peeper

[asterroc]

Peeper has complete kidney failure. She does not have egg binding, she does not have lead poisoning. They're waiting to get the CBC test done (tests for infection), and she's staying overnight again with lots of fluids, I suspect via IV though I didn't ask. There's a chance that the fluids will bring her around and make everything good, but it didn't sound too likely to me.

A human with kidney failure would be put on dialysis until a replacement donation kidney could be found.

I think I'm going to have to decide whether to put her to sleep or to bring her home. I think I'd rather she were with me - for now at least she did not appear to be in any pain, and enjoyed me scratching her - but when I mentioned it to the vet, he strongly recommended against it. I met a really nice animal rescue woman in the waiting room who told me to stick up for what I think is best, and what I feel is the right thing to do for Peeper. I just dont' want it to be a selfish choice, and she's still far enough from teh end that I don't think I can make a good decision yet.

The woman also said that she cremates her animals and saves their ashes. that way they can go with her when she moves, and she said I could always scatter them somewhere after. it's a good point. I also talked w/ her about how I might want a cat eventually, after I got over peeper :'( and although she's way up in NH she said that if I wanted to try one of her cats and was allergic it wouldn't be a problem. my allergies appear to be dependent upon the individual, so that's mythought.

i can't think. they'll call me if anything changes, or else they'll just call me tomorrow.

anyone care to share their pet end-of-life stories with me? I'm curious how you decided what to do for them.

Comments

[freakylynx.livejournal.com]

Unfortunately, the one pet that I was the primary owner of was my cat (our previous pets were either my parents or all of the family, while this one I picked out at the shelter and when I was around was the one closest to it); he did what many cats do when they feel death at hand - he disappeared to die on his own. This was... a couple months ago? We never did find the body :(


If there's no chance for your bird to get better then I would let the vet put her to sleep, though hopefully you can be with her as she leaves this world. She may not have felt pain yet, but I know from a friend of mine who had complete kidney failure... it's not a painless experience.

[zandperl.livejournal.com]

How is he btw, if it's ok for me to ask? You blogged about the event, but not about any recovery or transplant.

[freakylynx.livejournal.com]

He seems to be doing alright, last time I saw him was three weeks ago and he seemed to be getting around normally. He's going in for dialysis three times a week and started going back to work last week. He's lost about thirty pounds in the last two months and from what I've seen, that diet he's on is pretty strict and minimalist. As far as I know, they haven't discussed any transplants yet.

[galbinus-caeli.livejournal.com]

Here is mine.

[zandperl.livejournal.com]

thanks

i hope it's not inappropriate for me to ask... if she was not in pain or distress as you say, what made you decide it was time, rather than waiting for her to pass naturally? that is the decision i dread making.

[galbinus-caeli.livejournal.com]

She was in distress. She could not walk or stand. So long as someone was holding her she was ok, but she could not be on her own.

Thus she would be in distress as soon as she could not have constant attention. Also her condition would have quickly gone downhill and become more frightening and confusing for her.

Better that she have as many hours of our 100% attention as possible and then a gentle goodbye.