8/19, Bell, AMPS 74 +2.5 86 +4 89 +7 108 PMPS 220

Seth&Bell

Very Active Member
Yesterday

@Staci & Ivy : Sorry it has been a hectic day, just getting to your poop update (💩🗞️). When I woke up I checked the litter and she had pooped a few smaller poops, so at least she got something out. I woke up early and grabbed some pumpkin and miralax. I stayed home today because she was low and added a little bit of miralax to every meal (she doesn't like it in her food, but I've gotten probably 1/8 to 1/4 tsp in her today). I missed the poop, but one of the two poop again today. It was in the normal Bell litterbox but it looked more like Blair's poop (smaller poops, but way better than the ones I saw last night). I am 80% sure it is Bell, but I haven't found Blair's poop yet today (and she's daily regular) so I'm watching for that. Life is joyful sometimes.

I got her favorite toy out last night and she played really hard! I thought that might get some things going for her. It is so strange how pain free and wild she is when playing. Today I have not noticed her licking her behind, which is why I think she did poop today. She seems totally chill and her normal self. I don't see her anal glands enlarged, which is awesome. I'm going to keep up the miralax for at least a couple days until I feel she's back to normal (not sure if it is wise to use it long-term if not necessary?). I stopped the psyllium husk today because there's only so much I can hide in her food at once, and I'm not sure if bulking her poops up is wise when she is constipated.

Numbers were great today, but looks like a bounce tonight (i could use sleep). The nadirs are not as aggressive as I'm used to, so I'm wondering if I should toy around with the idea of an increase. I'm planning on holding past this bounce so at least the weekend is in sight before I increase.
 
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@Heike & BInie



Hi Seth, I am so sorry you have to deal with another issue! Binie has spondylosis and during the times she was in pain, she was more constipated because she avoided to poop. So it might be related. Hopefully she poops soon! 🍀

There are many supplements which work well for cats with arthritis. Might not be enough alone but maybe worth a try and might help to use less pain medication. One classic Binie gets since many years is greenlip mussel powder. She loves it and in the beginning that alone did the job. I also used high dosed CBD oil which worked well. If you are interested in that, just ask me, there are a few things to take care of. What many people use for arthritis is boswellia serrata. Might be worse looking into that too.

Since spring Binie is taking a low dose of gabapentin twice a day and it helps her so much with her back. She just gets a small dose (20 mg BID) and it's enough to help her with her backpain but without getting tired. Maybe you tried a higher dose and that made her tired?

Hope you find a solution which works well for sweet Bell! 🐈‍⬛❤️
Thanks so much for this. I am super curious as to what you have tried! I have her on Cosequin daily, but am willing to try anything that could help. Problem is I'm not even sure it is arthritis, but I don't think any of what you mentioned would hurt to try.

I think the gabapentin I had post anal gland ruptured was a stronger dose. I need to see if I saved the dosage somewhere. I think that sounds like a good step regardless of her condition just to see if it helps her feel better. Do you use pills or powder or liquid for Binie? I used the liquid previously, and while it was the easiest to get consistently in her, she absolutely hated it
 
Hi Seth, I'm happy we are back to the original site. Bell had a good cycle today. I hope you can get some sleep tonight and Bell doesn't pull any shenanigans.

This is what I used for Tyler and it definitely helped him with the boswellia

Cosequin® for Cats Plus Boswellia | Joint Health Supplement

Never had any side effects
Boswellia, also known as Indian frankincense, is often used in supplements for cats to support joint health and potentially alleviate pain and discomfort associated with conditions like osteoarthritis. It may help improve mobility and reduce inflammation in joints.

Here's a more detailed explanation:
  • Joint Support:
    Boswellia is a common ingredient in joint health supplements for cats, often combined with other ingredients like glucosamine and chondroitin.

  • Anti-inflammatory Properties:
    It's believed to have mild anti-inflammatory effects, which can be beneficial for cats with joint issues.

  • Pain Relief:
    By reducing inflammation, Boswellia may also help alleviate pain and discomfort in cats, potentially improving their mobility and overall well-being.

  • Mobility:
    Some studies suggest that Boswellia can help improve joint flexibility and range of motion in animals, making it easier for cats to move around comfortably.

  • How it Works:
    Boswellia works by shrinking inflamed tissue and improving blood flow to the affected areas, which can help with the repair of damaged tissues.
 
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Wrong way Bell! Oh well, sleep is NOT overrated.

I found Cosequin didn't do much for Neko, she needed "bigger guns". Fish oil and Duralactin (anti inflammatory), as well as hyaluronic acid and Cartrophen (for the joints), the latter being what we get in Canada instead of Adequan, and buprenorphine and acupuncture for pain. In the past on another cat I tried a product called Recovery SA that is made in Canada and like Cosequin but also has MSM for pain relief.
 
Wendy, Bell saw your comment and said “hold my beer”. I even had to bust out the MC this morning to urge her on an upward trend into her morning shot.

Wow, I appreciate all the suggestions. Seems like there are a myriad of options out there (I’m getting good suggestion from my last post on the old board as well). Guess I should just start trying some things and seeing what helps!
 
@Heike & BInie




Thanks so much for this. I am super curious as to what you have tried! I have her on Cosequin daily, but am willing to try anything that could help. Problem is I'm not even sure it is arthritis, but I don't think any of what you mentioned would hurt to try.

I think the gabapentin I had post anal gland ruptured was a stronger dose. I need to see if I saved the dosage somewhere. I think that sounds like a good step regardless of her condition just to see if it helps her feel better. Do you use pills or powder or liquid for Binie? I used the liquid previously, and while it was the easiest to get consistently in her, she absolutely hated it
Hi Seth, you are right. Nothing of the suppelements hurt to try and if it's arthritis or not, she will benefit. With the gaba I started with a very low dose, 1/8 of a 100 mg capsule. You can simply open them. Now Binie is on 1/5 capsule BID (3/16 to be exact) and is doing well. I always hide the powder in some liverwurst churu. So far no complaints. Binie is 7 kg, so with Bell you could start even lower. I learned that American pharmacies compound these medicines. I don't have this option so I divide the capsules using my bank card and making little packets from tinfoil. Gives me some cool drug dealer vibes. 😁 Some people say it needs two weeks to have the full effect but I could see her being better almost immediately. Good luck with it! 🍀🐈‍⬛🍀
 
Thanks so much, Heike!!!

Also big LOL. I’m picturing a guest coming to visit while you are making lines of gabapentin. “it’s for my cat, I swear!!!”
 
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