The Bear

Posted on By Wil

. . . and now The Balance to all the good news and joy that I’ve been floating in for the last few months:
My cat, Felix, who showed up in our garage about three years ago and never left, has kidney disease. We discovered it about a year ago, and he was in the very early stages of kidney failure. Our vet told us that it would significantly shorten his life, but if we gave him low-protein food and a subcutaneous IV every other day, we could slow the spread of the disease, and he’d probably be with us for another six years or so.
About a two weeks ago, Felix started acting strangely. He was more lethargic than normal, and he just didn’t want to eat (he hates the low-protein food), so we took him to the vet. She did blood work on him, and the lab said that his kidney failure is advancing much more rapidly than we thought. He could be in as much as 85% failure, and he’s in danger of developing anemia or a whole bunch of other scary diseases.
I took him back this morning, because the vet wants to keep him there with an IV for a few days, to flush out his little body. On Wednesday, we’re going to take him off the IV, and see if it’s flushed his body enough to toughen him up. Felix is a tough little guy, there’s no doubt about that. He’s so tough, we call him The Bear, because he’s feisty and affectionate . . . but if he can give you a chomp at any time, if you piss him off. You know how they say dogs have masters, but cats have staff? We are totally The Bear’s staff. He sticks around because he approves of us . . . and I like to think he loves us as much as we love him.
When I left the vet this morning, I was sobbing so violently, I had to pull over so I wasn’t a danger to myself and other drivers. I love my Felix bear so much, and I don’t want him to die. I’m not going to keep him alive with treatments if he’s suffering, just so I don’t have to say goodbye, but our vet told us that there’s a very good chance that he could bounce back after he gets out of the hospital, so I am doing my very best to focus on the positive chance for improvement, and remain hopeful.
It would mean a lot to me and my family if WWdN readers could spare a few moments and send some healing energy, or prayers, or magic monkey voodoo or whatever to The Bear while he’s trying to get better over the next few days.
Thanks. Hopefully, I’ll get back to normal blogging soon.
UPDATE: I just got back from the vet’s, where I was able to visit with The Bear for a few minutes.
He’s doing so much better, it’s a miracle. His eyes are bright, he purred like a Harley Davidson, and he had many things to say. most of them, I think, had to do with how much he doesn’t like the IV in his little paw.
I took his little fleece bed over to the vet, and she said that he can sleep in it, which is cool, because when he saw it, he jumped out of the tech’s arms and right into it. I could tell that he was happy to have something that smells like home, and his mom and dad.
Thank you, so much, to everyone who is keeping Felix in your thoughts and hearts. I know that the miracles of modern medicine have a lot to do with the improvement in his condition . . . but I also know that your thoughts are bending the space/time continuum to give him as good a chance as possible.

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Comments (315)

  3. My pup Tehanu and I send all the healing mojo we have for The Bear. It’s so hard when they’re sick. I’ll keep you and Felix in my thoughts.

  5. Good luck to Bear. I hope the vet is right. My best man’s cat was diagnosed with severe kidney failure and given a few months to live. That was seven years ago. I hope Bear can bounce back too.

  7. Wil,
    I know the feeling of losing a cat, my cat was finally put down in January from Kidney failure. It was hard to bounce back after that, the cat definately was pet, she had a way of communicating with me. So now that its been 3 months without her, I have found a replacement, and I hope she will be like my old cat with the same enthusiasm and energy.
    Just remember to hold on to the memories.
    – Bill

  9. I feel your pain…It’s never an easy place to be in with a much-loved pet. Lots of good wishes are coming Felix’s way from this fellow pet-owner who’s been there, done that, and dreading the next time it comes around again….

  11. Wil, I am so sorry to hear about Felix and his illness. I will definately send lots of healing energy his way! I’ll let my kitty, Leonardo, in on what’s going on so he can do the same.
    I feel for you. I had to have my precious Angel kitty “put to sleep” due to chronic illness that was causing much suffering. It was one of the most heart-breaking experiences of my life. I hope you don’t have to go through that.
    Warmest Wishes,
    Pati

  12. My family had an epileptic beagle that would seizure out really bad about once a week. When he was a puppy, the doc gave him a life expectancy of a three or four years. Newton ended up living to the ripe age of 13 before he faded. Just to let you know that pets have an odd way of pulling through…what do vets know…

  13. All sorts of healing monkey voodoo mojo for Felix bear, Wil. I have four cats and I can’t imagine any of them being that ill. Just the thought scares the bejeesus out of me. But being a tough cat will help Felix immeasurably. Of that I have no doubt.

  15. my mother refers to this kind of mojo as “beaming good thoughts”. whenever i have some type of stressful thing, she always offers to beam good thoughts. so i’ll try to do the same for you and felix.

  18. Wil,
    I hope “The Bear” pull’s through. I also have a cat that is like “The Bear”. One moment she’s purring away, the next she’s trying to take your hand off.
    I’ll keep everyone in my thought’s 🙂

  19. My dog Lizzy had Kidney failure last June and came to within a whisker of complete Kidney failure. She was diagnosed with Addisons Disease and has been treated successfully with prednizone. She is healthy and doing well. Good Luck and Best wished for Felix.

  20. I know what your going through Will, i had to put my cat Mog down a few years ago after he developed a tuma that was attached to his spine and he lost the use of his legs. He was pretty much the same age as me so he’s always been there it was really tough, I can’t remember when I cried so much.
    Here’s hoping Felix gets better soon.

