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Towards the end of my tapas tour yesterday (with a lovely couple from London, Alison & Michael) I got a call from Nog saying that Azar was “in distress”, going to the litter box and crying, etc. And so I got home as fast as I could and the poor thing really was looking sad. He was also throwing up, which he’s done before when straining to go in the box. He didn’t seem hungry at all but remained very thirsty. This is a photo I took a couple of weeks ago when he started only wanting to drink water from “my glass” so I got out a different glass for him and since then it’s been his own private one. But I could tell that he was drinking and peeing a lot more than usual and feared the worst – chronic kidney disease like Sunny had. I was actually planning to take him in for a full check-up (blood tests, the works) after the holidays, but now looks like I’ll be going tomorrow.
After a very fretful night with poor Azar up and down (and leaking poop everywhere – eww!) I was almost ready to take him in to the emergency vet service this morning, because I hadn’t actually seen him pee since I got home yesterday and when I called them yesterday I was told the primary problem may actually be a blocked urethra. But just now, after yet another long drink, he peed in the box no problem. Then strained again to poop and ended up throwing up all the water. So… I dunno. I think he’ll be okay waiting to see his own vet tomorrow morning. Not only does the emergency vet service cost a lot more, but it’s a vet who has never seen Azar before, doesn’t know his history, etc. Meanwhile, am going out to the pharmacy to ask about a mild suppository, like they give to babies, to see if this might alleviate the immediate problem.
My beautiful boy. Ever since his “mystery illness” last year every day with him has felt like a gift, and I have worried every time he sneezed or seemed a bit out of sorts. But perhaps this will also turn out to be just another glitch in the “old age” thing and he’ll stay with us for some time to come. Hoping with all my heart that this is so.
casa azahar 
I’m joining you in your hoping, Az. I don’t really know what else to say.
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I do hope he is okay!
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Here’s wishing for a speedy cat recovery {{azar}}
Also, it seems better that you are not in London after all
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My very first thought yesterday was just that – thank god I didn’t go to London!! Nog is pretty good about looking after the cats but emergency situations flummox him. It would have been awful if this had happened while I was away.
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Back from the pharmacy with a tiny glicerine enema made for children. I didn’t want to use the whole applicator’s worth so I’m not sure how much I actually got up there, but afterwards Azar did manage a wee nugget and is now curled up and resting on my comfy chair (his preferred spot at the moment). Also gave his backend a good cleaning with a warm washcloth, poor darling. At this rate I’m going to be doing laundry for days around here! But he can’t control the “leaking” so really the best place for him is on top of a couple of towels on my comfy chair.
I know all this is probably TMI for most readers, but this is what’s going on and I want it to be here for future reference. It’s good I can look back on the mystery illness because I think this is a similar problem, except I noticed a couple of weeks ago he’d gone off his food and switched him to a half-wet-half-dry food diet so he didn’t get all weak and floppy like last time.
Anyhow, the patient is resting comfortably and I’m off to make a very late lunch…
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Glad there’s been a positive response … good luck and comfort to you both!
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Thanks Colleen. I gave him a second dose about half an hour ago and with a similar result, except he didn’t cry out this time. Progress! So now that he’s got some relief – and no longer appears to be leaking – I’ll leave him be until tomorrow and just make sure he’s getting some water and lots of cuddles.
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We are crossing our fingers for him here. And paws.
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Care and comfort. Minimize the pain. He has had a long and good life.
Take him to the vet tomorrow and don’t overdo things.
*hugs*
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Ack! So sorry this is happening Az. I hope he is feeling better now and that the vet goes OK tomorrow. Will be thinking about you both.
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Poor Azar. By “leaking” do you mean pee or poo? I am assuming you mean the latter. Poor fellow.
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Yeah, the latter. He couldn’t get the bigger bits out but what wasn’t hard kept oozing out. Yuck. But when he came up in the middle of the night for a comforting cuddle on my pillow … I got out a towel and let him snuggle up and tuck his chin under mine. Yeah I know, kinda gross, but I couldn’t say no. Threw away the towel in the morning.
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Poor fellow (and you!)… hopefully, the vet can get things sorted.
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I am thinking about both of you – it should be almost tomorrow there by now, and I hope Azar’s vet can figure out what is wrong.
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Oh, I hope he’s okay too. Good luck at the Vet.
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Off to get a taxi and take Azar to the vet’s. He’s really feeling low this morning and didn’t want to eat, so Nog & I had to force-feed him (not as awful as it sounds – Nog holds him and I put fingertip-sized bits of paté into his mouth). Anyhow, we’ll see what happens. Glad I waited though as I trust Yolanda with my cats.
Stay tuned…
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Good luck! I;ll keep my fingers crossed!
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Have only just read your entries about Azar. Do hope the vet can pinpoint & alleviate Azar’s problem. Thinking of you.
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Well, it turns out I’m an idiot. After the countless bloodtests I’ve had over the past two and a half years I forgot that Azar should have gone to the vet’s without being fed!! About an hour before we left he was looking a bit sad and so I said to Nog – “let’s give him a snack!” – and Nog also can’t understand why it didn’t click that Azar shouldn’t have eaten. So damn. We’ll have to go back tomorrow for the blood test.
