1/28 - Xander | AMPS 269, +4 227 | Not the best news 😔

[Brianna & Xander]

Last post: 12/31/25

Hey everyone. I hope you and your sweet kitties have all been well, had a great new year and are staying warm/safe (if applicable)!

As usual for us it's just been a struggle to stay alive over here. If it's not one thing it's another... always.

He's started getting worse and worse with Libre changes in terms of stress. He's just so stressed and terrified. We're up to 120 mg of Gaba before changes now and even that still seems too low. So that's a thing.

I discovered a bit into feeding him this food that it has a ridiculous amount of bone in it (some large and sharp!) I was spending around 4 hours a day just picking bone out before I contacted the company to see if it seemed abnormal to them. They insisted it wasn't an excessive amount (insane, my pictures say otherwise). So I bought a really fine strainer and now spend an hour or two per night straining all of the next day's food through it so he doesn't keep eating all those bones that seem to hurt his tummy and that he threw up a bunch of.

Re: IBD - It took over a week just to get the techs from the specialty vet to send his new prescription for Budesonide to the right pharmacy account so that I could order it. Tons of phone tag with both sides saying "talk to the other guy." Meanwhile Xander, of course, continued to suffer. Once it finally got to the right account, there was some unexplained delay in filling it. And then it took about 3 weeks to get it despite 3 day shipping. So we're only about 2 weeks into trying it.

Naturally since it took so long, he started being less interested in this food too, despite having loved it. As of now he's still eating it (albeit not always reliably), so maybe we'll have made it just in time with the Budesonide to have not ruined yet another food.

The difference has been... subtle? Right after we saw the specialist, Xander started sleeping significantly more. Like, I know cats sleep a lot, but this was striking (in the same way his drinking/urination was striking when he first got diabetes). After a week or so on the Budesonide, the main difference we saw was that when he was spending all that time sleeping, he seemed more comfortable while doing it. Instead his usual tight, tense loaf, he shrimped and sprawled and generally seemed to be more comfortable.

In addition to the extra sleepiness, he started having worsened appetite problems again (which I thought was related to the food aversion), started sort of gagging shortly after meals (which I thought meant he was likely nauseated), and sometimes felt cool to the touch (body, not limbs) which I thought was weird. In the past few days he also seems to be getting a cold (which she said wasn't surprising, given the steroid, but to let her know if his eye/nose discharge changed colors or if he started sneezing). Right before we had our followup with the specialist on Monday, he decided to add a new symptom (fortunately before the appointment, so I could bring it up): a cough after the gagging. (She thinks this may just be acid reflux giving the timing of when it tends to happen, so we're trying out some famotidine. The cough is new, though.)

Considering all of those symptoms, along with the fact that she had told us at our first visit (and our primary vet had also said) that he had a gallop rhythm, naturally I started to worry about things like heart failure. She said it was worth looking at, but did listen to his chest and said it sounded clear. She offered us chest x-rays and the option to do an echocardiogram anyway, of course. We're basically at the end of our budget for testing, etc so we chose to do what she recommended, which was to include a ProBNP with a senior panel (to supposedly make it cheaper). Now knowing what I do I wish she had just recommended the echo instead. (Labs are posted in the spreadsheet). The primary stuff came back good overall with a small increase in monocytes that she wasn't concerned about, and said that all of his organ function (liver, kidneys, thyroid, etc) are "pristine." I let this give me some hope, but have since been a little crushed. The ProBNP came back today and it's high (135). Not extraordinarily high, but high, and significantly higher than it was when he last had it done for his dental in August/September (42). We got an email not from the doctor herself but a care coordinator with the results and her recommendation to get x-rays, an echo and see a cardiologist.

Except, again, we are basically at the end of our budget. I don't know that we can afford to do any of those things. I was under the impression that the ProBNP was better than the snap (yes/no) one, but it still just needs an echo to confirm anything, so really we should have just gotten the stupid echo. Now I don't even know that we can. I called, hoping I could talk to the doctor herself and ask what she thought, given the financial situation. Naturally, she is out of the office and I can't even speak to her until at least Monday.

