Artie and his Issues

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artiemom

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LTS3 said:
 
Let's not think about surgery yet. Let the N Vet examine Artie and discuss with you what he feels would be the best way to treat Artie's issues. Be honest with him about what you will and won't do for Artie if finances are a concern. The hospital does offer financial aid through an internal pet care fund should you need it for a surgery or more intensive diagnostic procedures.
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thank you so much... I honestly do not know what I have done without you; Or where WE would be now....

**********************************************************

ONTH:

We have POOPS!!!!   a 5 x 1 inch piece!!!   Just as I was about to give him some more lactulose and cyproheptadine, he pooped... perfect timing.. saving half of the lactulose and the cypro for another day!!!  and the color is that of the new food.. a lighter grayish color, from the lamb...

************************

Now I can sleep and rest peacefully.. I swear this cat is making me an alcoholic! 
 
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Hurray for Artie!!!  [emoji]127930[/emoji] [emoji]127926[/emoji] [emoji]127926[/emoji] [emoji]127926[/emoji]    (He can't toot his own horn so I'm doing it for him.)
 
Loving Mickey

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Just letting you know I am always thinking of you and Artie!
Glad he finally pooped. I hope he cuddles with you and both of you can rest easy tonight.
You both deserve some peaceful rest!
 
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artiemom

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Artie woke me up around 7;30 am.. it was a late night, and I am not a football fan, but I did watch most of the Super Bowl...

He is not eating as voraciously as he has been... and he did not lead me over for poops... fingers crossed...

It kind of seems as if his bowels are back to what he has known--his normal.. not completely  cleaned out, still full, but this is normal for him.. when he is this way, he dies not eat as much.. it is at this point that he really needs to poop, in order to keep his weight up...vicious circle.. 

He is lying in the sun, on his smaller tree, waiting for me to brush him.. I will do that soon...

fingers crossed for more poop and food consumed!
 
neely

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Artiemom said:
 
He is lying in the sun, on his smaller tree, waiting for me to brush him.. I will do that soon...

fingers crossed for more poop and food consumed!
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Artie, bask in the sunshine, enjoy your brushing from mom and, most of all, pretty please eat and poop!
 
 
angels mommy

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Yep, more poopy prayers from me too!
Although, as said by you & others, maybe the thicker ones make a a little for lesser length. Angel always had pretty big ones I thought, but he was a big, long boy. When I saw Sammy's, I thought they were so little. I was used to seeing twice the size.
Also, Angel only pooped about evryother day as well, & I agree about maybe he's eating less, until he poops again.
Hopefully more consistency w/ his med doses will level things out a bit, but at the same time, I understand dosing based on what you're seeing.
Hang in there mamma!
 
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artiemom

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Artie really enjoyed his brushing! I was even able to play with him for a while... the new cat catcher has his interest. I am keeping it in the plastic bag.. he loves plastic.. caught him chewing on a piece this morning.. he only does that when he is hungry and does not want the food I have left out for him.. 

In other words-- fingers crossed-- kind of back to normal behavior for him..

still no more food eaten... sigh...

I was able to trim his claws.. have not tried to do that for over a month because he has been so sick.. he fussed, but not bad when I pinned him to my chair with my body.. He had no choice at all..

just taking a quick break.. I put a brown paper bagful of food to donate to the Rescue.. I will drop it off when I go off today.

Artie needs to poop again!! the last med this morning is the lactulose.. perhaps 1 cc.. he did leave a solid, soft, present, on his quilt this morning.. about 1/2 inch.. 

keeping Miralax at his normal dose.. 1/4 tsp twice a day...

I have to finish morning chores, shower, write out a couple bills.. I also need to call for a tax appointment and see if the N Vet has received all his records...
 
angels mommy

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Well that's good that he pooped some. [emoji]128077[/emoji]
Now praying that he will eat his food.
Do you ever rewarm it for him? Maybe that will help, & he will smell it more that way too. [emoji]128521[/emoji]
I have a gas stove, where the lights stay lit, underneath, between the front & bk burners, so the stove top is always warm. So, after Sammy is done eating, but some is left, (she usually will eat about 1/2 & return for the rest later), I put a piece of foil over the dish, & set it up on the stove to keep warm, until she is ready to finish it.

