Cricket's cabergoline thread

Hello Teresa, from me and fellow (newly-diagnosed) acro kitty Rocket. I just re-read your whole thread here, and was hoping to get an update on how you and Cricket are doing. Hope you're doing ok. :bighug:
 
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Keskat&Rocket said:
Hello Teresa, from me and fellow (newly-diagnosed) acro kitty Rocket. I just re-read your whole thread here, and was hoping to get an update on how you and Cricket are doing. Hope you're doing ok. :bighug:
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Hi, thanks for asking
Things have been sort of at a plataeu for Cricket.
No signs of a seizure since my last check-in (fingers crossed)
But she is declining in overall well-being.
It is harder to walk, she falls down alot. And she fell trying to get off the bed a couple of times when I wasn't looking.
(I just spent half the day taking apart my bed frame so it is low to the ground now)
Lots of muscle wasting, esp around hips
I don't have a scale but it is clear she lost some weight.

She also has peed out of the box are a couple of times last week.
She can sometimes stay up for peeing, but always falls down and has to poop laying down. :(
Needless to say, I often have to clean her fur on her backside, mostly from pee.

So that stuff is sad.
Last week we went outside (I live in an apt complex and it is not so easy to do so) and she seemed to like it so I took her out the next day, but I think it was too much. She got worn out, had respiratory issues that night, etc.
So I might take her out tomorrow, but I will just carry her to some grass instead of walking her. I think it is too much for her body to handle.

She also has some pain in her mouth or jaw area. It might be because she has a hard time cleaning so food builds up and cakes around her whiskers if I don't clean it off in time, then it is harder to clean because it pulls out fur when it comes out...

She also has some jaw issue where she would crack her jaw in this crazy-sounding way, I'll post a video when I get a chance. She was doing that alot this month, but I haven't heard it in days, so perhaps it is resolved. It was very weird.



So sorry to hear about Rocket's diagnosis.
This is a rough disease, but the help you will find here is invaluable.
:bighug:
She is still very present, eats well and snuggles in the early morning.
Her BS was going nicely down, then it popped back up and now it seems to be evening out again.
 
Oh man, Teresa, I'm so sad to hear about Cricket. It hurts my heart. Rocket is not as far along as Cricket, but he is having problems with his back legs and litterbox issues too. He peed in the middle of the kitchen last week for the first time. Anyway I'm just trying to say that I can relate (with the cleaning too; Rocket is super fluffy). Cricket knows how much you love her. I'm glad she still snuggles with you. She comes to you for comfort, which means so much. My kitty does too; he was just laying on my arm while I was trying to type. :) I wish I could help. My heart goes out to you. This disease sucks. We're in the same time zone; feel free to send a msg anytime. :bighug:

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Teresa - I wonder if adding buprenorphine would be helpful for Cricket, especially as you say there is pain. We tried gaba for Neko, but by itself it wasn't enough to help her arthritis pain. Have you ever looked at the Acrotracker? It's linked in the What We Know Sticky Note. There is a section on acro issues and symptoms that can give you an idea what others have seen.

Karen @Keskat&Rocket Hang in there, getting Rocket regulated will help his little legs. He's looking much better on Levemir, much flatter, just gotta get to better doses. And best of luck for you on the 26th. :bighug:

JeffJ said:
Maybe it is just a 1% disease
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Actually, recent research shows 25% of diabetic kittehs test positive for acromegaly. But vets used to be trained that it is rare.
 
Wendy&Neko said:
Actually, recent research shows 25% of diabetic kittehs test positive for acromegaly. But vets used to be trained that it is rare.
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I agree with you Wendy, and that is correct.

