Wednesday, March 3, 2021

And Now, It's Tucker's Turn

Tucker had to be taken to the veterinary hospital yesterday. Monday evening, he started continually swallowing, an action punctuated by gagging. He was a little better the next morning, but I brought him to the doctor anyway. Nothing was stuck in his throat - at least nothing that could be seen; there was no apparent cause of his problem. He had not had blood exams in a couple of years, so, considering his age, I decided to have blood and urine tested. Tucker is in stage three kidney failure.


My boy may be feeling nauseous from the effects of his kidney ailments, though the swallowing and gagging have abated this morning. They have been replaced by a reluctance to eat anything but Temptation treats; this, in spite of the injection of Cerenia given yesterday afternoon. He ate a small amount of food after coming home from the hospital, but very little since then. He has been drinking much more water than of late.


Renal failure may explain his swallowing, as such a condition can make a cat feel nauseous. This morning, however, he was not swallowing repeatedly. He seemed to be suffering from an excess of saliva and, certainly, from inappetence. I will be trying to give him subcutaneous fluids tonight - his diabetes and kidney failure must be combining to give him a dreadful thirst right now - and experimenting with some new foods and combinations thereof.


My poor roly poly - who has been neither roly nor poly for some time - has suffered a great deal of physical trouble in his life, from urinary blockages to the removal of all his teeth to diabetes. Now, he has this with which to contend. He has usually maintained a cheerful demeanour through it all but, this morning, I couldn’t get him to purr. I hope to bring back that happy sound this evening.


20 comments:

  1. Oh poor Tucker. I hope you feel better soon, Sweetheart! Please keep us posted on how he's doing, John!

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  2. Oh, no! After what has happened lately, I hoped there would be no more cat ailments, at least for a good long while. I hope he's feeling better by now, and eating more.

    And how is Renn doing?

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    1. Renn is improving; he isn’t shedding his fur as much and his dandruff has diminished - all again, because it happened before and then worsened. His appetite hasn’t come back to what it was, which wasn’t that much to begin with. All this going on three weeks after his encounter with buprenorphine.

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    2. We are glad he is going in the right direction and send him our purrs also

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  3. We're all sending tons of purrs and prayer to you dear Tucker.

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  4. Well, darn it!
    Tucker, we are purring for you, and hope you start feeling well enough to snarf down a whole bunch of yummy, stinky food!

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  5. Dear Tucker, try to purr for your dad. He's worried sick not doubt.
    This is all so much for you to take in at one time, John. I will
    be keeping you and the 3 in my thoughts continually and hope so much
    for the best. Lynn

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  6. We are sending purrayers and Power of the Paw to sweet Tucker to get better soon.

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  7. Oh no.... I was hoping for a good update on Renn, wasn't expecting this. Poor Tucker. 🙁 Purrs and prayers from us to Tucker, to Renn, and to you as well, John. 🙏❤️

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  8. Oh noes!!!
    I am sending lots and lots of purrs to sweet Renn.
    It is hard when kitties are not feeling well. I purr the purring will return.
    Purrs, Julie

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  9. Poor Tucker. I will be praying for him.

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  10. Tucker - we hope you feel better soon.

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  11. We will purr for Tucker and hope he feels better soon.

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  12. Tucker is in our purrayers. We are also purraying for strength for you. It is had to see our cats having difficulties and Tucker has several.

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  13. Poor Tucker. Sending lots of purrs for him, and you!

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  14. Poor Tucker, it never lets up does it. I am sending him good thoughts and hope the fluids help him feel better.

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  15. Sending and sharing our purrs 'n' prayers to Tucker ... for his comfort during these hard days. Be better little one.

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  16. Tucker, I have you and Rennin my thoughts many times in the day. Please, feel better.

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  17. We are sending tons of purrs and prayers to Tucker. Our Buddy needed temptations in his meals to get him to eat for quite a while. He drank a lot but would fight fluids Sub-Q to the extent that I did not give them for quality of life. He bounced back several times to being very content and happy and we are wishing the same for your Tucker. We send you our support also John it is so hard to have our dear ones ill

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  18. Oh poor Tucker, I hope your efforts will bring some relief and better health.

    Take care.

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