05/15 Eddie AMPS 324 +10 263 PMPS 374 +8 367

You know, Eddie's eating is challenging. He insists on me holding the bowl and he eats just enough so that to keep him going I have to squeeze Churu onto the real food. This is what they were doing with him for all those days in clinic and now he seems to eat only when "served". While I don't mind caring for him when he is compromised, I'm not really liking this new development around food. It concerns me that if I ever had to travel--which I do on occasion--how will the petsitter fare with this new way of his.

Anyone know why he might be doing this???

At one point the vet at clinic suggested she administer Solensia because he may have arthritis in his jaw. I don't know about you, but I've heard so many adverse reaction horror stories around Solensia that I told her NO. Does anyone have any recommendations for arthritis beyond Gabapentin?

@Wendy&Neko @JL and Chip ?
 
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Did you ever give Cartrophen? It was th go-to before Solensia. Neko got buprenorphine, which I think you said Eddie couldn't do. The other thing that helped Neko's arthritis pain was acupuncture. I know it's hard to find an acupuncture vet, even in the big city. Other things I tried with Neko were Duralactin, hyaluronic acid (brand Hyaflex) and fish oil. I've heard some people have success with MSM. A previous kitty I gave a glucosamine with MSM (Recovery SA), but glucosamine was too light weight for Neko.
 
Cosequin — although it likely won’t help much with advanced arthritis, it does supposedly help the bladder as well, which is a plus with cats who have a history of UTIs or bladder issues.

Adequan injections?

Definitely agree about the acupuncture. I’ve seen it help significantly but it’s not always easy to find a practitioner.

Maybe an Omega 3 supplement?

Metacam, but with very careful dosing and monitoring. I know of one cat who did well on it but it can be a potential risk to the kidneys.

Elevated food bowls. Maybe insisting you hold the bowl for him is more about the height of the bowl rather than him being fussy about the food?

I’m looking for solutions too. I have an old guy with severe arthritis who needs some help. They hide their discomfort well so it’s easy to assume they’re doing ok when maybe they’re more uncomfortable than we realize.

I’ll also be interested in what the dental specialist finds when/if you get there. Sometimes acros have weird things going on in their mouths—I remember there were a few surprises with Tubby’s dental.
 
Wendy&Neko said:
Did you ever give Cartrophen? It was th go-to before Solensia. Neko got buprenorphine, which I think you said Eddie couldn't do. The other thing that helped Neko's arthritis pain was acupuncture. I know it's hard to find an acupuncture vet, even in the big city. Other things I tried with Neko were Duralactin, hyaluronic acid (brand Hyaflex) and fish oil. I've heard some people have success with MSM. A previous kitty I gave a glucosamine with MSM (Recovery SA), but glucosamine was too light weight for Neko.
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I have given Cartrophen but only to dogs. I recall them saying at WSU they didn't advise for cats. I'm going to see about Cartrophen as it made a huge difference in my dogs.
As for accupuncture, it's ironic: we have at least 3 accupuncture/Chinese medicine vets here in Kelowna and only one IM vet who works no more than 2 days/week. As a matter of fact, I'm waiting to hear from a new accupuncturist vet who is opening a mobile practice.
 
JL and Chip said:
Cosequin — although it likely won’t help much with advanced arthritis, it does supposedly help the bladder as well, which is a plus with cats who have a history of UTIs or bladder issues.

Adequan injections?

Definitely agree about the acupuncture. I’ve seen it help significantly but it’s not always easy to find a practitioner.

Maybe an Omega 3 supplement?

Metacam, but with very careful dosing and monitoring. I know of one cat who did well on it but it can be a potential risk to the kidneys.

Elevated food bowls. Maybe insisting you hold the bowl for him is more about the height of the bowl rather than him being fussy about the food?

I’m looking for solutions too. I have an old guy with severe arthritis who needs some help. They hide their discomfort well so it’s easy to assume they’re doing ok when maybe they’re more uncomfortable than we realize.

I’ll also be interested in what the dental specialist finds when/if you get there. Sometimes acros have weird things going on in their mouths—I remember there were a few surprises with Tubby’s dental.
Click to expand...

I was just saying to Wendy that it's ironic about accupuncture being hard to find because here in the Okangan we have at least 3 accupuncture vets and one is opening a mobile practice and I'm waiting to hear from her. All I know is it's no to Solensia.
Eddie has an elevated food bowl but he wants the bowl held for him and encouraging words offered. It's very odd.
It's such a one day at a time and I'm a bit stressed (really so tired of saying that!!!) because I have to work and it now takes quite a long time to get Eddie fed and given insulin and his medications.
I'm going to ask for Cartrophen. Although it's by injection it's the least invasive of the possible solutions and I do have faith in it.
 
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