Topic: Vibes needed please - all 3 poorly - RIP Sam :( (Read 63342 times)

Desley (booktigger) · « **Reply #94 on:** January 10, 2010, 20:14:35 PM »

It is, and I have got a second tablet down her tonight - she stops as soon as she has got to the tablet, but as long as she continues to stop after, and not before, i will be happy. I might give her Primula on the two days off just so she gets a bit of a treat. I have increased his dry with his weight loss, but it might just be the heating - he is the only cat that goes out!!

I was pleased to hear he was doing fine, and Ellie is still so much happier without him - she is more vocal though.

Bazsmum · « **Reply #93 on:** January 10, 2010, 17:47:21 PM »

So glad to hear she is enjoying the renal food, that is one weight off!

Sam bless, hope he gets some more weight on, is he eating much dry to make him drink more, or maybe the heating is affecting him?

Glad to hear that Arthur is doing well back in rescue bless!

Desley (booktigger) · « **Reply #92 on:** January 10, 2010, 11:22:35 AM »

Thanks guys, I am quite amazed actually - I have been putting down more of the renal food than I would have if she was on normal food (as she used to share Molly's pouch, Molly now gets more food), and impressed at how much of it she is eating, to say she only ate dry food before coming here. I am picking up a bag of renal food from the vets tomorrow, didn't want to rely on Royal Mail again, it has been dodgy this week. If she is eating more in general, that might help her a bit, as the vet says when they lose weight and muscle, it does make arthritis worse - she lost weight on Senior food, but not sure how renal food compares in calories.

Janeyk · « **Reply #91 on:** January 10, 2010, 11:09:22 AM »

Really good to hear that Zi is happy with the renal food and I hope that this treatment helps her.

Good luck with Sam's weight and glad Arthur is ok, it would be lovely if he soon gets a nice home.

clarenmax · « **Reply #90 on:** January 10, 2010, 11:05:56 AM »

Glad Zi likes the renal food. Max always preferred the dry, so we went for ordinary senior wet food with the phospherous binder, which kept him going fine for ages as he never had Fortekor either

Desley (booktigger) · « **Reply #89 on:** January 10, 2010, 10:53:06 AM »

Thanks everyone - luckily Zi likes the renal food, although she is a big fan of dry and thinks the renal dry is great, so I have noticed she has drunk more this weekend (I had just got them on Tesco supermeat, which she ate more than any other wet I have used!!) - the vet wanted me to put the binders on the renal wet, but think I will see how we get on with just the renal food. Novartis have come back to the vet about Onsior, while it isn't licenced, they do allow people to try a 6 on/2 off cycle, so we are giving it a go - the tablets are very small, so tricked her like I do with Sam - will need shares in Primula at this rate though!! The only problem is you have to give 48 hours between Metacam and Onsior, so she really struggled walking yesterday - she does seem a bit better today, so will see how she gets on with Onsior - they also cant guarantee it wont affect her kidneys as she already has issues, but worth a go, especially if she continues to not notice it in cheese, it means it is a bit less stressful for her.

Sam is still looking thin, so have had to give him some cat milk, and he is drinking more water, so hope there is nothing too serious there.

Arthur is doing fine at the rescue, he isn't picking on any cats there!!

bonnielass · « **Reply #88 on:** January 06, 2010, 20:58:15 PM »

Im so sorry to hear that Zia is not doing well, hope she stabalises and you get to have some quality time with her

Kirst · « **Reply #87 on:** January 06, 2010, 18:01:58 PM »

Sending lots of good vibes for Zia xx

pappilon · « **Reply #86 on:** January 06, 2010, 17:49:51 PM »

Desley, i am thinking of you and Zia.

Sending her good vibes .x

Mark · « **Reply #85 on:** January 06, 2010, 16:42:13 PM »

Sorry Des - Clapton has been doing fine on Ipakitine as he rarely touches his renal food. The bonus is that regular food is a lot cheaper and they get to enjoy eating it. It is only about £12 for a 150gram pot from VetUK (1g measure per meal so lasts ages)

Bazsmum · « **Reply #84 on:** January 06, 2010, 16:28:06 PM »

Aw! So sorry to hear this, Des did have her doubts about her.....I know that whatever the outcome Des will do best by Zi!

Hope she manages the special diet and has some quality time left!

