MURPHY - SICK - MUSCLE WASTING

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missmurphy2010

missmurphy2010

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Hi all. I've been off the forum for a while. I shattered both ankles about 8 weeks ago and have been in an assisted rehab facility. On 9/15/11, the day before my accident I took Murphy in for a check up and everything was fine, she was at 15#. Now, keep in mind, I've been gone for 8 weeks and I know nothing about pet grief for their owners, or stress caused by the abandonment feeling, last Thursday when my sitter took her in for a 4-week check up, Murphy had already lost 2#. This past Sunday, my case management nurse took me to see my apartment for hazards, and when I saw my little girl, I was quite shocked. I am deeply concerned b/c 2 # is too much for a cat to lose in one month's time. In addition, I see some aggressive muscle wasting and her spine is quite boney. I'm coming home on Friday of this week, and my vet thinks that Murphy needs to get back on track. Although this really isn't about diabetes, I'm thinking it very well could be, although her BG at the vet's office was 89. Does anyone have anything enlightening to share with me?

Hope all are well, Lisa
 
There are many things that can cause weight loss, Lisa. If you are financially able, I would have another check up with the vet. Did they do anything besides take her weight - blood test or anything? 89 at the vet is a normal number so it doesn't seem like it would be diabetes. It is quite possible that she really missed you and is depressed and maybe has not been eating, but I would get things checked out.
 
Hi Lisa,
If you google "muscle wasting" it can be so many different things. Something as simple as old age, for one. But if possible, I would have a full blood work done by the vet. With a "normal" BG at the vet, I can't see how it could be diabetes related. But the blood work can rule out that as well as many other possibilities. And like Sue said, it could be as simple as separation anxiety, and once you get home soon, she'll immediately improve. Has the person who has been feeding her while you were away noticed an obvious decline in how much food she's been eating? Please let us know how Murphy is doing once you get home and can observe her for a few days. I'm sure she'll be happy for a return to the old "routine".

Carl
 
OMG - you are not going to believe this. Murphy's vet tech put in her chart that she should get one puff of Ventolin (asthma rescue inhaler) twice per day. What are the long-term side effects of overdose/overuse of Ventolin? Weight loss, muscle wasting, cardiac issues, organ failure. There are reported deaths of chronic and overuse of Ventolin and other rescue inhalers. So, I believe this is what has caused the situation. I just hope to God that there is no long-term damage. I think that I should have her seen by the vet tomorrow, although it will stress her, because I'm moving on Friday and coming home to the move, and my cats will be boarded again that day. I suppose better to be safe than sorry. I just cannot believe this!

Murphy's diabetes was a result of the iatrogenic Cushing's she got from long-term use of Flovent inhaler, which we dramatically decreased and so the Cushing's has subsided as well as her diabetes now being gone. So, thank goodness for this news. But it took the reduction in Flovent to improve the Cushing's.

I cannot believe this and I'm ready to punch someone!@
 
Wow, I want the 2nd punch if he's still standing when you're done with him.

At least there looks to be a "reason". Some of the links I went to mentioned kidney problems, so I'd ask the vet to check there first. How long has she gotten the treatments? I agree, a vet visit asap.

Please keep us posted
Carl
 
Yes, that's what I say -- totally wow. I'm in shock that the don't know about Ventolin! There are reported deaths from 'PEOPLE' overusing it to lose weight for G-d sakes! It makes total sense but then I have to look at the possibility of hypokalemia and the need for potassium supplementation, which should be rather easy (I would hope) to regulate. She has been on the Ventolin since 9/21/11 so between 9/21/11 and 10/20, she lost 2 pounds. I'm so pissed -- excuse me, but if this is the case and her labs come back showing the potassium issue, I'm going to probably jump the counter -- well, not really since I can't even walk right now. I just hope that there isn't any damage from it, but at last I'm cautious enough with her help b/c she is so fragile that I put an end to the Ventolin last Thursday. Feline asthma I know backwards and forwards, and sometimes, I have had to educate my vet but why on earth the tech put this dosage in her chart is beyond me.

There's hell to be paid for mess'n with my babe!
 
Oh my gosh I'm so sorry you and Miss Murphy are going through this. Sending prayers she will be ok. And for you too! Sorry to hear about your accident.
jeanne
 
Murphy is at the vet's office overnight for monitoring. I had my sitter bring Oscie in as well. As soon as she saw her tech, she was thrilled and was purring and kneading her paws. She seemed excited to be around the action. One of the other vets examined her and she did hear a heart "gallop," which I am not sure I know about but can guarantee like everything else that I will know about tomorrow - and I still think excessive Ventolin use could have caused this gallop of her heart. I hope that this will go away, but then there is the potassium level causing hypokalemia to consider. I will let all know tomorrow. Now that my eyes are clear from crying, I am going to take another xanax and call it a night -- only one more night to go here at rehab then I'm home.
 
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