My little Maggie Bear!!

[BleeckerSt_Girl]

Personally I would keep her at the vet's until after the race.
My reason is this- when my cat Pearl was literally on the verge of death from kidney failure, we had her for several days at the vet's on a constant IV fluid drip. Unfortunately, we had to take a Fri-sunday trip- a commitment that we literally could not get out of.
The vet warned me before I left for the weekend that things looked grave, and that the constant fluids were her only chance, along with the antibiotics for her infections that were induced by the kidney failure. She was literally drooling bloody mucus, that's how bad she was. It was breaking my heart.

But though she was lethargic she didn't seem in awful pain, she would purr whenever petted, and I knew her only chance might be the vet's IV water hookup. So with heavy heavy heart I left her at the vet's while we did our trip. I knew she was in the best of hands and they were so gentle and loving to her there.
I couldn't bring myself to phone during the weekend. When I came home, I drove directly to the vets without calling because I was sure she would be 'gone' and for some reason I couldn't bear to find that out over the phone.

I got there to the waiting room, they said "just a minute"....then opened the door and Pearl literally came bounding out to greet me happily.
After that I had to give her sub-cutaneous water injections every other day for a year. She has been very happy and 'mostly' healthy since then, as long as I give her very wet food 'soup'.

I only tell you this not to falsely raise your hopes (because Pearl could just as easily have not made it, it was that close, and your Maggie is certainly in serious condition as well) but simply to say it's OK to keep her at the vet's on direct IV for an extra day or two while you go to your husband's race. It might be the best choice for Maggie, might give her that one little extra boost she might need from the extra fluid intake. Consider giving her that chance- her latest tests don't seem great but they 'have' improved a little while on IV, right? I would say if they start getting worse than before then there's no point in continuing.

I'll be thinking good thoughts for you.

[ClockworkOrange]

My goodness, the time and thought that went into the above post from BleeckerSt_Girl, such good advice and so carefully written with your feelings being taken into account.

I can only send my warmest thoughts to you and your husband, for darling little Maggie Bear.

Hugs

Clock

[Brandi]

(((((((HUGS))))))))) I hope your weekend is a nice peaceful one. When My little fur friends are sick I can't think of anything else but them. Keep keeping us posted on how all is going!. Butterfly kisses heading your way!

[Aggie_Ama]

Lisa- Thank you for the kind, thoughtful, LONG and helpful post. It made me feel like keeping on with Maggie is okay and going to the race was okay too. Sometimes we feel so torn on what we should do you know?

Everyone else- thanks for the support, it is so hard when you can't explain to people you know personally how much your fur kid means.

So Friday we went to see Maggie and the Doc before leaving town. The comforting thing is to see the pain your vet feels that your dog hasn't returned the numbers he wants. If you go back you see that this is a new vet but he has won our support 10x over. He said other dogs with Maggie's levels he would likely not suggest Sub-Cu but we got a real fighter, she is eating, she is happy to see us and the techs (who adore her) and she isn't vomitting. Since she won't act the way he expects he is treating her, not her values. She will go home Monday with daily Sub-Cu for a week. After that we test and see if she maintained, improved or tanked. If she tanked we know what we have to do. He said he doesn't really know what to expect with her she kepts defying his expectations. He said we may get a week, a month, six months. He really doesn't know. He also said he prays for this "Little kid" to trick him again, I am not overly religious but what a sweet thing to say.

DH did race and it was not a good one. Turns out he had a wire bead coming loose and didn't know it. Three flats later he walked his bike across the line for last place missing the cut off to do another lap (which he couldn't because he would have just flatted again), they didn't DNF him because he walked 5 miles of the course instead of taking the short cut. He is a stubborn one! I am glad we went and we got to enjoy some tasty Mexican food afterwards with our cute as a button niece so it wasn't a total loss.

And no matter what happens with Maggie I am glad we took the gamble. If she only gets one more week it will hurt like hell but we will know in our hearts she fought and we didn't stop fighting for her. It has been a pricey gamble but go back to 12/26 and tell me she wouldn't get much more time I would still pay to get those weeks. Take me back to 2004 and tell me she was going to be a sickly dog who didn't might not make it to old age but would be a joy for the time she could give you and I would drive 3 hours to snatch her from the breeders. Maybe she has another trick under her fur she hasn't shown. Maybe it is just her poker face again.

Those of you who read this far, thanks.

[BleeckerSt_Girl]

Amanda,
So good to get that update! I'm sure everyone from this thread has been waiting to hear, and rooting for Maggie.
It sounds to me like your head is in a good place and you are getting prepared for all possibilities. All of you are doing everything possible.
When Maggie comes home be sure to mix some water into her food to add yet another source of water into her. Water is the key for flushing natural waste toxins out of her body that her kidneys cannot. Maybe try to make her food like a thick soup.

I have to tell you one more thing because your last post made me think of it...
When I left Pearl that critical weekend on IV at her vet's, my vet tried to prepare me for the worst- she said to me that I should know that she had never had a cat survive with lab test numbers as poor as Pearl's were. Three years later, I always kid her about that when I bring Pearl in for one thing or another, and she always says how Pearl proved her wrong and made her change her mind about what was 'hopeless'.
I think there is always hope when your pet is still eating and acting happy to see you. If Maggie is not going to make it, you can feel good that you gave her every chance short of letting her suffer in pain. And when Maggie's time comes (whether this week or 3 years from now) you will be lovingly there for her.

[smilingcat]

Hi Amanda,

You are doing the best you can for her and that is the best gift you can give. And Bleeker's comment are really the best advice I've heard.

Maggie is special and I wish her the best. Song from Diamond Rio keeps going in my mind. "one more day".

We are all pulling for Maggie and for you. You are the best thing that happened to Maggie.

Take care,
Smilingcat

[ClockworkOrange]

He also said he prays for this "Little kid" to trick him again, I am not overly religious but what a sweet thing to say..........

Going slightly off topic but reading the above, I too am the same but when I come on TE Forum I feel really close to you guys, despite the distance and at times I feel so upset and actually find myself saying similar things, I guess it's not such a bad thing.

Anyway Amanda, still have my fingers crossed and it's good reading how things are going.

Hugs to little Maggie Bear.

Clock

[Aggie_Ama]

Well the news this morning wasn't as good on paper. Her values dropped over the weekend but not substantially. The vet offered that we could leave her another night but at some point it seems in vain, she is still double what she should be and at nearly a week of hospital at this point. We decided to bring her home and enjoy whatever time she has left. He said one more night of hospital might mean one more day on her overall life. But really does that mean one day she spent at their hospital? We don't have a way of knowing and in our hearts know she needs to come home. She needs hugs, we need hugs. She was so damn happy last night to see us and eat and love on us. He did tell us we can't leave her there forever, that is not fair to Maggie or us, visiting for one hour a day (and we have been by nearly every day she was there). Another night likely will provide help but it would probably be minimal, he did say it was fair to her to come home. We are still trying subcu but I don't think we have many nights, at least we have this one. Bad day to not wear waterproof mascara for sure.

[Brandi]

I think you should bring her home and spoil her rotten! She wants to be with you and your dh more then she wants to be at the vet that I am sure of. Enjoy her as much as you can with the time you have with her. I have lost animals way to young and wish i had taken the time to enjoy them more. You just never know how much time you will ever have. Spend this time with her. Good luck and (((((hugs)))))) to you all.