7/11 Latte AMPS- 464

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carolynandlatte

Member Since 2009
Good Morning.
I woke up a little depressed today, because I slept through numerous hourly alarms. When I looked over at Latte, all I could think about was how sad it was that she could not get a drink of water or food if she needed it while I slept. She was just staring into space, looking sad herself. I missed a big drop last night (pmps 476, +4-165), and all I could think about is how she normally acts during a drop like this....walking around,meowing, eating, drinking, etc. She was stuck in this body the entire time - not able to do a thing about it. And the high numbers in the early a.m....I missed the alarm, she must have been so thirsty. :YMSIGH:

I will say, generally, she has been VERY good at finding ways to communicate what she needs...or rather that she needs something. From there I have to guess. One interesting thing she does is when she is finished eating. Usually if Im spoon feeding baby food she turns her head away to let me know she needs a break or is done, and I remove it from her face. She cant do that now - turn her head away. So she pushes my hand away very gently with her back paw. Its very obvious this is her way of telling me to remove the food. Every time she meows I find its because she needs a drink of water or wants some food, or maybe some pets. And when she gets restless, its usually because she has to pee. Anyway, thats just babble I wanted to share. :roll:

After a rough start with my mood and her not interested in food or water, I fell asleep again longer than I should have. I got some baby food in her after I woke. This time, however, she was able to sit up a little bit so I did not have to lay the spoon on the floor. There was a good inch or more between the floor and the spoon. She was also able to drink some water w/o her head being sideways, half of it laying on the edge of the bowl. She drank face forward. She seemed to sit up a little longer than I have seen. She has had over 1/4 c water, 1 jar baby food, and about 10 temptations so far this a.m. Oh, and a very small strip of chicken.

We had a trying hour today already. It was a true sign of the determination she has always shown thru her life. She was VERY distressed about something. I was quite certain she needed the LB to poop. I watched her struggle for close to an hour trying to sit up and drag herself that foot to the box. I wanted to help so bad, but I knew I would only make it worse. It was a terrible feeling. I kept encouraging and telling her she could do it. At one point she got to the box and there was a little space between the ground and her tummy. I slipped a towel under there (I had time to prepare for this), and used it as a sling to get her in. She pooped immediately...and it was a good one! :mrgreen: I noticed when I tried to put my hand under her to get her out, she cried. When I put her weight on the towel she seemed more comfy. I laid her down and the towel is still under her for future visits. She ate some more food after that, and purred quite a bit as I petted her for a while. the whole thing made an already very emotional bean cry yet again. She is so brave.

I think I would like to try some acupuncture with her tomorrow. I used to be scared of the idea. But like increasing her insulin...I have little fear of anything right now. I cant see how anything can make it worse for her. Her old vet, from the same clinic she goes to now, is the one who does the acupuncture (also the one who prescribed the metacam :? ). I have some trust issues there, BUT she does know latte and I very well. Of course there is the issue of transporting her there, so I do have to weigh that.

So overall - still unable to feed, water self, get to LB w/o assistance, etc. Sitting up a little more on her own, showing interest in food, water, and affection. Not a whole lot of change. Tiny sparks here and there to offset the difficulties.

+4 - 225
yesterday:
viewtopic.php?f=9&t=19409&p=193231#p193231
 
Re: 7/10 Latte AMPS- 464

Oh, yes! While this may not be the miracle condo we all are hoping for, it is a great condo indeed! To hear that Latte is able to lift her head up more and was able to get herself to the litter box is no small feat for her.
I'm glad that you took the towel under her belly suggestion and that it worked so well...and I'm glad there was a nice wonderful poop this morning to.
Great Job, Carolyn. Your love for Latte is what is keeping her going. That will never cease.
Keep your chin up, my friend! Today will be a day better than yesterday.
 
Re: 7/10 Latte AMPS- 464

I bet she feels so much better after that good poop :mrgreen:
I hope you feel better after getting some sleep.

And yes, like Deb said. Today will be a better day than yesterday, I believe.
 