I'm terrified and lost. I know it's not an extraordinarily high result, but again: this is coming along with symptoms that already seemed related, despite maybe not being quite as severe yet. It's not like this number came out of nowhere; his symptoms already made me wonder about it and they line up. I know that heart failure can sneak up and cats can go downhill very rapidly. I feel like I'm being given warning signs, but at the same time, we can't know how severe/worrisome any of it is without a test that we likely can't get. The two last things I want in the world are A) to have him suffer and die in the horrific and traumatizing way that heart failure can cause, or B) to let him go when it wasn't actually necessary and feel like I just killed my sweet boy for my own convenience.

Every thread I can find with people seeming to discover similar symptoms and having even similar test results, it's like a week more of posts before their poor baby was gone. I have no idea if that's us or not, and I can't even talk it over with the vet for almost a week.

I don't know what I would do without my sweet boy. He's my best friend. My entire existence revolves around him.

Threw in a hilarious one from the other night to lighten the mood a little.

 

[Karolina & Nestle]

I'm sorry to read all this Brianna. I cannot imagine everything you're feeling at the moment. I know how much you love this little guy.
I hope someone else here reads this and maybe has some advice, some guidance. I unfortunately don't. But I am sending tons and tons of healing vines to Xander and many many many hugs your way.
️️

 

[Brianna & Xander]

I'm sorry to read all this Brianna. I cannot imagine everything you're feeling at the moment. I know how much you love this little guy.
I hope someone else here reads this and maybe has some advice, some guidance. I unfortunately don't. But I am sending tons and tons of healing vines to Xander and many many many hugs your way.
️️

Thanks, Karolina, I appreciate the vines and hugs!

Really trying not to, like, pre-mourn him, but it's hard not to. I've felt like I was going to lose him soon since he was diagnosed with FD and every time I think things are finally better, there's some new huge thing and I feel it again.

 

[Kat & Trixie]

((Brianna))

I'm so sorry your sweet little man has had so much going on and I'm sorry that your heart is aching for him. It's hard not to pre-mourn for them when we are given unsettling news. I have no real advice, just want to send you, your partner and Xander loads of supportive thoughts and big hugs.

Sending vines for your sweet little man

 

[Karolina & Nestle]

Thanks, Karolina, I appreciate the vines and hugs!

Really trying not to, like, pre-mourn him, but it's hard not to. I've felt like I was going to lose him soon since he was diagnosed with FD and every time I think things are finally better, there's some new huge thing and I feel it again.

I wanna say I know what you mean, but of course your experience is completely different than mine.
When Nestle was first diagnosed and instead of getting better he was getting worse and worse, to the point where I had to carry him to the litter box or else he'd just go on himself, I thought it was only a matter of time before I loose him. If I was home for the night I'd say goodbye to him before going to bed, not knowing if he'll be there in the morning. I totally get anticipatory grief, but unfortunately not many people know or talk about it. So all those feelings you're feeling are normal cause you love him so much
Regardless, we are here for you so please keep us posted ️

 

[Wendy&Neko]

((((Brianna)))) I know that feeling of fear when you get the heart diagnosis. Neko had a murmur and she had acromegaly - which means heart issues more likely. So we got that echocardiogram. Which did belay our fears for a couple years as murmur was just age related stuff. Having said that, I just got a quote for an echo by a cardio vet for current kitty and hoo boy!! has that price increased! You can get cheaper echos done by a radiologist - one travels to the clinic I go to. The down side is they aren't as good at reading echos and prescribing what needs to be done as a cardiologist. I've gone that route twice with other cats. Neko was "complicated" hence me paying for the cardiologist.

