6/19 Gizzy - Reduce Again IF #'s Drop?

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There's not a hard and fast answer to your question. As a cat with FD for more than a year and Gizzy having returned from the Falls, it should be more of a challenge for her to earn a dose reduction. It's possible that a drop this cycle could be the result of the shed still being a bit too full.
 
True...
This sudden drop in #'s has to be due to the pain medication I have him on now. It's too much of a coincidence.
I know I'll see a spike in #'s tomorrow as I have to take him to the vet for a shot of glucosamine! I can't bring myself to stick that huge needle into his muscle...can't do it. So instead I have to take him to the vet and get him all stressed out. Grrr....so mad at myself, but honestly can't do it! :cry: I'm really hoping that helps his arthritis....he's limping so bad today. Poor little guy!!!
 
Cosequin is a glucosamine and chondroiten capsule that you mix into food. How about discussing that as an option for Gizzy? There are also other pill forms of cosequin.

Are you sure this is arthritis and not neuropathy? Methyl-B12 does wonders for diabetic neuropathy.
 
I know he has neuropathy because his back legs are weak and he's walking flat footed on the front (much more pronounced than it's ever been). His front legs are the source of pain from what I can tell.... He has a really bad limp and the vet put him on buprenex to control the pain (he was fiercely licking at his joints and pulling his fur out).

What tests can they do to tell if it's neuropathy vs. arthritis? I am soooo glad you posted this because I will push it further with the vet today.

To answer your question, I got the glucosamine called adequan. The vet said the injectable kind is much more effective becasue it stays in their bodies longer. You give one shot a week for 4 weeks - then monthly after that.
 
The Cosequin can be given daily. I suspect that the daily dosing will work out to be the same as a weekly shot. (And the vet makes $$ every time you walk in the door.) You might discuss the advantage of giving this daily vs. the stress on Gizzy of having to come in for shots. Gabby hates the car and the vet so I do whatever I can to spare her the stress.

You should be able to give methyl-B12 without a problem. It's a water soluble vitamin -- whatever the body doesn't need is excreted. You can purchase Xobaline which is formulated for cats and doesn't contain any sugars/carbs. Since you'll be seeing your vet, I'd discuss this, as well.
 
Thanks!! I will discuss all of this with my vet.

I just wish I knew what I was treating! Do they do x-rays to determine if it's arthritis??

I guess I could try the Xobaline first and see if that helps. Bad thing is I already bought the Adequan for $80! Grrrr.... Oh well, if I can use something that's easier on him and is effective, I don't care. He HATES going to the vet too! With his #'s being so good lately, I don't want to mess with it by stressing him out if I don't have to.
 
Good morning and welcome!!! Hope you get the info you need at the vet today.

I don't have experience with cats and arthritis. However, our labrador is on Adequan for arthritis, which is due to an ACL rupture. They diagnosed the arthritis with xrays. They can see it on the xrays as a white area on the joint. Adequan has been a life saver for our dog. He has been on all kinds of glucosamine supplements and they did not have nearly as good of an effect as the adequan. When they put him on adequan, they did the first shot at the office and showed us how and now we are able to give it to him at home instead of going into the office. You might see if that is possible.

Good luck and welcome again!

Melissa
 
Thanks Melissa! You would think after giving shots to Gizzy for 3 years, another form of a shot wouldn't phase me! However, the size of the needle on this med is HUGE and driving it into the muscle leaves me squeamish! Sienna has me intrigued by this B-12 supplement. But I probably should take him in and determine what I'm treating first. Mostly likely he has a little of both! One thing after another, I swear! Poor Gizzer....
 
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