Re: 7/10 Latte AMPS- 464

Ah Carolyn. Wish I was there to give you a big hug. This is so terribly hard for you I know. Please try and not be so hard on yourself. You're exhausted and I know how much you needed that couple of hours of sleep and I'd be willing to bet every cent I own or owe that Latte knows you needed that sleep too. It sounds to me that there has been some improvement. They seem like baby steps I know but they are improvements never the less. Cling to that and let that give you strength. You and your little warrior princess are both so incredibly strong. You really are. I'm praying that the small improvements will continue and that you and Latte can have a restful day. Hang in there.
 
Re: 7/10 Latte AMPS- 464

Hang on to those tiny sparks, Carolyn, and they will become larger and larger beacons of light. Latte is showing you how much she loves you and how much courage she has. She hasn't given up, that's for sure! I hope that her pain will lessen as the day moves forward and that less pain will soon permit her more mobility. Yesterday she could hardly move and already today she managed to get to her litterbox. That is a huge achievement! We'll check back later. In the meantime: vines, snowflakes, good thoughts, and Stu sends special love to Latte.

Hugs,
Ella & Stu
p.s. accupuncture might work. In any event, it can't harm.
 
Re: 7/10 Latte AMPS- 464

The towel sling is a great idea and I hope you will be able to keep it under her for as long as possible for future movements to the litter box or elsewhere. Maybe this can help you get her into a padded carrier to get to the acupuncture treatments.

I am so very sorry you are going through all this, but your love for Latte is so overwhelming that it comes through every word you type. Resting is good for you as you need all your strength to help Latte, so don't feel guilty at all. She knows and she loves you for everything you do.

I'm sending many many hugs to you.
 
Re: 7/10 Latte AMPS- 464

Every improvement, no matter how small, is still improvement. Latte is trying so hard to get better and you are doing wonderful helping her. The towel is a great idea - we used that with a dog we had that couldn't walk. I don't remember, have you increased the pred? Sometimes pred can help in these pain/inflammation situations. I'm so glad she had a good poop too. And she's eating and drinking. All good signs. We have tried acupuncture before with a very sick dog and it really helped. If you can find a way to get her there (or would the vet comet to you), it may really help her with the pain. You are doing so great - I am so sorry for your heartache and wish I could make it better. So we'll keep the prayers coming for Latte to get better and for you to find a way to help her. Sending you both big ((((HUGS))))
 
Re: 7/10 Latte AMPS- 464

Happy to hear we had the much needed BM :-D sounds like the towel sling will help with moving her hang onto the tiny sparks Carolyn(((((HUGS)))) and sending healing vines to Latte
and prayers for the both of you :YMHUG: :YMHUG: cat_pet_icon
 
Re: 7/10 Latte AMPS- 464

Hold onto the little things - they are all good news! Little by little things are improving. I admire the communication that you have with each other - very good indeed. Take each moment as they come, it will get better. Take - you both are always in my thoughts!
 
Re: 7/10 Latte AMPS- 464

I want to share one little thought that popped into my mind when I was reading this. When Lucy was so sick with DKA/HL, she really was almost gone, the ER vet told me I should PTS. Somehow I knew she wasn't ready for that yet. She couldn't stand, couldn't hold her head up, was incontinent, etc. The next day when I went to visit her in the hospital, she PURRED! To me, that was the signal that she was going to be ok and that she was ready to fight. Sure enough, she was walking the next day (wobbly and falling down, but trying) and the day after that, she was HOME. If Latte got a good purr session going, I bet she's telling you she still wants to fight.
 
Re: 7/10 Latte AMPS- 464

Thanks so much for the update - glad you could help her get the LB for a poop - that sounds so small I"m sure, but it's a HUGE accomplishment and Latte probably feels so much better with that done. And you have the towel under her to help her with future attempts to move around.

Sounds like there are little improvements all around. That's good news - she's moving in the right direction.

We'll keep up the prayers and sending healing vines and snowflakes to keep her moving in the right direction here. Healing thoughts for Latte...
 
Re: 7/10 Latte AMPS- 464

You are incredibly devoted and Latte is determined. What a great combination. I hope all of the healing energy that LL can muster if having a steady effect on your girl.
 
