Boomer - morning vet update

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Re: Boomer staying over night at vets - spoke to vet finally

Sarah- you're so sweet. Yeah sending an email would be great....only...hold on...they don't have email!!!! :lol: I'm lucky they have computers!!!!

Sarah and Buzz said:
Geez, Traci, you sure haven't had an easy time of it today. (((Traci))) It sounds like your vet is definitely used to clients who simply accept what she says and never ask any questions, but that doesn't mean it's wrong of YOU to do that (as you know). We all have busy days or days when even one more thing to do is too much, but the fact remains that you are still the client and you are paying her. Perhaps if she would take a different tone, or ask you kindly if you could wait to get the referral tomorrow, it would be different.

I know you're kind of stuck now because Boomer is sick, but do you think it would help to put your feelings in an e-mail? This might allow you to think out what you want to say and how you want to say it, instead of reacting in the moment, and it might allow her to read it when she has time, rather than when she is stressed about having to go to surgery.

I am so sorry you're going through this. Sending healing vines to Boomer and calming vines to you.
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Re: Boomer's home!!!!

((((((Traci))))) So glad Boomer is home now!! :mrgreen: I know that alot of times they recommend a protein source that is foreign to the cats when they suspect allergies. There is a rabbit raw made by Natures Variety. I believe Nicole used to feed it to Baby. Just a thought. Good luck at the "referral" Sending feel good vines to you and Boomer. :YMHUG:
 
Re: Boomer's home!!!!

So glad Boomer is home and that you were able to have a good talk with the vet. I hope the appointment tomorrow brings you more answers. (((Traci)))
 
Re: Boomer's home!!!!

I'm glad Boomer is home and feeling better. Sorry you don't have a lot of answers yet, but the specialist should help with that. I think there's a lot of trial and error involved in food trial, but it is probably well worth it to try. I don't have experience with that, but I know people who have and I know they have found alot written about IBD. Get on the internet and see what you can find. Good luck!
 
Re: Boomer's home!!!!

Glad your boy is home, and that the vet was able to take some time to review things with you. Sounds like you left on decent terms, which is good. I hope you get some answers soon.

KB has had baytril, it didn't bother him. I gave him a probiotic while he was on it as it's a powerful AB.

I hope you can find what doesn't agree with him. I'll bet he's a happy boy to be home again!
 
Re: Boomer's home!!!!

(((((Hugs)))) to you and Boomer so glad he is home and hope that you get this figured out soon and find out exactly whats going on with your boy have they thought about allergy testing him? Just wondered Do Lou was tested years ago we did the pollen/grass one but Greer Labs has a food panel as well and so does Heska Labs ? Just a thought?
 
Re: Boomer's home!!!!

Thank GOD for the internet, right? How would I get by in life?
There ARE a lot of food options out there for this type of issue, I've seen them. I just have to get him to eat them more than one time. You know how it is. The two that he seems to like the best are grain-free Sophisticat brand sliced chicken and sliced tuna at .38 cents a can. The thing is that I don't know if he's allergic to grain or chicken or tuna.

The doctor that did Boomer's ultrasound said that he recommends tube feeding them for a couple weeks if they won't eat the food you're trying to feed them, that eventually they will start to eat it. I can't imagine doing that. Would that cause a food aversion? The z/d food doesn't have a flavor there is only one option. I can't imagine feeding $3 a can cat food to him for the rest of his life. Doesn't this sound crazy? I guess if I was absolutely desperate I'd try this, but it sounds brutal.

PS - he just settled in my lap and he's gazing up at me. He's been fussy about eating but he has eaten. I just love my little Boom Boom and I'm SO glad he's home. It's just me and him so it was sad without him here.
 
Re: Boomer's home!!!!

Lisa-
You're kidding! No one has mentioned ANYTHNG about allery testing. There's a food panel allery test? OMG!!!! I need to look into this. No one has mentioned this before to me. It's almost sounds too good to be true. It sounds so easy. Do you know anything more about it? Would they just test him and I'd find out what food he's allergic to? Holy crap! My problems would be solved without putting him through an expensive and invasive biopsy.

