Rufus goes to specialist & update!
- Thread starter Sean & Rufus
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Bronx's dad (GA)
Member Since 2016
Great vet report for Rufus!
Tricia Cinco(GA) & Harvey
Member Since 2011
That's what I was thinking.
Another possible option, which would be less expensive: we got one of those cat doors that has a magnet in it. You put a special collar on your cat that allows the door to open. It won't open for a cat that doesn't have the collar. We had a small cat that needed to eat all day and a big cat that wanted to eat all day, but shouldn't. We put the food in the laundry room and installed the pet door. The little cat could go in and out and eat at will, and the big cat went crazy trying to get in!
We moved to an apartment, and putting the cat door in a door wasn't an option, so my husband modified a door on one of our wall unit cabinets and put the pet door in it. Worked great. You can also get doors that respond to their microchip - assuming your cat is chipped. And they make them with RFID sensors, too. 
I'm more than a bit amazed that you're asking this. The issue of feeding Rufus dry food had been pointed out several times in your condos. Dry food is ridiculously high in carbohydrates. Dry food, crunch treats (e.g., Temptations) are at least a part of what are keeping his numbers high.
In addition, dry food is not a species appropriate diet. Look at the ingredients in what you're feeding Rufus. Is it a good source of protein (e.g., muscle meat and not animal by products)? Does it contain cellulose (i.e., wood fiber). Are there fruits or vegetables in it? Cats are obligate carnivores -- their body cannot process fruits, veggies, or carbs. Please take some time and read Lisa Pierson. DVM's site on feline nutrition.
Sean & Rufus
Member Since 2018
Those are some interesting ideas! I wonder if they would be big enough to allow Rufus through. He's like a dog! Thanks for the suggestions!That's what I was thinking.
Another possible option, which would be less expensive: we got one of those cat doors that has a magnet in it. You put a special collar on your cat that allows the door to open. It won't open for a cat that doesn't have the collar. We had a small cat that needed to eat all day and a big cat that wanted to eat all day, but shouldn't. We put the food in the laundry room and installed the pet door. The little cat could go in and out and eat at will, and the big cat went crazy trying to get in!
PussCatPrince - GA
Member Since 2017
Hi all-
Hopefully it's Ok posting this in this forum. Brought Rufus in for what I thought would just be a consult for today, they thought it would be good to do everything today. So talked to specialist about numbers, dosing, allergies, all the fun stuff. So now they are doing complete blood work, ultrasound, and teeth xrays, cleaning, and extractions if needed.
I wasn't prepared for all this happening today, but I guess it was less time to worry in advance. Please say a little prayer or little thought for my buddy today that there isn't any bad news, or anything that we can't fix. I'd truly appreciate it
I hope it all goes smoothly for Rufus and he is back home with you before you know it.
Sean & Rufus
Member Since 2018
OK thanks for the info. I'm going to try to not in-turn respond rudely to you. Rufus has not had a treat in over a week and a half. The dry food is zero carb (theoretically). It's great that people keep telling me to not feed Rufus dry food. I get it. You're right people KEEP TELLING ME THAT. Problem is, I DIDN'T ask for opinions on diet. I've asked why numbers are high. Maybe I should have told people earlier to stop telling me what to feed him. I'm trying to feed him Wysong Epigen wet, and some dry. That's my plan. Sorry you don't like it. In all honestly, he's hardly eaten a morsel of dry food since, oh I don't know, November? I wasn't asking for your unsolicited opinion, you can keep on giving it though. Are you the type of person who scoffs at someone for eating at mcdonalds once a month? If you truly are amazed at how stupid I am, how about don't read any of my "condos".
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Sean & Rufus
Member Since 2018
Also, I think people aren't paying attention to what I am feeding him now. Low carb Fancy Feast. That's it. Occasionally deli meat. No treats lately. I was giving him treats, but afetr stopping it hasn't showed significantly in the numbers. So that is not the reason why his numbers are high. Sorry for taking frustration out on you, but I took it quite rudely the way you started the post. I have never asked for ANYONES opinion on what to feed Rufus. I understand you're trying to help, but it comes off as bullying. Talking down to me. When I need advice on what to feed, I'll ask. Why everyone keeps TELLING me the same thing I don't know. Maybe I should have asked them to stop before. I bet it you ask people on here, there are lots of people who feed wet & dry food, and also people who feed dry only!
