crap before, and Emma’s always dodged the bullets, but white blood cell counts and BUN values don’t lie. The immediate order is for hydration, and so—armed with a large bag of lactated ringers and a fistful of syringes—I get to do my very best John Gage impersonation on Emma tonight as we try to gradually re-hydrate her in time for tomorrow’s scheduled ultrasound test. Hopefully the ultrasound will allow the vet to get a better look at both the kidneys as well as the mass the she feels in Emma’s gastrointestinal tract, see what that’s all about.
Emma ate quite a bit at the vet while we waited for results, and her first injection of fluids seems to be helping. So, it’s not the end of the road, but we do seem to be on that fuckin’ road. Now we need to find out how long a road it is. You just really never know. Kidney disease can be a long slow burn, so maybe she’s got plenty more quality time left. Monday, Emma’ll have a follow-up exam and we’ll get more results, and have more of a picture to look at. For the first time since she got diagnosed with hyperthyroidism three years ago, I find myself looking at Emma and wondering “how long”? It’s really a shitty mindset.
RSS
EMAIL
7 comments
Rob, really sorry to hear about this. Hope the follow up tests go well.
I don’t want to give false hope but it is really amazing what vets can do nowadays. And I’m talking about treatment that not only takes care of the disease but maintains the quality of life that girls like Emma are used to.
I’m keeping my fingers and toes crossed.
This is why Rob and I both went to the vet – so that Rob could cling on to the negative remarks and me, the positive. After staying up last night watching Emma, and almost taking her to the ER, I really was worried the vet was going to tell us her kidneys were failing and that we would have to put her down right away. I was actually giddy with relief after leaving the vet today. We have a plan of attack thanks to Dr. Prouse and thanks to Lauren, Bill & Leslie for recommending her.
Rob and Brenda,
So glad to hear Dr. Prouse was able to help Emma and come up with a strategy. She’s amazing—she bought Begbie two years! She’ll consult with the entire CSU vet team, and Emma will get the best possible care. Take care of yourselves and let me know if there’s anything I can do to help.
Rob,
I totally understand where you are coming from on this. We were sure hoping for more time with our little guy Pedro, but his illness came on so fast.
I hope that you get more quality time with Emma. I can tell that she is very special to you.
orry to hear about Emma and am hoping for the best. You know I never gave up on any of my many, cats. Remember, Barney lived to be almost 19 (and as an in/out, roof climbing cat) and 13 months after I got a death sentence for him. Think good thoughts…..love you all.
I’m so sorry to hear about Emma. I’m all too familiar w/ the kidney failure and lactated ringers… due to my Sister’s cat Smokey’s food poisoning / recall that caused her to go into near-fatal kidney failure recently. She pulled through, but has only one partially functioning kidney, and has to have blood tests often.
Hang in there, I’m hoping it’s nothing more serious.
P.S. I LOVED Johnny Gage as a kid! Thanks for that memory.
Leave a Comment