4/23 Bear Man Oldtimer Family Update - Miss Emily

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Linda and Bear Man

Linda and Bear Man

Member Since 2009
Last family update: http://www.felinediabetes.com/FDMB/viewtopic.php?f=9&t=40823

I hope it's OK to open a Bear Man family condo. Let me know if this is supposed to go in Loose Lips now :shock:



Happy Easter weekend Lantus Land! I am sending healing thoughts to all of the LL kitties and their civie brothers and sisters who are feeling sick. There are so many that I am starting to wonder if there is another tainted pet food issue brewing out there. One of the kitties not doing well is Miss Emily :sad:

Miss Emily (18 year old renal kitty) has had a poor appetite for a while. She has lost quite a bit of weight from her formerly very fluffy frame. Ironically, the weight loss has helped her arthritis issues, and she is getting around much better, even jumping up on the furniture again. Her sub Q fluids have been pushing her renal values down. All of this lulled me into a false sense of security :oops: Last weekend I was home with her, and finally noticed that she had completely stopped eating (she shares dishes with Teddy while I am at work, so I don't know who has eaten). Let's face it, I fell asleep at the switch :YMSIGH:

Blood work showed elevated fPLI and liver values. There is evidence of internal blood loss. An ultrasound showed a very unhappy abdomen - her kidneys are not pretty, her liver, pancreas, and stomach are very inflamed, and her intestines are thickened. There is no way to tell without a biopsy if she has IBD or lymphoma. Her adrenals are enlarged, either due to stress of chronic illness or Cushings :o There are other abnormalities as well.

She already gets SQ fluids, Bupe, and injected Famotidine. Her B12 is low, so we have started shots. She is getting Cerenia. The plan is to treat with Prednisolone. Before we compromise her immune system, we checked for a UTI (Emily has a history of pyelonephritis), which was negative. The vet is also suspicious of Cholangiohepatits (liver infection), and wants to treat with Metronidazole (which I am doing) and Zeniquin, an antibiotic, before starting Pred. I balked at the AB, at least over the weekend, as she doesn't do well with AB's and I fear they will just make her stomach and appy worse nailbite_smile

Emily can not be pilled or syringed. She is ultra face shy. Any med that she takes must be willingly ingested in food or a pill pocket, which is not happening in a cat that won't eat ohmygod_smile ohmygod_smile Many meds might help her, but I have to prioritize. The Metronidazole and Pred will be struggle enough. She isn't taking her Miralax, and hasn't pooped in recent memory.

I am struggling, wheedling, coaxing, and cajoling her into taking sips of Catmilk, watered down Recovery Formula, kitten kibble, and Temptations. I will go out today to buy Bear Man's other secret weapon - dry Evo. The vet and I both remarked upon reading Emily's u/s report that we could have been reading Bear Man's report. @-) This reminds me of his last weeks.



I apologize for the length of this condo. Miss Emily has a history of not only pancreatitis and pyelonephritis, but also pre-diabetes. She also is in need of a dental. With the junk food and steroids in the equation, I don't think it will be long before she has her own daily condo here :roll:
 
(((Miss Emily))) (((Linda)))

I want to recommend a WCF technique. How about a sit down with Miss Emily and talk to her about eating -- especially her meds in a pill pocket. As much as our kitties have a mind of their own, sometimes, reminding them how much we care and why we are doing what we are doing reaches their hearts (or their brains). Miss Emily saw the lengths you went to for Bear. It's OK for her to get the same attention and care.
 
I'm sure you've read this, because you're the best mommy bean ever, but here is an article about talking to your cat about taking their meds http://felinecrf.the-colonel.info/Documents/Meds_and_Subqs.html
I wish you the best of luck possible making Miss Emily feel better and more accepting of taking her medicines.

(((Linda and Miss Emily))) Please give Miss Emily some soft loving petting from us, and give a couple to Pinkerton and Teddy, too.
 
((((Miss Emily)))) (((Linda)))

I think a discussion with Miss Emily might just help - Zoe was NOT excited about the ear pokies and insulin starting up again - but we had a discussion about why we needed to do all of this and I swear she understood - she is not cooperative 100% of the time but for the most part she does well without alot of her tortie-tude coming thru!

I hope Miss Emily starts eaing a bit better for you and starts feeling better quickly!
 
Just sending your beautiful Emily healing vines. Poor darling..with all that going on, no wonder she doesn't want to eat. You are a fabulous bean, Linda, and I know she will get the very best of care with you.
 
