Topic: Bilbo is very poorly- He's gone (Read 44586 times)

Liz · « **Reply #64 on:** September 16, 2009, 14:54:14 PM »

I do so like the vets bills and the repeat how much!

Glad that you are both less stressed - seems to me like two of your boys are coming out in sympathy with each other but hopefully both their tubes will do the putting on weight business and take away some of Mummy's stress - Daddies will be high for a couple of days with the vets bills if he is anything like Robin - I think they have a strop then see the cat and think oh well beans on toast when I am at home - good food back at work!

Lottie (Team Svartalfheim's) · « **Reply #63 on:** September 16, 2009, 14:35:07 PM »

Bilbo and I are finding the tube feeding much less stressful than me force feeding him with a syringe as he comes and snuggles up on my lap whilst I pop his food and water down it every 2-3 hours. The RC convalescence instant support food smells like a cross between RC kitten milk and Horlicks!

He has also had some blood taken for a specialist pancreas test so hopefully we should have the results of that by early next week. They are now also mentioning about the idea of doing an exploratory laparotomy if nothing shows up on his recent blood tests just in case they can see something then that an xray isn't showing.

At least being able to get plenty of food and water down him with his tube means that he'll be nice and hydrated which will no doubt make him feel a bit better and getting lots of food in him will hopefully stop him losing any more weight (and ideally put some on him!)
After seeing yesterday's vet bill I am convinced that the painkillers from the vet were for me as I nearly went

when the receptionist said £300 just for yesterday, I had to get her to repeat it as I thought I had surely misheard but no!!

The naughty monkey has managed to sneeze the glue off his tube (luckily it's also stitched to his head) so need to keep an eye on it and if it comes out even more then I'll need to poke it back in again and take him back to the vet to get it reglued. He was doing some spectacular sneezing last night as his nose isn't used to a tube and it was irritating it bless his heart. He's being a very good boy and not bothered by his doggy lampshade (a cat sized one on him is hilarious to see) which shows how poorly he's feeling as you know what cats are usually like with lampshades.

Desley (booktigger) · « **Reply #62 on:** September 16, 2009, 08:21:38 AM »

Fingers crossed the tests show something easily treated

Gill (sneakiefeline) · « **Reply #61 on:** September 15, 2009, 21:39:13 PM »

Do hope that something positive can be found so he can be treated for it, these mysteries are heartbreaking. Lots of love to Bilbo

Gillian Harvey · « **Reply #60 on:** September 15, 2009, 21:35:52 PM »

Oh Lottie, what a worry, hoping for a breakthrough very soon for Bilbo

Janeyk · « **Reply #59 on:** September 15, 2009, 17:36:25 PM »

Lots of love and get well wishes for Bilbo

clarenmax · « **Reply #58 on:** September 15, 2009, 17:26:07 PM »

Awww, come on Bilbo

Sending tons more positive vibes your way Lottie

hannah (weeny) · « **Reply #57 on:** September 15, 2009, 17:21:21 PM »

come on bilbs

sheryl · « **Reply #56 on:** September 15, 2009, 17:05:37 PM »

Sending more love, huggles and positive vibes for Bilbo and big

for you Lottie xxx

Liz · « **Reply #55 on:** September 15, 2009, 16:27:32 PM »

Lottie so sorry the boy is causing his Mummy so much anguish

Any chance of a referral to Glasgow or getting a "Cat" Specialist to see him - our vets do have a cat person who only does cats on a visiting basis might be worth a call

PM me if you want to contact my vet for the Specialists name - 2 of ours have seen them!

Mark · « **Reply #54 on:** September 15, 2009, 14:55:28 PM »

All good wishes coming your and Bilbo's way

Give him a gentle

for me

Bazsmum · « **Reply #53 on:** September 15, 2009, 14:51:56 PM »

Oh Lottie, your getting it all angles at the mo and I really feel for you hun, yes the weight loss is a worry but as you say he has everything he needs...Im so hurrying along them test results for you.....I do hope they will be okay for gorgeous Bilbo!

Love and best wishes to you all!

