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4/28 Tessie Lou PMPS 314 - Update on Spasms
- Thread starter tessielou
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Kathy and Kitty
Very Active Member
Re: 4/27 Tessie Lou AMPS 273 - Spasms Again
Wish I could contribute something meaningful, but I can only send hugs. Please let us know what the vet says. Glad you've posted on Health -- you may get some good input there too.
Wish I could contribute something meaningful, but I can only send hugs. Please let us know what the vet says. Glad you've posted on Health -- you may get some good input there too.
Karrie and Maverick
Very Active Member
Re: 4/27 Tessie Lou AMPS 273 - Spasms Again
I'd post it to the pancreatitis group also just in case.
Karrie
I'd post it to the pancreatitis group also just in case.
Karrie
Patty & Champ
Very Active Member
Re: 4/27 Tessie Lou AMPS 273 - Spasms Again
I watched your videos and I have some observations for what they're worth. I know on the Health forum, someone mentioned Tessie Lou staring or something weird about her eyes. All I noticed was she looked like she was experiencing muscle spasms in her lower extremities/back and it just looked like she was really focused on that, like it was hurting and she was just "in the moment" with it, if you know what I mean. It doesn't look like seizures because her head would shake or she would be staring and possibly drooling. Seizures don't typically affect only the lower extremities. I noticed on her spreadsheet that her numbers aren't so high as to automatically assume she has neuropathy. However, her weight could very well be causing her problems. I notice in the notes section that you know she needs to lose weight. I also have a very big cat. He's larger than your cat, not in weight, but size. He's about the size of a full grown chijuaua dog (however you spell it), maybe bigger. He weighed 21 pounds before coming down with diabetes and now weighs 16.8 pounds. He needs to go down to 14-15 pounds to be at a perfect weight. I know how hard it is to deny your precious kitty food. Champ has this way of looking at me that I call his "puss n boots" look. He looks just like Puss n Boots in the Shrek movie when his eyes get all round and the pupils are all big, and you just want to hug him so hard the stuffing will come out!! BUT...in order for our furbabies to get better, we have to be able to say no. Tessie Lou's sugars aren't so high that she's craving food because of the diabetes...she's just used to eating a lot whenever she wants. I've started feeding Champ reduced amounts of food, but multiple times a day. That way, he doesn't have to wait hours before he eats again. I measure his food on a scale so I know exactly what he's getting. I try to keep him to 6 oz. of wet food (I feed him Wellness, but will probably switch to something cheaper when I run out), and I cook up chicken breasts, four at a time, that I cut into little cubes and wrap into 1 oz. bundles to give as snacks. His feeding schedule right now is: 2 oz of wet food at AMPS, 1 oz of wet food at +3, 1 oz. of chicken breast at +6, 2 oz of wet food at PMPS, 1 oz of chicken breast at +3, and 1 oz of wet food left out overnight when I go to bed. I'll cut down to 0.5 oz of chicken breast when his sugars get out of the 300's so he can start to lose some more weight, but he's not gaining any weight on this diet and he doesn't seem to be too hungry. The times he acts hungry, I generally just give him some love and scratches and it takes his mind off it.
I know this is long, but I hope it helps. I'm glad you have a call in to your vet and I hope he can give you some idea as to what is going on. Maybe you can email him the link to the video. Good luck with your baby. I can tell how much you love her and she you!! Keep us updated!!
I watched your videos and I have some observations for what they're worth. I know on the Health forum, someone mentioned Tessie Lou staring or something weird about her eyes. All I noticed was she looked like she was experiencing muscle spasms in her lower extremities/back and it just looked like she was really focused on that, like it was hurting and she was just "in the moment" with it, if you know what I mean. It doesn't look like seizures because her head would shake or she would be staring and possibly drooling. Seizures don't typically affect only the lower extremities. I noticed on her spreadsheet that her numbers aren't so high as to automatically assume she has neuropathy. However, her weight could very well be causing her problems. I notice in the notes section that you know she needs to lose weight. I also have a very big cat. He's larger than your cat, not in weight, but size. He's about the size of a full grown chijuaua dog (however you spell it), maybe bigger. He weighed 21 pounds before coming down with diabetes and now weighs 16.8 pounds. He needs to go down to 14-15 pounds to be at a perfect weight. I know how hard it is to deny your precious kitty food. Champ has this way of looking at me that I call his "puss n boots" look. He looks just like Puss n Boots in the Shrek movie when his eyes get all round and the pupils are all big, and you just want to hug him so hard the stuffing will come out!! BUT...in order for our furbabies to get better, we have to be able to say no. Tessie Lou's sugars aren't so high that she's craving food because of the diabetes...she's just used to eating a lot whenever she wants. I've started feeding Champ reduced amounts of food, but multiple times a day. That way, he doesn't have to wait hours before he eats again. I measure his food on a scale so I know exactly what he's getting. I try to keep him to 6 oz. of wet food (I feed him Wellness, but will probably switch to something cheaper when I run out), and I cook up chicken breasts, four at a time, that I cut into little cubes and wrap into 1 oz. bundles to give as snacks. His feeding schedule right now is: 2 oz of wet food at AMPS, 1 oz of wet food at +3, 1 oz. of chicken breast at +6, 2 oz of wet food at PMPS, 1 oz of chicken breast at +3, and 1 oz of wet food left out overnight when I go to bed. I'll cut down to 0.5 oz of chicken breast when his sugars get out of the 300's so he can start to lose some more weight, but he's not gaining any weight on this diet and he doesn't seem to be too hungry. The times he acts hungry, I generally just give him some love and scratches and it takes his mind off it.
