Skinky. Update. Cancer most likely.

So the little one started the day with eating a little bit of fancy feast on her own. Yay! Unfortunately the vet appointment wasn't so hopeful. The doctor suggested a CT scan, she thinks it's cancer. Skinky is severely dehydrated. She said she was a very sick, very old gal. She would need to be anesthetized for the CT scan, and before anesthetization could be performed, Skinky would have to be hospitalized for three days to be re-hydrated.

She said the reason pills are so difficult for Skinky is that she's probably feeling a good amount of pain when I open her mouth and put my fingers inside. She felt that she was in a good amount of pain. i'm not convinced of that...but I do think it comes and goes. And what do I know. I asked for more B12. it's her second shot in just over a week. The doctor offered a compounded medicine which I'm debating. It would mean stopping use of the current steroid, but I think the current steroid is helping somewhat...

I'm waiting on some more info which will hopefully come tomorrow. I asked about a feeding tube, but it's the same deal - she'd need to be hospitalized to rehydrate for three days before anesthesia.

So...nothing good really. I guess it's a losing battle. And tomorrow I'm gone all day for doctors appointments...worried about how she'll be.

So, I haven't closed the door entirely on treatment, but I think it's coming down to that. I feel exhausted, which makes me feel crappy for not having more energy for her (and for me).

 

HUGS and HUGS and HUGS Laura - you and she have taken this fight WAY WAY beyond what many would or even could. Can you rehydrate her with subq fluids? YOU know her better than anyone so you'd likely know her pain level.

Thoughts and prayers continue...

 

Hugs from Dusty, Beni, and Me. You've both fought a hard battle and I pray for strength and guidance for you both.

 

Hi Laura,

I second what Lyresa said above. ((((Laura)))) What is the compounded medicine that the vet proposed? Maybe someone here might be able to share some experience if you let us know.

If you're worried about Skinky's insulin for tomorrow, I suggest asking any questions you might have this evening about that.

Prayers continuing for you both.

((((Laura and Skinky))))
.

 

the med isnt anything much that i havent tried before...and it wld mean stopping the dexamethasone...

Compounded medication (Zofran 3 mg + Pepcid 3 mg + Medrol 4 mg + Mirtazapine 1 mg) per mL: Give 1/2 mL by mouth once daily. This is a compounded medication that will be made especially for Skinky by Best Pet RX.
This liquid contains the following medications: Zofran (antinausea), Pepcid (antacid), Medrol (steroid), Mirtazapine (appetite stimulant). Please start this medication as soon as you receive it. Medrol is a cortisone type steroid. This medication MUST be taken as directed. Do not stop or change the dose of this medication unless directed by a doctor. Do not give any other anti-inflammatories (including but not limited to Rimadyl, Metacam, Deramaxx, Tylenol, Advil, aspirin, dexamethasone) while on this medication as it can cause serious stomach ulcers and bleeding. Side effects include diabetes mellitus or congestive heart failure in animals with underlying heart disease.

 

I don't know much about steroids. I see that the Medrol is methylprednisolone. I have seen members here write about prednisolone but I don't know whether it's the same thing. (@BJM - do you know anything about this medication?)

It sounds like it could be much easier on both of you to administer the compounded prescription. ((((Laura and Skinky))))

 

What do you have for pain meds, Laura?
Prayers for you hon, especially if you come face to face with a really tough decision in the days ahead.
Follow your gut, Laura. You and Skinky are pretty in tune with each other.

 

@Carl & Polly - good point about the pain meds.

 

I'm sorry that you didn't receive more positive news. I know that you have good instincts about what is best for Skinky, and you have a lot to think about. As the vet noted that she is quite dehydrated, and that can make a cat feel quite sick, I wonder how you would feel about admitting her to the vet clinic for a day or two at least of rehydration with IV fluids. If she is severely dehydrated she likely needs IV, not sub cutaneous, fluids to pull out of that. They might also be able to get her stabilized on the compounded drug (or maintain her current meds if you prefer) and something for pain. If your budget allows, getting her admitted for the IV fluids and optimizing the meds might really help. Then perhaps you don't have to make any big decisions until you see how the fluids and the meds work. They most likely would allow you to visit her at the clinic. You might also benefit from a bit of a break yourself to catch up on some sleep. Caregiver fatigue happens to everyone who has nursed a very sick kitty as you have. After a day or two of fluids, you can make further decisions based on how she is doing. I have had cats of my own hospitalized, and I know that it is heartbreaking to see your baby go into the hospital. I have also spent some time working in a vet hospital, and I truly have seen that most hospitalized cats rest very quietly and comfortably. I don't want to push you in any particular direction, but I think that addressing her hydration and optimizing her palliative care could possibly give you more good time together. You have made good decisions every step of the way for her, and you alone know what is best for her and for you and for your situation. I know I would respect any decision you make for her.