Lisa and Do Lou said:
(((((Hugs)))) to you and Boomer so glad he is home and hope that you get this figured out soon and find out exactly whats going on with your boy have they thought about allergy testing him? Just wondered Do Lou was tested years ago we did the pollen/grass one but Greer Labs has a food panel as well and so does Heska Labs ? Just a thought?
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Re: Boomer's home!!!!

YAY! He's home!! :RAHCAT :RAHCAT :RAHCAT :RAHCAT :RAHCAT :RAHCAT

Ok. now that I've cheered you two on...

WHAT? YOU"RE IN THE BOSTON AREA AND GETTING CRAP SERVICE LIKE THAT?

1) Angell Memorial: Dr Brum is the bestest internal medicine vet EVER. This man has gone ABOVE and BEYOND to help me care for my lemon. I am in fairly consistent contact with his assistants, vet techs, and him via email and phone. He pulled my Cosmo through our 8 day ER visit (when Cosmo was initially diagnosed), through the eye tumor, through... well. A LOT. This man even emailed me this Sunday, just to say he was glad Cosmo was feeling better and that he hoped we enjoyed the sunny warm day here in Boston. On a SUNDAY.

Out of all the vets we've seen at Angell, I only disliked ONE. Everyone else (and we've seen... um. 3 internal medicine vets, one cardiologist, one oncologist, and several emergency vets) was TERRIFIC.


2) Woburn: Mass Vet Referral Hospital: I LOVE THEM TOO! they're just far away. I took Cosmo when he needed an ophthalmologist and loved Dr Cottril plus all the staff there.

3) general vet in Wellesley: Dr Cosimini at Cat's Hospital. He hasn't seen Cosmo in over 2 years, but still calls to follow up when Angell notifies them that he had testing done. When I take Danger in for his bi-annual, they ask how Cosmo is doing and let me ask random questions. he coached me through a harrowing morning when Cosmo's BG was super low for AMPS. He's terrific for general stuff and admits that Cosmo needs more specialized care than he can provide. I love a man who can admit his limits.

if you want to chat about any of these vets, PM me!
 
Re: Boomer's home!!!!

I'm so glad you got this vet to talk it through with you - and good for you for getting a specialist opinion too. I hope you get some good ideas.
 
Re: Boomer's home!!!!

Hi Everyone-

I'm going to continue this post on Health because I don't want to clog up Lantus. I've had a rough morning. Lethargy, not acting like himself, not eating. I force-fed him and 20 minutes later he threw it all up. I stayed home from work again. Miraculously he seems to have perked up a bit and he ate a little food. To be continued on Health. I'd appreciate you visiting over there too. Thanks.
 
Re: Boomer's home- still struggling

(((((Traci & Boomer))))))

I'm glad he's home. I don't have anything productive to add, just that I'm glad he's home, and that you have some options to explore. I hope he'll start eating better soon, and keep it down!
 
Re: Boomer's home- still struggling

Hi Traci - I can't offer any helkp with any of this - but did want to offer support. I, and Mannie, will keep you and Boomer in our thoughts, positive thoughts. I hope all goes well, and that you get the answers you need. I know how frustrating this can all be.
 
Re: Boomer's home- still struggling

Hi Traci
I'm sorry for the hard time you are going through with Boomer and with vets. Flagyl is pretty commonly used as a treatment for IBD. Bear and my IBD/lymphoma civie both take it. I don't think it is a contributor to Bear's BG's. He also takes Baytril (not for IBD), but I'm less convinced about its impact on BG. He has had no bad side effects from it. Blindness is a possible risk from Baytril (but Bear is already blind, so not a risk for him).
 
