Can I go home again while my kitty is sick?

March 21, 2012 5:09 PM

I want to visit my hometown before my mother sells the house I grew up in. Complication: ailing kitty.

My mother retired this year, is planning on selling the house she's owned since 1982, and will be moving out of state probably by the end of the year. I haven't been "home" in 8 years, and that was for three days. I would very much like to see the house once more and to spend some time in my hometown with Mr. E.

However, about a month ago my 14-year-old cat was diagnosed with kidney failure. She seems to have stabilized with prescription food, potassium supplements, and subcutaneous fluids. I know that cats can live quite a while with kidney failure. We had a follow-up appointment yesterday, and apparently she's doing pretty well, considering. Still very active and affectionate.

In the past when we've gone on trips, we've given keys to a couple of cat-loving friends and they check in every couple of days, make sure there's food/water/litter, give pets, etc. But I can't imagine asking any of our friends to take on the subQ...or coaxing little girl to eat, which is still an issue.

1) Should I give up on the hometown visit? I still feel pangs of regret over not visiting before my grandparents had to move out of the house they'd owned since the 40s or my aunt sold the home she grew up in. I'm also dealing with weird nostalgia issues after being away for almost 20 years, worrying about not visiting my aunt before she dies (she's quite healthy, mid70s), etc. On the other hand, it's just a place; I have both photos and memories. And Southern California will still be there in a year or two years or five years.

2) If I do decide I really need to go, what are my options for kitty care? I've never boarded pets before. (Extra extra complication: we have several cats. The rest are much younger and quite healthy.) What sort of things should I be looking for?

3) Are there any other questions or options I should be considering in making a decision?

I read this previous AskMe, and it's given me some food for thought, but I don't have quite the same level of urgency yet.

The combination of ailing kitty and retiring mom is making me feel really old & emotional and I'm pretty sure I'm not thinking as clearly as I could. Thanks for any advice.

posted by epersonae to grab bag (17 answers total)

Your vet should have a suggestion about boarding, if they can't do it themselves (ours does for their patients with chronic illness.)
posted by deadmessenger at 5:14 PM on March 21, 2012

Our cat lived for 4+ years after being diagnosed so unless there is some sort of acute situation with the kitty I wouldn't worry to much. How often are you giving the shots?

I would get a in home visit pet sitter OR ask friends if they would like to stay at your house for the time (we live in a city people like to visit so we often got to have people come i for free and take care of our cat when we traveled)

I would NOT board the cat as that is really stressful.

Our pet sitter did the subQ shots when we went out of town (for no extra money, it was just a thing he did as part of his visit)

Our pet sitter charged $20 a day to come visit. You could probably do cheaper or have a neighbor come for free and have the pet sitter come part time.
posted by bottlebrushtree at 5:18 PM on March 21, 2012

I would not board your sick cat if I were you. I would try, in this order:

1. your vet
2. ask friends (I had a cat in kidney failure that I kept afloat for two years, I would do this for a friend to make a trip-it is a common condition, perhaps you know someone who has been through this and knows the drill)
3. take sick kitty with you (if this can be done without completely traumatizing her)

I would not, under any circumstances, put a cat in that precarious health condition into a boarding situation. It's stressful, even for a healthy cat. And you know how fast they can go downhill in that situation. You could undo months of treatment with one week at a stressful and scary kennel. Even a good one won't have time to talk her into eating like you do.
posted by supercapitalist at 5:23 PM on March 21, 2012

my boyfriend's cats need a lot of care - insulin shots and the like - and we have a long weekend trip coming up. We have arranged for a good friend to spend the weekend at our place, and he has taught her how to do the shots and everything. I've gotten a lot of movies to watch for her and will leave lots of food and stuff so while she takes care of the kitties, she'll also be getting a nice weekend holiday too. if you have any animal loving friends, ask if they can help you out.
posted by 5_13_23_42_69_666 at 5:25 PM on March 21, 2012

This is an 'emotions' question and nobody here can answer it. In fact, even give. All the logistical alternatives everyone here provides what it will come down to is:
During this small window, is your cat more important or is this visit more important?