I've also dealt with heart failure, twice in Neko. She had quite advanced kidney disease so regular vet said to start fluids. That in turn caused heart failure and told us her heart had worsened since the original echo two years prior. She got treated and on meds and got over it the first time. Second time, well, it wasn't just the heart but I had more than a week. I never did get a chest x-ray for Neko, until the CHF (congestive heart failure) episodes. Not sure whether you need that?

Heart condition means you have to be careful about fluids, and steroids. Neko was on budesonide for that reason, not because it doesn't impact BG as much. That was just a bonus for us, but it does impact some cat's BG. ECID. Similarly,

There is something you can do at home to monitor sweet Xander's heart. And that is the RR or resting respiratory rate. When he is sleeping, count the number of complete in an out breaths in a minutes. I use the timer on my phone. The answer should be in the 20-30 range. For Neko, her normal was 20-21 and I discovered getting up to 26 was a red flag for her. For many cats high 20 is still fine. The rate will be higher at the vet hence the home resting rate.

Regarding budesonide, I got Neko's made up by a local compounding pharmacy that does both pet and human meds. Special order time was 3 business days.

For his pickiness, that could be nausea. Unfortunately extremely common with IBD. You can give ondansetron up to 3-4 times a day. It doesn't last that long. You can also give about 0.5-1 mg/kg of cat as a dose. 2mg is on the light side for a 8 lb cat. If he weighs more, you can give more.

 

[Staci & Ivy]

Oh (((Brianna))), I’m so sad to read your post. I’ve been thinking of you so much and was going to send you a message since I haven’t heard from you

You’re doing such a great job with all of the difficult care and loving Xander so much. I know it’s been so hard for all of you.

All you can do is the best you can for him, which you absolutely are doing.

I’m glad Wendy just had some experienced advice to offer

He’s just the sweetest boy, I love seeing his sweet face always

Sending you many hugs and support with prayers and healing vines

 

[Staci & Ivy]

I discovered a bit into feeding him this food that it has a ridiculous amount of bone in it (some large and sharp!) I was spending around 4 hours a day just picking bone out before I contacted the company to see if it seemed abnormal to them. They insisted it wasn't an excessive amount (insane, my pictures say otherwise). So I bought a really fine strainer and now spend an hour or two per night straining all of the next day's food through it so he doesn't keep eating all those bones that seem to hurt his tummy and that he threw up a bunch of.

Another thought, could you grind the food up in a food processor so there aren’t any large bone pieces in the food?
Maybe he would like the consistency, since he likes the food?
That’s how I make Ivy’s good, in a food processor so it’s very fine, no chunks or pieces of anything. I’m not adding any bone in her meals, but all the meat and ingredients are mixed in my processor. Then I add water as well.

 

[Allie & Gen]

Brianna, I'm sorry, this sounds so scary and hard. Pre-mourning is wretched (I have been there), and vet delays when you're scared are the worst. I hope so much that things go much, much better for darling Xander than you're afraid they will.

He's so adorable, and you are just the sweetest person, and you clearly love each other so much.

For the cost of testing, have you looked into the financial resources posted here on the board? (It's on my to-do list for the weekend, we just had a bunch of expensive tests and are looking at more, not to mention surgery itself.) Also, it's not the most comfortable thing, but there's always crowdfunding? I have a GoFundMe for Gen, which I used to raise the cost of his originally-scheduled dental surgery (which was truly insane). People really care about animals and often want to help.

 

[Briana + Binx]

Brianna

I’m so so terribly sorry to hear about everything you’ve been dealing with for Xander. You are absolutely doing everything in your power to help him and he’s so lucky to have you. Knowing that doesn’t make any of it easier. It’s truly so exhausting putting everything into it, even more so when I know you’re dealing with your own health issues. The fact that you spend the time you do even just making sure his food is palatable is a true testament to the lengths you’ll go to for your sweet Xander

I wish I knew more about the things going on with Xander and could offer advice, but instead I’ll send all the healing vines I possibly can Binx and I are here for you and Xander Sending love and hugs and scratches

 

[Brianna & Xander]

((Brianna))

I'm so sorry your sweet little man has had so much going on and I'm sorry that your heart is aching for him. It's hard not to pre-mourn for them when we are given unsettling news. I have no real advice, just want to send you, your partner and Xander loads of supportive thoughts and big hugs.