Re: Boomer's home- still struggling

So sorry this is still dragging on for you and Boomer. You've gotten some good options w/ test option and other vets. You are in our thoughts, ❧❧❧❧❧❧❧❧❧❧❧❧❧❧❧❧❧❧❧❧❧❧❧❧❧❧❧❧❧
 
Re: Boomer - getting biopsy tomorrow

I liked the IM doc. She was young, confident, smart, funny and straight to the point. She said we really don't know what's wrong with him because he's never had his small intestine biopsied. The two outcomes are inflamation or lymphoma. She will better be able to help us if she knows exactly what he has instead guessing. I'm dropping him off tomorrow morning and picking up tomorrow night. I'll have the results Monday. SHe's also doing a TLI, Cobalmin and Folate test since it was very low on the last test a few years ago, she wants to see where it's at now. Apparently this test will also let us know if there is a bacterial overgrowth that needs to be treated.

I asked about lymphoma and she said cats with that have 6-8 months. I was shocked.

I couldn't believe how quick this all happened. I decided right there that this had to be done and Dave agreed. He met me there. So no eating after midnight. He's eaten decently today which is good. He's so tiny though. He's now below 8 pounds. I'm jealous of everyone who thinks they have a problem because their cat is overweight.
 
Re: Boomer - getting biopsy tomorrow

Traci I'm wishing so many good things for Boomer, I hope and pray it goes very well.
(((hugs)))
 
Re: Boomer - getting biopsy tomorrow

(((((Tracy and Boomer))))) Sending positive and healthy vines to Boomer!!
 
Re: Boomer - getting biopsy tomorrow

All good thoughts, prayers, and healing vines are being sent to your boy. Traci, we will all be with you tomorrow. :YMHUG:

Ella & Stu
 
Re: Boomer's home!!!!

Traci and Boomer said:
Lisa-
You're kidding! No one has mentioned ANYTHNG about allery testing. There's a food panel allery test? OMG!!!! I need to look into this. No one has mentioned this before to me. It's almost sounds too good to be true. It sounds so easy. Do you know anything more about it? Would they just test him and I'd find out what food he's allergic to? Holy crap! My problems would be solved without putting him through an expensive and invasive biopsy.

Lisa and Do Lou said:
(((((Hugs)))) to you and Boomer so glad he is home and hope that you get this figured out soon and find out exactly whats going on with your boy have they thought about allergy testing him? Just wondered Do Lou was tested years ago we did the pollen/grass one but Greer Labs has a food panel as well and so does Heska Labs ? Just a thought?
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I am just now seeing this Traci but this is a blood test so you could ask about it tomorrow when you take him in since the TLI test is also a serum test as well since I send them off to Texas A&M all the time where I work as a lab tech at my vets. But yes both heska and Greer labs do allergy testing you can google both of these and Greer is cheaper then Heska.
 
Re: Boomer - getting biopsy tomorrow

Traci and Boomer said:
I liked the IM doc. She was young, confident, smart, funny and straight to the point. She said we really don't know what's wrong with him because he's never had his small intestine biopsied. The two outcomes are inflamation or lymphoma. She will better be able to help us if she knows exactly what he has instead guessing. I'm dropping him off tomorrow morning and picking up tomorrow night. I'll have the results Monday. SHe's also doing a TLI, Cobalmin and Folate test since it was very low on the last test a few years ago, she wants to see where it's at now. Apparently this test will also let us know if there is a bacterial overgrowth that needs to be treated.

I asked about lymphoma and she said cats with that have 6-8 months. I was shocked.

I couldn't believe how quick this all happened. I decided right there that this had to be done and Dave agreed. He met me there. So no eating after midnight. He's eaten decently today which is good. He's so tiny though. He's now below 8 pounds. I'm jealous of everyone who thinks they have a problem because their cat is overweight.
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Traci it is absolutely not true that cats with lymphoma have 6-8 months. It does depend in part on both the location of the lymphoma (e.g., the prognosis for lymphoma in the kidneys is more dire!) and the type of lymphoma (small cell vs large cell). Quincy was diagnosed with small cell lymphoma in his GI tract in April 2008, and knock on wood, he's still here with us! And Bear Man's Linda has another cat, Teddy, who's had lymphoma for I think 4 years now. What's key are an early diagnosis and aggressive treatment. For Quincy, that meant leukeran and prednisone.

