Checking on Lucy and Squallie

Did I miss some posts from @Squalliesmom or has it been too quiet? Lucy, are you ok?

 

Yes. I was looking for an update from Luce. Maybe it has been a busy weekend.

 

She’s posted on my FB page so I’m assuming things are stable, at least.

 

Thank you, Marje

 

You’re welcome!

 

Cheers for that.

 

I’m here. Sorry I haven’t been here the last few days, I’m having computer problems so right now I’m limited to my phone.

Squallie was doing well until this morning, when it became very obvious that he is constipated again. It comes on so quickly, I don’t understand it! This is the worst episode so far, he is very uncomfortable, and I’m worried about a rupture because he is straining so much and producing mostly just blood. He has an appointment for 8:00 tomorrow morning. I am afraid...Once again, please keep I’m in your prayers. Thank you all. ❤️

 

Hugs and prayers Lucy and Squallie!

 

Thanks, Beck, and back at you and Grandpa!

 

Sending prayers.

 

((( Lucy and Squallie )))

 

Thanks, Carla.

 

More hugs and prayers from me.

 

Prayers!!!!

 

Thanks, Elise.

 

Thank you, Jill.

 

Prayers, vines and hugs

 

Hugs and prayers, Lucy

 

Love, hugs and prayers right now , through the night and tomorrow morning’s vet visit , Lucy❤️❤️ We have you and Squallie covered

 

Rats

Big hugs L. Big hugs.

 

Lots of hugs and prayers from us too Lucy!!

And some very special vines too!

 

And big prayers for you, Super Momma Lucy , for calm to surround your heart and mind like a huge hug ....peace, peace, peace ❤️

 

Lucy, I'm keeping you and Squallie in my thoughts tonight. Big hugs

 

Lucy, Mega Hugs, Vines and ❤️ for you and Squallie from us all in Sootie’s Tribe. ❤️

 

Sending more poo vines, vetty vines, comfort vines and any other kinds of vines that might help, plus lots of s.

 

And some vines from us too!

 

Adding more vetty vines and

 

Sending easier poo vines and good vet visit vines today to Squallie.

 

Well, the news from the vet wasn’t good; he says the mass has definitely gotten bigger. He’s looking into putting him on budesonide but doesn’t really think it will do much. He does think the steroids have probably slowed the growth some, so that’s good.

He gave Squallie two different enemas, and sent me home with the knowledge and equipment to do them myself at home. Squallie did have a couple of poops, but he’s still straining so I think there’s more to come, and I think he needs another enema, so I guess I’m going to have to try out my new learning. Not really looking forward to this one!

 

Hi Lucy, I'm so glad that Squallie is back home with you.
Regarding the at home enema thing, I'm happy to know that the vet has given you the info, etc. to let you help him without having to keep taking him in. I don't have any experience with that so I can't weigh in with any tips or advice, just have a lot of towels at the ready I guess...
I hope once he gets regular again he'll feel much better even though the vet said the mass has grown a bit.
Tons of vines and hugs

 

Hugs Lucy!

 

Tagging @Carol in Chicago for her expertise with home enemas. She helped me a lot with Rex.

 

Thanks, Barbara.

 

Thanks, Sandi.

 

Thank you, Mandy!

 

No advice but can give you these

 

Thanks, Tracey.

 

Please let me know how I can help Lucy. I'm glad he's home and the vet has given you some guidance on how to help. The best advice I have is to do this in a small room such as laundry or bathroom. I would recommend laying down plenty of pee pads to make clean up easy. I hope the vet discussed the specific solution recommended, amount, and frequency. In general, I avoid food for Rose at least 2 hours ahead, deliver the solution and wait about 1 hour until "all clear". It helps if you have another person to hold him, but if not, I have done this by myself using a harness to keep Rose upright and stationary.

I have been thinking of you all day, so please let me know if there is anything I can do.

 

Tons of hugs and love to you, Lucy and Squallie

 

Sending more prayers.

 

Thanks, Carol! That’s pretty much exactly what we did. I was terrified I’d hurt him. I never want to have to do it again! He cried - he didn’t cry at the vet’s. I was so afraid I was hurting him! It’s tricky to get the tubing past the mass in his colon, and the walls of his colon are damaged, so I was very leery of causing a perforation, even though his vet said I wouldn’t. It was scary and now I just want to cry. I hope he will be okay.

