7/28 Shooter AMPS 502, +7 335, PMPS 317

I usually ask for the Senior Panel, which includes a CBC, chemistry, T4, maybe an SDMA. AT my vet I think you have to add on a separate panc tests and the B-12 etc. are also add ons. I would ask your vet before they draw the blood (it may make a difference in how much they draw). Also, we are talking here about blood work that is NOT done in-house, but sending it OUT to the lab. That's how you will be more bang for your buck, although you will have to wait a day or so (usually one day for me) to get the results back and talk to the vet about it at that time. This is where it really helps to SEE the results before you talk about it with your vet. Because otherwise they're going to tell you what they want to tell you and then you're later going to look at it and probably have questions... and you've already talked to them... so you're going to have to call them again ... and most likely leave a message... and they have to call you back, etc. Do you think they'll let you see the results prior to discussing them with your vet? Some vet practices don't like to do this.
 
I always (almost - not in May) ask for a senior panel sent OUT. I agree with Suzanne that having it sent to Antech, or an outside lab, is better than having the vet process it "in house". It will cost more money but is more detailed. They will call you with the results but you should always insist on a copy of the report to be emailed or mailed to you. This is the only way I can track what is going up or what is going down. This is also what I love about the "Lab tab" on the spreadsheet. I allows me to compare results over a long period of time. Important information. Yes, they will call you and discuss their concerns but don't you be afraid to call them back if you see anything concerning once you get a copy of the results.

I am concerned about Shooter's numbers. It does seem like they are getting worse. I think a senior panel blood test would be advised, Heather. That black you got earlier was very concerning. Make sure you always check twice when you get a number that doesn't make sense. Also, yes to the urinalysis, like Suzanne said. Something is a little wonky with your boy right now. Please keep in touch with us.
 
OK, thank you all for your help and information. Yes, they will email the results to me but they always call to go over the information first. If I don't answer they leave a message with the information which is kind of crappy. I have no issue with having them send it to me and me having to call them back for answers though.
 
Good. I see you have labs in your spreadsheet from April. That's good. It will help you track any numbers that might be concerning. Did you ask for a urinalysis on this most recent test? Sorry, I am going to have to check Susie, again, and go to bed soon. Mom needs her medicine too. I am up very late for me and I am oh so tired. I look forward to your post tomorrow, Heather. Good night.
 
Summer and Susie said:
Good. I see you have labs in your spreadsheet from April. That's good. It will help you track any numbers that might be concerning. Did you ask for a urinalysis on this most recent test? Sorry, I am going to have to check Susie, again, and go to bed soon. Mom needs her medicine too. I am up very late for me and I am oh so tired. I look forward to your post tomorrow, Heather. Good night.
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No they never mentioned him needing a urinalysis along with the bloodwork. :( Now I know I should always request it.
 
Suzanne & Darcy said:
Hey Heather. What's going on with Shooter. I was just thinking of you both this morning and I was looking for a post from you. I'm wondering if you took him to the vet and what happened.
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Hi Suzanne! Thank you so much for checking. We are at the vet now as a matter of fact. I requested a full blood panel including fPL, B12, folic acid… but she acted like it would be up to the vet. I also mentioned blood pressure and she said they can try but it doesn’t always work so well. ☹️ So anyway, I’ll be sure to post as soon as I hear anything.
 
Shooter has stomatitis! :arghh: I've never heard of it but it sounds awful! I don't know what to do. It sounds like it isn't something that really goes away. The vet isn't doing anything right now. He wants to wait for the bloodwork to come back first. They couldn't do a urinalysis because (for the first time ever) he peed in the carrier on the way to the vet! I have to get a sample at home and take it in.
 
Stomatitis. First thing they probably should do os give him a Depo Medrol injection. Yes. It is a steroid, but Shooter probably needs it. Did they show you the inside of his mouth? It is probably very red and inflamed. The steroids should take the redness and throat and mouth inflammation down. Some cats with stomatitis need all their teeth pulled, but not all of them do. They are much happier after the full mouth extraction.
 
