Cricket has kidney disease. She had a really bad day recently: she fell down the stairs when she was coming in from a walk, and had to be carried up and down the rest of the day. By the next morning, she was back to herself, climbing the stairs and eating her breakfast and barking at the UPS guy, but we took her to the vet anyway and he checked her out and took blood and the next morning he called to say it was her kidneys, but he’d need a pee sample to know if she also had an infection. I had to follow her around all day with a ladle, collecting a teaspoon of pee at a time and storing it in the fridge until we had enough to bring to the vet. Thank god, Mom didn’t take the picture she threatened to take of this particular activity. The results: no infection, but very watery pee, confirming kidney disease, so we’d have to go back to the vet and learn how to give her sub-cutaneous fluids once a day. With a very big needle.
Cricket only weighs 9.5 pounds now, down from her original 14 pounds, and she looks like a naked chicken from the neck down, but she still has her rebellious spirit. So as soon as I knew I would have to put a needle under her skin every day, I started searching everywhere for her muzzle. We’d never actually used it before, but we had it somewhere, just in case, because she is a biter. I finally found the muzzle hidden behind her old harnesses and winter sweaters in the hall closet, and she let me put it on her, for a moment, before she started trying to pull it off.
At our next appointment, the vet demonstrated how to hang the fluid bag on the door, and hold Cricket still, and pull up the extra neck skin like a tent and insert the needle, and Cricket calmly let him do all of this. We watched her neck swell up like a balloon, which he said was totally normal, and then he removed the needle and pinched the skin so that the fluid wouldn’t spritz out. Then he showed me how to change out the old needle for a new one, easy peasy. By the time we got home, Cricket was feeling so good that she skipped down the lawn on her way to the front door.
My first attempt at giving her the fluids myself, the next morning, went almost as easily as when the vet did it, even with the big needle and the bite-prone Cricket, but on the second day, she rebelled. She bared her teeth at me, and pulled away from the needle, and then she bit me, three times. I tried again later in the day and managed to get the needle under her skin and a small ball of fluid in her neck, before she bit me again.
On the morning of day three, we tried giving her food during the procedure, to keep her distracted, but she turned the bowl over and spread the food all over the floor and hopped over it to get away from the needle. So, in desperation, we gave her a quarter of a doggy valium, and waited. An hour later I was able to put the muzzle on her, and insert the needle under her skin, and give her the rest of the fluids she should have had the day before. The only problem was that we had no more doggy valium. So off to the vet we went to get more medication, and incidentally, to make sure it was okay for her to take it every day. It was, but even that small amount of ACE (the doggy Valium) made her stumble around and wiped her out for the rest of the day.
A week after starting the fluids, we took her to the vet for another round of blood tests, to see if the fluids were helping, but when the doctor called the next morning, it turned out that her kidney numbers were worse. He told us to keep doing the fluids, with some added B vitamins, and he gave us Gabapentin to try instead of the ACE, to see if the combination would give her more good days. He had no prediction for how much time she has left. He just told us to keep an eye on her eating habits, and if she doesn’t eat for three days in a row then that would mean she’s suffering and it will be time to let her go.
We tried the gabapentin to no effect, so we went back to the ACE, but decided to give it, and then the fluids, at night, so that she could sleep it off and wake up feeling better, and that seems to be working better for her.
I don’t have high expectations, but I’d like for her to enjoy the end of her life as much as possible, and I’d really like to have a little more time.
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rachelmankowitz 
Such sad news. I think we will miss her almost as much as you and hope she is around a long time. Cricket is such a nice addition to your stories.
Thank you so much!
I’m so sorry that Cricket is unwell. I can tell you are taking wonderful care of her. Sending your family love and strength.
Thank you so much!
I am sorry that you are going through this with Cricket and especially that she is determined to fight against what might be able to give her more quality time.
Thank you!
Oh no. Poor Cricket and poor you.
Thank you!
Oh Rachel, I am so very sorry. Enjoy the time you have left.
Thank you!
❤
Rachel, this is one of the hardest things we go through as pet owners. I don’t have any words of wisdom, except you are doing all you can for her with love. And that’s what we do…
Thank you so much!
I hope Cricket is hanging in there and enjoying as much chicken as she can. Hang in there, Rachel. It’s so hard.
Thank you!!!
oh you’re a good mom Rachel. I hope you get some more heartfelt loving days together! 🙏🏼
Thank you!
🙏🏼
Hi, Rachel. I’m hardly on WordPress anymore (except to check my website; I no longer have a blog), but last night I found this post and boy did it Cath my eye. First off, Cricket looks a LOT like my dog, Charlie. Secondly, my Charlie (16) has recently been diagnosed with kidney disease, and we too are giving him sub-Q fluids … and I “get” exactly where you’re coming from re: those darn needles. Just passing this along: recently, we switched to a smaller needle (“the pink one” vs. “the green one”). The larger needle got the fluids in faster, but it sure did hurt Charlie. Now, with the smaller gage, he seems to tolerate the whole process better. My husband has to hold him until I can get the needle in, but once in, he’s been pretty calm. I also syringe in some water each day (using a 3 ml syringe), and I give my dog CoQ10 (30 mg/day) and RX Renal Canine (Rx Vitamins for Pets). And I don’t know if you have seen this guy’s info online — tony-booth.com—but he has a lot of good info re: CKD. I sure hope Cricket feels better. It’s a day-to-day management, but when you love your pups, as I know you love Cricket, you do the best you can. I’ll try to check in here and see how things are going. If you have any questions (or answers!) re: canine kidney disease and you want to e-mail, just let me know. Take care, Deb & Charlie!
