9/24 - Xander | AMBG 279 | 2 days post dental, ultrasound today

[Brianna & Xander]

Previous thread: 9/23/25

Well, he's currently at the vet awaiting his ultrasound. I've felt for weeks like I was going to get bad news from this and that I didn't have much time left with him, but I'm really hoping that I'm wrong. Based on the severity of his dental issues, that seems hopeful for having been the entire problem. Still, I'm nervous.

I did skip last night and this morning, which was hard since he'd finally started to see green again, but hopefully it won't be too big a speed bump. I was very surprised to already be seeing green; I figured that even with the teeth gone, the inflammation and stress from extraction would probably keep him high for a while. But maybe the infections/pain were just so bad that that really was the whole problem. Which is obviously bittersweet.

He had his first Onsior dose yesterday at noon and was very happy cuddling with me like he used to at my desk for hours, so I think it helps him feel a lot better. Unfortunately it seems to wear off in 10-11 hours instead of the 24 it takes before he can have his next dose.

Anyway... No other updates yet. Hope everyone has having a nice Wednesday.

 

[Kat & Trixie]

Thinking of you and sweet Xander today, Brianna My fingers are crossed that having those yucky teefs removed will help him feel so much better. I had 2 kitties (sisters) who both suffered with horrible tooth absorption. One worse than the other, but once most of her teeth were removed, she was a totally different cat, and she felt SO much better.

Hope he's back at home with you for some sweet cuddles soon

 

[Staci & Ivy]

Previous thread: 9/23/25

Well, he's currently at the vet awaiting his ultrasound. I've felt for weeks like I was going to get bad news from this and that I didn't have much time left with him, but I'm really hoping that I'm wrong. Based on the severity of his dental issues, that seems hopeful for having been the entire problem. Still, I'm nervous.

I did skip last night and this morning, which was hard since he'd finally started to see green again, but hopefully it won't be too big a speed bump. I was very surprised to already be seeing green; I figured that even with the teeth gone, the inflammation and stress from extraction would probably keep him high for a while. But maybe the infections/pain were just so bad that that really was the whole problem. Which is obviously bittersweet.

He had his first Onsior dose yesterday at noon and was very happy cuddling with me like he used to at my desk for hours, so I think it helps him feel a lot better. Unfortunately it seems to wear off in 10-11 hours instead of the 24 it takes before he can have his next dose.

Anyway... No other updates yet. Hope everyone has having a nice Wednesday.

Hi Brianna,
Sending lots of healing energy your way and prayers for a good ultrasound report

Xander will recover from the skipped shots. It’s been a rough week for both of you and we are hoping it’s much easier after these bumps as his mouth heals

I know how nervous you are feeling. Sending you lots of hugs and support and looking forward to hearing how happy he will be once he’s home and cuddling with you.
Please give your sweet boy kisses from me

 

[Lara & Luciole (Lu)]

Wishing you good news soon!

 

[manxcat419]

He had his first Onsior dose yesterday at noon and was very happy cuddling with me like he used to at my desk for hours, so I think it helps him feel a lot better. Unfortunately it seems to wear off in 10-11 hours instead of the 24 it takes before he can have his next dose.

You can always ask about adding in a second pain med if you think the Onsior isn't working for long enough. Either gabapentin or buprenorphine can be used alongside Onsior.

I did skip last night and this morning, which was hard since he'd finally started to see green again

He'll be fine - and better for having his teeth all fixed up. He'll get back to green. He might well have been stressed this morning too - cats know when there's something up.

Good luck with the ultrasound. I really hope it shows nothing concerning for you.

 

[Mary & Jude]

Looking forward to a good report.

 

[Brianna & Xander]

Thinking of you and sweet Xander today, Brianna My fingers are crossed that having those yucky teefs removed will help him feel so much better. I had 2 kitties (sisters) who both suffered with horrible tooth absorption. One worse than the other, but once most of her teeth were removed, she was a totally different cat, and she felt SO much better.

Hope he's back at home with you for some sweet cuddles soon

Thank you so much, Kat!! That's what I keep hearing, that it makes a world of difference! I can't wait for him to feel better. Your 2 sister kitties were so lucky to have you to take care of them! Resorption sounds truly awful, I can't even imagine.