Once you figure that out, everything will fall into place. Its ok to want what you want right now.
posted by karathrace at 5:40 PM on March 21, 2012

'even given all' I meant.
posted by karathrace at 5:41 PM on March 21, 2012

I'm so sorry about your pets! There are many pet sitters who have experience with sick pets. You shouldn't feel bad for wanting to see the house. I regret doing that when my parents moved away.
posted by two lights above the sea at 5:52 PM on March 21, 2012

Do you know any students in a shared housing situation who would stay in your place for some privacy and who also like cats? A friend who would do this, or who could take in just sick kitty while you have someone feed the other cats a few times a week? You could try to alternate friends to go in and give her shots, but make sure they all know how it's working, or just hire a petsitter who can come in once or twice a day to feed the cats, empty the litter, and give your sick kitty the fluids.
posted by jeather at 5:54 PM on March 21, 2012

When I worked at a vet clinic, us techs would do pet sitting. Most of us were familiar with giving pills, shots, IV fluids, all that good stuff, so we'd get hired to sit for animals that needed special attention. You might see if the staff at your clinic does the same thing.
posted by PussKillian at 5:56 PM on March 21, 2012 [1 favorite]

Can you afford to hire an experienced pet sitter? The sub q fluids should be no problem for them and they'd be aware of the other signs of problems from kidney failure. You may also be able to make arrangements with your vet before you go to leave a card on file for emergencies in case kitty does get need care while you're away.
posted by oneear at 5:58 PM on March 21, 2012

My cat sitter can do things like give shots and subQ fluids as part of her regular visits, no extra charge. If you happen to be in DC, memail me for a referral! If not, start calling your vet and your pet owning friends--someone you know should be able to recommend a good sitter who can do this.
posted by min at 5:58 PM on March 21, 2012

My sister is a nanny in DC and also does pet-sitting when her families go out of town. She has been responsible for at least one cat who needed subcutaneous and/or other injections (I wasn't paying that much attention). If you happen to be in DC, and min's referrals don't work out, let me or my sister know. She can provide references.
posted by librarina at 7:23 PM on March 21, 2012

My older cat was also just diagnosed with this (still waiting to see how he responds to treatment). But in doing research, a lot of people have made suggestions like PussKillian , that vet techs often make good pet sitters.
posted by wildcrdj at 11:39 PM on March 21, 2012

Thanks, everybody. I still have to work out the timing and whatnot, but now mr. e and I are tentatively talking about going for a visit, and I appreciate the suggestions. (We're in the other Washington, or I'd definitely take those recommendations for sitters in DC.)

Once we've worked out when we might go, I'll definitely talk to our (wonderful!) vet about pet sitters. I think I've also figured out which friend I best trust to help if needed.
posted by epersonae at 6:35 AM on March 22, 2012

Our pet sitter did the subQ shots when we went out of town (for no extra money, it was just a thing he did as part of his visit)

We have done this many times. (It helps that we have a vet school in our town, so there are literally dozens of eager cat-sitters with the skills to administer sub-q fluids.)

But it seems to me you should still be able to get your vet to recommend someone (a tech or intern, etc.) who could cat-sit for you who would be able to do this. As you've probably discovered, it's not that hard to do, but someone needs to have done it before and be confident so the cat doesn't sense their hesitancy and give them a hard time.

You'll need to pay this person more money than you would someone who just changes food, water, and cleans litter -- but that's part of the joy of having cats who live long enough to wear out their kidneys (it's happened to us with every cat who lived over 16 years).

Good luck!
posted by aught at 8:16 AM on March 22, 2012

I know that cats can live quite a while with kidney failure.

If it makes you feel better, a couple of our cats lived for a number of years even after reaching the point where they needed sub-q fluids, prescription food, blood pressure meds, and appetite stimulants. Hopefully you can find a cat-sitter you like and trust who will be generally available for when you need to go out of town, since it really does suck to feel like you're trapped by circumstances.
posted by aught at 8:23 AM on March 22, 2012

Its a little late but, does Mr.E have to go with you now? Couldnt he stay home and take care of the kitty this time and the two of you can always go back together at a better time.
posted by lovelygirl at 10:28 AM on March 22, 2012