Frannie's yearly check up.

flmickey90 · Jan 24, 2016

I had to reschedule Frannie's yearly visit from a week ago this past Friday to this past Friday (22nd) as a couple of weeks ago she was starting to do her hacking/coughing type deal due to her asthma and had to have her steroid shot. Unfortunately, she's been gaining weight due to the shot. Have been trying to get her to play with toys to get her active, but can't seem to get her to do it ... even with adding a catnip spray to the toys.

But onto the visit. Unfortunately, on the way she had a couple of accidents ... from both ends! I didn't keep her dry food out, but that's what she got sick from as she had some a few hours prior (of course it hadn't digested yet) as took the bowl up after feeding her her moist food. And she had a poo accident as well, which was I guess I good thing because then they had some for the fecal exam. They some plans to choose from for different tests and such, which I went for the one that did the most as with having a bit of a scare with being FIV+ (which after the western blot test came back back in November she was negative) and a bit of a concern one time with maybe being diabetic. So went for the gusto on bloodwork. All went well, other than the weight gain, and the vet suggested that instead of feeding her moist food twice daily to cut back to only doing it once daily at night as well as continuing to adding the Welactin to it, which I got the previous week when I took her in for her shot. I'm adding that to her moist as since she does have a bit of the extra weight, she can't clean very well from about mid back to tail as well as not being able to clean her tushy. In that bit of time of giving it to her, it has helped with the looks of her fur. The vet had also suggested that maybe at some point in time to going to the inhaler or mist type to give to her instead of shots due to the steroids and hoping that will help with the weight issue, but it is something that is expensive. I had mentioned I've been interested in doing that, and had mentioned that I am wanting to get my care credit credit card paid down a bit as I've spent over $1000 on it trying to figure out what issues she was having (which we found out a few months ago when I started going to this vets office). At the end of this month I'll be getting two bills paid off, so I'll be able to then make bigger payments to the card (and am sure getting some of the deferred interest tacked on from other visits), but maybe once I get it down more then I'll be able to look into getting the different medication for her. I'll know more tomorrow from what the vet said about the bloodwork that was done. And with her not being able to clean her back side very well, if much at all, I had made an appointment at their groomers/bording place next door and didn't get to show them very well, but had said that it almost feels like there could be a start of a mat or something by her bum. I have been trying to brush and comb her because she has mid length fur, but she doesn't like it much when I try to get by her backside and when she get's restless and grumpy, I'll quit doing it ... but will try and clean that area with a warm washcloth and waterless shampoo and wipes, but it still wasn't good enough. So they clipped a bit and groomed her real good and I think I may have explained it a bit off and she was shaved a bit between the back legs on her belly. I had forgotten that with the receipt of the visit next door at the vets that I had a $10.00 certificate (which is good for a year) for the salon. The groomer suggested to bring her in every few months to help take care of that issue and they'll also groom her real good again, so will do that the next time I take her in there. I'd rather have someone help that knows what they're doing and then I won't stress either her or myself out to much. I do what I can and there's sometimes I've felt to much, which I know she can pick up on. All in all it seemed to go well, other than having stage 1 periodontal disease that I know of as well as the asthma. She has treats (Enzadent Feline Oral Chews) that was given in part to help with that.

Of the several plans that they have to choose from for cats, this is the one I went with:

Feline Optimal Wellness Package

Annual Wellness Exam and client consult
Core vaccines
Fecal exam for parasites
CBC, T4, Vet Panel 1
- Includes thyroid, more thorough liver screens, kidney, diabetes, visual exam of blood cells for abnormalities, adrenal function, electrolytes, pancreas, and some cancer screening capabilities
Wellness Urinalysis
- Screens for UTI’s, bladder stones, diabetes and kidney issues
ECG
Giardia Test
Nail Trim
Oxyfresh for home dental care (went with treats for now)
24/7 Access to your pet’s medical records and PETID card through ePetHealth (it's not through ePetHealth, it's through a different site called Rapport).

For the shots, it is a 3 year FVRCP and the rabies are a yearly one

Also, I'm needing to get the humidifier going as she does still have a bit of dry skin as she has the flakes still in her fur, so hoping that will help with that issue as well as maybe with the asthma.

furmummy · Jan 24, 2016

If Frannie has asthma, she should no have ANY vaccines!!!!! You may, or may not be able to get away with not doing the rabies vax. due to her illness.

Check with local regulations. Your vet could write a letter to the authorities as why your cat should be exempt from the rabies vaccine. It may, or may not fly.

But the rest of the vaccines??? No, not necessary.

stephanietx · Jan 24, 2016

First of all, I'd say that the wet food will be much better for her than dry. Dry is generally full of carbs and wet food has a higher moisture content and will help keep her hydrated and might help her lose weight. If you could switch to a grain free canned and eliminate or drastically reduce the amount of dry food to "snacks" a couple of times a day that would probably help in the weight department. If she's on steroids, though, one of the side effects is increased appetite, so you'll have to control her portions and say "No, it's not time for your food yet". I have found that my kitties are much more willing to play right around meal time.

