Skinky update. New Thread

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rhiannon and shadow said:
i hate even talking about this. :(


Yes I agree.
She just looks so miserable.
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ONLY when I'm feeding her/treating her/pilling her. she does a 180 at other times. she'll sit on the bed facing me or sticking her paw down for me to touch. if however I overdid it with the syringe (you know, maybe 2 teaspoons instead of 1) she will turn around on the bed wtih her butt facing me. she is MISERABLE when I try to do the things to make her better....and so darn loving apart from that.
 
Dear Laura,
In the event that Skinky tells you that she wants to be set free, perhaps you could call the Humane Society and make an appointment. You should find out how they proceed and let them know that you want to be present so that you can say farewell. It is such a difficult thing to contemplate, but when Skinky is ready, she will let you know. And to have a plan in place will be a blessing during what will certainly be an emotionally draining time. Do you have a friend who can go to the Humane Society with you? I will be in NYC for a few days next week. If I can be of help, please send me your phone number or e-mail address in a FDMB "communication" and I will get in touch with you.

Thinking of you and Skinky,

Ella & Rusty
 
Dearest Laura that is exactly how my Waldo was when he was so sick. I finallly realized that nothing I did was going to make him feel better. Once I made that decision Waldo seemed to just know and relaxed. I gave him one more day no pills no forcing...he went out and laid in the tall grass and just looked happy. I'm in tears typing this because I wasnt ready...but he was...I guess what I'm trying to say is somehow they know what we are going through. Some way they have the intelligence we lack. My heart breaks for you but you know what? At this point it isnt about us.
I hope no one takes offense to this post. I'm speaking from the heart. YOU know Skinky best. I just feel my feet in your shoes...
Praying God sends guidance and strength...HE knows you have the love.
jeanne
 
jt and trouble (GA) said:
I hope no one takes offense to this post. I'm speaking from the heart.
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Jeanne, I was typing when I saw your post. I, too, hope no one takes offense to this post. My words come from my heart...

Dearest Laura,

You're such a loving and caring person. Skinky is one lucky kitty to be the recipient of all your love and care. It's obvious how much she loves and relies on you in the videos you've posted. We all want our kitties to remain with us forever... and they will... forever in our hearts. When our kitties get as sick as Skinky appears to be... it's time. It's ok to let them go. Letting them go is offering them peace... a kindness... simply showing them the same love and care we've always given them... possibly more. It's setting them free from the pain and suffering they're experiencing... the ultimate sacrifice... an act of unconditional and eternal love... because we no longer want to see them suffering and in pain... because we can do no more for them.

My thoughts, prayers, and heart go out to you, Laura.
Sending you strength and many hugs...

Wishing you and Skinky peace,
Jill
 
Laura, I've just read through all of the above posts, tearfully watched your videos, and my heart goes out to you and Skinky. I don't quite know what to say that hasn't already been said. What a wonderful, devoted, and caring mother you have been to your fur baby. You have blessed each other's lives, that is so very obvious. I am sending hugs and prayers your way, hoping God will hold you and help you through this.
 
Laura

As hard as it is to hear, I have to agree with Jill. I have been in your shoes, and when I looked back later, I wondered why I waited so long but the answer was because I just couldn't bear to let go. I couldn't bear what life would be without them. But I did and I made myself promise all my cats afterwards, that I would never let them go to the point of suffering or pain when it was apparent it was not going to get better. It's so hard and you've done everything you can for her. A vet once told me that letting them go when we know in our hearts that they will not get better and they are not having a good QOL is the greatest act of love we can ever show them.

Many prayers and thoughts for you and your very beloved Skinky.
 
You have tried everything to help Skinky. I sadly agree with Marje and Jill. When the time came for my soul kitty, Tiffany, a vet told me that she was so attached to me that I would have to make the decision for her as she wouldn't make it easy. I gave her that one last gift when she wouldn't eat anything on her own, even with cypro and ondansetron for several days. She did have intestinal lymphoma. I do think it is likely that Skinky has cancer. She would be too sick to treat even if you could afford it. It's a nasty disease. It was the hardest thing to do but the right thing to do. Vines of strength for you.:bighug::bighug:
 
Ella & Rusty & Stu(GA) said:
Dear Laura,
In the event that Skinky tells you that she wants to be set free, perhaps you could call the Humane Society and make an appointment. You should find out how they proceed and let them know that you want to be present so that you can say farewell. It is such a difficult thing to contemplate, but when Skinky is ready, she will let you know. And to have a plan in place will be a blessing during what will certainly be an emotionally draining time. Do you have a friend who can go to the Humane Society with you? I will be in NYC for a few days next week. If I can be of help, please send me your phone number or e-mail address in a FDMB "communication" and I will get in touch with you.

