Tuesday, January 29, 2013

Kidney Kitty -- Part 2



Well, we’ve been dealing with our little kidney kitty for awhile now.  And ya know, dealing with feline diabetes has been a piece of cake compared to this!

Why?
With the diabetes, you have a tiny needle and you have a routine.  Yes, you take blood and do curves and adjust the insulin dosage, but it’s very doable and it’s kinda clinical.  You keep records, consult your vet, and your cat still acts like himself.  (or at least ours did)

This kidney disease thing, though, is wearing me slick!

There is so much to learn about, and research, and experiment.  And while we've gotten to where we can give fluids fairly easily now, it’s still a big needle and not a small thing to add to your schedule.

But it’s not all the research, it’s not the giving of the fluids,
it’s not all the pills and meds…

It’s the ups and downs.  The highs and lows. 

What’s he like today?  What is he sitting like that for?  Has he eaten much today?  He’s trotting -- that’s a good sign.  He’s sitting on his haunches again -- that’s a bad sign.  He’s curled up in the sunshine -- that’s a good sign.  He’s sitting under the dining room table; that’s weird.  Is that a bad sign? 

The emotional roller coaster aspect of this disease is just the pits!

On Monday you think you've got a good regimen going and the coast looks clear for smooth sailing, and later the same week you’re wondering if it’s time to put them down.

I know people without pets don’t get it, but as a dear old friend said to me once, “Love is love.  It’s not different because it’s felt for a person or an animal.  It’s love.”  ♥

And so, my life has become one of a caregiver and researcher.  If it weren't for the internet, I don’t know where we would be right now.  And this, with a vet who is really on the ball!

So, the things that I’ve learned the hard way and want to pass on are:

Buy Pet-tinic the day you learn your cat has this disease.  It’s full of B vitamins and iron.

If you don’t have a Pill Popper, buy one here:  Pill Popper at Amazon   There’s no need to get your fingers near sharp pointy teeth when they have invented this cool tool. 

And remember how huge some hairballs can get.  They’re much bigger than capsules or pills, so they have lots more room in their throat for that crazy pill than you may think.  And really stick that pill popper back there, down their throat!

Thankfully, our cat is easy to pill.  I give him some water afterwards from a syringe, to make sure the pill goes down well, and then I say “treat!”, and give him some of his favorite poultry-flavored toothpaste as a reward.  He knows the drill that way.

Right away, find a low phosphorus food that your cat will eat, hopefully canned. 

My cat happens to love Blue Buffalo duck flavor dry food. 

(We tried Science Diet GD and it didn’t agree with his IBD, and we couldn’t even graduate to KD, so I had to get online and learn, and then go to PetSmart for other options.  Don’t wait for months to be that pro-active like I did.)

And if your cat will eat wet food, you are most blessed.  Managing your cat’s phosphorus levels will be much easier.  Mine won’t eat wet food, and this is a big problem for us.  I am currently coating his dry food with Aluminum Hydroxide powder (a phosphorus-binder) and am hoping that helps.  We’ll see with his next bloodwork.

Lastly, if your cat has kidney disease, definitely go to this great website:  http://www.felinecrf.org/ and read and learn.  The site is so comprehensive, it can be a little overwhelming, so take it all in slowly. 

Be sure to check that website’s page for “Obtaining Supplies Cheaply”.  I have found several things for ½ the price that I pay at the vet.  Half!  One pill was ¼!  And most of them I can order without a prescription.  You will save a ton of money doing this. 

(I even found my cat’s lysine treats half price on Amazon!)

Be pro-active, but put your own oxygen mask on first
 
Give yourself “research-free” days and do something extra-nice for yourself.  I try to, but it’s hard, I know.

Our sweet baby is in a good place right now, but in one day, things can take a turn.  All they have to do is quit eating.

And that’s why the website says to enjoy each day, each moment that you have together.  ♥ ♥ ♥  

A good reminder for all of us.

