Michelle and Doodle
Member Since 2009
Hi everyone,
It's been quite a while since I've posted a Doodle update. So long in fact, that I assume many of you don't even know who he is – and for that I apologize...because he truly is an extraordinary cat.
I stopped updating mainly because it seemed as though I was never able to post any good news... and today is, unfortunately, no different.
He has been struggling with multiple issues for quite a while now - obviously diabetes,(dx'd 9/2007) but also kidney disease, heart disease, hyperaldosteronism, hepatic lipidosis, cryptococcus, and more recently hyperthyroidism.
For those of you who DO know him, you probably remember he had surgery at U of F back in November to remove a mass (cryptococcus ) that was obstructing his breathing. ( incorrectly diagnosed as asthma) They also put in a feeding tube at that time because he had stopped eating. His surgery was successful, but he ended up needing a blood transfusion and was very slow to recover.
He finally started eating after 3 months and we reluctantly removed the feeding tube due to recurring abscesses around the stoma.
I was cautiously optimistic... but soon after we found that his liver values were elevated enough that we had no choice but to discontinue the antifungal drug he needs to prevent a possible return of the crypto.
And his most recent labs indicate that his heart disease, hyperaldosteronism and kidney disease have all gotten worse.
His (cardiopet) proBNP is now 553
His aldosterone level is at 3276 (with a normal range of 194-388)
His sodium high and potassium low again, despite spironolactone and potassium supplementation.
Bun – 127
Creat- 8.8 (up from 5.8 two weeks earlier)
and his PCV is 24% ( down from 36% a month earlier)
He was throwing up massive amounts of stomach acid for several days and I really thought that was the end..., but I seem to have found a drug combo that has stopped the vomiting and that has allowed him to relax in the sun on the patio and start eating with new enthusiasm.
So I suppose, in a way, that IS some good news... but of course the overall reality is that his time is short.
He's spent a lot of time up on the bed snuggling with us up until the last few days - he's not withdrawn... he just seems to prefer the more stable surface of the floor – I think possibly due to the fact that he has lost so much weight and muscle mass.
So, the plan is to try to keep him comfortable... and to enjoy as much time as possible with him.
DH has taken some time off work and we've had family picnics on the floor in the bedroom. My 3 year old daughter has been incredibly good about helping – she plays with her legos in the sun with Doodle purring next to her.
We're cherishing the moments...
It's been quite a while since I've posted a Doodle update. So long in fact, that I assume many of you don't even know who he is – and for that I apologize...because he truly is an extraordinary cat.
I stopped updating mainly because it seemed as though I was never able to post any good news... and today is, unfortunately, no different.
He has been struggling with multiple issues for quite a while now - obviously diabetes,(dx'd 9/2007) but also kidney disease, heart disease, hyperaldosteronism, hepatic lipidosis, cryptococcus, and more recently hyperthyroidism.
For those of you who DO know him, you probably remember he had surgery at U of F back in November to remove a mass (cryptococcus ) that was obstructing his breathing. ( incorrectly diagnosed as asthma) They also put in a feeding tube at that time because he had stopped eating. His surgery was successful, but he ended up needing a blood transfusion and was very slow to recover.
He finally started eating after 3 months and we reluctantly removed the feeding tube due to recurring abscesses around the stoma.
I was cautiously optimistic... but soon after we found that his liver values were elevated enough that we had no choice but to discontinue the antifungal drug he needs to prevent a possible return of the crypto.
And his most recent labs indicate that his heart disease, hyperaldosteronism and kidney disease have all gotten worse.
His (cardiopet) proBNP is now 553
His aldosterone level is at 3276 (with a normal range of 194-388)
His sodium high and potassium low again, despite spironolactone and potassium supplementation.
Bun – 127
Creat- 8.8 (up from 5.8 two weeks earlier)
and his PCV is 24% ( down from 36% a month earlier)
He was throwing up massive amounts of stomach acid for several days and I really thought that was the end..., but I seem to have found a drug combo that has stopped the vomiting and that has allowed him to relax in the sun on the patio and start eating with new enthusiasm.
So I suppose, in a way, that IS some good news... but of course the overall reality is that his time is short.
He's spent a lot of time up on the bed snuggling with us up until the last few days - he's not withdrawn... he just seems to prefer the more stable surface of the floor – I think possibly due to the fact that he has lost so much weight and muscle mass.
So, the plan is to try to keep him comfortable... and to enjoy as much time as possible with him.
DH has taken some time off work and we've had family picnics on the floor in the bedroom. My 3 year old daughter has been incredibly good about helping – she plays with her legos in the sun with Doodle purring next to her.
We're cherishing the moments...
