11/15 Doodle update (we have an appt!)

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Michelle and Doodle

Michelle and Doodle

Member Since 2009
I wanted to let you all know how Doodle is doing - but honestly I don't know if this is a good or a bad update.
He's not exactly withdrawn - but he's not engaged either. His appy is crap - but he's eating.
For a day or so I thought his breathing might be improving...and I don't know, maybe it is, slightly - but he's still snorting and sounds congested (but not in an URI sort of way) and his breathing is still labored.
His BG is running high - like 300's with the occasional actual "HI" and then he'll drop down into the 100's occasionally as well. I don't know if it's food or pain or what. ??

No one really thinks this is asthma but we don't know what's wrong... and I can't get anyone to help him.
He needs to be scoped - but no one is willing to do it.
I tried 2 local places and my vet tried to get him referred to the cardiologist he saw a few weeks ago and at University of Florida - everyone says they won't do it. (I guess it's the heart disease mainly, but my vet also mentioned his kidneys and hypertension and electrolytes all make it risky) University of Florida actually said they recommend trying a low dose of steroid and monitoring with his cardiologist. His cardiologist says no steroids.
I swear if I had a freaking scope, I'd do it myself!

I gave him albuterol the other day when he was sounding particularly snorty and it didn't help. So that's not making me feel very good about using it in a "crisis"...
 
Re: 11/15 Doodle update

I am so sorry for what you are going through. To have all of those facilities and yet no one will help is the ultimate in frustration. My heart goes out to you, Michelle. :YMHUG: I'm sending healing vines and prayers that you will find a way to help Doodle.
 
Re: 11/15 Doodle update

Ask the ones who've turned you down "who is the closest expert on this?"

ie who would they consult?
 
Re: 11/15 Doodle update

I'm sending prayers for you to find someone that will help you help Doodlebug.
 
Re: 11/15 Doodle update

oh...holding you and doodle close in our hearts...
hope there's someone who can help the doodlebug...

celi & binks
 
Re: 11/15 Doodle update

BJM said:
Ask the ones who've turned you down "who is the closest expert on this?"

ie who would they consult?
Click to expand...


the local places refer to University of Florida (5-6 hours from here) or the board certified cardiologist in Pensacola (3 hours from here)
which are the places that have turned us down.
The cardiologist said she would refer us to University of Florida or Auburn if she thought he was a candidate - which she does not.
 
Re: 11/15 Doodle update

((((((((((((Oh Michelle)))))))))))))), no advice just tons of vines and white light for poor Doodle. :YMHUG: :YMHUG: cat_pet_icon cat_pet_icon cat_pet_icon
 
Re: 11/15 Doodle update

Michele - is there a chance you could get a CT scan instead of a scope? Would that be "safer" for Doodle since it's less invasive?

When Kasha was diagnosed with lymphoma, they did the CT scan first and detected the mass, then the scope was done to get more info. I initially just asked for the scope, but the IM vet said we'd get more info from the CT scan and that the CT scan cost about the same as a scope (just slightly more). I think he also said that he could do a biopsy just from viewing the CT scan and calculating distances, but since we got a scope as well, I'm not sure they needed to do that.
 
Re: 11/15 Doodle update

Yes!! We just got an appt. for a CT Scan!
The cardiologist finally agreed that he needed it after hearing the videos of Doodle's breathing.
We go on Thursday morning. The scan is done at a human facility.
I don't have any more info than that .
I'm freaking out a little. I'm glad he'll be getting it done - but I'm scared...

Thank you for that info Krys! It makes me feel better to know that the scan was the right move for you guys.
 
(((michelle))) i'm so happy you were able to get an appointment for a CT scan!!!
thoughts, prayers, vines, snowflakes, white light... you name it. KNOW it's all coming doodle's way.
take care of you, too. ok?
 
Good news, Michelle. And it's always better to know what's going on than fearing what is not known.
As always, we are hoping for more good news on Doodle.
 
Ditto what Jill said...white light, vines, snowflakes, prayers, anything I can find is headed to you and Doodle!

So glad you have an appt, hopefully the CT scan will shed some light on what's going on with Doodle-bug.
 
Jill said everything that I could have and would have. Let us know when the appt. is and you know we'll be here sending all those good thoughts by the truckload.
 
Hi -

I'm so sorry this is still lingering. Poor Doodle! Poor you! I'm praying that the CT scan can help solve this mystery. Hang in there!!!
 
Sending everything good and hopeful to you and Doodles for it all to turn out well. :YMHUG:
 
Thanks you guys!
I really appreciate all the support!! I'm a total wreck lately and if I don't stop eating I'm going to explode - which would just not be good.

The receptionist was a little rude when I was making the appt. - which makes me more uneasy - although I know that's silly. It's not like she's going to be actually working on Doodle.
Maybe I'm just bothered by what she said and irked by the way she said it.
Yeah that's it :)
She was telling me we'd schedule for tomorrow but they couldn't guarantee that they could actually do the scan then. wth ??
When I told her I wanted to schedule a time so we wouldn't have to drive 3 hours for nothing with a cat with respiratory issues... she said "that's just not how it works". I asked "how does it work?" -- a fair question I think.
She finally put me on hold and then came back with Thursday.
So I suppose this could end up not happening. But fingers are crossed.
 
That sounds terrible...they "schedule" you for a cat scan but it might not happen? WTH?
We are sending healing vines to Doodle and a ton of snowflakes too....hope that it does get done when you go all the way there and that things will be clearer. (((Doodle)))
We will be thinking of you both and sending prayers Michelle.... :YMHUG: :YMHUG:
 
I agree ... starts with "B" and rhymes with "witch". I hope Doodle poops on her desk.

