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 
Wishing the best for your little furbaby 💕
Thank you so much!
The things we do for our furry family members. Hope all works out Rachel. Have a good night. Allan
Thank you!
I am really sorry you have to go through this with Cricket. I’d like to say it’ll get easier on both of you.
We had to do the fluids with a beloved cat a few years ago, it was worse on me than her, but it sure was entertaining watching her walk away with a big fluid bubble on her neck!
Cricket likes to bring the drama, so she believes it is much much harder on her.
Well, don’t stand in her way, she is the star afterall!
She is!
Oh, I’m so sorry to read this. Sending all good wishes to Cricket and you and your mother.
Thank you so much!
…and yet, although it sounds like you have all in hand, this is difficult time, and i am so sorry ☮️❤️
Thank you so much!
I am so sorry about Cricket. I hope and wish for her recovery.
Thank you so much!
I understand how you feel and know you are trying as hard as you can to do what is right for your little girl. Know that your friends in cyberspace are also holding you and your family in our hearts tonight and in the days to come. I am so very sorry.
Thank you so much!
Oh, so sorry you both have to go through this. I hope it turns out well. I had a kitty years ago who needed that type of hydration. I tried once and realized I wouldn’t be able to do it. She lived over twenty years, and when it was time to let her go we had the vet come to the house and she went peacefully. Later we had a kitty named Henry and I successfully gave him insulin injections for diabetes. So much easier to do than the other procedure.
I did blood testing and insulin with Butterfly. It was so much easier, both because it’s a faster procedure and because Butterly was a much more compliant character. Cricket is the opposite. I hate drugging her, but it’s the only way she can tolerate the needle. Harrumph.
Whatever works.. Drugs are always helpful!! 😊
Cricket- Say it is not so!
She’s barking right now!
Compassionate thoughts to you and Cricket.
Thank you!!!
Out thoughts are with Cricket. The worse part of them being sick is they can’t explain what hurts and you can’t explain why you are doing mean things to them for their own good.
Exactly! Thank you!
The vet could talk about quality of life until he was blue in the face, but two of my cats had kidney disease/failure and I was a mess. My heart breaks for you, Rachel.
Thank you so much!
BioFunction K could help. My cat Ariel had 1/4 kidney function. A pinch of this every meal and food quality hydrogen peroxide drop in water and she survived four years to age 20. Now I give it to my 25 yo cat Emily to be proactive
Wow! Thank you!
I Hope cricket feels better soon
Thank you!
Take care.
Poor Cricket, I hope she does iaky
Thank you!
Very sorry to hear this news. May you have the best days, however many there are with Miss Cricket and knowing they’re never enough. Thinking of you.
Thank you so much!
It is so hard when out little pets get ill . We have been through this with our little schnauzers. We had to say goodbye to three of them and so I now what you are facing. My heart goes out to you. Sending a virtual hug.
Thank you!!!
So sorry about Cricket. Her time with you and your mom now is so precious.
It is! Thank you!
Poor Cricket. I hope she hangs in there. I was CRUSHED when our aging Westie died in surgery. I loved that dog dearly.
I’m so sorry.
Oh goodness gracious, poor Cricket. You are doing a Herculean job of providing great care and improving her quality of life – what a wonderful statement of the love you share with each other. Wishing for a more comfortable day-to-day near term and hoping for Cricket to heal going forward with the best possible outcome. What a moving post.
Thank you so much!
I’m sorry it’s reached this point with Cricket. This stage is never easy, and I think it’s impossible to “prepare” yourself for the inevitable. Our pups are often more a loved part of our lives than even other people. Just know you are doing your best for her.
Thank you so much!
Such a sweetie puppy.
This must be so hard–emotionally as well as logistically. We will be thinking of both you and Cricket.
Thank you so much!
Sending love to you and your little girl. ❤️💕
Thank you so much!
That is so heartbreaking, Rachel. There will come a time when you will have to let Cricket go and it is going to be hard, but at some point it will be the kinder thing to do. I know, I’ve been through it with my pets. I’m so sorry. Meanwhile I hope you will still have some wonderful times together.
Thank you!
So sorry to read this about Cricket but she’s in the best hands – yours.
Thank you so much!
I’m so sorry to hear this! I will be praying for her!
Thank you so much!