Sending vines for your sweet little man

I wanna say I know what you mean, but of course your experience is completely different than mine.
When Nestle was first diagnosed and instead of getting better he was getting worse and worse, to the point where I had to carry him to the litter box or else he'd just go on himself, I thought it was only a matter of time before I loose him. If I was home for the night I'd say goodbye to him before going to bed, not knowing if he'll be there in the morning. I totally get anticipatory grief, but unfortunately not many people know or talk about it. So all those feelings you're feeling are normal cause you love him so much
Regardless, we are here for you so please keep us posted ️

Thank you both so much for all of your support and encouragement and understanding!! I didn't think many outside here could truly get what we go though.

 

[Brianna & Xander]

((((Brianna)))) I know that feeling of fear when you get the heart diagnosis. Neko had a murmur and she had acromegaly - which means heart issues more likely. So we got that echocardiogram. Which did belay our fears for a couple years as murmur was just age related stuff. Having said that, I just got a quote for an echo by a cardio vet for current kitty and hoo boy!! has that price increased! You can get cheaper echos done by a radiologist - one travels to the clinic I go to. The down side is they aren't as good at reading echos and prescribing what needs to be done as a cardiologist. I've gone that route twice with other cats. Neko was "complicated" hence me paying for the cardiologist.

I've also dealt with heart failure, twice in Neko. She had quite advanced kidney disease so regular vet said to start fluids. That in turn caused heart failure and told us her heart had worsened since the original echo two years prior. She got treated and on meds and got over it the first time. Second time, well, it wasn't just the heart but I had more than a week. I never did get a chest x-ray for Neko, until the CHF (congestive heart failure) episodes. Not sure whether you need that?

Heart condition means you have to be careful about fluids, and steroids. Neko was on budesonide for that reason, not because it doesn't impact BG as much. That was just a bonus for us, but it does impact some cat's BG. ECID. Similarly,

There is something you can do at home to monitor sweet Xander's heart. And that is the RR or resting respiratory rate. When he is sleeping, count the number of complete in an out breaths in a minutes. I use the timer on my phone. The answer should be in the 20-30 range. For Neko, her normal was 20-21 and I discovered getting up to 26 was a red flag for her. For many cats high 20 is still fine. The rate will be higher at the vet hence the home resting rate.

Regarding budesonide, I got Neko's made up by a local compounding pharmacy that does both pet and human meds. Special order time was 3 business days.

For his pickiness, that could be nausea. Unfortunately extremely common with IBD. You can give ondansetron up to 3-4 times a day. It doesn't last that long. You can also give about 0.5-1 mg/kg of cat as a dose. 2mg is on the light side for a 8 lb cat. If he weighs more, you can give more.

Thank you so much for such a detailed and thoughtful response, Wendy! I appreciate the insight from someone with a lot of experience.

The vet actually saw our message and send word back to us though that coordinator that it "isn't an emergency" and maybe it's something worth saving up for the future, and maybe retesting the ProBNP in 6 months. I'm curious what you think of that given his symptoms and result (135), especially considering that it was 42 only 6 months ago. That feels like such a massive, rapid progression to me, but maybe that's not accurate. Even if he were asymptomatic, which he's not, I've just seen so many horror stories about cats that were even asymptomatic before sudden, horrible deaths. Am I likely to be setting him up for that if I wait?

I'm glad to hear that the Budesonide is safer than other options with heart issues, because I had just been reading about steroids making clots more likely. We did manage to finally get the autoship going for it, and they're at least usually reliable with his gaba, so hopefully it won't be so hard to get it now.

