Cuddles update as of 245pm CST

[JMCKUSICK]

Last edited Mon Jul 13, 2026, 03:48 PM - Edit history (1)

I just got off the phone with the vet and it's not looking good.

He has highly elevated kidney numbers, high potassium, no blockages shown in X-rays.

She also said that he is very dehydrated, and that may, may explain the kidney numbers. So they're going to start an IV and give him fluids, and we'll see this afternoon if things improve.

I really don't want to lose my Buddy.

Update

No improvement since this morning. I kinda know how this is gonna end, and I'll never forgive myself for letting them talk me into Cosequin instead of further tests a couple of weeks ago when I first noticed the peeing problems.

Not blaming them, just upset at not trusting my gut that this was more serious.

[catrose]

1. Thoughts are with you & Cuddles

[JMCKUSICK]

4. Thank you Catrose

[question everything]

2. Poor Cuddles. Hoping for the best

[JMCKUSICK]

3. Thank you Question everything

[Attilatheblond]

5. Strenth and healing to Cuddles

Kindness to JMCKUSICK

[JMCKUSICK]

7. Thank you Atillatheblond,

I love your name lol

[Attilatheblond]

11. Nickname a dear friend gave me decades ago

He was one of the few who believed in my 'potential'

[EverHopeful]

6. Healing Thoughts and hopes for you

Don't know if this would be related but my Gracie lived to be 20 1/4 years and towards the end we were doing sub-cutaneous fluids because of hydration issues. Initially doubted I could handle it but it turned out to be easily manageable.

Gracie was such a good girl that she didn't hide or fight when she knew it was time. I always hoped it was at least partly because it made her feel better (of course it could have just been because she was never anything but the best girl).

[JMCKUSICK]

9. Well, Cuddles is almost four, so he has that to his advantage.

I haven't been putting water out for him outside this summer because he comes in several times a night to eat etc....like 7pm, 10 pm, midnight and then five am for the day.

[SheltieLover]

29. Once he is recovered, can you keep him indoors for safety?

[JMCKUSICK]

32. He's been an outsider all his life,

He got hit by a car right before my surgery, and miraculously lived with barely a scratch.

From that day forth, we keep him out during the daylight hours for the most part, as the brightness of the daylight limits their eyesight. That has worked well, as we haven't had any scares other than his wound from a few weeks ago.

All that to say that I think he enjoys his night's out too much to lock him in. He belongs out there in a weird way.

[SheltieLover]

33. Sounds like that works well for him

Is he at the vet being hydrated?

[JMCKUSICK]

34. Yes, they're keeping him overnight.

[niyad]

8. Oh, my dear friend, vibes that the hydartion thing may be the answer.

Holding best thoughts for you and your precious boy.

[JMCKUSICK]

10. Thank you Niyad,. from your lips to Gods ear

[sinkingfeeling]

12. Please have him checked for Bobcat fever. It took my sweet

Mellow's life in 7 days, back in 2019.

[SheltieLover]

28. I've never heard of Bobcat Disease. Is it regional?

Going to research.

[sinkingfeeling]

35. Don't think it is. Carried by ticks and without almost immediate treatment will kill a domestic cat within days. Mellie

stopped eating and drinking. Vet gave him steroid shot that seemed to work for a day. By next vet appointment he'd lost 2 pounds and they ran blood work. Over the weekend, he became extremely listless and I took him to ER. They said he was in kidney failure, had high fever, and organs were shutting down. I let him go to avoid more suffering. All within 7 days of him ignoring dinner. Broke my heart.

[SheltieLover]

36. Damned ticks! 🤬

Ty for sharing about this dreaded disease!

My kid & 3 dogs had lyme, babesiosis, & ehrlichiosis 26 yrs ago. 1 dog died, the other 2 were trearted with imizol, a cattle anti-parasitic approved for that use in the late 90s.

Kid has been cured for 26 yrs. (Cured is not normally used in relation to lyme & coinfections, but the non-traditional treatment has cured the disease )

Deepest condolences on your loss of Mellie. Healing vibes on the way to your heart. 💞

[JMCKUSICK]

41. I'm so sorry Sinkingfeeling, you are describing what I'm going through almost to a tee. I called the vet after reading t

asking them to check for any ticks.

