When you have to be a nurse, not just being a fur-mommy...

     

With a long lifespan comes complications that are a normal part of life. Things break down. For some, things break more than for others. This is true for people just as much as it is for cats. A dislocated hip, pancreatitis, dental disease, kidney disease, arthritis, basal cell cancer, anemia, ataxia... etc... 

For Mr. Mau with CKD, one of the things that has eased the complications and given him resilience is our giving him subcutaneous fluids 100 mL every other days. He hates the needles but he's a good kitty and he knew that I am helping him. 

     Fluid therapy is one of the most common medical treatments cats receive. The purposes of fluid therapy are to increase blood volume (dehydration or hypovolemia), change the content of the blood (such as electrolyte, metabolic and acid disorders), change the distribution, increase excretion. The body keeps water levels in check by homeostasis. If there is an excess of water, the kidneys flush it out of the body via the urine, if there is too little water in the body, the kidneys concentrate the urine and the brain sends a signal to drink more water.

Subcutaneously

This involves lifting a tent of loose skin at the back of the neck and injecting the fluid into the area. It may be necessary for pet owners to give a cat subcutaneous fluids at home. A lump of fluid may occur after administration, but this will gradually spread throughout the body. If your veterinarian has recommended giving your cat subcutaneous fluids at
home, he or a veterinary nurse will demonstrate how to safely do this.

My heart hurts for all of you going through this. Hang in there...

Somewhere over the Rainbow... Honor for a CKD kitty Roscoe

After Mr. Mau was diagnosed with Chronic Kidney Disease, I've joined a group here on Facebook called: I Have a Cat with Kidney Disease and Feline Chronic Kidney Disease. Sure, I was and still learning a lot from people who are dealing with the same condition with their loving kitties.

Not long ago a handsome orange cat called Roscoe just crossed the Rainbow Bridge and his momma was offering some special K/D food for the cats in this group. Since Mr. Mau became so picky eater, I sent her a message, that I would more then be happy to take Roscoe's donation and give it a try with Mr. Mau. Special renal food for cats are very expensive and our vet gave Mau a few samples. Much our delight, he loved them.

Shortly after Roscoe crossed the Bridge, two packages and a very thoughtful card arrived from Roscoe's mommy. I would like to share this kindness and generosity to honor to this sweet elder gentleman, Roscoe.

Rosegate is Small with Big Heart

It has been three years (est.2018) that Rosegate has opened their door for dogs and cats officially on paper but we have done this work humbly for decades previously. We always have had animals in our life and will continue to do as long as we are able to care for them. Many of you may be wondering why we are so different. Why do we not adopt out our animals that have wandered into our lives, into our home and into our hearts? Or even why we don't have events or attempt huge fundraisers? Why do we seem to have a small family of animals?... Well, they are here for good that's why. They are now family. They are not products to be bought and sold or barred away with price tags.

In all humility, we did have a different dream. We are living in a small farm house but had hopes of expanding Rosegate and providing more space for the wayward animals. Circumstances have not allowed that path to be taken. So we are providing a quality of life for those we can over quantity of animals than anything else.

Rosegate decided not to reach out to the local community, since it is a very personal environment. The peaceful home life is what we have been able to give to these fortunate few. I don't have a big mouth to beg people for donation and I am an introvert who prefers calm environment, limit social engagements and enbracing a greater than average solitude and would love to keep it that way. We do have loyal supporters nearly all in the US states and Internationally. You are all matters and we are so greatful that you are value our work. I also very happy that I am able to make some arts and crafts and they are all proceeds to Rosegate Furever Home. I could of have an expensive vacation(s) by now, but I chose to care for the animals that needed us. Dealing with some health issues and loss of pets are not easy and always expensive, but something is making me to keep going... In the progress, I do learning a lot, like recently with Mr. Mau learn how to give a Subcutaneous Fluids daily or every other days, giving B12 shots and making sure to provide a special kidney diet to keep the progress slowing down and keep him happy and comfortable. Learned to reducing dry food to all the cats now and giving them more wet foods instead. With Tommy, I had to learn alot about the Squamous Cell Carcinoma, with GiGi I had to learn about Lyme disease, with Rosie I learned alot about Vestibular disease. Queen Cecilia was the luckiest cat so far, she was just slipped away in her dream with a minimal discomfort in the last few days of her life. There's something special about Rosegate Furever Home... and that makes us being different and valuable. To those kind souls who have become our friends of furry critter, thank you and please stay. We will continue to update the situation and keep the purr love flowing.