I know they say it never really goes away, but my Darcy proved that to not be true. He had stomatitis and his throat and mouth was as red as anything… red as a fire engine …. Red as a very red tomato…. I’m trying to thing os similes here. He would not eat. The Depo Medrol injection really took l that down. After we got that under control, he did need quite a few teeth extracted but he did not have all of them extracted. He did great after that and we never had a recurrence of the stomatitis flare up. I used to look in his mouth to make sure too! Can you look inShooter’s mouth?
 
Suzanne & Darcy said:
I know they say it never really goes away, but my Darcy proved that to not be true. He had stomatitis and his throat and mouth was as red as anything… red as a fire engine …. Red as a very red tomato…. I’m trying to thing os similes here. He would not eat. The Depo Medrol injection really took l that down. After we got that under control, he did need quite a few teeth extracted but he did not have all of them extracted. He did great after that and we never had a recurrence of the stomatitis flare up. I used to look in his mouth to make sure too! Can you look inShooter’s mouth?
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I don't know but I'm sure gonna try it. I'm sure he'll fight me pretty good. No, he didn't show me (because we still can't go inside the office, which I HATE). He was reluctant to give a steroid because it can increase bg? He mentioned a different medication. I think it's a antibiotic? I think it started with a C. Regardless he isn't treating it until he gets the blood work back first. You mentioned not eating. Shooter has never not wanted to eat. He wants to eat ALL the time. Would there be any other symptoms or I just need to try to get a look into his mouth?
 
Heather82372 said:
I don't know but I'm sure gonna try it. I'm sure he'll fight me pretty good. No, he didn't show me (because we still can't go inside the office, which I HATE). He was reluctant to give a steroid because it can increase bg? He mentioned a different medication. I think it's a antibiotic? I think it started with a C. Regardless he isn't treating it until he gets the blood work back first. You mentioned not eating. Shooter has never not wanted to eat. He wants to eat ALL the time. Would there be any other symptoms or I just need to try to get a look into his mouth?
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Be careful looking in there. Use the soft tip of a piller if you have one with a flexible silicone tip or a tongue depressor / popsicle stick or something. I don’t want you to get bitten accidentally. You may be able to hold the top of his head and pull down on his lower jaw. I don’t know how Shooter reacts to stuff like that. So you say he’s eating? That’s a good sign.
 
Suzanne & Darcy said:
Be careful looking in there. Use the soft tip of a piller if you have one with a flexible silicone tip or a tongue depressor / popsicle stick or something. I don’t want you to get bitten accidentally. You may be able to hold the top of his head and pull down on his lower jaw. I don’t know how Shooter reacts to stuff like that. So you say he’s eating? That’s a good sign.
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So I was able to open his mouth but I didn't think to press down his tongue. The roof of his mouth didn't look red. Yes, he has always eaten just fine.
 
Suzanne & Darcy said:
There are quite a few photos on the internet of cat’s mouths with stomatitis.
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I really don't know. He rattled off something about plaque and gingivitis and autoimmune issue that basically it attacks it's own gums... I'm sure he needs a dental, so maybe I'll check with another vet as to when they could do it and see what they say. ? In the meantime I'll get online and look up pictures. Thank you!
 
I would not ask for a depo or any steroid until you know for sure what is wrong. Sometimes it’s best to let the vet tell you what is needed and this is one of those times. I think a dental with X-rays is needed. I would consider a consult with a vet dentist if you can afford it. I know they are more expensive but have the expertise general vets don’t. Just my two cents fwiw.
 
tiffmaxee said:
I would not ask for a depo or any steroid until you know for sure what is wrong. Sometimes it’s best to let the vet tell you what is needed and this is one of those times. I think a dental with X-rays is needed. I would consider a consult with a vet dentist if you can afford it. I know they are more expensive but have the expertise general vets don’t. Just my two cents fwiw.
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Ok thank you! I didn't know there were vet dentists. I doubt there's any in this area. I'll have to do some research. Thanks!
 
Suzanne & Darcy said:
There are quite a few photos on the internet of cat’s mouths with stomatitis.
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I looked up pictures and more info on stomatitis and just don't see it. Yes, I can see a little pink around his teeth but I don't see any RED like in the pics. He also doesn't have any of the symptoms like drooling, not wanting to eat... I'm SURE he needs a dental (Unfortunately I have really slacked on those for my cats. Partly because I don't like them having to be put under every time).
 
