The Mackerel Update Thread. :3

[carolina]

Are you sure this is water retention, and not weight she is putting on? Or even a belly full with as much she is eating given she is so skinny?
How does it feel?
She is soooo skinny, and things might look out of proportion for a little while until she gets her weight back...
I am just throwing another possibility out there - because she is eating a lot, and she is skin and bones... It might be weight coming back or a belly full...
You are paying a looooot of attention to her, and I understand your fears... She is doing so well, it might not be as bad...

 

[jalindal]

Hey guys. I spoke to the vet, and it... well, it wasn't a reassuring phone call.

RE the lumps, they've said that she's too sick for us to do anything about those- there's no way we could operate right now so they've said basically, because she's not in pain because of them, we should ignore them.

As per the fluid retention... there's nothing they can do about it, except maybe something that might work which is injections that encourage her body to pass the fluid through urination. They don't know how well it would work or how often the injections might be needed. It could be weekly or biweekly, and the fluid in her belly brings the FIP diagnosis back to the forefront, because although her kidneys could also be causing this adema, it is textbook FIP when combined with all her other symptoms. The only thing is that she should be sicker if it's FIP... but I guess that could be asymptomatic.

I don't know what to do, guys. I've moved my appointment to Thursday, but I really just don't know what to do.

I can't afford an ongoing treatment that intensive and I can't harass my friends and family to take three hours out of their days twice a week to drive us there and back.

 

[carolina]

Originally Posted by Jalindal

Hey guys. I spoke to the vet, and it... well, it wasn't a reassuring phone call.

RE the lumps, they've said that she's too sick for us to do anything about those- there's no way we could operate right now so they've said basically, because she's not in pain because of them, we should ignore them.

As per the fluid retention... there's nothing they can do about it, except maybe something that might work which is injections that encourage her body to pass the fluid through urination. They don't know how well it would work or how often the injections might be needed. It could be weekly or biweekly, and the fluid in her belly brings the FIP diagnosis back to the forefront, because although her kidneys could also be causing this adema, it is textbook FIP when combined with all her other symptoms. The only thing is that she should be sicker if it's FIP... but I guess that could be asymptomatic.

I don't know what to do, guys. I've moved my appointment to Thursday, but I really just don't know what to do.

I can't afford an ongoing treatment that intensive and I can't harass my friends and family to take three hours out of their days twice a week to drive us there and back.

Ok, Deep breath....
Is she, on your eyes, in your perception, in your heart..... doing better?
Eating better? More energy? More disposition? Pooping, peeing?
The reason why I am saying this is: She has come a looooong way.... AND this was a phone call with the vet....
Don't lose hope because of a phone call honey.... Let the vet see her first before you draw any conclusions....

 

[bluerexbear]

Originally Posted by Carolina

Ok, Deep breath....
Is she, on your eyes, in your perception, in your heart..... doing better?
Eating better? More energy? More disposition? Pooping, peeing?
The reason why I am saying this is: She has come a looooong way.... AND this was a phone call with the vet....
Don't lose hope because of a phone call honey.... Let the vet see her first before you draw any conclusions....

I agree 100% with Carolina here. Deep Breaths. She is doing better...and I would think if she had had wet FIP (swollen tummy is wet form), then she would NOT have lived almost a month and now be doing BETTER, right?

 

[jalindal]

OK, deep breaths, you're right. OK. Sorry. Just had a little freak out. But I've had a bit of a weep and I'm feeling calmer now. And breathing deeply. Thanks guys.

 

[my4llma]

Carolina is right, just see what the vet says, when the vet actually see's her. Because she was doing so much better. Just see what the vet thinks at the appointment.

 

[kluchetta]

I've been following all the Mack threads avidly, and, having had a cat with FIP, I really think she would have a high, high fever if it were that. Honestly...in my experience, they DON'T get better with FIP. Just doesn't happen.

However...Interferon is used with GREAT results in FIP. Just FYI...

 

[otto]

Originally Posted by BlueRexBear

I agree 100% with Carolina here. Deep Breaths. She is doing better...and I would think if she had had wet FIP (swollen tummy is wet form), then she would NOT have lived almost a month and now be doing BETTER, right?

Originally Posted by kluchetta

I've been following all the Mack threads avidly, and, having had a cat with FIP, I really think she would have a high, high fever if it were that. Honestly...in my experience, they DON'T get better with FIP. Just doesn't happen.

However...Interferon is used with GREAT results in FIP. Just FYI...

No, they don't get better permanently, but there is some up and down, with improvement then backsliding in FIP.(there is no way to diagnose FIP on a live cat)

I am not trying to be gloom and doom here and I am praying with all my might that this is not FIP, and this is just a blip in the road to recovery for Mackerel.

