1/2 - Fitzel - Pirate Update

Hi all -

We've been off sailing the complication seas of late and unfortunately, not able to post. If anyone is still following Fitzel's SS, then you know it's been very spotty on the updates there. We're current right now, but I think we had at least one, 9 day lapse.

The Pirate developed an infection of the dental variety. She has two, probably three teeth which will need to be extracted. She's on A/B right now - Orbox. She's also now on B-12 shots. And she's still on bupe as her pancreatitis has been acting up. The Pirate's IBD has also, finally, made itself known. Sometimes she's loose, other times a bit constipated - but it's being handled with FortiFlora and for the last week or so, she's had normal LB deposits.

Fitzel's numbers are a mess. She's been tossing out 340's and 360's with a 38 in the middle or a 60 or so. She's been on a .25 dose - which works out to be two drops. The 38 came when I put her up to 3 drops. The Pirate is SO sensitive to insulin. Just that drop is enough to send her into a crash dive. Makes a Bean wanna curl up in a dark corner and tell the whole world to go away until it straightens out and learns how to play nice. With nice numbers that make sense.

Fitz is scheduled for a fasting blood/urine panel on Monday the 7th. I guess after that will be the dental surgery and then the vet (new one) wants to do an ultrasound. It'll be since October that the last one was done - and by another vet - so I guess I understand why it should be done again. btw: how often are these done?

The Pirate has been very agitated and aggressive with her siblings - mainly her Brother Hobson, our three year old blue boy. Fitz is hideous to him - and it all is a bit lopsided as Fitz is about 7 pounds and Hobson is about 20 of pure muscle. But, Fitz is the Captain in these waters and Hobson knows that. But, our poor boy - Fitz corners him and really scatters his fur about. She's on Rescue Remedy and we have the Feliways going - but not to much good I'm afraid. I'm concerned that Fitzel is in pain, despite the bupe. I've had this kitty since she was a year old (she's 12 and a half now) and while she's never been a real cat-social kind of kitty, she's never been like this. Not ever.

Things have been a bit precarious with my own health and so there's always that nagging feeling in the back of my head that I'm not doing everything I should be doing when I should be doing it. I know I haven't been able to test as much as I should - it's very frustrating.

I haven't had much of a chance to keep up with all the news of everyone's furrs, but I send healing vines to all who need them (including Beans who are in need), congrats to all who've made the OTJ falls, and my heart-felt thoughts to those who have seen their beloved kids cross to the bridge.

Shai and the Pirate Fitz

Shai --

My guest is that the dental issues are playing havoc with Fitz's numbers and his attitude. I've not seen Orbax prescribed for dental issues. More often, I've seen cindamycin used. That said, I suspect that some of the high numbers are due to the infection. As the antibiotic kicks in, it can drop numbers and the drop can be unexpectedly low and it can be fast. You may be seeing some bouncing or it may be that the Orbax is not targeting the infection. It doesn't help if you're also dealing with pancreatitis and IBD on top of dental issues.

FWIW, humans get pretty cranky when they are not feeling well and are in pain. The sooner you can get the dental issues addressed, at least that will help. If you've not seen it before, here's info on dental procedures.

Thank you Sienne for the dental post. I hadn't been aware of it and the info answers many questions and brings answers to questions I didn't have enough knowledge to ask.

I believe Fitz has so many issues which individually could cause her pain that together it's more than the bupe can handle. I'm hopeful the dental surgery will aliviate a lot of her discomfort. That's interesting about the Orbax not usually being used for dental infections. I wonder why it was prescribed since that is the type of infection she's dealing with. I guess I'll find out when we go in for her fasting blood and urine panel on the 7th.

Thank you for dropping in and giving us help and good advice. It's very much appreciated. As are you.

Shai and Pirate Fitz

Hi Shai, it's good to hear from you! I'm sorry Fitzel is not feeling very well. At least the dental issue is something that you can take care of. Paws crossed for the exam and procedure. Let us know, if you can. It's a delicate balance, taking care of our kitties and taking care of ourselves. It's a difficult situation and you're doing a great job.
Liz

Hi guys .. nice to see a condo update for fitzel! I'm sorry to hear her mouth has been bothering her .. perhaps that is why she is so agressive towards her siblings? She probably just does not feel well .. I can understand your frustration with such drops on a such a tiny drop of insulin, but hopefully once the dental is over with her numbers straighten back out .. let us know how she does, ok?

Hmmm a pirate cat with bad teeth? SCURRVY! :lol:
Poor Fitzel - she must be feeling pretty awful with all of that going on. Good thing she has such an awesome Mamabean to help her! I hope you both get to feeling better soon and all goes well with the dental. Strength and healing vines to you both :YMHUG:

@ Liz - Hello -hope all's well in Zenner land. Thank you for stopping in and checking on us. It is indeed a balancing act to be there for our precious furrs and try to keep ourselves from pulling out all our hair and hiding under a bookcase. Since the Pirate is now sailing the Pink Seas on a regular basis (scary, scary that) I'm really hoping to get some answers with the upcoming blood/urine panel - and then some relief for her when she can get those teeth extracted. The Pirate isn't a very big kitty, and when she's feeling this badly she's so much smaller - so much more fragile. Except, of course, to Hobson. Thank you for your vines and good thoughts. They are so much appreciated.

@Devon - I had no idea Fitzel was having issues with her teeth. She didn't present any symptoms and it was only when I took her into the new vet and she did an exam that I found out. The bad teeth are way back on her upper jaw. The gums around them are very red and when the vet pressed there the Pirate just screeched. I have no idea how long this was in the making, but I'm sure this infection and pain has been with my baby for quite some time. I'm hopeful of getting them removed soonest. Thank you for checking in on us.

@ Tara - Scurvy, aye it is at that. Is there some form of Cat Vitamin C? Perhaps a bit of lime with her FortiFlora? Hmmmmm..... maybe not. You're so sweet to stop by and say hello and for your heartfelt well wishes.

With all the stress from the holidays - getting back to some type of normal - and how crazy that can make a person - I really want to thank you all for checking in on us. It's easy to feel alone on this journey - you are all New Year's angels to me and my Pirate.

Shai and Pirate Fitz

Good to see you post, Shai. I had been watching Fitzs SS and was just wondering how YOU were doing. I'm so sorry things are really difficult right now and a fits is not playing well with her housemates.

I hope the dental will help address that issue and they can also address the pancreatitis issue. I think it is reasonable to do another U/S.

Sending you hugs and best wishes. Please keep us posted.

Shai, This is from the Orbax label:

ORBAX® Oral Suspension is indicated for the treatment of skin infections (wounds and abscesses) in cats caused by susceptible strains of Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli, and Pasteurella multocida.

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Tess was given Orbax for a UTI w/ the C&S indicating E. coli and it worked great. Perhaps the vet chose it because the dental infection is an abscess. And after her recent dental she was put on it again to prevent any bacteria dislodged during the procedure form spreading. Tess was getting really sick and not eating on Clavamox so our vet has been using Orbax for her. Orbax is a form of Baytril.

Antibiotics can cause upsets to the bowels, so it may be that not IBD bothering Fitzel. Fortiflora is fine but a live probiotic may work even better. I get one for Tess at a local health food store. Tell then it is for a cat as the formulas can differ from the human ones,