? 29/1 Mo - AMPS 410, +4 342, PMPS 347 - Vet Update & tips on dealing with worry?

[katy and mo (GA)]

Yesterday

Mo has done 2 pretty runny poops this morning and they've been incredibly smelly too. I just gave the vet clinic a call and hopefully a nurse will call me back when they have time. He's still happily eating (although is refusing his treats now but will gobble up his normal wet food), is drinking and peeing. He is a bit overdue for his worm and flea treatment (I know bad Mama ) but I feel so bad giving it to him because he already has to go through so much. I don't know how much use it'll be giving him the worming tablet if he has diarrhoea at the moment but I will give him his flea stuff. Tim isn't working from home today and I have to head to work in just under 2 hours. Hopefully, he will be fine. At least he is doing all his runny poos in his litter box...

My poor little boy

 

[Wendy&Neko]

Poor Mo.

There are a couple things you can try to firm him up a bit. Pumpkin can help, a little bit of pure pumpkin or squash mixed in with his food. There is a probiotic called S. Boullardi - more info about it here, that lots of people have good success with. Unless you can actually see worms, the worming tablet may not do much.

You doing anything new/different with his food?

 

[katy and mo (GA)]

Poor Mo.

There are a couple things you can try to firm him up a bit. Pumpkin can help, a little bit of pure pumpkin or squash mixed in with his food. There is a probiotic called S. Boullardi - more info about it here, that lots of people have good success with. Unless you can actually see worms, the worming tablet may not do much.

You doing anything new/different with his food?

Thanks Wendy! I'll look into that.

We haven't changed his food at all. We have noticed his numbers going up slightly. A few more reds that usual.

The vet clinic just called me back - they have fit us in for an appointment in a hours time. It might make me late for work but I've already given them a heads up. Hopefully, they can figure out what is causing it.

 

[carfurby (GA)]

I hope the vet can give you something to help Mo.

 

[katy and mo (GA)]

We saw a different vet today. He was so good! He agreed that Mo needed to be switched to a different insulin and he was familiar with all the different insulins. Said Levemir was a good one He has practiced in Australia so I think he's pretty onto it. He gave Mo some antibiotics and we need to give them to him once a day for a few days. This vet usually works at the vet clinic where our specialist is so he said he will most likely see us on Tuesday. Some positive stuff!

One thing he did mention was Mo's big pupils. He said that it could be a sign of some eye condition but when he shined a light in Mo's eyes, they did get smaller. I don't know what all that means, I thought cats didn't tend to get eye problems with diabetes but I'm still learning.

Mo has lost 200g since the last visit which was about 3 weeks ago which isn't good. He's gone off his treats lately so he's missing out on those calories. I'll go pick up some chicken tomorrow and bake it and give it as treats instead I think. Just to make sure he doesn't lose anymore weight. In the mean time I gave him a slightly bigger lunch.

 

[Wendy&Neko]

This new vet sounds like a keeper! Hopefully you'll be able to get Levemir soon. Which antibiotic will Mo go on? Some antibiotics cause tummy upset, so you still might want to investigate giving him some probiotics, but you have to give them two hours apart from the antibiotics. I just mix probiotics into food.

Neko originally had larger pupils. The benign pituitary tumour that causes acromegly is close to the optic chiasm. I found Neko shied away from bright light, until we had her treated. So it's a different eye condition than what dogs get from diabetes.

 

[katy and mo (GA)]

This new vet sounds like a keeper! Hopefully you'll be able to get Levemir soon. Which antibiotic will Mo go on? Some antibiotics cause tummy upset, so you still might want to investigate giving him some probiotics, but you have to give them two hours apart from the antibiotics. I just mix probiotics into food.

Neko originally had larger pupils. The benign pituitary tumour that causes acromegly is close to the optic chiasm. I found Neko shied away from bright light, until we had her treated. So it's a different eye condition than what dogs get from diabetes.

I'll just get Tim to check the antibiotic. He hasn't responded yet I did think that they could make his tummy worse, so I will look into a probiotic for him as well

Hmmm yeah it's sounding more and more like Mo has acromegaly. I'm anxious and excited for his specialist appointment on Tuesday eeeeeee!

