5/28 Trixie AMBG 150 "+3" 66 PMBG 196 "+3"120 Back from Vet

Yesterday

I do love and appreciate how Mr P kicks it into gear, even though he keeps me guessing with those pre-fuds tests!

I made a vetty appointment for this afternoon, mainly for my peace of mind. I'm a bit concerned about her poop/LB activities. I thought she was constipated last week, so I started giving her a little miralax. That resulted in a pretty soft, almost runny poop the other day. I stopped the miralax. Yesterday, she pooped and it was much more formed, but when she first stepped into a box, she laid down for a few seconds. Then she moved to another box and pooped. She came out, sat for a few, then went in another box and laid down for a few seconds. She came back out, and after that pretty much all was well. So I don't know if that behavior was just that the last of the miralax was working its way out of her system and maybe giving her some cramps or if the p-titis is flaring up a bit again or what.

She also had dry heaves right at dinner time...I was just about to test her when it happened. A few minutes later, I tested her, and she ate a fairly decent (by today's standards) first round. So it was probably an empty tummy/tummy acid thing...but we haven't had any of those issues since we started the BID pepcid. She'd had a few other foamy spit up incidents in the last week, though....so off to the vetty we go, just to check things out.

I did give her a cerenia last night after the dry heaves, and she seemed very relaxed and comfy all evening, although she also seemed pretty relaxed and comfy before the cerenia would have kicked in.

So I don't know...I don't know if she needs the cerenia regularly now, or if she just needs the miralax to fully get out of her system or what. Otherwise, she's OK...snuggly and pretty social and hunting stray kibbles. She's still not her old self, and I know she may never be her old self again. I still have to hold the plate for her, and I have to admit, that has me feeling a bit emotionally and physically drained since she used to LOVE to eat so much.

Anyway, her appointment is at 3:40EST. I do have to work, but obviously I'll be leaving early.

Thinking of Kelly today as she mourns the passing of sweet little Oliver....

Have a great day, LL!

Amy

Re: 5/28 Trixie AMBG 150 "+3" 66 - Vetty this afternoon

Poor Trixie on the poop issues. I don't blame you for going to the vet. Those are always concerning. Ugh on the dry heaves. I wonder what that was all about. Glad the appy wasn't too affected. She may get back to her old self, but it will just take awhile. I think she kind of likes the extra attention with the fuds too. ;-) They do love one on one time. I know it is draining you though. ((((Amy)))) Lots of good vetty vines coming your way.

Re: 5/28 Trixie AMBG 150 "+3" 66 - Vetty this afternoon

Morning Amy

Wow, another great start for Trixie. LOVE that +3. You surf well today Trixie. :mrgreen: :mrgreen:

Good luck at the vetty. I can understand your concern. It's hard to k now what is what when behaviors change, even in the slightest little bit. I'd take her, just for your peace of mind. Could be on a p'titis flare. I sometimes think our kitties have more of those than any of us realize. I hope all goes well at the appt.

I can so relate to the eating comments, about how one had a lover of fuds, and then you have to encourage. it was the same with Mannie. That cat loved to eat, later on, it took some work. He was content though, so we went with the flow.

Have a great day Amy. I hope all goes well.

Re: 5/28 Trixie AMBG 150 "+3" 66 - Vetty this afternoon

Hi Amy,

A lot of what you describe, excluding the poop issues, is similar to what I experience with Pixie. At times, he doesn't eat much, exhibits the dry heaves and vomits clear, foamy liquid. Usually it lasts a few cycles and then, what I've noticed is that Pixie passes a huge hair ball and then seems better for the next few days. It's up and down and I really haven't put my finger on what is actually the problem - pancreatitis, IBD or a combination?

There are some that say that the inability to pass hair balls is indicative of other ailments and I'm somewhat in agreement with this. Healthy cats seem to pass hair balls without issue whereas cats with digestive disorders tend to have difficulties, heaving, vomiting, etc. When I start to get really worried, I restart Pixie's med regimen and this helps - the vet says a cat doesn't show pain very well but will certainly eat less when in pain. This definitely seems the case with Pixie - when he gets his pain med - Bupe - his appetite improves. I haven't noticed whether Trixie has tried pain meds but if she has, did you notice any improvements?