[Diamond_Dog]

13. Keeping good thoughts for both you and Cuddles today.

It’s so hard when they are ailing. Been there.

[JMCKUSICK]

18. Thank you Diamond_Dog,

I know so many of you have, there's comfort in that knowledge.

[debm55]

14. Oh John, I will continue to keep Cuddles and you in my prayers.

[JMCKUSICK]

19. Thank you Debbie I'm so very grateful to you.

[SheltieLover]

15. I sure hope the fluids set him right, John

Continued healing vibes to your little sweetie!

[JMCKUSICK]

20. Thank you SheltieLover, I just hope

He's too young for bad kidney problems.

[SheltieLover]

25. I really hope this is just a temp bump in the road for him.

[JMCKUSICK]

30. Thank you SheltieLover, me too.

As I wrote to another poster, he's been there with me through so much, through my heart surgery and the months of daily walks before it, he's witnessed my most vulnerable moments, my worst fears, my biggest angst, and through it all, he, even though he is technically Toby's cat, he's not missed a single day of coming to cuddle with me after coming in in the morning, to telling me every day in no uncertain terms that it's time to go out.
He's only ever sat on my lap during our walks to the pond or cemetery, I think us both knowing how special they were.
I've been given so much grace in these last few years, from you all and from him, I almost feel like I'm asking too much, but I feel like we have so many walks, talks and special moments ahead, moments filled with depth and joy for both of us.

[MustLoveBeagles]

16. Sending healing vibes to Cuddles

Sending you a hug 🤗

[JMCKUSICK]

21. Thank you for both MustLoveBeagles.

[Polly Hennessey]

17. Let's hope the hydration helps. Four years old seems

young for kidney problems. Once he recovers put him on a prescribed renal diet. Millie is twenty years old and is on the cusp of renal problems. We are keeping her on Royal Canin food, prescribed, and always lots of available water. If he gets through this he should be ok. We love them so much, don’t we.

[JMCKUSICK]

23. Oh very much yes we do, and as I start bawling,

Because he was my personal daily companion to the cemetery every day through my own heart surgery and beyond.

I've had several cats in my life, and have bonded with each one, but nothing like Cuddles, I swear he held my hand through my very worst trials and tribulations these last three years. I lost his sister Snuggles May fifth 2024, and that was a heart break that was indescribable, I don't think I'm ready for the pain of losing Cuddles.

[SheltieLover]

27. ...

[JMCKUSICK]

42. Thank you SheltieLover.

[NEOH]

22. Sending Love and Healing Vibes Cuddles' Way.

❤️😻😻❤️

[JMCKUSICK]

24. Thank you NEOH, I really appreciate that.

[irisblue]

26. All the best for you & cuddles.

[JMCKUSICK]

31. Thank you Irisblue

[MIButterfly]

37. Dear John, I'm hoping for the best possible outcome

for Cuddles and for you. I sincerely hope this treatment works well and Cuddles gets back to his normal kitty self. I know how much it hurts to see him like this. The pain and worry are off the charts.

I will keep a good thought for Cuddles and for you. Please keep us posted and remember that your DU family is always here for you.

[JMCKUSICK]

43. Thank you MIButterfly, Of course I will.

[3catwoman3]

38. Adding my wishes/hopes for some favorable news from your vet.

I often find myself not particularly ly thinking of my cats as cats, but rather just other members of the family. Species doesn’t matter when you love someone.

[JMCKUSICK]

44. Absolutely 3Catwoman3,

He's my baby, my friend, my companion and yes, a perfect member of my clan lol.

[Figarosmom]

39. No blockage is good.

Mix water into his food. Cuddles will be okay. I'm sure of it. Just watch and make sure he gets enough fluids one way or another. Sending vibes.

[JMCKUSICK]

45. He'll be at the Vet overnight, so I'll know much more by morning.

[niyad]

40. Oh, John, I am so very sorry to hear this. Continuing vibes that there may

yet be a miracle. Know that we are all here for you and Cuddles..

[JMCKUSICK]

46. And I surely believe in miracles Niyad, as you surely know by now.