20% kidney function, high liver, high side thyroid

Chances of finding octopus in grocery store in ON unless you are near Toronto or Ottawa - nil. lol. Big province. I'm not near either.

I would think that some animals show symptoms of something wrong early and some don't. If it wasn't for the constipation, we still wouldn't be able to tell, just like you with your dear departed dog. With animals, you do what you can with what they show you and what you notice. ()

I think my Cocheesie's anemia is getting worse. I noticed last night that the pinkest tongue I've ever seen is a cat in now a pale pink in comparison even though she's still eating and very perky. She's been getting RX Vitamins Amino B-plex 1 ml 2x daily to supplement. Suggested dose: 5-20 lbs. 1 to 1.5 ml 2x daily. Iron (from aqueous liver fractions) = 14 mcg per dose. B12 (cyan) = .5 mcg per dose. To me, these numbers seem rather low. Is it possible, I wonder, to double the dose? I wish supplements came with a per ml list instead of having to do and keep track of a lot of math.

Two of my local stores do not carry supplements. The third might.

This is our long weekend. Regular vet not open until Tuesday. If she was lethargic, I'd be at the emergency vet right now (in my pyjamas).

Stores closed tomorrow. I'm off shortly to the third store to buy dried liver treats to crumble and attempt to sneak into her food, and see if they carry iron supplements so I can compare. Will also look for pates that have liver as one of the top ingredients. She will not touch human food or anything that is not a pate. 

Any suggestions welcome.

Loads (and I mean loads) of hair coming out during 2x daily grooming sessions the last two days. I usually get very little hair when I brush. She's medium long-haired and it's fine. Today, I noticed two bald spots on each side of her rib cage (in the same place). Is this a sign of continuing liver failure or the anemia?

Cat still perky and having a great day (1st breakfast, brunch, lunch, 2 windows, front paw wash, and a speedy romp down the hall). Calling the vet tomorrow but may not get in same day because they'll be busy because of the long weekend, and we want a certain vet (who's got smarts).

Have been reading that Pepcid AC  is not good for anemia. Did not give any this morning and hoping that she doesn't have stomach acid issues.

I don't know the answers to your questions about the hair falling out. I know in humans this can happen just from being chronically ill in general. I'm sorry you're going through this with your girl.

Thanks. I realize it will be a downward spiral, but as long as she is consistently feeling good, we'll do what we can. (Being told off at present because I bought one new-to-her can of food. She gobbled it up and wants more. And I can't get more until tomorrow when the stores open unless I go rogue and drive my car through the front of the store - she thinks that is a good idea) 

cocheezie said:

 
Loads (and I mean loads) of hair coming out during 2x daily grooming sessions the last two days. I usually get very little hair when I brush. She's medium long-haired and it's fine. Today, I noticed two bald spots on each side of her rib cage (in the same place). Is this a sign of continuing liver failure or the anemia?

Cat still perky and having a great day (1st breakfast, brunch, lunch, 2 windows, front paw wash, and a speedy romp down the hall). Calling the vet tomorrow but may not get in same day because they'll be busy because of the long weekend, and we want a certain vet (who's got smarts).

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I also don't know if the bald spots are due to the liver failure but would agree with GoHolistic.

My dog and cat are shedding like crazy at this time of year, but no bald spots.

Its great that Cocheezie is having one of those great days. The way you write, I can really picture it all...."romp(ing) down the hall"....

cocheezie said:

 
Thanks. I realize it will be a downward spiral, but as long as she is consistently feeling good, we'll do what we can. (Being told off at present because I bought one new-to-her can of food. She gobbled it up and wants more. And I can't get more until tomorrow when the stores open unless I go rogue and drive my car through the front of the store - she thinks that is a good idea)  

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Wow, you just made me laugh, so thanks, I really needed that today.

And no, getting put in jail is not a good option, even if Cocheezie momentarily thinks so.  Sure, you can let her have the keys to the car, but don't give her directions to the store, either.   (Telling you off....lol....that is classic....I love your cat....she sounds like my Spotty.....whenever I don't pay enough attention to him, he gets quite chatty)

Here's hoping for more commentary from Cocheezie. just no going "rogue".

Wellness Grain-free canned contains liver as a second ingredient, as one option.

With regards to the iron dosage, this is something you should speak with your vet about.

Thanks for the information. She's not all that fond of Wellness. I've tried many times. But I did try Wild Calling Cowabunga on the weekend which also lists liver as a 2nd ingredient and she gobbled the stuff.

Vet visit bright and early this morning. Was hoping, and got the smart vet who has seen her many times. Yay! Vet could tell that the anemia had become worse just by looking in her mouth. Also noted that her tumour had grown in size. Hair loss most likely due to all three issues (tumour, liver, kidney - kidneys probably not being able to get rid of enough ammonia could be likely). He was amazed that she is still having consistently good days, and looked well, and that all these things haven't got the best of her yet ... but soon. Talking in the car on the way home, we realized that the next vet visit (other than human-only visits to get supplies) will most likely be the last one. When she lets us know ...

Cocheesie given B-!2 shot and had two pieces of tartar removed from back teeth that may have been bothering her. Vet said that boosting the amount of her tincture will do the same as a B12 shot without the side effects of stinging, so that's what we'll do + it has the added benefit of amino acids. I asked if giving sub-q fluids every day instead of every 2nd day would benefit the kidneys, and he said yes it would, a lot. I asked if anything more can be done to support her and he said that basically all that can be done has been done. I asked if steroids were an option and he said that at this stage the potential side effects would definitely outweigh the benefits.