 

Methylprednisolone is a steroid; it will replace the dexamethasone being used. It too has an appetite stimulant effect and an inflammation reducing effect.

 

I believe you love Skinky with everything you have but I'm really feeling this poor kitty has endured so much suffering.
I don't want to sound crule or cold but I think it's time for you to really think of what's best for skinky . We have to be our pet advocate and this can be heartbreaking at times. I really hope people don't flame me for saying this but sometimes we don't see the picture clearly when it come to our furry family members, I know I didn't years ago with my cat Presley. It wasn't until after the fact I realized I was keeping him around for me despite that his quality of life was diminishing .
I've been praying that things turn around for Skinky but it seems this baby can't catch a break. I will continue to keep the two of you in my prayers .

 

((((Laura)))), Linda's suggestion is a good one and will give you time and perspective. We are holding you and your girl close in our thoughts tonight and pray that all will be well.

Hugs and scritches,

Ella & Rusty

 

Keeping you and Skinky in my prayers! (((hugs)))

 

(((Laura))),

I'm holding you both in my thoughts, and wishing you courage and strength.

Huge hug,

Eliz

 

Prayers and good thoughts going to you and Skinky.

 

Wishing you and Skinky all the best. Keeping you in my Prayers. Peg and Toby

 

Many prayers still being said for you and Skinky - you are in our hearts!

 

Prayers continuing here ...

((((Laura and Skinky))))


Edited to add:

How are you both doing today, Laura?
.

 

Thinking of you and Skinky. I hope your appointment went OK and that Skinky is eating a little better for you. Sending more prayers ...

((((Laura and Skinky))))
.

 

She's still up and down. Same old. Decided to PTS yesterday after the vet. Cried, cried, cried. Thought I had that all out of my system. Then she started eating again. Not enough, not a lot - but it was something. Her swelling in the nasal area has gone down. Her eye is better, probably because the decreased swelling is allowing it to open more, she still has serious eye issues, but if this was to continue, maybe her eye could be saved. And if I sound blase about this, it's because I've been through it too many times. As far as subjecting her to pain, etc. etc., I don't think she wants to be put down because EVERY time I make the decision she shows signs of life, of getting better. And I know better at this point to trust in it too much...but how can I PTS when this is happening. She's drinking water like crazy at the moment. I'm emotionally and physically exhausted from the roller coaster. When she eats now, she is grinding her two upper front teeth. I KNOW she's gained about a pound, although the oncologist tried to convince me otherwise, saying scales vary.

I also have felt a lump, golf ball size, on her side, which I never felt before. She is losing some fur on her chest too...I had thought that it was due to malnutrition. i read it could be allergies. But it could also be cancer.

i'm still syringe feeding her. A delicious anti-cancer diet of fancy feast beef, spirulina, Life Gold from Pet Wellness, L-Lysine, B12 powder and Celloquent. Along with some rebound when she just wants liquids. Looking into something called DCA for cancer treatment.

bringing her back to the vet on Sunday. Will be interesting to see what she has to say. I might consider an overnight at a hospital for IV, want to talk to vet about it and see what she thinks of the golf ball on her side. That worries me more than her nose actually.

Can't say what I'll do. She's gained some weight, started eating a little on her own and finally drinking water. Doesn't seem to be in pain. Eye is less swollen. I couldn't possibly PTS now. I wish I could sound more enthusiastic, I just don't think this will last. But I don't think the little one is ready to leave yet. She is one usual little girl and I"m enjoying her as much as I can while she's still with me.

 

Hi Carl,

she's on Buprenex, injectable...and now a whole lot of vitamin supplements....!

 

((((Laura)))), Skinky will tell you when it is her time to go. She loves you and she knows that when that time comes you will help her cross. Thinking of you both this morning. I hope it will be a good day.

Hugs and scritches,

Ella & Rusty

 

Hi Laura,

Wondering how the day went for you and Skinky.

Keeping you both in my prayers.

((((Laura and Skinky))))
.

 

it's the usual, up and down...except that i have to try to go to my doctors appts so i'm not able to feed her half syringe every half hour or and that makes it tough because she will vomit it she gets too much at once.

we are going to the north shore animal hospital tomorrow to see what they can do/see and offer, price wise.

 

Hi Laura,

Bit late on parade today. It must be extra, extra hard juggling both Skinky's needs and your own. With the problems I have feeding Saoirse a lot of the time, I can relate to your worries about feeding your baby. The worry over eating is probably the thing I find hardest to deal with: it's so fundamental ...

Keeping you both in my prayers, and I look forward to your next update. I hope the hospital can help.

