This is Dusty — a 13 year old cat who is my sister’s longtime companion. Dusty was with Ann when we were caring for our Dad in hospice. She was with her as we mourned his passing. Dusty was with Ann when we were caring for our Mom in hospice. And she was there for Ann when we laid Mom to rest. She was with us when we traveled north to Portland, OR and set up a new home, later to be known affectionately as Catnip Manor. And she cuddled Ann two years ago when Ann narrowly survived sepsis. That cat has been an important part of Ann’s healing. And she still is!
Dusty and Ann are sort of joined at the hip. So it was very shocking to us when, as cats so often do, Dusty hid feeling unwell until she was on death’s door.
This past week, Dusty suddenly became lethargic, unwilling to move, eat, or drink. When we took her to the vet, we were devastated to learn that Dusty’s kidneys were failing. We came home with special food for her and an IV bag of sub-Q fluids with which to treat her. She was treated with sub-Q fluids for two days in a row at the vet and a third at home — yet she still did not perk up.
Yesterday, we were faced with a terrible choice — either put Dusty down or give her one more chance with a full day of “kitty dialysis” at the vet. If she did not eat, it would be a clear sign that it was time to let her go. We did not have the means for her treatment but this community generously provided them for us for which we are eternally grateful. In addition, loving thoughts were focused on this cat from all quarters of the country which we know have supported her greatly. Thank you ALL!
Yesterday, Dusty ate, voluntarily and unforced. The vet was so pleased — and Dusty is back there again for another day of treatment. It will be followed by another full day on Sunday — by which time we hope her system will be sufficiently flushed of toxins that we can manage her condition with diet and sub-Q fluids.
I will certainly keep you updated on Dusty’s journey to better health. In the meantime, please accept our thanks for allowing Dusty the opportunity to fight for her life. Especial thanks to Ekaterin for talking with us with such kindness and candor about kidney disease in cats and for sending us a tome, “Tanya’s Comprehensive Guide to Feline Chronic Kidney Disease” by Helen Fitzsimmons; to The Marti for swiftly organizing a fundraiser for Dusty’s care (Dusty owes you her life, Marti!); and to ZenTrainer who gave us further advice from experience on how to handle a kidney cat.
In the meantime, we are continuing our sale on Pootie Pads, aromatic herbal quilts for pets and people — you can find PayPal links for the sale here. We have shipped everything that has been ordered to date and thank you all!
If there is someone out there who would like a Pootie Pad but who cannot afford one, please let me know. There is a kitty who would like to buy a catnip pad for another kitty in need. Please Kos mail me!
And lastly, look for news of a KickStarter for our Pootie Pad business toward the end of June, something Angela Marx is helping us put together. The purpose of this is to provide money for website update, internet advertising outside of Daily Kos, materials, and enough money to keep us going for a few months while we make a stock of product. This will give us the chance to grow the business to the point that it will support us comfortably without outside help. Nothing will please us more than self-sufficiency.
We love you all and thank you from the bottom of our hearts!