Need vibes/prayers for Katie

eilcon

eilcon

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Hey guys, just wanted to request some vibes/prayers for my old girl Katie, 19. She's been in pretty good health for her age, but yesterday I noticed blood in her stool, she vomited several times and didn't have much of an appetite. Got her into the vet first thing this morning. Blood work actually looks pretty good except for elevated white blood cell count and she's dehydrated and has lost more weight. She'll be staying at the vet at least for the next 24 hours on IV fluids and antibiotics. Hoping we can get Katie stabilized and eating again. I'll stop by and check on my sweet girl after work. Please keep Katie in your thoughts and prayers. 
 
feralvr

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Loads of get well vibes for your sweet Katie :rub: :vibes: I hope she is able to come home feeling better in the next day. :cross: :vibes::vibes::vibes::vibes::vibes::vibes::vibes::vibes::vibes:
 
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eilcon

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Just checked in with the vet. Katie has perked up on the fluids and is sitting up in her cage and demanding attention. That's a good sign. She hasn't eaten anything on her own, though. Vet is very concerned about her weight loss. It's been gradual, but Katie has become quite frail. Her appetite is so iffy at times, even with stimulants. Vet and I had a discussion a while back about not pursuing any aggressive/invasive treatment for Katie due to her age and stress level and that's still the plan. Planning to stop by and visit on the way home from work. 
 
ldg

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Aw, that's great! :clap:

Eileen, given the possibility that the underlying cause is lymphoma, what about asking the vet about a low dose of prednisolone? Can she be pilled easily? Is Katie the one with a heart issue? The pred would probably be contra-indicated if so. But if she can take it, and it's not stressful for her, the 5mg (or whatever's appropriate for her) may significantly help her quality of life (even if the problem isn't cancer). :heart3:

And given the gradual weight loss, I'd also ask about adding digestive enzymes to her food. This would just be something you sprinkle on her food that she probably won't notice or like, and would help her metabolize more nutrition from the same food. :nod: Prozyme makes a good digestive enzyme (there are many others, of course). :)

:vibes: :vibes: :vibes: :vibes: :vibes: :vibes: :vibes: :hugs: :hugs:
 
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S

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Agree on the prednisilone, if it's possible, because I've seen amazing results from it when a cat has otherwise untreatable cancer. It gave Sidney several more high quality months.

Even though you have a plan in place, and a good plan, it's still very hard not to wish for something that can give you extra good times.  Lots of good vibes to you and Katie.
 
 
ldg

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It also helps with any inflammatory type of problem, really. :nod: It's a nice prophylactic without a lot of diagnostics that you don't want to put her through. :nod: :hugs: :) :heart3:
 
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eilcon

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LDG said:
Aw, that's great!

Eileen, given the possibility that the underlying cause is lymphoma, what about asking the vet about a low dose of prednisolone? Can she be pilled easily? Is Katie the one with a heart issue? The pred would probably be contra-indicated if so. But if she can take it, and it's not stressful for her, the 5mg (or whatever's appropriate for her) may significantly help her quality of life (even if the problem isn't cancer).

And given the gradual weight loss, I'd also ask about adding digestive enzymes to her food. This would just be something you sprinkle on her food that she probably won't notice or like, and would help her metabolize more nutrition from the same food.
Prozyme makes a good digestive enzyme (there are many others, of course).

Click to expand...
Simka said:
Agree on the prednisilone, if it's possible, because I've seen amazing results from it when a cat has otherwise untreatable cancer. It gave Sidney several more high quality months.

Even though you have a plan in place, and a good plan, it's still very hard not to wish for something that can give you extra good times.  Lots of good vibes to you and Katie.
 
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Our vet hasn't mentioned cancer (at least not this time around), but I know she's considered it, as have I. I'll ask her about the digestive enzymes and prednisilone. Katie's heart is fine, Laurie. It's Pete and Claire that have HCM. Complicating things with her, though, is that she fights being pilled tooth and nail. I've medicated plenty of cats and my girl is by far the worst. She's also extremely picky about what she eats. I typically have to offer her several different varieties of canned food morning and evening and there's no telling what she'll like from one day to the next. Cooked chicken usually does the trick, but not always. 

I hope it doesn't seem like I'm giving up on her. I'm not, by any means. Just trying to be realistic and prepare myself. If we can come up with something that will give her extra time (and a good quality of life) that I'm all for it. What I don't want is for whatever time I have left with her to be filled with stress and poking and prodding at the vet. 

Thanks so much for the vibes and advice. 
 
ldg

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eilcon said:
Our vet hasn't mentioned cancer (at least not this time around), but I know she's considered it, as have I. I'll ask her about the digestive enzymes and prednisilone. Katie's heart is fine, Laurie. It's Pete and Claire that have HCM. Complicating things with her, though, is that she fights being pilled tooth and nail. I've medicated plenty of cats and my girl is by far the worst. She's also extremely picky about what she eats. I typically have to offer her several different varieties of canned food morning and evening and there's no telling what she'll like from one day to the next. Cooked chicken usually does the trick, but not always. 

I hope it doesn't seem like I'm giving up on her. I'm not, by any means. Just trying to be realistic and prepare myself. If we can come up with something that will give her extra time (and a good quality of life) that I'm all for it. What I don't want is for whatever time I have left with her to be filled with stress and poking and prodding at the vet. 

Thanks so much for the vibes and advice. 
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No, it doesn't sound like you're giving up on her at all, Eileen. The best medicine is the one that can be given stress-free, because it's not about how long life is, it is (IMO) about the quality of life. :heart2: Love and Cheese Danish is often the very best medicine. :nod: :) :heart3: If she doesn't like being pilled to that extent, and she won't eat pred in a pill pocket, then don't think anyone's going to think you're giving up on her! It was just an idea to help make her more comfortable - it might help, cancer or no. And given you wouldn't be giving her chemo anyway, there's not point in putting her through all of the stress of testing to figure out if it even IS cancer.

As to the digestive enzyme... there's hope she may like it! :lol3: Of course, if you have to offer her multiple foods, you may have to go through more of it. It only requires 1/8 of a teaspoon per half cup of food (and it doesn't sound like you're feeding her that much at a time. :) ).
 
kailie

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Goodness hun, no one could EVER blame you for giving up on ANY cat!
I have no doubt that you'll do what is best for Katie, whatever that may involve, and I will continue to send vibes her way.

 
 
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eilcon

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Thanks, everybody. 


Katie has eaten some at the vet and there's been no more vomiting. As long as she does ok today, I'll be picking her up after work. Still no official diagnosis, but the "C" word is a strong possibility. The reality is that she is declining, so the plan for now is to just do what we can that's minimally invasive to keep her eating, hydrated and comfortable. If Katie has her way, that will involve plenty of pizza. 
 
ldg

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Yay, she's feeling better!!!! :clap: :clap: :D

So Katie will be receiving the Love and Cheese Pizza treatment. :lol3:

Hope she continues to feel well and comes home tonight! :hugs: :rub: :vibes:
 
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orientalslave

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Steroid injections did wonders for my old cat that had liver tumours.  They arrested his weight lose, helped his appetite and helped with his general aches and pains.  They are cheap as well, though I was very lucky that I was almost never charged a consultation after the first one.
 
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