Logan Update - It's bad

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Jess & Earl said:
Kelly, I'm sorry to hear that Logan is doing so poorly. I don't know any of the backstory here so forgive me if I'm off the mark at times.

It sounds like they've told you he has a septic abdomen, or "septic peritonitis"? Does that sound right? And they don't know why? Is this a specialty/referral center type of ER? Did anyone do an ultrasound? I am not sure why, if they think he's septic (I assume they diagnosed this by withdrawing some fluid from his abdomen and looking at it), they didn't tell you he needs surgery right away? So I guess I"m a little confused as to the exact diagnosis.

Assuming that he's got septic peritonitis, and your option is surgery, I am strongly in favor of surgery asap. To be blunt, if that's the case, there is no hope without surgery. I would personally rather give my own animal a chance to live (knowing that means the possibility of death in the OR) than watch them fight a battle they are 100% certain to lose. The chances of survival even with surgery aren't the best, though many animals do make it. The chances without surgery are nil. The big unknown here is why? What happened to let loose bacteria into the abdomen? If it is something very serious, for example the intestines have opened up in one spot due to a cancer, then the surgeon can call you, tell you what she/he has found, and let you decide whether or not to go on. The patient can be let go without ever having to wake up. If it's not as serious, the abdomen can be washed out thoroughly and the patient then has at least a fighting chance of making it.

Please let me know what exactly they said was the diagnosis, if there is any fluid in the abdomen, etc.
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Jess, Logan had exploratory surgery about a month ago to determine if he had IBD or cancer. He has IBD. They placed a PEG tube in during surgery b/c he had stopped eating. The tube is the source of the infection. They did an ultra sound. There doesn't appear to be fluid in the abdomen. The infection is in the abdominal wall. We were deciding between doing surgery or putting him to sleep. We know he doesn't have a chance w/o the surgery. We took him to the ER yesterday. They transferred him to the internist on call today and she did the ultra sound. The on call surgeon was at a different location. Surgery is scheduled for tomorrow. The infection is in the subcutaneous layer - in the fatty tissue. They've told us that fatty tissue doesn't get a lot of blood supply so it's difficult to get it to respond to ABs - that's why they have to try to get as much out during surgery. Even with surgery, the odds are against him it seems.
 
Ah so I was out in left field with my previous post. I'm actually glad to hear that the tube leaked into the SQ space rather than into the open abdomen. SQ leakage can cause a nasty abscess but it is not as dire as bacteria roaming around the abdomen. Remember that it's not all about ABs doing the work -- it is about scooping out the infection and the body's overall healing process. Cat bite abscesses, for example, are usually in the SQ space. They can be nasty and gross and cause problems but they can be cleaned up and they can heal even though ABs have a hard time getting in there, too. I think in Logan's case the wrinkle is that he's been immunosuppressed by the pred. I don't think this counts him out, though. More than ever I'd (personally) give him a chance with the surgery. I'd make sure to speak to the surgeon and have her/him call me from the OR if things looked bad (lots of dead tissue, or things looking much more complicated). I'd have the option to euthanize at that point when I have the maximum amt of info, and my cat will have the experience of being sedated and not awakening, which certainly isn't the worst way to pass on if things are truly dire.

Right now it sounds like he's ouchy but getting pain meds, and still alert and fiesty and loving. You know him best and you know what's best for him, so I'd only encourage you *not* to base your decision on what you think he *might* feel after the surgery. Post op recovery is rough on just about everyone who has any type of surgery. I had my tonsils out as an adult, and spent four days afterwards gagging, hungry, and in so much pain I couldn't swallow the pain meds. The fifth day wasn't much better. Your decision should be based on whether or not you feel it's his time to move on -- right now. If you dont' feel it's the right time, you can give him the opportunity to keep going, and make future decisions as they come.

