2/15 Jack amps 246 +4 382 +8 366

[saltycat]

Yesterday's condo

Jack was feeling good yesterday and was happy to eat all his fuds. Today he is being mopey, had to pull out some FF to get him to eat, Natures Logic has been hit or miss lately. I am seeing a trend where breakfast is getting more hit or miss these days. He usually does better food wise in the evening. No landmine so far today, he is laying on the tile in the hallway and isn't too interested in much. Hopefully he perks up a bit as the day goes on.

forgot to mention that you might want to take some videos of Jack walking about.

Good minds think alike, I have been trying to get a good video of his stiff walk. Being a matte black cat, it is like trying to take video of a blackhole. I'll need to use some of my old studio lighting tricks to try to get some backlighting to show the walk better.
I try to think like the vet, since they see so many different animals and personalities, only we really know the change in how our cats are behaving and it can be tough to convey at times.

I though the same as you that a video would give her first hand experience since him laying on the table wasn't a clue to her, but to me speaks volumes. He has never been a lay down at the vet kind of cat until the last 6 months or so.

 

[Doodles & Karen]

It's so frustrating when vets don't listen to the kitty owner especially when data shows how in tune you are with Capt. Jack. I've been through 3 IM vets and 5 regular vets since Doodles diagnosis for that reason. One IM vet we agreed to fire each other . Luckily all is good with the cardiologist considering his the only one within a 250 mile radius.

Hopefully taking the videos will help and Jack perks up later today. In respect to QOL, you know Jack. Can't tell you how many times DH and I over the last year have thought, it's "time" or he's not going to make it much longer. Then, he rallies like a kitten! It's hard when they don't feel good.

Eat your fuds Jack, you'll feel better buddy. Extra scritches for your sweet boy.

 

[carfurby (GA)]

I hope Jack feels better today. Sending prayers.

 

[Wendy&Neko]

Good luck with the video shoot. Neko was mostly black in the back end except for some ankle socks. I shot in the kitchen and that was one of the few times I have been happy with the light coloured lino.

Sending appy vines, I rotated fuds so I wouldn't get boredom setting in.

 

[saltycat]

In respect to QOL, you know Jack. Can't tell you how many times DH and I over the last year have thought, it's "time" or he's not going to make it much longer.

This is the hardest one since they hide their discomfort well and as you mentioned, more then once I've thought it was getting close and the next day he acted like nothing happened.... It is so hard to tell and not a decision to be made lightly.

For now we are just trucking along, but the off days are starting to get more frequent and I have a feeling I will be wrestling with the decision sooner then I would like. For now, I'm just enjoying his company and doing my best to keep him comfortable.

 

[saltycat]

Sending appy vines, I rotated fuds so I wouldn't get boredom setting in.

I never thought I would have to play food roulette with the boy. He used to eat anything up to and including things that are not food. As long as I can keep him eating, I can work with him.
My local pet guy is so nice and very understanding, he wouldn't let me buy the food that Jack doesn't like even though he special ordered it just for Jack.

 

[Doodles & Karen]

It is so hard to tell and not a decision to be made lightly.

No it isn't. I've cried rivers. Not to make you sad but I do look at this..on different days to make sure I'm doing the right thing. http://www.aplb.org/resources/quality-of-life_scale.php

 

[saltycat]

It is what it is, my goal now is making sure he is as happy as he can be. I have that bookmarked and try to assess where he is on the various scales on good and bad days. It can be tough since it is pretty generic, there aren't really any examples for what a 3 versus an 8 would be.

 

[Doodles & Karen]

I hope it's just something you look at from time to time on good and bad days. There are other scales out there but really your intuition and Capt. Jack is the one who will guide you.

 

[saltycat]

It has only been in the past month or so that I have had to start seriously thinking about QOL. A lot of subtle changes, that on their own are easy to overlook, but when I stopped and looked at all of it together, I kind of went uh-oh. I just looked around and found a few others and he is about middle of the road on most of them.

 

[Doodles & Karen]

Hopefully it's a rough patch. You're doing everything possible and then some for that sweet boy.

 

[Wendy&Neko]

And hopefully you can get him on some pain relief. Bupe was a game changer for Neko.

 

[Doodles & Karen]

Hope you and Capt. Jack get a good night sleep