((((Laura and Skinky))))
.

 

Hi Laura,

Just checking in to ask how you got on at the hospital today and to see how you're both doing.

Keeping you both in my prayers.

((((Laura and Skinky))))

 

((((Laura)))), ((((Skinky)))),
We are wondering how you made out at the North Shore Animal Hospital on Saturday. Has Skinky been admitted there? We are all thinking about you.



Ella & Rusty

 

She has an update on the youcaring site..click on the link in her signature..

 

Oh Hi, Linda! I"m not getting notifications on here now for some reason. I WAS before the "fix".

North Shore was a disappointment. I spoke with a case manager there who I had been playing phone tag w/ about a possible dental visit and anesthesia. A place in NJ quoted 1400 for dental w/ anesthesia so I was hoping North Shore would be much less expensive. She said she'd try to help anyway she could, that they were a no-kill place, blah blah, but had to see the cat first. So I SCHLEPPED up there (close to 1.5 hrs each way, on two trains) and saw a vet, not a dental specialist. He was more informative actually than the oncologist, and he stated that he thought she had thickened intestines, basically he pretty much suggested either a CT scan (which they didn't have there) or putting her to sleep. Once again, feeding tube out of the question because they didn't want to do anesthesia on her. I was THIS close to JUST DOING IT. I mean if all these doctors are saying this...I asked him if he thought she was in pain, and he said he felt that she was uncomfortable because of the pressure on her eye - the swelling. So I got the totals for the euthanasia, went through 4 or 5 kleenexes...I think they thought I was going to do it...heck I thought I was going to do it...but I changed my mind. Part of me wanted to because of the roller coaster and I felt like I'll never do it. etc., etc. Then again, I had already scheduled a visit on Sunday w/ the Manhattan vet (the north shore visit just came up suddenly after a lot of phone tag w/ their case manager...). I thought I"d wait to see what the Manhattan vet said. I mean once the two injections are done, no turning back...and I am very glad I waited. The Manhattan vet commented that she DID gain a few ounces and she was actually quite spry, jumping from the table with a fair amount of agility and poking her crooked little nose into all sorts of nooks and crannies and investigating. They are very nice at this place and when she is at one of the sliding doors being curious, they actually open it for her to pass through...so they have been the vets who have observed her behavior most and not just made a snap decision based on her very uncomfortable looking facial appearance. Who knew such aesthetic discrimination existed toward kitties? This vet understood my...hesitation with PTS. "This is not the behavior of a cat ready to be put down".

So I super stocked up on supplies. subQs infused w/ potassium, she got a b12 shot, i got a syringe of the much maligned convenia to give her in a couple of days, I bought a BOTTLE of cerenia (ha!) and a bottle of dexamethasone, a vial of butronex, and a TON of of all sorts of needles. She brought up a drug, i think it was palladia? used for cancer, but wanted me to ask the oncologist what she thought...she didn't want to prescribe it without the oncologist's input or approval..

So I sent an email to the onocologist from AMC asking about palladia and the oncologist said NO, not without a diagnosis. &*%$#. So I emailed her back, copying in the Manhattan vet, and pushed a bit, but politely...reiterating that the "diagnosis" costs 4600, which I don't have, that we don't qualify for the "buddy fund", presumably because Skink's prospects are dim (that is what the case manager said she assumed the oncologist meant, when the ONCOLOGIST said skinky didn't qualify for the buddy fund. again - %$#&*), and threw her description of skinky back at her "a very sick old lady" (have you EVER? She could be 25, and she's still my baby.) so given all of that, as her owner I was willing to assume any risks with the palladia as it seems that skinky doesn't have much hope. Again - %&$#@.

She called today. Said blah blah, and that she would call the vet tomorrow to discuss. So it's passing the ball really. the oncologist doesn't want to prescribe w/o a diagnosis, but will talk to the vet about it if the vet wants to prescribe it. And NOW, the oncologist says that Skinky COULD get sedated and the nose could be aspirated and blood taken for a culture, and that it's only 50% chance, but maybe it would tell us what kind of cancer and we MIGHT have a better idea of treatment. HELLO? WTF?? *I* pierced her nose, sorry "aspirated" her nose a couple of weeks ago when it looked like that thing was coming to a head and the pressure from it was making her eye bleed. It takes a strong email w/ a BCC and CC to another vet to come up with this?

This is really why I just hate most vets and medicine in general. I don't know that the vet, who I really do like by far and away the most, is willing to do this either, but I'll have a better idea maybe tomorrow.