Good luck with the vet this afternoon. Keep us posted on her prognosis, Amy and try not to worry too much at work. We're thinking of you and Trixie, wishing you all the best. Anne

Re: 5/28 Trixie AMBG 150 "+3" 66 - Vetty this afternoon

Quick reply...I'm at work....

Trix was on bupe when the p-titis first started up 5 weeks ago, but she wasn't on a full dose of her BP meds then. If she's on BP meds and has bupe, she gets way, way, way too stoned...frighteningly stoned. If she were to need bupe again, I guess we would have to take her off the BP meds for that time frame.

The pepcid definitely seems to make a difference in her appy...it really does pick up about an hour after she has that. She may need the cerenia in her regimen again for awhile, too.

Her appy isn't HORRIBLE, but it's different than it used to be. She was always a CPC on her own kitty, but since the p-titis, I have to hold the plate for her and feed her small portions. I think part of the issue is physical, and part of it is psychological....

Trix is a very light shedder and not a hairballer. She did have x-rays at the beginning of this p-titis...they showed a lot of gas in her system, but no blockage. A follow up x-ray several days later was much improved....the gas was gone.

Back to work!!

Re: 5/28 Trixie AMBG 150 "+3" 66 - Vetty this afternoon

Hi Amy,
We are sending good vetty vines for this afternoon's appointment. I hope your vet can give you some answers.

Hugs and scritches,

Ella & Rusty

Re: 5/28 Trixie AMBG 150 "+3" 66 PMBG 196 - Back from Vet

We've got some serious vetty stress in that number...at least that's what I hope it is! She had her anal glands expressed, her tushy "violated" and blood drawn, so a high number isn't a huge surprise.

Once again, my head is absolutely swimming. She has lost a little weight, which is no surprise given how much work it is to get her to eat right now. Vet isn't sure if it's physical, psychological, or both. But, she brought out the dreaded "K" word...to encourage Trix to eat more and get more calories, she wants us to use A FEW kibbles on her canned food to try and get her moving. At this point, we do have to try it...she needs more calories, and she can't have cypro because of how it negatively interacts with her BP meds. So, we'll try a little bit here and there to see if gets her more interested. I put 5 kibbles on her first dinner, and she really did dive into it. We'll keep to the minimum possible, of course, and we'll watch her numbers closely. It's kinda like folks who use pred...sometimes you gotta do what you gotta do, and if worse comes to worst, we'll have to add a little juice to counter-balance the kibbles. The girl has to eat more, plain and simple. The ultimate goal is to get her jump-started, and then slowly wean the kibbles out...and, as I mentioned, we'll use as few kibbles as possible.

Her anal glands were very full, so vetty expressed those - everything looked normal with regards to that, but they were quite full. When she did expression, she noticed Trix's poop is black (thus the aforementioned "tushy violation"). Trix's poop has always been very dark but honestly, I've never gotten that up close and personal with it (DH does the scooping). So it looks like we may actually have some sort of intestinal ulceration going on...or maybe not - it just may be the way Trix is since her poop has always been very dark.

On the surface, vetty said that Trix does NOT look anemic - if she had serious intestinal bleeding, she'd most likely be noticeably anemic and her gums would not be the healthy pink color that they are, plus we'd be seeing a lot more vomiting and diarrhea and weakness meatloafing, etc, if she had a serious ulceration. The only diarrhea Trix has recently had was one bout right after the p-titis diagnosis, and the one that resulted from me over-miralaxing her. In fact, when we got home, she had a perfectly sized, perfectly formed, perfectly shaped but very dark poop.

UGH. For now, we stay on course with meds and fluids while we wait for the latest round of tests to come back. We may switch from Pepcid to Zantac...vetty needs to double-check any possible drug interactions and the dosage, so when she calls with the BW results, we'll talk further about that.

So, once again, Trix baffles the vet. We're running yet another full blood panel to see if her kidney values, HCT, etc have changed.