Mackerel

Jalindal

 

[libby74]

I'm wondering why surgery would be mentioned concerning the lumps when the vet hasn't seen them?
As the others have said, honey--deep breaths. You've been so upbeat about Mack's condition improving lately; don't let the little things get you down. It's possible that once you get the bigger health issues under control the smaller issues will resolve themselves.

 

[mrblanche]

I agree with the others. You are at the stage where you have to take the hardest advice of all:

Don't just DO something; STAND there!

Mackerel had a rough stretch, and it's going to take a while for everything to stabilize. Constant worrying is unlikely to improve her, and she might pick up on some of your stress. For now, just enjoy the gift of the days you're having with her that a week ago you never expected to have.

 

[jalindal]

Originally Posted by mrblanche

I agree with the others. You are at the stage where you have to take the hardest advice of all:

Don't just DO something; STAND there!

Mackerel had a rough stretch, and it's going to take a while for everything to stabilize. Constant worrying is unlikely to improve her, and she might pick up on some of your stress. For now, just enjoy the gift of the days you're having with her that a week ago you never expected to have.

Thanks Mr Blanche, that's a great way to phrase it. You've all said some very wise things, I'm just... -sigh- Really not feeling good tonight, I guess. I spoke to my vet nurse friend and she said that if she were in my position she would speak to the vet on Thursday and take it from there... but if things turn out the way that we think they might- looking at these bi-weekly injections for the rest of her life- she'd start to think about letting go of Mackerel.

I don't know why this has hit me harder than the other times they've told me that things don't look good for her. I guess maybe because this will be... the third time? Fourth time? FeLV/FIP -> Acute Renal Failure -> FIP -> Anemia. After her recovery last time was so miraculous I thought... I dunno. I thought that there was a... significance to it.

 

[jenwales]

Originally Posted by Jalindal

After her recovery last time was so miraculous I thought... I dunno. I thought that there was a... significance to it.

There was, even if it doesn't end up as permanent as you'd like. Talk to the vet on Thursday and go from there.

I'm still sending mega vibes out for both of you.

 

[libby74]

if things turn out the way that we think they might- looking at these bi-weekly injections for the rest of her life- she'd start to think about letting go of Mackerel.QUOTE]

Sweetie, there are cats that receive injections and/or oral meds for YEARS; I don't understand why bi-weekly injections (that I know you could learn to administer yourself at home) would be a major issue. There are diabetic cats that get insulin injections daily; I have 2 cats that will be on oral meds for the rest of their lives (Jack is 9 and Katie is 4; that could be a very long time). The simple idea of medicating a cat is not a reason to think of "letting go". And as Mr. Blanche pointed out, you've been given time with Mack that you never thought you'd have.

Your baby has turned out to be quite a fighter; no offense, dear, but you have to be just as strong (if not more so) as she is. You know we're all pulling for you and Mack, and sending more healing than you can imagine. Don't let the little things get you down (believe me, I know that's easier said than done). You've hit a wall, as most of us do when we're caring for a sick loved one--whether human or animal. There comes a time when it feels as if the weight of the world is crashing down on you. No matter what happens, you're a strong, strong woman and you will get thru it.

I wish I could give you a big hug right now

 

[ldg]

Originally Posted by Jalindal

<snip>As per the fluid retention... there's nothing they can do about it, except maybe something that might work which is injections that encourage her body to pass the fluid through urination. They don't know how well it would work or how often the injections might be needed. It could be weekly or biweekly ... I can't afford an ongoing treatment that intensive and I can't harass my friends and family to take three hours out of their days twice a week to drive us there and back.

Originally Posted by Jalindal

<snip> ... but if things turn out the way that we think they might- looking at these bi-weekly injections for the rest of her life- she'd start to think about letting go of Mackerel.

Originally Posted by libby74

Sweetie, there are cats that receive injections and/or oral meds for YEARS; I don't understand why bi-weekly injections (that I know you could learn to administer yourself at home) would be a major issue.

I just wanted to add, even if you never felt comfortable giving her the injections yourself (we could never bring ourselves to do it for Tuxie), I am SURE your vet would be willing to work with someone local - meaning you could take her someplace close, just to have an injection administered! That's what we did with Tux. He went daily and then every-other-day for MONTHS, and then weekly and then bi-weekly for months! And if it is NOT FIP, and she does keep improving, the problem of water retention may end up resolving on its own at some point.

