2/22 Sid today

[Lydia & Sid & Jake(GA)]

Hi everyone,

Sorry I did not get a chance to post an update until now. I have updated Sid's SS. Sid is not doing so hot today. He has been nibbling a little bit here and there - I'd guess he has eaten about 1/2 to 3/4 can all day. I've also given him over 100 ml of food through his tube. He is now on lasix to help eliminate the fluid in his lungs but along with that I have to be sure and give him SQ or he will become dehyrdrated and we don't need that. He has started with the diarrhea again - maybe from the clavamox. He's been sleeping a lot which is expected. He is still walking around though. He is breathing very heavy :sad: We spent 10 minutes in the bathroom with the hottest shower running. He did not like the bathroom because he is scared of the shower :sad: tomorrow I am getting his nebulizer. That is recommended to help with the fluid in his lungs. I will put him in a dog crate with a blanket over the top and let it run for 10-15 minutes. I found out after the vet closed that I have to have a prescription to get the nebulizer so now I have to wait til tomorrow.

Thanks for all the advice about the antibiotics. @Laurie, we know that you were just being helpful and not trying to tell anyone what they should do for their cat. I appreciate your advice and Sienne's about clindamycin. As I said, my experience has been with dental issues so it is good to know that the AB is good for other things too. I think it does wonders for gum problems. My felv+ girls were on it for a month long pulse therapy and have not had any gum problems since! I talked to the vet and he is pretty adamant about prescribing baytril, but he wants to give the clavamox another day or so to work. I don't quite get the hesitation unless it has to do with side effects of baytril. Sid does not have a fever. The vet did tell me that he believes the pneumonia is caused by immune suppression due to the cancer. He does not want to switch Sid to budsonide because there are too many unknowns about how it would be for small cell lymphoma treatment. So that means Sid has to stay on the prednisolone for now.

@Deb, I'm sorry to hear you had 5 cats die too during about the same time span. It is very hard to lose them and I had gone almost 10 years with no losses (1998-2009). The last couple of years have been very sad.

@ Michelle, I hope you are having a good trip!!


http://www.felinediabetes.com/FDMB/viewtopic.php?f=24&t=64255

 

[Michelle & Prudence]

Thank you, Lydia. I've been checking my phone all day. I will keep sending healing energy your way. Please give Sid hugs & kisses from me. I'll check back soon.

 

[Laurie and Mr Tinkles]

I just lost the whole post I tried to submit...argh! I'll give you the short version, it's been a long day. ;-)

I would try the fortiflora for the diarrhea, as Sienne suggested...it may be helpful for that, and it also may encourage Sid to eat more if you sprinkle it on his food. I'm glad you were able to talk to the vet, maybe the Baytril would be better? I wish I knew what the perfect answer is! I hope the nebulizer and Lasix will help. You can also use the nebulizer to get a bronchodilator into his sytem, that was also mentioned in the link Jill posted....you might want to ask the vet about that when you call tomorrow...just another idea to explore, it might help him breathe better.

Sid's PM cycle last night looked pretty decent, the drop was more gradual. I know he isn't eating too well, were you able to feed the PS, +1, etc schedule today? I'm seeing a 100-150+ pt drop per hour from PS to +2, that's still pretty fast. I think you'll want to increase the dose again soon if he doesn't come down....let's see what the next couple of cycles look like. Of course, it will depend on ketone status too...I see negative ketones for today, so YAY for that!

Keep fighting Sid! Sending vines and positive thoughts....hope you are getting some rest, Lydia!

 

[Barn Cats R Us]

Hi Lydia,

You must be exhausted. I can almost "hear" it in your writing. Thanks so much for the update...I was getting real worried. It sounds like you're completely on top of every aspect of Sid's treatment. Just a suggestion, regarding the diarrhea, maybe ask your vet if he would recommend FortiFlora for Sid while he is on antibiotics. I don't know if he would want this in the "mix" of things, but it might be worth asking. There's also a human probiotic called "Pearls". I have no experience with Pearls, but recall a vet suggesting it when I asked about probiotic usage with long-term antibiotic courses. Whether, or not, Sid will be long-term isn't my point though...since he has the diarrhea now...it might be worth getting your vets take on this.

FWIW, I always gave SQ fluids along with lasix usage. It's a balancing act I don't completely understand, but as you said, dehydration is the very last thing Sid needs right now...and lasix will do that without the SQ.

@Deb, I'm sorry to hear you had 5 cats die too during about the same time span. It is very hard to lose them and I had gone almost 10 years with no losses (1998-2009). The last couple of years have been very sad.

I went for the longest time with no losses...I don't recall how long without looking at my charts...but it was many, many, years. I always understood the eventual outcome. I used to "joke" (that's how I "deal") about how they were all related, from the same litters, and eventually they were "gonna drop like flies". It was easy to "joke" back then, but in reality, when the "dropping" started, it was unbearable. I thought I was mentally prepared, but I barely had time to grieve for one, when the next one needed critical care. So I feel your pain, and completely understand the joys, major laughter, and eventual sadness, of caring for so many at one time. I guess that's the price we pay...the eventual sadness. As long as we always remember that the good times were better than most people can imagine...maybe that's what allows us to survive so many losses, in such rapid succession.

You've been doing a really good thing Lydia...for a really long time. I know you won't rest until Sid is "back to his old self"...and that CAN happen. I've witnessed it many times with mine. I only ask you try to take care of yourself too. I lost sight of that...and it got me in trouble.

Please take care. My thoughts are with you & Sid.

Deb

Edit to add: I ALWAYS forget to scroll down before hitting submit. I didn't see Laurie's post...forgive the redundant FortiFlora suggestion.