I've considered upping his Ondansetron several times, but the thing that worries me is how severely constipated it makes him. We had a bit of a scare with that in the past month too. I give him Clearlax, which helps, but makes him feel yucky. I've had to start cutting it down to 1/16 tsp at a time, spread across like 5 meals because it makes him sick and affects the flavor of the food. I'm not sure I could get him to have even more of it to counteract the extra Ondansetron. The vet did recommend trying a tiny bit of pumpkin, though, so I plan to try adding that.

I have been keeping track of his RR several times a day and will continue to do so! Thank you for the helpful range to look out for.

I'm just so afraid to play "wait and see" when the thing we wait for might be horrible and traumatic for all of us... Especially if it could have been avoided. I don't know what the right move is.

 

[Brianna & Xander]

Oh (((Brianna))), I’m so sad to read your post. I’ve been thinking of you so much and was going to send you a message since I haven’t heard from you

You’re doing such a great job with all of the difficult care and loving Xander so much. I know it’s been so hard for all of you.

All you can do is the best you can for him, which you absolutely are doing.

I’m glad Wendy just had some experienced advice to offer

He’s just the sweetest boy, I love seeing his sweet face always

Sending you many hugs and support with prayers and healing vines

Sorry to have such a depressing update (even more so than usual!) but it makes my heart smile that you were thinking of us (and I was thinking of you both too of course, every day!)

He really is my sweetest boy. He's such a good boy. I just love him so much. I never want to do the wrong thing for him. If he suffered needlessly because of me it would destroy me, just like losing him will.

Thank you so much for the hugs and support and vines

 

[Brianna & Xander]

Another thought, could you grind the food up in a food processor so there aren’t any large bone pieces in the food?
Maybe he would like the consistency, since he likes the food?
That’s how I make Ivy’s good, in a food processor so it’s very fine, no chunks or pieces of anything. I’m not adding any bone in her meals, but all the meat and ingredients are mixed in my processor. Then I add water as well.

I actually did consider this for a while! But I was under the impression that all that bone adds a lot of phosphorus and I just didn't want to cause any more problems. I think what I'm doing does make it a bit more soupy than he'd like, but I'm trying my best lol

 

[Brianna & Xander]

Brianna, I'm sorry, this sounds so scary and hard. Pre-mourning is wretched (I have been there), and vet delays when you're scared are the worst. I hope so much that things go much, much better for darling Xander than you're afraid they will.

He's so adorable, and you are just the sweetest person, and you clearly love each other so much.

For the cost of testing, have you looked into the financial resources posted here on the board? (It's on my to-do list for the weekend, we just had a bunch of expensive tests and are looking at more, not to mention surgery itself.) Also, it's not the most comfortable thing, but there's always crowdfunding? I have a GoFundMe for Gen, which I used to raise the cost of his originally-scheduled dental surgery (which was truly insane). People really care about animals and often want to help.

The pre-mourning is awful. I'm trying so hard to be really present with him right now, and taking lots of extra pictures and videos. I need to remind myself that he's still here right now and that I need to be with him for every second that I can.

Aww, thank you so much! That's such a nice thing to say. He is the sweetest boy and I'm trying so hard for him. I just want him to be happy and healthy.

It was suggested to me! I did start working on a GFM but the site seemed to be having trouble so I'll have to try again tomorrow. I'm afraid I don't think I really have anyone I know outside the forum who would be able or interested in helping, so I'm not sure what good it'll do, but I'd like to try. It's so great that you were able to get Gen's dental funded!! That's amazing! You ju5st have been so relieved!

 

[Brianna & Xander]

Brianna

I’m so so terribly sorry to hear about everything you’ve been dealing with for Xander. You are absolutely doing everything in your power to help him and he’s so lucky to have you. Knowing that doesn’t make any of it easier. It’s truly so exhausting putting everything into it, even more so when I know you’re dealing with your own health issues. The fact that you spend the time you do even just making sure his food is palatable is a true testament to the lengths you’ll go to for your sweet Xander

I wish I knew more about the things going on with Xander and could offer advice, but instead I’ll send all the healing vines I possibly can Binx and I are here for you and Xander Sending love and hugs and scratches

Thanks, Briana. It sure feels like we've just had an unreasonably difficult time of things for the past 13 months or so. There's just always something.

