4/1 Trixie no AMBG - anal gland issue again; Petey coming home tonight

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Amy&TrixieCat

Amy&TrixieCat

Member Since 2011
Yesterday

As always, thank you, everyone, for all the prayers....we feel the love across the miles.

We're having a really rough time over here today. When I got up for breakfast, Trix was doing the severe butt scoot thing that she did right after Christmas when her anal glands were overloaded. We whisked her off to the vet right away. Her one gland was small; the other was medium/largeish but vetty said not too outrageous. We've added 5 days of metronidazole to her zeniquin in case she is having some sort of anal gland infection (zeniquin is not the ideal AB for "butt flora" issues - she has about a week and a half to go on the zeniquin). I didn't bother taking her AMBG given that we were all feeling pretty distressed. Because of this new pill, we are now up to 4 gelcaps a day.

We need to decide on something for her back end arthritis, because that could be contributing to this situation. Bupe is out unless absolutely necessary because it makes her nonfunctionally drunk. The options vetted offered are gabapentin and adequan. We've used adequan with our GA civvie Mario and it worked wonders for him, so I'm leaning towards this one. I have to gaba experience but given her sensitivities, I'm nervous about it. I did tell the vet I'm just too overwhelmed to think straight right now, and she was sympathetic (great vet), so we are going to revisit this thought in the next week or so.

I haven't gotten any Petey updates yet today, but I know the IM vet was going to be checking on him this morning, so hopefully soon. I hope to go visit him this afternoon. They were saying tomorrow would probably be the earliest he would come home because they want to make sure he's OK with the e-tube before releasing him.

We have to take Frankie in shortly for a blood draw to recheck her thyroid levels.

Life is really kicking the crap out of me lately.

Prayers to everyone, but please forgive me for not being able to visit much, if at all, right now. I am thinking of everyone....

Amy
 
Oh Amy I'm so sorry that Trixie isn't feeling well! Hopefully the metronidazole helps. Sending some vines to Trixie and more to Petey! And b/w vines to Frankie. :bighug::bighug::bighug::bighug::bighug::bighug::bighug::bighug::bighug:
 
I'm sorry you're having to deal with so much right now. Don't worry about visiting. Take care of yourself and your furbabies. Sending prayers. :bighug::bighug::bighug::bighug::bighug::bighug::bighug::bighug::bighug::bighug::bighug::bighug::bighug::bighug::bighug:
 
Thank you, everyone. Just got a small update...not much info really, but he is doing well enough to come home tonight. We go at 6:00pm to learn how to use the e-tube. I don't know what lies ahead (biopsy results will be in early next week), but I know he'll be happier at home (even though we beans will be very stressed until we get used to the tube).
 
Amy, praying that you and DH will easily be able to do all things related to Petey, tube and all...that u will have peace in the middle of it all. :bighug::bighug::bighug::bighug::bighug::bighug::bighug:
 
Amy, we are sending all of the best vines we can find for the whole crew.
Do you remember Karrie & Maverick? I don't think she is on the board any more, but she was an expert on e-tubes. She always recommended the Yahoo Feline Assisted Feeding Group. She swore by it for the very best information and urged people anticipating an e tube to join . Here are excerpts from one of her posts to another member (from 2011): (I saved this for future reference. The rest of the post discusses various medications, foods, etc. If you want the whole thing I'll send it to you in a P.M.

". . . Do you have experience with an etube? If you join the yahoo assisted feeding group you will have access to a lot of info - changing bandage videos, tips, support, autofiles etc.

3. Make sure the vet doesn't place the etube directly into the stomach. A lot of vets seem to be doing the placement incorrectly based on FAF members posts of the last few months. This causes severe complications with stomach acid coming back up and hurting the esophagus. The tube should stop an inch before the esophagus and a post placement xray done to confirm placement.


4. Food. Do you have a baby scale or an accurate scale at home to make sure she doesn't lose any weight and you are feeding enough? AD is easy on the stomach/pancreas but is lower in calories than MaxCal. You can thin AD out with clinicare rather than water to increase the calorie content a little. But if you can't get enough calories in to keep her maintaining her weight you may have to switch to Iams MaxCal. Its 330 calories for a can. But extremely high in fat.