I know this is long, but I hope it helps. I'm glad you have a call in to your vet and I hope he can give you some idea as to what is going on. Maybe you can email him the link to the video. Good luck with your baby. I can tell how much you love her and she you!! Keep us updated!!
Roni and Moonie
Very Active Member
Re: 4/27 Tessie Lou AMPS 273 - Spasms Again
You know restless leg syndrome in people, It looks like that in Tessie--Does she have neuropathy?
Could it be related to that? My DH has that , where his legs move around like tessie when he is at rest--and he does have neuropathy...
I know, crazy theory, but a thought to ponder?
You know restless leg syndrome in people, It looks like that in Tessie--Does she have neuropathy?
Could it be related to that? My DH has that , where his legs move around like tessie when he is at rest--and he does have neuropathy...
I know, crazy theory, but a thought to ponder?
PeterDevonMocha
Very Active Member
Re: 4/27 Tessie Lou AMPS 273 - Spasms Again
I don't really have much in the way of advice .. tessie lou is such a sweetheart in those videos .. I wish we could kiss and make them better, you know? I will keep you guys in our thoughts and prayers of course ..
I don't really have much in the way of advice .. tessie lou is such a sweetheart in those videos .. I wish we could kiss and make them better, you know? I will keep you guys in our thoughts and prayers of course ..
tessielou
Active Member
Re: 4/27 Tessie Lou AMPS 273 - Spasms Again
Thanks Kathy, Karrie, Patty and Roni,
Karrie, good idea, I will post to the pancreatitis forum too.
Patty, I appreciate your thoughts, and I think you're right on about the weight. I have reduced her calories from 11oz/day at diagnosis of FD, to 10oz, to 9oz, and now since the pancreatitis dx, again to 7.8oz per day. I give her 1.7oz at AMPS, +4, +8, PMPS, and a 1oz snack before I go to bed. And she has not lost*---- an ounce. She acts starving at every meal and licks the plate clean. She also gets Halo LiveaLittles (4-5) at each test and shot. She is totally inactive. Only gets up to walk to LB, water bowl, or meal time. I guess it is time for another reduction in food. I'll try 1.5oz per meal next, which will be 7oz per day. It's so discouraging!
Roni, I know! It does look like that! I have RLS myself from time to time, and you just feel like you HAVE to move that leg (or legs if both of them are going). I'll ask the vet about that, too.
Thanks for your thoughts and hugs, much appreciated as always. :smile:
Thanks Kathy, Karrie, Patty and Roni,
Karrie, good idea, I will post to the pancreatitis forum too.
Patty, I appreciate your thoughts, and I think you're right on about the weight. I have reduced her calories from 11oz/day at diagnosis of FD, to 10oz, to 9oz, and now since the pancreatitis dx, again to 7.8oz per day. I give her 1.7oz at AMPS, +4, +8, PMPS, and a 1oz snack before I go to bed. And she has not lost*---- an ounce. She acts starving at every meal and licks the plate clean. She also gets Halo LiveaLittles (4-5) at each test and shot. She is totally inactive. Only gets up to walk to LB, water bowl, or meal time. I guess it is time for another reduction in food. I'll try 1.5oz per meal next, which will be 7oz per day. It's so discouraging!
Roni, I know! It does look like that! I have RLS myself from time to time, and you just feel like you HAVE to move that leg (or legs if both of them are going). I'll ask the vet about that, too.
Thanks for your thoughts and hugs, much appreciated as always. :smile:
Karrie and Maverick
Very Active Member
Re: 4/27 Tessie Lou AMPS 273 - Spasms Again
Why are you reducing calories again? I'd want her to get through this before you start reducing calories. If its for weight management - it can wait. I probably have missed something not being on often though.
