My Siamese cat, "Twist", in vet hospital.

***Navy Chief*** · May 22nd, 2015, 11:32

Just over a week ago, I noticed my little "Twist" was acting differently. Normally quite active and vocal, he was spending more time sleeping than usual, and not running around. Took him to the vet for blood work. Results are that his kidneys are 90% damaged, and he was almost in full renal failure. He has been with the vet since Wednesday morning, and only just this morning - finally responding to IV fluid therapy. A definite positive change from the vets report last evening. I was preparing myself for the worst today.

Twist has improved, and (at least for now) doing much better. The plans are to bring him home tomorrow, around noon. I don't know how many days or months I will have him, but I will make every day count.

He has been such a blessing to me. NC

**navin johnson** · May 22nd, 2015, 11:41

i'm out here in cyber space, and i'm rootin for your furry friend. it's amazing how much we can depend on them as part of our lives, isn't it?

**Daveroo** · May 22nd, 2015, 12:53

and Twist is a good lookin little guy ..i wish him..and you..my best...both of you will be in my thoughts and prayers NC...dave

**Wayland** · May 22nd, 2015, 13:45

I'll light a candle for him, as well.

Steve

***Navy Chief*** · May 22nd, 2015, 13:47

Our pets are with us for such a relatively short period of our lives, but (speaking for myself) all of them have meant so much to me. Years ago, back around 1999-2000 timeframe, I had another Siamese cat named "Armand". He was a Blue Point, about 1 1/2 years old when I adopted him from a breeder. Armand had been a show cat, having spent almost all of his life to that point in a cage. It was several days before he warmed up to me, but became quite a loving companion. Armand seemed to have sniffles (respiratory) continually. It was a respiratory infection that eventually brought his defenses down to such low levels that I had to let him go at age 7; not very old for a cat, let alone a Siamese.

It was over two years before I reached the point where I could handle getting another Siamese. I sought out a different breeder, after the problems with Armand, and found one in Tuscaloosa, Al, a few hours drive from where I lived in TN at the time. Twist was 5 weeks old when I brought him home, and was the cutest little kitten I'd ever seen. All legs, and so vocal! So animated, loving, and playful! That was in 2001. Since then I have been through a divorce, moved twice, and remarried. Throughout it all, Twist has been such a comfort and friend. My little buddy. NC

**henrystreet** · May 22nd, 2015, 15:41

even folks that have had cats might be pleasantly surprised at how intelligent, devoted, and social a good siamese cat can be. i had honda for 13.5 years. he was so named because i found this little siamese kitten sitting on top of my motorcycle back tire, hidden by the fender. all i could determine was the littlest, tiniest meow. took me several minutes to discover this little skinny kitten who weighed about 8 ozs.

only the folks who saw it would believe how honda would growl at strangers thru the window or how he could open doors to get in the closet.

he was a wonderful wonderful companion.

chief, here are my best wishes to your best cat.

salut

**papab** · May 22nd, 2015, 18:19

NC,
I lost my little buddy ,Camy, a 7 year old Yorkie 7 months ago...
I hope your Twist recovers.....
Rick

**jbtate** · May 22nd, 2015, 18:51

My cat Amelia had renal problems when she was about 15 and had to have IV and other treatments. She made a full recovery but relapsed in her 19th year, had further treatments but I had to let go about 4 months later. Best hopes and wishes for Twist and you.
I lost my beautiful 2 1/2 year old gray tiger tabby cat Chennault in February to a pack of hunting dogs that had either escaped their pen or had been let out for a joy ride through my neighborhood. Having a very difficult time, but the pain comes from the ones we have loved. I'll give her blanket a pet for Twist.
jbtate

***Navy Chief*** · May 22nd, 2015, 18:59

Thanks so much, everyone. I will give an update sometime tomorrow, when I know more. NC