Janeyk · « **Reply #83 on:** January 06, 2010, 16:22:10 PM »

Desley asked me post an update on Zi because she's not sure when she'll got on the pc:

Her bloods have come back, and her kidneys are failing - vet described it as renal insufficiency - her urea is 15.5 (was 12.6 in Apr), and her creatnine is 193 (that was fine in Apr) - top end of the scale is 177, so not overly high. The problem with her is controlling her arthritis, gingivitis and heart murmer while helping her kidneys - apparently she can't have Fortekor while on Metacam as the two together make the kidneys worse, I can't take her off/reduce her Metacam as she wasn't eating much on the lower dose, so obv in some discomfort. The vet is waiting to hear back about Onsior (sp?) long term - it is a tablet NSAID that is supposed to be kinder on the kidneys, but only licenced for 6 days use. However, whether I can get a tablet down her is a different matter, she is hating me again at the moment for medicating her. At the moment, we are trying renal food, and possibly Ipatkine (sp?) - I am not going to pick that up until I know she will eat the renal food though - her phosphorus is fine at the moment. Vet said that it is more just making her decline comfortable, and she is nearly 20, so I am going for quality, and if she wont eat renal food, I am not going to stress about it, as not eating will make her liver and kidneys worse.

Desley (booktigger) · « **Reply #82 on:** December 31, 2009, 09:08:24 AM »

it does, I still cant get over the change in Ellie, must get her on CatChat this week. Zia even came down a few of the stairs last night too, and Sam has been slightly less clingy (just sitting on me rather than demanding to be picked up all the time!!).

Bazsmum · « **Reply #81 on:** December 31, 2009, 04:03:40 AM »

Aw bless Arthur but it definitely does sound the right thing has been done, maybe he bullied Ellie a bit more than they actually got on! Im glad she is back to enjoying herself as she is still only young and need the play etc!

I do hope now that all in your house (including you) can get a routine back and get on with getting better!

Desley (booktigger) · « **Reply #80 on:** December 30, 2009, 20:31:45 PM »

Thanks Jane - I got some reduced chicken in Tesco today, so they have all had some for a treat, and the girls have had extra Temptations - will give Sam some dreamies, see if we can't get a bit of weight on him.

Janeyk · « **Reply #79 on:** December 30, 2009, 20:17:45 PM »

Good to hear that Zi has gained a little weight and hope her bloods come back ok, hopefully Sam will eventually gain some weight too. Hope things work out well for Arthur

Desley (booktigger) · « **Reply #78 on:** December 30, 2009, 19:53:53 PM »

Thanks - I hope Sam can gain some weight too, I have spent one year battling his weight, dont fancy another year of it - I had hoped that once he was on medication, it would go well, and he could go down to 2 monthly weigh ins - he got to a high of 3.9kg, but then Arthur came along!! I am more worried as he has had raised liver enzymes in the past, and 300g is a lot to lose in a month, so I hope it hasnt affected his liver, esp as he seems to be drinking more, but hopefully that is just the dry food.

That's what I wondered, as she suggested bloods after having a feel.

Well, today just went to the vets again and then to the rescue!! Did treat myself to some retail therapy aftr that though. Will probably be Monday at the earliest before we get the results, although the vet are open on Sat, it just depends on the lab I suppose.

Took Arthur back today, and any doubts I had were stopped when i got home - Ellie is a different cat, she has hardly bothered with me the past week or so, barely playing, and the only fuss has been when I have laid near the den to get to her - but she is back to how she used to be, i can get her to come out of her den just by rubbing my fingers together, and she has had such an energetic play session. I thought she would pine as when I took him they were both laid together in the den, but maybe things weren't what they seemed.

Bazsmum · « **Reply #77 on:** December 29, 2009, 22:35:05 PM »

Finger's crossed that you get to the bottom of this with Zi and Sam.... Do hope Sam can get some weight back on!

Wonder if she thought anything may be enlarged Des, hope thats not the case!

How long would it take for Arthur to go back? I hate the thought but to be honest he is such a character I really dont think it will affect him too much....More grub for him!

Desley (booktigger) · « **Reply #76 on:** December 29, 2009, 18:54:45 PM »

Well, an interesting morning - took Sam up to my branch, and the receptionist weighed him for me - he has lost 100g, which is what he had gained last month, and he is drinking more - his bloods are booked for the 17th Jan (he was due his repeat thyroid levels, but am going to get full bloods done on him), I am concerned as he has had raised liver enzymes, and did lose 300g when I first got Arthur, and hasnt put any of it back on yet.

Came home, quick chat with neighbour before taking Zia to the other branch of the vets, who were mad busy, and nearly got lumbered with the locum from my vet who came to help - luckily I had told the receptionist why I didn't want to see her, so they changed me to see a different vet. Zi has gone from 3.17 to 3.22, so at least a slight weight gain. Her mouth is still bad, apparently her heart murmur is unusual in that it is at the front of her heart, and not where you would expect one, didn't get her to feel her arthritis. She spent a while feeling her abdomen and then said she wanted full bloods, so not sure if that is a good sign or not. Quick discussion about what we would do if her kidneys werent' great, which was a bit upsetting, and we are debating trying her on the new Anti-inflam, which has been mentioned on here - begins with an O and is a pill format. It is only licenced for 6 days though, the vet is going to check if it can be used long term, but i would have to sign a waiver - as she is 19.5 with other health issues, to me long term doesn't really mean that much, so if I can get her to take them, I would give it a go as they are kinder on the kidneys. I have also done something I didn't think I would do, which was accept the Convenia jab to see if it helps her mouth, she has eaten a bit more tonight. Unfortunately I had fed her this morning, so she has to go back tomorrow for her bloods, and the vet wants lab ones doing, so I wont get the results until next week. So more promising than I thought, but that does depend what her results bring - they were great for a cat her age 7 months ago, but that was before Metacam, weight loss and drinking more.