So don't think a lymphoma diagnosis is the end of the world. With Boomer's young age, it very well could be his IBD getting worse rather than lymphoma. Some suggest that GI lymphoma is IBD gone way bad (because the chronic inflammation gets so bad the cells mutate and become cancerous - or at least that's how I understand it), so hopefully your care for Boomer thus far has prevented that from happening. I suspect in Quincy's case, he had IBD and I didn't know about it until he started vomiting with increased frequency and it had mutated into cancer. He had a biopsy, and his large intestine had IBD, while it looked like the lymphoma was around his stomach/small intestine (the tissue from a lymph node in that area was actually what had cancerous cells).

It's better to know what you're dealing with, so it will be very helpful to have this biopsy. Hopefully with Boomer's young age he will recover from the surgery rather quickly. I know Kelly's Logan had a hard time getting back, in part because of the infection around his feeding tube. And Quincy was a little slow in his recovery too, but he was 11 at the time and rather fat, which apparently means the anesthesia takes a longer time to work its way out.

Good luck to you! Keep us posted.
 
Re: Boomer - getting biopsy tomorrow

((( Traci and Dave ))) Things are at least moving quickly for your boy, you should have some answers soon.
 
Re: Boomer - getting biopsy tomorrow

Wish I could reach out and give you a real hug. Sending all good thoughts for tomorrow. You are taking such great care of Boomer; he is so lucky to have you watch over him.
 
Re: Boomer - getting biopsy tomorrow

SENDINg Healing vines to Boomer & snowflakes for a good outcome to test tomorrow! HUGS~!
 
Re: Boomer - getting biopsy tomorrow

Wishing Boomer all the best with the biopsy. If it comes back with lymphoma, there is treatment. My civie, Teddy, was given 2 - 6 months to live, and that was over five years ago.
(((Traci))) (((Boomer)))
 
Re: Boomer - getting biopsy tomorrow

Praying that things turn out well with the biopsy this morning. Many hugs to both of you. I'll be thinking of you.
 
Re: Boomer - getting biopsy tomorrow

I hope you get the answers you need today Traci! We'll be thinking of you and Boomer, and hopefully he'll bounce back from the biopsy like nothing happened. Hugs!
 
Re: Boomer - getting biopsy tomorrow

Traci,

I hope the biopsy results give you the answers you need. IBD and lymphoma are treatable, so those answers will get Boomer on the road to recovery.
I'm pulling for you both.

Jason
 
Re: Boomer - biopsy may be aborted HELP!

Things have just changed. The vet called and said that the area in his intestines that are affected is the deeper layer and that a scope would be a waste of time - he needs surgery which will keep him in the hospital.

Getting this test doesn't even solve my problem. We could give the SAME pill he's prescribed whether he's got inflamation or lymphoma. I don't think I want to do this surgery. She's working up an estimate for me - god knows how much it will cost. OR I could have my vet do it - it may be cheaper - but that's still a HUGE procedure just to find out what he has.

BTW - this vet disagrees with what the other vet says who did the ultrasound. She re-did the ultrasound today because he has a fever and thinks the findings are different. The first guy only thought the infected area was the areas she could scope. She disagrees.

I'm having a melt-down. I have no idea what to do but I really don't want to do this to him. I feel like it may not be worth it. What do you guys think?????
 
Re: Boomer - getting biopsy tomorrow

I'm so sorry, Traci. This is a hard decision. When we were making the same decision back in January, we tried to weigh the pros and cons. We decided it was better to know for sure what we were dealing with. We did the exploratory surgery instead of the endoscopy. It cost about $600 more than the endoscopy would've cost.

Logan had a very difficult recovery. If I could go back, I don't think I would've put him through it. It's tough b/c if you don't do it, you'll always wonder if you're fighting IBD or cancer. You know the steroids aren't enough to get whatever it is under control. Just discuss the treatment options with your vet. If it is lymphoma instead of IBD, you do run the risk of making it more resistant to chemo therapy down the road. But, if they are going to give you Leukeran either way, then does it really matter? You'll just have to weigh it all out. You know Boomer better than anyone else. How old is he? Logan just turned 6, but he was pretty weak by the time we did the surgery. He had stopped eating so they put in the peg tube. That saved his life b/c he would not eat on his own for quite some time after the surgery. It also led to a nasty bacterial infection that nearly killed him. His second surgery (for the infection) was a hell of a lot more expensive than the first surgery! I'm still paying that one off! But, he did beat the odds and I thank God every day I still have him.

