Pig 2/28 amps 311

[LuvinThisPig]

Yesterday's

Guys! Guys!! Guess what....?? His SS is slowly starting to change colors! Whoo Hoo!!!

Okay... So, quiet celebration. I do not want him overhearing and becoming contrary again. He seemed to have a bit of a rough spot the past two day. I believe he was overly constipated as I had not seen a good output in a few days. I am thinking I will have to back off the raw even more. It frustrates me, but if he is not feeling good with a swollen colon, then that defeats the purpose. I could tell he was uncomfortable as he was breathing slightly faster right after he ate, but it would slow when he slept. Also, he kept tossing and turning. He has always had incontinence issues as this is part of the Manx thing. He has decreased nerve functionality in his hind end. This is what contributes to his bladder leaking.

However, last night he had a little dollop of the other squeeze out while he was sleeping. He never even knew. Lol.. Usually he always gets up to go poo, so this was slightly new. I am going to watch it closely, but if he is full from top to bottom and then I give him the stimulating Cisapride... This only makes sense.

I also read something about spinal damage from the acro that can make then not want to use the litter box? Has anyone heard of this? If so, it might all be a combination of things...

SRT will be around the 1st of April to May period. Could not be sooner...

 

[LuvinThisPig]

Oh! On the same note... I decreased the amount of Raw, yet again, and his breathing is totally back to normal. He just seems much more comfortable. He is not 'guarding' his belly and he had a medium size output. It may be a day or two until it all clears out. One thing I may do, I might go with only the Venison as it seemed a bit more... pliable? Not as stiff and compacted. As it, it was a looser meat than the lamb and beef. I am afraid to try the poultry as he has been having reactions to chicken as of late.

 

[Wendy&Neko]

That was a super long stretch of yellow yesterday!

I also read something about spinal damage from the acro that can make then not want to use the litter box? Has anyone heard of this?

Neko had a lot of arthritis in her spine. Even I could feel it. As long as she had a fairly low sided LB, she was OK getting into it. And I made sure she was on pain control meds (buprenorphine in her case). It's constipating, so maybe gabapentin might be a better first choice for Pig if you have to go that way.

Venison is a leaner meat than lamb and some beef. Turkey is leaner than chicken. Rabbit and kangaroo are also fairly lean.

Woohoo on getting close to an SRT target date! I guess you have to wait for school to be over.

 

[Stacy & Asia]

That’s a lot of sunshine on your SS!

I hope the poop issues work out soon and you find a food that works well for Pig.

Woohoo on th SRT date! It will be here before you know it!

 

[JeffJ]

Sorry, but I haven't checked on Pig in awhile. I am glad to see that he had a nice 11th birthday. It looks like you are planning SRT, which is expensive.

Have you been watching the Acro forum? There is some recent success with Cabergoline. I think it is a lot cheaper than SRT. One of the members had good results within a month of the first dose.

Glad to see some lighter colors on Pig's chart. I bet he really appreciates all the attention

 

[LuvinThisPig]

That was a super long stretch of yellow yesterday!

Oh my! It was wonderful!! And as long as he does not react... Looking like he will be much the same today! His +3 was 275 so I fore see a day of 250-260 ahead.. Lol. I should not say anything, though...

Neko had a lot of arthritis in her spine. Even I could feel it. As long as she had a fairly low sided LB, she was OK getting into it. And I made sure she was on pain control meds (buprenorphine in her case). It's constipating, so maybe gabapentin might be a better first choice for Pig if you have to go that way

He has the Gabapentin and I am using Christmas wreath storage cases for the litter boxes.. The sides are about 2.5 inches high and they are about 2ft across.. The circular shape works good as he can move around and not get blocked in. He will use them to pee (when he gets up to do that), but he has avoided the LB for #2 almost all his life.. lol. I think it has to do with the digestion issues he has always had. I have ran test after test and nothing to indicate why..?? He just does not like the feel of it, I suppose. That malformed hind leg most likely plays a part as well. He has spasms and stuff back there (another thing that he has had all his life) so I am sure none of this makes the LB very exciting for him.. We just do what we must do!

I guess you have to wait for school to be over.

Actually, I go to school year round.. I have not had a Christmas or Summer break in over 3 years... But, it will be online at that time so all will work out. I will take the school on the road. I am just waiting for my grants and scholarships to pay out. That will cover a good chunk of the travel.. I have the money for the procedure as of now... Just travel that i am scraping together at this point. As soon as I have that then off we go!

Speaking of which, do you think driving would be alright for Pig? It is far cheaper, but we would be going from OK to WA.. Almost a 30 hr drive. I would break it up into about 4 days... I had planned to get a very large dog kennel for him so he can move around.. I just worry. I do not trust the airlines and there is no chance I would ever put him in a hold. Either way, it is going to be a massive trip

 

[LuvinThisPig]

That’s a lot of sunshine on your SS!

