11/25 Pepper - in the hospital, update

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Nancy&Pepper (GA)

Nancy&Pepper (GA)

Member Since 2012
yesterday

I took Pepper to the emergency animal hospital last night. He was looking a little better yesterday afternoon after he finally ate a bit. He was stretched out on his favorite little throw rug by the deck doors and looked comfortable, but by later that evening I could see he was starting to look worse again. I decided I'd better not fool around with this and get him to the emergency room. i didn't get home until after 12:30 at night, so I decided to wait till today to update. Thanks for all your concern.

I'm still waiting for a call today from the hospital with an update on his condition, but I'm going to go visit him shortly anyway. I spoke to a tech who said Pepper looks a little better today than last night. Anyway, the vet we saw was very nice and they're running some tests,but the urine sample looked dark, so she suspected a UTI. There were trace ketones, though she said it was a little hard to tell whether it was negative or trace from the color. She estimated he'd be in the hospital for 1 to 3 days.

My poor baby. I just want to get him feeling good again. I've been trying for a year now since his diagnosis, and I feel like I've really let him down.
 
Re: 11/25 Pepper - in the hospital

So sorry to hear that Pepper is in the hospital! You have not let him down, you are doing all you can for him! Hope he gets out soon, sending tons of healing vines. Don't be so hard on yourself, things happen that are out of our control. Try to have a better day, hugs
 
Re: 11/25 Pepper - in the hospital

Poor little Pepper - hope they can define for sure what's wrong and get him on the recovery path quickly. Pepper is lucky to have such a wonderful Mamabean looking after him! Keep us posted when you know more. Gardens of vines to you both!
 
Re: 11/25 Pepper - in the hospital

Poor Pepper! I hope they find out what it is and start him on the treatment. You have not let Pepper down. FD is a nasty disease. You are a wonderful bean for taking it on. Lots of people don't. It took use about a year after diagnosis for Zener to feel decent and he is doing even better the last 6 months. So give yourself some major credit.
Liz
 
Re: 11/25 Pepper - in the hospital

Nancy --

You have not let Pepper down. Last night, you acted based on what your gut told you. You are a sensitive caregiver. I can't tell you how many people would have waited, thinking they were overreacting, and their cat could have been critically ill. You did the right thing!

Could you ask the vet if there's any possibility of a kidney infection vs. a UTI? Given that Pepper's numbers have been running high, there may be some infection somewhere. Kidney infections are hard to diagnose.

Remember to bring a smelly t-shirt (or any piece of clothing) so Pepper will be reassured by your scent.
 
Re: 11/25 Pepper - in the hospital

Thanks to all of you for your kind words. I just want my boy to come home. Sienne: thanks for the suggestion. I will ask the vet today about the possibility of a kidney infection. And I'll take the t-shirt I was wearing yesterday for Pepper - do they put it in his cage with him?
 
Re: 11/25 Pepper - in the hospital

Nancy, I'm sorry you had to leave Pepper in the hospital. I know how that hurts your heart.
The couple times I had to hospitalize a pet, the staff was happy to have anything that would calm the pet, and help keep stress down.
Praying for a quick recovery and Pepper comes home to your loving care.
And don't you dare say you've let him down. You take wonderful care of him and he knows it.
 
Re: 11/25 Pepper - in the hospital

(((Nancy))) Sienne is so right!! Alot of people would have waited but you are really tuned into Pepper and love him very much. So please do not berate yourself. We send a ton of healing vines and prayers that he will be home soon.

Following up on what Sienne said about kidney infections....be persistent. My Gus has been prone to them and his urine cultures and sensitivities have always come back negative. Every time, they've had to dx it based on an ultrasound. That's why Sienne says they are hard to dx. You cannot always depend on seeing bacteria in the urine. Sometimes you don't.

Please keep us posted.
 
Re: 11/25 Pepper - in the hospital

You havent let him down - you are a great mommy to him and you have gone way above and beyond what most people would have done when there cat was diagnosed with diabetic! Its so hard when they cant talk to tell us how they are feeling but now maybe we can find out if there is something else going on that is impacting his FD and why he is up at almost 6 units. Could be a higher dose cat, or something else could be going on.. like kidney infection or something!
Sending healing vines.
 
