10/26 Shmee - old halloween photo

Amanda & Shmee

Amanda & Shmee

Member Since 2018
Previous condo

So sorry for being away for so long. Not much that is new here, Shmee is still extremely hungry so I am scared about our next steps... I have a feeling they are going to want more tests and the possible ultrasound. I still haven't been able to try the Alpazolam for his anxiety at the vet because its supposed to make him ravenous and he is already so hungry I don't want to torture him.... :( His water intake has gone down so he is doing well on the Desmopressin pill in replacement of the shot which is good. The new autofeeder is working so far which is good. He's still not himself, but doing ok overall. Moody. Trying not to give him the Bupe the last few days to see how he does and he's been ok as far as I can tell. I switched to Ondan since that was offered in a liquid and haven't really noticed a change, still no nausea so that is good. I will probably try to take him off that too to see how he does. I ordered CBD oil treats for his inflammation of the pancreas / pancreatitis, because I didn't really know how much the Bupe was working, I would prefer not to have him on an opiod everyday if I can, and he's still not himself so I thought I would give it a try. But he is still so hungry I don't want to increase his hunger even more... since that could be a side effect. When they come in the mail I might give it a try to see how hungry he becomes. I need to get back to Camille about his OTJ party still. I have been thinking.... I hope everyone is ok with me sticking around, even though he technically doesn't have diabetes anymore. It would feel so weird to leave... and he is still not out of the woods / still healing. I hope my old cat comes back to me and I can report on that someday. He still doesn't sleep with me... I miss having him be the "little spoon" so bad.

Anyway, I hope everyone is doing ok, feel free to give me any updates I've missed if you want.
Vines to everyone in need :bighug::bighug::bighug:
 
From one old denizen to a new one, we are family. It's sharing with others here that helped our kitties and paying it back is the best gift of all. :bighug::bighug:

Odd question, but has Shmee ever had his B12 tested? I have seen some people saying B12 supplementation can help p'titis and some cats with low B12 aren't processing their food properly so starving all the time. Anyway just a thought. Glad to see you are seeing some improvements.
 
Oh, sweetie, I am so sorry to hear that you and Shmee are still struggling since his surgery.

I feel spoiled, as Sophie seems to be having an easier time of it. Though, we have had our issues, too. Her white blood count was elevated when they drew blood 10 days after her surgery and she has been on antibiotics since that time until yesterday - Veraflox - which is supposed to cross the blood/brain barrier, which is important for those kitties that have had the pituitary surgery. And then her usual on-antibiotic loose poo for which she needed additional meds. She had her 1 month vet visit and blood work on Wednesday and we got the all clear.

I am so jealous of Shmee and John's Titan getting OTJ so quickly after surgery. Sophie is still getting a tiny amount - between .25 and .1 of a unit. NS just isn't working yet, but I can't be too disappointed as she had been on 20 BID.

But really, sending Shmee and you both healing thoughts and good mojo!!!
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Hi Amanda - good to hear from you. It sounds like a somewhat neutral report. With our acros, I rarely expect to hear a perfect health report.:bighug:

You can be like me. I monitor a few other kittehs, and occasionally post a new thread for Leo. Like the others have said, this is our extended kitteh family.

Leo doesn't sleep with me anymore either. But he did get in my lap twice this week for 20 minute naps. He prefers to sleep in the kitchen, closer to any potential food including dog kibbles. I have been sneaking him a few each day. Sometimes it is fun to cheat a little.
 
Definitely stay here, Amanda. We all want to hear how Shmee is doing, and we all want him to get back to his old, loving self.
You are doing a wonderful job with your boy. Never forget how much he loves you.
:bighug::bighug::bighug:
 
Thank you everyone I would love to help others if I can!

@LizzieInTexas that was nice to hear. This really does feel like a family. I’d be lost without everyone. I ended up ordering the treats from Holistapet. I just got them in the mail and haven’t given them to him yet worried that it would make him more hungry but I want to try soon.

@Wendy&Neko thank you so much for this suggestion. Testing his vitamin levels was on the long list from my vet of possible tests we could do so I’m happy to get some direction becuase honestly the list was just too overwhelming to think about. He has only had normal bloodwork so no he hasn’t had a specific test for it. I’m so scared to take him back to the vet... I need to “test” the Alpazolam to see if it sedates him but I don’t want to make him even more ravenous in the process... ugh but I guess I need to. The last vet visit was unbareable so we need something to really work and put him in a sedated state becuase I cannot put him through that again, or me. I really want to get the B12 tested now. I wish I could take his own blood so bad... lol. As I’m sure many of us wish sometimes.