 

[Brianna & Xander]

Hi Brianna,
Sending lots of healing energy your way and prayers for a good ultrasound report

Xander will recover from the skipped shots. It’s been a rough week for both of you and we are hoping it’s much easier after these bumps as his mouth heals

I know how nervous you are feeling. Sending you lots of hugs and support and looking forward to hearing how happy he will be once he’s home and cuddling with you.
Please give your sweet boy kisses from me

Thank you, Staci!!

 

[Brianna & Xander]

Wishing you good news soon!

Thank you so much!!

 

[Brianna & Xander]

You can always ask about adding in a second pain med if you think the Onsior isn't working for long enough. Either gabapentin or buprenorphine can be used alongside Onsior.


He'll be fine - and better for having his teeth all fixed up. He'll get back to green. He might well have been stressed this morning too - cats know when there's something up.

Good luck with the ultrasound. I really hope it shows nothing concerning for you.

I'm also using gabapentin regularly, so he's got that! They gave him an extra shot of bupe today and the vet suggested I wait to give him the Onsior until dinnertime since he seems worse at night. If he seems to feel really bad when it wears off I'll ask for more/something else!

Thank you, April!!

 

[Brianna & Xander]

Update:

Could be better, could be worse. The vet said that the only noteworthy thing she saw in the ultrasound was "some thickening of the intestines," which she thinks may be IBD. They did the extra bloodwork to check his B12, folate and pancreatitis. I did mention that from what I understood, IBD could only be conclusively diagnosed based on a biposy and she agreed that technically that was true, but that in his case she'd be more likely to trust blood results because she saw absolutely no other signs that might lead her to believe it's cancer (like inflammation or swollen lymph nodes, etc).

As always we're mid-to-end of the week so the results won't be in until sometime next week, probably toward the end.

We asked what she would guess the likelihood of IBD vs cancer was and she was pretty confident that it was the former. She also said that best case scenario, the bloodwork shows that he's not having too much trouble with B12 and it's just something to watch.

He's never had symptoms like bloody diarrhea (don't think he's ever even had normal diarrhea), but he did used to vomit a lot, had a ridiculous amount of hairballs and obviously has the whole nausea/not eating thing going on. Things definitely seemed to at least improve with the switch to Weruva (and then to a new flavor), so maybe the fewer gums, etc that Weruva has have made a big difference. Maybe if it's mild, it won't be too huge a deal.

I know there are some FD/IBD cats here on the forum. Hoping I won't need it, but I know there'll be experienced people here who can give advice. As of right now, though, we know nothing.

On a lighter note, his shaved belly is hilarious (and a little obscene) and he is high as balls. Aggressively cuddly and won't sit still, even 4-5 hours later. He was like this after the dental too (but less intensely), so I think the anesthesia from that day dampened it a little. But he didn't even need to be sedated today, so the weird hyperactive reaction to the bupe that he apparently has is at full strength.

Please enjoy these blurry but hilarious stills from a video featuring his shaved belly and "where are my fangies" freakout. Oh the indigity.

 

[Staci & Ivy]

Update:

Could be better, could be worse. The vet said that the only noteworthy thing she saw in the ultrasound was "some thickening of the intestines," which she thinks may be IBD. They did the extra bloodwork to check his B12, folate and pancreatitis. I did mention that from what I understood, IBD could only be conclusively diagnosed based on a biposy and she agreed that technically that was true, but that in his case she'd be more likely to trust blood results because she saw absolutely no other signs that might lead her to believe it's cancer (like inflammation or swollen lymph nodes, etc).

As always we're mid-to-end of the week so the results won't be in until sometime next week, probably toward the end.

We asked what she would guess the likelihood of IBD vs cancer was and she was pretty confident that it was the former. She also said that best case scenario, the bloodwork shows that he's not having too much trouble with B12 and it's just something to watch.

He's never had symptoms like bloody diarrhea (don't think he's ever even had normal diarrhea), but he did used to vomit a lot, had a ridiculous amount of hairballs and obviously has the whole nausea/not eating thing going on. Things definitely seemed to at least improve with the switch to Weruva (and then to a new flavor), so maybe the fewer gums, etc that Weruva has have made a big difference. Maybe if it's mild, it won't be too huge a deal.

I know there are some FD/IBD cats here on the forum. Hoping I won't need it, but I know there'll be experienced people here who can give advice. As of right now, though, we know nothing.