Re: 7/10 Latte AMPS- 464

Woo hoo for prezzies! I used to use a towel sling to support the back end to help my lab walk - first after a spine injury, then as she got older and had days where she needed a boost. Now that you've had some success with that maybe you can help to the LB more.
 
Re: 7/10 Latte AMPS- 464

this sounds very encouraging. I know its still so hard for you and Latte but the fact that she was so determined to get to her box and managed a poop is all good signs. I think you should try the acupunture. If it is indeed a pinched nerve it will help alot. I know it saved me when I pinched a nerve in my back (the most pain I've ever been in). It took me about 2 weeks to recover but the acupuncture and yoga helped manage the pain and get me moving again. I so hope it works for Latte.
Prayers are still coming from me and Tray.
 
Hi Carolyn
I am in Quebec City on a public computer
I just had to check in and see how Latte was doing. I had sent Ronnie a text earlier
in the day and she told me Latte had pood. i thought it was a typo and not sure
if she meant good or poor. She clarified that it was pooped.
I was very happy to hear that and I hope these little improvements conitinue.
lots and lots of hugs
 
Carolyn-
This is an encouraging condo. I know things are still hard, really hard, but like others have said (and like you realize), the little things can soon turn into big things. Just the fact that she is so determined and you are so devoted is going to take you guys both a long way during this fight. I hope you can manage to find a way to get her to acupuncture; it seems like that might really help her.

I had an idea when reading about her drinking. I'm not sure if it will work, or how, but what if you got one of those water bottles which attach to the side of a cage, normally used for rabbits or guinea pigs? You could rig it up somehow near where she is stationed, particularly while you are asleep and can't bring her/give her water. You could set it up low enough that she wouldn't have to really lift her head up much and could just lick the nozzle. You could maybe smear a little bit of baby food on the tip of the nozzle to get her to lick it the first time if she won't, and then she will know there's water in there.

Sending healing vines and snowflakes and big hugs to you both.
 
Re: 7/11 Latte AMPS- 464, PMPS-499

These preshots and bounces are scaring me again *sigh* I know...its likely related to the pain levels and additional pred. There is probably little I can do about it. Im just so nervous about a recurring uti that will be nearly impossible to treat with her in this condition.

Sorry to report, no real changes since my update this a.m.

By noon she was sleepy and napped (sorta) all day. She did not want water or food. But, its rare that she does in the middle of the day anyway. She did sit up (about 40-90% upright) for her first 2 rounds of baby food this evening. Its cute, she uses her front paw to push against my hand for leverage. Smart and creative cookie! I kept her propped a little so she could eat easier, and clean herself afterwards. She batted at a string for a minute, and ate a little cat nip. More rotissare chicken has been delivered, so that will be on the agenda later in the evening - along with some yogurt. She has been peeing on her tail a lot, so I may attempt to clean it gently. She really doesnt want me touching her tail, so it might prove to be a challenge.

Im going to try and do a better job of catching her drop this evening. Im trying to feed the baby food earlier in the cycle rather than chicken and then baby food after she has had the drop and is meowing like crazy.

Tomorrow I have to work for a few hours in the evening. Amy (bless her gigantic heart), is going to come sit with her for an hour or so. It will help ease my mind in case she drops. I just dont feel like I can leave her since she cant get to food or water. I do need to make a bank run, so will leave her at some point tomorrow as a test for about 20 -30 minutes. Im scared about that. I had a dream as I was trying to nap this afternoon that kept repeating itself - I kept hearing her eat kibble, or make some noise somewhere, or meow at her water bowl...then I would wake and there she would be laying on her side under the piano, either sleeping with her eyes open or staring at her imaginary friends. Guess it wasnt the best nap.

Her vet sent an email back about the accupuncture and said he would contact the person who does it first thing in the a.m. and see if she can make her self available. I did just read that some medications (steroids and narcotics) can cause a lessening affect of the accupuncture.

I wish I had something miraculous to tell you all. Everything is pretty much status quo. Maybe a miracle tomorrow? I would say she was much more calm overall today. Im not sure if that is a good or bad thing.
My heart is heavy, but full of love for her. She is indeed a very courageous old lady.

