3/31 Gizzy AMPS 485, 310 @ 6.5, 352 @ +12, 167 @ +5
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Harley and Pattie
Member Since 2010
Re: 3/31 Gizzy AMPS 485
Good choice to stay the same for a couple of cycles. Maybe being free from pain will help. Hope you have a good day.
Pattie
Good choice to stay the same for a couple of cycles. Maybe being free from pain will help. Hope you have a good day.
Pattie
Harley and Pattie
Member Since 2010
Re: 3/31 Gizzy AMPS 485, 310 @ 6.5
310/+6.5 that is nice. Hope Gizzy stays level for a little bit.
pattie
310/+6.5 that is nice. Hope Gizzy stays level for a little bit.
pattie
carolynandlatte
Member Since 2009
Re: 3/31 Gizzy AMPS 485, 310 @ 6.5
Hi Lori-
I understand you are possibly considering a specialist to help guide you with Gizzy. Here in MN we are very fortunate to have a wonderful resource with the University of MN vet hospital/clinic. I think especially if you have a pet with multiple health issues it is a wise investment to establish a relationship with them. Because they are a teaching hospital, the treatment approach can often be cutting edge. The cumulative knowledge allows all angles to be covered in very specific ways.
The way we went about it was to first go in for a full assessment. This did cost a bit of change ($250?). We ended up having to do an ultrasound (another VERY large chunk of change). It was worth every penny in the end. Once Latte was an established patient we were able to choose whichever vet we wanted. We chose a IM (internal med specialist) who was well known for his research in kidney disease. Though he was faculty, he was still available for at least phone consults whenever I needed him. Any time I had a question day or night, I was able to call and speak with an on call vet who would TALK with me (not something you get if you call the ER, and sometimes your regular vet). I used the UofM as a specialty clinic, for emergency visits, and even had my girl set free there. Everyone I met there from the receptionist to the tech's, students, or billing...they were compassionate and easy to work with.
I found the cost somewhat comparable to my regular vet for many things (rechecks/full visits, labs). Any specialty testing can cost a lot. And often times they were only able to make dx and tx suggestions based on their own diagnostic testing. Bringing in labs from the regular vet, or having an U/S somewhere that may be cheaper was usually tossed aside as invalid. After a few years the IM vet did work around some of that with me because he knew I was in way over our heads and had no money.
If you are hoping to find a specialist (or even regular vet), I think the UofM would be the best place. I have complete confidence in the care they offer.
Hi Lori-
I understand you are possibly considering a specialist to help guide you with Gizzy. Here in MN we are very fortunate to have a wonderful resource with the University of MN vet hospital/clinic. I think especially if you have a pet with multiple health issues it is a wise investment to establish a relationship with them. Because they are a teaching hospital, the treatment approach can often be cutting edge. The cumulative knowledge allows all angles to be covered in very specific ways.
The way we went about it was to first go in for a full assessment. This did cost a bit of change ($250?). We ended up having to do an ultrasound (another VERY large chunk of change). It was worth every penny in the end. Once Latte was an established patient we were able to choose whichever vet we wanted. We chose a IM (internal med specialist) who was well known for his research in kidney disease. Though he was faculty, he was still available for at least phone consults whenever I needed him. Any time I had a question day or night, I was able to call and speak with an on call vet who would TALK with me (not something you get if you call the ER, and sometimes your regular vet). I used the UofM as a specialty clinic, for emergency visits, and even had my girl set free there. Everyone I met there from the receptionist to the tech's, students, or billing...they were compassionate and easy to work with.
I found the cost somewhat comparable to my regular vet for many things (rechecks/full visits, labs). Any specialty testing can cost a lot. And often times they were only able to make dx and tx suggestions based on their own diagnostic testing. Bringing in labs from the regular vet, or having an U/S somewhere that may be cheaper was usually tossed aside as invalid. After a few years the IM vet did work around some of that with me because he knew I was in way over our heads and had no money.
If you are hoping to find a specialist (or even regular vet), I think the UofM would be the best place. I have complete confidence in the care they offer.
pistull
Member Since 2011
Thanks Carolyn....I've had several people highly recommend the U. I am considering them as well as Blue Pearl in Eden Prairie. Either one is going to be a hike for me and Gizzy - that's why I don't want to do it if I don't have to.... but I know it would be a great investment. He gets so stressed out in the car.
We spent much of the day moving MORE of our stuff in....we let Gizzy out in the garage and in the yard while we were sorting thru things. He LOVES to be outside. Honestly, he was always so afraid to go out...not anymore. He loves it out there! Watching him chatter at the birds warmed my heart. He had a pretty darn good day.
I backed off the bupe to .5u. He was so weird from it - I was a bit worried about him this morning. I remembered that I had the vet put it in his chart - NO BUPE! And then here I go and give him some that I had left over from Myles! Oops! I can't remember what they gave me as a substitute. I will have to find out....however, if I take him to a specialist, I don't want him on anything so they get true test results without it masking something.
