Zuri's Story Part II: A New Diagnosis of Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD)

October 30, 2020 Sarah Johnson

First off, I want to bring recognition to two Savannah Cat Organizations and others who helped me tremendously with my sweet Zuri.

Just over six years ago, the Savannah Cat Rescue (SCR) chose me to be Zuri's new mom. Some of you know my girl, and some even donated to help her recover from a botched declaw. Deb Roberts wrote a fantastic article about Zuri in June 2020 about her journey in this magazine's inaugural issue "Savannahgans®." Zuri's story has since taken a new twist, and I'd like to share it here.

A few months ago, Zuri wasn't acting like herself. Zuri was more clingy than usual (which is crazy, considering the paperwork from the humane society during her rescue, said she'd never "be a pet" due to her aggression). I woke up to her sleeping on my chest, which was quite endearing, but I didn't realize it was because she was looking for warmth from my body heat (she had a fever).

On Thursday, September 3rd, Zuri ate her dinner as usual and spent time with me on our deck. There were no signs of anything wrong. Friday, I awoke with her curled on my chest. I fed her breakfast and left for work.

When I got home, the food remained in her bowl untouched. I dumped it out and gave her some fresh. She showed no interest in eating. Now, I was getting concerned. I watched over her that night and didn't notice any other unusual behaviors. Saturday morning, her food remained untouched, but I noticed she was drinking an excessive water amount. I knew she had to be seen by a vet, so I took her to one of her regular vet offices.

They drew some labs and came to the car (the COVID protocol) to inform me she was very sick with Kidney Disease and had lost three pounds since March. They also heard a heart murmur. They gave her an antibiotic, steroid injection, and subcutaneous (sub Q) fluids. They came back to the car a short time later to say she might also have lymphoma due to her elevated lymphocytes.

I was speechless and didn't know what questions to ask. They brought Zuri back to me, along with a few cans of "kidney diet," said to feed her that, and if she wasn't feeling better by Tuesday (it was a holiday weekend), to bring her back in.

I brought her home, and she was lifeless. I tried everything to get her to eat…tuna, boiled chicken, raw chicken, Friskies, and of course, the renal diet. She wasn't interested in anything. She'd gotten sick before, where appetite was an issue, so I gave her the rest of the appetite stimulant I had on hand and waited for it to work. It was now Sunday, and she hadn't eaten since Thursday night.

They ran more tests and confirmed the Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD), but it was much worse. They also diagnosed her with a UTI, hepatic lipidosis, anemia, possible pyelonephritis, and pancreatitis. It wasn't looking good, and on top of it, my financial situation is about as bad of shape as her health issues. I told them to begin treatment, and we went over the plan, and I could afford for her to get treatment for 24hrs. I reached out to Deb Roberts, who happens to be an R.N. and aware of all I've been through with Zuri, and asked a million questions as we reviewed all the lab work and test results I was getting back.

At the same time, I reached out to Brigitte Moyne for advice. She told me Savannah Cat Rescue would help cover Zuri's expenses to receive proper treatment. She put me in touch with Paige Dana from the Savannah Cat Care Fund (SVCCF), and the foundation also helped with some of Zuri's vet costs. Zuri stayed at the emergency vet from Sunday until Wednesday morning when they felt comfortable sending her home.

Zuri gave me a headbutt the minute I let her out of her crate. I worried she'd think I'd abandoned her, as her previous owner did. The second thing she did was go to her food bowl and start eating. It was the first time I could breathe in days, even though she wasn't out of the woods just yet.

I took her to her other vet--I'll never go back to the one I took her to that Saturday as they never addressed her lack of appetite and never recommended being an inpatient due to her kidneys' severity--I'm so disappointed in their care. She was down yet another pound, and her labs hadn't improved much from the emergency vet. The emergency vet had placed a feeding tube and sent her home with special food, which felt like a million medications and fluids to be given Sub Q every day. She still wasn't bouncing back, so her vet changed a few medicines, continued the tube feedings and the sub Q fluids, and wanted to see her back in a week.

Then, I finally got some good news, in addition to Zuri "acting" more like herself. Zuri's labs showed an improvement, and she'd gained a smidge of weight. I can't thank Brigitte Moyne with SVR, Paige Dana with SVCCF, and Deb Roberts with Savannahgans® enough for stepping in to help save Zuri's life. Without them and their support, I wouldn't have been able to do it. I'd given every dime I had to get her into the hospital. Maintaining her appointments regularly and keeping up with her medications and food costs has been a struggle, but I can't think of a companion more worth the price.

Once she's stable, and I'm financially "okay again," I'll donate to these great organizations who first brought Zuri into my life and then helped save her life yet again. Thank you for taking the time to read Zuri's story--again! Please take the time to read more about her in the first edition of Savannahgan's® Magazine and consider donating to these amazing Savannah organizations.

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