Sending prayers and vines for a smooth procedure and a good outcome. (((Doodle))). (((Michelle))).
 
Linda and Bear Man said:
I hope Doodle poops on her desk.
Click to expand...
bananapoop.gif
bananapoop.gif
bananapoop.gif
 
snowflakes and vines and meezer songs and everything else are on their way to you and Doodle. We'll just keep sending more every day to be sure there are enough. I'll go ahead and send poop vines too. :mrgreen:

I'm glad you were able to get an appointment scheduled and I hope it gives you some information, whether it's good or bad. The unknown is scary. Sometimes the known is scary too, but at least it's known. ((((Michelle))))
 
If the CT finds something, maybe ask about an angiography which doesn't necessarily require major anesthesia - if it is a aneurysm or tumor, it will have an obvious blood supply and help define the problem further.

If it turns out to be a tumor, it may be possible to get it to shrink or reduce further growth by doing an interventional procedure with microbeads to block a blood supply to the tumor, again not necessarily requiring major anesthesia.
 
am so glad you were able to get an appt. Good news. :-D Mannie and I send a ton of snowflakes and healing vines.

really unreal on the receptionist... wow. doodles - let her have it.
 
Great news on the CT appointment. Sending white light, healing snowflakes and pooping vines. I'd ask to talk to her boss.
 
Hi Michelle

Well I'm glad someone agreed to do some diagnostics on him. How weird that no one would scope -- I'd think their hangup would be anesthesia, which he's getting anyway for the CT ... :roll: If it's at a human facility, who is doing the anesthesia? Will a vet be there? Is there a veterinary critical care facility within running distance? This really puts a bee in my bonnet bc a CT, scope, and wash can all be done at a single facility, and no one should be denying you here. They can tell you it is very risky, but as long as you understand the risks they should do it -- his QOL is really affected here.

Actually, I really can't believe that the Univ of FL wouldnt' do it. Did you speak to someone there or the cardio said they wouldn't? They have internists, radiologists, anesthesiologists, critical care specialists, and cardiologists. There is no way they wouldn't be able to handle this. If someone @ FL said no, I would call again and speak to someone else, seriously. I work with a vet recently graduated from FL and if I see her tomorrow I will get some names. (Can you tell I'm annoyed?) Honestly, Doodle IS a high-risk anesthesia candidate but he needs more diagnostics and intervention, no question about it, so you need to go somewhere best equipped for all of this. Aaargh.
 
Hi Jess,
These are good questions! I'm going to call back tomorrow in hopes of speaking to a different person, and I'll be sure to ask. I hadn't even considered the risks of this being at a human facility - just the fact that it seemed odd.
I was just so freakin' relieved that someone was willing to help us!

And No, I did not speak to the University of Florida people - my vet did. (or at least she said she did) Honestly I thought that it was crazy that they would refuse as well. I mean you'd think this is what they do!
I understood why the local vet who uses his scope to check for blades of grass up a cat's nose would turn me down - but seriously, U of F?!

Thanks for being annoyed :)
 
Isnt there a veterinary hospital around there to do the scan?

Anyway, good luck with the scan. Healing vines and good wishes.
 
So sorry Doodle is still struggling with respiratory problems. I hope things work out with the test for you. Sending healing vines to Doodle and comforting light to both of you.
 
Hi Michelle. I'm so sorry that Doodle is still having such a hard time. I' so hoping that this all gets sorted out and Doodle can get the tests that he needs so badly. I'll be sending many prayers and healing vines your way. Hang in there. Kiss your beautiful boy for me.
 
ooh. I hope Jess can get some names. and i hope you can get someone who's willing to scan, then do the scope if needed.

I hope that they find some easily treatable condition. i hope that if you have to go anywhere near that witch, that Doodle PEES all over her (poo is too easy to clean up).

So glad someone is willing to do SOMETHING. You're such a good mommy Michelle. I think ur one of those peeps that might not say much for herself, but let someone threaten one of her cubs! then it's RAWR!!

hugs to you and Doodlebug. and Brielle!
 
Hoping you get some answers ( and easy fix) soon -- either through CT that you have on Thurs. or if Jess is able to get you some names for UF-- which sounds like that would be fantastic.

continuing to send healing wishes to Doodle dear.

keep on Michelle !!
 
I'm so sorry that you and Doodle are having such a hard time of it, Michelle, but I am very happy that you got an appointment for a CAT scan ( :lol: hahah cat scan for a cat, sounds kinda funny, huh) for the Doodlebutt and that it helps to answer some of your questions. Sending white lights and everything else I can to you guys. Oh, and maybe along with that poop for the receptionist, we can add a little pee...you know, why stop with just one thing???

(((Michelle & Doodle)))
 
(((((((Michelle & Doodle)))))))

Thinking of you with really good thoughts. I hope you'll be able to get the tests you need done and that the doctors will be able to give you a diagnosis and a good prognosis. Good luck today when you talk with the U. FL vets. Sending vines, snowflakes, white light, and lots of prayers.

Ella
 
Oh, I remember one of Kasha's visits to the IM docs for her kidney infection - they kept us waiting in a cold exam room for over 1/2 an hour - that's after making us wait in the waiting room first and after a 45 min drive first thing in the morning to their facility. After an initial exam, the vet pick up Kasha to take her to get her ultrasound and Kasha peed all over her. I remember thinking - good girl... ;)

When Kasha got her CT scan, she was under a very light sedation - by the time I picked her up (right after), she was bright-eyed and very alert. I'm assuming that the light sedation would present less risk...

I'm hoping this scan helps you get to the bottom of what's going on with Doodle-bug. It sucks so much not knowing, believe me - I've been there.

Lots of vines and snowflakes for you and Doodles.
 
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