I started giving her something called DCA a few days ago. She's also getting all of these "herbal supplements", to boost her immune system. I don't think there's going to be any clear linear pattern with her health one way or the other. Probably some steps forward, some steps backward. The big thing that I feel badly about is that I am having a very difficult time of it physically. Just from lugging her tiny body around two days in a row, I threw my back out (i'm an orthopedic nightmare). Just had some shots in the back from a neurologist..but as such, it's tough picking her up and putting her down and trying to bend over and entice her with the multiple cans of food that she turns her nose up at. We are back to good ol' AD mixed w/ catsure, syringing it. All in all, she's doing fairly well (today). Got some infant similac for her too for gassiness, but it's cherry flavored?? I can't find it PLAIN w/o any freaking sugar.

So...that's how she's doing...OH! and the vet thought her eye looked a little better and maybe she even blinked. In fact, at one point skinky was grooming her self and the vet was surprised and said 'is that you trying to groom yourself?'. I'm guessing because it's not the behavior of a cat ready to leave this earth..?

so that's where we are. i gotta scan bills and post but i've been having such a good time lying on floor, I didn't want to disrupt the party.

 

Yeah for the Manhattan Vet!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

that's right Nancy - I LOVE that woman! she even noticed the LITTLE GIRL (NOT the old lady....grrrr....) had a small poop stuck in her intestines and took it out. How's that for dedication? Here's my Skink-a-poo just now. her swelling ebbs and tides, so this is a pretty decent pic...

You can see how I mangle her ear when I take BG readings. I know she looks mangy...i'm always getting food on her from syringing. One other area of concern - you can kinda see in the pic, she's losing some fur on her chest and on one of her arms (tear). North Shore vet seemed to think it was a lack of nutrition (hence she's being amped up on Celluquent, Transfer Factor, B12, B1, LLysine and some liquid gold thing) but I suppose it could be that she has cancer in these areas too...

 

Oh she DOES look better Laura! Even her eyes don't look nearly as sad - more 'determined' now! I'm so thrilled to hear you did find someone that cared about her!

HUGS AND DANCES!!!!

 

Think so? It often depends on the angle of the camera and whether she was sleeping on that side of her face too. She can look pretty awful. But thanks Squeaky! I know the "tumor" is still affecting her smell and breathing, but I think she has a little more "cat like" contour in that area of her face..

I go thru this cycle thing with whether to give insulin or not. Vet is ok w/ it being random and is perfectly fine with me not giving it as well, as we fear she might go hypoglycemic given that she doesn't eat enough. but i can't help thinking that if i can get her insulin regulated maybe that would help her pancreas, and she wouldn't internally be in such pain and have gas when i do feed her. just now I butchered her again. 5 relion prime sticks. Lots of E13 errors. Then she hides from me. Which is a little comical coz she really is...kinda sick. Was looking at new meters that do .3 blood, but the costs for sticks are so much more...but then again, maybe in the long term (if we have a long term here..) costs would be cheaper because i'd get less E13 readings. And a won't have a sick cat hiding under the ottoman - where she's invisible you know.

but yes, Manhattan Cat Specialist Vet is a real peach. We see her again in 10 days to 2 weeks. If only I could find a foot surgeon/orth as dedicated and helpful as her!!

 

@skinky44 - Laura, what meter are you using? I know you've said but I've forgotten....brain went on vacation but forgot to take my body with it.

 

my brain and body separated ages ago...

Relion Prime. I get a lot of E13 codes with her... and then she just gets so upset and stressed out. Poor thing has the subQ injection, the dexamethasone injection, the pain med injection, twice a day the DCA, convenia now every other day and limping mommy always chasing her with a syringe of scrumptious high carb AD food. She's really good that she puts up with all that. But when I start stabbing her ear in vain, well, my cutie gets so stressed out and we start a downward spiral. I back off from everything, she gets better. She stabilizes, i try to draw blood. wash rinse repeat. It's our dance.

she def. has some gastro/pancreas issues going on. but more good news - she just had three movements. She must be in heaven. I know I would be.

 

I keep watching your condo and praying for you and Skinky. Take care of yourself.
Peg and Toby

 

Skinky came across to me as looking 'determined' too, Laura.

Do you by any chance get a bit stressy too around BG test time, Laura? I know when I used to get stressy about testing Saoirse used to pick up on my anxiety and that made her anxious, too. I tried the 'fake it till ya make it' technique and spoke to her in a very upbeat, sing-songy voice when testing and it helped. Gradually both of us relaxed more and testing became easier - for both of us.

I like the sound of the Manhattan vet. Sending more prayers.

((((Laura and Skinky))))
.

