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Mar. 19th, 2025 09:08 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
anaisninjaBlood work checkup for Qua this morning. Was curious to see where his liver enzymes would be compared to last time. He was doing fine with taking the liver meds in his tidbits for the three weeks after the initial labs, then caught on to the funny business going on, and promptly stopped falling for that trick. I ended up using the pill gun I got end of last week, and Qua surprised me by forgiving me relatively quickly after the first two or three times. First time took him an evening, then maybe a couple hours, then fifteen minutes, and today he climbed up on the chair almost immediately afterwards.
He did good at the vet the way he always does, and they threw in a bonus nail trim. I think this particular tech either really likes doing nail trims, or is simply impressed that she can handle Qua's paws and he doesn't flip out. It's funny, because they weren't even sharp. Qua doesn't ever use the scratch pad I got him, or sharpen his nails on anything in the house. I was initially hopeful because the vet said that Qua might be able to discontinue the meds since the liver can heal (unlike kidneys). Even though he's gotten easy with taking his meds, it would be great to not have to bother him with that.
Phonecall from the vet this afternoon pretty much purged that thought. His liver enzymes were worse, and he's got jaundice. I admit I was suspecting he might be when he yawned last night, and the roof of his mouth looked pale yellow. They gave me the number of two clinics that handle ultrasounds and liver biopsies. One was Blue Pearl, which is notoriously expensive, and the doctor I was referred to is booked up until mid April. Fuck. The other facility, called Fetch, is in Tampa area, and wouldn't make an appointment unless my vet contacted them first. So I called back to my regular vet and requested that they send Qua's records over to Fetch. Hopefully I get a call from them tomorrow.
Honestly I already know how this is probably going to go. Thinking about how things went down with Ish. Diagnosis is going to be expensive af, like thousands, treatment will be even more thousands, for what doesn't seem like a particularly significant lifespan. I haven't stopped thinking about this since I had to make the call with Ish. Qua's basically 80 years old rn in cat years. How much more time can I reasonably expect?
I've been mentally preparing for this every time I kiss Qua's nose and ears, tuck him into bed and give him squeezins, and tell him that I love him and that he's a precious boy. I have taken none of this time for granted, and I hold onto every moment as hard as I can and make it stretch as long as I am able.
I hope I can buy him a little more time, peaceful and comfortable time, for him to be with me as long as he's able.
Hopefully whoever I talk to at Fetch will be able to answer the questions I have. Should I continue with the current medication? How much testing will be needed? What will the treatment options be? How much more time will this realistically buy him in what physical condition? Most importantly, how can I keep him comfortable if I cannot pursue treatment?
I bought him a bunch of his favorite food and started up with the appetite stimulating ear ointment this afternoon. He didn't eat his breakfast this morning, but I offered him his preferred food later, and he was enthusiastic about that. If I can keep him fed and comfortable as long as possible, I can feel okay with that.
My bro says this is the risk of being a vampire, living with someone whose life is so much shorter. That's a risk I believe I will always be willing to take.
He did good at the vet the way he always does, and they threw in a bonus nail trim. I think this particular tech either really likes doing nail trims, or is simply impressed that she can handle Qua's paws and he doesn't flip out. It's funny, because they weren't even sharp. Qua doesn't ever use the scratch pad I got him, or sharpen his nails on anything in the house. I was initially hopeful because the vet said that Qua might be able to discontinue the meds since the liver can heal (unlike kidneys). Even though he's gotten easy with taking his meds, it would be great to not have to bother him with that.
Phonecall from the vet this afternoon pretty much purged that thought. His liver enzymes were worse, and he's got jaundice. I admit I was suspecting he might be when he yawned last night, and the roof of his mouth looked pale yellow. They gave me the number of two clinics that handle ultrasounds and liver biopsies. One was Blue Pearl, which is notoriously expensive, and the doctor I was referred to is booked up until mid April. Fuck. The other facility, called Fetch, is in Tampa area, and wouldn't make an appointment unless my vet contacted them first. So I called back to my regular vet and requested that they send Qua's records over to Fetch. Hopefully I get a call from them tomorrow.
Honestly I already know how this is probably going to go. Thinking about how things went down with Ish. Diagnosis is going to be expensive af, like thousands, treatment will be even more thousands, for what doesn't seem like a particularly significant lifespan. I haven't stopped thinking about this since I had to make the call with Ish. Qua's basically 80 years old rn in cat years. How much more time can I reasonably expect?
I've been mentally preparing for this every time I kiss Qua's nose and ears, tuck him into bed and give him squeezins, and tell him that I love him and that he's a precious boy. I have taken none of this time for granted, and I hold onto every moment as hard as I can and make it stretch as long as I am able.
I hope I can buy him a little more time, peaceful and comfortable time, for him to be with me as long as he's able.
Hopefully whoever I talk to at Fetch will be able to answer the questions I have. Should I continue with the current medication? How much testing will be needed? What will the treatment options be? How much more time will this realistically buy him in what physical condition? Most importantly, how can I keep him comfortable if I cannot pursue treatment?
I bought him a bunch of his favorite food and started up with the appetite stimulating ear ointment this afternoon. He didn't eat his breakfast this morning, but I offered him his preferred food later, and he was enthusiastic about that. If I can keep him fed and comfortable as long as possible, I can feel okay with that.
My bro says this is the risk of being a vampire, living with someone whose life is so much shorter. That's a risk I believe I will always be willing to take.