Hugs to you and your family. I know this is such a tough time.
Jess
 
Jess & Earl said:
Ah so I was out in left field with my previous post. I'm actually glad to hear that the tube leaked into the SQ space rather than into the open abdomen. SQ leakage can cause a nasty abscess but it is not as dire as bacteria roaming around the abdomen. Remember that it's not all about ABs doing the work -- it is about scooping out the infection and the body's overall healing process. Cat bite abscesses, for example, are usually in the SQ space. They can be nasty and gross and cause problems but they can be cleaned up and they can heal even though ABs have a hard time getting in there, too. I think in Logan's case the wrinkle is that he's been immunosuppressed by the pred. I don't think this counts him out, though. More than ever I'd (personally) give him a chance with the surgery. I'd make sure to speak to the surgeon and have her/him call me from the OR if things looked bad (lots of dead tissue, or things looking much more complicated). I'd have the option to euthanize at that point when I have the maximum amt of info, and my cat will have the experience of being sedated and not awakening, which certainly isn't the worst way to pass on if things are truly dire.

Right now it sounds like he's ouchy but getting pain meds, and still alert and fiesty and loving. You know him best and you know what's best for him, so I'd only encourage you *not* to base your decision on what you think he *might* feel after the surgery. Post op recovery is rough on just about everyone who has any type of surgery. I had my tonsils out as an adult, and spent four days afterwards gagging, hungry, and in so much pain I couldn't swallow the pain meds. The fifth day wasn't much better. Your decision should be based on whether or not you feel it's his time to move on -- right now. If you dont' feel it's the right time, you can give him the opportunity to keep going, and make future decisions as they come.

Hugs to you and your family. I know this is such a tough time.
Jess
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Thanks, Jess. He's just been through so much the last few months. It's been one thing after another, it seems. We feel like he can't catch a break. He had such a good week last week, too. He started eating on his own again - and eating a lot! It's so discouraging to have such a big setback. Logan is so special to me and I can't bear the thought of losing him. But, I don't want to put him through something like this if he doesn't have a good chance. Since he didn't look like he was ready to give up (just ready to come home!) yesterday, we are going through with the surgery and hoping for the best.
 
All fingers, toes, and paws crossed here in this household.
Prayers and thoughts and snowflakes being sent your way.
 
(((((Kelly ))))) ((((( Logan)))))) Kelly we are all waiting to hear hopefully some positive news following the surgery. Sending a blizzard of snowflakes and healing vines for little Logan.
 
Kelly, just wanted to stop by and say that I am thinking of Logan, hoping for successful surgery.
 
Dear Kelly, I am so very sorry to read about Logan's problem. I agree with others that your kitty will tell you how to go forward. We are thinking of you and sending all good thoughts, healing vines, and love to a very brave kitty.

Ella & Stu
 
All fingers, toes and paws crossed over here for Logan's surgery and recovery. Sending healing vines.
 
Logan spoke to you with his feisty attitude...he has been through a lot, yes, so have you. He was not as feisty the last time he had to stay at the vet's, was he? Didn't they say he was so lethargic and not like himself when he was there for the other operation?

Now, he is full of the desire to come home and is grumpy and feisty. You are giving him a chance with the operation. He has eaten on his own over the past week or so and he has gotten some strength back...he is raring to come home... :YMHUG:
((Kelly)) We are all praying here for Logan...sending all the positive healing vines possible for him...all of us here will be praying....
 
You and Logan will be in my thoughts today. I am hoping this surgery is a success and it's the last one he needs for a good long time!

