My Ernie, Again

Ernie has a doctor's appointment today.  Hopefully we won't sleep through that one, too.  We've been giving Ernie fluid injections under her skin since July, but found out that at least since last week she's been hiding behind the kitchen table and pushing that fluid back out.  We inject it between her shoulder blades.  Apparently, she figured out a way to arch her back to cause the fluid to shoot back out through the needle puncture.  I found the first puddle last Tuesday, but we thought it was because someone over watered a house plant in the same area.  Then I found puddles the next day, and the day after that, and I developed the theory that Ernie was somehow causing it.  The fluid is clear with no noticeable scent so I was pretty sure it was her injections, and sure enough:  I followed her after the injection on Sunday and caught her in the act. The vet said that Ernie's kidneys are getting weak and without the twice daily fluid she will live for maybe a month. They are going to check some things and see what, if anything, can be done to help her.  It's not looking very promising but I'm trying to be optimistic.  All I know is, if they tell me Ernie is suffering, I will let her go.

UPDATE:
Ernie's appointment went better than I expected, if you can consider her devil cat attitude - biting, hissing, growling, peeing on the vet - a good sign,  I do, as when she's quiet at the vet it means she is very sick.  The vet ran some blood tests and will have results on Friday.  She was very nice but seemed skeptical about Ernie deliberately purging her fluid.  I know I must sound crazy but I watched her do it.  She paced around til she found her spot and assumed a position with her back arched that she does not normally get into. I'm tempted to try to video it, to show the vet.

The theory is that because Ernie has lost weight, she does not have the fatty tissue required to absorb the injected fluid.  It's likely that she has an overactive thyroid gland, which is treatable and is causing her to lose weight even thought she eats like a hormonal teenager.  So if that is the case, she could get better, somewhat.  She's still going to be 22 years old with dodgy kidneys and, apparently, some arthritis and some continuing issues with mild constipation. Her fighting today tells me that she is not ready to say good-bye just yet.