Bugsy is going to the vet tomorrow... Please send him vibes....

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carolina

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Ok, the first round of blood test, the complete blood count is back, and all looks good. Liver, kidneys and thyroid levels all normal, thank goodness!
Calcium levels was one point high, but the vet said that this is in check with intestinal inflammation - if he had lymphoma it would be VERY high; he is not worried at this point. We now wait for the second round of blood test, the one for IBD, folates, B-12 and pancreatitis; it will be back Thursday or Friday.
Trying to watch him poop to collect a sample, so far he has been box shy... this vet doesn't take the sample from him bum-bum...
 

my4llma

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Originally Posted by Carolina

Ok, the first round of blood test, the complete blood count is back, and all looks good. Liver, kidneys and thyroid levels all normal, thank goodness!
Calcium levels was one point high, but the vet said that this is in check with intestinal inflammation - if he had lymphoma it would be VERY high; he is not worried at this point. We now wait for the second round of blood test, the one for IBD, folates, B-12 and pancreatitis; it will be back Thursday or Friday.
Trying to watch him poop to collect a sample, so far he has been box shy... this vet doesn't take the sample from him bum-bum...
That's good that the first round of test came back normal! Hopefully the same for the second round. Poor Bugsy!
 

bastetservant

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I'm thinking of you and Bugsy, Carolina, and hoping for good results from the tests. Good in that it is nothing serious. Good that whatever it is can be treated so he is comfortable and stable. But lastly, I hope you get some real answers. It's so hard to not know.

Robin
 

gloriajh

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oh Carolina! I just now saw this thread, and I am so sorry!!

Hugs to you both - I hope that answers and positive solutions will be found soon!
 
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carolina

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I wish I had more news... But the comprehensive blood test that is testing for B-12 Levels, confirming IBD, folate levels and Pacreatitis is late and did not come back this week as it was supposed to...
I had another conversation with his vet this afternoon, and here is where we are as of today: Yesterday was Day 4 of Metronidazole, and he still had diarrhea, which concerned me. Per his vet, it is still early to judge, as this time is the first time he is not taking centrine or amforol with it - his bowels are very inflamed, and it can take a little longer, not to be too concerned with this timeframe.
I am not sure if I posted this, so forgive me if it is a repost - his CBC came back normal except for his calcium levels that came 1 point elevated. He said not too worrisome as if it was lymphoma it would be MUCH higher. His numbers are in line with bowels inflammation.
I was only able to collect a decent fecal sample last night so I dropped it off this morning... The lab will test his fecal sample for the regular parasites, Giardia, and try to test for T. Foetus as well. I asked him if he thought we should go ahead and do a PCR test for T. Foetus, and he said to try this first, as in a lot of cases this lab is able to catch both Protozoa and we might be able to save the expense this way. He has had good results with them. He wants to see the blood test first before moving into the PCR for T Foetus as the next step - he really thinks the answer might be in the blood.
He is taking a very strong Probiotic now called Proviable-DC.
Aside from that, the instructions is to continue all as is - Hills Z/D, 1 capsule of Psyllium Husk a day added on his wet food, and at least 9 more days of Metronidazole. Depending of his blood test results, medications will be added accordingly, or more tests will be ordered.
Bugsy continues to do well aside from his diarrhea - his appetite is great, no more weight loss, his mood and behavior are completely normal, coat, skin, everything is a-ok.
I hope this test comes back first thing Monday morning, as it is being hard to wait!
 

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The waiting and worrying periods are the worst! Hope you get good news on Monday, Carolina.

I think it is a very good sign that he looks good and acts fine.


Robin
 

mrsgreenjeens

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But isn't Psyllium Husk usually used for constipation? And an entire capful? Gosh, that seems like alot, if it's a "human" bottle especially. (sorry, I may have missed something earlier on in the thread.
 