As for the shots, if her asthma is not controlled, I would opt out of them. I have a herpes kitty and she gets no shots, not even the "required" rabies shot. My vet is okay with this and endorses this protocol. Because she's an indoor only cat and we don't foster or bring in other kitties, she's not at as great a danger of the nasties as she would be if we did take in animals. I also have an asthma kitty and she hasn't had shots in about 3 years.

flmickey90 · Jan 24, 2016

I discussed it with the vet (the one familiar with her that's seen her since I've switched to this office) and asked many questions in regards to her asthma and I trust him and this office much more than I did with the previous office I went to. He has been very upfront eith all questions and concerns I've had with her issue and he has assured me that she is ok to have them. With where I live I am not required to show proof of rabies vaccination and would only do so if I had a dog. I had looked up online about it and had asked questions, like I had stated and he explained things on what I had brought up. Am not sure how others (vets) feel about it and are told, but he was reassuring that she is able to have them.

Furmummy said:
If Frannie has asthma, she should no have ANY vaccines!!!!! You may, or may not be able to get away with not doing the rabies vax. due to her illness.
Check with local regulations. Your vet could write a letter to the authorities as why your cat should be exempt from the rabies vaccine. It may, or may not fly.
But the rest of the vaccines??? Not necessary.

flmickey90 · Jan 24, 2016

As mentioned in my original post when I discussed her feedings, he was fine with what I've been feeding her, but to just cut back on the moist as know that with feeding her the kind I do (which is gravy by Fancy Feast) that is why he's wanting that cut back as she does do well with drinking water and I feed her 4Health grain free dry. So we've discussed her diet and how to be able to try and get het to loose the weight. Plus, I've not even given her the recommended amount listed on either types of food.

stephanietx said:
First of all, I'd say that the wet food will be much better for her than dry. Dry is generally full of carbs and wet food has a higher moisture content and will help keep her hydrated and might help her lose weight. If you could switch to a grain free canned and eliminate or drastically reduce the amount of dry food to "snacks" a couple of times a day that would probably help in the weight department. If she's on steroids, though, one of the side effects is increased appetite, so you'll have to control her portions and say "No, it's not time for your food yet". I have found that my kitties are much more willing to play right around meal time.

As for the shots, if her asthma is not controlled, I would opt out of them. I have a herpes kitty and she gets no shots, not even the "required" rabies shot. My vet is okay with this and endorses this protocol. Because she's an indoor only cat and we don't foster or bring in other kitties, she's not at as great a danger of the nasties as she would be if we did take in animals. I also have an asthma kitty and she hasn't had shots in about 3 years.

molly92 · Jan 24, 2016

FLmickey90 said:
As mentioned in my original post when I discussed her feedings, he was fine with what I've been feeding her, but to just cut back on the moist as know that with feeding her the kind I do (which is gravy by Fancy Feast) that is why he's wanting that cut back as she does do well with drinking water and I feed her 4Health grain free dry. So we've discussed her diet and how to be able to try and get het to loose the weight. Plus, I've not even given her the recommended amount listed on either types of food.

Even if she's a good drinker, she's still not getting as much water as she would if she ate canned. Even grain free dry foods tend to have unnecessary carbs in the form of other vegetables although 4Health looks much better than some, but it looks like there's a lot of beans and peas, which while they technically have protein they're not proteins that cats can metabolize well. It can get tricky and vets are not always the best nutritionists unfortunately. I don't have any experience with asthma in cats, but for losing weight high (animal) protein canned food has been essential for my cat. The extra water and the high protein help with satiety. She couldn't reach to clean all of herself either 6 months ago, and now she can easily.

I do feel for you though, those steroids are probably making things difficult! At least in humans I know they can make you hungrier and also retain water, so again, staying well hydrated should help with that. I think the humidifier's a smart idea for the asthma.

talkingpeanut · Jan 24, 2016

FLmickey90 said:
As mentioned in my original post when I discussed her feedings, he was fine with what I've been feeding her, but to just cut back on the moist as know that with feeding her the kind I do (which is gravy by Fancy Feast) that is why he's wanting that cut back as she does do well with drinking water and I feed her 4Health grain free dry. So we've discussed her diet and how to be able to try and get het to loose the weight. Plus, I've not even given her the recommended amount listed on either types of food.