We're adding a bit of thyroid food to her buffet because her thyroid is still slightly elevated (again, most likely kidney related). Also picked up some Advantage because the last thing she needs is fleas feeding off her. Won't need the whole package obviously, but can now give some vials to a neighbour who can get closer to the beloved neighbourhood feral than I can.

Brought her home and put the cat cage right at the front door and opened it so it would be her decision to enter the house, letting her begin to take back control of her day. She went upstairs, drank a lot (cats always seem to do this after a vet visit), had a snack, and is now having a nap.

Well good to hear that she likes the Wild Calling! ...

Its good that you have the option of the tinture over the B-12 shot. This should help to give her a boost.

Kudos to you for being so sensitive to her needs at this late stage in giving her space to do as she feels. I hope she can continue to be as comfortable as possible.

I've been following this thread, even though I don't have any suggestions to add. I am glad Cocheesie is having some good days and hope this continues.

cocheezie said:

Talking in the car on the way home, we realized that the next vet visit (other than human-only visits to get supplies) will most likely be the last one. When she lets us know ...

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Nothing to add...just hugs.        

cocheezie said:

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 Vet could tell that the anemia had become worse just by looking in her mouth. Also noted that her tumour had grown in size. Hair loss most likely due to all three issues (tumour, liver, kidney - kidneys probably not being able to get rid of enough ammonia could be likely). He was amazed that she is still having consistently good days, and looked well, and that all these things haven't got the best of her yet ... but soon. Talking in the car on the way home, we realized that the next vet visit (other than human-only visits to get supplies) will most likely be the last one. When she lets us know ...

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Somehow I missed your post #22, of the anemia getting worse.  I am so sorry and still hope that Cocheesie has more good days than bad.  At this point,  just being together is the most important thing.  

I hope Cocheezie is having a good day! You are an excellent Kitty-parent and she is lucky to have you. No words if wisdom, just support. Hang in there and do the best you can for your beauty!

The old girl is having an excellent day. Thanks for all the support.

I read your reply on chalupa's thread, and just wanted to come here and send well wishes.  Hoping your Cocheesie, is hanging tough.

Update.

So Cocheezie has missed her jump from the window to the bed 2 mornings in a row. About 3 feet. I was able to see it happen this morning. Her left front leg has a twitch (thyroid issues caused by kidney is the vet's explanation). Just as she went to jump, her leg twitched. She jumps between the two many times a day. It was only these two jumps that didn't work. It doesn't help that the previous owner declawed. Tonight is set aside for moving the bookshelves beside the bed so that the bed can be moved closer to the window, but still leave enough room for floor to bed or window jumps.

She's still not exclusively on k/d wet. I manage to mix it in with other wet foods, so about half her wet food intake is k/d. The thyroid wet food she won't touch at all. I don't blame her, it's like a pot of glue! It sticks to the fork so I'm sure it would stick uncomfortably to her teeth. She's starting to want kibble. She went off kibble when she was constipated before Christmas and hasn't wanted any until recently. I've started giving her a handful of thyroid kibble late at night. It's getting too warm to leave wet food out all night. Should I be giving her more thyroid kibble? or add some kidney kibble to the mix? I'd say about the wet/dry ratio is 90/10. The small amount of dry has not affected her bowel movements.

She's still tossing hairballs. No hair is going through. Sometimes the hair hasn't even had the chance to form a log. I can see the strands in the vomit. She's fine immediately after. If her body is rejecting sending hair through her squished digestive system then there is a reason and I don't think I should mess with it. My biggest worry is creating a blockage. She is becoming sensitive to brushing so there is only a small amount of gentle grooming on my part. If I groom her in depth, she turns her head and gives me a dirty look, then moves a few feet away. This could be because she is so skinny. I need some sort of magnetic hair attracting glove that's not nubby like most grooming gloves. Does such a glove exist? Switching to sub-q fluids daily slowed down most of the hair loss. I'm seeing one bald spot on each ear.

Otherwise, she is in great spirits. She's eating. Demanding. No meatloaf positioning. Not hiding, Grooming. Minimal weight loss. A few bad moments, but no bad days. We spent an hour outside yesterday exploring four backyards and the river bank, examining and sniffing every single plant. It was my decision to come in. I was worried about her overheating in the sun and the heat. All that black hair. She did not agree with my decision at all, and voiced her displeasure all the way back to the front door. It's not time yet. Every day is a gift and is treated as such.

Thanks for the update. I'm sorry she missed two jumps, but glad to read that she's in good spirits. Sounds like you had a nice time outside together. 

You know...diet is such a tough thing with a sick kitty. You need them to eat, but you don't want them to eat bad food. It becomes a "lesser of two evils" debate. I do think the kibble will be harder for her to digest and may cause some discomfort. Something I have experimented with was putting dry food in a coffee grinder to use as a powdered topper on wet food (thanks to the neat idea in this thread). I only put two tablespoons of kibble in a coffee grinder, grind until it's a fine powder, and store in the fridge in a covered container. Grinding the kibble lessens it's shelf life and opens it up to nasties, so you must store it in the fridge and use within two days. Wipe out the coffee grinder really well after each use.

As to the brushing, Boo doesn't like to be brushed either. He has major muscle wasting and his back and hips are extremely boney. The only thing he'll let me use is a bottle brush like this one: http://www.toysrus.com/buy/feeding/babies-r-us-purely-simple-bottle-brush-2pk-3923078-12827668. It has soft bristles and grabs loose hair. It does not get to the thick undercoat, unfortunately, but at least helps grab some of the loose stuff that he would otherwise ingest. Running the bottle brush under water before using it on the cat might help pick up more hair, but I have not tried this yet.

Will check out bottle brushes. Thank you for the idea.

Thanks for the update. Sounds like she's doing pretty well, all things considered. She's luck to have you. Your time together sounds wonderful.