6/6 Trixie AMBG 112

[Amy&TrixieCat]

Yesterday

Thank you, once again, for all the visits, thoughts, prayers, and vines yesterday.

We do seem to be having a fairly "normal" morning here so far today - all the usual routines seem to be in place, but things can and do change so quickly that I always hesitate to say anything in any direction.

I think (well, really I "know") that her SubQ fluids are contributing to the problem. The vet we saw on Friday (not our usual vet) told us we do have to sort of wing it with her fluids (he could tell I'm very aware of her nuances), but thought we'd probably need to maintain what we'd been doing - 50mls-75mls twice a day to "counteract" the Lasix. It's taken me a few days to organize my observations into anything cohesive (my own brain feels like it's drowning at this point), but last night I clearly noticed that she went from fairly normal breathing to harder breathing within a couple hours of evening fluids (done at about 8:00pm). She got 6.25mg Lasix at 10:00pm (last day of 3 times a day dosing), and by morning her breathing was back to being very close to normal (I'm not sure that it will ever be 100% normal again). And, the two times we rushed her to the vet (Friday and Sunday), all seemed relatively normal when we started the day, but went kerphlooey a couple hours after morning fluids. You may also recall that a few weeks ago I commented on Trix's mid-morning "weirdness" that I couldn't quite describe but that I was thinking was caused by the antibiotics....now, though, in hindsight I suspect it was the fluids.

So we are trying tweaking her fluids - we only did 25mls this morning (she seemed only mildly dehydrated - skin test), and will play it by ear this evening, but I'm thinking probably no more than 50mls. I don't think we can completely discontinue fluids, though, because her kidneys are so bad.

We don't know if this will work for her, but maybe it will let us somewhat balance the kidneys and heart.

Also, we take her in tonight for a quick blood draw to check her electrolytes. She's a good patient, but I think she is very, very sick of going to the vet (as am I), so I'm kinda dreading that.

Prayers to all...I do have everyone in my thoughts, even though I'm currently not mentally capable of posting...

Amy

 

[Judy and Boomer]

Oh Amy it's so tough when they have so many things going on and helping one problem aggravates another.
Sending lots of b/w vines, vetty vines, and breathing vines to Trixie!

 

[carfurby (GA)]

I hope you can balance everything out. Sending more prayers.

 

[Ella & Rusty & Stu(GA)]

Hi Amy, that's an interesting idea about the fluids. Sending positive thoughts for the blood draw today. Hang in there!

Hugs and scritches

 

[tiffmaxee]

Amy, balancing these two issues is tough. Are you weighing her daily at the same time? If not I would. Is she eating and urinating the same as always? Trixie is such a fighter that you just might need to learn how she responds to fluids. Eating is such a good sign. Prayers and vines that she remains stable and feisty.

 

[Shoeskitty-GA]

Continued good thoughts, prayers, etc. for all Amy! Hugs too!

 

[Melissa & Tarragon]

You are such a good bean.

 

[Amy&TrixieCat]

Amy, balancing these two issues is tough. Are you weighing her daily at the same time? If not I would. Is she eating and urinating the same as always? Trixie is such a fighter that you just might need to learn how she responds to fluids. Eating is such a good sign. Prayers and vines that she remains stable and feisty.

I have not been weighing her, but she is eating and peeing. Today she is eating better than she had in the last couple days, but right now she is also breathing harder than she was this morning. This constant state of flux is what's making it very, very difficult for us to decide what's best for her - one minute, she's her old self and we know she still wants to fight; another minute, she looks tired. We've never been in this sort of situation before...any time we've had to make a decision for one of the cats, the answer was very clear. And of course the stress, anxiety, and lack of sleep is really taking a toll on me - physically and my ability to think.

 

[tiffmaxee]

Weighing her will help determine if she's retaining fluid It's the most difficult part of having our fur babies you are in right now. Since she's showing signs she can fight I would be doing exactly as you are.

 

[Anne & Zener GA]

Lotsa vines of all kinds from us.
Liz

 

[Ann & Maggie11 (GA)]

Adding more good thoughts, prayers and vines for you and Trixie girl.

 

[saltycat]

Adding more vines for your little Trixie girl. What a great bean to notice the change after fluids. I cannot imagine how tough it is knowing that each treatment adversely affects the other condition. I hope she has more good days then down days for you and that reducing the fluids helps find a good balance between the conditions.

 

[MJW]

Wishing you all the best in your balancing experiment, something a vet could not do. Trixie and you both have hope and fight left.

 

[Bobbie And Bubba]

Hang in there Amy and Trixie. Sending lots of vines your way and Trixie is a lucky kittie that she has such an observant momma who has her finger on the pulse of Trixie's treatment.