Thinking of you and Skinky,

Ella & Rusty
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Thanks Ella. Very kind of you. I'll PM you...
 
Thank you all so much for your concern, thoughtfulness and kindness. Truly.
A little overwhelmed. I'll see what transpires over the next few days. I had previously called various places to find out prices and protocols. The Humane Society was most affordable and easiest - no appointment necessary. Honestly, I had anticipated that today was going to be the day.... but that came and went for the umpteenth time, more due to my reluctance than anything else. Although I could bring her in over the weekend, I risk getting this ice queen doctor there, the one who wouldn't even give me a bag of fluids a couple of weeks back (sans needles mind you - just the bag) even though I begged and told her how dehydrated my cat was. That was the day that the vet mobile left early...they were the ones who I was supposed to be picking the fluids up from..what a couple of months it's been.

But anyhow. Monday thru Friday the doctor from the HS who has seen Skinky on three occasions will be there, and although not the warmest and fuzziest, I certainly would feel more comfortable with him than the ice queen. They do use two injections, I had already spoken to my doctor about it. The first is to make sure that she doesn't feel any pain. I can be with her in a room and take as much time as I need. Although they might regret saying that to me...

Oy. Someone PM'd me and asked about Skink's current nutrition/food. It's Hill's AD...AND I DID make the liver shake for her today, with chicken livers and spirulina no less. She got 3/4 a can of the Hill's AD, little bit of cat sure and the 60 ccs of the liver shake. But still syringe, not on her own.

I still haven't given up entirely, and as you can see, in the background I have been making calls and inquiring about how procedures are done. i just really didn't want to discuss it too much on here.

I KNOW everyone's input here is coming from a caring place. I really do, truly. And I appreciate it. But please, please, no more talk about "release", etc. I DO understand. The vet mobile owner, who has had the extreme pleasure of hearing me burst into tears a few times, spoke to me for about 15 minutes about "release" and how we should all be so lucky to die a peaceful death in the arms of someone who loves us. Truer words have probably never been spoken...but somehow they're also like a searing stab in my heart, throat and stomach all at the same time.

I strongly suspect that even in the BEST of circumstances, my little girl isn't long for this place. At least physically that is, as another kind FDMB'er pointed out. But I made a mistake previously when I decided to bring her in for sleep last time....she so hates being syringed and pryed and poked and I just let her alone that day, "knowing" I was bringing her in the next morning...letting her "relax"....because the next morning she was better...and she could've used the sustenance that she missed the day before. I just want her as strong as she can be. Whether it's to baffle me and torture me, to one day start playing with her tail again and slurping down copious amounts of food on her own, or to hiss loudly at the doctor who sticks that final needle in her.

I just want to focus on her being strong - liver shake, L-lysine, B12. Strong as she can be for whatever the next day brings.
Skinky Strong. Forever.
 

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Awesome. One day at a time. If we could spend every day with them like it's the last, and were able to do that from the day we first met them, how much more incredible would our lives be? And their lives.

Liver shake.....yum. I made a batch for Bob. Including the spirulina. Turns it an interesting shade of green, doesn't it? If she gives you any grief, tell her "eat it, it's good for you!"

Hang in there, Laura. :bighug:
Feel strong, Skinky :bighug:
 
Carl & Polly said:
Awesome. One day at a time. If we could spend every day with them like it's the last, and were able to do that from the day we first met them, how much more incredible would our lives be? And their lives.

Liver shake.....yum. I made a batch for Bob. Including the spirulina. Turns it an interesting shade of green, doesn't it? If she gives you any grief, tell her "eat it, it's good for you!"

Hang in there, Laura. :bighug:
Feel strong, Skinky :bighug:
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So true Carl. And I NEVER would've given her kibble....!
My liver shake was more brown than green for some reason, although i did go a little easy on the spirulina. that stuff is nasty and i wanted to make sure she consumed it. i've ruined many a fruit smoothie with a little too much spirulina. She doesn't *dislike* the liver shake, which probably means under different circumstances she'd be gouging on it. I wish I made it sooner..! but she'll get more of that strength building shake tomorrow... :)
 
Personally I wouldn't hold back with the anti nausea. Give her the full 1/4 tab. I actually needs up giving my cat 2mg twice a day at one point. We need skinky to eat and not to feel sick as you are giving it to her.

If you can don't crush it up as it might taste bitter to her. Can you not get it in her mouth and then give the water. If you give the water straight after that usually makes sure it gets swallowed.
 
phlika29 said:
Personally I wouldn't hold back with the anti nausea. Give her the full 1/4 tab. I actually needs up giving my cat 2mg twice a day at one point. We need skinky to eat and not to feel sick as you are giving it to her.

