Artie very sick after biopsy / Update!

Artie has been so sick since his endoscopic biopsy. I did not post because my computer crashed. 

The anesthesia has taken so much out of him. It takes him 2 days to bounce back from it..but he eats a bit..

With this, He is only eating about 2 teaspoons a day of food....

I did call the IMvet late yesterday afternoon..spoke thru a vet tech. She said it was a tuff procedure for him. She suggested bland food, to boil hamburger or chicken and rice.  Artie will never eat it, but I did it last night. I took frozen thighs out and boiled it. The IMVet also suggested Cerenia pills. It was too late and I was too exhausted to drive up there for it..

As it was, I got stopped by a cop in a speed trap the other day, in a town I am not familiar with--trying to get around the rush hour traffic.....

I asked it I could give him an extra dose of pepcid. She said, sure, but if not better today than get the Cerenia. 

I tried everything, baby food, fancy feast, tuna with sardines, the boiled chicken with my broth, and dry prescription food....nothing--just a bit of kibble...

I called and asked for it this morning. After an hour, I called my Vet. She had a copy of the surgical report--biopsy results not back yet. 

She said that the surgery took a lot out of him. She said he has a lot of disease. She said that I could take him in for fluid hydration and a shot of certain. It would be easier than trying to pill him today.

She said she will give me some pills for the week-end. 

I am taking him in at 2:30 pm. 

An our after I made the arrangements for this, I got a call from the Hospital saying they had the script ready for me to pick up. I just said, thanks....

I mean, thank God that our reg Vet is close by..

I would rather take him to see my Vet than have to take him to the Emergency Room.

But the ER Vet is always there, just in case.

I feel so bad, that I caused this to happen to him...I am kicking myself....If I did this to him...and he does not recover, I do not know what I would do...

I mean...I am trying to keep it together now...

If I knew this would be how the procedure effect Artie;  I would never, ever have agreed to it.....

I did not think it would be this hard for him to handle...

I am so scared right now...

Time is not going by fast enough....I want him to get to the Vet soon...Now if possible...but I have to wait until the Vet can see him...

I will get there early..

I hope I can keep from crying in there.....I feel like he is dying....and I am making him suffer......He has been with me thru so much...

sorry guys.....not in a good frame of mind right now..maybe a shower will help.....

thanks for listening to me....

Cindy

I think all of us with a kitty that has severe IBD has had to make the decision about a biopsy, some have had it done other haven't.  There is no right or wrong answer.  Fluids and cerenia will help him feel a lot better.  I know with my IBD kitty before he was finally diagnosed and was getting just supportive care would get fluids at the vet's and it was like night and day.  He really perked up and felt much better after.

Thanks Denice, on my way to change my clothes, get my bag, check wallet for credit card. Will have them submit a claim to insurance for re-imbursement.....and then put Artie in the carrier.

Wish us luck...

thanks,

Lots and lots of for Artie!

Artiemom said:

 
Thanks Denice, on my way to change my clothes, get my bag, check wallet for credit card. Will have them submit a claim to insurance for re-imbursement.....and then put Artie in the carrier.

Wish us luck...

thanks,

Click to expand...

Vibes.

Oh no - poor Artie, and poor you I really hope the fluids etc help.

Don't torture yourself going over 'what if' and 'if only'. You made the best decision you could at the time with the information available. For what it's worth, I'd probably have gone for the biopsy if it was me. You've got great vets, and that's worth a lot. You know he's getting the best care possible - from the vets and from you. Try to stay positive. More for you and vibes for Artie

Back from the Vet's. Artie was given 100 cc of fluid, and a cerenia shot. I got some cerenia pills to take home.

Artie did not say a word in the car at all!---he was so exhausted!

It was about a 40 minute ride home because of holiday traffic. As soon as I got in, Artie ran to litter box and peed!!

Then he went over to the food, and started eating a bit!!! Prescription dry food food and then some tuna with sardines!

I was so happy! 

He then went to the window to watch the construction which is currently going on right outside my windows..Very alert!!

He just went over to the food and nibbled a bit more..

hopefully, happy dance soon...

I decompensated when I was there. The Vet was great. She told me not to question my decision to have the biopsy; it HAD to be done, It showed disease (most likely IBD)...it was necessary. But Artie is such a sensitive, fussy, high maintenance cat, things are hard to deal with. 

We also discussed things I read on the web. Cyprohenadrine (sp) sorry is out at this time, because Artie had a reaction the mirtazapine, the last time he had it. I still have some mirtazapine at home. She said if I felt like it, I can give him just 1/8 of a pill...He gets very restless with Mirtz.

The Reglan gets him a bit restless also...

No to syringe feeding---she feels it sometimes causes 'food aversion' in sensitive animals like Artie.