I finally made the call to the rescue, was putting it off and off, spoke to quite a few people first, but I have to for my own cats health - I dont think it is just him, but it will allow me to monitor them more easily.

Janeyk · « **Reply #75 on:** December 29, 2009, 11:28:50 AM »

Good luck at the vets Desley xx

tab · « **Reply #74 on:** December 29, 2009, 11:16:02 AM »

I hope the appointment brings good news and you can get there and back before the snow arrives again
love
Tab

Desley (booktigger) · « **Reply #73 on:** December 29, 2009, 10:05:11 AM »

It certainly did, and he got a very good home. Zi's appointment is booked for 12, and I am going to get Sam weighed before then, so I will know the score with both of them by 12.30.

Bazsmum · « **Reply #72 on:** December 28, 2009, 13:18:29 PM »

Oh yes I forgot about Rolo!

but remember it stopped his spraying!

I do hope you can get to the bottom of this for Zi, glad she is eating more with the upping of her med....Hopefully it wont be to much of a strain on her!

Desley (booktigger) · « **Reply #71 on:** December 28, 2009, 11:30:40 AM »

The only one I have done is Rolo, his spraying finally got too much for me, but it worked out very well for him. I just think I need Arthur out of the picture so we can see if the weight loss is due to him or their health issues - I dont think it is purely him, but I dont know how much is down to him - I think he is affecting Zi's weight more. Will see when I can get Zi seen by a vet before ringing the rescue though. She is eating more on the higher dose of Metacam, I just hope it isn't affecting her kidneys/liver too much.

Bazsmum · « **Reply #70 on:** December 27, 2009, 15:09:03 PM »

I dont think I have ever known you take a cat back to rescue Des, Just shows how much Arthur is affecting you all..... Hope that the other's weight issues will sort out, it would be perfect to happen with Arthur there but I just cant see it now!

Desley (booktigger) · « **Reply #69 on:** December 26, 2009, 15:48:57 PM »

Thanks - have decided that I am going to get Sam and Zi weighed this week, and if both have lost weight, he will have to go back to the rescue so I can see if it is him pinching the food, or whether it is their health issues. He has had issues with Sam the past couple of days too, the other night Sam was trying to play with his new toy, and Arthur kept batting him round the head!!

Zi seems to be eating a bit more, so increasing the Metacam was probably a good idea. I have decided to take her to see one of the other vets to see what their opinion is, and still not sure on the bloods, part of me thinks it is just her age catching up, but part of me wants them doing in case things are worse than I think. She doesn't seem to be limping too much today, but her hips are a lot more obvious and she is walking differently, plus not happy at me grooming her legs.

Bazsmum · « **Reply #68 on:** December 26, 2009, 15:18:23 PM »

Hope Arthur calms down Des, he is on a right food mission!

Thinking of you and sending positive vibes your way!

Desley (booktigger) · « **Reply #67 on:** December 25, 2009, 16:33:07 PM »

The problem with the 25mg ones is that she is a nightmare to pill, and i also have to pin her down for the Metacam, so am using the 75mg I have leftover, so she only has to have one a day. I also increased her Metacam yesterday to a 2.5kg dose, as she wasn't eating that well, and gave her some renal food i had in (thought the chunks might have been easier for her to eat) - but she even turned her nose up at chicken last night, so not looking too promising at all. She was also sick this morning, but it was purely liquid. Will have to see what vets are at the other branch on Tues, as there is a vet there I wont see either!! Sam and Molly are booked in for their bloods in Jan.

Arthur drove me to despair again last night - I gave him half a tin of the whiskas senior supermeat with a few RC Siamese biscuits in, and within half an hour he was literally climbing the bookcase to get to the other half a tin. As soon as I let him out he was in her bowl, so I know he got part of her food before I was quick enough to get up and stop him, he was also that desperate for more food that he jumped on the worktop at one part of the evening too, I dont want to increase his food too much as he has put on a lot of weight, but this is getting ridiculous, and I am struggling to cope with him due to other issues going on - my home PC went down this morning, so not sure when i will get back on!!

