No dental today for Hardey - something in his intestines?

[houghtam]

Just got home from the vet. Hardey did not have dental/extractions today. They weighed him and he was down another 1/2 pound since last Thursday. Vet didn't feel comfortable putting him under if there was an underlying problem other than bad teeth that was causing such quick weight loss. They did an XRAY and said it looked like the left side of his intestines were filled with what looked like gas. She wasn't sure if it was a blockage or not. They gave him something to push the solids through (nothing has come out yet) and did another XRAY right before I picked him up at 5pm. The "gas" had moved, but was now almost his entire colon, not just the half it was earlier in the day. He has an appt with a specialist tomorrow morning for an ultrasound to try to see what is going on. Vet is hoping maybe it's some sort of bacteria that is producing mass amounts of gas, but she isn't sure just from an XRAY. Anyone ever heard of this?

Hardey is home now and inhaled some real tuna juice and a bit of food with real tuna on top. Not nearly enough for a cat who hasn't eaten since 9 pm last night. He has been drinking alot of water though. Is the water consumption normal after fasting for almost 18 hours?

Vet said she did a blood glucose this morning and it was 197. I know that is probably "vet stress", but still seems high. I'm going to test in an hour or so, once he has relaxed a bit.

I am at a loss. Any suggestions or ideas about what might be going on?

UPDATE - just did blood test - 110. About what it normally is this time of night. I just fed him more of a small can of real tuna - he's now had about 1/2 of the can and is wanting more. Having no problems chewing at all. Concerned that I shouldn't give him too much since his colon is full of gas. But, he wants more....

 

[houghtam]

Re: No dental today for Hardey - something in his intestines

bump

 

[Chris & China (GA)]

Re: No dental today for Hardey - something in his intestines

I know you're looking for answers or ideas and I'm sorry I don't have any for you. I think your vet is doing the right thing by not putting Hardey under any more stress with whatever is going on with him though.

So many just blindly go ahead without considering all the possibilities.

Yes, there are bacteria that can cause huge amounts of gas, but without the ultrasound and maybe some cultures to find out what's in his intestines, it'd be sheer guessing to say that's the only thing going on.

I'd think I'd let him eat as much as he wants tonight in small meals.(well, up to a point) and then not feed him any more after midnight so if the specialist wants to do any tests, he'll be NPO when you go in.

Will keep Hardey in our prayers for a good report from the specialist.

 

[houghtam]

Re: No dental today for Hardey - something in his intestines

Thanks Chris. Kind of what I was thinking too. I don't want to put Hardey through any more than I have to. The thought of him going through surgery makes me cringe. I don't want him cut open and have to go through a long healing time. What kind of life is that? I'm hoping it's just the bacteria like the vet thinks. How do they do cultures? Will it hurt him?

 

[Chris & China (GA)]

Re: No dental today for Hardey - something in his intestines

Almost all of that kind of stuff can be done with scopes now. A little uncomfortable, but not near as risky as surgery. Scope goes in with a little camera so they can get a good look around and there's a little "tool" they can take samples with too.

Hopefully though, the specialist will be able to tell more with the ultrasound and that won't be necessary either.

I know it's hard not to worry....but I'm going to tell you to try to relax. All the worry in the world is just going to make you miserable. Until you get more answers, enjoy the fact that he seems to be interested in eating tonight, and just watch for anything out of the ordinary that might help the vet when he takes a good look at him tomorrow.

Sending lots of good vetty vines your way!.....and a bottle of the finest wine...your choice of red, white or rose

 

[Sienne and Gabby (GA)]

Re: No dental today for Hardey - something in his intestines

FWIW, many years ago, Gabby ate dental floss. This is not a good thing for a kitty to eat. The surgeon had to open up her entire GI track to find the floss. In less than a week she was back to her usual self. Cats are very resilient.

 

[houghtam]

Re: No dental today for Hardey - something in his intestines

Thanks guys. So good to have someone to talk to that understands. I think my coworkers think I'm crazy.

Chris - I'll take all three types of wine at this point. I feel like all I do is follow him around and see what he's doing. I hate being a hover-er.... He has eaten almost an entire small can of white alabacore tuna (only the best, right?). Time to stop feeding though. His appt is at 9 am (which is 12 hours from now). Hope he doesn't get too thirsty. I have to pick that up too.

Sienne - hoping it's not dental floss... Hardey has a fetish for string. I have a "no string" policy in this house, but you never know.. he could have found one if we were sloppy. I wonder if there would be that much gas from something like that... you never know, right?

The positive thing is he didn't have any trouble chewing the tuna tonight, so maybe we won't need the dental if we can figure out what is going on with his intestines.....

I'll give an update in the morning. Thanks for all the support. Don't know what I would do if I didn't have you guys. nailbite_smile nailbite_smile