 

[katy and mo (GA)]

He has been given Stomorgyl !

 

[Wendy&Neko]

OK, that contains two antibiotics, metronidazole and spiramycin. Metronidazole is a good one for diarrhea, but tastes awful. I don't have experience with spiramycin.

 

[katy and mo (GA)]

I'm having a bit of an emotional roller coaster tonight. How does everyone handle the stress of worrying about their sugar kitties? I keep preparing myself for the worst. I already have bad anxiety and the stress is taking its toll on me.

Does anyone have any tips?

 

[Pamela & Amethyst]

I'm having a bit of an emotional roller coaster tonight. How does everyone handle the stress of worrying about their sugar kitties? I keep preparing myself for the worst. I already have bad anxiety and the stress is taking its toll on me.

Does anyone have any tips?

Hi I have very bad anxiety I pray alot, rely on everyone here alot, also I take Lorezapam 2x a day ,it is an anti anxiety medication very GOOD!! Take care of yourself we all need to stay healthy and strong for our Sugarbabies

 

[Wendy&Neko]

I do a lot of exercise. I made sure I had some "me" time every day. Getting out for a walk in the fresh air or paddle on the water helped my stress.

I know you are doing the best you can.

 

[carfurby (GA)]

I pray and trust God will take care of Furball because He loves her more than I ever could. Sending prayers.

 

[JaxBenji]

I'm having a bit of an emotional roller coaster tonight. How does everyone handle the stress of worrying about their sugar kitties? I keep preparing myself for the worst. I already have bad anxiety and the stress is taking its toll on me.

Does anyone have any tips?

I remind myself I'm doing the best I can with the information & knowledge I have while balancing my family and my life Mo is so lucky to have you looking out for him - you are doing a wonderful job keeping his best interests in mind

 

[Scdal]

I'm having a bit of an emotional roller coaster tonight. How does everyone handle the stress of worrying about their sugar kitties? I keep preparing myself for the worst. I already have bad anxiety and the stress is taking its toll on me.

Does anyone have any tips?

Our cats and also both of us are a lot alike. Phoenix is on 9.5 units of Lantus and I am a worrier and get extremely anxious. I recently found an old book for sale. It has changed my life. The name of it is " How to stop worrying and start living." The author is Dale Carnegie. He teaches you how to live in a day-tight compartment and only focus on today. I now write down my tasks to complete today and only focus on those, NOTHING ELSE. He explains how to stop worrying about the future and stop worrying about the what ifs. That was a biggie for me. I drove myself crazy worrying about things that probably would never happen in the future.
The book also deals with sawing sawdust. That means fretting about things that have happened in the past. You can't change what has already happened, so why do we worry about it. You can't saw sawdust.
I am 68 years old and have read numerous books over the years and nothing helped. I tried medications and counseling for various problems and it didn't help very much. I needed to break the worry cycle! I just found this book last month and it has transformed my life. I really think it will help you as well. I hope you are feeling a little better and keep your chin up.

 

[Pamela & Amethyst]

Erin I was wondering if Mo was tested for Glaucoma?? Amethyst had enlarged pupils all the time and was tested for Glaucoma and that was the reason why. She is on Humorsol 2x a day for the rest of her life so that her Eye Pressures stay safe

 

[Sue and Luci]

Erin, one other question - did the vet get labs done?

Luci was loosing weight and having diarrhea too...as it turned out she was hyperthyroid...

Not wanting to add to your worry...but I was unaware of the symptoms she was having and the relationship to thyroid.

Just another thing on the checklist to ask about. Try not to worry...you're a good mama bean and you're doing everything you can to help your fur baby

 

[Laura and Gremlin (GA)]

Poor Mo I'm so sorry to hear he's having such a tough trot. And you as well.

Another thing with the eye pupils (sorry to add on more), Grem's became enlarged last year and he was diagnosed with hypertension. The force of the high blood pressure behind the eyes can cause the retinas to detach. Early diagnosis and the correct meds can save their vision. Grem is still mostly blind (his were/are partially detached) but he squints at bright lights and can see movement. Most of the time he just fakes it.