But this will probably just confirm the worst. There’s a slight chance that Azar might have a thyroid condition or diabetes – the only other illnesses that jive with his symptoms – which can be treated with meds. But it is most likely kidney disfunction, just like Sunny had. And really all that can be done is what I’ve been doing for months now – watching his diet and keeping him hydrated. Well, and also keeping him seriously cuddled and snibbled.
Meanwhile, Azar’s been very down all day and doesn’t want to eat. But today I asked Yolanda the vet for a tin of Hill’s A/D food, which is specially made for animals recuperating from an illness, and will feed him the whole thing before bedtime. But even Yolanda noticed how much weight Azar has lost since she last saw him a year ago. And his temperature is low, which also points to kidney disfunction.
I’m hoping he’s going to rally, because I think this was also what his “mystery illness” was all about. But if he really wants to go, if he’s had enough and thinks it’s time, then I’m just going to make every day as full of love and comfort as I can and I really hope I’m here at home when he passes over.
Crying now…
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Azar has just had a big drink of water and is now eating on his own.
“My heart soars like a hawk”
(who recognises the quote?)
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Oh, man, Az, this is so devastating…Big hugs to you and to Azar.
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I’m still hoping for the best for Azar and you. My oldest cat (he’s nineteen) has both liver and kidney disfunction, yet he inexplicably continues to do pretty well, months after the vet thought he would have left us. I’ll continue giving him his supportive care regimn (of yummy food, sub-cutanious fluids, and one medication) as long as he seems to enjoy life. Our vet says he was “playing possum.”
Very best wishes.
Dori
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That does give me hope, Dori – thanks!
I really did think Azar was a goner last year when he suddenly went all floppy and nobody could figure out what was wrong with him. And he’s still here.
Tonight he’s eaten twice on his own and is happily curled up on his own soft duvet.
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“MY heart soars like a hawk” Old Lodge Skins (Chief Dan George) Little Big Man
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Ha! I KNEW you’d be the one to get it! 🙂
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Ah, goodness, I’ve been on tenterhooks reading this post and the comments, so I’m glad to hear that Azar has eaten and is resting, and I wish with all my heart that he is still with you for a long time to come. Kitty snibbles from Australia! xx
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Azar had his last snack around 10 o’clock last night and just a bit of water this morning, so the tests should come out okay. He’s pretty relaxed at the moment, just hanging out with me on the foot of my bed while I have coffee.
We’ll be leaving in about an hour to take him back to the vet’s. Aside from extra stress for the little guy – and us! – it’ll also mean an extra 20 euros in taxi fare. Ah well…
Thanks for all your good wishes!
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Hmm – came to this one late (as part of the catch up), here’s hoping
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Sorry to hear of Azar’s difficulties, but not surprised to hear that he keeps surprising you by rallying. Animals are amazing. My little old Jack Russell has taken a turn for the worse this week, the dementia apparently stopping her now from feeding herself so, like you, I’ve been feeding her by hand, which she is happy to do, but I know that this is a really bad sign that the doggy dementia has taken a big step forward. So I am concentrating on giving her lots of cuddles and tiny little walks along her favourite path in the woods, in case each day might be her last.
Hugs to you and Azar from Scotland. Take care of yourself – Azar knows how much you love him. (())
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Back at home now and Azar was as good as gold. He just did a bit of complaining for form’s sake, but there was none of the screaming his head off like he did yesterday. He was a bit squirmy for the blood extraction though and Yolanda had to poke him about four times to get enough blood to run all the tests, poor darling. So he’s a bit bruised now but otherwise okay.
Will get the results of the complete tests on Friday (they send the samples out for those) but the ones they could do there showed that his sugar was a bit low and his urea a bit high. Yolanda gave me a supplement which is supposed to be good for the kidneys, and I’m going to modify his diet somewhat. The important thing now is that he eats well, stays hydrated and doesn’t lose any more weight. As Yolanda said, it seems like Azar is in the beginning stages of kidney disfunction and there is no way of telling at the moment how it will affect him, or how much longer he has to live, but we can do what we can to keep him healthy and comfortable.
He’s still having some problems pooping, so I’m to give him a small dose of paraffin today and tomorrow. Weird how this “emergency” situation has turned out. The original problem is subsiding but now there is a more serious one looming. Well, I had suspected it and was going to take him for a check-up soon anyhow, but now it’s done and so far things are under control.
Azar really was a lot calmer going to the vet’s today – I could hardly believe it. He even let the assistant kiss him on the head!! Here’s a pic of him in the taxi, getting a cuddle…
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Give him our best!
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How is he, today?
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He was quite floppy this morning and wasn’t interested in eating at all. But after a couple of force-feedings he seemed to feel better. Then it was so mild out this afternoon that I opened one of the balcony doors in the livingroom and that really seemed to perk him up, so I brought him some food and he actually ate it on his own.
At the moment he’s looking quite alert, just sitting on the floor resting his bendy paw on a chair rung … makes a nice change from him curled up on his duvet looking all forlorn. He even quite enjoyed a frisky snibble a short while ago. So a bit of a mixed bag, but he mostly seems to be doing okay.
Should get the blood test results tomorrow…
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My cats send him big head licks!
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