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carolina

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Originally Posted by mrsgreenjeens

But isn't Psyllium Husk usually used for constipation? And an entire capful? Gosh, that seems like alot, if it's a "human" bottle especially. (sorry, I may have missed something earlier on in the thread.
No, Psyllium is also used for IBD cats, and the dose is correct for cats - Psyllium is a soluble fiber that helps to soothe and regulate the intestinal tract in either extreme; in IBD cats, it absorbs excess liquid in the colon, preventing diarrhea by forming a thick gel and adding a great deal of bulk as it passes intact through the gut... The dose for humans is 5 capsules 1-3 times a day. The dose for cats is one capsule a day (8-20 lbs). He takes a veterinary capsule, not a human.
It is the third vet that has prescribed fiber for him, and he has always done well... He was no taking fiber for the majority of the time he has had diarrhea this time, as I used to mix it to his Origen food, which I stopped feeding when he had his UTI back in October. He started taking fiber again one week ago, and per his vet is to continue as he has excellent results on his IBD patients.
 

mrsgreenjeens

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See...what do I know?
(and I misread and thought you said "capfull" versus capsule - BIG difference!!)

Well, anyway, hope the little guy gets better soon. Nothing worse than diarrhea day in and day out.
 
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carolina

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Originally Posted by mrsgreenjeens

See...what do I know?
(and I misread and thought you said "capfull" versus capsule - BIG difference!!)

Well, anyway, hope the little guy gets better soon. Nothing worse than diarrhea day in and day out.
Oh yeah - one capsule a day - and he gets it in two meals, 1/2 in the am, and 1/2 in the pm...
I triple checked with his vet yesterday to make absolutely sure, and he told me to continue as it is excellent for IBD kitties... and I really really trust this vet - I feel I am finally in good hands. Hopefully soon we will have some answers... I can't wait for the blood test results to come back...
What comforts me is that he is doing wonderful otherwise, he was just playing chase with Lucky running around like a mad man up and down the shelves and the cat tree as though his 17lbs were nothing!
 

gloriajh

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Originally Posted by mrsgreenjeens

But isn't Psyllium Husk usually used for constipation? And an entire capful? Gosh, that seems like alot, if it's a "human" bottle especially. (sorry, I may have missed something earlier on in the thread.
I thought so too - but, here's a link that has some information:
http://www.herbwisdom.com/herb-psyllium-husk.html

...
Psyllium has also been used for irritable bowel syndrome (a stress-related disorder with alternating bouts of diarrhea and constipation). Because it will produce easy bowel movements with a loose stool, Psyllium is used by patients with anal fissures (cracks in the skin near the anus) and hemorrhoids and is often recommended following anal or rectal surgery, during pregnancy and as a secondary treatment in certain types of diarrhea.

Psyllium soaks up a significant amount of water in the digestive tract, thereby making stool firmer and, under these circumstances, slower to pass. Psyllium also has the additional advantages over other sources of fiber of reducing flatulence and bloating. It may be recommended by a physician to help soften stool and reduce the pain associated with hemorrhoids.
...
 
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carolina

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Ok, so the results are finally back, and they are great!

soooo....
IBS is either non existing or too mild that he doesn't require steroids...
B-12 levels normal;
no pancreatitis;
Folates are high, which indicates the culprit: Clavamox killed the microflora in his gut, caused an overgrowth of bad bacteria and inflammation from which he is having a hard time recouping.
Treatment: metronidazole to reduce inflamation, fiber to build bulk and slow down his intestinal tract, and probiotics to rebuild his intestinal flora.


NOTHING SERIOUS

THANK GOD!!!


no giardia, no T.Foetus, no parasites...

clavamox

sooooooo relieved!!!!!!
Now it is just a matter of time and patience, but my boy is going to be just fine YEY!!!!!!!
 
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carolina

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Originally Posted by GloriaJH

Oh! Carolina!!! What a relief!!

I'm so happy for the great news!!

OMG, I swear, I was shaking for about 1/2 hour after I hung up the phone with the vet... I am SO relieved!
 

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That is great news, and I bet now that you'll be more relaxed, he'll pick up on that and get better even faster!

I'm really interested in how the blood test was able to check on IBS...I suspect my Dante may have mild IBS but would love to be able to get a good diagnosis without more invasive testing. Right now, my vets said we're not nearly at the stage for invasive testing, but I don't know if they're aware of the testing you did. Thank goodness you found that for your guy.
 
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