- Joined
- Nov 18, 2012
- Messages
- 14
- Purraise
- 10
Well, it's been a long summer in our house. My 16 year old DLH, Sophie, has been battling a bacteria in her kidneys (Enterococcus). As a backstory, she has hyperthyroidism (managed with daily dosing of Methemizole) and high blood pressure (daily Amlodipine Besylate). I noticed that she was drinking more water and urinating frequently about a month ago and subsequently brought her to the vet. The vet prescribed a 10 day course of Clavamox as her urinalysis showed the bacteria was still present. She did this course and on recheck, the bacteria was back. So she went onto Amoxicillan. Which she did not tolerate well at all - lethargic, diminished appetite, vomitting, diarrhea, etc. So they switched her to Zeniquin which she was on for two days before she stopped eating altogether and wouldn't get out of bed. At that time, she was referred to an in-patient facility where she had every test under the sun conducted. They found that one of her kidneys had an obstruction (stone, mucus or stricture, they were unable to determine) and that the other was enlarged. They pumped her full of fluids in hopes of flushing out the stone if there was one. They also diagnosed her with Stage 2 CRF. Whatever the blockage was, it cleared and two days later I was able to take her home with six different medications and an optimistic outlook. She was sent out with: Amoxicillan, Mirtazapine, Cerenia and Pepid in addition to her Methemizole and Amoldipine.
And now, here were are two weeks later - her appetite is sporadic at best, helped along with Mirtazapine until last night when I gave it to her (1/8 tablet, every three days) and she became aggitated, aggressive and had a rapid breathing rate (48 breaths per minute). She did eat well yesterday after the dose was administered however she has a disinterest in socializing and grunts when touched. Very much unlike her typical personality which is affectionate and personable. Her vet suggested switching her to Cyproheptadine but I've read that a lot of the same side effects exist. I don't even know which end is up anymore. I haven't given her the Pepcid or Cerenia for about a week now as I feel like all this poor cat is doing is receiving pills and I'm not sure any are doing what I hope they do. I've also started giving her a daily probiotic in hopes that will help with the diarrhea and stomach upset she is getting from the Amoxicillan. She is supposed to be on it for the next four weeks and at 7.3 lbs, I'm not sure that's going to happen. Any advice on questions I should be asking of the vet or things I could be doing to help her have a better quality of life? I am completely at a loss and could use some moral support! Thank you all.
And now, here were are two weeks later - her appetite is sporadic at best, helped along with Mirtazapine until last night when I gave it to her (1/8 tablet, every three days) and she became aggitated, aggressive and had a rapid breathing rate (48 breaths per minute). She did eat well yesterday after the dose was administered however she has a disinterest in socializing and grunts when touched. Very much unlike her typical personality which is affectionate and personable. Her vet suggested switching her to Cyproheptadine but I've read that a lot of the same side effects exist. I don't even know which end is up anymore. I haven't given her the Pepcid or Cerenia for about a week now as I feel like all this poor cat is doing is receiving pills and I'm not sure any are doing what I hope they do. I've also started giving her a daily probiotic in hopes that will help with the diarrhea and stomach upset she is getting from the Amoxicillan. She is supposed to be on it for the next four weeks and at 7.3 lbs, I'm not sure that's going to happen. Any advice on questions I should be asking of the vet or things I could be doing to help her have a better quality of life? I am completely at a loss and could use some moral support! Thank you all.