Millys Mum · « **Reply #66 on:** December 24, 2009, 19:32:20 PM »

You can give 2 25mgs once a day if you wish, thats what iv done for simon before, first time he was more manky he got the 75mg ones. Unfortuanely antirobe are not good for his tum

I hope she picks up and eats well over christmas

Desley (booktigger) · « **Reply #65 on:** December 23, 2009, 18:13:13 PM »

i think i will, the only thing that bothers me is that another vet wont know what her mouth and heart were like a month ago. Gave her some a\d and chicken for her tea, she only nibbled at it before walking away, but have taken it to her in the bathroom (she is in her bed in front of the radiator) and she is now tucking in, so at least she is eating something but not good that she is eating cos I have put it in the bed with her. She has drunk a lot of water today, i filled them up before going to bed last night and hers is practically empty - i hope Molly has had some overnight cos otherwise she has drunk it all by herself - it wasn't that long ago that I was throwing out nearly a full bowl everyday cos they weren't touching it (although they dont like fresh water!!).

Bazsmum · « **Reply #64 on:** December 23, 2009, 14:35:06 PM »

Quote from: Janeyk on December 23, 2009, 13:11:34 PM

Sounds like it could be a good idea to get another opinion Desley as you aren't keen on the locum, you've nothing to lose.

Id go with this too!

Thinking of you all and sending out the positive healing vibes!

Janeyk · « **Reply #63 on:** December 23, 2009, 13:11:34 PM »

Sounds like it could be a good idea to get another opinion Desley as you aren't keen on the locum, you've nothing to lose.

Desley (booktigger) · « **Reply #62 on:** December 23, 2009, 11:02:15 AM »

Thanks Jane - she hasn't eaten more than her two nibbles of dry and a bit of wet, but is happy sleeping next to me. Unfortunately we have the locum vet I wasn't keen on till March, so not sure what i am going to do vet wise - and I still have to decide what to do with Sams hyper-t. I might take her to a vet at the other practice next week, and see what their opinion is, between her heart, mouth and arthritis.

Janeyk · « **Reply #61 on:** December 23, 2009, 10:57:17 AM »

Thinking of little Zia, hope she perks up a bit Desley and enjoys her a/d

Desley (booktigger) · « **Reply #60 on:** December 23, 2009, 10:11:01 AM »

Decided against taking her to the vets, had visions of falling and hurting her more!! I have Antirobe and Metacam in anyway, and there isn't much more the vets could give her, so just put an Antirobe down her throat (i have some nice extra strong ones in that you only need to give once a day), before giving her some dry, she has had a couple of nibbles, so hopefully that will all go today. I have also found some a/d in the house, she likes that, but has never needed it, so will open that for her tea. I am just a tad concerned about her drinking levels though.

bunglycat · « **Reply #59 on:** December 22, 2009, 20:42:32 PM »

Poor Zi - hope she gets on well at the vets and starts to improve and get better.
I know what its like when you live alone and they run away - i had the same with poor Bungly -she was on minimum of 3 tablets a day sometimes more and she used to run off and i felt so bad .
Sophie and FIfi don''t like their eyes cleaning and you only have to look at them and think you will clean them -they both run off and go to bed !
Lots of get well Zi vibes from us here in Lincoln

Bazsmum · « **Reply #58 on:** December 22, 2009, 12:49:28 PM »

He is testing you Arthur isnt he!!!

Positive vibes for darling Zi at the vets!

Desley (booktigger) · « **Reply #57 on:** December 22, 2009, 10:25:15 AM »

Thanks - am on the verge of asking the rescue to take Arthur back though - last night I moved what she hadn't eaten on my bed, so he could come out and not eat it (which i do every night), and he jumped on the bed and scoffed most of it while i was downstairs washing up, then tried to finish off my carrots - and he was only out for 2 hours. Got up this morning and he has ransacked a bag of treats that have been in there for nearly a month. I put down more for her, but if he is now going on the only safe place i had left to leave their food, I can't monitor her without lockign her in a room, and it is important I know what she is eating, and if she is losing weight despite eating.

Janeyk · « **Reply #56 on:** December 22, 2009, 07:37:03 AM »

Good luck at the vets tomorrow xx

Desley (booktigger) · « **Reply #55 on:** December 21, 2009, 20:16:12 PM »

Thanks - managed to get her to eat some JWB, rather than the Purely I had put down, but she only seems to eat small amounts and acts like it is a bit of a struggle, so it could be her gums, which isn't good as getting Antirobe into her is a nightmare - she doesn't eat enough wet to mix it, so its either down the throat or mixed into cheese and rubbed into her paws - and I wont be able to pin her down long enough to do that and Metcam down her throat in one go, so will have to pin her down twice a day, which isn't going to be fair on her. She is being weighed tomorrow afternoon, and having her mouth looked at, so will know more then.

Author Topic: Vibes needed please - all 3 poorly - RIP Sam :( (Read 63342 times)