GA Magellan update

Julia Rae

Julia Rae

Member Since 2015
Hello to all my friends out there up till recently Magellan has been doing very well at the falls. But I fear Magellan may be fading on me. He has lost a bit of weight and has been having litter box issues. very loose stools and not quite getting to the box. I have we we pads that he uses. But how can I get him to eat and drink more? It has been rather warm and due to get very, very hot this weekend.
 
Hi Julia,

I'm so sorry to hear this. Have you taken him to the vet? If so, what did they say?

Have you seen this post on enticing a kitty to eat? There are many good ideas here: https://www.felinediabetes.com/FDMB/threads/suggestions-on-how-to-stimulate-kittys-appetite.130770/
I spoke with a nutritionist today who said smell is important to cats. She recommends trying plain parmesan cheese on the food, simmering some plain meat like chicken to make a broth, or using juice from a can of salt-free tuna.

I've had to do some syringing of both food and water into Butters. It's important that they eat something. Here is a link to a post on how-to syringe/assist feed: https://www.felinediabetes.com/FDMB/threads/syringe-assisted-feeding-videos-and-tips.144367/

I think, though, the question is why is Magellan not eating and why does he have loose stools? Sending prayers to you and your boy that he gets better soon:bighug:.
 
Hi Julia

Sorry to hear Magellan isn't doing well. Is he eating less or eating normally and still losing weight?
Usually S. Boulardii works for the loose stools. Failing which, some people have used Flagyl (metronidazole). But it would depend on what is causing the loose stools.

Please let us know what his vet has to say.
Sending prayers and vines! :bighug::bighug::bighug:
 
Butters & Lyla said:
Hi Julia,

I'm so sorry to hear this. Have you taken him to the vet? If so, what did they say?

Have you seen this post on enticing a kitty to eat? There are many good ideas here: https://www.felinediabetes.com/FDMB/threads/suggestions-on-how-to-stimulate-kittys-appetite.130770/
I spoke with a nutritionist today who said smell is important to cats. She recommends trying plain parmesan cheese on the food, simmering some plain meat like chicken to make a broth, or using juice from a can of salt-free tuna.

I've had to do some syringing of both food and water into Butters. It's important that they eat something. Here is a link to a post on how-to syringe/assist feed: https://www.felinediabetes.com/FDMB/threads/syringe-assisted-feeding-videos-and-tips.144367/

I think, though, the question is why is Magellan not eating and why does he have loose stools? Sending prayers to you and your boy that he gets better soon:bighug:.
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I plan on taking him to the vet, the clinic I am using tells me the earliest they have a slot to see him is friday afternoon.
That would make sense as his nose has been stuffy and runny, his ongoing head cold. I am thinking of doing both to see which he likes. I also got him some baby food meat, he seems to like that.
 
Bandit's Mom said:
Hi Julia

Sorry to hear Magellan isn't doing well. Is he eating less or eating normally and still losing weight?
Usually S. Boulardii works for the loose stools. Failing which, some people have used Flagyl (metronidazole). But it would depend on what is causing the loose stools.

Please let us know what his vet has to say.
Sending prayers and vines! :bighug::bighug::bighug:
Click to expand...

I have not heard of either of those meds, I plan on taking him to the vet, the clinic I am using tells me the earliest they have a slot to see him is friday afternoon. I will let you all know what the vet says as soon as I do.
 
Noah & me (GA) said:
Hi Julia Rae, how are the rest of you doing?
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Update on Magellan, I am very sorry for not replying sooner but the vet visit set me on a tail spin. First of all I had to return to the last vet Magellan went to as it was the soonest slot available. The vet was slightly more helpful than the last visit mostly first Magellan once again has pneumonia, add to that a kidney infection as well as stage 3 kidney failure. The vets suggestion was that we put him down. Mostly due to his advanced years and the severity of his new Illnesses. The vet had no clue as to why a diet controlled animal would go into kidney failure let alone how or why he progressed as rapidly as he did. He had no indications of it the last visit. So we got some antibiotics and using my inhaler once again we went home. Jim is a basket case, and I am holding things together with fingernails. I was not sent home with anything else as we did not have the funds to buy them. So right now I am doing palliative care and spoiling the heck out of him, that and praying for a mirrical. <sp> The apt came to 200.00 dollars and that was supposed to be birthday funds for Jim and I. For the rest the vet wanted another 700.00 dollars WTF????
 