XOXO,
Lucky Dog

p.s.  I know, I know, I, too, have friends with horrible diseases, and one could think this is just a cat -- it’s not a real problem.  Yes, everything’s relative.  This is just My Story right now, so that’s what I’m sharing.  And I hope someone and their cat will benefit from it someday…


Friday, January 25, 2013

TGIF!



Have a great weekend, everybody!!

XOXO,
Lucky Dog




Wednesday, January 23, 2013

Favorite Product: Pill Glide Spray



Well, I didn’t plan to do 2 entries
on Favorite Products in a row,
but sometimes that’s just the way it goes!

This morning I used this spray
before taking my vitamins and thought,
now that needs to go on the blog!! 

It’s just wonderful.  ♥

You see, I take a lot of supplements. 

I guess it’s an Over-50 way of trying to buy good health. 
<sigh>

  Anyway, I absolutely hate taking pills. 
Especially the big ones.

If I were in charge,
everything would be the size of a little, cute softgel. 
Right?!?  hahaha

It’s no surprise, then, that instead of a horse tablet,
my calcium supplement is a chewable gummy, as is my multi! 
LOL

But lots of my pills are big. 
And I happened to see this at the drugstore
one day and thought, “hey, that is exactly what I need!”

And it was. 
 
This spray really really works!

You spray it in the back of your mouth before taking your pills --
and by the way, it is a delicious strawberry flavor --
and the pills really do go down easier.  

(It comes in 5 flavors.)
http://flavorx.com/products/pill-glide/

I take my biggest pill first, and then the next-biggest and so on.

Hey, it makes my life easier,
and I don’t know about y’all,
but I need more of that any way I can get it!!

XOXO,
Lucky Dog


Friday, January 18, 2013

My 2 Favorite Products for Cleaning



It has come to my attention that not everyone knows about miracle cloths.  (!)

They also are known as microfiber cloths.

I first saw them at a home & garden state-fair-type show.  They had ladies rubbing vienna sausages on windows and cleaning them with the miracle cloths.  Yuk!  hahaha

I was interested in them because my Endust for my coffee table was making me choke, and here was a chemical-free alternative.

Since then, I have found Endust-Free (hypo-allergenic and fragrance-free) and many other sources for these cleaning cloths.

Bed, Bath and Beyond has them, and once I got a good deal on QVC with a whole set by Don Aslett (the cleaning guru guy).

You use the microfiber cloths dry for dusting, and wet for cleaning.

They’re even great for cleaning eyeglasses and my laptop screen...  And you know how smudge-y your smart phone gets!

I have gotten rid of a lot of stains with these before Mr. Man has come home from work.  LOL  I think I even got rid of a ballpoint pen stain on our comforter once!

But if the microfiber cloth can’t clean it, I turn to my Mr. Clean Magic Erasers.


Gosh, these things are great.  The main things I use them on are:  smudges on my white woodwork (newspaper ink fingerprints were always the worst) and coffee stains in the sink.

I have some chemicals under the sink, too, like Windex and multi-surface spray, but I can’t live without my miracle cloths and magic erasers.

If you haven’t tried ‘em, you might think about it!
I really like that they’re chemical-free.

XOXO,
Lucky Dog





Monday, January 14, 2013

Also...



Wow, wouldn't it, though?!?

XOXO,
Lucky Dog


Saturday, January 12, 2013

Sunday, January 6, 2013

Favorite Bible Verses



This is one of my favorite Bible verses.

Romans 2:4

"Or do you think lightly of the riches
of His kindness and tolerance and patience,
not knowing that the kindness of God leads you to repentance?"

It highlights God's kindness so much.

I don't think people hear that enough.

XOXO,
Lucky Dog





Friday, January 4, 2013

Nebula YMO4



Hot off the easel!
Here is my newest painting of deep space.

Hopefully, I will paint more in 2013 than I did last year...
It's good to have goals.

XOXO,
Lucky Dog



Tuesday, January 1, 2013

Happy New Year!



It’s a new beginning…

A fresh start…

I hope 2013 is your best year ever!!!

XOXO,
Lucky Dog