Best wishes
 
Kelly,
You know we will be thinking of you and Logan all day today until we have news from you.
Logan is a fighter!
We are sending our prayers to you for strength and health for Logan.
You are in our hearts!!!
:YMHUG: :YMHUG: :YMHUG: :YMHUG:
 
i'm really glad jess weighed in, kelly. she's a vet tech and has a lot of specialized knowledge (sorry jojo has been so sick and couldn't be around too).
i hope her input helped you feel better. i know no matter what they're our babies and we can't help hurting and worrying for them. most important thing is chin up. the vet will probably say it's fine for you to leave a shirt with your smell on it to keep logan comfortable and give him a happy reminder of you for his place at the ER. i left a comfy sweatshirt i wore overnight for cleo when she had her surgery and it really helped (she slept on it till i could bring her home). as jojo said to me then, right now your job is to be strong for your little one and keep up the positivity.
we will all be rooting for Logan and sending speedy recovery prayers.
 
((( Kelly, Logan, DH2B )))

You all are in my thoughts and prayers today. Logan has made such good progress lately, he's clearly a fighter, and very dear to you. I'll be anxious to hear when he's out of surgery and hope everything goes really, really well today. We're here for you what ever happens.
 
Waiting very anxiously and impatiently to hear what time his surgery will be. All I know is that it will most likely be sometime this afternoon. UGH! I'm at TBP but it's very hard to concentrate.

Logan's fever is down to 103.3 as of this morning. They said he is extremely feisty. DH2B told the tech that he hoped Logan gave them hell today. She laughed and said she did, too. They said it worries them when he's not feisty.

I'll update as soon as there's something to update. I told Logan yesterday that there were a lot of people praying and sending him positive thoughts. Thank you, everyone! I don't know how I'd get through any of this w/o all of you.
 
Kelly, you and Logan are right at the forefront in my thoughts today. It's good news that Logan is so feisty, I hope he can keep that spirit through his surgery and recovery.
 
Re: Logan Updates

I would be useless at work. Great news that his fever is coming down.

(When you have an update you might want to start a new thread today.)

((( Kelly )))
 
(((Kelly)))

Feisty is great! Your hard work has strengthened Logan over the past several weeks & he's ready to fight.

We're all here for you today & anxiously waiting for any updates.

Lots of special prayers to you & Logan!!!
 
Just dropping in to get a Logan update.....I'm glad that he gave you some purrs yesterday and it sounds like he is ready to give a good fight. I will be keeping you and Logan close to my heart today and wishing Logan a successful surgery. Sending positive and healing vines to your baby and a hug to you.
 
Feisty is good! :smile:

I keep checking to see if there are any updates. I'm keeping you two in my thoughts today!!!
 
I deeply hope that they get all of the infected tissue out tomorrow!
So late in the day.. all that waiting.

I'm glad to hear though that Logan didn't feel like giving up yet. That's so important. I understand that you go through with the surgery.

I wish you two the best.
Truly, I so hope everything works out for the best.
 
Finally caught up on your story.

Sending blizzards of snowflakes and vines from across the sea. (((Kelly, DH and Logan)))
 
Keeping you all in my thoughts and prayers today...sending many snowflakes and healing vines to surround your boy and keep him safe during the surgery and recovery.

(((Kelly, Logan and DH2B)))
 
Kelly, I am just now reading this thread. I am so sorry for all you guys are going through. You and Logan are in my prayers. You are doing all you can for him and he knows it. (((Kelly & Logan)))
 
Ugh, I am so thinking of Logan today. You are so strong being at tbp; I honestly don't know if I could do it, so I can understand how it's tough for you to get much done.

I hope all goes smoothly in surgery and Logan kicks up a big fuss to show his fiestytude. Do you know how long the operation will take and when you will hear? How long is recovery for this type of procedure? When can you see him?

Come on Logan; we are all pulling for you here!

Kelly,
Hopefully, Logan will be back home and on the mend soon.
 
Jojo just got the FB message (at about 2:00pm, today) and said she was on her way to PT and will post when she gets back.
 
I'm so sorry Logan is terribly ill and send my prayers along with everyone else. Next time you go to visit, you might want to take along a tshirt of yours or something with your scent on to leave with Logan. It can help bring comfort to a sick kitty in a strange place. Will be thinking of you and hoping Logan will continue to fight and win.
 
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