Boomer vet apt update

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Traci and Boomer

Traci and Boomer

Member Since 2009
I scheduled an apt because he has been throwing up for a few weeks once a day on most days. He's lost a pound since November. I could cry about that but I won't. She said it's not the end of the world. He's considered "underweight". He needs to gain that pound back.

The exam told me that he's got tarter and ginngivitis but nothing serious with his teeth. Everything felt fine except he definitely had thickening of his GI lining.

I told her he's been off insulin for 3 weeks and she was happy but it was almost like "no big deal" and she said other cats in her practice have gotten off it too.

She was no help discussing food. She has no clue about low-carb foods even.
Her: "will he eat dry?"
My thought: "Hell no, what are you nuts?"
My response: "he will eat wet consistantly."

I told her what I was doing with trying the gluten-free foods, the novel protein foods, the raw.

Her: "I'm not a fan of raw because of the chance of getting paracites." I knew there was an arguement against that but I couldn't remenber it. I told her I was serving it semi-raw. She seemed okay with that. I plan on serving it raw someday if I can get him to eat it. She's an old school vet and probably only knows the general stuff. Nothing too specific or specialized. I got my cat off insulin NOT her.

So...over $200 dollars later $63 for her exam, $24 for FortiFlora and $124 for 100 pills of budesonide, we are going to try two pills a day for about 5 days to see if it helps get him through this flair up. He hasn't puked today. Looks like I'm on my own again!
 
Traci and Boomer said:
Looks like I'm on my own again!
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That's why we have the FDMB. When the vets are useless, we can come here for help. Sorry to sound cynical. It's great that he had a puke-free day. Hope he continues feeling better.
 
Aww Traci doesn't that just make you feel frustrated? I hope that the pills help with Boom Booms pukus. It is good to hear that nothing else is going on. At least you can feel good about that. Sending good vibes your way. Here is where it would be good if I could perform Reiki!!! :YMHUG:
 
Given your location, what about seeing a vet at Tufts or at Angell Memorial? You could PM CynCyn -- I think she uses someone at Angell.
 
hey traci - you don't need to buy forti flora from the vet - way overpriced - instead you can get it online - try amazon or any other fun shopping location you use.

I can't remember where I got mine, but at the time, there was a $5 rebate per box. Don't know if purina is still offering that, but worth a search to find out.
 
Hi Hillary-

Good point! I felt "desperate" so I bought it from the vet just to get it. I've never looked for cat stuff on Amazon, thanks for the tip.
 
(((Traci & Boomer))) hang in there, I am sooooooo frusturated for you!! It is upsetting when the vet visits don't go good & especially when the attention to detail/care is not near what we put into their care & they are the professionals!! Wishing no pukus for Boom Boom & I hope today is a better day :YMHUG:
 
Sorry your vet isn't more helpful! Our vets aren't the greatest, either, so we try to use a mix of what they say and what we learn here. I just tune certain things out and don't share certain things! :mrgreen:

Our dogs are on fortiflora every day - we order from Amazon. It ends up being around $17-$20 a box versus around $30 from the vet's office. I ordered Logan's from Amazon, as well - I think it was around the same price as the dogs'. A lot cheaper than the vet's office!

Hopefully, the budesonide will help the flare up.
 
Good news on the no pukus, sorry about the vet attitude. I think a lot of us are getting cynical. Keeping the no pukus vines flowing.
 
I hope Boomer feels better soon.

With the help of this board you have a lot more information and knowledge than just a short time ago, while your vet can not specialize to this degree. Sounds like you've kept your relationship civil, which is a good thing. It should be a relationship, though it's frustrating when there's a lack of knowledge, or even interest, in your specific needs. You put Boomer's needs above that, I think that's the best you can do.
 
Hi again. Maybe I'm not being nice. My vet is a nice person. She hugs me and kisses Boomer, so she's got a good heart. The thing is that she's not good at THIS.

Here's another part of the story. She told me she had another patient who was diabetic and had IBD and the cat's owner brought her cat to a "feline vet/ nutritionist" whose office happens to be in DBF's town. This "nutritionist" recommended Spot's Stew for this cat and thus, my vet recommended it to me too. Apparently my vet and the nutritionist new each other in vet school 30 years ago and she was "hot ticket" who "knew her stuff". I have heard of Spot's Stew but can't remember if it's Halo or Wellness or if it's low carb. I asked her - is it low carb and she said it was but I think she was assuming it was since this vet recommended it to a diabetic cat. So that's what I got from her - "try Spot's Stew".

