Now its Beau... (labs update)

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Sheila & Beau GA & Jeddie GA

Sheila & Beau GA & Jeddie GA

Member Since 2009
I took him to the vet today because he has lost a lot of weight and isn't eating well. Plus, I knew he was a little dehydrated, but since he has HCM I didn't want to do fluids without the vet advising.

He has lost 3 lbs! I think most of that has been in the past 6 months. The last wt I had on him was 3 years ago.

I am guessing renal failure from his symptoms, age, and history of meds (diltiazem and methamazole). I won't have laB results until tomorrow. He is getting a full panel done.

The vet said I should give 100ml SQ "instead of the standard 200ml". Doesn't that seem like a lot for a cardio cat? I'm thinking 50ml.

So now I have two cats on SQs! Oy! My sisters, who are coming to take care of my cats in June while I am gone for 10 days are not going to be happy about this. I really wish I didn't have this trip coming up with both of these guys needing so much care. I will be a nervous wreak until I can get back to them.

Say a prayer for Beau-gee, please.
 
Re: Now its Beau...

If you're concerned about the fluid impact, you might do 50 mL twice a day instead of 100 once a day.

Or test just 50 mL and monitor for signs of problems.

To get a visual, measure 100 mL into a meauring cup; about the size of a medium - small fist.
 
Re: Now its Beau...

Well, his labs all looked pretty good. Normal kidney function, electrolytes, liver enzymes. His WBC count was a little elevated and his T4 was high.

Vet thinks all of his symptoms are steaming from the elevated T4. So, his methimazole dose was increased slightly. He will still be on fluids until he is no longer dehydrated and is gaining weight.

She wants his to take an AB because of the elevated WBC count in case he has a bacterial infection starting to take hold somewhere.

I am chagrined to say that his weight is below 6 lbs. I was afraid if that based on how he felt compared to Cami, who was at 6.18 lbs at her ER visit. It just seemed to happen so fast. But I have been dealing with my aunt's health and then Cami's (following closely on the heels of Jeddie) for so long that I missed the signs that should have been obvious.

At least he took the SQs very well. Sat in my lap the whole time. I used an #18 needle so it would go in faster and because I had some extras of those, but it bleed afterwards. I think I need to stock up on #20s. That's what I use for Cami. I wonder how much "worse" it is from the smaller to the larger. It would help to get fluids into her faster.
 
I like the 20s as well. 22 took too long, and 18s were HUGE!

I agree that 100 mL is a lot for a heart kitty. I would've done the 50mL as well - either once or twice a day as he tolerates it. Grayson always gets fluids while his face is in a food bowl. As long as they don't take too long, they usually finish about the same time. That may enable you to use smaller needles. OR you can add more water to his food, if he'll tolerate it. Water that's injested doesn't affect the heart like SQ do.

Hope he's feeling better soon. Grayson's T-4 was low, so he's on one 5 mg Thyrosin/day. Takes it in a bowl of FD chicken - gulp! No poke-downs or anything - and you can tell that he's feeling much better! Hypo or hyper-T should be easily managed, if that's not just a fluke of the ABs or something else.
 
Tip for fluids: I saw a vet tech put the bag under her arm like a bagpipe and apply presure to get it in faster. That might offset using a smaller gauge needle some.
 
That sounds like I'd need a third hand/arm!

Cami is actually getting better about it and Beau is no problem. She doesn't like it, but is sitting still for it long enough, BUT I do have to gentle hold her in place by wrapping a towel around her back end and facing her into my left arm.

Beau just sits across my lap (I am in a chair with arms) and purrs. :-D

Beau is definitely better hydrated, but still a little under-hydrated. I need to fatten him up too. And he is still grumpy and, at times, nasty to others (including me). I hope that lessens as his T4 level drops. I wish I had done I131 on him 3 years ago when the cost, in retrospect, wouldn't have hurt so much.
 
Sheila, not able to check in as much as I liked to, life happens, but to read Beau is not feeling well took my breath away. Sending healing prayers your way. He is in the best hands.
 
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