I really do try so hard for him. He deserves it. It's absolutely exhausting and I'm beyond burnt out, but I can't not. I promised him I'd take care of him and I love him more than life itself.

Thank you always for all of your support and encouragement!

 

[Allie & Gen]

It was suggested to me! I did start working on a GFM but the site seemed to be having trouble so I'll have to try again tomorrow. I'm afraid I don't think I really have anyone I know outside the forum who would be able or interested in helping, so I'm not sure what good it'll do, but I'd like to try. It's so great that you were able to get Gen's dental funded!! That's amazing! You ju5st have been so relieved!

One of the most helpful things with a GFM is if people are willing to share it and spread it around (on social media, though GFM itself offers some tips about flyers, sites like Nextdoor, etc). I'm not sure if the FDMB has a policy about this (posting your fundraiser here and asking people to spread it around), but goodness knows that I would be happy to share on the platforms I use (well, bluesky, mainly, in my case) and I imagine many others here would too. I was surprised by the generosity of strangers - and also of people I hadn't so much as seen or spoken to in years, through the network of mutual friends and acquaintances.

(I mean, Gen's dental would have been funded? But then he was rediagnosed and it was postponed, and now I have eaten through a lot of that money with all the diabetes-related expenses over the last few months. But I'm no less grateful.)

If you could use any help with setting it up, or just some moral support with the process, hit me up via DM anytime?

ETA: Here's the board's policy, which seems reasonable: Info - NEW BOARD POLICY ON FUNDRAISING

 

[Jessica & Indy]

*huge hugs Brianna* I am glad that you heard from your vet at least. Sounds like your vet isn't extremely worried, but I would still follow-up and ask what else you can do since there is such a huge increase. My vet is used to me pestering her when I have questions and concerns.

Hang in there and I hope you are able to get the GFM up and running. <3

 

[Brianna & Xander]

One of the most helpful things with a GFM is if people are willing to share it and spread it around (on social media, though GFM itself offers some tips about flyers, sites like Nextdoor, etc). I'm not sure if the FDMB has a policy about this (posting your fundraiser here and asking people to spread it around), but goodness knows that I would be happy to share on the platforms I use (well, bluesky, mainly, in my case) and I imagine many others here would too. I was surprised by the generosity of strangers - and also of people I hadn't so much as seen or spoken to in years, through the network of mutual friends and acquaintances.

(I mean, Gen's dental would have been funded? But then he was rediagnosed and it was postponed, and now I have eaten through a lot of that money with all the diabetes-related expenses over the last few months. But I'm no less grateful.)

If you could use any help with setting it up, or just some moral support with the process, hit me up via DM anytime?

ETA: Here's the board's policy, which seems reasonable: Info - NEW BOARD POLICY ON FUNDRAISING

That's so incredibly kind of you to offer! I would definitely share it on my (admittedly limited) social media too. Who knows? It wouldn't hurt.

I'll send you a DM!

 

[Brianna & Xander]

*huge hugs Brianna* I am glad that you heard from your vet at least. Sounds like your vet isn't extremely worried, but I would still follow-up and ask what else you can do since there is such a huge increase. My vet is used to me pestering her when I have questions and concerns.

Hang in there and I hope you are able to get the GFM up and running. <3

Thank you, Jessica! She doesn't seem to be, but I (while obviously not a vet) feel like it's a dangerous move to just wait and see when it was such a big difference in so short a time. She had also mentioned at our first visit that sometimes the limited ingredient foods can lack taurine which can cause heart problems, which now is naturally making me wonder if I did this by switching his food, because his heart was great before.