***Navy Chief*** · May 23rd, 2015, 07:09

Twist is back home, and acting/feeling much better. His diet will be different from our other cats, and I will probably have to sequester him to feed him. Also have to give him 120cc of a special fluid, subcutaneously. That will begin tomorrow. I am so relieved to get him home, and the chance to keep him alive and happy for a while at least. Thank you all for your thoughts and prayers. NC

***Ickie*** · May 23rd, 2015, 07:28

on monday the same thing happened to my old dog Haney, 15 years old.
After 24 hours she picked up and is feeling much better and chasing the cats around the house, lol, the med's (antibiotic's) worked and the new KD Science (prescription) diet she just loves and will be on it till the end. Her kidneys were at 75%.
I hope Twist has the same results.

**rhumbaflappy** · May 24th, 2015, 10:30

There's always hope for a good recovery.

My little dog Sammy had bladder stones about 5 years ago, and nearly died. 23 of them in his tiny Yorkie-Poo bladder. Had an operation to remove the stones, which came back a couple of times, but flushed out. He is now stone-free for 3 years on a strict diet of roast beef and broccoli! I slice it up and microwave it with added water twice a day. The vet says he's one of the healthiest 10 year-olds she's seen... and she can't fathom the diet either, but broccoli has a low level of oxalates, which are the type of stones he can't pass. ( Small dog = small urinary tract). And all dogs need roast beef.

I hope your kitty regains his health!

Dick

***Navy Chief*** · May 24th, 2015, 11:36

Update: I gave Twist, as instructed by the vet, 120cc of the solution prescribed (mostly saline ). Have to use two 60cc syringes with large bore needles. I pinch the skin on his neck, lift it, and inject under skin. Once I got him situated on our kitchen counter, the process went smoothly and quick. He held still, thankfully.

He is eating good, but for now it's as if he's never been in our house. He remains in a back room, and is not venturing out. I feel bad, as am sure he was traumatized, having been in a cage at the vet for 3 days.

I check on him a lot during the day, and am hoping he eventually adjusts. NC

***ColoKent*** · May 24th, 2015, 11:50

Chief,

Just a thought/suggestion. We had the IDENTICAL situation with our cat Mugsy a few years ago. He was having NONE of the hydration with a needle. In desperation, we bought a ceramic water fountain made for cats...he began to drink water like a maniac. If Twist has the slightest interest in running water, it might help augment the hydration you're doing. It kept Mugsy going two years more...

Kent

***Navy Chief*** · May 24th, 2015, 11:59

Originally Posted by ColoKent

Chief,

Just a thought/suggestion. We had the IDENTICAL situation with our cat Mugsy a few years ago. He was having NONE of the hydration with a needle. In desperation, we bought a ceramic water fountain made for cats...he began to drink water like a maniac. If Twist has the slightest interest in running water, it might help augment the hydration you're doing. It kept Mugsy going two years more...

Kent

Thanks Kent.

Twist is drinking. The saline solution has some other ingredient in it as well. I am supposed to do the injection thing for five days, and then take him back for blood work check. NC

**Obie311** · May 26th, 2015, 09:18

Originally Posted by Navy Chief

Update: I gave Twist, as instructed by the vet, 120cc of the solution prescribed (mostly saline ). Have to use two 60cc syringes with large bore needles. I pinch the skin on his neck, lift it, and inject under skin. Once I got him situated on our kitchen counter, the process went smoothly and quick. He held still, thankfully.

He is eating good, but for now it's as if he's never been in our house. He remains in a back room, and is not venturing out. I feel bad, as am sure he was traumatized, having been in a cage at the vet for 3 days.

I check on him a lot during the day, and am hoping he eventually adjusts. NC

Navy Chief,

We had three wonderful cats in our lives. I miss them all each day. Cats are such an neat Zen presence in your life.

I think the sad truth is domestic cats outlive their genetically determined kidneys. Do not fear though. Twist could have many more years left.