Why are you reducing calories again? I'd want her to get through this before you start reducing calories. If its for weight management - it can wait. I probably have missed something not being on often though.
tessielou
Active Member
Re: 4/27 Tessie Lou AMPS 273 - Spasms Again
Karrie, she badly needs to get weight off. I can tell, it is hard on her. I think this leg thing may even be due to her excess weight pushing on a nerve or something. The specialist who did the ultrasound said she HAD to get weight off. He said there was a lot of fatty tissue around the pancreas, which causes inflammation. He said it was the single most important thing I could do for her.
Karrie, she badly needs to get weight off. I can tell, it is hard on her. I think this leg thing may even be due to her excess weight pushing on a nerve or something. The specialist who did the ultrasound said she HAD to get weight off. He said there was a lot of fatty tissue around the pancreas, which causes inflammation. He said it was the single most important thing I could do for her.
Ann & Maggie11 (GA)
Very Active Member
Re: 4/27 Tessie Lou AMPS 273 - Spasms Again
What a sweet kitty! Wish I had something to offer. I hope you get some good input on Health. Good luck at the Vet and scritches to Tessie. She seemed to say "yes" when you said to her "let's get you some medicine"!
What a sweet kitty! Wish I had something to offer. I hope you get some good input on Health. Good luck at the Vet and scritches to Tessie. She seemed to say "yes" when you said to her "let's get you some medicine"!
Kristin and Abby (GA)
Active Member
Re: 4/27 Tessie Lou AMPS 273 - Spasms Again
I just watched the vids and boy does she look sweet! I love how she has her own blanket
I'll preface this with the fact that I have zero medical history, but to me, she seemed to be less comfortable when trying to lie on her right side and then when she moved to lie on her left she held her right leg out. Is that a consistent thing or random?
I just watched the vids and boy does she look sweet! I love how she has her own blanket
I'll preface this with the fact that I have zero medical history, but to me, she seemed to be less comfortable when trying to lie on her right side and then when she moved to lie on her left she held her right leg out. Is that a consistent thing or random?
julie & punkin (ga)
Very Active Member
Re: 4/27 Tessie Lou AMPS 273 - Spasms Again
i watched the first video but couldn't get the second one to work - and don't know enough to be helpful.
as far as losing weight goes, if she doesn't hurt when she walks you could try carrying her to the far side of your house when it's time to feed her so she has to at least walk back to the food. i'm just thinking if there's a way to increase her exercise instead of cutting calories, that might be helpful.
also, you mention giving her multiple treats following pokes - can you drop it to just 1?
it's hard having a sick baby, sandy. i'm glad we can support you at least a little bit - and perhaps someone will see the video and know what it is.
i watched the first video but couldn't get the second one to work - and don't know enough to be helpful.
as far as losing weight goes, if she doesn't hurt when she walks you could try carrying her to the far side of your house when it's time to feed her so she has to at least walk back to the food. i'm just thinking if there's a way to increase her exercise instead of cutting calories, that might be helpful.
also, you mention giving her multiple treats following pokes - can you drop it to just 1?
it's hard having a sick baby, sandy. i'm glad we can support you at least a little bit - and perhaps someone will see the video and know what it is.
Ella & Rusty & Stu(GA)
Very Active Member
Re: 4/27 Tessie Lou AMPS 273 - Spasms Again
Hi Sandy, To my non-professional eyes it looks like muscle spasms, the involuntary kind you get when you haven't been active for a while. I hope your vet can figure it out. Good luck with the weight reduction program. Perhaps you could encourage Tessie Lou to exercise a little. Does she have a favorite toy you could play with together?
She is such a sweet looking kitty. I hope that all will be well and that the various medicines will help her issues.
Ella & Rusty
Hi Sandy, To my non-professional eyes it looks like muscle spasms, the involuntary kind you get when you haven't been active for a while. I hope your vet can figure it out. Good luck with the weight reduction program. Perhaps you could encourage Tessie Lou to exercise a little. Does she have a favorite toy you could play with together?
She is such a sweet looking kitty. I hope that all will be well and that the various medicines will help her issues.
Ella & Rusty
Amy&TrixieCat
Very Active Member
Re: 4/27 Tessie Lou AMPS 273 - Spasms Again
I just want to add my agreement that Tessie Lou is awfully, awfully sweet! Good luck with her weight loss and figuring out what's going with her.
Amy
I just want to add my agreement that Tessie Lou is awfully, awfully sweet! Good luck with her weight loss and figuring out what's going with her.
Amy
Barbara and tuffy
Very Active Member
Re: 4/27 Tessie Lou AMPS 273 - Spasms Again
Hi: I'm sorry Tessie Lou is not feeling well. The spasms apprear to be in the area related to the bladder or the uretha and/or the Gluetus maximus or minimus along with the sciatic muscles. Has she had a bladder problem? Has she fallen recently? Perhaps it is a strain/sprain and is being aggravated by being overly fluffy. She does seem to be experiencing muscle spasms and when she tried to turn on the other side it seemed to hurt more. I hope the vet can give you some answers.