What I meant to say was that diabetes (including Acro) is a 1% disease - where 1% of all cats get diabetes. (and 25% of those would test positive for Acro). Still, with a 1% disease, one would kind of expect that vet schools would spend more time training upcoming vets on both diabetes and Acro. Out of curiosity I looked up the prevalence of diabetes in cats. This article says 0.2% - 1.0%. I wouldn't be surprised if the percentage is actually higher.
https://www.vet.cornell.edu/departm...ormation/feline-health-topics/feline-diabetes
 
Wendy&Neko said:
Teresa - I wonder if adding buprenorphine would be helpful for Cricket, especially as you say there is pain. We tried gaba for Neko, but by itself it wasn't enough to help her arthritis pain. Have you ever looked at the Acrotracker? It's linked in the What We Know Sticky Note. There is a section on acro issues and symptoms that can give you an idea what others have seen.

Hi Wendy,
I plan on chatting with my vet about pain stuff next time I'm in. I'm mostly trying to find a balance between effective and not going to make her too out of it, because she already has such a hard time walking/balancing.

I just took a peek at the acrotracker, it looks like a lot so I'll have to dive in another time, thanks.
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Hey everyone,
Cricket is having a rough time.
Basically, she is really slowing down.
I mentioned this elsewhere, but I think somethingwas off with her last bottle of cabergoline--her #'s went up and I ran out a week too early. Which also meant she had a few days without as I waited for the new bottle to come.
The day after her first dose with the new bottle, her BS dropped to good #'s again.

But her energy is basically non-existent.
She's staying pretty dehydrated- drinking plenty, and getting extra with food, but also just laying down next to the water bowl.

We went to the vet for constipation a couple weeks ago ad they got some out and gave her some fluids. He didn't think she was fully constipated (no straining/vomiting, etc) just lacking in mobility.

She lost weight, but is now basically back to her normal, pre-acro weight of 12 lbs. She was at 16 before the diabetes Dx!
Unfortunately, its obvious that she's lost a lot of muscle.

Also she has had 3 episodes in the last month and a half... which may or may not be seizures.

Her neuropathy is really bad, but to be fair, I ran out of methylcobalmin B12 and am ordering some now.

We also have a visit with the IM this week, so we'll see what she says.
But we're in palliative care now.
She barely tries to walk now and doesn't seek out snuggles.
But, yesterday I layed down with her for a long time and she fell right into it and was a purr-machine!
It kills me that she can't get into the bed, I've been waking to her morning snuggles for 12 years and it hurts to have that ending.

Also, I'm trying to figure out how to get a diaper to stay on her. It's not as easy as it sounds (maybe because I've only ever changed a diaper on a human once lol!)
 
I’m so sorry to hear this update. Thank you for sharing. But at the same time it’s a beautiful thing that your kitty has you, who cares so much about her and who takes such good care of her. I hate acro and what it does to our kitties. :’( As for getting into bed, have you thought about setting up a bed on the floor to be near her? That’s what I’ve been doing for Rocket the last week or so- I have one of those soft tent pads, and I pile it up with a couple of blankets and a pillow, that way if he needs me I’m right there. It’s kind of like a slumber party! Anyway I know it sounds kind of silly, but he can’t get up on the bed either, and this morning I woke up to him right next to me. :)

Again, I’m so very sorry you and Cricket are going through this. Give her a bunch of huggles for me. Hugs to you too. :bighug::bighug::bighug::bighug::bighug:
 
Hi Teresa - I'm also sorry to hear about Cricket's current slow down. I hope you can get Cricket to recover some. The Zobaline is really a big key to resolving the neuropathy. At Leo's worst, we were losing hope. Then he turned the corner and his neuropathy healed (early 2017) - thru BG regulation and Zobaline. So keep trying. It's possible to get Cricket turned around.

When Leo had neuropathy (2016), and near the end during his big weight loss (2019), we put cushioned stools near the couch and his "special padded chair". He really liked them. But we also made several cat beds on the floor, and he seemed to like the different places to sleep. I was like Karen - I used to lay down on the floor with him too. He liked that as well. My sweet little kitteh.

Hugs to you and Cricket. Acro is just cruddy.
 