 

[Albert & Xander]

I've been thinking about you guys! I'm sorry to hear about Xander's issues as of late
It's incredible how much care and love you give him, he is truly a lucky and well loved boy

I also sometimes worry about whether i'm doing all I can for Xander/is he having some hidden issue that i'm ignoring/etc but try to remind myself that i'm doing my best with my current knowledge/resources and that's all we can do. You are doing an outstanding job of keeping him feeling his best

 

[Brianna & Xander]

I've been thinking about you guys! I'm sorry to hear about Xander's issues as of late
It's incredible how much care and love you give him, he is truly a lucky and well loved boy

I also sometimes worry about whether i'm doing all I can for Xander/is he having some hidden issue that i'm ignoring/etc but try to remind myself that i'm doing my best with my current knowledge/resources and that's all we can do. You are doing an outstanding job of keeping him feeling his best

Aw, thank you! I'm always thinking of you all too, even when I'm not around.

I try to remind myself that too - though I'm sure you know it's hard to listen to yourself about it! I try though.

 

[Jessica & Indy]

Thank you, Jessica! She doesn't seem to be, but I (while obviously not a vet) feel like it's a dangerous move to just wait and see when it was such a big difference in so short a time. She had also mentioned at our first visit that sometimes the limited ingredient foods can lack taurine which can cause heart problems, which now is naturally making me wonder if I did this by switching his food, because his heart was great before.

I switched to Smalls wet food for my kitty with IBD and it has taurine added to it. Depending on what Xander's found sensitivities are they have diffeernt options for what meat is used, Chicken, Turkey, Pork, Beef, Fish and a Chicken/Fish combo. Pork is Indy's favorite. It is gently cooked but is made with whole ingredients which has been really good for him. The civvies get it too.

 

[Staci & Ivy]

Thank you, Jessica! She doesn't seem to be, but I (while obviously not a vet) feel like it's a dangerous move to just wait and see when it was such a big difference in so short a time. She had also mentioned at our first visit that sometimes the limited ingredient foods can lack taurine which can cause heart problems, which now is naturally making me wonder if I did this by switching his food, because his heart was great before.

When you say limited ingredient food, it's a cat food you are feeding, correct, Brianna?
So shouldn't it have all the necessary ingredients and vitamins etc in it?

 

[Wendy&Neko]

give him Clearlax, which helps, but makes him feel yucky.

Another thing that might help is psyllium husk. Start with a pinch per meal, slowly increase to 1/8 tsp. Make sure it's not got sugar in it. For example Metamucil has maltodextrin (aka sugars(.

 

[Staci & Ivy]

I use Now Brand psyllium husk (single ingredient only) (vet recommended). Bought on Amazon. I’m sure it’s available elsewhere too

 

[Brianna & Xander]

When you say limited ingredient food, it's a cat food you are feeding, correct, Brianna?
So shouldn't it have all the necessary ingredients and vitamins etc in it?

It is, it's KOHA LID Rabbit Au Jus. It does include taurine in its nutrition info and says it's complete as a primary meal, etc. I only heard of this because the vet mentioned taurine deficiencies from some grain-free foods at our first visit. Oddly she didn't mention it again when we went back and started suddenly having heart issues.

A couple places that mention it (although not in great detail): an FDA article and a pubmed article (which mostly refers to dogs, but does mention some cases with cats as well).

It's not definite, of course. It's just interesting timing that right after switching to a grain-free food (despite it not having peas or potatoes either, etc) he suddenly has this striking increase in his ProBNP out of nowhere.

 

[Brianna & Xander]

Another thing that might help is psyllium husk. Start with a pinch per meal, slowly increase to 1/8 tsp. Make sure it's not got sugar in it. For example Metamucil has maltodextrin (aka sugars(.