5. Coca Cola on hand for blockages. Don't let people drink it or throw it out. Pat kept doing this with Maverick's coke. I could have strangled him.


6. Make the tube feeding a bonding experience. Sing to her, brush her, tell her how beautiful she is. Start in a small space where she feels safe and secure. And if she decides to bolt, drop the syringe. You can't hold her back holding the syringe - you will just pull the tube out. . ."

I hope this helps. Thinking of you,

Ella & Rusty
 
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Amy, I'm just getting caught up here. So sorry for all the worries and challenges you have right now. Uhhhh, I hate that!!!!!!!
I'm glad Petey is doing well enough to be coming home tonight. I'm sure it will be good to have him close by again.
I've also had good results using adequan for my Carlos (13 yr old puppy). Hoping Trixie gets back on track and starts feeling better soon.
Keeping all your sweeties in my heart wishing for healing and good recovery for all :bighug::bighug::bighug:
 
You definitely have more on your plate than you need right now! Glad Petey can come home tonight, I'm sure he'll be happier at home. Prayers and healing vines for everybody. :bighug::bighug::bighug:
circle of light.jpeg
 
Sending loads of vines! If it's any encouragement, when Salem had an etube I found it very easy to use - the main thing is to be patient and take your time; the food has to go in slowly. Ella has a good point about letting go if he runs, and at first it may be better to do it in a small closed room until you know how he's going to react.
 
so happy he is coming home... as stressed as you will feel it will be better to be able to see him, cuddle him, and get time.... come on Petey time for your boxing gloves :bighug::bighug::bighug:hope Trixie gets better soon :bighug::bighug:
 
Ella & Rusty & Stu(GA) said:
Amy, we are sending all of the best vines we can find for the whole crew.
Do you remember Karrie & Maverick? I don't think she is on the board any more, but she was an expert on e-tubes. She always recommended the Yahoo Feline Assisted Feeding Group. She swore by it for the very best information and urged people anticipating an e tube to join . Here are excerpts from one of her posts to another member (from 2011): (I saved this for future reference. The rest of the post discusses various medications, foods, etc. If you want the whole thing I'll send it to you in a P.M.

". . . Do you have experience with an etube? If you join the yahoo assisted feeding group you will have access to a lot of info - changing bandage videos, tips, support, autofiles etc.

3. Make sure the vet doesn't place the etube directly into the stomach. A lot of vets seem to be doing the placement incorrectly based on FAF members posts of the last few months. This causes severe complications with stomach acid coming back up and hurting the esophagus. The tube should stop an inch before the esophagus and a post placement xray done to confirm placement.


4. Food. Do you have a baby scale or an accurate scale at home to make sure she doesn't lose any weight and you are feeding enough? AD is easy on the stomach/pancreas but is lower in calories than MaxCal. You can thin AD out with clinicare rather than water to increase the calorie content a little. But if you can't get enough calories in to keep her maintaining her weight you may have to switch to Iams MaxCal. Its 330 calories for a can. But extremely high in fat.


5. Coca Cola on hand for blockages. Don't let people drink it or throw it out. Pat kept doing this with Maverick's coke. I could have strangled him.


6. Make the tube feeding a bonding experience. Sing to her, brush her, tell her how beautiful she is. Start in a small space where she feels safe and secure. And if she decides to bolt, drop the syringe. You can't hold her back holding the syringe - you will just pull the tube out. . ."

I hope this helps. Thinking of you,

Ella & Rusty
Click to expand...
Coca Cola ? For real? Does it break up the blockages?
 
Bobbie And Bubba said:
Coca Cola ? For real? Does it break up the blockages?
Click to expand...
Tuxedo Mom said:
YIKES!! I have read articles that say coca cola can "melt" down a steel nail if left long enough in the solution, so maybe this actually would act to clear the lines. Still sounds very scary!! :eek:
Click to expand...

Karrie is an expert and this is what she recommended for blockages (in the line?). It had to be Coca Cola. Pepsi or other brands didn't work. I can't find the posts where she talked about this, but perhaps the Yahoo Feline Assist Feeding group can provide more info.