 

[Butters & Lyla]

I'm doing a lot of exercise with side helpings of meditation and yoga....whenever I can...when I'm not working very long hours and taking care of the people in my life who I take care of.
But when I actually do these, it helps a lot!

 

[katy and mo (GA)]

Hi I have very bad anxiety I pray alot, rely on everyone here alot, also I take Lorezapam 2x a day ,it is an anti anxiety medication very GOOD!! Take care of yourself we all need to stay healthy and strong for our Sugarbabies

Thank you Pamela Lorazepam is very good, but my doctor won't prescribe it to me very often for fear I may become addicted. Which is fair

I do a lot of exercise. I made sure I had some "me" time every day. Getting out for a walk in the fresh air or paddle on the water helped my stress.

I know you are doing the best you can.

I really need to get myself outside to do more exercise. I'm one of those lazy types but I'm sure if I got myself exercising again, I'll feel better! Thanks Wendy

I pray and trust God will take care of Furball because He loves her more than I ever could. Sending prayers.

Thank you Carla <3

I remind myself I'm doing the best I can with the information & knowledge I have while balancing my family and my life Mo is so lucky to have you looking out for him - you are doing a wonderful job keeping his best interests in mind

Thank you so much. You're right. At the end of the day I don't think he will ever get back to being the cat he used to be. I need to love him as he is an make the most of the time we have.

Our cats and also both of us are a lot alike. Phoenix is on 9.5 units of Lantus and I am a worrier and get extremely anxious. I recently found an old book for sale. It has changed my life. The name of it is " How to stop worrying and start living." The author is Dale Carnegie. He teaches you how to live in a day-tight compartment and only focus on today. I now write down my tasks to complete today and only focus on those, NOTHING ELSE. He explains how to stop worrying about the future and stop worrying about the what ifs. That was a biggie for me. I drove myself crazy worrying about things that probably would never happen in the future.
The book also deals with sawing sawdust. That means fretting about things that have happened in the past. You can't change what has already happened, so why do we worry about it. You can't saw sawdust.
I am 68 years old and have read numerous books over the years and nothing helped. I tried medications and counseling for various problems and it didn't help very much. I needed to break the worry cycle! I just found this book last month and it has transformed my life. I really think it will help you as well. I hope you are feeling a little better and keep your chin up.

I MUST read that book!! Thank you so much! I'm so glad you found something that worked for you. I will look that book up this instant!

I was wondering if Mo was tested for Glaucoma?? Amethyst had enlarged pupils all the time and was tested for Glaucoma and that was the reason why. She is on Humorsol 2x a day for the rest of her life so that her Eye Pressures stay safe

He hasn't been but I will mention it to the specialist when we finally see her on Tuesday! Thank you

One other question - did the vet get labs done?

Luci was loosing weight and having diarrhea too...as it turned out she was hyperthyroid...

Not wanting to add to your worry...but I was unaware of the symptoms she was having and the relationship to thyroid.

Just another thing on the checklist to ask about. Try not to worry...you're a good mama bean and you're doing everything you can to help your fur baby

The vet did labs about a month ago and everything came back clear. Things may have changed between now and then though. He hasn't had any diarrhoea since the day we went to the vet so I'm hoping it has subsidised. But I haven't seen any poo since so maybe he's doing it outside?

Thank you, Sue

Poor Mo I'm so sorry to hear he's having such a tough trot. And you as well.

Another thing with the eye pupils (sorry to add on more), Grem's became enlarged last year and he was diagnosed with hypertension. The force of the high blood pressure behind the eyes can cause the retinas to detach. Early diagnosis and the correct meds can save their vision. Grem is still mostly blind (his were/are partially detached) but he squints at bright lights and can see movement. Most of the time he just fakes it.

I will definitely mention this to the specialist when we see her on Tuesday, thanks Laura! Hopefully, whatever it is, we will have caught it early!

I'm doing a lot of exercise with side helpings of meditation and yoga....whenever I can...when I'm not working very long hours and taking care of the people in my life who I take care of.
But when I actually do these, it helps a lot!

Thanks Lyla! People are saying exercise helps a lot and I really need to get back into it! It's tricky to fit it in around shift work but I need to make the time for me.



Thank you everyone