10/8 Jupiter - post chemo update

The question about appy stimulant is in the reply that has a whole bunch of " :?: "


Link to previous condo: viewtopic.php?f=9&t=105764

Jupiters first chemo treatment was yesterday! So far, hes doing okay - but a little "off".

Appetite is poor... but he is eating a few small bites. (As long as I make it extra special for my extra sweet Jupe - with some freeze dried treats, FF appetizer, tuna flakes, or other treats including some freeze dried turkey and giblet rounds from Rhiannon! Thanks!!)
So I am putting the treats on top of his food and he will eat a bite or two... then doesnt want anymore... but cant complain as long as he takes a few bites frequently during the day. Its important that his appetite keeps increasing over the next few days...but if not - we do have a plan in place for how to handle everything. The tech took a long time and sat with us and discussed all the side effects and treatments and what we can do to help make this easier and more comfortable for Jupiter.

Gave him a dose of the Cerenia this morning which they prescribed for nausea. So far, no nausea or vomiting. No diarrhea yet either - but we do have the meds here just in case.

I posted this update on facebook last night:
"How sweet of Dane? He is sleeping on the couch tonight. Jupiter is getting really upset when hes not right next to me. I think he wants momma to pet and comfort him... Jupiter normally sleeps in bed with me... but today hes more sprawled out.... and I can only sleep in a very light sleep with him so close to me because I worry about rolling over on him. So Dane is sleeping on the couch tonight to allow more room for me and Jupiter to sleep comfortably tonight. I think both Jupiter and I really need this good night of rest."

Well Jupiter slept next to me ALL night long, only getting up to eat and then came right back. I walked away for a few minutes today (just to make food) and Jupiter laid there meowing until I came back. Dont get me wrong, I LOVE that he wants to snuggle... but I know my baby Jupe, and I know hes not feeling so great. When hes not feeling well, he wants his momma to lay next to him and pet and comfort him.


I plan to explain everything regarding the specific chemo treatment a little later. I am feeling really tired but wanted to post an update to let you all know Jupiter is doing okay.

A special thank you to Donaleen who helped us with the cost of getting Jupiter to his treatment yesterday! And a special thank you to Sherry & Squirt for the chemo treatment!


Prayers and vines for Lyresa's KT, Marje's Gus, and all other kitties in need.

I'm glad Jupiter is doing well after his treatment. They really do bond more closely to us when we are so intent on their care!

I hope he perks up soon!

Thank you for the great report. I'm sorry he's feeling a little punk but I hope that this is the worst of his post-chemo symptoms and that he'll start to eat and feel a little better.

Dane is a sweetheart and I'm glad you got a little rest.

Healing vines for Jupe and thank you for the ones for Gussie.

Hi Jamie, it's so cute he wants to lay next to mommabean. I hope he feels better soon and appy gets better. He looked really good in the videos. Thanks for posting them.

Get some rest today, Jamie!

Hopefully the post chemo ickies don't hang around long. Awesome that he snuggles with you all night. It's prolly his way of thanking your for taking such awesome care of him!

Fingers crossed he'll do ok with the chemo.

{{hugs}}

I'm glad Jupiter seems to be doing okay with the chemo. I hope his appy picks up. That was nice of Dane sleep on the couch so you and Jupiter could have the bed.

Hi Jamie,
It sounds like everything is proceeding normally (for chemo treatments) and we are thinking good thoughts that Jupe will be feeling better and better every day. You and Dane are doing a remarkable job. Jupe is very lucky to have such good beans.

Have a good night tonight. We are praying that it will be a comfortable night for all of you.

Ella & Rusty

Dane is definitely a keeper!

I hope the worst of the chemo side effects are gone in a day or two.

Dane is wonderful.


Eat , Jupe, Eat.

still cheering you all on - hoping today was the worst of it. we're with you! :YMHUG:

I am very happy to see an update-

Dane- you are incredible to give up your side of the bed to comfort both Jupe & Jamie- as well as checking on both of them! And letting both of them get some rest as this has been taking a lot out of all of you. Sending hungry vibes to Jupe & calming vibes to Jamie- remember to take care of yourself and get some rest..

((Jamie, Dane & Jupiter & other furries))

Jamie,
I'm glad Jupiter's 1st chemo went well and that both Jupiter and you got good rest.
I hope he gets over the side effects quickly and feels better and better every day.
Sending more healing vines to sweet Jupiter.

