5/18 - Boots not feeling well - AMPS 77 | 68 @ +5 | 79 @ +11 | 76 @ PMPS | 61 @ +2.5

[Megan and Boots (GA)]

Yesterday's condo

Boots is still not having the best week. His appetite's been really off, which is weird for him, since he's normally a pig. In the past, when his appetite disappears, we assume pancreatitis flare, and treat with cerenia, and a tell-tale sign is that his numbers rise. Not this week - this week his numbers have been holding really low with this low appetite. Some meals he'll eat his whole portion, but most he needs to be coaxed (top it with something tempting) to finish, and tonight we can't even get him to finish (tried freeze dried chicken topper, dry young again kibble, young again "Flavor Enhancer." He takes a bite or lick or two and walks away. It's very unlike him and making us worried

Not quite sure how long to hold off before getting him back to the vet. He was just in the other week and got a relatively clean bill of health, all things considered (old man, arthritic, diabetic kitty). We just really don't know how to deal with him not eating. Thinking of changing his food, maybe (currently does almost exclusively Nutro Senior chicken loaf). Or adding some more variety.

We'll be doing a +3.5 check shortly, and are prepared to set an alarm for a while after that to check him again if he is going down still. Even his familiar patterns are out the window lately; I just don't know what to expect in his average cycle anymore, and that's scary since we can't check him 24/7.

He's also had a somewhat swollen belly for, well, a while now. Like, 2+ years. They noted it on his ultrasound back when he was diagnosed, but they saw nothing terribly alarming. I'm wondering if we should get him in for another soon, to see if something is going on in there, whether related or not to how he's feeling this week.

Hoping others are feeling better today in L&L land...

 

[Nicole Z]

I'm sorry Boots isn't feeling well. Sending vines his way!

 

[Gussie's mom (GA)]

Sending appy vines...
Vet visit might not be a bad idea...

 

[Tricia Cinco(GA) & Harvey]

He's also had a somewhat swollen belly for, well, a while now. Like, 2+ years. They noted it on his ultrasound back when he was diagnosed, but they saw nothing terribly alarming. I'm wondering if we should get him in for another soon, to see if something is going on in there, whether related or not to how he's feeling this week.

Does it seem to be the same as it's been? Not bigger or more tender? I'd be concerned about fluid or constipation. Is all well in the litter box?

 

[LizzieInTexas]

I so, so sympathize.

How long has it been since he was at the vet and/or had blood work & urinalysis?

Just a tip as I just went through three days is this - Bonita Flakes and Fortiflora are great toppers to entice eating. The Fortiflora I only use 1/32 teaspoon sprinkled on top. It worked every time!

 

[Dyana]

Fortiflora sprinkled on top of the food would usually get my cats to eat what they otherwise refused.
Sending appetite vines and feel better vines to Boots.

 

[Megan and Boots (GA)]

Good idea on bonita flakes and fortiflora. We tried the Young Again flavor enhancer, which is a similar powder made with animal digest (kitty crack!), but maybe classic fortiflora would work better; it has in the past for him.

@LizzieInTexas he was just at the vet 5/2 and had bloodwork - some "off" numbers, but consistent with past readings, and one or two previously bad readings even fell back into normal ranges (mostly one or two kidney and liver values have been off for years now, but nothing too terribly abnormal). Didn't get a UA becuase he peed in the carrier on the way to the vet

He is due for a dental soon though, so we might send him in for the day, and do a dental and ultrasound, bloodwork, urinalysis - the works, while he's there and sedated.

@Tricia Cinco(GA) & Harvey - his belly's been a pretty consistent round size for the past two years, really. No big change one way or the other. Vet of course gave him a physical exam the other week, and I'd think would've said something if she'd have palpated something of concern in his belly area. His belly's round, but more to the sides maybe - when you look down at him from above when he's standing, it rounds out on the sides a little. Doesn't look huge, mind you, but on an otherwise trim cat, it's noticeable.

Litterbox habits are totally great, thankfully - have actually caught him making #2 the past couple days every day, and there's no straining, and what he leaves behind looks good (y'know - for poop). We do have him on a low dose of miralax (and have for - actually, about 2 years also) because he used to get constipated. I wonder if that has anything to do with it? Can't really imagine how/why, but I do think the timing is about right for when the distended belly started.

 

[Tricia Cinco(GA) & Harvey]

I'd think would've said something if she'd have palpated something of concern in his belly area.

Did you specifically ask her opinion about it? I think, if you are taking him in for a dental, I would ask her. Maybe it's something like gas - my Harvey had that issue. Or maybe he's just like me and carries his extra weight in his belly.

 

[Wendy&Neko]

How is Boots' appy today? If he's still off, I'd consider a vet visit. I have too much recent experience with distended belly and appy off. It'd definitely be worth asking the vet's opinion as to why his belly is bigger.

 

[Megan and Boots (GA)]

@Tricia Cinco(GA) & Harvey of course not... didn't think to specifically ask about fluid or anything in particular. He's always had a bit of a belly, but it used to just be sort of under him, and now he rounds out on the sides too. Gas is an interesting theory, and perhaps could even tie into my musings about Miralax. It's one of those things - seeing him every day- I couldn't tell you exactly when he got this way, it just happened gradually I guess? but I'd say really it hasn't changed in a year or more, he's just been looking the same. We go back in a week or so for one of the civvies, so maybe I'll ask her about the belly roundness and pick her brain even if Boots isn't back yet. I do think we'll schedule the dental sooner rather than later.

@Wendy&Neko a bit better! Haven't needed to put anything tempting on his food all day. He has (for a while now) gone through these random spurts, a couple days at a time, when he will eat half his plate then walk away - but if you pick up his plate adn hold it in front of his face, he'll finish it. Not sure if he's getting tired of the same food, or just being a spoiled brat but that's how he's being today. Eating his whole meals, just being mildly fussy about it. I'll take the improvement though! And his numbers are great again today. He seems a little better too. Been kinda of out of sorts the past couple days, aside from the inappetance. Today, he's back to his chatty self, and seems hungry/vocal at mealtimes. He even gave us his BootsAlarm™ wake-up call about 15 minutes before the alarm was set to go off, which he hasn't been doing this week. So not sure if the Cerenia is finally kicking in (in the past, we notice a definite difference around 36-48 hours from first dose) or if whatever's bothering him is just naturally passing. Still hitting great numbers and litterbox action looks great.

We'll be keeping close watch this weekend, doing some more mini-curves, and maybe starting some new foods to see if something novel will interest him more.