If you can don't crush it up as it might taste bitter to her. Can you not get it in her mouth and then give the water. If you give the water straight after that usually makes sure it gets swallowed.
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Thank you Philka! I did give her...3 doses today, each of 1/4 pill of the anti nausea pills. she's less nauseous, i think it's a combo of her finally getting some food in her tummy and the pills. but if a few hours go by without a syringe, her tummy rumbles. today, it was the cypro that i don't know if she got it in. sometimes she is great with pills and sometimes...she's a little witch. it's because of everything else that's going on and she clamps down her mouth and then she gets upset and starts drooling and panicking. so it depends on her mood and how fed up she is...but today went better on all fronts than yesterday...!! :)
 
Hi Laura,

In Saoirse's case the combination of cyproheptadine AND ondansetron seemed to reinforce the anti-nausea effect. (Cyproheptadine is used in humans as a treatment for cyclic vomiting syndrome.)

I was stressed out of my mind at the height of Saoirse's pancreatitis flare, but at the time as best I could judge it did take a little while on ondansetron before she seemed less nauseated.

Keeping you both in my prayers.

((((Laura and Skinky))))
.
 
I see that the liver shake advises only 6 cc per day. Anyone know what happens if you use more? It being raw meat, I can see why it might not be great to give a pitcher at one setting...but she does take to it..

Aine and Philka: getting the pills down whole using the liver shake afterwards to slide it back. I think my next few rounds I might give her a squirt of the liver shake first and then the pill, and then a squirt.

SOMETIMES I don't give the app stim 30 minutes after the O drug, but an hour or two...any issues with that?
 
You ideally would give the ondansetron 20 minutes before feeding. So I guess the only issue with giving the liver shake with that tablet is if the previous ondansetron dose has worn off the shake might make her feel a little nauseous.

How about you give the anti nausea tablet with 5 ml syringe of water( I always wet the mouth with a little water before giving the tablet). Then wait and give the liver shake when you give the appetite stimulant. I doubt giving the appetite stimulant a little later sometimes won't hurt at all. I understand that ondansetron peaks about 2 hours after the dose and so I guess giving the stimulant about 1hr after that would be about ideal as your kitty will start to want to eat and will be getting the full effects of the anti nausea.
 
I'd agree with Sarah's comments, Laura. I used to give Saoirse ondansetron and wait about 30 minutes before giving the cyproheptadine. That way the anti-nausea effect of the ondansetron would have time to build up before the appetite stimulant kicked in she felt compelled to eat. The cypro took about 60-90 minutes to kick in for Saoirse. With the two meds active in her system, she was able to eat OK for several hours. I gave her very small, frequent meals - (about once an hour initially so as not to overwhelm her pancreas) with a good bit of water or the broth from poaching her chicken breasts added.

I think that as the treatment progressed it had a little bit of a cumulative benefit. I was conservative about Saoirse's doses. I watched for signs of lip licking or reluctance to eat a meal to gauge when the next dose was due. I never gave her doses before the minimum amount of time specified by my vet (every 8-12 hours for cypro, once every 12 hours for ondansetron 2mg dose - doses supervised by our vet and applicable to Saoirse at c.10lbs weight).

Keeping you both in my thoughts and prayers.

((((Laura and Skinky))))
.
 
Hi Everyone. I contacted a diabetic nonprofit org hoping that perhaps they could re-home skinky with someone who is either more financially able to get the diagnostics that she needs or has more experience caring for very ill kitties. It actually broke my heart into a million pieces that I am inadequate to give her what she needs now. But I felt it was either that or putting her to sleep. She is still not eating on her own and absolutely HATES getting syringe fed. I spoke to a lovely woman a couple of hours ago who asked if I would be willing to keep Skinky if I could get a little assistance with vet bills. Absolutely! She is going to reach out to some vets in the NYC area to see if they would work with us on reasonable fees.

Once again, my timing seems to be off, as we are on the brink of a major snow storm here in NYC, and I expect many places to be closed tomorrow. And, everyday that goes by, I feel like we are further away. But, even a better "diagnosis" would help me on my many levels.

The specifics with Skinky....well, she just really doesn't want to eat. She gets VERY stressed out when I approach her with a syringe. She now pees on the kitchen floor, I think because I do most of the feeding in the bathroom. So I back off from feeding her...and she tortures me...by acting a little "better". THEN she is more likely to hop into the tub to pee. Today, she took a lick or two of water. It's something.

I've given her peptic AC. I'm actually back to trying to feed her NOT that much (as if that's possible), or let me re-pharase that...I'm trying to feed her the amount that does not make her hyperventilate/get all stressed out. which is essentially half a syringe, spaced a lot apart. When she's less miserable, she is a little more spry and seems to approach the water bowl more often.

