5/14 Ruby AMPS 223 Ultrasound results

Prelim US report definitely shows abnormalities, thickening everywhere (I missed the parts she described). ER vet said def IBD but further exploration is necessary to be sure. She said it is more likely that she can get an endoscopy or biopsy if she is admitted, so I left my sweetness there alone and scared for at least a day. If she starts eating again soon then I can take her home but I will still be at the top of the line to get a biopsy because the IMs will have seen her by then. At least I think that is what she told me. Ugh. My head is spinning! Where’s that Guinness?!
Eat, Ruby. Eat. Pretty Please with darcines on top.
 
I saw that AMPS and my heart sank.:bighug::bighug:
Prelim US report definitely shows abnormalities, thickening everywhere
If literally everywhere, that likely includes the duodenum and you may be able to get away with endoscopy or colonoscopy.:bighug: that is faster recovery. Sort of a good thing that she hasn’t been eating and they could proceed immediately or soon. Ruby is where she needs to be right now. Don’t be surprised if they bring up the topic of a feeding tube. It would be temporary.

My go to food for Neko for syringe feeding was Royal Canin Recovery, less fatty than AD and still LC. Plus she actually liked it.
 
I'm home. I passed by a shop on the way and bought myself some new clothes for summer. Frank is looking for restaurants for us to eat out at tonight because it's a beautiful day and the first time in 8 months that we can do it without worrying about feeding, shooting, or testing. I'm going to wear my new clothes and put on some makeup. I feel such a sense of relief knowing that Ruby is in really capable hands; they will figure out a way of getting her to eat better than I could. I was imagining myself syringing food in her and all over me and me crying the whole time. I have so much more confidence in AMC than Blue Pearl, as so many people here and elsewhere have sung the praises of the doctors there. I hope she will be fine and they can get her to eat and I can get a good IM consult if not a biopsy.

If literally everywhere, that likely includes the duodenum and you may be able to get away with endoscopy or colonoscopy.:bighug: that is faster recovery. Sort of a good thing that she hasn’t been eating and they could proceed immediately or soon. Ruby is where she needs to be right now. Don’t be surprised if they bring up the topic of a feeding tube. It would be temporary.
The estimate for her care included upper GI endoscopy, so that is indeed a good sign. She rattled off the various parts of her intestines so quickly that I missed the parts that had thickening, but she did say the muscularis, a word I recognized, so we might not be so lucky. We shall see. Re: feeding tube: I have a Kitty Kollar. We're prepared. Bring it on.

Lingering concern: The ER vet did say that Ruby "probably should not be on any insulin, but you can work that out with the internal medicine specialists since they will know better." I told them that Ruby's primary vet has always let me manage, and that she does need that .1 unit of insulin to stay on course, but they will probably not agree. I do not know if she will get any insulin tonight. They probably will not feed her low carb. Whatever happens, I hope I can get her back on track later; the fact that she eats is most important. She asked me what I feed and I said homemade raw without thinking; I will probably get some pushback on that as well but her kidney values would not look so good if I did not change her diet. Too bad it didn't seem to do much for her IBD, if that's what she has. Sigh.
 
I just received the ultrasound report. @Wendy&Neko, would you take a look at it and let me know what you think?

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I am just catching up with this today...Oh, my goodness...what a day you've had!

he asked me what I feed and I said homemade raw without thinking; I will probably get some pushback on that as well
Yep. I get that aaaaalllll the time. I smile and say that it seems to work well for my cats. End of.

As much as I hate the process of having to admit through the ER to see an IM specialist, I also really think it was the right thing to do, for what that opinion is worth! Otherwise, you would potentially be a month out, and this way, you can start getting Ruby treated ASAP. Plus, it sounds like you're going to have a beautiful and much-needed evening out in NYC! That is medicine for YOU!

As for her report, I will let others more experienced than I try to decipher it for you. But please know my fingers are crossed for you and Ruby, and know that Ruby is getting the best of care!

:bighug::bighug::bighug:
 
I'm home. I passed by a shop on the way and bought myself some new clothes for summer. Frank is looking for restaurants for us to eat out at tonight because it's a beautiful day and the first time in 8 months that we can do it without worrying about feeding, shooting, or testing. I'm going to wear my new clothes and put on some makeup. I feel such a sense of relief knowing that Ruby is in really capable hands; they will figure out a way of getting her to eat better than I could. I was imagining myself syringing food in her and all over me and me crying the whole time. I have so much more confidence in AMC than Blue Pearl, as so many people here and elsewhere have sung the praises of the doctors there. I hope she will be fine and they can get her to eat and I can get a good IM consult if not a biopsy.