In the meantime, aside from plate chasing and an obviously sensitive bum from the expression, Trix is seeming pretty feisty this evening. I can't believe how many things SEEM to be wrong with her, and although she doesn't present as feeling 100%, she also doesn't present as feeling as crappy as all of her "symptoms" say she should be. It's crazy.

We might not have the results until Friday. I don't think our vetty is in tomorrow, and I hate when anyone else calls with the results, especially given all the crazy nuances in Trix's case.

I need me a big old adult beverage tonight....

Re: 5/28 Trixie AMBG 150 "+3" 66 PMBG 196 - Back from Vet

Overall, may be a stressful day but not a bad vetty report. Had you thought about pulverizing the kibble and sprinkline it or does Trixie want the crunch?

Re: 5/28 Trixie AMBG 150 "+3" 66 PMBG 196 - Back from Vet

I did think about pulverizing the kibble, but I do think she likes the crunch. The vet had an assortment of suggestions, including the pulverizing, mixing them in, etc. So far, I've put a several on the leading edge of her plate, and it really is making her dive in....she's flat out biting into the wet food, not just lapping it up. Hopefully we'll continue on this trend.

We've been hit with so much these past few months, I'm either mind-numb or not too terribly freaked out about today's newest discovery. I don't know...it's just a weird gut feeling. At this point, I think we can get through almost anything...

Re: 5/28 Trixie AMBG 150 "+3" 66 PMBG 196 - Back from Vet

Hi Amy,

That's not a bad report from the vet - a few unanswered questions but perhaps the blood work will shed some more light.

You know when I was studying Tanya's food charts for CKD kitties, she made a good point - what use is all the intervention and expensive food if the kitty won't eat. A kitty that won't eat soon becomes a very sick kitty. So although, kibble isn't great for diabetic cats, it may be what she needs to pick up her appetite. I like Sienne's idea of pulverizing and sprinkling some on Trixie's food but maybe she enjoys the crunch. You know best.

Good luck getting Trixie's weight up which I'm sure will make her feel better. Have a good evening, Amy! Anne

Re: 5/28 Trixie AMBG 150 "+3" 66 PMBG 196 - Back from Vet

I'm glad Trixie is being feisty this evening. I hope the b/w results will give you some answers. Hopefully the kibble will get her eating good. In the meantime, try to focus on enjoying time with Trixie.

Re: 5/28 Trixie AMBG 150 "+3" 66 PMBG 196 "+3"120 Back from

Hey Amy,
Carry on!!
I'm glad that you have a good vet who really takes time to think about all the issues.
Have a good evening,

Hugs and scritches,

Ella & Rusty

Re: 5/28 Trixie AMBG 150 "+3" 66 PMBG 196 "+3"120 Back from

Hi Amy

overall not a bad vetty report at all. Sorry for the anal glands thing - Elsa goes through that here, Bug too. I have to take them both up for a vetty visit every three or four months to have them expressed. Bummer too on the kibble, but if it gets her to eating more, then I'd go for it too.

Sorry for that pmbg too, but I strongly think it is vetty influenced. It is nice to see her coming down. Keep on with the feisty trixie!

Hope you have a great evening.

Re: 5/28 Trixie AMBG 150 "+3" 66 PMBG 196 "+3"120 Back from

When Max's appetite is down, I started sprinkling a few pieces of Stella & Chewy's freeze dried chicken on his canned food and mixed it with more water than usual. He then usually eats it. The vet on the list I wrote to feels it is a good food for diabetic cats. They sell the small pouches so you could buy one and see. After that I bought a large bag.

Re: 5/28 Trixie AMBG 150 "+3" 66 PMBG 196 "+3"120 Back from

Sorry to hear about Trixie's 'invasive' vetty visit, but I'm sure her emptied glands must feel better. ;-)
And if a few kibbles makes her dive and bite into her wet food, then that's great.
You're such a good, attentive mamabean, Amy.
I hope you're having a relaxing evening.

Re: 5/28 Trixie AMBG 150 "+3" 66 PMBG 196 "+3"120 Back from

{{{Amy}}}:

It is always something, isn't it? Just when you think you can relax, boom! :shock: I'm glad the vetty didn't find any serious issues, but it's often more frustrating when they don't!

