Lily's new personality

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Elizabeth20

Elizabeth20

Member Since 2020
Hi all

Lil was diagnosed at the end of November. She had some odd behaviours when she was very poorly, like sleeping behind the toilet bowl, but she's now sleeping back in her normal spots. Her weight is all back on and we're getting closer to regulation with her fairly consistently in the blues and greens.

She seems like a different cat though. So grumpy always, rarely purring, staring blankly when we put hands out to fuss whereas before she would come over, scratching the carpet for food when her bowl is already full, and rarely going out. Is this who she is now? I miss my loving cuddly girl. I feel like I'm keeping her here against her will and she has a miserable life and it makes me so sad.
 
Lily is looking good. Are you using callipers? Just asking because if the odd reductions in dose you are taking instead of the normal 0.25 reductions.

I’m not sure why Lily is doing what she is doing. Does she have any bad teeth that may be hurting.?
 
I read in your notes in your spreadsheet that she was recently treated for worms, had she acted strangely before treatment?
 
Hi Bron

Yes I'm using calipers and have started shaving her dose down rather than doing the 0.25 drop to reduce the new dose wonkiness she can have and keep her as stable as possible. I know it's not protocol but she seems to be doing ok, touch wood.

Her teeth seem fine but she is prone to limping if she has been out or even just chasing the laser pen. I think she has some arthritis, she's been stiff for a good couple of years now. No sign of any weakness in her back legs.
 
phakewishard said:
I read in your notes in your spreadsheet that she was recently treated for worms, had she acted strangely before treatment?
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Hi. She was fine just a round tummy and a couple of times a bit of a tummy ache position. She did puke up a worm which was a shock and prompted early treatment a month or so before she was due. It's another week I think till her next dose so I hope she's not suffering.
 
Moo Moo was treated with canine adequan for arthritis and it really helped her, I don't know if it's avaliable in the UK or if any vets would prescribe it.

Has Lily had any bloodwork done recently? Has anything else changed in her environment? How long ago did she start acting grumpy/strange?

It could just be she has tummy aches because of the worms. I couldn't tell you for sure, I don't have a lot of experience in that department. Other members may have more knowledge than me. I hope Lily feels better soon :bighug::bighug::bighug:
 
I'll look into what vets give for it here, thank you.

She had bloods done in November but I'm not sure if they were only testing for thyroid and diabetes. She's been grumpy ever since she started losing weight and then weird since she started insulin. But it was all in a short space of time. Hopefully once the worms are all done for she'll feel a bit happier.
 
What you're describing reminds me of how my cats have behaved when they are uncomfortable or in pain (e.g. when my cat, Bella, was diagnosed with pancreatitis). You may want to consider taking Lily to the vet to be checked out. I hope she's feeling better soon.
 
Critter Mom said:
I second this suggestion.


Was she weird on both insulins, or just on the Lantus?

Does her behaviour/mood change at different points in the insulin cycle?


Mogs
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Hiya Mogs

Weird on both. She did sit on me as long as Ben wasn't here for a while but she's stopped that now. No more cuddles. She would shift about like she couldn't get comfortable, no matter where she lay. She seems more comfortable now but almost like she's depressed. I'll get her booked in for the vets. I'm very short of money so hopefully no further tests needed.
 
Hi Elizabeth,

I asked about whether
Elizabeth20 said:
She would shift about like she couldn't get comfortable, no matter where she lay. She seems more comfortable now but almost like she's depressed.
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That sounds like there's something up. (((Lily)))

Brainstorming here:

- How is she eating? Any signs of nausea at all, even intermittent?

- Does she ever sit hunched in a 'tense meatloaf' position?

- Does she ever seek out cooler surfaces to sit/lie on (e.g. tiled floor)?

- Does she ever seem more uncomfortable after eating?

- Does she have any history of GI issues?

- Have you ever had a test for pancreatitis run (Spec fPL)?

Suggested reading:

Nausea and appetite problems - symptoms and treatments (GI and pancreas issues can cause discomfort and nausea when eating).

IDEXX feline pancreatitis guidelines - diagnosis and treatment

I asked about whether there was any difference in Lily's mien and behaviours on both insulins because sometimes a particular insulin may disagree with a particular cat. If she's been the same way on both products then it would seem less likely an issue caused by the insulin type (though not impossible) but if you can't find anything else perhaps discuss trying a different insulin with your vet (e.g. Levemir)?

Please let us know how Lily gets on at the vet.


Mogs
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- How is she eating? Any signs of nausea at all, even intermittent?

Still eating like a little horse.

- Does she ever sit hunched in a 'tense meatloaf' position?

She very occasionally does this. Like once a month maybe. She did have it quite a bit around November which was one of the reasons I took her in - she seemed to be feeling so poorly. I do notice it when she does it because she looks so much like she has a tummy ache

- Does she ever seek out cooler surfaces to sit/lie on (e.g. tiled floor)?

She used to get off the sofa and lie on the carpet or behind the loo or next to a wall but she stopped this in the last couple of months.

- Does she ever seem more uncomfortable after eating?

Not that I can tell. She has little and often, grooms a lot after and then falls asleep. Increasingly in a normal position like a little prawn, legs all plaited together straight out

- Does she have any history of GI issues?

The vet did say she had rubbery intestines. She is also sensitive to a lot of food and gets diarrhoea. Current food is fine and no upset since Christmas when she had diarrhoea and was puking, we think due to new duck snacks. I didn't know till this year that she was supposed to be wormed so regularly. Well stocked up on the hated tablets now!

- Have you ever had a test for pancreatitis run (Spec fPL)?[/QUOTE]

No. I'm struggling to find how much this costs. I had assumed she must have mild pancreatitis especially with her round firm tummy, but the vet didn't say anything and she had no other symptoms so I didn't ask. Apart from dried pancreas supplements, would pain relief help with this?
 