I'm so sorry you're going through this with Boomer. I think Laura did the exploratory surgery (instead of the endoscopy) with Quincy and he did really well. He had some trouble with the anesthesia, though, if I remember correctly.
 
Re: Boomer - getting biopsy tomorrow

oh traci ... I have absolutely no advice for you. But you guys do have every positive thought I can send your way coming. I can't imagine what you must be going through, trying to make the best decisions, not knowing which ones those are. I feel for you guys, I really do.


(((((((((((((Traci, Boomer, Dave)))))))))))))))
 
Re: Boomer - getting biopsy tomorrow

Kelly-

Thanks SOOOOOOO much for that post. I've spoken to both my BF and my friend (who has been through a lot surgically and medically) and I don't think I want to do this surgery. He was eating last night and was acting hungry and "like himself" this morning.

The "guest vet" thinks I should have the exploratory - I just called her. I just don't think it's worth it right now.

I told the Internal Medicine doctor to go ahead and do the scope. If it comes back as cancer then we can believe it. If it comes back as "inflamation" than we can't really believe it. But at least if he has cancer I'll know. Plus - I've got two people telling me that the disease is in different areas. Once is someone who does ultrasounds all the time, the other is an internal medicine doctor - who do I believe? I thought having some information was better than none. If the ultrasound guy is right, then the scope wasn't a waste of time. I'm afraid of this surgery and his recovery. Maybe I'll regret this, but right now that's my decision.
 
Re: Boomer - getting biopsy tomorrow

((((((((((Traci and Dave)))))))))) You have been through so much getting Boomer healthier w/ FD only to have this dropped on you. Not knowing is the worst, but you know that you are making the best decision you can for Boomer. You are in all our hearts.
 
Re: Boomer - getting biopsy tomorrow

I had the scope for Bear and Teddy. They got enough tissue to diagnose IBD in Bear and Lymphoma in Teddy. It's true that you can't get a full thickness sample from a scope, and if the disease is in the layer that they can't reach, then they won't be able to see it. At the time I did the scope, Bear was too sick and weak to tolerate a full abdominal surgery. I didn't think he would survive the procedure. Teddy was in good health, except for passing blood in his stool. I never in a million years expected to get a cancer diagnosis on him. I decided to do the less invasive procedure on both, and if it became necessary, then I could go on and do the surgical biopsy.

One thing you should ask the vet about. I know that taking pred can invalidate the biopsy results, as it does affect the tissue. I assume the same is true of Budesonide. I was told to take the cat off steroids for a period of weeks before biopsy. If you get a negative test, you don't know if the steroids had temporarily healed the disease enough for the cells to look normal. This may not be a concern for you, since the ultrasound still shows significant inflammation.
 
Re: Boomer - getting biopsy tomorrow

This day has been so weird. I've been up since 5:30 because Boomer woke me up to eat.

Guys- I really strongly feel that Boomer would not do well with an exploratory surgery right now as far as recovery and eating go. He's very thin and they said it would take 10 days for him to recover. What if he was in pain AND wouldn't eat and I had to force feed him only to have him puke? The surgery would be $3200.
I went through this with my last cat. We ended up giving him a throat feeding tube which broke. Then she put in a stomach tube which because he was sick, it didn't heal right. I won't tell you what happened but it was awful seeing it. I never ever wanted to go through this again. This is why I'm afraid to get another cat. For some reason I am cursed. The last two cats have been chronically sick. When the IM vet called today with the latest news I felt like I was breaking down. When I was able to think I thought that "SOME" information is better than none, so he's being scoped but not operated on.

Linda- Thank you! Yes, she DID say that being on budesonide could affect the results, but she said that him going off it for a month to clear it all out wasn't good either. I guess this just sucks all around. There is no good answer for me. I don't think he'd do well with the surgery though. He's tiny.
 