Re: 10/8 Jupiter - post chemo update- not eating

Jupiter isnt eating today ... I got him to take his prozac and cerenia... so he ate 1 pill pocket today and a few small licks of tuna flakes... but thats it... he wont eat anything.... worried about him

Re: 10/8 Jupiter - post chemo update - not eating

aw poor Jupiter. :sad:

have you tried lunch meat? Its sort of the Holy Grail of foods for my kitties. They cant say no to it. (just get some that doesnt have a bunch of fillers and crap in it)

or (and this is really silly) if I pretend to eat the food Im trying to get them to eat right in front of them and make a bunch of yummy noises, then when they investigate pull away a little like your not going to let them have it. It makes them reeeaaally want it.

whatever works! lol

Hope he feels better soon

Re: 10/8 Jupiter - post chemo update - not eating

Chemo attacks any rapidly dividing cells, not just cancerous ones. This, unfortunately, may include cells along the GI tract, which may result in a digestive upset.

You vet may need to give both something for nausea as well as something for appetite.

You may need to assit feed in order to make sure he consumes enough calories.

Re: 10/8 Jupiter - post chemo update - not eating

Sending prayers for you and Jupiter. Hopefully his appy will pick up soon. :YMHUG: :YMHUG:

Re: 10/8 Jupiter - post chemo update - not eating

Michele M said:

aw poor Jupiter. :sad:

have you tried lunch meat? Its sort of the Holy Grail of foods for my kitties. They cant say no to it. (just get some that doesnt have a bunch of fillers and crap in it)

or (and this is really silly) if I pretend to eat the food Im trying to get them to eat right in front of them and make a bunch of yummy noises, then when they investigate pull away a little like your not going to let them have it. It makes them reeeaaally want it.

whatever works! lol

Hope he feels better soon

Click to expand...

I was doing something like that with J.D. tonight. He kind of reluctantly took a couple of bites of food, and then I would pull the food bowl away. Wait a second, and offer it again and he would take another bit. Pull it away, wait a second, offer it againg, and he would take another bite. Over and over.
Have you tried spoon feeding him? J.D. really likes to be spoon fed (plastic spoons work better). Maybe Jupiter will too.
Sending eating vines to Jupiter.

Re: 10/8 Jupiter - post chemo update - not eating

He likes to be fed by hand... but not working today.

he does not really like lunchmeat very much.

I was eating bread and he ran up to me and licked it and got a small crumb of it... then he would not leave me alone. He really wanted my roll! Hes always liked bread, but after diagnosis - he did not even get a single crumb of it. Hes never acted this crazy about bread though! Weird.

he did eat a few licks of a meow mix wet cup of food... twice today...


I am going to call the oncologist tomorrow and ask about an appetite stimulant.

Re: 10/8 Jupiter - post chemo update - not eating

Dyana said:

...I was doing something like that with J.D. tonight. He kind of reluctantly took a couple of bites of food, and then I would pull the food bowl away. Wait a second, and offer it again and he would take another bit. Pull it away, wait a second, offer it againg, and he would take another bite. Over and over. ...

Click to expand...

Didn' you know that every time you put it down again in automatically becomes "new food" and must be sampled?

I remember doing that over and over with some of the renal cats I've had.

Re: 10/8 Jupiter - post chemo update - not eating

Hi Jamie,
Sending eating vines to Jupiter.
I hope his appy improves.
I was surprised to know that Jupiter likes bread!
I've never heard of any other cats who like bread!
He is a special boy!

Re: 10/8 Jupiter - post chemo update - not eating

Jamie

I wonder if he'd eat or let you syringe him the Liver Shake recipe in the health links? It's really helped Gus. Sending prayers and healing vines.

Re: 10/8 Jupiter - post chemo update - not eating

After his chemo treatment, they asked me to not force feed him. They said this is only used as a very last resort and they prefer to try an appetite stimulant first.

They said force feeding may cause him to start vomiting if he has nausea from the chemo.

Hes crazy about bread again today!! I really wish there was something else he wanted to eat this bad!

Re: 10/8 Jupiter - post chemo update - not eating

He needs to eat, which will help him to get better. Perhaps try the syringe feeding of liquidy wet food, but only very small amounts, and a very little bit at a time like 1/8 tsp. at the most, perhaps every few hours or whenever. Hopefully that won't make him vomit. He needs to get some nutrients into his body. Just a thought.