Hi Linda. I'm very sorry to hear that Emily is not feeling well and not eating. My vet was very pro on the Cerenia for belly issues. I hope it does the trick and turns her around. I also found that the Zenequin seemed to have the fewest side effects on Blackie, so I hope she can tolerate the abs. I wish I could offer advice, but I will offer many healing vines and prayers for Emily to feel better soon. And be sure and take care of yourself too.
 
Hi Linda, I'm sorry to hear about Miss Emily's health issues. I'm no help with meds, etc., but Rusty and I want to send Miss Emily a beautiful bouquet of healing vines, and a few snowflakes, too (we had some here this morning). I hope that your plan will help her to feel better.
Many hugs to you all,

Ella & Rusty (who sends greetings to Ted)
 
(((Linda and Miss Emily))).....i know what you mean about picking your battles when they have many other issues....Rocket's vet always told me that she would NEVER do his teeth (because of his seizures and other issues).....so i never even contemplated that and she said they were fine...

at 18 for miss Emily...i totally know what you are going thru...but if you are starting the pred you will see improvement also in her appetite...i noticed that with Rocket....even with his CRF (as you know they don't want to always eat)....and perhaps she will become diabetic but the BG levels can always be dealt with later and worked around.....yes it will be yet another added illness to her list but you both will manage them well....

not sure you saw the video i posted a while back about pilling Rocket....i give him butter to lick off my fingers and trust me....he was never that easy to pill...in fact...my arms show many scars (i scar easily) of when he didn't cooperate with the pilling but i was determine to "train him" take the many many pills he needs....anyone that saw that video would think he was always so lovey taking the pills....not the case....but he did get used to it....and his reward (as he sees it) is the butter....so it is not impossible to train a kitty who hates and fights you....the subq fluids with Rocket was a nightmare....

hope she improves once you start and get all the treatments for her....(((hugs))))

will keep you in my prayers
 
Would you consider joining the feline assisted feeding forum on yahoo for advice on syringe feeding - even if you don't post - look at the files. I know you say its a no go but with elevated liver values already - you do not want FHL to make an appearance. Which I think is a concern you are already aware of. They can give you advice on this front and many of the moderators and members have managed multiple illness concurrently. I don't know if you would consider an etube for a few weeks of nutritional support if you are unable to get her to eat enough on her own or syringe?

I know what it is like to have a critically ill cat, but not an older one. I almost lost Maverick as you know to FHL and I knew we couldn't syringe feed him then. A feeding tube saved his life - we didn't have time to try other things. Other things you may consider - antinausea medication a true antinausea for cats (I get on my soap box all the time about this - cerenia is mainly prescribed if vomiting is present), the bupe for pancreatits, and a liver supplement should be recommended with elevated liver values (denosyl, marin, or denamarin).

(((((((((Emily)))))))) ((((((((Linda))))))))))
 
Nice to see a Bear Man Oldtimer Family Update. Wish the content was different. Snowflakes, white light and positive vines to Ms. Emily. We all know she is getting extrodinary care. (((Linda))) (((Ms. Emily))). Scritches to Teddy and Pinkerton too.
 
Linda,
I'm sorry to hear about Miss Emily's troubles. It will be a challenge, but she's sure in good hands. :smile: I am facing the pred battle with Tessie Lou, too. At least she loves pill pockets. I wish you all the best with her!
 
Thanks to everyone for the vines, snowflakes, and good advice.

Dyana, thanks for posting that link. I had forgotten about that one.
Claudia, I did see your video. I tried butter last night, and she wouldn't take it :cry:
Karrie, I started her on Ondansetron yesterday.

Emily had a bad night. She was refusing everything. I got her started on Prednisolone and Ondansetron. Today she looks a bit better, and has had another Pred tablet (from Bear Man's old stash :shock: ).
 
So sorry to read that Emily isn't doing well. Sending thoughts and prayers that you can develop an action plan moving forward that will allow Emily to feel better soon!
 
Hi Linda. Of course its OK to open a Bear Man Condo. You are family.

Sorry to hear about Miss Emily. She is so pretty. What a beautiful coat she has.

Sending you hugs and healing vines.
 
Oh dear Linda, my Hero momma bean, I now find myself in the same position, with a very ill cat-
Copper was not eating either, but today I gave him deli turkey as it is soft, and a little beef I have from a pot roast I am making--Spec. vet said feed him whatever i can, & he even ate a little FF..
It is so terrible when they dont eat. I have syringe fed Moonie lots of times, and it worked OK-
Hope Miss Emily will reconsider eating--Please little girl(she is beautiful)--Pray for her improvement!
I'm here with you Linda--Comforting Hugs from us.
 
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