Cliff Notes, pt 6

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MiCo

MiCo

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I'm back! SS is updated. Life has thrown me a few curve balls, but Cliff is always a priority.
Hope to post an update on cliff stuff soon, but for now, just saying hello.
Hope all is well.
 
Sigh. Cliff is abt the same. I need to update his SS for the past month. I'm actually lurking b/c civvie (aka Stella) not well. :( she had a day of not eating (wed), but we took her to pet ER and started Meds. She's eating a little now, but still not enough. Been to vet twice this week-lots of tests. She's on: cerenia, cyprohept..., & some antibiotic I can't remember the name. We have IV fluids here tonight, we're supposed to administer at home later tonight.

I just came here to ask a question-- I'll ask you, if that's okay? I bought some purina purely fancy feast natural cat treats- and she gobbled up three packs. Packaging says not to exceed 4 packs a day. But, if this is what she will eat- what's the harm? I might buy some chicken tomorrow to boil. Been reading some threads abt fatty liver, because that's what I'm worried abt. Vet is concerned too. Trying not to stress, but I understand the seriousness of not eating.
 
MiCo said:
Sigh. Cliff is abt the same. I need to update his SS for the past month. I'm actually lurking b/c civvie (aka Stella) not well. :( she had a day of not eating (wed), but we took her to pet ER and started Meds. She's eating a little now, but still not enough. Been to vet twice this week-lots of tests. She's on: cerenia, cyprohept..., & some antibiotic I can't remember the name. We have IV fluids here tonight, we're supposed to administer at home later tonight.

I just came here to ask a question-- I'll ask you, if that's okay? I bought some purina purely fancy feast natural cat treats- and she gobbled up three packs. Packaging says not to exceed 4 packs a day. But, if this is what she will eat- what's the harm? I might buy some chicken tomorrow to boil. Been reading some threads abt fatty liver, because that's what I'm worried abt. Vet is concerned too. Trying not to stress, but I understand the seriousness of not eating.
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I don't have a good answer about those treats. It's possible that a cat who eats too many won't want regular food. My guess is the treats aren't a balanced diet. I'd Google their composition. However, in the short term for an inappetant kitty I would feed anything she'll eat. Boiled chicken breast can work, as can pureed all meat/broth baby food.

I lost a kitty to hepatic lipidosis a very long time ago and had another who spent three weeks with a feeding tube to avert that. If it comes to that for Stella, cost aside, it's not nearly as daunting and awful as you might think. It can be the key to getting a kitty healthy again. That's jumping ahead a bit though. One day at a time.

Re Cliff: don't be afraid to raise his dose carefully and don't stay long at an ineffective dose. There's always Lantus to try. :)
 
Kris & Teasel said:
I don't have a good answer about those treats. It's possible that a cat who eats too many won't want regular food. My guess is the treats aren't a balanced diet. I'd Google their composition. However, in the short term for an inappetant kitty I would feed anything she'll eat. Boiled chicken breast can work, as can pureed all meat/broth baby food.

I lost a kitty to hepatic lipidosis a very long time ago and had another who spent three weeks with a feeding tube to avert that. If it comes to that for Stella, cost aside, it's not nearly as daunting and awful as you might think. It can be the key to getting a kitty healthy again. That's jumping ahead a bit though. One day at a time.

Re Cliff: don't be afraid to raise his dose carefully and don't stay long at an ineffective dose. There's always Lantus to try. :)
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Thanks for the reply! I picked up some dry food and treats for Stella today. She's basically been on the same FD diet as cliff since last fall. But, for now, she can eat whatever she wants!the treats were the first thing she ate enthusiastically, but when I read the package... all treats seem to say to limit them daily. Thanks again. Hope all is well. I will try to catch up with everyone's threads soon. :bighug:
 
MiCo said:
Thanks for the reply! I picked up some dry food and treats for Stella today. She's basically been on the same FD diet as cliff since last fall. But, for now, she can eat whatever she wants!the treats were the first thing she ate enthusiastically, but when I read the package... all treats seem to say to limit them daily. Thanks again. Hope all is well. I will try to catch up with everyone's threads soon. :bighug:
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Could she be on a hunger strike because she's tired of eating diabetic friendly food?
 
That is a possibility. I've tried to work in variety, but the two cats only seem to agree on a select few flavors. I'm definitely offering her multiple plates today, some old favs. She nibbles at each plate, just not eating much. However, today is the first day we walked in to a room and "caught" her eating... so that's a promising sign.
 