Dawn F · « **Reply #52 on:** September 15, 2009, 14:51:07 PM »

poor bilbo and poor you, I hope they can come up with something soon

Lottie (Team Svartalfheim's) · « **Reply #51 on:** September 15, 2009, 14:48:46 PM »

Well where do I start, he has been back on a drip since yesterday and now today he had a tube fitted for feeding him. He's lost even more weight and has now lost around ~36% of his body weight despite getting at least 1 tin a day of a/d into him. It's terrifying how fast the weight is coming off him. He had a really wobbly turn yesterday that frightened the life out of me but the vets have said to keep a v close eye on that as it might just be it was because he was dehydrated but it might be something more sinister starting to affect his CNS.

He has apparently licked a bit of food today but it's very occasional licks and it's a huge effort for him to do it but it's a positive step at least. He's had more bloods taken today to review him and to check his pancreas. His Glasgow bloods were ok but showed that something is starting to damage his red cells.

The vet is giving him more covering antibiotics and also painkillers in case he's in any pain as she said whilst he doesn't seem in any pain he's such an angel he might just not be showing it. He's been an absolute sweetheart as always for the vets today

The vets are doing their very best to try and find something treatable wrong with him although they have told me that treatable options are fast running out (diffuse tumours have now been mentioned to me by both vets)

The vets and I are doing absolutely everything we can to help him so it's really just a case of waiting and seeing if anything else shows up on blood tests and taking each day as it comes.

Thanks so much for all the good vibes that are being sent his way, I have been passing the love onto him and I am sure he appreciates it as much as I do.

Zenith (Liz) · « **Reply #50 on:** September 13, 2009, 16:15:52 PM »

Come on Bilbo get better soon, your my Nova's role model

Gill (sneakiefeline) · « **Reply #49 on:** September 13, 2009, 00:21:29 AM »

Franta was given valium to get him to eat last year after he stopped following a dental but although he would gobble the food a short time after the valium it did not change things. We never did find out why he stopped eating and lost weight but now he just does what he used to which is mostly jelly licking and biscuits and he is back to his old weight.

He became very ill in February have seizures but a powful anti biotics sorted that or so I though cos he was ill the same again in July.

The weight loss so quickly is such a worry and surely him not eating would not cause so much to go in such a short time.......or could it?

Sending more good wishes for Bilbo and do hope the results come back quickly

Yvonne · « **Reply #48 on:** September 12, 2009, 23:15:19 PM »

Get well vibes coming from here

Bazsmum · « **Reply #47 on:** September 12, 2009, 21:35:12 PM »

The weight loss is really scary.....C'mon big man were all rooting for you!

Millys Mum · « **Reply #46 on:** September 12, 2009, 21:29:45 PM »

I can also vouch for a peg tube, its what kept Milly alive whilst diagnosing her, sadly i lost her to liver cancer to which no end of tube feeds would have stopped but i do feel her tube helped.
She had hers fitted when she had a biopsy so initally she was kept in with a nasal tube, this was ok til she worked out how to shift it and re applying was stressing her

I hope they can work out what is up with him soon, its so worrying when they get so ill so quick at a young age

LilyandGary · « **Reply #45 on:** September 12, 2009, 21:25:22 PM »

No probs.

How it started was that Greebo took himself off for the day, which was unusual. I took him to the vet the next morning as he still wasn`t "right" and they kept him in for X-rays which showed nothing. He wasnt eating so they kept him overnight, and then next evening he showed signs of sensitivity to light and other stuff. They monitored him overnight, and then ran blood tests the next day for various things. At this point he was being tube fed via nasal tube but when the results came back they felt that the peg tube, which goes directly into the tummy, was the best option as it can stay in for a long time. He was only 3 and we felt worth trying.

I have done peg-tube feeding at work, and was able to do it at home with him every 3 hours or so at first. My vet felt that it was better for him to come home. However lots of people wouldnt have had the time to do it, esp if they work full time. He came to work with me and sat in a crate in the boss`s office which was how I could manage it.

His case was very rare, and he was lucky to be in the vets already when he developed the signs.

