My sister, Ann, and I are very grateful for the help we received from the community to save Dusty, a 13 year old cat and my sister’s constant companion, who appeared to have failing kidneys.
With your help, Dusty spent three days at the vet receiving “kitty dialysis” — pushing of fluids combined with medications to help her appetite and immune system. We took her to the vet in the morning and brought her home in the evening where she rested on the blanket you see above. Blood was drawn at the end of the day Sunday (a week ago today) to see if Dusty’s kidney values had improved.
Her creatinine had improved. But BUN and bilirubin were worse. And Dusty’s red blood cell count was way down.
The vet phoned us that evening with the sad news that something other than kidney failure was going on and that Dusty would not get better. Ann decided to bring Dusty home so she could spend some time with her before bringing her back to the vet for euthanasia on Monday morning. Dusty had always hated the vet and Ann did not want her last minutes to be spent there.
We were not home very long when Dusty took things into her own paws. Ann was holding her when Dusty started to cry out. Ann put her down and Dusty staggered a little, looking confused and still crying. Ann called to me and together we laid Dusty down and petted her. I will never forget my sister crying and telling Dusty, “This ‘Earth Suit’ is broken, Dusty….it’s okay to go.” And Dusty did. Within a couple minutes of the beginning of her acute distress, sweet Dusty was at peace.