StephG
Member Since 2016
I use this bowl. It's raised of the floor, I'm not sure how many inches though. I've never measured but just guessing, 4-6 inches. I first bought it for my dog so Chuck couldn't get any dog food. Now I use it for my civvie, Kitty. He is the type that takes two bites at a time then walks away. It doesn't use the microchip. It has a tag that you put on their collar. They claim you can buy two and set each one to feed one tag only. I only have one so I can't confirm that. It's one of the more affordable selective feeders.
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00C1BYETO/?tag=felinediabetesfdmb-20
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00C1BYETO/?tag=felinediabetesfdmb-20
Tricia Cinco(GA) & Harvey
Member Since 2011
Max was a pretty big cat - 12 or 13 lbs. He got through it fine, when I turned off the magnet. I'd check the measurements on the site of the door you're considering, and remember that cats can fit through smaller spaces than we'd expect, if motivated.
Sean, no one is trying to bully you. I'm sorry you got that impression. The thing is, you asked why Rufus' numbers are high, and the correct response is that the dry food you feed him could very probably be contributing to that. As previously stated, dry food isn't healthy for any cat, and we care about Rufus. 'Nuf said.
Your signature says you want to get him on a novel protein. If that's still the case, raw might be a good choice. You mentioned trying it and it was not well received. What form was it in? I tried the Instinct nuggets, and my cats didn't like them, either, but when I started making their food (using Dr. Lisa's recipe), they inhaled it. You can get rabbit and some other unusual meats to use with a pre-mix or make your own, and it actually comes out to be cheaper than canned, and much healthier. If you're interested in trying that, let us know and we'll give you recommendations on what others have found successful.
Tracey&Jones (GA)
Member Since 2016
How is Rufus doing today?
Sean & Rufus
Member Since 2018
Hi Tracey, Rufus seems to be doing better. I gave him a ondansteron last night, but nothing so far today. He's eating pretty good. I keep trying to hide the gabapentin in his food, but he won't eat it then. So I have to squirt it in his mouth, and he hates that and the vet was hoping I wouldn't have to open his mouth. Am BG reading was high, just got home so haven't had any numbers yet. Soon though!
Thanks for checking in
HWright
Member Since 2016
Hi, Sean. Glad you posted an update. With the new moon now in its emergence into crescent moon, vines for these days ahead to be better for you, Rufus and for all in in LL amidst all kinds of worries and trajectories. May this weekend and each day be smoother than the last.
Sean & Rufus
Member Since 2018
Thank you. I get that everybody is trying to help, and I truly appreciate it. I understand dry is not ideal, for many reasons. I get it. But he hasn't been eating dry really, he's been eating the fancy feast. I just feel like I am a horrible person for at some point giving wet and dry. We'll see what ends up happening, but I truly feel I am being talked down to sometimes. I'm a bit stressed out with all of this, and some personal things.
The raw we received was like frozen then thawed ground chicken type of block meat. He very well could have been in pain from his teeth or been nauseuas. I'm not sure. The Wysong Epigen is pure meat in a can. I think that should be good? I have the supplments to add to it also. Maybe when he is feeling better with the teeth and gets regulated and on better numbers, he won't be so picky anymore. Never used to be
Sean & Rufus
Member Since 2018
Thank you! Much appreciated
I almost brought him in to the er last night, but they said keep an eye on him and they'd call me today. They didn't, but I think he's ok. I noticed last night when he yawned that his lip was all bloody, but it looks like dry blood and it wasn't "moving". When we got home from the dentist I started chowing down on dry food before I could notice. Hoping he didn't damage the sutures!
Sean & Rufus
Member Since 2018
Thanks! Ordered one from Target to try it out! Thanks for the suggestion
StephG
Member Since 2016
You're welcome. I order the tag batteries on Amazon. You can get 10 on Amazon for the price of 2 at Walmart.
Sean & Rufus
Member Since 2018
I think you can get those batteries at dollar tree too!
Sean & Rufus
Member Since 2018
Did you but the ac adapter? Might be a good buy instead of those expensive D batteries.
Kathy and TiTi
Member Since 2016
You got it!prayers and purrs.Hi all-
Please say a little prayer or little thought for my buddy today that there isn't any bad news, or anything that we can't fix. I'd truly appreciate it
StephG
Member Since 2016
This is how I hook the tag to the collar. First to the metal loop thing. Then I clip it on the collar with the clip. This way it doesn't hang down past the sensor and close on his head. It doesn't hurt them when it tries to close but it makes this loud clicking noise that could scare him.
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StephG
Member Since 2016
I haven't bought the AC adapter yet. I've changed the batteries a few times now. It's definitely cheaper to buy the adapter. I am looking for a generic one. I don't want to spend that much on the one they are selling. Should have since I've already spent close to that on batteries.