I have also had another cat who wasnt eating due to illness. My vet gave me some valium to stimulate him, and he only needed the one dose before he started to eat.

Lottie (Team Svartalfheim's) · « **Reply #44 on:** September 12, 2009, 21:12:45 PM »

Thanks for that! I'll suggest tube feeding to my vet (getting rather used to tube feeding in this house

) and I'll also suggest meningitis as a possible cause for the weight loss as well and get them to check for it. Bilbo has now lost ~30% of his body weight despite me syringe feeding him so tube feeding might be the way to go as he can't carry on like this.

Pleased to hear your cat made a full recovery due to your fab care, well done!

LilyandGary · « **Reply #43 on:** September 12, 2009, 21:02:57 PM »

I hope Bilbo starts to pick up soon. It`s so worrying when they wont eat.

A few years ago, one of my cats suddenly stopped eating. This happened almost overnight and he lost 25% of his body weight in 4 days. My vet did all sorts of tests and they found out he had viral meningitus. He was fitted with a peg feeding tube as they thought he would need to be tube fed for up to 6 weeks until he recovered from the illness. This meant an op, but the tube stayed in and didnt need changing at all. He was a very nervous cat who always picked up when I visited him at the vets each evening, so I was able to bring him home to feed with something called "reanimate" (I think). I had to offer him small meals first, and then tube feed him after. I had to give him enough liquid food to keep his weight stable without filling him up too much. This way they hoped he would start taking a small amount of his nomal food. He was on steroids for the meningitus, which I also gave to him via the peg tube.

He went back every day to the vet to have his dressing changed and be weighed. After 2 days at home he had started to eat and so I reduced the amount of liquid feed. He did so well he put on 150g weight in 4 days! The tube stayed in for about 9 days just in case.

He made a full recovery much to the surprise of my vet. They felt that coming home to his mummy did him the power of good and he relaxed more so was able to eat. I had him a few more years without any troubles.

I hope that Bilbo is feeling so much better for being in familar surroundings. Thinking of you all.

sheryl · « **Reply #42 on:** September 12, 2009, 19:45:40 PM »

Sending more love, huggles and positive vibes - come on Bilbo have a drink and something to eat for your Mummy xxx

Keeping everything crossed Lottie that you get some answers on Monday xxx

Lottie (Team Svartalfheim's) · « **Reply #41 on:** September 12, 2009, 15:31:12 PM »

The vet is hoping the results from Glasgow will be back Monday/Tuesday so we'll see if Glasgow find anything the vet didn't. He's been taken off the drip although the new vet said not to panic if he stops drinking as he is nicely hydrated from the drip. Apparently at the vets yesterday he started refusing to drink and he hasn't drunk anything today since coming off the drip late morning. He's also lost more weight since yesterday. So basically between now and his appt Monday evening theres nothing we can do other than just keep syringing watered down a/d into him and keeping our fingers crossed that he doesn't lose any/much more weight.

Desley (booktigger) · « **Reply #40 on:** September 12, 2009, 09:57:16 AM »

Fingers crossed for him

nicter · « **Reply #39 on:** September 11, 2009, 23:33:11 PM »

Do hope the vets identify the problem and Bilbo is soon on the road to recovery

Janeyk · « **Reply #38 on:** September 11, 2009, 22:55:45 PM »

Poor Bilbo, hope he's is much better soon xx

Liz · « **Reply #37 on:** September 11, 2009, 22:21:41 PM »

I hope he starts to get better soon don't your boys like to worry you - Findlay looks great in the photo's on the other thread and I'm sure Bilbo will feel happier at home and of course he gets to guard his brother to - a lot for one boy to do

Gillian Harvey · « **Reply #36 on:** September 11, 2009, 22:21:00 PM »

Quote from: Lottie (Team Svartalfheim's) on September 11, 2009, 21:53:39 PM

He's home now on his drip but whilst he'll happily have a cuddle he's just not right in himself and not as happy as normal. He's got a really sad expression on his face and in his eyes and he's being very quiet and not complaining at all about being in a cage he just curls up and goes to sleep. He's just not 'Bilbo' if you know what I mean.