 

Laura, maybe I am over optimistic but I am still not convinced that Skinky has cancer, one of the drivers I dispatch has a kitten that is 7 months old, it has had an upper respiratory infection for 3 months, it even has trouble swallowing, they are having to syringe feed her also because she will not eat, sometimes respiratory infections are just about impossible to clear up, I also would not worry about her hair loss being cancer because you would see some changes in the skin also. I agree with you that getting a meter that uses less blood would be cheaper because you would only have to use one strip since you would not be wasting so many on error messages, I am not the best at testing and Scotty has very thin delicate ears, I have a Relion Confirm and love it. I am just so glad you have found a good vet, I am so lucky I have 3 great ones in a clinic that is 60 seconds drive from where I live. I am praying that Skinky keeps doing better and that you have a good day.

 

im not as stressy as u wld think. more so if i try to do it every 12 hrs...because of my schedule and because it might take me two hrs to get enough food into her. if i try to rush that down to 30 minutes, she gets stressy and then it goes downhill from there.

i get very stressy in criticalsituations and i cant continue to draw blood. like if i got a lo or hi. ive thought if i dont test and just give her .50 once a day and random test that she might get some benefit from that. again., with the steroid her insulin CAN shoot up to well over 400

 

On the hair loss, Laura, when Saoirse was at her worst with the pancreatitis and not long on insulin last year, her fur started shedding like there was no tomorrow.

 

like now. tested and shes hi and i'm down to 3 test strips...and i've only had the new bottle for like a month and have only been testing half that time. administered one unit waiting.

 

I don't have enough experience to comment on insulin dosing, Laura. If Skinky's numbers are high then it sounds like she needs insulin though. Are you still testing for ketones?

Can other experienced members advise Laura on insulin, please.

 

hmmm....vet thought she could very well have some pancreatic issues. and the insulin would help regulate that right?
the other thing that was brought up was food allergies. but you know Aine, it/I just go around in circles.

Top three things:
hydration: she's doing better. probably coz i just go the "HI' on her diabetes reading. but she is drinking more
EAT. i sometimes try to get away from the hills ad because of the high carbs, or to try some variety with her, but syringing this brown stuff seems to be the best. i do believe we are going thru a can a day. but if she cld eat on her own a whole new world would open up for us treatment wise. her EATING is the vet's number one priority, even if, as the vet says it has sugar etc in it.

if she could get her appetite back i could try a lot more w/ the insulin. the vet says because of the food, better to opt not to give insulin or only give it if over 300...not to focus on it too much because the worst thing that could happen is VERY LOW numbers. NOW i'm a little nervous...or stressy.. because she tested hi and i haven't even given her the roid yet. at least I got a fair amount of food into her before the insulin shot. If I had tested first thing in the morning before trying to get food into her and got the HI, well let me tell you- stressy would be an understatement.

 

Aw thanks Nancy. I don't know what to make of it either. on the youcaring site i posted her "sexy" picture with her shaved and you can see how big her eyes are there. That was the end of october. and then three weeks later she get's this nose/eye thing. and vets say, well, xyz cancer is very aggresive. But if it was THAT aggressive and came on all of a sudden at three weeks, why isn't she dead now after nearly 3 months? Sure there were some signs before the playboy pic, she was sneezing and it wasn't on my radar for awhile ( i was planning my surgery I chastise myself all the time for that) and she was making weird noises when eating her pate and it was flying everywhere, but i just thought she was getting old and sloppy. she was still gobbling up food. but that cld've been indicative of something in her nose then.

i was reading this about tumors and they are NOT all cancerous... http://veterinarymedicine.dvm360.co...ell-carcinoma-overview?id=&sk=&date=&pageID=2

 

i regularly tested she always tested negative, haven't tested in a week. ran out of the strips now.

 

Might be a goood idea to keep checking, especially while Skinky's not getting insulin.

 

Laura, I have 2 of mine who sneeze any time I am cleaning or stir up dust and all 4 make noises when eating a various times, don't beat yourself up, cats are just so stoic that it is really hard to see something until it gets bad and she could have a non-cancerous tumor but until there is proof she has some type of tumor I will always think it could be infection from her tooth or her sinuses or both, of course I had the worst infection in my left sinuses that the ear nose and throat doctor that did my surgery had ever seen, actually you could see some swelling beside my nose right before the surgery, I guess this just makes me think that is what her problem is also but I have also seen a couple cats in the past year with extreme sinus infections, and with my history I know how miserable they can be and I want to help them, anyway thats what I am going to keep rooting for-something curable.

 

Hi Laura,
I think you are doing a superwoman job caring for Skinky. I have no experience with the various meds you are using, but with regard to the diabetes/testing/insulin I really agree with others that you should stay on top of that. If Skinky is Hi, she certainly can't feel good. Maybe there is something wrong with your meter if it reads Hi or Lo so much of the time. ADW is having free shipping this week. You could order the Arkray Glucocard 01 or the Arkray Glucocard 01 Mini as part of a kit that includes strips. These Arkray meters are the same meters as the Walmart Relion Confirm and Relion Micro, respectively. They all use Arkray Glucocard 01 Sensor strips and require a very small blood drop.
You might try using a lancet device. I think they are faster (and therefore less painful) than free-handing the ear prick.