 

(((Lucy))), I'm so sorry that the procedure didn't go perfectly, but I'm sure that Squallie knows that you're trying to help him. We are sending strong healing vines for your boy. He will be OK. Squallie is strong. He's a cat!

Lots of hugs for you,

 

Thanks, Ella. I’m probably worrying over nothing but all my nerves are frayed to the max, and I’m exhausted. So I’m sure everything seems like a bigger issue to me than it really is; it’s easy to say that, but much harder to internalize it.

 

I understand :-|

 

Oh, Lucy, the first time I did a enema on my Sug, I was terrified too. I use to put her in the tub to do them for easy mess clean up. It sounds like with Squallie, it's a bit trickier with the mass. I hope it won't be something you'll have to do often.

 

I totally understand. I'm just glad your vet invested the time to show / teach you how to help Squallie and also provide the reassurance that you won't hurt him. The mass and any colon damage are beyond my experience, but I hope the vet is right and you were able to see it won't hurt him.

My vet and I had to have a talk one time about how he can do things I can't. My animals see him as a doctor and just "let" him do stuff that I simply can't do. I'm family and none of my cats would want family poking and prodding in the way he does. I can only hope Squallie's cry was because he was uncomfortable with this type of procedure being done by his mom in his house. If you have to do it again, I'm sure it will be easier for both of you.

I hope you have the confidence in knowing you are helping him. He will understand this too - maybe you just need to tell him (again). I took this paragraph from felineconstipation.org because I have re-read and reflected on it many times. I hope it helps you:

Remember to talk with your cat. Show your cat what you plan to use and explain why and what you plan to do. Talk as from one adult to another, which this relationship is after all. Your cat is an intelligent being and while not every word will be understood, cats pick up on our intent and our intent informs our action. If we think, for instance, that taking a temperature or using a micro-enema requires us to 'shove something up a cat's ass,' that is exactly what we will do with predictably negative results. If, instead, we imagine using gentle steady pressure and visualize gliding in smoothly, that is more likely to happen because our movements will follow. It is far easier to work with a cooperative cat; take the time to elicit cooperation. Cooperation is the kinder and safer approach.
​

I was surprised to learn that very few people do this at home. From what my vet said it is very rare, so don't cry unless it is for stress relief. You should be congratulated on your new skills!

 

Oh , Lucy , I am sad all I can do is give you an emoji hug from so far away ....you and Squallie have had a long day and to attempt an enema for first time is beyond stressful . Both of you need to take a break from it all and take a breather. Work at the constipation from the other end for now . You two have been thru enough for one day Sending all the love and prayers we have to you both . ❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️

 

Also, when I have given enemas I use a baby enema bottle , full of warm water , Vaseline on the end ... the tip is not so long and I feel like it gets the liquid in without going so far up inside . No matter what, they detest it and I hate doing it . Giving Elmo 1/8 teaspoon of organic, cold pressed coconut oil gets him moving when constipated . I’m crying that you and Squallie Bear are going through this enema mess

 

Thanks, Beth. Squallie gets backed up way up in his intestines, so we have to use a long, soft rubber tube to get far enough in to get at the blockage. It’s really scary to do it (didn’t bother me at all watching the vet do it, totally different when it’s me doing it!) and I’m so afraid I’ll hurt him or cause a rupture. I hope I don’t have to do any more.
I bought coconut oil to give one of my civvies, but a couple of people on here said it’s not safe for cats, so I quit giving it to him. I wonder if you can give just plain old vegetable oil?

 

Oh Lucy, I'm afraid I can't answer your question, but I am sending more hugs and love

 

Does anybody know the symptoms of a perforated colon? Just so I can put my mind at ease? He seems bloated to me, and he keeps doing this flop-bottom thing, where he just thumps his butt down, but he sits with his butt kind of tucked up under him. He is eating okay, though, and still trying to poop.