Re: 11/25 Pepper - in the hospital

I just got back from visiting Pepper. He looks really good! He started purring and wanted to explore the visiting room - looking for a way out, I think. I took some of his favorite flavors of Fancy Feast with me and he ate about half a can, so I left a couple of cans with them. Even the tech who brought him back to the visiting room was surprised by his appetite! I took a T-shirt that I wore yesterday like Sienne suggested - it might actually be too smelly, I was sweating like crazy at the emergency hospital last night (it was hot in there)! But hopefully, it will help him feel better tonight. They want to keep him on IV fluids for 24 hours, so we'll see how he is tomorrow. The vet i spoke with was really vague and uncommunicative. I gathered not all the test results were back yet when I spoke with her (not the same vet as last night. I'd like to speak with her again!) But she said there were bacteria in his urine and said something about doing an ultrasound after I asked about a kidney infection. I think I'll call back later this evening when a new emergency vet comes on duty. I hated to leave him there again. Poor boy, I think he thought we came to take him home.

Thanks to everyone for your support. It helps a lot to know there are other people who understand and care. Pepper was my Mom's cat originally. She adored him and he adored her and when she passed two years ago, I "inherited" him, so he means the world to me and I want to take care of him the best that I can for Mom.
 
Nancy you are doing a great job w/ Pepper! Pepper be much happier having you scent w/ him, the stronger the better! ;-) The vet is bad enough smelling to us, just think of how a cat would react!

Do you know what tests they did? In house most vets can test to see if there is bacteria in the urine, but cannot tell which one. That test is called a Culture and Sensitivity, and usually needs to be sent out for analysis. If they have already taken the urine sample and it is showing bacteria, they can start Pepper on a broad spectrum antibiotic. If the C&S comes back and shows that on is good to treat the particular bacteria he has, great, you are a couple of days ahead in the treatment. If it shows another ab would be better it can be switched then. The only time starting abs early is a problem is if they haven't had a chance to get a sterile sample. If abs are started before the sample, they won't be able to test for bacteria.

Also UTIs are painful. Are they giving him pain meds?

Hang in there, you got him in for treatment. UTIs are nothing to be taken lightly, but they are readily treatable.
 
Hi Anne, The vet did order a culture and sensitivty test. And the vet I spoke to today did give the name of a particular bacteria, but i didn't quite ctach it or remember what it was. She said they would probably be switching the antibiotic they have been giving him so far. But I'm going to call later this evening and see if I can get another vet whose a little more forthcoming with info.
 
I had to laugh at the mental picture of Pepper sitting on a sweaty teeshirt.. very cute.. but he will probably need to give himself a good bath when he gets home. "this smells a bit too strongly of mommy....." ;)
 
Hi Nancy, I can only add to what all the others have said about Pepper. You really had a gut instinct and got him emergency help right away. Sending many healing vines and prayers for Pepper and you. Looking forward to positive updates on Pepper. He is a very lucky kitty to have you as his Bean.
 
In some cases, they can see bacteria in urine immediately when they look at a sample under a microscope, It's good that they did a culture & sensitivity. It will take 2 - 3 days for the full results. They may have preliminary info and be able to start treatment, much like the vet suggested.

If you liked the ER vet better, I would encourage you to talk to her and get confirmation of what the other vet told you. Don't be shy about asking questions. Ask about a kidney infection or anything else you're not sure about. I think if you tell the vet you appreciate the time she's taking and how much you care about Pepper, it goes a long way to get them to cooperate and respond so you understand what they are doing and what you will need to do to help Pepper. There are so many people who do not have an investment in their cat that I think when vet's catch on that you really care, they take extra time.
 
Maybe she didn't name a specific bacteria. She may have said something else about the bacteria and I didn't catch it. But she did say there were bacteria in the urine and they might be switching the antibiotic. And the good ER vet is off for two days.
 
I'm so sorry to hear Pepper is in the hospital. We are definitely sending prayers and healing vines and strength to you both. I hope he feels better quickly and can come home to you.
 
Hi Nancy, just wanted to drop in and say GOOD JOB! You're doing a great job of taking care of Pepper and I love hearing that he's doing better and looking for ways to get the heck out of there!!! :lol: Sending healing vines to Pepper and hoping he comes home soon!
 
Hi Nancy. I just wanted to tell you I'm sorry your Pepper has been in the hospital. She sounds to be in good spirits and I'm sure the shirt you left with her will be a comfort. I hope they can give you a diagnosis and begin treating her so you can get her back home with you. Keeping you and Pepper in our prayers.
 
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