houghtam
Member Since 2013
Thank you to all the people who have posted well wishes and concern for my baby. He is eating today (more than I have seen him eat in a week) and I am cautiously relieved. For a quick review of the past few days:
Thursday - dental was scheduled, but cancelled when Hardey had lost another 1/2 pound in less than a week. Vet did not want to risk putting him under without being sure there wasn't an underlying problem. She did an Xray and found that his intestines were full of gas and thought there might be a blockage. At the end of the day, before I picked him up, she did another Xray to see if anything had moved and it had, but we still weren't sure what we were dealing with. She referred Hardey to a specialist for an ultrasound on Friday.
Friday - specialist did ultrasound and found most of the gas had passed, but his intestines were moving very slowly. No masses, but the lining was thicker than it should be. She believes it is either IBS or cancer. She recomended exploratory surgery, but didn't want to put him under until he had gained some weight and strength back. She put him on an appetite stimulant (mirtazapine) which did increase his appetite, but made him extremly agitated. I called her after hours (still in shock that a vet actually gave me her home phone number - WOW!) and she prescribed a counteragent (Cyproheptadine) to get the other out of his system. Luckily, this is also a stimulant and seems to be doing the trick. He has eaten 1/2 large can of albacore tuna in water, 1 small can of beef/beef broth baby food, 1 can of FF, and 1 large can of Friskies in the past 24 hours!
On Monday, I have a consult with my regular vet to look into some sort of medication for the IBS that is not a steroid. Fingers crossed it works.
I am writing this with such a heavy heart after reading and grieving with you all about Charlie and her family. Such a tragedy. I have been snuggling with my guy all day as I am sure you all are as well. Sending loving and healing vines to anyone who needs them.
Thursday - dental was scheduled, but cancelled when Hardey had lost another 1/2 pound in less than a week. Vet did not want to risk putting him under without being sure there wasn't an underlying problem. She did an Xray and found that his intestines were full of gas and thought there might be a blockage. At the end of the day, before I picked him up, she did another Xray to see if anything had moved and it had, but we still weren't sure what we were dealing with. She referred Hardey to a specialist for an ultrasound on Friday.
Friday - specialist did ultrasound and found most of the gas had passed, but his intestines were moving very slowly. No masses, but the lining was thicker than it should be. She believes it is either IBS or cancer. She recomended exploratory surgery, but didn't want to put him under until he had gained some weight and strength back. She put him on an appetite stimulant (mirtazapine) which did increase his appetite, but made him extremly agitated. I called her after hours (still in shock that a vet actually gave me her home phone number - WOW!) and she prescribed a counteragent (Cyproheptadine) to get the other out of his system. Luckily, this is also a stimulant and seems to be doing the trick. He has eaten 1/2 large can of albacore tuna in water, 1 small can of beef/beef broth baby food, 1 can of FF, and 1 large can of Friskies in the past 24 hours!
On Monday, I have a consult with my regular vet to look into some sort of medication for the IBS that is not a steroid. Fingers crossed it works.
I am writing this with such a heavy heart after reading and grieving with you all about Charlie and her family. Such a tragedy. I have been snuggling with my guy all day as I am sure you all are as well. Sending loving and healing vines to anyone who needs them.
I'll keep trying.... I did find general information to at least get me started.