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Please stop supplementing until you have arranged for this.
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Walking on wrists and weight loss
- Thread starter hodge
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I suggest you have Hodgey’s serum B12, methylmalonic acid, and homocysteine levels checked. I suggest that you also have his red blood cells visually examined, rather than simply put to counting and mean cell volume measurement by mechanical means.
Be sure to tell his Doctor how you have been supplementing Hodgey, and also for how long you have done that.
I suggest also that you meanwhile pick up a bottle of the B12 fluid supplement for sublingual use, show it to his Doctor, and ask if it would be okay for you to administer it to Hodgey, say, two metric drops [each .05 (or 1/20) cc; .1 (or 1/10) cc total] per day, sublingual, separated by some time, during his sleepy times.
Be sure to tell his Doctor how you have been supplementing Hodgey, and also for how long you have done that.
I suggest also that you meanwhile pick up a bottle of the B12 fluid supplement for sublingual use, show it to his Doctor, and ask if it would be okay for you to administer it to Hodgey, say, two metric drops [each .05 (or 1/20) cc; .1 (or 1/10) cc total] per day, sublingual, separated by some time, during his sleepy times.
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- #24
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- #25
2nd doc noticed potassium was low.... Put Hodge on potassium. Day two and he is perking up a bit.... Still walking on wrists. Had to get him a new lower entrance litter box.... He was falling out of his. 
hno: Still going to specialist on Tuesday am... Will update so others who may have similar issue will know what's up with my 'old man'
hno: Still going to specialist on Tuesday am... Will update so others who may have similar issue will know what's up with my 'old man'
The low potassium can cause weakness and walking on his wrists and hocks. Read this page: http://www.felinecrf.org/potassium.htm
It's about kidney disease, but it talks about the symptoms of low potassium in cats, and mentions several possible causes.
I would be careful with the b12. In humans, supplementing b12 can cause a loss of potassium, while potassium supplementation can cause a loss of b12 from the body. I don't know whether this is true in cats, but talk to your vet about it. In my experience, when I tried giving my cat (who has kidney disease) a b12 supplement, she soon started showing signs of low potassium that she had not had before. I stopped the b12 and the new symptoms disappeared.
It's about kidney disease, but it talks about the symptoms of low potassium in cats, and mentions several possible causes.
I would be careful with the b12. In humans, supplementing b12 can cause a loss of potassium, while potassium supplementation can cause a loss of b12 from the body. I don't know whether this is true in cats, but talk to your vet about it. In my experience, when I tried giving my cat (who has kidney disease) a b12 supplement, she soon started showing signs of low potassium that she had not had before. I stopped the b12 and the new symptoms disappeared.
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- #27
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- #28
Update on Hodgey. Neuro doc said def neuro issue. More detailed bloodwork done - still waiting on results. Chest xrays came back clear. Also testing for toxoplasma. She feels it is either that or autoimmune disease affecting nerves. Have put him on steroids and antibios to treat for both possible issues, and continue potassium supps. If bloodwork comes back neg, they want to test for the standard FIV, etc type of diseases cats can catch ( he has always been indoors, so these are doubtful), ultrasounds for cancers, and muscle biopsys (i wont do biopsys). So far he has perked up some. Still walking bad, but more alert and comes out of his bed area to visit and get around the house. Will keep updating.... Thanks!
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- #29
Update on my Hodgey.... He perked up with meds for a week, but is again sliding downhill. We're doing what we can to make him comfy.... But today he could not get up enough to walk to his food. His temperment is still so sweet and playful, but we have to decide if that outweighs his inability and difficulty in even taking a step anymore. He doesnt complain about pain, but i know it has to hurt to try to walk.... He has lost almost all his muscle mass in his front legs and alot in his back, too. We have some hard and difficult decisions, especially when even the specialist is scratching her head over it.
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- #30
After going back to the neuro specialist today, she agrees any more tests are needless. We are putting his illness down to cancer of the nervous system. She upped his steroids to make him more comfortable, but based on his decline, we all agree he has about a month, if that. Gonna put off euthenasia until we see he has severe complications. Just gonna love on the sweet boy until its his time or until he is in extreme distress. Thanks for listening and to all the advice.
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So sorry to hear that news about poor Hodge 
He's a lucky kitty to have such a compassionate and loving guardian as I'm sure you feel lucky to have loved this precious soul. I think you have a good plan in place and will enjoy him until he lets you know it's time.
He's a lucky kitty to have such a compassionate and loving guardian as I'm sure you feel lucky to have loved this precious soul. I think you have a good plan in place and will enjoy him until he lets you know it's time.