No the home fluids- he is not at that point where it is needed every day.

She honestly feels that what is done today will help him. If not, I am to call them tomorrow and to call the hospital. She said that although it is much easier and less stressful for him to come see her, she has not dealt with post-op complications. But she and the hospital work together on all the patients. 

She is going to send a report to the IMVet and inform her of what was done today. 

Artie seems so much better now...Can Cerenia and Fluids work that fast????? wonder drugs if it does..He does not seem to be in as much pain as he was earlier...

He is still exhausted...trying to sleep now...

I am to give him 1/2 Cerenia tomorrow and for the next 4 days...total of 5 days and then stop for 48 hours and start up again if need be...By that time (Tuesday), I will be in touch with the IMVet and getting the biopsy results and trying an 'official' game plan for his care...

I have 2 cans of A/D food, just in case. It may be good to have on hand.....

Insurance was questioning about this claim today--it was put in as post-op complications..whatever....got a check today for  $650....that is a happy dance!!

Yay that Artie is already perking up (THESE are happy dances )  And Yay for your reimbursement check - ALREADY (that was QUICK)

Yes, it really IS amazing what a little sub-q fluid can do.  You know, my Callie can't take Mirtzapine orally, but she tolerates it quite well in transdermal gel form.  Strange, huh?  Orally it makes her throw-up, in any dosage.  But transdermal gel in her ear works great!  I wonder if something like that would work with Artie? 

that the fluids and Cerenia are all Artie needed to jump start him and now he'll be on the road to recovery.

Also, for the biopsy results.

so happy the fluids and Cerenia worked so fast. Really hope he continues to improve. Great news about the insurance money too...don't know where I'd be without insurance plans for my guys.

:cross: for good biopsy results. Artie - stop making your mom worry so much!

Great result! cerenia IS a wonder drug, and sub Q fluids as well.

Just came across this thread, coincidentally, Artie crossed my mind today, I wondered how he was doing these days.

Fingers crossed for biopsy results.  

Thank you guys!!!  

I did get out tonight. I spent time with some friends with pizza and wine...It was good.

I came home and Artie was at the door, greeting me.....actually he ran out of the apartment..He did not go far, just a few step and got stopped. I shooed him in...He MUST be feeling better...He ate half of the food which was left out on the plate. 

I just gave him his Reglan. In about an hour I will give him some pepcid. He is so much more alert......

I feel a lot better...sorry for being so dramatic to you earlier...seeing him be in pain and suffering, just broke my heart....thank you for being there for me...

You guys are an awesome group of people.

I will admit, yes, I sometimes do have my doubts about my VEt....but I honestly think I would have doubts about every one I see. I am just a second guesser and just not trusting completely. I worked in the medical field all my life. I was in a referral center and saw so many screw-ups from other docs. They were sent to us for 2nd opinions. I learned not to trust all and question everything. I try to learn as I go along, although sometimes I am too trusting...

I am a control freak, I guess....

Thanks again....

Glad you fotofit and did something for you and so relieved to hear Artie is better. You know he can feel your state of mind. I bet you'll sleep well tonight. Let's know tomorrow how he does.

Well, I had to call the hospital again this morning. After Artie picked up from the hydration and cerenia shot yesterday, he is is now not eating...

Late yesterday, he nibbled and managed to eat about a 1/4 of a can of food and some prescription dry.

During the night, he did not eat anything. 

He did not want breakfast either. 

He ran immediately under the bed when he heard me in the kitchen getting his Cerenia ready.

Took me 15 mins to get him out.

I waited an hour to see if the cerenia would help. No...so I called the hospital.

The IMVEt was working today. She took my call.

The biopsy results are back---no lymphoma, but moderate disease. poor baby..

She said not to panic. Right now we are 'band-aiding' things until we find something that will work.

She prescribed steroids, a compounded mirtazapine, I am to pick them up later.

Artie will daily have to take: Reglan, pepcid, cerenia, steroid, mirtazapine----until he feels a bit better.

Once he starts to eat, then the mirtazapine and cerenia can be cut back or discontinued.

I have to call her Tuesday for an update. 

Again, she echoed the words of out Vet on worrying about hepatic lipidosis. She said that if he was a fat cat, then she would be more concerned. She said he is normally a thin cat so, it is not as critical. She said not to worry until Tuesday.. Let things be and allow the meds to kick in...

I have to believe them...

Now I am off to take a shower, wash dishes, give Artie some Pepcid, and then off to cemetery--have to then get an ice cream either before or after driving up to the hospital for the new meds....It is a bit faster to get them compounded there then it would be at the pharmacy I have been using..They need a day in advance. At least this way, I can start them today. I will see if I can transfer them to the one which is I have been using. That way, things will be in one place....