I use Now Brand psyllium husk (single ingredient only) (vet recommended). Bought on Amazon. I’m sure it’s available elsewhere too

Thank you for this! Will definitely keep in mind to try after the pumpkin if it doesn't help, etc. The vet also mentioned that maybe his problem was lack of bulk and not constipation, but I'm not so sure. Ondansetron absolutely 1000% causes constipation in humans, and I know cats aren't humans, but still. It seemed to directly correlate when I gave it.

 

[Mary & Jude]

Thank you for this update Brianna. You've gotten a lot of great input here; I really can't help other than to say that I am keeping you both in my thoughts and prayers.
I do have this one thought: are you close to a veterinarian school? Sometimes their clinics offer treatments at a lower cost.
He's such a beautiful boy! I never realized before how chocolate-y he is!
I know you love him dearly, and you are doing such a good job caring for him as he goes through all of these complicated issues. He's so fortunate to have you.

​

 

[Mady & Egon]

Sending big hugs Briana!
What helps me is to remind myself how much animals live in the present. They don’t worry about the future. They just enjoy each moment they get. When I start to worry about Egon, I give him a big snuggle and remind myself ‘this is a good moment’.
All you can do is follow each next indicated action to the best of your ability. You are doing great and you’re a great cat mum! And then just try to enjoy the inbetween - like Xander does. By the way these photos are insanely cute!! He’s got such an expressive face!

 

[Mady & Egon]

Also I’ve read lots of places that the grain-free=heart problems is debunked. A bigger issue is pulses like legumes and peas. But that Koha food doesn’t have that. Most likely it’s more correlation rather than causation…

 

[Brianna & Xander]

Thank you for this update Brianna. You've gotten a lot of great input here; I really can't help other than to say that I am keeping you both in my thoughts and prayers.
I do have this one thought: are you close to a veterinarian school? Sometimes their clinics offer treatments at a lower cost.
He's such a beautiful boy! I never realized before how chocolate-y he is!
I know you love him dearly, and you are doing such a good job caring for him as he goes through all of these complicated issues. He's so fortunate to have you.

​

Thank you, Mary!! Thinking of us is more than plenty and means the world to us.

I'm not sure if I'm close to a veterinary school! I'll have to look into that. That's a great suggestion; thank you!

He wasn't always so chocolatey, but he sure is now, isn't he? His undercoat even seems to be, like, blonde. I'm not sure if it's age or sun-related, but he hasn't really laid in the sun much since summertime. He used to definitely be black with some little tiny bits of white underneath, but he barely seems like a black cat anymore.

 

[Brianna & Xander]

Sending big hugs Briana!
What helps me is to remind myself how much animals live in the present. They don’t worry about the future. They just enjoy each moment they get. When I start to worry about Egon, I give him a big snuggle and remind myself ‘this is a good moment’.
All you can do is follow each next indicated action to the best of your ability. You are doing great and you’re a great cat mum! And then just try to enjoy the inbetween - like Xander does. By the way these photos are insanely cute!! He’s got such an expressive face!

That's a great point and yes, absolutely! I try to tell myself "He's here with me right now, and this is a good moment." Even the bad moments, one day I'm going to miss them.

Aww thank you! He does have a very expressive little face. He's got an expressive way of speaking too; he's so conversational and it's just the funniest thing to have the voice along with the face.

 

[Brianna & Xander]

Also I’ve read lots of places that the grain-free=heart problems is debunked. A bigger issue is pulses like legumes and peas. But that Koha food doesn’t have that. Most likely it’s more correlation rather than causation…

It is certainly possible! You're right, KOHA doesn't have the legumes, peas, potatoes, etc. I think I'm just struggling for "why?" when he was doing so well only 6 months ago. Like what changed?

 

[Mady & Egon]

It is certainly possible! You're right, KOHA doesn't have the legumes, peas, potatoes, etc. I think I'm just struggling for "why?" when he was doing so well only 6 months ago. Like what changed?

I 100000% understand this feeling. All I can say is, yep, I have no clue with Egon that’s for dang sure. One day everything’s fine and the next…