So I look up this vet and it turns out she does homeopathy for cats, she's not a "nutritionist". I don't know anything about homeopathy. Her husband shares the practice with her and he does accupuncture. All I can see is dollar signs. $$$$$ I don't doubt this stuff is probably very helpful, but I'm not J Lo in the money department.

Anyone know anything about Spot's Stew and why it's so great???? :twisted:
 
Halo makes Spots Stew & I have no idea if it is good or not , especially for Diabetes. The ingredients did not look like it, but I could be wrong.
 
I'd have a tough time taking food recommendations from a vet who suggests dry food for a diabetic cat.

I'm out of the loop on what foods you've tried. We got pukus from some foods we introduced to Kitty's diet also -- specifically, Sophisticat and Wellness. But the fault might have been mine, for serving a whole plate of the stuff, instead of mixing it in with his old food and changing gradually.

I wish I could be more helpful. The only thing I can offer is to watch Boomer for constipation. Some kitties find Fortiflora constipating. If his box use changes, you might want to cut back -- or maybe add some Miralax? Hillary uses the fortiflora, I know, and I don't think Maui had this problem. ECID.

(((Traci))) And congratulations on not being intimidated.
 
Okay, I just checked both the old and new food charts and there are no Halo products on the lists. After looking on Halo's website I've learned that their cat food is all gluten free and the ingredients seem good - but there is nothing on % of carbs, however they recommend thier Spot's Stew (which comes in about 6 flavors) for diabetic cats and even say that diabetic dogs could benefit from eating thier CAT food.

I've never called a company about the % of carbs in the food. Does anyone know exactly what I should ask if I call them? I don't want to say the wrong thing. I know it's the "as fed" percentage, but how do I ask for it?
 
Hi Traci and Boomer, can't help you in the food dept but I agree with what other's say about ordering from amazon. I got my fortiflora on amazon and I also order the Halo treats on there since they are so much cheaper than in the store. Amazon is a great place to get pet products and so much other stuff for cheaper. Sorry about your vet, I know the feeling my first vet was a complete idiot, the one who diagnosed Scrabble, but my vet now is great although I have taught her so much about diabetes. Hoping the pills will help for Boomer. My kitties love fortiflora. I was using it while Scrabble was on ab. Hope you have a great day!
 
I think both Janet and Dr. Lisa have some pointers on their websites on what to ask when contacting pet food mfg. for info.
 
Hi, Traci. If you want to pursue info on this food - I encourage you to post on Health - they are very responsive & very knowledgable. Good Luck!!
 
Sorry to hear the vet wasn't super helpful Tracy! I was curious to see what she said since we've had pukus problems with Max too. I'm starting to think his problem was the new quilt as he's never thrown up on my bed but when that quilt was on it (twice!). :lol: Somehow we've been lucky in the last several days and only had minimal hairballs and pukus...but now that I've said that, I'm sure I've doomed myself. Actually, tho, I think it's helped that I've stopped switching flavors of food. It doesn't seem to matter which one he gets, as long as he's not getting a different one at each feeding. Odd, but whatever...I'll take it!

Anyway, good luck with the meds, I hope they work and you can find a solution for Boomer! And keep me posted on your raw trials--I'll be investigating that next month when I have more "free" time at work. :-D
 
Well, WE are HAPPY about Boomer....LOL
Hope all that stuff helps him, and well, we are kinda on our own when it comes to our furbabies. We all seem to do research on everything that concerns them....and it is best to not always take someone's word for something. Some vets just leave a lot to be desired when we get a "blah" response....
Hugs to you guys!!
 
You mean to tell me that Spot has been cooking stew and I didn't know it!!! Hummmppphh...I actually thought stew was Stu's department :lol: :lol: :lol:

I hope that the meds and the FF help Boomer out!
 
Deb! If it turns out this food is good for diabetics you have to get it!!! There are about 6 varieties. I wrote to Halo on their website. They seem pretty transparent and willing to share information because they seem proud of their ingredients. We'll see!!!
 
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