On a lighter note, his shaved belly is hilarious (and a little obscene) and he is high as balls. Aggressively cuddly and won't sit still, even 4-5 hours later. He was like this after the dental too (but less intensely), so I think the anesthesia from that day dampened it a little. But he didn't even need to be sedated today, so the weird hyperactive reaction to the bupe that he apparently has is at full strength.

Please enjoy these blurry but hilarious stills from a video featuring his shaved belly and "where are my fangies" freakout. Oh the indigity.

View attachment 74204View attachment 74205

Oh poor baby looking for his fangies
He’s just the sweetest boy
Glad it seems nothing terrible. Whew
Big hugs to you and Xander. Thanks for the update.
Many cuddles for your baby

 

[Mary & Jude]

Bless it! Give him some love and cuddles from us! I'm glad they didn't see anything that stopped them in their tracks, and I hope that this is some IBD and not the other, as the vet suspects.

 

[Laurie&Petey]

Update:

Could be better, could be worse. The vet said that the only noteworthy thing she saw in the ultrasound was "some thickening of the intestines," which she thinks may be IBD. They did the extra bloodwork to check his B12, folate and pancreatitis. I did mention that from what I understood, IBD could only be conclusively diagnosed based on a biposy and she agreed that technically that was true, but that in his case she'd be more likely to trust blood results because she saw absolutely no other signs that might lead her to believe it's cancer (like inflammation or swollen lymph nodes, etc).

As always we're mid-to-end of the week so the results won't be in until sometime next week, probably toward the end.

We asked what she would guess the likelihood of IBD vs cancer was and she was pretty confident that it was the former. She also said that best case scenario, the bloodwork shows that he's not having too much trouble with B12 and it's just something to watch.

He's never had symptoms like bloody diarrhea (don't think he's ever even had normal diarrhea), but he did used to vomit a lot, had a ridiculous amount of hairballs and obviously has the whole nausea/not eating thing going on. Things definitely seemed to at least improve with the switch to Weruva (and then to a new flavor), so maybe the fewer gums, etc that Weruva has have made a big difference. Maybe if it's mild, it won't be too huge a deal.

I know there are some FD/IBD cats here on the forum. Hoping I won't need it, but I know there'll be experienced people here who can give advice. As of right now, though, we know nothing.

On a lighter note, his shaved belly is hilarious (and a little obscene) and he is high as balls. Aggressively cuddly and won't sit still, even 4-5 hours later. He was like this after the dental too (but less intensely), so I think the anesthesia from that day dampened it a little. But he didn't even need to be sedated today, so the weird hyperactive reaction to the bupe that he apparently has is at full strength.

Please enjoy these blurry but hilarious stills from a video featuring his shaved belly and "where are my fangies" freakout. Oh the indigity.

View attachment 74204View attachment 74205

Glad to hear what sounds like a more manageable diagnosis. Cute to hear how cuddly he is, enjoy the high, litl' buddy.

Do you give a probiotic? I and others use Visbiome and while expensive, good gut health is life, even for us!

Hope you're breathing a little easier now!

 

[Lara & Luciole (Lu)]

Hey that's exactly Luciole's diagnosis. If your darling boy is the same, it's super-manageable. Lu got a course of Pred, then switched over to Budesonide, then gradually tapered down to the most minimal dose (once every 3 days) and is as fine as fine can be.

So I'm hoping that Xav's feeling really great soon, after a good long sleep, with some dreams of sparkly pink mice and multi-colored birds!

 

[manxcat419]

We asked what she would guess the likelihood of IBD vs cancer was and she was pretty confident that it was the former. She also said that best case scenario, the bloodwork shows that he's not having too much trouble with B12 and it's just something to watch.

They're usually pretty good at telling you if they're not almost 100% sure, so I would assume IBD for now. Roxi had IBD and diabetes (as well as all her other random stuff) for many years. While hers did eventually (as we found out) turn into some type of cancer, it took at least 6 years and probably longer to do so. And she had a history of cancer anyway. We used Visbiome for her. And her IM specialist had her on a low daily dose of budesonide even though she never had any real IBD symptoms. Her feeling was that it was better to stay ahead of the inflammation rather than waiting for it to become difficult to control. Now sure, ultimately, I guess it's possible that the budesonide masked the symptoms when the IBD turned into a tumor. But as she was too old and fragile for surgery anyway, it wouldn't have made the slightest difference to the outcome and it did maintain a great quality of life for her right up to her last 18 hours.