Sorry to hear Stella isn't well! Did you try crushing up some of her favorite treats on food or forti-flora if you have any?
 
Rachel said:
Sorry to hear Stella isn't well! Did you try crushing up some of her favorite treats on food or forti-flora if you have any?
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Yep, tried that. Two different kinds of treats. Boiled chicken today. Not much improvement, actually eating a little less today than yesterday
 
@Kris & Teasel in your experience with the feeding tube... did your cat leave it alone? I'm worried Stella would want to take it out. She doesn't even tolerate a collar, and despite being very sick right now, she's still pretty energetic, at the moment.

Also, could your cat with feeding tube be around other cats? My other concern, considering I've seen cliff "go after" stellla twice since she's been sick. Totally unprovoked, and I have no idea why-because they usually get along.

Thanks for everyone's help. I don't feel like starting a new thread in the main board, because I'm having a great deal of anxiety abt a bunch of things. Part of why I haven't been able to come online here much at all over the past several months.
 
MiCo said:
@Kris & Teasel in your experience with the feeding tube... did your cat leave it alone? I'm worried Stella would want to take it out. She doesn't even tolerate a collar, and despite being very sick right now, she's still pretty energetic, at the moment.

Also, could your cat with feeding tube be around other cats? My other concern, considering I've seen cliff "go after" stellla twice since she's been sick. Totally unprovoked, and I have no idea why-because they usually get along.

Thanks for everyone's help. I don't feel like starting a new thread in the main board, because I'm having a great deal of anxiety abt a bunch of things. Part of why I haven't been able to come online here much at all over the past several months.
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My kitty's feeding tube was a type called a PEG tube. It entered through her side directly into her stomach, the excess was wrapped around her middle under a bandage and the valve end for feeding was exposed on her back. I think now the tube is different - inserted into the throat region from the neck. Much less intrusive. Now, my girl tolerated her tube really well and didn't chew at the wrapping, etc. I had two other kitties and they didn't bother her at all. I fed her that way for three weeks and short of some annoying blockages in the valve from food it went very well. She would hunker down and purr the whole time. She gradually started eating on her own and I phased out the tube feedings at the same time. Tube removal was a simple tug out by the vet - no stitches or anything. Tube insertion was done under anesthesia though.
 
Thank you! The way you've described it makes it seem doable. I also read a few articles online abt feeding tubes. I've emailed my vet, and will talk to her tomorrow.
 
Hope Stella starts feeling better and if she does end up getting a feeding tube, Cliff won't bother her or it. He may be "going after" her because he can sense something is wrong and she is "weak". Once in a while Maury would "go after" our HyperT senior (GA). Things settled when we rescued a kitten a year younger than Maury though. Not saying go get another kitty! But maybe Cliff can be distracted by play to get some extra energy out :).

We're always here to help :bighug:. This heat we have doesn't help anxiety either.
 
Dang, I'm sorry she still isn't feeling well! Have you read what Dr. Lisa says about feeding tubes? http://catinfo.org/feeding-tubes-for-cats/

I found that really comforting when I was thinking about a feeding tube for Gypsy. I know the anxiety sucks...don't worry about a new thread or posting on Health or even replying until you feel able or need some info or something...just know we're here for you! Keep us updated when you feel up to it. :bighug:
 
An update: Stella, our 12yo civvie, has cancer. It's extensive. Our plan is to spend as much time with her as we can, before making the ultimate decision, the timing of which will be based on her quality of life. Our goal right now is to make her as comfortable as possible, without stressing her out.

Thank you for your support.
 
I'm so sorry to hear that Michele! That's exactly what I would do too...give her whatever she wants and let her be with you until she is ready to go. :bighug::bighug::bighug::bighug:
 
Oh Michelle, I'm so sorry to hear that! I pray this time with her will be full of love and comfort to you all. :bighug::bighug::bighug:
 
Rachel said:
I'm so sorry to hear that Michele! That's exactly what I would do too...give her whatever she wants and let her be with you until she is ready to go. :bighug::bighug::bighug::bighug:
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Thank you. It feels like the thing to do. I feel like this is what she is asking for, right now.
 
I'm so sorry you have such a terrible thing to deal with, Michele. Enjoy your time with Stella and make her as happy and comfortable as you can. :bighug::bighug::bighug:C
 
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