Cricket update:
  • Went to IM on Wednesday. It didn't look good. Vet had the Quality of life talk with me. Cricket was pretty weak and had an episode later that day. (I came home from work and found her with head pressed against bathroom corner and tongue all the way out).
  • She came through but over the last few days has been immobile.
  • She actually hasn't stood up for 2 days, as far as I can tell.
  • Still eating and drinking when she can.
  • BS up and down
  • I'm worried that she hasn't urinated overnight or yet today (its 2pm and she' on diuretics) It seemed like she was just trying. She only peed twice yesterday (both while I was at work) The last thing she needs is urinary blockage and all things related to urine/bladder/kidneys has been clear so far so this is confusing.
  • I'm considering cbd oil, but I also know we are close to the end.
  • Any advice is helpful right now.
 
Is Cricket having any good moments? Is she enjoying life? If not, it may be time for the hardest but kindest thing you can do. :bighug::bighug::bighug:
 
Wendy&Neko said:
Is Cricket having any good moments? Is she enjoying life? If not, it may be time for the hardest but kindest thing you can do. :bighug::bighug::bighug:
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That's what I'm waiting for: if she starts giving me the idication that she is considerably unhappy, that is when I will move towards that decision.
Right now she seems mostly neutral. The past few days, we had some sweet moments of cuddling and her purring.
Today isn't a great day
I was holding her for a while and attempting to find her bladder to try expelling it (she isn't showing signs of pain so I don't think it is true obstruction) and after I put her down, she seems to be slipping into an episode.
I'm wondering if motion triggers it.... that would explain the one vet's vestibular theory..

But yeah, I'm just starting to come to terms with this impending reality.
It's hard. She's been my partner, my companion, for 12 years. She's supported me through some of my most difficult times in my life.
A friend who cat sat for her a while back came by today and remarked on how she is a completely different cat. Gone is the rambunctous, loud, talkative, playful and large presence she has always been.

I'm thinking of inviting friends who love her to come by this weekend to say good-byes. She was always an immensely social cat, so this seems appropriate that she get to see people she loved before she goes.
 
Maybe feel up under her abdomen, toward the back legs, to see if she has a full bladder. You would feel a large, somewhat hard, ball shaped mass (like an orange). Tubby had problems emptying his bladder late in the game. Also, weak and ill animals sometimes won't muster the strength to go.

The other possibilities are that she's peeing but you're not aware of it (unlikely given the immobility), or that her kidneys are no longer producing urine. The latter is significant and would need to be dealt with immediately.

I'm really, really sorry. Reading your posts puts me right back to Tubby's final days. He rallied so many times that it was hard to know when to give up. In making the decision, I asked myself a couple of questions:
1. If this is as good as it gets, is it good enough?
2. Is this a temporary "bump in the road" with realistic hope of getting back to even a minimally acceptable quality of life?

Cats have remarkable healing abilities but something is causing the weakness and immobility and it might not be simple neuropathy. I'm afraid that with what you've described, Cricket might be very tired and perhaps unable to continue fighting the ravages of this disease. Sometimes they tolerate intolerable circumstances and soldier on because it's what they do and because they love us.

Acro just sucks, no way around it. Sending hugs your way.
 
Yeah @JL and Chip , her weakness is not really about neuropathy- the tumor is pushing on part of her brain that affected her whole right side.
Today she is just 100% weak tho. She did sit up in the morningto eat, but she seems unable to use both her back legs right now.

I do think not peeing is about weakness.

I just felt around and think I found the bladder, but I don't want to just squeeze till I find out for sure (I have a friend who was a vet assistant)

She also ate a full meal of wet food with water in it last night and a small breakfast this morning.


I am pondering those Qs you posed. I am giving it some more days and hopefully cbd oil to see where it goes from here.
(hearts)
 
Teresa & Cricket said:
she seems unable to use both her back legs right now.
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Given the episodes you describe, it might be worth checking that she still has sensation in her back legs. The feet are still warm to the touch, correct?

Simple way is to take a pointed (not sharp) object, such as a pen, and gently touch or run it along the paw pads of the hind feet to see if she pulls them away. The reason I suggest this is if she has some neurological involvement with the tumor and brain, and with the odd episodes you describe, anything that potentially affects sensation to the back end could also theoretically affect sensation to the bladder.

Anyway, I don't want to alarm you, just thought it worth ruling out. These acro kitties are complicated cases and like to throw us curve balls.