Re: Boomer - getting biopsy tomorrow

(((Traci))) You are not cursed, I promise. And you are doing what's right for Boomer.

Back when I had the biopsies done on Tucker, we didn't have a choice, he was so sick we didn't even think he would survive a month, we needed to find out what was wrong. It took ER trips and lots of work to help him heal from the biopsies.

Tucker's results came back IBD, but could that be a false positive from his bowels being so inflamed for so long, maybe, who knows.

At this point, I might consider Prednisone over budesonide simply because in my mind, it helps more. Tucker didn't do well on budesonide but on pred he's doing great. His BGs are higher and his dose of insulin has gone from .5U to 1.75U but I'd rather fight the BGs than whatever else.

You can do everything right, but cats get sick. These days they are living longer than ever before. As a kid, my cats lived to maybe 10 yrs, they were indoor outdoors, dry food eaters. So now my 15+ kitties are sick, but that is age, my own sweet Trouble, a littermate to my handsome Gett passed before he was 13, it wasn't my fault, he had CRF, he drank tons of water since kitten hood.

Scream, cry and yell all you want, take your frustration out on the board, but please don't close up, don't feel cursed or fear getting another cat. Remember how much love your cats have received and who would have done so much and tried so hard for them if not for you.
 
Re: Boomer - getting biopsy tomorrow

((((((Traci Traci Traci))))))) You and Boomer are in my thoughts and prayers today. You know Boomer more than anyone and if you think he is too weak then you made the right decision. :YMHUG: :YMHUG: :YMHUG: :YMHUG: :YMHUG: :YMHUG: :YMHUG:
 
Re: Boomer - getting biopsy tomorrow

I just got a call from the vet. She did the scope and he's waking up. She told me that he had so much food in his stomach that she couldn't see to get it through to the intestine. She had to stop. She called and offered to keep him over night, feed him some and stop at about 4PM this time instead of 12AM and try again tomorrow at no charge.

She said his stomach doesn't look normal-it looks thickened too. BTW-This wasn't on the ultrasound - the ultrasound it looked fine. She got stomach biopsies.

I think I want to try this again. Please help me. They will feed him, so he won't be starving. I should do it, right?

Now I am a mess at work. I feel terrible. But I feel like I should have them try - do you? I called Dave but he didn't answer. My friend at work thinks I should try since he's already there.
 
Re: Boomer - bioposy partly done - HELP!

Would they be able to clean out some of that food that seems stuck? Could be a hairball or something at the end stopping everything up.
 
Re: Boomer - bioposy partly done - HELP!

(((((((Traci))))))) wish I could offer some advice to you but I know nothing about all of this! So sorry you have to go through all of this and no you are not cursed!!!! Just sending hugs and support your way!!!!!!!!!
 
Re: Boomer - bioposy partly done - HELP!

If it were me, I'd have them try again. When will the results of the stomach biopsy be back?
 
Re: Boomer - bioposy partly done - HELP!

As long as they can keep him comfortable, if it were me I would try again. Can you visit him this evening? Will someone be with him overnight? Can they give him fluids at least, I would think he needs something.
 
Re: Boomer - bioposy partly done - HELP!

Oh Traci, I feel for you! After losing a 2yo cat to fatty liver, and then having Max develop FD, I too said I would not pick out another cat to bring home. If we come to the point where we want another cat, I will probably let someone else in my family choose him/her! For now tho I'm just hoping to keep the two I have healthy and see how things go.

Anyway, I think you did the right thing with the scope instead of the surgery. If, indeed, both diseases would be treated with the same drug, I don't think it would be worth the cost or the damage/recovery to Boomer to have it done. And because he's already there, and she thinks she can do it better tomorrow, I would let her try to do the scope one more time. If she is unable to do it tomorrow, then I would stop and bring him home.
 
Re: Boomer - bioposy partly done - HELP!

Traci, I'm so sorry about everything that is happening! I wish I knew answers, but of course I don't. You may have to rely on instinct/intuition.
 
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