We kept our Eliza alive for 3 years with near total kidney failure.  You
need to learn how to 200 c.c.s of Ringers solution injected subcutaneously
once a day.  Your vet should be able to show you how.

If you had a good vet, they wouldn't be so easy to give up and give such a
dooming diagnosis.  There are things that can be tried.

Cats are very good at hiding any symptoms.
And may only become very reclusive when they are really suffering.

However I've known of lots of pets who are given x months to live by vets,
and then get better and last for years.

One of our cats was hit by a car several years back. Poor thing crawled home
and was literally bent-up.
Took it to a vet who said nothing could be done, other than to put it down.
Our daughter would not allow that option, and we brought it home.
Poor thing was suffering for a two or three weeks, but got better, and now
is bright eyed, active and playful as a kitten.
Still has a bit of a limp occasionally, but can hunt and climb with the best
of them

Did we do the right thing by NOT listening to the vet and, offing it ?
YES !!!!!!!.

Vets are not gods, and often make mistakes, just like "human" doctors.
And getting a second opinion is not unreasonable.

Guess you really have to decide, if it was you, would you want to be "put
down" on the word of one person ?

I am very concerned because it sounds like your vet has not given you any
advice other than "don't expect her to live."  Amber (RB) was not expected
to live "more than three months."  Instead, she lived three years -- and
they were quality years for most of the time.  That was about 15 years ago,
and vets probably have more knowledge now than they did then about actions
you can take.  One thing that helped enormously was regular injections of
Ringer's.  It is also important to stimulate her appetite.  I would cook
chicken by simmering pieces (including bones and skin for nutrients) for a
very long time, then put the broth in the refrigerator.  If you cooked it
long enough, the cooled broth should now congeal to a gel.  Scim off the fat
that will rise to the top.  Periodically, microwave a small enough (just
enough to liquify and warm it, *not* long enough to make it hot).  If your
cat has stopped eating, use a syringe without a needle and carefully push a
small amount into the mouth several times a day.  That would stimulate
Amber's appetite, and she would soon be back to eating normal amounts.
Ladle a small amount onto your cat's food when she starts eating again.

Also:  SEE ANOTHER VET FOR A SECOND OPINION.  Just telling you that your cat
will probably not live past Christmas is giving up without a fight and will
not help either of you.

MaryL

"Pookie" <carriepookie@aol.com> wrote in message

Mary Ann