Originally Posted by Jalindal

I don't know why this has hit me harder than the other times they've told me that things don't look good for her. I guess maybe because this will be... the third time? Fourth time? FeLV/FIP -> Acute Renal Failure -> FIP -> Anemia. After her recovery last time was so miraculous I thought... I dunno. I thought that there was a... significance to it.

Our roller coaster with Tuxie wasn't quite so wild, and we didn't have so much packed into such a short period of time. But it sure seemed he used up most of his nine lives that first year of battles - and quite a few of them those first few months.

As everyone has pointed out - right now, just breathe, and do your best to enjoy each day, each hour, each minute. It's all a gift of love.

Fear, worry, sadness - of course is a natural reaction, and part of the process. And that's just another role for all of us here to help you through the rough spots. ...Especially to help you through the rough spots.

 

[farleyv]

Keeping you and Mack in my prayers. Lets hope this is a blip in her recovery.

across the miles for you and Mackerel. You are a good team.

You won't know until you know. So till then, enjoy the girl you love so much and we have come to know and care about also.

She has a world wide cheering squad!

 

[jalindal]

I was feeling really good about things today... planning to ask my vet about teaching me to administer the injections at home, thinking that I'll just HAVE to make things work financially, no other way around it, and I was talking to my new housemate about it when she told me that if she can't have her cat move in soon (currently he's still living with her Mother, and as far as I can tell very happy there.) she'd have to think of finding somewhere else to live.

For obvious reasons I told her when she moved in that Mr chicken couldn't come to- we still don't know whether Mack has FIP or something else that's contagious, or what might have caused the kidney damage- of course I've scrubbed the house down, but I figure... better safe than sorry, right? Apparently she thought she'd have him here about a week after she moved in. I don't know how she came up with that timeline- certainly not something that I said.

I told her that I can't factor in her wanting to have Mr chicken here in my consideration about how long or whether I treat Mackerel but I don't know if she understands.

I really really didn't need this worry today, or... or ever! about whether I'm going to have to find a new housemate AGAIN on top of uni and finding work and looking after Mackerel and trying to reach this decision. My last housemate moved out the day after Mackerel went to stay at the vet hospital and that was stressful enough and Mack wasn't even here to worry about her being affected by it as well.

In short, I guess I'd really appreciate your vibes and hugs, everyone. Maybe some advice about how I should deal with my housemate, whether you guys can see anything that I can't in how I could help myself and Mack in this mess. x.x

 

[carolina]

Originally Posted by Jalindal

I was feeling really good about things today... planning to ask my vet about teaching me to administer the injections at home, thinking that I'll just HAVE to make things work financially, no other way around it, and I was talking to my new housemate about it when she told me that if she can't have her cat move in soon (currently he's still living with her Mother, and as far as I can tell very happy there.) she'd have to think of finding somewhere else to live.

For obvious reasons I told her when she moved in that Mr chicken couldn't come to- we still don't know whether Mack has FIP or something else that's contagious, or what might have caused the kidney damage- of course I've scrubbed the house down, but I figure... better safe than sorry, right? Apparently she thought she'd have him here about a week after she moved in. I don't know how she came up with that timeline- certainly not something that I said.

I told her that I can't factor in her wanting to have Mr chicken here in my consideration about how long or whether I treat Mackerel but I don't know if she understands.

I really really didn't need this worry today, or... or ever! about whether I'm going to have to find a new housemate AGAIN on top of uni and finding work and looking after Mackerel and trying to reach this decision. My last housemate moved out the day after Mackerel went to stay at the vet hospital and that was stressful enough and Mack wasn't even here to worry about her being affected by it as well.

In short, I guess I'd really appreciate your vibes and hugs, everyone. Maybe some advice about how I should deal with my housemate, whether you guys can see anything that I can't in how I could help myself and Mack in this mess. x.x

I think you are doing the right thing.... Also, what worries me about another cat moving in, aside from this being contagious or not, is the stress of an introduction affecting her recovery. Frankly, this might be for the better. I know it is hard to see it this way, but I think for Mack, it might be better to have no other cats for a while... The last thing you want is to stress her now when she is so fragile...
Stick to your guns hun, and when you need strength, we will be here for you

 

[jalindal]

That's one of the things that confused me, carolina, because before she moved in I specifically told her that it would be a while before Mackerel was strong enough to tolerate the stress of having another cat move in.

 

[jalindal]

The vet's said that they can't give owners injections to administer at home apart from insulin.

 

[jalindal]

Thought it was time for another picture of Mackerel. You can see that she's put on weight.

But also I think a slight sign of the water retention on her belly. But I was taking a look at the pictures from earlier this week, and I don't think it's actually as severe a growth as I thought.