If you consistenty shoot a small amount of Lantus every 12 hours, say .25 of a unit, perhaps even less, you would at least be getting some insulin into her and will be helping to regulate her blood sugar much better than you are now.

I hope Skinky had an OK day today and that your own physical problems are not getting worse.

Hugs, scritches,

Ella & Rusty

Here is a link for the Arkray Glucocard 01 meter on the ADW site:
http://www.adwdiabetes.com/product/arkray-glucocard-01-blood-glucose-monitoring-kit_4044_53.htm

 

Laura, if you can, I would recommend that you go get some more ketone test strips and some blood glucose test strips for your meter, first thing tomorrow morning.

 

The reason I went back to the Confirm is because although the Prime's strips are half the price, I was getting lots of error messages too, so was using 3-5 strips to get 1 test

The Confirm or Micro are great meters (or the Glucocard from ADW which is the same thing) so if you can swing the cost, it could save you money in the end...and a lot of frustration and poking in the meantime!

You're such a great mamabean for Skunky, Laura!! I don't comment much, but I've been keeping up to date on everything you've been doing and she's so lucky to have you care so much!

 

aw thanks everyone. some good info and great support from all of you. I put an order in for the akray, will take a few days. Nancy and Scotty: yeah, today she is clogged up in that nose. poor thing. it's random/cyclical, it'll be clear for a while and then not. she HATES the baby booger thing, i sometimes get afraid of her reaction when I squeeze, i think it goes right into her brain, so i take it easy with that, but think i need to use it every now and then. If I was her, I'd gather all my strength and claw me to death in my sleep. syringe, needles, pills, booger ball. when i bring up the occasional possible URI/cloggyness etc., the vets all just nod their head and say, understandable, it's the tumor or whatever in her nose. i can't wait till fri, i'll give her the convenia and she'll get a little better, but she is NOT fighting this infection (her lymphocites and neturcils were way out of wack). If I could regulate the insulin i am sure it would help her fight the infection but it so often comes down to WHAT IS THE MINIMUM AMOUNT OF FOOD I can have in her before a shot? we go into this cycle and if i try to jam three syringes of food into her and then keep stabbing at her ear only to get the E13 errors - well this is when she does want to die. Plus i don't know that i can do every twelve hours with my random doctor appts and with how long it can take to get food into her and get a proper blood count. but yes, as someone pointed out, i'm thinking if i can maybe even get the drop of insulin into her twice a day, maybe one unit at one point and then .25 at another point? i know it's not "protocol" and board protocol might involve asking a vet, but for all the vets, and myself included, the more important thing is getting the food into her and if the steroid helps with inflammation, that would be the second focus thing. it's not that i want to neglect the insulin/diabetic component, it's just that if i try to be consistent with it, it doesn't work for either of us...and it's not from lack of trying on my part. truly the worst thing is when i'm in commando mode and i'm really trying to do all of this and i see this look in her eye and she wants out. so trying to find the balance is tricky. but maybe getting a monitor which needs less blood and is therefore less stressful for her is a step in the right direction.

got a surprising call from the vet mobile owner today just checking up on skinky. he was surprised that she is still alive and that i haven't PTS sleep yet. we were discussing some things. he said the sedation and aspiration really would be a waste because it would be 50/50 or less that we actually sample the cells that we needed to sample. the thing to do is a sedation/biopsy, but I don't know how they could reach the tissue in her nose. previously the vet had suggested cutting her eye out. this guy said maybe with tweezers up the nostril or through the mouth but i don't think that will work....so in some ways I think I can understand why the CT scan. it's still very frustrating because there's still no concrete diagnosis on her. also the sedation/biopsy wouldn't show if there's anything growing behind the eye. anyhow, i'm still on the "skinky strong" thing because i think the stronger she gets i'll have more chance of a vet willing to take more of a chance on her and do maybe an xray. not sure how we can get a tissue sample w/o going thru the eye.

This vet mobile owner was encouraging me to regulate her insulin as well. oh gosh, such mixed messages. i told him how it's best if i can just syringe small amounts of food into her throughout the day, he said that's fine for the administering insulin, that it doesn't have to be half can all at once before insulin. i don't know what to do. Manhattan cat vet, the one i really like, warns me that i'm better to give no insulin out of fear of risking hypoglycemia, although i believe she felt i'd be very safe w/ .25 or .5 insulin once or twice a day...but i don't know how far that will go with regulating her, especially with lantus.

the lantus i have is old too, used from a local person who had to put their cat down, but expiration is 2016 and it's been refrigerated the whole time...

anyhow, i do think she is better today than last week. i know we are going to have continual ups and downs, but i'd say she is more on an up swing.