Dasha and Kabosu said:
I also agree it sounds like she may be in pain!
I'd ask your vet about that. They may prescribe her some pain medication and you'll see whether that changes her behaviour.
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I was thinking this. Her eyes look like she's suffering, slightly lowered lids all the time. I'd very much like to see whether something so straightforward would help her feel happier.
 
It could even be something not related to diabetes at all, she is 12 and may have arthritis. Does she get irritated when you touch her hips or legs?
 
Elizabeth20 said:
Hiya Mogs

Weird on both. She did sit on me as long as Ben wasn't here for a while but she's stopped that now. No more cuddles. She would shift about like she couldn't get comfortable, no matter where she lay. She seems more comfortable now but almost like she's depressed. I'll get her booked in for the vets. I'm very short of money so hopefully no further tests needed.
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If she's uncomfortable, maybe it's arthritis?
 
I've been suspecting arthritis for some time. Shes been stiff going down stairs for a couple of years now and since October when she had a fall and ripped a pad off her right front paw she's prone to limping after even the lightest play, chasing treats or the laser pen. I can't find any heat or swelling or any sore spots, so I think she's just getting old and sore like we all are. I'll take her to the vet for some pain relief. I've been recommended gabapentin but any suggestions welcome.
 
Elizabeth20 said:
I've been suspecting arthritis for some time. Shes been stiff going down stairs for a couple of years now and since October when she had a fall and ripped a pad off her right front paw she's prone to limping after even the lightest play, chasing treats or the laser pen. I can't find any heat or swelling or any sore spots, so I think she's just getting old and sore like we all are. I'll take her to the vet for some pain relief. I've been recommended gabapentin but any suggestions welcome.
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Yes, I have a suggestion.... ask about adequan injections. They are seriously life changing. You give two shots a week for four weeks, then 1 shot a week for 4 weeks, then a shot every 3 to 4 weeks. My cat had bad arthritis/boney growth from having acromegaly so I continued a shot each week. THese shots kept her moving. I suspect without them she wouldn't have been walking the last couple years. Since you already know how to do shots, it's no big deal. She also had a prescription for gabapentin, but really that just made her tired and sometimes wobbly.
 
Thank you Janet, I'll definitely ask about them. I know gabapentin can be nasty, my mum used to take it for pain and she looked drunk a lot of the time, it was horrible.
 
Elizabeth20 said:
I was thinking this. Her eyes look like she's suffering, slightly lowered lids all the time. I'd very much like to see whether something so straightforward would help her feel happier.
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Assuming it's not contraindicated, maybe the vet might prescribe some buprenorphine for a few days to see whether that makes her feel better, move better, behave more like herself? If yes, then you'd have some bit of confirmation that she's been experiencing pain. Thereafter, of course, yourself and the vet would need to identify the root cause. If it were pancreatitis then, yes, bupe can help with that (see the IDEXX link above for more info). Chronic pancreatitis can wax and wane. I'm not sure about IBD and pain. You might find more info at ibdkitties.net.

Here are a couple of resources that are helpful for assessing pain in cats:

Feline Grimace Scale Guide

Glasgow Feline Composite Measure Pain Scale


Mogs
.
 
Elizabeth20 said:
Thank you Janet, I'll definitely ask about them. I know gabapentin can be nasty, my mum used to take it for pain and she looked drunk a lot of the time, it was horrible.
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I only gave them gabapentine on a very rare occation... and to my other cat who will try to eat the groomer when she needs mats out. hahahaha
 
Critter Mom said:
Assuming it's not contraindicated, maybe the vet might prescribe some buprenorphine for a few days to see whether that makes her feel better, move better, behave more like herself? If yes, then you'd have some bit of confirmation that she's been experiencing pain. Thereafter, of course, yourself and the vet would need to identify the root cause. If it were pancreatitis then, yes, bupe can help with that (see the IDEXX link above for more info). Chronic pancreatitis can wax and wane. I'm not sure about IBD and pain. You might find more info at ibdkitties.net.

Here are a couple of resources that are helpful for assessing pain in cats:

Feline Grimace Scale Guide

Glasgow Feline Composite Measure Pain Scale


Mogs
.
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Hi Mogs, sorry just realised I didn't respond to this!

I'm taking her to the vet this afternoon and will suggest a trial course of buprenorphine to see how she responds and hopefully tell whether its pain or feeling unwell that's making her sad.

The grimace scale is familiar. Her eyes are all wrong and even the kids are saying she has a grumpy face. Funny how theres a difference between a relaxed half closed eye and a miserable, weight of the world on you closed eye.

She went out for a bit today and came in purring at a good volume but the rest of the day you have to get your ear right on her to hear a purr if it's there at all. There's definitely a quality of life aspect to her mood.

I'll let you know what the vet says.
 
Elizabeth20 said:
Yes I'm using calipers and have started shaving her dose down rather than doing the 0.25 drop to reduce the new dose wonkiness she can have and keep her as stable as possible.
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A little late responding, but new dose wonkiness happens on increases, not on decreases.

FYI - not sure you can get Adequan for arthritis in the UK. We can't in Canada, so got Cartrophen instead. It's quite similar and good for arthritis. Good luck with the vet visit.
 
Lily's been prescribed a short course of Rheumocam. The vet couldn't find any sore spots and was happy with her weight and overall condition but said she may have had some 'systemic' changes. No difference spotted in her so far.
 
Please double check that this is the formulation for cats. It contains meloxicam or Metacam. There is a version of Metacam that is OK for cats in Europe but I would not give a dog version to her. It is a different concentration and harmful to cats.
 
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