Skiff
Junior Member
Posts: 117
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Post by Skiff on Apr 23, 2020 10:39:10 GMT -5
So for the last few days Jinx has been a bit off, she wouldn't stay out long and would immediately retreat to the cage, and she has been losing weight fast, then last night I noticed she seemed to be struggling to drink water making a coughing sound after each sip. This morning I took her to a vet and I have just got off the phone with them. The Vet said he has done a blood test and x ray and says that she has kidney failure and her heart is enlarged, likely to be caused by heart disease. She's almost 6, I thought I would have more time with her. The Vet said he has discussed her results with his colleague and the 2 options they agreed on were to have her put to sleep or to keep her in for a few days/take her back daily to be injected with fluids to see if she improves. For now I asked him to keep her for tonight while I have a think about what to do next but I have no idea. It's going to cost me £55+ per day they keep her on top of the £400 for the consultation, anaesthetic, x-rays etc. I don't think it is realistic to keep her there for too much longer but is she going to be any better off at home?
I could bring her home so she could spend what time she may have left with Minx and Poro, but how much of that time is going to spent suffering? Does anyone have any experience with kidney failure or heart disease? Can either be managed for any length of time or is this the beginning of the end?
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Post by abbeytheferret6 on Apr 23, 2020 13:57:06 GMT -5
I know it is so difficult to find out our babies are very sick. I just lost my Annabelle at 6.5 years old. For me, I would rather put them to sleep and prevent suffering every day. But may you do what is right for you and your little one.
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Post by unclejoe on Apr 23, 2020 14:58:01 GMT -5
I am so sorry to read this. I think you realize that it's soon time to say good-bye. My little Alice had kidney failure and I was able to give her the subcutaneous fluid injections, but she ended up peeing it out as fast as she got it, and I could only do it for a few days before we decided to let her go. Little Alice was just a couple months past 6 years old. I wish you peace as you deal with this.
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Post by caitmonster on Apr 23, 2020 20:27:36 GMT -5
Poor little thing Both diseases, especially at once, aren't really treatable as sad it is to say, one can only treat the symptoms as they progress. From what you described it sounds like it's fairly serious. But you know your baby better than anyone, you will know if she is ready to be done. Sending love to you both.
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Post by Charlie on Apr 23, 2020 21:23:51 GMT -5
So sorry to hear this news. It's a very hard decision to make. I feel for you and your little one.
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Skiff
Junior Member
Posts: 117
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Post by Skiff on Apr 26, 2020 8:58:07 GMT -5
So I have now got Jinx back home, the vets have given me some tablets and oral drops her to take twice a day, but they have made it clear that this is not going to go away, though they can't put a time frame on it. When I got home she wandered for a while but ultimately ran straight back to the cage and curled up in a blanket, I assume the exploring was just her way of re-acquainting herself with home after a few days at the vets rather than the improvement I was hoping for. They said that she has been eating by herself a little but have given me some food that can be syringe fed to her if she does not eat herself.
Honestly I am not expecting her to last long. She seems bright and chirpy when she is not in the cage, she explores for a bit but very quickly just puts herself to bed, maybe that will change with the medicine but I'm not getting my hopes up. My biggest question now is how do I know when it's time for her last visit to the vets? I really have no idea if she is suffering or in pain though the vets said she may be a little uncomfortable/nauseous which is why she is hiding away, but how do I know when it's too much? I am devastated that I know she will have to go soon but I wanted her to stay at home with her family for as long as she has left, I just don't want to prolong her suffering.
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Post by caitmonster on Apr 26, 2020 10:30:47 GMT -5
It's never an easy decision so my heart goes out to you. I wish I could give a definite answer but my suggestion would be to note if she has any interest in food, or activity, as time goes on... if she no longer has interest in anything and just wants to hide away or sleep, then it might be time.
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Post by Charlie on Apr 26, 2020 15:15:22 GMT -5
You will know deep down in your heart when it's really that time. Think of how her quality of life is affected. You know it's going to be sooner rather then later but this will give you a bit of time to be with her and say your goodbyes. I feel your pain.
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Skiff
Junior Member
Posts: 117
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Post by Skiff on Apr 27, 2020 12:53:44 GMT -5
So, I have been keeping an eye on her and I have noticed that she still seems to struggle to drink water. It just seems odd to me that having kidney failure would affect her swallowing, and I don't think it could be put down to her discomfort or pain because when she does come out with the others she shows no signs of pain, just a little lethargy. She does not struggle to do anything else, other than seemingly not eating no matter how hard I try, though she did have a poop earlier so she must have eaten something right? It was small and dark but she must have eaten something recently to produce it right?
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Post by Charlie on Apr 27, 2020 14:58:59 GMT -5
She must be eating something to be pooping. What is her favourite food or treats? Keep offering her food and water though so you know she is eating and drinking something.
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Skiff
Junior Member
Posts: 117
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Post by Skiff on May 5, 2020 9:55:12 GMT -5
I just wanted to add an update here in case anyone was wondering. So when I originally brought Jinx home from the vets, I was preparing myself to have to take her back to have her put too sleep soon, for the first few days I spoon fed her what little I could until she began stashing it and I was losing hope. Now 2 weeks later she does not appear to be putting on much weight but seems to be eating and drinking better, she is much livelier, she gets excited for play time and she no longer runs back to the cage soon after letting her out.
When I took her to the vets she seemed so weak and tired and when they told me it was kidney failure I thought it was imminent that she would need to be put to sleep but now it seems she has more life in her yet. I'm not getting my hopes up that she has a long time left but I have started to wonder if maybe the vets have misdiagnosed her? I didn't expect any sort of recovery from such a serious diagnosis but she seems to have done it. I originally took her to the vets because I thought she had a blockage somewhere which to me made sense because she couldn't get anything down, now it feels like maybe she did have blockage and she passed it herself?
Has anyone got any experience with kidney failure that could explain her swift recovery?
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Post by abbeytheferret6 on May 5, 2020 10:55:51 GMT -5
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Post by Charlie on May 7, 2020 22:11:21 GMT -5
That is great news that she is doing better and eating more again and has more energy. I hope she starts gaining weight again too!! You are doing something right for her to be improving!! Love and patience and hope!!!
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Post by unclejoe on May 9, 2020 17:58:22 GMT -5
You could ask your vet for a copy of her blood panel and post it here. I'm no vet but there are indicators for kidney function. This link has lab values and indications miamiferret.org/physiology.htm
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