 

Lucy , I’ve read conflicting info on coconut oil too . My homeopathic vet suggested it and at Elmo’s age the benefits outweigh any risks . I’ve also used Pet Alive Natural Moves ..however o had to suringe it mixed with baby food yo get him to take it ... it works but he hates it . Prayers. Prayers Prayers

 

Mine do a variety of odd things after an enema . My memory of having one after a C section is still etched in my mind so I always relate it to that . Having 3 enemas in one day has to be making sweet Squallie’s intestines doing somersaults. I would think his reaction would be greater if anything serious had happened . Surrounding you both with peace and calm

 

Thanks, Beth. I’m probably just being a worry-wart. I get a concern in my head and it just takes over my brain until I convince myself of all the worst-case scenarios. But I can’t help it, I’ve been like that all my life. And sometimes my worries are right on point, too! I just want Squallie to be okay. I love my boy so much, it kills me to see him in any kind of pain or discomfort.

 

Lucy, just googled coconut oil and cats . Might check it out . To me , at Squallie and Elmo’s age and stage it’s not like they’re going to be on it for years. I just am sure to use organic, cold pressed . They are 18/19 ...they need desperately to poop.. for me that outweighs any long term possible side effects . Just my opinion . ❤️

 

For me, Lucy, I see fear as mostly a liar . It too often comes to steal peace in my heart. So I fight and refuse it as much as I can. I’m really concentrating my vines, thoughts and prayers for Squallie’s healing and for your peace in your heart. It is so , so gut wrenching when our fur babies are having a hard time but I KNOW that Squallie knows he is safe and loved and cared for by you . No one could be a better momma , fighting for and with him ❤️

 

You are absolutely right. I may start giving it to him. He’s not looking at having years left, so I don’t think it will hurt him!

 

I used to give Cinco Canola oil when he was backed up. It helped. I think @Marje and Gracie used to give some kind of organic coconut oil, but I can't recall the specifics.

Sending poo vines for Squallie and comfort vines for you, Lucy. I know how stressful this is.

 

Paul (@Bronx's dad) posted this in the think tank..

Plant-based oils in addition to fish oil

Coconut Oil
Coconut oil is an excellent source of Omega-6 fatty acids - it is also anti-bacterial, anti-fungal, anti-inflammatory, anti-parasitic, antioxidant and anti-viral. Coconut aids digestion - of particular importance if your dog is on a processed dry food diet; supports the health of bones, the immune system and metabolism; supports the maintenance of skin and fur health and is a natural treatment for skin conditions. Coconut oil also supports the maintenance of good oral health and can be used to treat oral health issues. Coconut oil also supports optimal brain function, helps to stave off dementia and contributes to overall longevity of life. If you are introducing coconut oil to your pet's diet start with ¼ of the daily recommended dosage and build-up slowly. Add directly to the food in your dog's or cat's food bowl at meal time. Daily dosage is ½ tsp/.5ml for every 10 pounds of body weight. My dogs and cats all enjoy and benefit from having coconut oil in their daily diet.

 

❤️❤️Lucy, sending more ❤️ Hugs and vines for you and Squallie from us all. ❤️❤️

 

I used to a long time ago but I quit because there is suspicion that cats have difficulty with the medium chain triglycerides.

Have you ever tried raw egg yolk or egg yolk powder? You could start with 1/8 of a raw egg yolk and slowly increase if that doesn’t help but be careful because too much can cause diarrhea.

If he could poo or even get anything out, you’ll likely see a black substance that wouldn’t smell like poo and that’s because it’s blood. I know Gracie’s abdomen was bloated and hard

Sending vines and love.

 

I will try the egg yolk, thanks. His abdomen is definitely bloated, but it’s not hard. He doesn’t seem to be in pain, but it’s so hard to tell, with cats.

 

@Marje and Gracie ...Hi Marje...is egg yolk powder safe for hyperthyroid , aging kidney kitties ? I’m thinking of adding this to my arsenal Thanks !

 

I can’t think of any reason at all why it wouldn’t be as long as the kitty isn’t allergic to eggs.

You’re welcome!

 

And I have read the pancreas does have to work harder to process the fats from oils, I have cut back on all the oils Bronx was getting. But he still gets Fish Oil, CBD oil & the coconut oil that is in Golden Paste