I'm not sure that cutting back on the amount of food vs. changing the carb content of the food you are feeding is the healthiest choice.

flmickey90 · Jan 24, 2016

Very true on the water, but with what I can get for her financially is the cheap kind until I can get something better for her. Am hoping to find something better for her here and there and trying to find what she'll like. He feels that both dry and moist are ok for ehat am doing, but just trying to get the weight down and under control better and going from there. Had mentioned something about the raw diet and he wasn't downing it, but he's not a keen about doing it. He mentioned about what foods they sell there, but he hasn't pushed it on me and said anything about having to go on any special diet as of yet. Will be getting the humidifier going today. I had forgotten to ask him a question and will probably shoot him an email later.

Yeah, it does make it difficult and she does eat a bit more now it seems on her dry food, especially in that week after she has the shot. When it's time to fill it (dry) up, and if she hasn't finished what's in the bowl, I'll only give a partial scoop.

Molly92 said:
Even if she's a good drinker, she's still not getting as much water as she would if she ate canned. Even grain free dry foods tend to have unnecessary carbs in the form of other vegetables although 4Health looks much better than some, but it looks like there's a lot of beans and peas, which while they technically have protein they're not proteins that cats can metabolize well. It can get tricky and vets are not always the best nutritionists unfortunately. I don't have any experience with asthma in cats, but for losing weight high (animal) protein canned food has been essential for my cat. The extra water and the high protein help with satiety. She couldn't reach to clean all of herself either 6 months ago, and now she can easily.

I do feel for you though, those steroids are probably making things difficult! At least in humans I know they can make you hungrier and also retain water, so again, staying well hydrated should help with that. I think the humidifier's a smart idea for the asthma.

flmickey90 · Jan 24, 2016

I do plan on doing that at some point in time, but finances are a part of why I've had to get what I have. I mentioned I had gotten a variety pack of the Fancy Feast so that's why he's wanting me to cut back on it for now because understanding that the gravy kind is a bit higher in the carb department. I've been trying to find kinds with a variety in them and not just one specific flavor.

talkingpeanut said:
I'm not sure that cutting back on the amount of food vs. changing the carb content of the food you are feeding is the healthiest choice.

molly92 · Jan 24, 2016

Hopefully this thread will be of some help: http://www.thecatsite.com/t/181955/cheapest-healthy-canned-cat-food

It looks like it depends a bit on what's available in your area. If you do switch her to a new food, try to do it gradually by mixing a little more of the new in with the old each day to reduce the risk of it upsetting her system. (In a perfect world all cats would probably be fed raw but even aside from cost it's a lot of work and vets are hesitant to recommend homemade raw diets because if you don't get the right amount of each nutrient in your preparation you could put your cat at risk for deficiency.) For now when you do feed her the fancy feast, you can add a little tap water to it, but not to the dry food because that can encourage bacterial growth.

flmickey90 · Jan 24, 2016

Molly92 said:
Hopefully this thread will be of some help: http://www.thecatsite.com/t/181955/cheapest-healthy-canned-cat-food

It looks like it depends a bit on what's available in your area. If you do switch her to a new food, try to do it gradually by mixing a little more of the new in with the old each day to reduce the risk of it upsetting her system. (In a perfect world all cats would probably be fed raw but even aside from cost it's a lot of work and vets are hesitant to recommend homemade raw diets because if you don't get the right amount of each nutrient in your preparation you could put your cat at risk for deficiency.) For now when you do feed her the fancy feast, you can add a little tap water to it, but not to the dry food because that can encourage bacterial growth.

molly92 · Jan 24, 2016

Yeah, finding the right food is not easy to do, but it is nice that she's such a good eater, so you don't have to worry too much about that part!

I'm wary of weight control and prescription diets. They're expensive but still seem to be full of the same carbohydrates and fillers that are in the cheap stuff, so it seems like there are much healthier options out there for the same price.

This is where I learned most of how to feed my cat: catinfo.org. It's a lot of information, but you can kind of scroll through parts and see what will be useful. It's written by a vet who understands cat nutrition very well.

Specifically this section http://www.catinfo.org/#Learn_How_To_Read_a_Pet_Food_Ingredient_Label will be helpful for when you're looking at ingredients lists on cans in the store.

flmickey90 · Jan 24, 2016

Molly92 said:
Yeah, finding the right food is not easy to do, but it is nice that she's such a good eater, so you don't have to worry too much about that part!

I'm wary of weight control and prescription diets. They're expensive but still seem to be full of the same carbohydrates and fillers that are in the cheap stuff, so it seems like there are much healthier options out there for the same price.

This is where I learned most of how to feed my cat: catinfo.org. It's a lot of information, but you can kind of scroll through parts and see what will be useful. It's written by a vet who understands cat nutrition very well.

Specifically this section http://www.catinfo.org/#Learn_How_To_Read_a_Pet_Food_Ingredient_Label will be helpful for when you're looking at ingredients lists on cans in the store.

Frannie's yearly check up.

flmickey90

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Feline Optimal Wellness Package

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