I really, truly hope Cricket has a better day tomorrow. I'll be thinking about you.
 
JL and Chip said:
Given the episodes you describe, it might be worth checking that she still has sensation in her back legs. The feet are still warm to the touch, correct?

Simple way is to take a pointed (not sharp) object, such as a pen, and gently touch or run it along the paw pads of the hind feet to see if she pulls them away. The reason I suggest this is if she has some neurological involvement with the tumor and brain, and with the odd episodes you describe, anything that potentially affects sensation to the back end could also theoretically affect sensation to the bladder.

Anyway, I don't want to alarm you, just thought it worth ruling out. These acro kitties are complicated cases and like to throw us curve balls.

I really, truly hope Cricket has a better day tomorrow. I'll be thinking about you.
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Yes, she has sensation, this has been checked by every vet visit since ust before her acro dx, and periodically by me. Altho her response has been getting less and less as time goes on.
Her feet get a little cold these days but she still has blood flow/cappillary reflex.
 
I'm heartbroken reading your update. I'm so sorry. Cricket is a beautiful cat and I'm glad you've been able to spend so much time with her. Your thought of having friends over to say goodbye... it's perfect. Even if she can't respond much, she'll feel the love from the people who care about her. I don't know what else to say except that I'm thinking about you both. Enjoy as many snuggles with your kitty as you can. :bighug::bighug::bighug::bighug::bighug:
 
Hugs to you Teresa. You have done a great job taking care of Cricket. These are always hard times with a kitteh when they are going downhill. Often the decision is not always obvious.:bighug::bighug::bighug:

For us and Leo, it became evident that his downhill slide could not be stopped, or reversed. And his last month was significantly worse than the previous month. His mind was mostly there and he was purry and friendly. But his body was giving out, basically a slow starvation. Another month would have been even worse. We were able to afford home euthanasia. It made it easier on us, and especially Leo. I recommend it, if and when it comes to that.

The Monday candle is lit for Leo tonight. And I'm sending healing vines to you and Cricket tonight also.:bighug::bighug::bighug:
 
Couple other weird symptoms/issues of note for folks who want to know:
  • She got bad razor-burn at the vet where they took her blood. They were very surprised adn I had never seen it. Still healing. Likely she is inflamed/sensitive right now
  • She seems to be losing fur on a patch on her left front arm.
  • The whiskers on her right side are breaking off--not shedding, actually breaking (but not left)
  • Some of her nails are very thick
  • When she is dehydrated, I can tell because her ears feel thinner when I got to draw blood.
  • Some issues with swallowing and hiccups. (Vet told me acros can sometimes have the back of their tongue enlarge)
  • She has more difficulty eating/drinking in that her tongue doesn't seem to work as normal, it takes more effort and her face or chin gets covered in food/water.
  • Sometimes her poop has been so dry it was like sand or dry, crumbly dirt.
  • During an "episode" her jaw is often clenched and there is that clicking I described.
  • Possible facial paralysis: She eats weird, favors one side and ends up with a mess on her face. After an "episode" she often drools food out the opposite side of mouth while eating.
 
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I left the apt for a bit and she finally peed! And pooped!
She's now still pretty out of it, breathing with some pronounced stridor right now.
She didn't respond to food, but I managed to get her to eat a little watered down via syringe after her pm shot.
 
Oh Teresa, I'm in tears. I'm so very very sorry. You tried so hard. I can only imagine what you're going through. Cricket was a beautiful girl and she was very loved. Biggest hugs to you.

Farewell sweet Cricket. Land softly dear one.
 
Our Acro kittehs take so much from us. In return they give us unconditional love and devotion. You did so much for your sweet Cricket. She had the best life you could possibly give her, in a loving home.

May sweet Cricket fly free and land softly at the Bridge. She was loved.cat_wings>o
 
Teresa :bighug::bighug::bighug: I am so sorry. You truly did everything for Cricket. May she be running free, chasing after butterflies, young and acro free once again. Fly free Cricket. cat_wings>o
 
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