Thank you all for your continued support. It really means to the world to me.
 
Wishing you both sweet dreams tonight and a better day tomorrow. She sounds comfortable and secure, Carolyn. (((Carolyn & Latte)))
 
pooping earlier and trying to sit up tonight are wonderful improvements! She is being creative as you said...and eating the baby food. Well Carolyn...those sound like big things to me. I am sitting here with tears in my eyes when I think of how brave she is. And how she really really wanted to use the LB and she got that across to you. And bless you....using the towel to help her. That was GREAT!
Each step is giant. Each little accomplishment is wonderful to her. Please give her kisses from us....
You are doing such a great job. Things like this take time, but she is doing a little tiny bit more each day. Hope you both have a good sleep tonight. you both need that rest so relax, k? :YMHUG:
 
Re: 7/11 Latte AMPS- 464, PMPS-499

Lit a candle for you and Latte at church tonight.
Keep the faith.

MJ&Donovan
 
I agree with Pat - sitting up - even 40 - 90% upright is a BIG improvement. And batting at a string? Eating cat nip? Those are hugely positive signs... Maybe you're too close and emotionally involved (of course, we're all emotionally involved at this point!) to see how big those signs really are.

Continued prayers and vines and light for you and Latte... My mom has you on her prayer list and she prayed for you both in church today. I read her some of the things you've posted so she would be able to picture what's going on.

And, though it is ironic coming from me since I don't heed this advice myself - try to take care of yourself too - make sure you eat when you get a chance and nap when you can.

Lots of love.
 
Carolyn,
Every tiny drop of improvement, a purr, a poop, a pee, a bit of eating and drinking, each one adds to the cup of better. I know it may not be much, but every little bit counts, and Latte knows you are doing all that you can and appreciates every bit of it.

You're doing an awesome job, Carolyn; please be sure that you take care of yourself so that you can continue to take care of Latte.
 
Carolyn,
there's always room for miracles. And you're one of them, as Latte's mom.
One day at a time, Latte is a fighter.

Sending tons of ((((hugs)))) and positive vines your way.
 
Carolyn i'm sure your vet x-rayed Latte tail right? I've been following your posts from the beginning and I knew of a cat who was partially paralyzed due to broken tail. It never sounded like that for Latte as the way she landed did'nt seem like that would be the case.
But that she does'nt like her tail touched..just thought.
I've been hopeing it's a terrible wrench in her back that she would recover from. don't they have chiropractors for cats??? Pinched nerve or something.
anyway thoughts have been with you from the begining from all the way over in pz island.
Lori and tomtom
 
could you rig up a drip water bottle like bunnies or caged birds use? i've seen kittens using those. it might be put at the right height for latte to lick the water if you're not around. never tried it, just saw it in a kitten adoption crate picture the other day.
 
(((Carolyn))) (((Latte)))

I am so sorry that I missed everything that's been going on with Latte. Carolyn told me last night. I was preoccupied with Alex who is also not doing so great so I haven't been on the boards. You're doing a great job, Carolyn and Latte is lucky to have you by her side. I think I would have fallen apart if i were you.

My love, thoughts and prayers are with you and Latte, and I'm sending blizzards of snowflakes and mountains of healing vines to your little girl.

Love,

Caryl, Alex and Jackson
 
Been catching up with the posts on Latte, I'm so glad she is doing all these great little things :-D and what a good mommie bean you are, I love it.

Here's how to McGyver the water :-D I have Guinea Pigs and have done this :lol: Velcro the back of the bottle to something that you can stand by
her. They have large bottles she can use so she'll never run out of water. You will just need to figure out what works best for Latte's area she hangs in.
Or you could velcro the back of a sport bottle too :smile: Also you know what they say about Duck Tape it works too :lol:
it's just a pain when you need to change the water :lol: Velcro works the best and is the strongest, since you have to hold up water.

Well hope that will work for her, this way she can drink without you having to hold something.

Remember to sleep, I know its crazy, but Latte needs you healthy too :-D

Sending you lots of healing vines and much love from the beach
 
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