What kind of kibble are you giving her? Have you considered using the Hill's prescription one for diabetics (I forget, is it DM?)? That would at least mitigate the damage it does to her BG. Just a thought...

I. too, think you have a WONDERFUL vet. Trixie is in very good hands, between the two of you.

Sending good appy and good poo and just generally good vines and lots of hugs! :YMHUG:

Enjoy that adult beverage (or two). You've earned it! drinking24

Re: 5/28 Trixie AMBG 150 "+3" 66 PMBG 196 "+3"120 Back from

Hi Amy,
I think it's a good idea to put some kibbles to get Trixie interested in food more.
I'm glad she enjoyed her food more this evening.
Sending many prayers for b/w results. :YMHUG:

Re: 5/28 Trixie AMBG 150 "+3" 66 PMBG 196 "+3"120 Back from

Reading your vetty report reminded me I needed to check Shasta's anal glands. Thanks...she does not say thank you. :shock: :lol: I'm sorry you didn't exactly get the answers that would really steer you in the right direction, but one step at a time. I'm happy she's digging the kibble. Sending appy vines and feel better vines for Miss Trixie!

Re: 5/28 Trixie AMBG 150 "+3" 66 PMBG 196 "+3"120 Back from

((((Amy))))

When Gus was losing weight, our vet had us give him extra virgin, unrefined coconut oil. He loved it and licked it right out of the syringe. It really worked for a while. He was eating but he just kept losing weight so the coconut oil stopped the weight loss and he even gained a little weight.

It's just a suggestion as an alternative to kibble if you are just trying to get her to gain weight. If it's more about eating, then the kibble is likely a better idea.

Sending lots of prayers for good bloodwork.

I hope you enjoyed the adult beverage and got some rest.

Re: 5/28 Trixie AMBG 150 "+3" 66 PMBG 196 "+3"120 Back from

Hi Amy, I always feel like I'm the negative one, the person who points out what might be happening and then everyone on this board hates me for it because I didn't offer encouragement but instead more worry. The only reason why I speak my mind is because I don't want you to ignore a potential problem.

I definitely don't want to discourage or depress you but your vet told you that Trixie's poop is black. There's a difference between vary dark and black poop. The vet may have said it's not a serious ulceration, but I've had ulcers and they are painful, whether 'serious' or not, and you don't want to eat anything when you have an ulcer. Oh, you'll try to eat when you're hungry because if you don't, you will starve and your stomach will make you hurt really bad and you'll barf. You won't have anything to vomit because your stomach is empty, so, you throw up bile instead.

I know that you are treating Trixie for a number of ailments right now and that is a lot of work. I also had a cat who had CKD and I she was on so much medicine.. But I just have to tell you that if Trixie were my cat I'd find a way to treat her for a possible ulcer, as well as to stop feeding her foods that are high in phosphorus. Jomo, my P-titis kitty DID have ulcers off and on, and when she was having one her poop would be BLACK. It always turned to a dark brown or light brown color again after we treated her for the ulcers and they were healed. We went through it several times..

I know I'll face the wrath of this board, but I kind of blame the FF Classic Chicken that I fed Jomo most of the time for all of her ulcers. I know that everyone on FDMB swears by Fancy Feast, but I just can't ignore the phosphorus content and the fact that in humans, consuming too much phosphorus over time definitely helps the acid in our stomachs eat a hole in the lining of our stomach. Many of those FF foods are so high in phosphorus. I just can't imagine that too much phosphorus would have a positive effect on a cat. :roll:

Re: 5/28 Trixie AMBG 150 "+3" 66 PMBG 196 "+3"120 Back from

I am just catching up on this. ((((Amy)))) I hope you get your results sooner than later. The kibble will definitely help get her interested in food again. You are doing a great job. Funny how the kitties are just their same old self, even when they should be sick.

Re: 5/28 Trixie AMBG 150 "+3" 66 PMBG 196 "+3"120 Back from

I just asked for a sample of Young Again kibble that is 0% carb dry. I'll let you know if Max likes it when it arrives.