 

There is NO minimum amount of food before shooting, per se. If her glucose is up over 300 mg/dL on a human meter, giving a small dose of insulin (ex 0.25-0.5 units), even if she doesn't eat, will help bring it down. And bringing down the glucose level may actually improve her appetite. IF you have been regularly giving insulin at a specific dose that works well when she is eating, you would need to adjust the dose downward, for safety.
We really need you to list the glucose numbers when you get them.
Do it like this:
AMPS, test number for morning pre-shot or AMBG test number if you just test without giving insulin
+time since shot/morning test, test number
ex +3, 205 means that 3 hours after the morning test, with or without shot, the glucose was 205
And so on.
It'll help us give you better feedback with regard to insulin dosing.

 

I don't know whether this will help to reassure you a little, Laura, but during the height of Saoirse's pancreatitis flare she was on Lantus and I fed her a tiny amount every hour (timed feeders helped). It worked well for her. I did do BG spot checks during the cycle (her numbers were high-ish so not too many).

Sending prayers for you both.

((((Laura and Skinky))))
.

 

I still think without the CT it's hard to say if this is cancer or not. If you could get a culture of any drainage, that may tell alot if it is an infection. See these pics of what a tooth infection can do (sorry if the pics are graphic), looks a lot like what's going on in your cat: https://www.google.com/search?q=tooth root abscess cat&ie=utf-8&oe=utf-8

They -might- be able to see an abscess if they took dental/facial x-rays.

 

oh my gosh! those poor beautiful animals! yes, some of that does look like her, but it emanated from the bridge/side of her nose...
she continues to go in all of these cycles. last night she was SUPER congested, I hear it in the back of her throat. That side of her nose kept draining mucous, which I actually thought might be a good thing. I have this strange notion that all of her snoogers go into that "pocket" because often there is no drainage from her nose. anyway, not sure if she does have a super bad upper respiratory virus that comes and goes or what. gave her the AB injection one day early today. got a lot of mucous out of her nose yesterday. after 3 or 4 poops on Tuesday she hasn't had a bowel movement. she seemed VERY uncomfortable last night. gave her gas-x, cerenia shot and peptic ac. she just seems so congested in her head and back of throat, but in addition to that i know she has these gastric pains. we go on and off the Hills AD. Too high carb for her i think, so eventually i try to switch but i always go back to it. I'm cutting it now with sweet potato baby food, wellness turkey no grain, cat sure and a bunch of vitamins. but the more i try to feed her, she can get gassy and i see the expansion in her tummy. today i'm backing off and she looks much more slender, not really a good thing for an anorexic cat, but she seems to feel just a little less uncomfortable. have a water bowl right next to her sleeping head. 1/2 unit of lantus earlier, have held off on steroid injection. i just don't think we are ever going to get out of this cycle. but she is purring and cuddles up with me so much at night. i wish i knew the end game, so to speak. my back is killing me so much from up and down and picking her up, I wouldn't mind two shots and being put down. Maybe I am denying her.

As for the dental, i got a 1400 dollar price for the dental xray and anesthesia in nj, and quite frankly once they see her i'm not even sure if they would go thru with it. the saturday vet appt was SUPPOSED to be for dental, but first she had to see a vet and he wouldn't advise going forward w/ dental, so that day was a waste. I still maintain that she has been worse than this. the last vet saw that the redness around the tooth had abated and still didn't think that it was a dental thing. I'll see the vet again next wednesday and see where we are at with things. Maybe a take home culture kit? I feel that the longer she seems to defy the initial impression that she's a goner, the more curious and likely my vet is to try other things with her. As a last resort, I could turn to the vet mobile vet and see if he would revisit his suggestion of taking out her eye to access and clean out whatever is going on in her nose. it just seems extreme and would be a bit of guess work w/o the right diagnostics and i'm not sure if it would be mean or a life saver...

very sad and tired today and sore.

 

I hope you feel better Laura, and tomorrow is a better day for Skinky. Blessings and Hugs.

 

Thanks Dyana.

 

It has to be hard for you to see her go through all this. It's tough when there isn't a definitive answer to what is happening with her, if it's something treatable or not, and how long to continue. Even if it is just an infection, it's hard to say if she does have it drained if her body at this point will even tolerate the anesthesia. Year ago, I had an almost 20 year old cat (with many co-morbidities) that we chose to PTS when she developed a tooth root abscess, she wouldn't have survived surgery. From what your cat has gone through, however, she seems like a little fighter.