Hi: I'm sorry Tessie Lou is not feeling well. The spasms apprear to be in the area related to the bladder or the uretha and/or the Gluetus maximus or minimus along with the sciatic muscles. Has she had a bladder problem? Has she fallen recently? Perhaps it is a strain/sprain and is being aggravated by being overly fluffy. She does seem to be experiencing muscle spasms and when she tried to turn on the other side it seemed to hurt more. I hope the vet can give you some answers.
tessielou
Active Member
Re: 4/27 Tessie Lou AMPS 273 - Spasms Again
Thanks so much everyone, for your ideas, support and nice comments about Tessie Lou. You're such a great bunch of beans! Or should I say "hill" of beans? :lol: :lol:
As you can tell, Tessie is doing much better today, and therefore, so is her bean!
At the suggestion of someone on Health, I ran out last night when DH got home, and bought her an ortho bed with that memory foam. It is working! She got right up on it last night, and proceeded to fall asleep soundly, with no leg movements! So, at least part of the problem was poor circulation aggravated by a very uncomfortable couch.
The vet couldn't watch the videos from her computer for some reason, so she wasn't able to offer much help. Other than to say, it could be a reaction to the Pepsid? She said to DC it last night, which I did. I really tend to agree it's more of a muscle spasm caused by inactivity or perhaps a fall. I like the idea, Julie, of making her walk across the house to get her meals. I will try that today. Every little bit helps, right? I tried planting treats all around the perimeter of the house once, but she was eating too many treats that way and it negated the exercise! :roll:
Now that the nice weather is here, I think I am going to get her a harness and go for short walks with her. I just have to find one big enough for her full figure! :lol:
Fingers crossed for no more spasms today, and hoping each and every one of you have a wonderful day with your kitties!
Thanks so much everyone, for your ideas, support and nice comments about Tessie Lou. You're such a great bunch of beans! Or should I say "hill" of beans? :lol: :lol:
As you can tell, Tessie is doing much better today, and therefore, so is her bean!
At the suggestion of someone on Health, I ran out last night when DH got home, and bought her an ortho bed with that memory foam. It is working! She got right up on it last night, and proceeded to fall asleep soundly, with no leg movements! So, at least part of the problem was poor circulation aggravated by a very uncomfortable couch.
The vet couldn't watch the videos from her computer for some reason, so she wasn't able to offer much help. Other than to say, it could be a reaction to the Pepsid? She said to DC it last night, which I did. I really tend to agree it's more of a muscle spasm caused by inactivity or perhaps a fall. I like the idea, Julie, of making her walk across the house to get her meals. I will try that today. Every little bit helps, right? I tried planting treats all around the perimeter of the house once, but she was eating too many treats that way and it negated the exercise! :roll:
Now that the nice weather is here, I think I am going to get her a harness and go for short walks with her. I just have to find one big enough for her full figure! :lol:
Fingers crossed for no more spasms today, and hoping each and every one of you have a wonderful day with your kitties!
Sandy: no idea but it sounds like some of the others have given you some good thoughts. If she doesn't stop with the recommendations folks have given, maybe you should take the video to a specialist...Internal med. You may have tried this...I just haven't been in condos lately so pls forgive. She is a very sweet and lovely girl. I feel so sad for her. I hope she gets better soon.
Roni and Moonie
Very Active Member
Sandy Glad to hear Tessie is better due to her new bed--We both have feeling better kitties-
A Day for Thanks!!--Enjoy the good days..hope this is the answer--Hugs!
A Day for Thanks!!--Enjoy the good days..hope this is the answer--Hugs!
Kristin and Abby (GA)
Active Member
So glad to hear she's doing better!
Jean and Megan
Active Member
For weight loss, when Megan needed to lose a little weight at one time in the past, I had to reduce her food temporarily to a ridiculously low level. Once she started losing weight (at a safe rate; I have a baby scale that reads to the half ounce, so I can monitor exactly what is going on), I could bring the amount of food up just a tiny bit and maintain the weight loss. Then when she got to a healthy weight, I increased it yet a little more. She gains weight easily, so I continuously watch her weight to try to avoid any related problems.
My other cats can eat significantly more without gaining weight, even though their activity level is not substantially different. Some cats, like some people, just have slow metabolisms. Her vet says that Megan's is very slow but she is healthy, all bloodwork is good, heart is good, etc., etc.
My other cats can eat significantly more without gaining weight, even though their activity level is not substantially different. Some cats, like some people, just have slow metabolisms. Her vet says that Megan's is very slow but she is healthy, all bloodwork is good, heart is good, etc., etc.
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