Can't help it, but I worry because I want him to eat..If he eats, then I know he is feeling better.....sigh...

It's great news that there's no lymphoma. I know it's still a worrying situation right now, but that news must help a bit

Hang in there. At least you know what you're dealing with now. I hope he stabilises soon, and finds his appetite again.

Has your vet ever suggested trying another anti-emetic first -- besides using cerenia and besides also adding steroids, mirtazapine into your cat's "cocktail"?!? I just thought I'd ask. My cat did not react well to cerenia, and we (vet and I) ruled that out as an option. Anzemet worked much better for her, and used as a sub-Q shot... for many months. Have you tried anzemet as the anti-emetic? It works on different pathways (receptors) in the brain than the cerenia does. Pepcid and anzemet (and her favorite food(s)) worked well with my cat when she was nauseated.

You know, I am getting so confused right now.. I think I have the 'too much information overload"....sorry if that sounds disrespectful, mean, or snarky.

I am so confused right now...

I know everyone means well, but I am overwhelmed.

I know all of you guys have been on this road, way earlier than I am and are trying to give me your wisdom...

I am so scared right now. I do not want to do anything which will harm him further...

I am doing what is suggested by this Vet. I do not know her. I do not know exactly how good she is. 

All I know is that I want my cat to feel better.

At this point in time, I do not feel comfortable micro-managing my .Vets...I am exhausted....

I know that sounds so mean to say...but I am in information overload...

I do not want Artie to get worse, or have any reactions to any meds...I know the hospital is always open, if God forbid it happens...

He licked a bit of the food earlier, right now he is with me on top of the pillows on my bed. I have been really chilling out, trying not to get him upset...He does want food, but it is hard for him to eat it..still nauseous. 

I am hoping the steroid will help. 

I know when I take a steroid for bad respiratory infection and prolonged asthma issues, I get so hungry and irritable...but we shall see...

All I can do right now is follow doc's advise and give the meds time to work...and try not to panic in front of him...

I have to listen to their advice and to remember all you guys have mentioned...

I really apologize for this post....maybe I should not dwell on things and let things go for a while....

thanks everyone.

Artiemom said:

 
You know, I am getting so confused right now.. I think I have the 'too much information overload"....sorry if that sounds disrespectful, mean, or snarky.

I am so confused right now...

I know everyone means well, but I am overwhelmed.

I know all of you guys have been on this road, way earlier than I am and are trying to give me your wisdom...

I am so scared right now. I do not want to do anything which will harm him further...

I am doing what is suggested by this Vet. I do not know her. I do not know exactly how good she is. 

All I know is that I want my cat to feel better.

At this point in time, I do not feel comfortable micro-managing my .Vets...I am exhausted....

I know that sounds so mean to say...but I am in information overload...

I do not want Artie to get worse, or have any reactions to any meds...I know the hospital is always open, if God forbid it happens...

He licked a bit of the food earlier, right now he is with me on top of the pillows on my bed. I have been really chilling out, trying not to get him upset...He does want food, but it is hard for him to eat it..still nauseous. 

I am hoping the steroid will help. 

I know when I take a steroid for bad respiratory infection and prolonged asthma issues, I get so hungry and irritable...but we shall see...

All I can do right now is follow doc's advise and give the meds time to work...and try not to panic in front of him...

I have to listen to their advice and to remember all you guys have mentioned...

I really apologize for this post....maybe I should not dwell on things and let things go for a while....

thanks everyone.

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I know exactly what you mean about information overload.  Give yourself time to breathe.  Do something that relaxes you; go for a walk to clear your head.  Anything.  I can't count the number of times in the last year that I have wished for a crystal ball to see into the future to know exactly what to do for my girls for their health situations.  It just doesn't work that way.  I find I can process things without being overwhelmed if I go through it a little at a time.  At the end of the day; I'm doing what I can for my girls.  I'm aiming for quality of life.  I try to work toward a place of being at peace with our treatment decisions and acknowledge that at some point we may still say goodbye.  It may be far sooner than I'd like; because anything less than forever is not enough. Since I don't have that crystal ball; I can't know when that will be and that's something i need to remind myself of often.  

Having sick furbabies is hard.  Take care of yourself so you can take care of them. 

Information Overload is not a happy place to be! I totally understand where you are at. Chilling with your cat right now and trying to de-stress are the best things at the moment, for both of you Comfort and calm kitty time are so important
:heart3:

The steroid should really help with getting the inflammation under control and it doesn't take too long to begin working.  Once you get the inflammation under control then you can make decisions about long term control.  Usually once the kitty is well and begins to gain weight then they start tapering the dosage.  The goal is no steroids but some kitties like mine need it long term.  Even when it is taken long term you want to give the smallest dose that will keep the inflammation in check.