Kris & Jane (GA)
Member Since 2010
Hey everybody! It's been a loooooong time since I popped in here, but I thought I'd pick your brains about Duncan, who came to me 18 months ago when Janie flew away. He's 11 and does NOT have the dire beasties.
He's having some intestinal issues - poops are not formed, and he hollers when he goes downstairs to use the box. Don't know if he's yelling for pee or poop, so I put a box here in my home office to see what he's produced when he yells.
Several theories:
1. Poopin hurts.
2. Peein hurts.
3. Arthritis hurts going down the basement stairs.
4. He's just announcing he's got something to do.
He's had an abdominal u/s; showed "some inflammation" of the intestines.
He's seen a cardiologist; on meds for high blood pressure.
Blood work is all normal, except for slightly elevated protein in his urine.
I hadn't used this vet before, and she's a little short-tempered and pushy. I likes to call her Vetzilla, but not to her face.
Vetzilla is insisting that I switch him to a prescription food - Royal Canin - but she's not sure which one yet. Either:
--low-fat, modified for gastrointestinal issues;
or
--high fiber;
or
hypoallergenic, in case it's a food allergy.
OK. She wants to see him on that for a while, then if no improvement, do intestinal biopsies. I asked about a homemade diet; she dismissed that. I asked about Wellness and the like; she said the Rx diets are what she wants him to eat.
Because I find her abrasive, I'm not going to see Vetzilla again; we'll request another vet at the clinic. But I wanted to run all this by you, because I know the collective wisdom here is invaluable.
Duncan's only blip is that his poops are more like cow patties, and he hollers when he goes downstairs. I'd love to hear your thoughts, ideas, caustic damnations of Vetzilla and anything else you want to share.
Thanks, old friends.
He's having some intestinal issues - poops are not formed, and he hollers when he goes downstairs to use the box. Don't know if he's yelling for pee or poop, so I put a box here in my home office to see what he's produced when he yells.
Several theories:
1. Poopin hurts.
2. Peein hurts.
3. Arthritis hurts going down the basement stairs.
4. He's just announcing he's got something to do.
He's had an abdominal u/s; showed "some inflammation" of the intestines.
He's seen a cardiologist; on meds for high blood pressure.
Blood work is all normal, except for slightly elevated protein in his urine.
I hadn't used this vet before, and she's a little short-tempered and pushy. I likes to call her Vetzilla, but not to her face.
Vetzilla is insisting that I switch him to a prescription food - Royal Canin - but she's not sure which one yet. Either:
--low-fat, modified for gastrointestinal issues;
or
--high fiber;
or
hypoallergenic, in case it's a food allergy.
OK. She wants to see him on that for a while, then if no improvement, do intestinal biopsies. I asked about a homemade diet; she dismissed that. I asked about Wellness and the like; she said the Rx diets are what she wants him to eat.
Because I find her abrasive, I'm not going to see Vetzilla again; we'll request another vet at the clinic. But I wanted to run all this by you, because I know the collective wisdom here is invaluable.
Duncan's only blip is that his poops are more like cow patties, and he hollers when he goes downstairs. I'd love to hear your thoughts, ideas, caustic damnations of Vetzilla and anything else you want to share.
Thanks, old friends.