Thank you for all of this!!!
You’re welcome! Wishing Cricket and you “needling” success! 😊
Thank you!
Sending doggie tenderness, and human love as you and Cricket navigate this transition. You and she will know when it’s time. Hugs, Lindy, Daisy & Max 🐾
Thank you!
If you ever plan to keep her distracted again, maybe Kevin (and/or a at least a picture or video of him) can help do that (since she’s a fan of him) and can give her more enjoyment, motivation, and solace. Feeling for you and those close to her (including you), hoping for the best for Cricket and hoping for more time.
Thank you!!!
I certainly hope for the best outcome for Cricket and that you still have a lot of time together.
Thank you!
Aww sending bear hugs ʕっ•ᴥ•ʔっʕっ•ᴥ•ʔっʕっ•ᴥ•ʔっʕっ•ᴥ•ʔっ
Thank you!
Poor Cricket. I wish we could explain to our dogs that we’re doing these things to help them feel better!
Me too!
So sorry to hear about Cricket’s troubles.
Thank you!
I’m sorry to hear this! You and your mom are troopers with the SQ fluids. Keep on keeping on and hopefully you can enjoy some good quality summertime together!!!
Thank you! Fingers crossed!
So sorry. What an ordeal for you and Cricket. God bless you for your care to her and your overwhelming kindness and love.
Thank you so much!
No update on Cricket today~? I hope all is going well~!
SAM
She’s doing well! Thank you!
So sorry. It’s very hard.
Thank you!
Oh I am so sorry. It is difficult when they are sick and even more so when we have to perform procedures on them. It is so hard. I am sorry. I hope you all can enjoy time together for now. Hugs.
Thank you so much!
Bless Cricket’s heart. I’m sending out loving hugs and thoughts to her. This is so sad. She’s a beautiful lady. I’m thankful she has you and your Mom. Hugs to you all.
Thank you so much!
Sending you and Cricket all the good vibes. God bless you both!
Thank you!!!!
Aww poor Cricket. It’s so hard when they can’t understand that you’re trying to help them.
It really is! Thank you!
Poor Cricket I wish her all the very best and will keep her in my prayers. Many blessings to you,
Thank you so much!
So sorry for you! You are all troupers!
Thank you!
I gave subcutaneous fluids to my chow-lab for 2 years. Hang in there, Cricket.
Wow! That’s inspiring!
BioFunction K is a supplement I have used for kidney conditions with my cats
Sorry to hear about Cricket, Rachel. Let’s all hope she somehow recovers or has as painless and longer time with you. Having been through so many pets (they were my family), I am now lost for any more words of comfort.
Art
Thank you!
oh, do be careful and don’t get bit. My brother just got bit by his cat and has had terrible pain and infection and ended up in urgent care then hospital for treatment.
Eek!
You know Rachel I am new to your blog here so I’ve only gotten to know Cricket through some recent posts and pictures of yours and I’m sorry the poor thing and you are having to go through this. I’ve been there on the “big needle” with my cat Benny years ago so I know how difficult and and paining it can be for both.
This I think is treat time Rachel, lots of treat time and Cricket, know that I have a kinship with you through my own Cricket, my blind old girl calico cat. You hang in there Ms Cricket and you too Rachel.
Thank you!!!!
Poor little Cricket, poor you. It’s not easy when they’re not well, my thoughts are with you
Thank you!
OH MY! I just read this – I love following Cricket and you…my thoughts are with all of you… On a ridiculous note – I had to collect pee from my Daniel my 14-pound Italian greyhound who oddly pees on himself every time he goes and thus needed a doggie bath after each walk. When I collected the pee with a paper bowl, I realized that deflecting his flow also eliminated the need for frequent baths! a new invention using paper plates emerged and now that is the only way we walk Daniel! OYE VEY!
They make us so creative!!!
I was prescribed gabapentin for Musty for pain. But it made him lose his balance. It’s a side effect. So I stopped giving it to him. Need to find an alternative.
Balancing the meds is driving me nuts.
One vet, years ago told me that aspirin was fine for dogs. At least, that’s how I interpreted it. So before the gabapentin I was giving him aspirin. One a day. That almost did him in. D: I guess they can have it one once in a while, but not everyday. So now it’s no aspirin and no gabapentin. But a huge bill from the vet. 😉 Gotta keep looking.
There are other things to try; every dog responds differently.
Oh no– I’m so sorry. We have to give fluids to our cats (the procedure is the exact same as you described it). This might not be of any use to you, but the way we do it, one of us lies behind the cat and holds on to them while the other one inserts the needle and gets the fluid going. It’s not perfect (our cats aren’t biters, but man can they put up a struggle), but it is easier overall. Good luck to you and Cricket. I wish we could explain to our pets why we do these things they hate.
Thank you! And continued good luck to you!
Thank you ♥
Best wishes for you and your furry baby, I will recommend you to make her exercise more often and increase the duration of walks. It’s really rare and nice to see a responsible owner like you these days ♥️
Thank you!
🙂