You might ask if the vet will send you home with a couple culturettes. Culturing some of that mucus from her nose might give some insight into what is happening, or at least some treatment that can increase her comfort.

Take care

 

Sending hugs, scritches, and prayers.


Ella & Rusty

 

Still praying for you and Skinky every day! Now, I will pray for a Valentine's Day miracle! Hugs to you and scritches to Skinky!

 

There is also a fungal infection that can happen in cats, Cryptococcosis, that can cause swelling at the nasal bridge and lots of respiratory symptoms. I'd imagine they can culture for this as well. I believe they can do a blood test for antibodies. Treatment would include strong antifungals.

http://catexpert.blogspot.com/2014/07/cryptococcosis-in-cats.html

 

Laura, Hope you and Skinky have a good day today, just wanted to let you know I was thinking about you.

 

Hi Meya,

Yeah I've been treating her for that just in case...i got a compounded liquid fluconazole for her. THIS is what I was HOPING it was...i know it is supposed to take a very long time. Most of the vets highly doubt that it's this fungus. I'll revisit when I see the vet. A lot of her mucus came out (for now) but she still doesn't like to eat, it seems to give her a lot of gas. Last night she sounded very asthmatic. I think she might also have a food allergy. She continues to lose hair on her chest, but it seems to be primarily on the side and area where the AD food drops on her. .No pooping since I think Tues or Weds, which I"m sure is making her uncomfortable. It's just so much. Fix one thing, something else comes undone. She can still fight me though when i'm syringing her or trying to blow her nose. Her hind legs were weak before and although not the greatest now, strong enough for her to jump down from a bed that's approximately 32 inches off the ground. But today she's not drinking water again and I can see that she's dehydrated. Yes, giving subqs. Off for a doctor appt. I'll see how she is when I get back.

 

Thinking of you both and praying for ye.

((((Laura and Skinky))))
.

 

My hear break for this kitty and the everyday suffering she going thru.

 

I'm not sure if I'm reading this correctly but just in case, I need to point out that when using the nasal aspirator it shouldn't be in her nostril when you squeeze it. You only insert it after you have squeezed the air out of it... then after inserted, you release to cause the suction.

Hoping your own doc appt went well today!

 

((((Laura & Skinky)))), We are thinking of you. Haven't heard any updates in a while and hoping that Skinky is more comfortable than she was when you last wrote. Sending lots of healing thoughts and prayers for your girl,

Ella & Rusty

 

Hi Linda,
Thanks for checking in. Not sure what to say about how she's doing. I would say that her swelling has gone down. She can still hop over the tub. She actually ate, on her own, some Fancy Feast liver and chicken. That was this morning. It hasn't replicated itself. I got a new blood monitor which measures .03 for the blood and it's SO much easier to take her BG readings, which have been high, 500 range....although last night she registered a 177.

The bad is that she still seems pretty listless. It's increasingly difficult for me to physically care for her, although I'm supposed to be getting a home health aide this week and that might help a bit. I've been waiting for that to go through before I take her back to the vet, so the aide can carry Skinky (I'm really way too young to be talking like this btw...!!). I thought she was going to die in my arms this morning. I was telling her it is ok to go. Her breathing was so slow. And then for the heck of it I open a FF and she eats a little. But very little, like a quarter of a can if that.

She looks sad. It's just tough to make a decision to PTS when she actually has reduced swelling and ate on her own a little and because it's become physically inconvenient for me. Doesn't seem right. So that's where we are. Same old really...

 

Well, I'm still praying for Skinky and you. I'm glad she ate some on her own. And that 177 was a better number. I am keeping you two in my good thoughts and prayers and hope the home health aide is an animal lover and helps you quite a bit with her. Hugs.

 

Hi Laura,

Sorry for not posting on your thread for the past few days (Saoirse's pancreas is acting up and she's got a dental booked for Thursday so I'm even more fretty about her than I usually am). I just wanted to let you know that even if I haven't posted, I'm still keeping you both in my prayers.

I can't get over how brave and how much of a battler Skinky is. I'm glad that the new glucometer is making testing easier. I hope that the home health aide will make a very positive difference for you.

((((Laura and Skinky))))
.

 

Hi Laura,
I, too, hope that the home health aide will be a real help to you. It is amazing how Skinky is able to bounce back. It shows how much she loves you (and wants to take care of you).
We are keeping you and your girl in our thoughts and prayers. You both are very brave.


Ella & Rusty

P.s. glad that your new meter is working well. That must be a relief.

 

Laura, good to hear from you, hope both of you have a comfortable night.

 

Hi Laura,

Just checking in to ask how you are both doing and to send more prayers.

((((Laura and Skinky))))
.

 

I cant post everyday but want you to know you and Skinky are solidly in my prayers. Praying for strength and guidance and time.
jeanne