@sbluhrs I hope Sophie becomes OTJ!! She is doing so well coming all the way down from 20 units, wow. Not much more to go Sophie you can do it! Do they think she has an infection? I hope it goes away with the antibiotics soon.

@JeffJ Awh haha I sneak Shmee some extra food too sometimes. It’s so hard not to. How is Leoberry doing? Are the masses going down or is that something that won’t go away? So glad it wasn’t cancerous. I hope he’s doing ok.

@Ella & Rusty & Stu(GA) thank you for the reminder becuase it’s really hard to remember that. It doesn’t seem like it. All he cares about is food now. I had a total breakdown tonight again. I miss him so bad. I miss his meows, love, personality and cuddles. Not sleeping with him is so hard. I’m trying my best to have hope for the future.

@Ana & Frosty (GA) i hope you are doing ok (the best you can...) and thank you for the birthday wishes :)
 
It will be 3 years in Dec. since Gabby took up residence at the Bridge. I still can't see my way clear to not come by. This is home.

Frankly, given all of the hormones, it's not surprising that Shmee is hungry. Steroids make you hungry!

Has Shmee lost weight? Given the pancreatitis, if your vet hasn't run an fTLI (feline trypsin-like immunoreactivity), it might be helpful. Some cats with chronic pancreatitis develop exocrine pancreatic insufficiency (EPI). It can be treated with pancreatic enzymes.

 
I honestly would adapt a “less is more” approach and just let him be without tests and stress for as long as possible. It’s better to be hungry than not eating. He will get back to normal sooner if he’s relaxed and in his old low stress environment. I wouldn’t rush to do any more tests on him right now until it’s time to repeat his bloodwork. And more likely than not, those tests will come back normal anyway.

I also think cats tend to be moody, so if he’s a little moody but improving, let’s celebrate. :bighug::cat:
 
Leoberry is now recovered from his September 2018 infection and loss of appetite. He has used yet another of his 9 lives and come thru with flying colors. He has such a zest for life that he is staying for awhile.

Lately he has been hanging out on the back porch with Little Dude. They are "just dying" to get outside. They go out 5 feet, then get in their outside cat beds. Silly boys.

Austin received a lot of rain in the last 2 months. The lake levels were pretty low, and now they are filled to the top. So we drove 20 minutes to see the lake last week. I'm not at all sensitive about my lack of hair, doesn't bother me a bit. But now I sure am a chromedome. I had a ponytail of long brown hair in the olden days.
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@Amanda & Shmee , Sophie had an infection discovered at her first post-op vet appt. She was on an antibiotic (Veraflox) for 3 weeks after that, along with Metronidazole (an antifungal), Saccharomyces Boulardii, which someone had recommended to you on the FDMB with Shmee's diarrhea issues, and psyllium fiber recommended by Dr. McCue to firm up her stool. Finally off that stuff as of last Wednesday and her BG is coming down nicely. Looks like we are headed to 1 shot per day of just .25 unit and, hopefully, OTJ soon, too.

I really think that is is important for those whose kitties go OTJ, or have other treatments, such as pancreas removal, radiation, etc. continue to post. I keep looking for more info. about the recovery, etc. after surgery, and there is very little. One thing I have realized is that, because Sophie was on such a high dosage of Lev (20 units BID), it is not abnormal for her to take her time getting OTJ. Her poor little body, especially her pancreas, probably took a while to flush out all the excess growth hormone (figure she was producing excess for probably the whole time I've had her), and it will just need the necessary time to heal from that bombardment.

Sometimes just knowing that there will be ups and downs, etc. after the surgery can help you feel that you are not screwing up and that this is just the normal progression.

Hugs, hope you figure out the best combination of things for Shmee soon that will get him back to his old self.
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Bronx's dad said:
Yes, please share... & stay :)
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I ended up getting Holistapet, I have given him some a few times without too much difference, that I have noticed at least

Sienne and Gabby (GA) said:
It will be 3 years in Dec. since Gabby took up residence at the Bridge. I still can't see my way clear to not come by. This is home.

Frankly, given all of the hormones, it's not surprising that Shmee is hungry. Steroids make you hungry!