Get a corpsman or vet tech to make you comfortable with handling needles and subQ hydration. My wife is an Rn and she added many years to life of our cat, Scarlett Katy O'hara. Make a field expedient IV pole and get a liter bag of Ringer's solution and a bunch of clean needles. You and Twist will get comfortable with procedure. Learn how to pinch their skin to ascertain hydration level. Learn how the skin responds in both cases.

Hope this is of some use to you.

Obie

***Navy Chief*** · May 26th, 2015, 11:21

Thanks Obie.

I have given Twist fluids via syringe 3 days now (once, each morning). I am comfortable with administering the injections, but the poor thing does cry out when the needle goes in. It is not a small needle! The vet wants me to give him fluids this way vs drip, as that takes too long. Although I truly do NOT like causing Twist pain, the process takes less than two minutes.

He seems to be doing better. When we initially brought him home, he hid in a back room, virtually all day. Last evening, however, he ventured out into the rest of our house. Late last night he was curled up with me on our couch. I was so happy to see him feeling better. It gives me hope.

Twist goes back to the vet later this week for blood work. The series of intense hydration is only for 5 days in a row. Am hoping that won't have to continue, but he IS on a special diet, and that is helping. Pete

**Toastmaker** · May 28th, 2015, 07:22

Good kitty. You're doing well as a caregiver, Chief. That's one very lucky cat ! Best of luck to him and you !

**Daveroo** · May 28th, 2015, 08:23

im happy to see he is improving some..i think of you and twist several times during the day...i hate to see our animal buddies in any sort of discomfort..

***Navy Chief*** · May 28th, 2015, 09:40

Twist is still acting scared. I want to beleive his behavior is related, mostly, to the injections I was giving him (this morning was the last, I hope). He used to come running when I call him, but not now. He cowers in a back room, rarely emerging. It saddens me that he is, at least for now, so nervous and scared. When I take him back to the vet tomorrow morning, I hope the vet can offer some advice. I am so happy to have Twist back home, and doing so much better, health wise. But I just want him to be more comfortable in his surroundings. NC

**coolguy3** · May 28th, 2015, 11:16

Hi Navy Chief,

Mr. Twist is indeed a very handsome boy! My first cat was a Chocolate Point Siamese named Caesar...best cat ever! I'm glad to hear he's back home and doing better, and I hope he will come back out of his shell and be "normal" again (note normal in quotes, hahaha-->Siamese cats are so wonderfully weird!) Give him time....
Jim

**Daveroo** · May 28th, 2015, 18:48

im sure you do give him lovins..but when i got dori,she wanted to hide in the closet (she can slide the big mirrored doors open on her own)..my clothes hamper is still her winter home..lol...but id open the closet door and just talk to her in a calming voice..and i didnt touch her...just got her used to me talking to her..she then came out and sniffin around me...now shes allways lovin on me...lol

***Navy Chief*** · May 28th, 2015, 19:19

Originally Posted by Daveroo

im sure you do give him lovins..but when i got dori,she wanted to hide in the closet (she can slide the big mirrored doors open on her own)..my clothes hamper is still her winter home..lol...but id open the closet door and just talk to her in a calming voice..and i didnt touch her...just got her used to me talking to her..she then came out and sniffin around me...now shes allways lovin on me...lol

Thanks for the story, Dave. It gives me encouragement. I appreciate everyone's sentiments. I will report back tomorrow, after we get back from the vet appointment. NC

***Navy Chief*** · May 29th, 2015, 07:05

We got back from the vet. Twist's blood work results indicate his kidneys levels have improved a lot. The phosphorus value apparently takes longer to get results, so the vet will call later with that. But for now at least, we can suspend the IV saline injections, thankfully.

Twist has not gained weight in the past week, but he hasn't lost any either. In this case, just maintaining is good.

I am thankful to God Twist is doing better. I am happy to still have him with me.

Thank you all for your replies. NC