Sean & Rufus
Member Since 2018
Yeah, I'm scouring ebay right now for a generic. If I find one, I'll let you know!I haven't bought the AC adapter yet. I've changed the batteries a few times now. It's definitely cheaper to buy the adapter. I am looking for a generic one. I don't want to spend that much on the one they are selling. Should have since I've already spent close to that on batteries.
If you are feeding Rufus Wysong, please note the following information from Dr. Lisa's food chart:
Unfortunately, the Wysong website is not clear that the Epigen canned food is not nutritionally complete. All they say is that it's good as an "addition" or a topper for your cat (or dog's) food. At least from the website, the Epigen line seems to be advertised as appropriate for both cats and dogs. Again, it's not evident that dogs don't need taurine in their diets whereas it's essential for cats. (A taurine deficiency can cause blindness and cardiac problems.)
When I have a heart failure patient who keeps ending up in the hospital because they are eating "occasionally" at McDonald's, you bet I spend time educating them that eating a Big Mac, fries, and a giant sized beverage is the cause for their frequent hospitalizations. You may not have asked for information of what to feed but diet is one component of managing a cat's diabetes. If someone is feeding anything that's high in carbs, it's often the first culprit when it comes to sorting out why a cat's numbers are high.
Bobbie And Bubba
Member Since 2015
Wow what a vet visit you had! So glad that you got that bad tooth and root tip out. That could have been enough to keep his numbers higher and now that it gone, you could see the numbers come down. Also, the pred he was on along with being overweight is probably what caused the diabetes. Bubba was 23 lbs at his biggest ( now a svelte 17.5 lbs) and he had been given steroids when he went into shock from a bee sting.
Bubba had some GI issues so I transitioned him to all raw along with his brother and they love it. ( they both were hunters outside that ate their prey ) so that helped with the transition. The raw has helped with his GI issues. And it's actually cheaper than the expensive can food I was buying. And I don't have to worry about ingredients that upset IBD issues.
Bubba and his brother get less than 1 tbsp. a day of dry ( Young Again) which is less than 1% carb and I have no problem with that as they get plenty of water that I put in their raw diet each day. I know everyone here has a bird about dry ,but YA is not high carb and in small amounts along with plenty of water in their wet food I just can't see it being a problem.
Oh, just be careful with the deli meats as they sometimes have sugar added to them.
I'll be watching with great interest to see how his numbers do now post dental
Bubba had some GI issues so I transitioned him to all raw along with his brother and they love it. ( they both were hunters outside that ate their prey ) so that helped with the transition. The raw has helped with his GI issues. And it's actually cheaper than the expensive can food I was buying. And I don't have to worry about ingredients that upset IBD issues.
Bubba and his brother get less than 1 tbsp. a day of dry ( Young Again) which is less than 1% carb and I have no problem with that as they get plenty of water that I put in their raw diet each day. I know everyone here has a bird about dry ,but YA is not high carb and in small amounts along with plenty of water in their wet food I just can't see it being a problem.
Oh, just be careful with the deli meats as they sometimes have sugar added to them.
I'll be watching with great interest to see how his numbers do now post dental
HWright
Member Since 2016
Wow what a vet visit you had! So glad that you got that bad tooth and root tip out. That could have been enough to keep his numbers higher and now that it gone, you could see the numbers come down. Also, the pred he was on along with being overweight is probably what caused the diabetes. Bubba was 23 lbs at his biggest ( now a svelte 17.5 lbs) and he had been given steroids when he went into shock from a bee sting.
Bubba had some GI issues so I transitioned him to all raw along with his brother and they love it. ( they both were hunters outside that ate their prey ) so that helped with the transition. The raw has helped with his GI issues. And it's actually cheaper than the expensive can food I was buying. And I don't have to worry about ingredients that upset IBD issues.
Bubba and his brother get less than 1 tbsp. a day of dry ( Young Again) which is less than 1% carb and I have no problem with that as they get plenty of water that I put in their raw diet each day. I know everyone here has a bird about dry ,but YA is not high carb and in small amounts along with plenty of water in their wet food I just can't see it being a problem.
Oh, just be careful with the deli meats as they sometimes have sugar added to them.
I'll be watching with great interest to see how his numbers do now post dental
Sean & Rufus
Member Since 2018
I have the supplement for the epigen food. It has all the nutrients needed. And yes I realize diet is a huge part of this. Everything he is eating now, and has for the past few weeks, and going forward is low carb.
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