Has Shmee lost weight? Given the pancreatitis, if your vet hasn't run an fTLI (feline trypsin-like immunoreactivity), it might be helpful. Some cats with chronic pancreatitis develop exocrine pancreatic insufficiency (EPI). It can be treated with pancreatic enzymes.
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Yes Dr. McCue did lower his Pred from .5 to .25, he's still hungry :/ I don't think that could be it 100% because then wouldn't all cats that have this surgery be extremely hungry like him? I really think there is something else going on. EPI was one of the things on my vets long list of things that could be going on. I will add that to my tests when we go. Thank you! I have been weighing him daily (I need to update the SS) and he is not consistently losing weight. He is the lowest weight he has been in a very long time, he did lose weight but as of right now he's not losing any more.

Ana & Frosty (GA) said:
I honestly would adapt a “less is more” approach and just let him be without tests and stress for as long as possible. It’s better to be hungry than not eating. He will get back to normal sooner if he’s relaxed and in his old low stress environment. I wouldn’t rush to do any more tests on him right now until it’s time to repeat his bloodwork. And more likely than not, those tests will come back normal anyway.

I also think cats tend to be moody, so if he’s a little moody but improving, let’s celebrate. :bighug::cat:
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I agree which is why I haven't taken him in for more tests yet, but I need to soon. Yes it is better to be hungry then not, but he is not just hungry, he is extremely and constantly hungry, something seems wrong. Why do you say more likely than normal the tests would come back normal? I feel terrible he is constantly hungry. If there is some kind of deficiency its only making his general state much worse. He is never is a good mood, doesn't play, constantly waits for food. His normal bloodwork needs to be done soon too I believe anyway, last time Dr. McCue asked how Shmee was doing I texted back and he didn't respond.... I'm sure he would if I text again but its been weeks now and I just feel like he is a bother to him. The diabetes is gone so he has done his job and I am just so frustrated. I did not want this for him. Again yes I know its better in the long run but he is not happy. Not in the least. So I'm not either. I cant celebrate until he's happy and his old self.

JeffJ said:
Leoberry is now recovered from his September 2018 infection and loss of appetite. He has used yet another of his 9 lives and come thru with flying colors. He has such a zest for life that he is staying for awhile.

Lately he has been hanging out on the back porch with Little Dude. They are "just dying" to get outside. They go out 5 feet, then get in their outside cat beds. Silly boys.

Austin received a lot of rain in the last 2 months. The lake levels were pretty low, and now they are filled to the top. So we drove 20 minutes to see the lake last week. I'm not at all sensitive about my lack of hair, doesn't bother me a bit. But now I sure am a chromedome. I had a ponytail of long brown hair in the olden days.
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Thank you for sharing I love the photo! And so happy Leo is doing so well :)

Here is Shmee two years ago on Halloween... my profile photo. I miss him so bad. He was so handsome. I don't think this hair or whiskers are going to grow back either... they have a little, but he has always had a hard time growing back hair after its been shaved. The areas that he got his heart checked before the surgery haven't grown back at all. I know I am doing all I can for him, it is just hard.

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Amanda & Shmee said:
I ended up getting Holistapet, I have given him some a few times without too much difference, that I have noticed at least


Yes Dr. McCue did lower his Pred from .5 to .25, he's still hungry :/ I don't think that could be it 100% because then wouldn't all cats that have this surgery be extremely hungry like him? I really think there is something else going on. EPI was one of the things on my vets long list of things that could be going on. I will add that to my tests when we go. Thank you! I have been weighing him daily (I need to update the SS) and he is not consistently losing weight. He is the lowest weight he has been in a very long time, he did lose weight but as of right now he's not losing any more.


I agree which is why I haven't taken him in for more tests yet, but I need to soon. Yes it is better to be hungry then not, but he is not just hungry, he is extremely and constantly hungry, something seems wrong. Why do you say more likely than normal the tests would come back normal? I feel terrible he is constantly hungry. If there is some kind of deficiency its only making his general state much worse. He is never is a good mood, doesn't play, constantly waits for food. His normal bloodwork needs to be done soon too I believe anyway, last time Dr. McCue asked how Shmee was doing I texted back and he didn't respond.... I'm sure he would if I text again but its been weeks now and I just feel like he is a bother to him. The diabetes is gone so he has done his job and I am just so frustrated. I did not want this for him. Again yes I know its better in the long run but he is not happy. Not in the least. So I'm not either. I cant celebrate until he's happy and his old self.


Thank you for sharing I love the photo! And so happy Leo is doing so well :)

Here is Shmee two years ago on Halloween... my profile photo. I miss him so bad. He was so handsome. I don't think this hair or whiskers are going to grow back either... they have a little, but he has always had a hard time growing back hair after its been shaved. The areas that he got his heart checked before the surgery haven't grown back at all. I know I am doing all I can for him, it is just hard.

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Beautiful pic. Hugs to you. You're amazing.
 