We spent much of the day moving MORE of our stuff in....we let Gizzy out in the garage and in the yard while we were sorting thru things. He LOVES to be outside. Honestly, he was always so afraid to go out...not anymore. He loves it out there! Watching him chatter at the birds warmed my heart. He had a pretty darn good day.
I backed off the bupe to .5u. He was so weird from it - I was a bit worried about him this morning. I remembered that I had the vet put it in his chart - NO BUPE! And then here I go and give him some that I had left over from Myles! Oops! I can't remember what they gave me as a substitute. I will have to find out....however, if I take him to a specialist, I don't want him on anything so they get true test results without it masking something.
Why did you put NO BUPE in his chart?
What problems was Gizzy having with bupe?
You can try gabapentin; I found that my Oliver acted like a drunken sailor on even the smallest amount of bupe, and he was over 30lb, but on gabapentin, he was much much better.... alert and feeling fine.
I had also used a codeine transdermal gel that was to be rubbed on the inner ear flap but Shadoe HATED it.
I would have my cats' files marked for NO METACAM and NO CONVENIA, but the bupe does its job despite making Oliver loopy.
What problems was Gizzy having with bupe?
You can try gabapentin; I found that my Oliver acted like a drunken sailor on even the smallest amount of bupe, and he was over 30lb, but on gabapentin, he was much much better.... alert and feeling fine.
I had also used a codeine transdermal gel that was to be rubbed on the inner ear flap but Shadoe HATED it.
I would have my cats' files marked for NO METACAM and NO CONVENIA, but the bupe does its job despite making Oliver loopy.
carolynandlatte
Member Since 2009
Hi Lori,
Some options for pain relief that your vet may have given Gizzy are tramadol, metacam, gabapentin, and possibly robenacobix.
I would honestly stay away from the robenacobix until it has been out for many years. I say this based on 1.) it is an NSAID, and 2.) My latte was a victim of a 'new' NSAID which ended up with a black box warning. Let the drug company, vets, and FDA work out the kinks first.
If it was metacam, you may be interested in reading what I posted in Julie's condo today.
http://www.felinediabetes.com/FDMB/viewtopic.php?f=9&t=67605&p=735921#p735921
Here is link to another discussion about someone's kitty with severe arthritis issues:
http://www.felinediabetes.com/FDMB/viewtopic.php?f=28&t=66722
Bupe can make kitties a little loopy, lethargic, wobbly, etc. I never really liked having Latte on it, but sometimes it was necessary. I found it good for management of acute pain, but not ideal for long term management. How much does Gizzy weigh? I cannot for the life of me remember the conversion between units/ml. Most cats will be dosed up to about .4ml. You may want to talk the vet about an appropriate dose. We had to play around with it a bit. Most of the time I gave about .2ml or less. ECID
I am glad he had a good day! Getting outside can really perk a kitty up. :mrgreen:
Something else I wanted to comment on...when I moved with my foster, she spent months crying (mostly at night). She is blind in one eye, so I was not sure if it was her vision or what?!?! It eased up after a few months. I think she was just expressing her concern about being in a new place. Maybe letting me know she was a little lonely?
Some options for pain relief that your vet may have given Gizzy are tramadol, metacam, gabapentin, and possibly robenacobix.
I would honestly stay away from the robenacobix until it has been out for many years. I say this based on 1.) it is an NSAID, and 2.) My latte was a victim of a 'new' NSAID which ended up with a black box warning. Let the drug company, vets, and FDA work out the kinks first.
If it was metacam, you may be interested in reading what I posted in Julie's condo today.
http://www.felinediabetes.com/FDMB/viewtopic.php?f=9&t=67605&p=735921#p735921
Here is link to another discussion about someone's kitty with severe arthritis issues:
http://www.felinediabetes.com/FDMB/viewtopic.php?f=28&t=66722
Bupe can make kitties a little loopy, lethargic, wobbly, etc. I never really liked having Latte on it, but sometimes it was necessary. I found it good for management of acute pain, but not ideal for long term management. How much does Gizzy weigh? I cannot for the life of me remember the conversion between units/ml. Most cats will be dosed up to about .4ml. You may want to talk the vet about an appropriate dose. We had to play around with it a bit. Most of the time I gave about .2ml or less. ECID
I am glad he had a good day! Getting outside can really perk a kitty up. :mrgreen:
Something else I wanted to comment on...when I moved with my foster, she spent months crying (mostly at night). She is blind in one eye, so I was not sure if it was her vision or what?!?! It eased up after a few months. I think she was just expressing her concern about being in a new place. Maybe letting me know she was a little lonely?
Vyktors Mum
Member Since 2011
pistull said:
Many beans seem to have success with rescue remedy for settling kitties that stress in the car. You just rub a little on their ears (the top bit not down near the ear canal) before the trip and give them a sniff of the bottle. If they start getting agitated again part way through the trip you can just let them smell the bottle again and/or reapply to the ears. I understand it can also be applied to the paw pads.
P.S. your link to yesterday isn't working, I think you forgot to put it in between the URL brackets.
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