Aww, bless him

- don't forget though, he's had a general so he's bound to be a bit subdued. Hope the vets can find out whats wrong.

Gill (sneakiefeline) · « **Reply #35 on:** September 11, 2009, 22:00:18 PM »

Poor Bilbo and I do hope the tests show what the problem is. Sending lots of get well vibes to Bibo, must be such a worry

Lottie (Team Svartalfheim's) · « **Reply #34 on:** September 11, 2009, 21:53:39 PM »

Vet has said he'll need to go on a special diet when he's better for his bladder crystals but the crystals would not cause him to be as poorly as he is. All bloods so far are fine, xray showed nothing, urine was fine other than crystals so no infection so the vets are stumped by the not eating and weight loss and hopefully the tests that have been sent off will come back quickly and show something that they can then start treating.

He's home now on his drip but whilst he'll happily have a cuddle he's just not right in himself and not as happy as normal. He's got a really sad expression on his face and in his eyes and he's being very quiet and not complaining at all about being in a cage he just curls up and goes to sleep. He's just not 'Bilbo' if you know what I mean.

Liz · « **Reply #33 on:** September 11, 2009, 14:18:13 PM »

So glad that Bilbo is getting home to the "hospital" ward and will be sharing with his brother Findlay

Lets hope that they have a food eating contest and that the weigh in for both goes well

We need piccies of your boys once Bilbo and Findlay are bedded down with their respective tubes

Lottie (Team Svartalfheim's) · « **Reply #32 on:** September 11, 2009, 14:15:17 PM »

No he doesn't go to shows anymore Sheryl (it's my stud boy Pinball that does) and I always isolate after a show for that very reason so if they do get something they don't spread it round everyone else.

Bazsmum · « **Reply #31 on:** September 11, 2009, 13:46:40 PM »

So glad that Bilbo is allowed home...What a time for you at the mo Lottie....My thoughts are with you all!

sheryl · « **Reply #30 on:** September 11, 2009, 13:24:11 PM »

Im glad that he can come home - bless him xxx sending lots of love, huggles and healing vibes xxx

Is it Bilbo that you show Lottie? Im just wondering if he could have picked up a virus or bug at the last show. Teeko was really poorly after a show last year and it turned out that quite a few cats were off colour after this particular show?

Lottie (Team Svartalfheim's) · « **Reply #29 on:** September 11, 2009, 12:44:55 PM »

WOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO he's being allowed to come home to the 'medical ward'!!!

The vet said because her and her husband are both off tomorrow he would have been there overnight on his own tonight but if one or both of them had been working tomororw they'd have taken him home for the night so he wasn't lonely! Honestly I have never met such lovely vets as mine.

Lottie (Team Svartalfheim's) · « **Reply #28 on:** September 11, 2009, 12:36:05 PM »

Bridge Vets on Ellon Road.

He'd have to share a room with Findlay tonight if they will let him come home

Ah well Findlay's drip stand has 2 hooks on it so we've got a hook spare for Bilbo's drip! Just off to phone and plead Bilbo's case

Liz · « **Reply #27 on:** September 11, 2009, 12:26:57 PM »

I don't think so - we usually leave the nice ones and have brought home the nasty feral impalers!

Lottie where is your vet?

I would have a chat with the vet and see what they say - Afetrall Findlay has his tube so Bilbo's drip will be no challange for you

Me thinks the boys are getting more alike

Lottie (Team Svartalfheim's) · « **Reply #26 on:** September 11, 2009, 12:23:17 PM »

Our vets rotate which vet surgery is on call so it could be one of 4 surgeries scattered around Aberdeen. TBH I didn't even know that the oncall vets popped round all the surgeries to do evening checks!

Is there any medical reason a cat can't come home overnight on a drip if caged away from the others (so they don't 'help') remove his drip?

Tiggy's Mum · « **Reply #25 on:** September 11, 2009, 12:19:06 PM »

Poor Bilbo and poor you

Sending him

vibes and a

your way

Author Topic: Bilbo is very poorly- He's gone (Read 44586 times)