Sending tons of healing vines, and positive vibes, and wishing for Jupiter to make a full and speedy recovery. :YMHUG:

Re: 10/8 Jupiter - post chemo update - not eating

Thanks for the suggestions everyone. He actually ate a little bit on his own this morning..... but still not enough.... gonna see if he will eat more on his own... if not, I am going to call oncologist to ask about appy stimulant.
Fortunately, we do have a few pills here and I will let them know that and hopefully we can use what we already have here.

I would also much rather try an appy stimulant first

Re: 10/8 Jupiter - post chemo update - not eating

Sprinkle some bread crumbs over his food?

Re: 10/8 Jupiter - QUESTION- APPY STIMULANTS

:?: :?: :?: :?: :?: :?: :?:

I was wondering if there is anyone who can give me some input about appy stimulants?

Like.... which ones work best? Do they cause any side effects? How long they take to work? Etc...


If anyone could offer any input, I would appreciate it so much!

(or if anyone wants to share or explain anything else regarding appy stimulants - I would greatly appreciate any and all info and stories about your experience with the appy stimulants)

Re: 10/8 Jupiter - post chemo update - not eating

Carl & Bob said:

Sprinkle some bread crumbs over his food?

Click to expand...

I know I like to crack jokes at times to try to lessen tension or make people smile. But this wasn't an attempt at humor.

Jupe has survived diabetes, cancer, and amputation. Bread might be a source of carbs and of course he can't live on bread alone. But if it will help him eat something that IS good for him, who cares if it has a few carbs?

I saw a post by Dr. Lisa a while back about "treats". She said because treats are such a small part of the diet, she wasn't concerned with carb content in them. One of her cats was a huge fan of licorice, so that was what she used as a treat.

We tell people when trying to wean a cat off of dry to crumble it up and top the canned food with it. Bread crumbs shouldn't be a problem, I don't think.

Re: 10/8 Jupiter - post chemo update- ????appy stimulant???

We have had the best of luck with cyproheptadine and not such good luck with mirtazapine. Most vets seem to like to prescribe mirtz first, but Zener was pretty frantic when we used that with him. I think I read on FDMB where someone referred to it as "meowzapine". I have read others used mirtz with good results, but at a smaller dose than what is usually prescribed. Zener has had appy issues since his diagnosis with FD. We use cypro regularly and much less than the typically prescribed dose. Just a tiny sliver of a pill works well for him. He will eat, and ask for food, without getting frantic. Cypro is an antihistamine and increased appy is a side effect, a good one in the case of poor appy. We also use ondansetron for nausea as well, and it is a med originally prescribed to humans getting chemo. Cerenia is more useful for vomiting abut vets will prescribe cerenia for nausea.

Paws crossed Jupe gets his appy back soon. He is one amazingly tough cat!

Re: 10/8 Jupiter - post chemo update- ????appy stimulant???

Thank you both for your input and ideas.


Jupiter actually took another few licks on his own... will hold off on using bread crumbs since he is eating a little bit this morning. Hoping he will continue to eat. I will still find out about the appy stimulants... the oncologists office is going to call me back... so I will still find out that info... incase we do need to use an appy stimulant it will be good to know.

If he doesnt continue to eat today, I will try bread crumbs or appy stimulant.

Re: 10/8 Jupiter - post chemo update- ????appy stimulant???

Nice to see dupe is eating a little more. Nausea can be the underlying cause for lack of appy, so it is necessary to treat for that as well as the appy. Mirtazipine is actually an anti-psychotic w/ appetite stimulation as a side effect. John's DM was given it for her appetite and started to see figures in the wall paper moving! Just think on how it could effect a tiny cat and confuse them.

Does Jupiter like butter? It'a a good source of calories and fat isn't as much an issue w/ cats as it is w/ humans. Tess know that Sunday morning breffis involves butter for the biscuits and is right there demanding her share!

Re: 10/8 Jupiter - post chemo update- ????appy stimulant???

I hope Jupiter will start eating more on his own and you don't need the appy stimulant. Sending prayers to you and Jupiter.

Re: 10/8 Jupiter - post chemo update- ????appy stimulant???

Hope Jupiter's appy inproves.

I had been given mirtazapine with my GA Linus, and it made him crazy! He couldn't settle down for hours. He was walking backwards and meowing. Vet suggested I give him benedryl to lessen the side effects. ECID, but that was my experience~

Please eat some more fuds Jupe!

Hi Jamie, been catching up on your condos and hoping Jupe starts eating for you.
You and Dane both are doing a great job, and oh yeah.....Dane rocks!! He is a keeper!
Sending appy and feel better ♥vines♥ to Jupiter ♥
Enjoy your night Jamie and get some rest I-)