I'm so sorry Julia. Is Magellan eating better this weekend? I do hope it's not the end for him.
My kitty was sent home from the ER for pallative care when we elected to not spend 10k. He's still alive...
Maybe I'm projecting here, but I wouldn't let the vets guilt you into anything you aren't comfortable doing.
Give him lots of hugs and I think the knowledge here will be just about as good as most vets.
 
smorgasbord said:
I'm so sorry Julia. Is Magellan eating better this weekend? I do hope it's not the end for him.
My kitty was sent home from the ER for pallative care when we elected to not spend 10k. He's still alive...
Maybe I'm projecting here, but I wouldn't let the vets guilt you into anything you aren't comfortable doing.
Give him lots of hugs and I think the knowledge here will be just about as good as most vets.
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Yes, he is eating and it seems as if his weight loss has slowed. Then it could be wishful thinking too. I can get him to eat more if I spoon feed meat baby food. He is sooo skinny and I have to do his grooming for him.. Ie cleaning his bum, I don't want him digesting the nasty poop. That and washing his face several times a day due to snotty plugged nose. I have no issue doing the momma cat thing for him.. he is such the luv bug he will come up and press his face into mine or Jim's leg or side to let us know when he wants picked up and cuddled also to let us know his nose needs cleaning. With this heat spell we have been taking him into the bedroom with us when we run the ac and he seems more comfortable. The girls are giving him lots of space and not rough playing as they used to do.
 
Julia Rae said:
Yes, he is eating and it seems as if his weight loss has slowed. Then it could be wishful thinking too. I can get him to eat more if I spoon feed meat baby food. He is sooo skinny and I have to do his grooming for him.. Ie cleaning his bum, I don't want him digesting the nasty poop. That and washing his face several times a day due to snotty plugged nose. I have no issue doing the momma cat thing for him.. he is such the luv bug he will come up and press his face into mine or Jim's leg or side to let us know when he wants picked up and cuddled also to let us know his nose needs cleaning. With this heat spell we have been taking him into the bedroom with us when we run the ac and he seems more comfortable. The girls are giving him lots of space and not rough playing as they used to do.
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Aww buddy. Some of these things may just be what we have to do as parents no matter their age or health. I have cleaned a poopy butt many times, today even.
It sounds like he's happy to keep trucking along and I think animals don't eat as much when it's hot out, right?
 
Hi Julia, I'm sorry to hear about the vet visit.

Sorry I can't be of much help on the CKD front. Did the vet run a new set of labs? You could plug them into his SS and have Marje look at them.
Have you seen Tanya's website on CKD (www.felinecrf.org)? They also have an excellent support group.

Want to reiterate what Joey said - you know what's best for Magellan and don't let some vet or anybody else guilt you into doing anything you think isn't right for him!

Sending hugs to you and Magellan! :bighug:
 
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Sorry Julia, that's too much for one person. Little miracles happen all the time but I wonder if we've used all ours with mom and the cats. MIL is basically blind now and the two of us are just beaten down trying to keep her out of a home. It's painful to see what it's done to Cynthia. I won't pretend to know how you feel but I can imagine.
:bighug: :bighug: :bighug:
 
I am so sorry to hear about the CKD. You fought so hard to get Magellan into remission. I agree with the others. Don't let the vets tell you when it is time to put him down. If he is eating and showing affection, and doesn't show any signs of pain, I think you are doing the best thing for him by just loving him and taking great care of him. You will know when it is time and I agree with Noah & me (GA) - little, and big, miracles do happen and animals can be so resilient. You and Jim and especially Magellan have all my prayers.:bighug:
 
Noah & me (GA) said:
Sorry Julia, that's too much for one person. Little miracles happen all the time but I wonder if we've used all ours with mom and the cats. MIL is basically blind now and the two of us are just beaten down trying to keep her out of a home. It's painful to see what it's done to Cynthia. I won't pretend to know how you feel but I can imagine.
:bighug: :bighug: :bighug:
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I understand that the universe/god or what ever does not give you more than you have the strength to deal with. I just wish they did not think I was soo strong. Right now I simply thank the universe for every moment we have with Magellan
 
I saw over on Community that you lost Magellan and that you nearly lost Jim too.

Again, I’m so sorry. My thoughts are with you at this difficult time. :bighug:
 
I'm so sorry it was Magellan's time to cross over.
My heart goes out to you. Fly high sweet boy you were truly loved ♥:bighug::bighug:
I hope Jim is going to be ok . My tnoughts are with you Julia :bighug::bighug::bighug:
 
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