Heather82372 said:
I looked up pictures and more info on stomatitis and just don't see it. Yes, I can see a little pink around his teeth but I don't see any RED like in the pics. He also doesn't have any of the symptoms like drooling, not wanting to eat... I'm SURE he needs a dental (Unfortunately I have really slacked on those for my cats. Partly because I don't like them having to be put under every time).
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Maybe he just has gingivitis. I hope so! He will probably need a dental cleaning then as long as his labs are okay. I expect some improvements since he’s now on insulin compared to the previous labs. Paws crossed!!
 
tiffmaxee said:
I would not ask for a depo or any steroid until you know for sure what is wrong. Sometimes it’s best to let the vet tell you what is needed and this is one of those times. I think a dental with X-rays is needed. I would consider a consult with a vet dentist if you can afford it. I know they are more expensive but have the expertise general vets don’t. Just my two cents fwiw.
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Absolutely agree. It sounds like he doesn’t really have stomatitis? You looked in his mouth and it’s just some red around the gum line? So wait for those labs. You can ask your vet about dental X-rays being done during the cleaning procedure while he’s under anesthesia (if that’s what ends up happening.). You can ask about dental specialists too. It may not be necessary unless his case is complicated. That would cost a lot more and, as you said, there may not be any in your area. I wasn’t recommending steroid shots for Shooter, just pointing out that the usual treatment includes that … but the more you tell me the more I wonder if it is stomatitis? Anyway, I am happy he eats well and that your vet is being cautious!
 
Suzanne & Darcy said:
Maybe he just has gingivitis. I hope so! He will probably need a dental cleaning then as long as his labs are okay. I expect some improvements since he’s now on insulin compared to the previous labs. Paws crossed!!
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So these kitties having gingivitis really does cause their bg's to go up? Geesh! I better start being more proactive. I think when he's done my 10 yr old should get all his blood work, urinalysis and dental done. He's never had any of that because he's never had any kind of issues, but even baselines are probably a good idea.
 
tiffmaxee said:
Some cats even go otj after a dental. It’s good to get yearly blood and urinalysis annually starting at age 10. You can catch things early that way. I was so paranoid I got blood work done as a baseline when my cats were 2.
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Wow! lol Well then I've REALLY been slacking! Bad kitty mom! :(
 
In my experience from when I was with the rescue, some vets confuse stomatitis with gingivitis. If there is swelling at the back of the mouth/top of the throat, that's more likely stomatitis; gingivitis tends to be localized around specific teeth.

As for treatments, full mouth extraction (with dental xrays before and after) is the most effective treatment. Some cats are cured from it; even those that aren't usually have reduction in inflammation. My cat Emily had severe stomatitis and needed high-dose prednisolone for 4 years (hence how she become pre-diabetic/diet-controlled). Other treatments include atopica/cyclosporine, interferon alpha, laser therapy, pulse antibiotic dosing...

Pain medication is also super important; stomatitis is very painful.

sorry I missed the tag... My alert emails don't seem to be getting to my email...
 
THH & Snowcrash (GA) said:
In my experience from when I was with the rescue, some vets confuse stomatitis with gingivitis. If there is swelling at the back of the mouth/top of the throat, that's more likely stomatitis; gingivitis tends to be localized around specific teeth.

As for treatments, full mouth extraction (with dental xrays before and after) is the most effective treatment. Some cats are cured from it; even those that aren't usually have reduction in inflammation. My cat Emily had severe stomatitis and needed high-dose prednisolone for 4 years (hence how she become pre-diabetic/diet-controlled). Other treatments include atopica/cyclosporine, interferon alpha, laser therapy, pulse antibiotic dosing...

Pain medication is also super important; stomatitis is very painful.

sorry I missed the tag... My alert emails don't seem to be getting to my email...
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Ok, thank you. Of course I am definitely hoping and praying it's just gingivitis. I'm going to schedule a dental as soon as the bloodwork comes back.
 
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