That's a great pic of Shmee. His whiskers may take a while to grow back, but they will, and you will get his meds straightened out. He's here with you and he knows how much you love him. That's what's important.
:bighug::bighug::bighug:

Shmee: it's Halloween and you are a fine kitty. :cat: Enjoy the party!
 
Amanda & Shmee said:
Here is Shmee two years ago on Halloween... my profile photo. I miss him so bad. He was so handsome. I don't think this hair or whiskers are going to grow back either... they have a little, but he has always had a hard time growing back hair after its been shaved. The areas that he got his heart checked before the surgery haven't grown back at all. I know I am doing all I can for him, it is just hard.
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Goodness. Such a handsome puss and he is still handsome, whiskers and fur or no whiskers and fur. Let's have a current pic purrlease.

My Ty remained the most handsome of pusscats forever. He also seemed to be unable to grow his whiskers and fur back.

It could well be a deficiency or hormone imbalance of some sort. Feeling extreme hunger constantly will be the pits. Enough to make anyone miserable.
Hopefully your vet can find out the cause and help with that.
 
That's what makes your kitteh special. If he grew all his hair back, he would be just like all the rest of them. Who needs that when you can have wonderful Shmee with a unique hair pattern. And I can personally attest that some baldness never hurt anyone.

Little Dude has lost hair too. On his belly and on his shoulder blades. I hope Shmee is doing a little better this week. I'm in NYC on work. After dinner tonight we stood outside for 20 minutes just watching all the people go by in their costumes. Hundreds of them. It was fun.
 
LizzieInTexas said:
https://medlineplus.gov/druginfo/meds/a682461.html#side-effects

https://medlineplus.gov/druginfo/meds/a615042.html#side-effects

Both Levothyroxine and Prednisolone have a side effect of increased appy.

Do you give all his meds at the same time?
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I do t understand how so many cats have had this surgery from the RVC - have they all been ravenously hungry forever after? Ugh. And yes he gets both every 12 hours.

@JeffJ thsnks for always making me laugh :)

@PussCatPrince - GA I need to take one with my good camera, I haven’t taken a good one in a while. Here’s one where he actually didn’t mind me loving on him for a minute...

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You can’t see his face good here because of the sun but here he is staring at me waiting for food while I work... lol

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I tried to take this photo for Dr. McCue to show him how his hair has really thinned out.

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He looks pretty good from all those pictures. And he looks pretty happy too, especially laying there in that last picture.

Great weather here in Austin this weekend. We suffer thru cruddy 100 degree weather all summer, but the fall and winter weather here is amazing.
 
Amanda & Shmee said:
I do t understand how so many cats have had this surgery from the RVC - have they all been ravenously hungry forever after? Ugh. And yes he gets both every 12 hours.

@JeffJ thsnks for always making me laugh :)

@PussCatPrince - GA I need to take one with my good camera, I haven’t taken a good one in a while. Here’s one where he actually didn’t mind me loving on him for a minute...

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You can’t see his face good here because of the sun but here he is staring at me waiting for food while I work... lol

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I tried to take this photo for Dr. McCue to show him how his hair has really thinned out.

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I want to rasperry that bellyyy!!!!!!
 
Sophie's hair on her head is growing back for the most part. But the hair on her hind leg where they had the catheter is still pretty thin. So is the hair on the front leg they shaved for the iv.
Just thinking that their bodies are still adjusting to the change in hormones, etc. After being revved up due to the excess growth hormone, and no longer having the pituitary to direct things, it seems like it is just going to take longer than usual. 6 weeks post op for her (10 for Shmee, eh) come tomorrow and her whiskers are longer, but still a lot of growing to get back to pre-op length.
 
Glad to hear that Sophie is doing pretty well in recovery as well. It will be interesting to see the 1 year and 2 year marks for these kittehs with pituitaries removed. I hope all of y'all stick around and continue to give us good status reports.
 
TITAN is doing well. His face looks normal . You can still see where his back legs and side were shaved. He has gained weight to 5.5 kilos. He still has a cough and is deaf especially in the left ear. He sits on laps sometimes if he is picked up. His appetite is strong but normal. We took him to the vet yesterday, who was pleased with him, gave his boosters, and suggested we ask RVC if we might trial a further halving of the hydrocortisone in order to reduce the stress on his kidneys. As he is deaf, we are more tactile with him and pat or stroke him every time we go past. He always purrs and seems happy.
 
That is a good report on Titan also. I'm glad to see these surgeries have mostly gone well for the fdmb patients.
 
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