Amy: here is another of Karrie's posts with some detailed info. on how to prepare the foods for e tube:


by Karrie and Maverick » Fri Dec 09, 2011 8:47 am

"I wouldn't do just clinicare. Its 25% carbs and high in sugar.


I would do the Recovery RS or even Wellness Chicken or Turkey blended with Clinicare just to thin it. With the feeding tube and overnight feedings you will be able to get enough food into her if she keeps the food down. If she doesn't just clinicare may be an option.


Maverick was getting a 5.5oz can plus another 1/2 of a 5.5 oz can per 24 hours to maintain his weight. Initially I had to do overnight feedings to maintain his weight. With DKA you need to feed 2.5x's the normal amount of food. I am not sure when its safe to cut back on feeding/calories though. Sandra and Black kitty was advising on this with Garland and Violet.


The thing with the food is you need to strain it or it will clog the tube. It's a fine metal mesh strainer - not one with bigger openings. Here are the instructions for preparing the food:


1. Blend and blend and blend some more with an electric blender.

2. Add enough warm water so that it is a thick milkshake consistency. Not watery. Blend.

3. I had a tupperware that I could put in the fridge for a days worth. Some people do a couple days worth at a time. I poured some of the blended food into the strainer and tapped it on the rim of the tupperware to help the food go through. Scrape the food off the bottom of the strainer and rinse it off to get rid of the gritty bits that are in the bottom. Rinse the strainer and repeat until the food is all strained.

4. Suck up the food into the syringes. Store them upright for a few minutes with a bit of extra space at the top. Store them upright in a cup or container so that the air bubbles go to the top. You can tap the syringe upright to get stubborn pockets of air if there are any to the top. Squeeze out the air. Air in the food can cause stomach gas but a small amount won't be an issue.

5. You can prefill the syringes to save time. You can warm them up by soaking them in water ten minutes before a feeding.


Regarding the syringes... get lots of them from the vet. The rubber wears out and sticks. I still have food on the ceiling in my kitchen. Pippens roost sells noring syringes which are highly recommended for tube feeding.


What kind of tube end does she have - I assume its one with just a cap and not a luer lock. When feeding pinch the tube near the end before adding and removing syringes to keep air out of the tube.


And remember... DO NOT DO A PREFLUSH. It just puts water in the tummy where food and calories can be. The postflush is important to keep the tube free from food. You will do a post flush of water (not clinicare) after meds also. Six mls should be enough.


Throwing a lot at you. But once you start doing this, it will become routine.

Karrie and angel Maverick talking: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tHE_03OsAbA


Visit the daily chatter thread - Loose Lips. Everyone welcome.


Feline Hepatic Lipidosis Something every cat owner needs to know about. Info and Maverick's experience.


Karrie and Maverick


Posts: 5799

Joined: Fri Oct 22, 2010 9:09 pm

Location: Ottawa, Canada"
 
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(((Amy))) I'm sorry things are going so rough:(. I have no experience with most of this but it looks like others do. All I can do is offer prayers and hugs! I'm glad Petey can come home tonight. Sending mega vines to you all and hoping for healing and calm to find you.:bighug::bighug::bighug::bighug::bighug:
 
Amy - you have always been so wonderfully supportive to me - I've been off the board for a few days and just saw this. Does sound like life is a stressor for you right now - lots going on
Mega prayers and vines for your household right now (and always)
 
Amy I am so sorry you have so much on your plate at the moment.
So glad to hear Petey is coming home.
Have you thought of giving Tramadol for the Trixie's arthritis. I gave that to Sheba for her spinal arthritis and it seemed to work well with no side effects. She had 10 mg Tramadol twice a day. It had to go in a gelcap as it is bitter. She also had cartrophen which is similar to adequate and it was excellent.
Sending vines to Petey and Trixie.
 
Amy, multitudes of vines for you and your tribe. Hope Petey is improving enough to be able to come home.

Wow for all the helpful information that Ella provided about e-feeding.
I'm puzzled too about why Coca Cola is best for clearing tube blockages.

:bighug::bighug::bighug::bighug::bighug::bighug::bighug:
 
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