The estimate for her care included upper GI endoscopy, so that is indeed a good sign. She rattled off the various parts of her intestines so quickly that I missed the parts that had thickening, but she did say the muscularis, a word I recognized, so we might not be so lucky. We shall see. Re: feeding tube: I have a Kitty Kollar. We're prepared. Bring it on.

Lingering concern: The ER vet did say that Ruby "probably should not be on any insulin, but you can work that out with the internal medicine specialists since they will know better." I told them that Ruby's primary vet has always let me manage, and that she does need that .1 unit of insulin to stay on course, but they will probably not agree. I do not know if she will get any insulin tonight. They probably will not feed her low carb. Whatever happens, I hope I can get her back on track later; the fact that she eats is most important. She asked me what I feed and I said homemade raw without thinking; I will probably get some pushback on that as well but her kidney values would not look so good if I did not change her diet. Too bad it didn't seem to do much for her IBD, if that's what she has. Sigh.
Katherine wrapping you up in a circle of hugs :bighug::bighug::bighug::bighug::bighug: It had to be so hard going home without her even knowing she will get great care. We are all here for both of you. Sending prayers that she isn’t too scared, that they make her feel comfortable and safe, the same prayers are for you as well. Take a nap, take care of yourself, let Frank take care of you. :bighug::bighug::bighug:
Better yet, new clothes, a pretty face, dinner with Frank, RELEIF. Let the worries about insulin, high carb food, prognosis, go for the evening. Enjoy a normal evening and know Ruby is in good hands. :)
 
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would you take a look at it and let me know what you think?
I am by no means an expert, I can just point out a few things, First, it says the small intestines are diffusely, mildly thickened, but doesn't say which parts of the small intestine and whether all parts are equally 0.3mm in thickness. For comparisons sake, Neko's small intestine wall measured up to 0.49mm, with her muscularis being "markedly thicker than normal". So Ruby is milder by comparison. The enlarged lymph nodes aren't indicative of anything, they can be so from either IBD or SCL. FWIW, Neko also had a cystic structure on the left side her liver, also likely cystadenoma (benign). Hmm. I suspect AMC has an ultrasound specialist, as did the place where Neko went, who the IM would consult with for details.

Try to take your mind off of Ruby tonight, and get some quality Katherine time. :bighug::bighug::bighug:
 
Prelim US report definitely shows abnormalities, thickening everywhere (I missed the parts she described). ER vet said def IBD but further exploration is necessary to be sure. She said it is more likely that she can get an endoscopy or biopsy if she is admitted, so I left my sweetness there alone and scared for at least a day. If she starts eating again soon then I can take her home but I will still be at the top of the line to get a biopsy because the IMs will have seen her by then. At least I think that is what she told me. Ugh. My head is spinning! Where’s that Guinness?!
Your Ruby, and you, have all my prayers, Katherine. Ruby is in the right place to get all the help she needs. I hope you were able to enjoy your dinner but I bet all you will do is worry. I'm looking forward to a very encouraging report from the vet tomorrow. Wish I could say something that would help but I know there isn't anything I can say that will help relieve your worries.
 
Just catching up Katherine, I'm praying for your Ruby, I'm glad she is in good hands and that she will see the IM soon so you can see what the next step will be.
Go have a few drinks tonight and relax. Sending you hugs and praying for that cutie pie . ♥:bighug::bighug::bighug::bighug:
 
Thank you ALL for today, for listening to my laments, for allowing me to think out loud and to add to the thoughts and to question and generally help me navigate this day that has been so hard. I cried hard when I came home, but we went out to dinner and had a nice walk and came home to a single hungry little cat. I don’t know where I would be without FDMB. I feel so much gratitude for all you do for me and Ruby. So thank you so very much.

I got a call from the ER vet that Ruby still hasn’t eaten but they are watching her BG levels and will give her Purina DM to eat if she is willing. The IMs will visit tomorrow morning and will call me. Full report to you all then. Good night!:bighug::bighug::bighug:
 
I hope y'all enjoy your evening. I read your US report and I don't see anything that bad in there. I have seen worse, believe me. Let's just wait for more info and see what they find with further diagnostics/sampling. A lot of that stuff in an ultrasound report can be very frightening and sometimes ends up being a "nothingburger." (I've had it happen that way.) Something is clearly going on and you already know about the IBD probably and will get more confirmation on SCL. That is treatable and has a good prognosis with proper treatment, as you know. Hang in there. Ruby is going to return. I need to keep reading about the Life of Ruby and her other adventures. Frank is a smart man to take you out to dinner tonight!!!
 
Ohhh Katherine, i am so sorry for Ruby appetite loss and the uncertainty ahead, i cannot start to imagine all you must be going thru :bighug::bighug::bighug:

Ruby seems to be in very good hands and we are praying here as well for Ruby to have something easily treatable :bighug:

very nice you made good use of the evening :cat:
 
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