So Max and Charlie haven’t been to the vet since Dec 2017, and at that time I was broke and couldn’t afford to schedule them for the teeth cleaning that the vet recommended for both of them. Also at that time, Max’s bloodwork came back with his kidney function as “slightly out of normal” – which the vet said wasn’t something to panic about, but was probably the early stages of kidney failure for him.
Today I took them both in (I wish they gave me a volume discount) to get annual exams, bloodwork, and dental cleanings. Max also needed a chest x-ray to see if the histoplasmosis in his lungs was still controlled.
I just got off the phone with the vet, and she had good news and bad news.
Charlie: his bloodwork looks perfect, health looks perfect, had three teeth that were questionable, but they were small teeth up front, so they’ve been removed. He now only has one lower canine, so he’ll be lopsided. He’ll need pain meds for 3-4 days, and be good to go. Charlie is back in his cat carrier already, because he is ANGRY AF.
Charlie can’t go to the vet without being sedated, so ANGRY AF is expected. He’ll be pissy with me for a few days, but otherwise I’m not too worried about him.
Max: Histoplasmosis in his lungs has cleared up a bunch (yay), but is still showing on the X-ray in places. Kidney function has gone from “slightly out of normal” to “chronic kidney disease”, and he’ll be going on special vet-ordered kibble (see: $$$$$) and getting sub-cutaneous fluids once a week for the next three months, and then we have to check him again. If he’s improved, he’ll move to bloodwork and vet checks every 6 months, if not… well. If not we’ll figure out what to do in three months. He’s in good bodily condition (13 lbs even), healthy otherwise, and has great quality of life right now, but he’s definitely on borrowed time at this point. Mostly it’s “supportive care” for his kidneys and continuing the histoplasmosis treatment (and knowing that he could have easily died from that in 2015).
Max had only one tooth that was questionable, and shouldn’t need pain meds after today. Because he’s immunocompromised, he’s got a 2 week antibiotic shot to keep him from getting any infections. Max is recovering on IV fluids, and I get to learn how to give him sub-q fluids from the vet when I go pick them both up at 4 today.
I’m trying to be positive, because so much of this IS positive, but it’s going to get expensive around here for all this vet care and special food and ordering the fluids and needles to give him the fluids. Get to learn some new things when I go back, and hopefully in three months he’ll have gotten his kidney function a little better supported. I can feed him expensive kibble, and I can do sub-q fluids, but Exam+Bloodwork every three months is going to get expensive, especially if there’s not much we can do for him.
Mostly I’m also just really glad I’m bringing both cats home today. Anaesthesia on 13 year old cats is always risky, and I’m glad they both did well. I think they both will get some tuna as a treat tonight.