Mr. Howell has got a tummy ache - Next day update

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Emily & Mr. Howell

Emily & Mr. Howell

Member Since 2011
Hi LL!
I have been so ridiculously busy this week, I've been unable to post. I've been following along where I can and keeping tabs on the kitties, just no time for comments.
Mr. Howell has been doing awesome his first week OTJ. I ran out of test strips a few days ago, then hesitated buying some more from AWD because I'm thinking of switching to a ReliOn meter because my last 15 True Track strips have all error'd on me (after the last 75 from that batch were fine), but haven't made it out to WalMart yet (I have been working 8-6 every day for two weeks, including the weekends, so I'm beat). On top of that I had to finish building and ship a 275lb crate, so it's been quite hectic.
We got home at 4a.m. last night and Mr. Howell's appetite for play was insatiable. He was in a great mood, and has been eating his 3/4can FF 2times daily, so his appetite has been pretty good as well.
This morning we got up at 9 to send the crate off, and Mr. H had vomited multiple times -- on top of that he had diarrhea'd all over himself and in various spots of the apt. We got him to the kitchen and started cleaning him up, but when we went to touch his bottom he would meow in discomfort. We felt for a blockage but he didn't seem to express any reaction to us applying pressure on his abdomen, only when we tried to clean him up he would start crying. He continued to strain the rest of the morning and had a hard time making it to the box. As of now he's hiding in the closet, and we've been unable to get him to eat anything, including some boiled chicken which he usually loves.
This was so sudden -- literally happening between 6a.m. and 9a.m. He has been eating exclusively Chopped Grill FF, as it's the only flavor he seems to like.
:sad: I'm bummed he's feeling so sick. I was going to call a new vet Tues. to set up an appt. with them for a regular checkup and maybe a teeth cleaning, but I'd hate to have to take him in sooner because the alternative is my regular vet who discouraged home testing, gave me u40 syringes, didn't think it mattered what time you shot lantus, and enforced the 18% carb prescription dry food. I am really not a fan of their business, and they don't offer any kind of alternative payment plans. I just wanted to get him in to the new vet.
Any thoughts or suggestions? Should I not be feeding him only 1 flavor of food, even though he doesn't want anything else? :-|
Just when you get over one hill... there is another..
 
Re: Mr. Howell has got a tummy ache

This may not be something that can wait, especially if he's not eating. He could have a bowel obstruction that you can't assess. You also need to get strips. A sick kitty that is this recently in remission could easily be spiking high BG numbers and not knowing and not getting him in to a vet could mean a kitty with DKA. Trust me, you don't want that.

If this were my cat, I'd be calling the vet. You need something to settle Mr. H's stomach so he stops vomiting and to slow down the diarrhea. Both of these things throw electrolytes out of whack and cause dehydration. You don't know if he swallowed something he shouldn't (e.g., dental floss) or ate something toxic, or a million other possibilities.
 
Re: Mr. Howell has got a tummy ache

Sienne, he hasn't vomited or No. 2'd in about five hours. I am pretty positive he hasn't eaten anything unusual, because it is so unlike him to eat anything off of the floor, but you're right in that I don't know for sure. I was just wondering if it was still emergent since it seemed to be a quick bout of illness, and now he seems to be trying to recover.
Is there anything I can give him from home in the meantime? The only vet that is open is the emergency vet, and like I said they don't offer any alternative payment plans. I cannot afford to pay them up front like they insist.
 
Re: Mr. Howell has got a tummy ache

Just got the ReliOn Ultima and his BG is 91.
He hasn't vomited or no.2'd since about 10 a.m. this morning, about 6 hours ago. I feel like I just have to wait and see what his condition is like in a few hours. He isn't getting any worse, but then again how do I know.
 
Re: Mr. Howell has got a tummy ache

i don't know, but hate to leave your post unanswered for more than an hour when you're in a pickle. so are you saying you think whatever the episode is has passed? is he eating again? do you think he could've eaten anything?

i wouldn't think giving him the same food over and over would have anything to do with it. my cats mostly eat the same 2 flavors.

in general, people give yogurt or probiotics to try to re-establish flora in cat's guts. 1/4 of a regular pepsid tablet for nausea, canned pumpkin (not the pumpkin pie mix) or a very tiny bit of miralax to try to help fiber-wise.

you'll have to go with your own gut - if you think it's passed, is he acting sick besides? lethargic? eyes kinda closed even when they're open? how he's acting can tell you a lot.
 
Re: Mr. Howell has got a tummy ache

I wouldn't give Miralax if a cat has diarrhea! Miralax is for constipation.

Has Mr. H eaten again today? And, most importantly, had the food stayed where it's supposed to? Cat's can get a GI bug just like humans. Do you have any FortiFlora? If not, I'd probably get some probiotic to give Mr. H. It can't hurt and it can help with the diarrhea.

If he's not eating, I'd try some Pepsid (1/4 of a 10 mg tablet of Pepsid AC). You may also want to try to feed baby food -- either Beechnut or Gerber Stage 2 are just meat and broth. The baby food is easily digested and it's what my vet typically recommends when Gabby has had similar bouts of pukus and diarrhea.
 
Re: Mr. Howell has got a tummy ache

He still hasn't eaten anything. We gave him a little bath, which was stressful for him, but afterwards he let me hold him and dry him off. Now he's in my studio curled up in a fluffy towel, with his eyes closed. When he looks at me his eyes are pretty alert. He came to me when I crouched down and did our little beckoning dance.
I'll try the yogurt and pepcid and see if that helps. We syringed him some water after the bath, and so far it hasn't come back up. If not we have some canned crab meat maybe he'll like, or I'll get the baby food.
I think he is just taxed after so much puking and diarrhea. I know if I get a stomach bug I don't feel like doing much for a day or two.
Thank you both so much.
 
Re: Mr. Howell has got a tummy ache

Poor Mr. Howell! I hope that one of the above suggestions will work for him. I would be inclined to feed something very bland, like the baby food Sienne mentioned. I definitely would not feed crab!! (seafood allergies can be serious and you don't want to take a chance of having that on top of what he already has).
Sending lots of healing vines to your boy,

Ella & Rusty
 
Re: Mr. Howell has got a tummy ache

We managed to syringe feed him some beef gravy baby food with some probiotic plain yogurt, then some water. He is tolerating it so far. This evening I got him to be purry while I brushed him, and he's acting a bit more alert when he's awake, but he's definitely been taking it easy today. We shall see what tomorrow is like.
 
Well Mr. H met me at his food dish this morning, which was a great sign. He got 1oz boiled chicken and 1/4can CG FF, since it is his favorite. Right now he's back in my studio but he's awake and alert this morning.
Hope you all have a great Sunday!
 
I tend to keep a few jars of baby food stashed away in case Gabby has tummy troubles. Most cats really like it and for a day or two, it's easy on the tummy.

I'm glad Mr. Howell seems to be feeling better.
 
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