18/09 *Gremlin* Been a month and a half since my last update...

...and Gremlin currently isn't going so well.

Nine days ago I noticed Gremlin having issues with his teeth again. As per last time I took him to the vet and they gave him an antibiotic. This helped the last couple of times he had issues, the most recent being nine months ago.

This time the antibiotics haven't helped. While he's not pawing at his face bad, he is doing it. He's obviously in some discomfort. In a week he was only cuddly two days, only displayed "normal behaviour" two days.

I called my vet clinic but Grem's vet is away until Tuesday so in the meantime they have given me Bupe to keep Grem more comfortable. He seems happier but is still pawing at his face, I think the calculus build up is very irritating and feels like he has food stuck. I have only two options to speak to my vet about and neither are great. Saying goodbye. Or attempting a dental. If she is willing to do it, I'm opting for the dental. Surgery is super high risk though and I may lose him anyway.

 

I'm so sorry you are having to deal with this issue. Poor Gremlin. Maybe the vet can recommend something else that will help him but not put his life in risk. Prayers for a safe solution for you, Laura.

 

Thank you but I don't think there are any other options. He has broken and cracked teeth, plus a huge calculus build up, plus gingivitis and who knows what else (he gets grumpy in examinations). He needs the teeth cleaned or removed. I've talked to my vet about it already. I just want to see if she will try.

 

I'm so sorry. Make the most of each moment you have left with him. I hope he has more good days. Sending prayers.

 

Awe poor buddy. I think I would end up doing the same as you and see if someone would attempt a dental. I would rather lose him in trying to help him than have him continue to suffer, and I definitely wouldn't want to just put him down without trying. Prayers that they will do it and prayers that he will come out of it just fine. Please keep us posted.

 

That would be my way of thinking as well. I have to try everything! If I don’t try, I will always be wondering if I could have saved my cat and given him more time with me. That is what I did with Darcy.

If they take a lot of precautions to protect his kidneys then he may be able to make it through the dental. I’m sorry you are going through this. And I am so sorry for that dear Gremlin! He’s such a fighter! And so are you, Laura! You are an inspiration to me.

 

Do you have any dental specialist vets near you? They are used to dealing with older and more complicated pets. My current vet can also get the worst of the build up off with her fingernail or some tools while kitty is awake. Last time, I held kitty while she did the scraping. Depends on whether kitty would tolerate this of course. it doesn't help with the broken or cracked teeth of course.

 

Thank you Carla. Fortunately he is feeling slightly better on the Bupe so I'm able to get cuddles daily. I don't want to go back to work tomorrow but life goes on.

@Heather82372 and @Suzanne & Darcy Exactly! I have to try!! I'm sure my vet will agree, she is amazing and did his leg amputation surgery two years ago.

Suzanne, he's actually survived several surgeries already with CKD and it hasn't progressed since then. But with CKD, his diabetes uncontrolled now, a heart murmur and high blood pressure... Plus he's just more frail now (though he's ten times better than he was a year ago). He turns 19 in less than a month. There are so many things that could go wrong! But it's still a better option than a) letting him suffer or b) having him put down without trying.

I don't think there is a dental specialist nearby here unfortunately. My vet is concerned that Gremlin wouldn't recover from even light sedation, so it's all or nothing! He will not let us probe his mouth for very long and if she did manage to get the lump of calculus off, it's likely half his tooth would follow. His teeth are in BAD condition. Really bad!!

 

Gremlin seems to be getting worse. Neither antibiotics or Buprenorphine seem to be helping. Here is a video from after he had had his lunch not long ago. It goes for 2 minutes 15 seconds. And absolutely breaks my heart.
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1eCl7QS1bLWiQQXryUyypK8HuqWdNpxud/view?usp=drivesdk

 

Laura ❤️

 

Oh… he is still such a handsome, gorgeous boy. That video is heartbreaking. ❤️ ❤️ I hope he can be seen tomorrow. If he won’t eat much he will start to lose body condition and you don’t want that. I will pray for a successful outcome.

 

His vet isn't there until Tuesday, she is going to call me then. He's still eating like he's ravenous so that's no issue, it's after he's eaten that he's irritated like in the video. And being on Metacam and Bupe he wouldn't be in much pain. Thank you for your prayers.

If he declines more tomorrow or stops eating, I'll call the clinic tomorrow.

 

Gremlin is so very beautiful and sweet looking; I would love to have a nice long cuddle/ lovey session with him. Take care of yourself too, Laura

 

Thank you so much! He is a beautiful boy.

 

Awe... I'm sure you've already said in previous posts but are you feeding him a mushed up pate so he doesn't really have to chew at all?

 

I’m so glad he is eating!! That’s a great sign. He doesn’t look frail to me. He looks so beautiful! After all he’s been through - he looks great. But it does hurt my heart to see him pawing at his face and to hear him, so I can only imagine how hard it is on you as his Mama! We are all pulling for you!

 

I sure am!! It's even watery now so he basically just has to drink it. He is peeing so much!

Yeah @Suzanne & Darcy it's breaking my heart. He is much healthier now than he was. He's gained almost a full kilo of weight back! He's probably healthier looking now than he's been in a year and a half. It's just his dang teeth!

 

I know you said you don't have a dental specialist nearby, but I wonder whether you/your vet might be able to at least consult with one remotely? There's an excellent dental-only specialty clinic in southern New Jersey. I was very happy with how they handled Oberon's dental work earlier this year, and my vet said they've handled other very tricky cases for him. Maybe they do consultations.

 

I'm not sure what they could do/suggest differently though. Grem needs teeth removed which requires surgery. My vet is extremely capable at surgery with older animals, she did Grem's leg amputation, which was a five hour surgery, only two years ago. Sedation is almost as dangerous as full anaesthesia and Gremlin will not allow his mouth to be probed more than a few minutes. I'll check Google for specialists but I'm not sure it would help.

 

There are dental vets a couple of hours or more drive away (Grem would not be good at that drive) but that's in Melbourne which is in full lockdown due to Covid. As is half the country here. And my son and I now have to isolate as he was at the same place as a positive case last week. Hoping his test is negative, otherwise I won't be able to get Grem to the vet at all in the next two or so weeks.

I will talk to Grem's vet tomorrow but I think she is more than capable. It's just a waiting game for her to be back at work. I at least know Grem's not in pain, he's been cuddly and purring again since taking the Bupe.

 

Oh Laura I can just cry watching him, my heart aches for you and Gremlin
Such a beautiful boy. If you vet is willing to try I would also have to give it a shot
Sending prayers your way, please keep us updated. I just want to kiss your precious boy ♥