  21. Wil,
    My cats an I send all the mojo we can spare your way. Some people would just say “Wil, why are you so upset? It’s just a cat.” But those of us who own cats (and dogs too) know that these small furry animals come to feel like part of the family. And when one is lost, we really feel the pain as if a friend has passed on. My wife happens to be a Vet, and I had her read WWDN so she could give you some advise. She said that she has seen a cat that was in 90% kidney failure bounce back and recover with proper treatment. So keep your chin up, there is hope.
    Scott

  22. Oh, that’s horrible. Hopefully all the crazy geek hoodoo from your faithful readers will do Felix some good.
    I’ll get to sending super healthy kitty monkey vibrations immediately.

  24. Hey Wil. (long time reader, first time poster). My thoughts and best wishes are with you guys. As a vet assistant, I see this happen way too frequently, and it’s always the really good cats. Thank Jeebus he has an owner who cares and is willing to treat the disease to keep him comfortable. Just a suggestion, have you tried Eukanuba Multi-Stage Renal formula as a food? We had great results with it (reduction in creat. vaules)at my hospital and the cats seem to like it a lot more than K/D. Of course, if that’s what he’s on already, sorry. 🙂 Anyway, good luck with kitty. Hope you guys have many more years together.

  28. Many prayers and good thoughts going to Felix from me and my cat.
    I know the pain of losing a pet, my oldest cat just died a few months ago, he would’ve been 19. The love from a pet is just so pure and without strings that sometimes its harder to lose an animal friend than even a person. Its less rational, I don’t know.
    Best wishes for all ya’ll 🙂

  30. My cat, Phoebe, has the same thing. She’s gotten really really bad, and then come roaring back twice. Chin up! With any luck, he’ll be good in no time!
    Phoebe does well on her prescription food, but she doesn’t like it much. But ask the vet about it, there are several varieties, and we finally found one she would eat. It’s designed to break up kidney stones, which cats even without renal problems still get pretty easily.

  34. Hey Wil,
    Another LTRFTP here. I’ve had to put some cats down so they don’t always win the war but I thought I’d pass along the most recent (happy) story:
    A few years ago my cat was tired all the time and blood work said thyroid problems, hyperthyroid condition. We were researching a new radiation iodine treatment while he was taking pills to control it (never fun to give pills to a cat). We took him off the pills and took him back for blood work to see when he could go in for treatment and his levels were fine. Took him back again weeks later and he was fine again. Chewy has been fine ever since. I don’t know what might have put him into imbalance but I’m glad he is fine now. I hope and wish Felix the Bear makes a similar ‘miraculous’ recovery.
    Harry

  35. I feel you Wil. If anything happened to my cat Spot (you should know where that name came from!), I’d be crying my eyes out.
    I am praying for Felix. I hope he will have a quick recovery.

  36. Wil,
    I’m sending those healing vibes your way. I’m sorry you guys have to go through this. Keep us updated, kay?
    Amber

  37. my little crew of 6 cats have banded together in a catpsychic metaconcert to wish you, your family and little Felix all the best, and that he is peaceful and not in pain.
    love and hugs, lori (the human) Amba, Jinx, Buddy, Fang, BC and Ren.

  39. funky monkey mojo sent at approx. 4:12 EST
    all the best man, i hope Felix bounces right back…
    whether they have 2 legs or 4, family is family.
    cheers wil
    ty

  41. Funny how they become part of the family, my dogs are almost as important to me as my kids. Hope everything turns out good with your Felix.

  42. I hope Felix gets better soon. I know how you are feeling my sister had a cat Lucky and she is very sick she has ashma and she is about 20years old and still is hang on. Doc’s say that cat should not be alive but she is and goes on day after day. SO maybe when Felix get out of the hospital he gets better and can live a little longer for you.

  43. I’m sending much mojo for Felix the Bear, I’ll also tell my cat when I get home and have her send out the word to her network of cat conspirators that one of there own needs mojo. I’m sure that the take over the world conspiracy my cat is involved in, has a few hundred conspirators that will all send mojo.
    Laps

  45. Wil — Many hugs and purrs for you and Felix. I am home with a cold today, and my cat Panda (we often call her Panda Bear) has been keeping me warm and comfy (and in my place). I hope the Bear will be home soon to keep you in line, too.
    (…monkey voodoo, monkey voodoo, monkey voodoo…)

  46. Wil,
    All of my best wishes to you and your Bear. My two monster kitties are nicknamed “Bear”, and “Monkey”, among their other nicknames like “little shit” and “evil kitty”, though better known by their real names, Commodore and Tsunami. As all of us who have cats in our lives know, they work a strange mojo on us as well. They are a wonderous creature, so strong and determined, I’m sure Felix isn’t ready to leave you or your family just yet.
    Take care!
    Heather

  47. Cody, Midnight, and I send our mojo. I’ll give them an extra treat for Bear.
    Midnight is a former stray that moved in with me last year. He’s the sweetest & most affectionate cat I’ve ever known.

  49. Me and my 5 cats are sending lots of mojo your way (well I’m sending you mojo – Bamf, Usul, Branwin, Jenny and Random are sending Felix mojo).
    I know it is heart wrenching!

  50. We had a cat named “Sam” who really did treat us as masters and not staff. Sadly he had the kidney problems too and the vet had us take him home after tests and such and gave us very little reason to believe that he would survive for long.
    We decided that if he had to go, we would at least try to get him to eat one last meal since, like most cats, he seemed to live to eat. So we gave him a can of tunafish.
    Well he wolfed it down which was an amazing sight after 2 weeks of no appetite at all. Then, even more astoundingly, he got well in a big hurry as if the tunafish had given him a reason to live!
    He lived for another year, mostly healthy and happy, before the kidneys finally went. This time, however, my wife and I were better prepared for the inevitable. We were supremely grateful that Sam had made the effort to keep living and he will certainly not be forgotten.
    Good luck with the Bear!
    Rock

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