12/11 Tiger AMPS 173,PMPS 215,+2 164,+4 65

[Kathy and tiger]

Yesterday

More coffee! More chocolate! Need it! Hang a bag and start a drip!

Tiger is walking, but not as well as he was. I can't really tell if the meloxicam is helping or not. Maybe he is crying less. Guess we will go to every third day and see what happens. Meanwhile I have increased his methyl B12 and intend to increase his Jarrow B complex.

to all

 

[Suzanne & Darcy]

Yesterday

More coffee! More chocolate! Need it! Hang a bag and start a drip!

Tiger is walking, but not as well as he was. I can't really tell if the meloxicam is helping or not. Maybe he is crying less. Guess we will go to every third day and see what happens. Meanwhile I have increased his methyl B12 and intend to increase his Jarrow B complex.

to all

I am sorry you are tired. I totally understand about needing that kind of IV drip! Believe me! What about trying some Buprenorphine or Gabapentin on Tiger? My only concern would be that some cats are sensitive to Gabapentin and it will make them stagger. You have to start with a small dose. Really it’s the same thing with Bupe - not so much staggering bit sedation. I never find that it sedates my cats at a low-ish dose. There is a range of doses for a cat’s weight, and if you go on the low end it may be enough. I know you have a vet visit on Monday so you will be able to discuss options with your vet. My love to Tiger!

 

[Kathy and tiger]

Gabapentin and it will make them stagger.

Gabapentin does make it worse, sedates him, but I may try it again. What dose would you recommend?

I know you have a vet visit on Monday so you will be able to discuss options with your vet

I found out that it is just a blood draw with a tech and not a vet visit. I assumed the two would go together when I made the appointment-wrong! So I decided to go ahead and see what the labs look like and go from there.

My love to Tiger!

I told him!

He has an off look. I think his liver may be swollen. I hope I am just being a worry-wart!

 

[Suzanne & Darcy]

If he’s sensitive to the Gaba, I may not try it. How many mg have you tried in the past with him? Good idea to have the labs drawn.
Why do you suspect his liver? There are liver supplements you can use. But Tiger can’t be pilled, right? Milk thistle comes in a powder that can be mixed in food… but I know Tiger already gets so many things mixed in. At least you can look at his labs and hopefully the vet will call you to discuss. Is that how it will work? Be sure to get whatever labs you want done — I mean, if there’s anything specific you want them to check. I frequently ask for the IDEXX Total Health Plus Basic. It is currently $98.00 and gives a lot of information for that price. (The labs keep increasing their prices!) There are other panels that cost more and I don’t do them unless they add information that we are specifically looking for. I don’t know what lab your vet uses though (but I am sure they will have a similar panel.

 

[Kathy and tiger]

If he’s sensitive to the Gaba, I may not try it. How many mg have you tried in the past with him? Good idea to have the labs drawn.
Why do you suspect his liver? There are liver supplements you can use. But Tiger can’t be pilled, right? Milk thistle comes in a powder that can be mixed in food… but I know Tiger already gets so many things mixed in. At least you can look at his labs and hopefully the vet will call you to discuss. Is that how it will work? Be sure to get whatever labs you want done — I mean, if there’s anything specific you want them to check. I frequently ask for the IDEXX Total Health Plus Basic. It is currently $98.00 and gives a lot of information for that price. (The labs keep increasing their prices!) There are other panels that cost more and I don’t do them unless they add information that we are specifically looking for. I don’t know what lab your vet uses though (but I am sure they will have a similar panel.

Our vet charges over $200 for labs. His triglycerides have been high, so I suspect liver and he is swollen where I think it would be.
I have 50mg gaba so I empty the capsule and divide it on a plate and guesstimate the dose...~12.5mg. I have pilled him but I just don't want to

Does the IDEXX include liver, kidney?

TY again Suzanne!

 

[Suzanne & Darcy]

Yes. Kidneys function, liver function, etc. all included… complete blood count and chemistry - glucose, SDMA, even T4 is included. i wanted to send you a copy of some recent bloodwork that I got one one of my cats, but I don’t know how to get it in this message!

I am worried now that you say he has a swelling in his abdomen. I wish he were seeing the vet tomorrow.

 

[Little Man's mom (GA)]

Kathy I would request to see the vet...not sure what time his appt is but if it's not too early I would call and tell them he needs an exam by vet and you are already coming in. Otherwise I'd just tell them while you're there.

 

[Kathy and tiger]

he has a swelling in his abdomen

after he peed tonight it did seem to have gone down. Maybe he is holding it too long!
After we see what his labs tell us we will get him in if needed-they promised. Our vet is extremely busy and booked up tomorrow.
I will ask about the IDEXX.
Thank you !!!!

Kathy I would request to see the vet..

Our vet is extremely busy and booked up tomorrow. Thank you for caring!!!

 

[Suzanne & Darcy]

I would definitely ask about which lab panels they have available and what the prices are. They should have a price sheet and the vet techs can find out for you. I’m not sure which lab they use though so it may not be IDEXX. Whichever lab they use should be shown on a copy of some old bloodwork that you may have in Tiger’s file.

Strange about the swelling going down. I don’t think he’s on any drugs that cause urine retention. Some anticholinergic drugs do that - those are the ones you want to avoid (people too as they are strongly linked with dementia.).

Hang in there Kathy. You are phenomenal and I hope the visit will be smooth. It should be quick as it’s only a blood draw. I understand about her being booked up

 

[Suzanne & Darcy]

Oh, and that is a very small dose (12.5 of Gabapentin). I wouldn’t think that would be too strong, but some cats are very sensitive to it. (Jade on this board is.)


I’m so tired too, so I have lots of coffee today (okay… I live on coffee!) I hope to nap today a little while I wait to get a call after Marcus’ surgery. This was such a busy weekend. Last night we did a bell choir performances and a choir performances. We are in both choirs (me and my big “kids”) Saturday was a long dress rehearsal. Now we get a nice long break with no more practices!

 

[Kathy and tiger]

I miss my music! I play oboe in an orchestra and flute in a trio! I have been in many choirs also-love to sing! Love bell choirs! Covid took that all away!

Hope Marcus is ok? Hope you can nap!

 

[Suzanne & Darcy]

I screwed up the appointment. I drove him up there and they said the appointment was Friday the 17th! I remember what happened. At first the receptionist made the appointment for the 13th (today) then later they contacted me and said hat her surgery schedule was too busy on the 13th and they rescheduled it for the 17th. I had already put the appointment in my phone calendar and never updated it … so we had a dry run today

 

[Suzanne & Darcy]

I miss my music! I play oboe in an orchestra and flute in a trio! I have been in many choirs also-love to sing! Love bell choirs! Covid took that all away!

Hope Marcus is ok? Hope you can nap!

That’s right! I remember now that you play oboe. I didn’t know about the flute! We had a very talented oboeist (sp?) accompanying us on several songs last night. When I watch her, I am amazed at how much breath it seems to take to play the oboe. We also had a bass player and a violinist and many different percussion instruments accompanying last night along with the usual amazing pianists. I love making music with other people.

Thinking of Tiger today.