Ooooooo I know!!! I am quite pleased and I am sure he is too! He is still a bit sluggy, but that will take some getting use to!

I hope the poop issues work out soon and you find a food that works well for Pig.

Sheba actually works out pretty well, but its about 36 higher in phos per kcal that I would like.. Plus, when I blend it there is quite a bit of bone silt at the bottom of the blender which worries me. Not only does that mean phos, but upset tummies as well..

Woohoo on th SRT date! It will be here before you know it!

Oh... I surely hope so! Things have been so crazy and I worry so much... I just do not believe it could get here fast enough.. But, your right and just like Christmas, it will sneak up on me!! I cannot wait to have him feeling better..

 

[LuvinThisPig]

Sorry, but I haven't checked on Pig in awhile. I am glad to see that he had a nice 11th birthday. It looks like you are planning SRT, which is expensive.

Have you been watching the Acro forum? There is some recent success with Cabergoline. I think it is a lot cheaper than SRT. One of the members had good results within a month of the first dose.

Glad to see some lighter colors on Pig's chart. I bet he really appreciates all the attention

Yes.. I had thought about Cabergoline and even wanted to give it a try. However, my vet is not comfortable prescribing it and referred me to an IM vet for it. She wants to charge me upwards of $500 for an exam. If Cabergoline does not work it would be SRT anyways, so why not skip the middle man and just go for the big shebang right away? Lol. It is expensive, but through miracles, the grace of God, and some AMAZING friends and support system, we have pulled together almost all the $$ that we need... Pig is so worth it!

I am not so sure he is happy with the attention if I am initiating.. He much prefers to be the one to make the first move.. You know, debonairs such as Pig need to maintain their reputations, after all...

 

[LuvinThisPig]

But, I must say, yellow looks stunning on you, my love!

 

[Wendy&Neko]

Speaking of which, do you think driving would be alright for Pig? It is far cheaper, but we would be going from OK to WA.. Almost a 30 hr drive. I would break it up into about 4 days... I had planned to get a very large dog kennel for him so he can move around..

Did you chose WSU because of the cost? I don't know anyone else who has gone there for SRT. I would have thought CSU or NCSU would be closer.

I both drove and flew Neko to CSU. The drive was 3 days each way, 9 hours on the road. The second time I flew, with Neko in a carrier at my feet. It was November. I didn't trust the roads to be clear of snow enroute. I still had to drive from Denver to Fort Collins, but that was manageable, if not a little hairy on the way back due to snow on the highway.

 

[LuvinThisPig]

Did you chose WSU because of the cost? I don't know anyone else who has gone there for SRT. I would have thought CSU or NCSU would be closer.

Yes, you are correct on all parts. CSU is far closer, but they quoted about 8000.. It would be much longer for that. However, WSU quoted total costs at about 2500. Even with travel its cheaper. I know a few people who have gone there and they were very happy with their experience. I did not get a price from NCSU. I can't even get them to return a call... Lol.

I both drove and flew Neko to CSU. The drive was 3 days each way, 9 hours on the road. The second time I flew, with Neko in a carrier at my feet. It was November. I didn't trust the roads to be clear of snow enroute. I still had to drive from Denver to Fort Collins, but that was manageable, if not a little hairy on the way back due to snow on the highway.

Okay... This makes me feel better. I think his comfort is the largest deciding factor for me and with a round trip plane ticket being around 1200... I can do the whole road trip and then some for that. Even with renting a car. (Gave up transportation to afford Pigs care.. Its cool. I am in great shape from all the walking... Haha) I think I was more worried about his arthritis and being in a stiff cage for that long.. I wonder if I should talk to the vet about Bupe, but the conatipating part is worrisome..

 

[JeffJ]

That price for CSU is correct, as it was about that much when I drove Leo there from Austin TX. The drive was 2 days (8 hours) each way with lots of stops. He would not pee while we were moving. And he would not poop until he got in the hotel. I had a car full of cat stuff and one suitcase. The unload and reload was an experience.

Leo rode in a large dog carrier. I made a second tier out of a stiff cardboard box for him - so he could see outside. Blankets on top. He stayed on that most of the trip. Even with lots of blankets, it was pretty bouncy for him. He hyperventilated for about 1/3 of the trip - poor kitteh.

Start of the trip is in his thread here.
A few pics of the trip including the vets there, and the car setup on Flickr here.

Be REAL careful to ensure Pig does not run. I was paranoid the whole time that Leo would somehow escape when we did rest stops. Fortunately he kept good appetite, so food was always a motivator.