Oh, no, poor Cricket. How old is she? I hope you have more time with her; I’ll be thinking of you both.
Thank you so much!
So sad! Our pets become our loves and companions. Letting them go, as you wrote, does not come easily.
Earlier this year we had to do this for one of ours. He too had kidney problems. When it became evident that he was suffering, our vet gave us the choice.
So hard…. I think of him often. What a gorgeous little soul he was/is.
I’m so sorry for your loss.
And I am thinking of you and wishing you all the best during this time with Cricket.
I can assure you that my memories of beautiful ‘Beau’ bring smiles and the memories of the joy he brought into our lives.
We are so fortunate to have, and have had, such endearing moments with our little four legged family members.
Thank you!
Sending hugs to all of you. These are trying times. Hope it gets at least a little easier.
Thank you so much!
I’m sorry that the news hasn’t been better. However, it sounds like Cricket is still being her sassy self 🙂 Sending love and good vibes your way. Hoping you all can spend more time together ❤️
Thank you so much!
So sorry.
Thank you!
I remember the first time I saw subcutaneous hydration. It was in geriatric patients when I was a medical student in the 1980s. Good to see it is also used in veterinarymedicine.
It seems to be very common.
Get well Cricket. I love reading about you.
Thank you so much!
So sorry to hear this, Rachel. Cricket has given you so much love over the years–and you her.
Thank you so much!
So sorry you are going through this, and God bless you for taking such good care of Cricket. I hope things go better and you have more good times together.
Thank you so much!
Little Cricket ❤ ❤ ❤
Oh this was an excruciatingly painful read. I don’t even know you all personally and this is a gut punch. She appreciates the help but is tired of it. Because it sounds like quite the procedure. I know you eant more time but…….😔🤗🩵🤍🐩
Oh, Rachel, this is such a hard time! Enjoy every minute with your Cricket—and be kind to yourself.
Thank you so much!
I hope your sweet Cricket feels better soon and is able to be with you a while. I had to let my vet do that hydration on my little 4 year old rescue baby and it was kinda freaky. It must be tough having to do that yourself nightly. We’ll be praying for you and your girlie. Please update us when you can.
Thank you so much!
Hoping for the best for Cricket (maybe even a reconciliation with the UPS guy before he goes on strike).
Ha! Thank you!
You are both being very brave! I’m Sorry to hear about Cricket’s kidney disease though, & am hoping you do get more time. 💛
Thank you!
My cat Merlin has a metastasised sarcoma and doesn’t have that long to live. He has cut down the amount he pees which indicates that his kidneys are doing pretty badly. He is still enjoying life though is getting frailer. Like you Rachel, I will soon be naming the day. Hard isn’t it?
It’s awful.
Oh, Rachel, reading this made me very sad, for both Cricket and you. I’m in awe of how you took to dealing with inserting the needle without fear! I know it is emotionally difficult to recognize that this sweet fur-baby’s health is declining and recognizing that you may have some hard decisions in the near future. I pray that you will find the strength to do what needs to be done and that your grief in that time will pass quickly.
Thank you!
I’m so sorry about Cricket! Cherish the memories and the time you have left. What would your life have been like if she had not come into it? Blessings and prayers!
Thank you so much!
I’m so sorry to hear about Cricket’s condition. She is fortunate to have such a loving mom and grandma to make her comfortable as possible. When the time comes, hopefully not soon, you will do the right thing out of love for your sweet baby. 🙏
Thank you so much!
I’m so sorry. We’ve had to give one of our dogs a shot every month – I can’t imagine doing it every day. Wishing you and Cricket love and peace for whatever time she has left!
Thank you!!!
Poor Cricket! I am sending her my best wishes for healing.
Thank you so much!
I know your pain, as I can see Ollie becoming lethargic some days, and also finding it hard to walk occasionally. You have done well to give that difficult fluid transfer, and Cricket has been loved and spoiled. She has had a great life, thanks to you. But that will not help once you have to say goodbye, I know that.
Best wishes, Pete.
Thank you and I’m sorry for what you’re going through too.
I lost my faithful traveling companion for 10 years 4 years ago. I still miss him, he traveled all across the country and most of Canada with me before I retired from driving. He never really adjusted to retirement, and went with me in the pickup whenever I could take him along. Enjoy the time you have left with Cricket, letting go is hard.
It’s so hard! Thank you!