I stopped by my local vet place where I have been buying the Hills AC and asked if they knew what the LEAST amount of food I can give a cat to keep her going. I didn't get any concrete info, just SOMETHING into her every day. She's probably gotten two syringes of liver shake and a half syringe of cat sure today.

Anyone have any ideas of what the LEAST amount of food is? Also, how long will this liver shake last in the fridge???

So...this is where we are at. PLEASE keep the positive vibes/karma going. We really do appreciate it..
 
I am afraid I don't know about the minimum amount.

I wonder if the food is still making her feel nauseous? I ended up giving remi 1/2 tablet of ondansteron twice a day when he was very poorly (after discussion with my vet) but that is above the recommended dose. I know I have mentioned it a couple of times but that royal canin instant convalescence sachets were great they didn't have the usual meaty smell and were in fact more like milk. Remi would happily accept this when he got very stressed with any other type of syringed food. They are very high in calories. I will link the food again just in case you might consider it an option. Not sure if it's the sort of thing you can buy from your pet store.
http://www.vetuk.co.uk/royal-canin-...n-convalescence-support-instant-sachets-p-254

Best wishes

Sarah
 
I cannot imagine having to do what you are doing every day, I am so glad that you got a little hope today and I hope that the storm is gone quickly and maybe you can get some help in the next couple days, you and Skinky both are so brave and strong and must love each other so much, I am sending every good vibe I can your way.
 
phlika29 said:
I am afraid I don't know about the minimum amount.

I wonder if the food is still making her feel nauseous? I ended up giving remi 1/2 tablet of ondansteron twice a day when he was very poorly (after discussion with my vet) but that is above the recommended dose. I know I have mentioned it a couple of times but that royal canin instant convalescence sachets were great they didn't have the usual meaty smell and were in fact more like milk. Remi would happily accept this when he got very stressed with any other type of syringed food. They are very high in calories. I will link the food again just in case you might consider it an option. Not sure if it's the sort of thing you can buy from your pet store.
http://www.vetuk.co.uk/royal-canin-...n-convalescence-support-instant-sachets-p-254

Best wishes

Sarah
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Thank you Sarah. I just went to my local pet store, but they didn't have it. They are fairly limited, the only royal canin food they have is for kittens. I don't really want to order anything online because it might not get here in time. I keep hoping she will make some remarkable recovery. I don't know when the call will be made on my behalf to the animal center (I suggested that place...I emailed some vets there too...turns out they are doing some clinical studies on various feline ailments, and if kitty qualified, some treatment would be free...I wish I had looked at "clinical studies" on their page before...!) But we are in , I think a state of emergency in NYC. I mean we must be, they're closing the subway down at 11 pm. Everything in life is timing and the kindness of strangers, I do declare.

IN the meantime, I'm feeding her just small squirts of food, 1/3 of a syringe here, 1/3 of a syringe there. Just trying to keep some food in her, without freaking her out...
 
MommaOfMuse said:
Prayers still coming in from here, hopefully if nothing else you will at least finally get a solid diagnoses. But regardless of the outcome, Skinky is one very lucky little lady to have a momma bean that loves her so dearly. Now if only every kitten could land so softly and be so loved, shelters would be gathering cobwebs.

Mel and The Fur Gang
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Thank you Mel. Fingers crossed. Timing, timing, timing...
She means the world to me...but I know I might have to let her go a lot sooner than I would care to.

Keep those prayers coming from the Fur Gang. :)
 
nancy and scotty said:
I cannot imagine having to do what you are doing every day, I am so glad that you got a little hope today and I hope that the storm is gone quickly and maybe you can get some help in the next couple days, you and Skinky both are so brave and strong and must love each other so much, I am sending every good vibe I can your way.
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Thank you Nancy. Definitely hope this storm isn't as bad as they are predicting. We REALLY appreciate those positive vibes... :) :) :)
 
skinky44 said:
my timing seems to be off, as we are on the brink of a major snow storm here in NYC, and I expect many places to be closed tomorrow.
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Hi, Laura and Skinky. Can't help but be concerned for you in that snowstorm. Here's hoping you will be able to stay warm and safe during the worst of it and that you'll be able to get some affordable help for Skinky as soon as the storm passes. You are doing a wonderful job with your fur baby. Hope this goes well for you both. Hugs! :bighug:
 
Hope you're both bearing up OK, Laura, and that the storm hasn't affected you badly.

Sending more prayers.

((((Laura and Skinky))))
 
Hi Laura,
I guess the subway is running again and that the city is getting back to normal. Edward and I regret that we didn't just decide to ride it out. But the computer storm models looked dire! Anyway, I hope we can get together in early March and that in the meantime you will be able to get Skinky the vet care she needs.
Fingers and paws crossed that she will rally, eat better, and continue to be her loving self.

Many healing vines on the way,

Hugs and scritches,

Ella & Rusty
 
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