As far as our little side conversation on our hair, I did get mine done Saturday. Just a touch up, & a glaze. She cut about an inch off last time, & trimmed up the layers. My hair is thick, but fine, so if it gets much longer, which it usually was about 2" or so longer, it just tangled too easily. Went w/ a deeper color. A little richer, a little bit more red tones
The copper fades so fast. I like it, but being so fair, it can wash me out, so a litter deeper is better. [emoji]128521[/emoji]
I think I'll start a hair thread for us, as not to take away from this one. I think it will be fun & interesting. So get your pictures ready ladies! :D
 
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artiemom

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just woke him up. He was sitting in the spot where he usually waits for food. I reheated his food in the microwave.. only 7 seconds, just enough to smell.. nope.. he is refusing it.. I am about ready to give him a dose of the cypro again, for appetite..

now he is meat loafed... and staring at the entrance to the other bathroom where his litter box is....sigh...I do not have patience for this.. what am I going to do?? 

he needs to poop a couple of times.. gave him 1 cc of lactulose this morning.. 

Four days ago, was Thursday.. I only gave him 0.5 cc of lactulose and did not increase the miralax.. sigh.. I did increase both on the subsequent days... 

His R Vet is in surgery tomorrow, and has Wednesday off... man... well, I can at lease call her tomorrow...
 
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Artiemom said:
 
thank you so much... I honestly do not know what I have done without you; Or where WE would be now....

**********************************************************

ONTH:

We have POOPS!!!!   a 5 x 1 inch piece!!!   Just as I was about to give him some more lactulose and cyproheptadine, he pooped... perfect timing.. saving half of the lactulose and the cypro for another day!!!  and the color is that of the new food.. a lighter grayish color, from the lamb...

************************

Now I can sleep and rest peacefully.. I swear this cat is making me an alcoholic! 
Click to expand...
Artiemom said:
Well he kind of did. He just got very "happy ".
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Artiemom said:
 
just woke him up. He was sitting in the spot where he usually waits for food. I reheated his food in the microwave.. only 7 seconds, just enough to smell.. nope.. he is refusing it.. I am about ready to give him a dose of the cypro again, for appetite..

now he is meat loafed... and staring at the entrance to the other bathroom where his litter box is....sigh...I do not have patience for this.. what am I going to do?? 

he needs to poop a couple of times.. gave him 1 cc of lactulose this morning.. 

Four days ago, was Thursday.. I only gave him 0.5 cc of lactulose and did not increase the miralax.. sigh.. I did increase both on the subsequent days... 

His R Vet is in surgery tomorrow, and has Wednesday off... man... well, I can at lease call her tomorrow...
Click to expand...
OK...up and down and up and down.   We got SOME poop out, so good.  Not eating, so bad.  Just sending prayers and good thoughts your way.  Always.  You know that, but it bears repeating!
 
angels mommy

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I agree. I feel your frustration though. It just so hard when they can't talk to us.
Well, maybe he is meatloafing because he maybe cramping a bit. Maybe it's a sign that things are moving, & hopefully on the way out! Then he will be ready for some food.
Praying for poops, so he's ready to eat! Come on Artie, you can do it sweet boy!
 
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How possible would it be to get Artie an earlier appointment for him rather than having to wait until the 23rd.  The emotional roller coaster you are on is taking a terrible toll on you, as it would for any of us!!!!  Is there any way you can move up his appointment?  I think under the circumstances a sooner date would be warranted in your case.  If I were you, I would PM   our member LT3, and ask his/her opinion on this.  These are not normal circumstances where you can just, wait it out.  Not only is this wait taking it's toll on you, it has to be taking a toll on Artie physically  as well.  Please consider this for both of your sakes and PM that kind person who got you this appointment with the N Vet.  I know you will be glad you did!
 
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artiemom

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mazie said:
 
How possible would it be to get Artie an earlier appointment for him rather than having to wait until the 23rd.  The emotional roller coaster you are on is taking a terrible toll on you, as it would for any of us!!!!  Is there any way you can move up his appointment?  I think under the circumstances a sooner date would be warranted in your case.  If I were you, I would PM   our member LT3, and ask his/her opinion on this.  These are not normal circumstances where you can just, wait it out.  Not only is this wait taking it's toll on you, it has to be taking a toll on Artie physically  as well.  Please consider this for both of your sakes and PM that kind person who got you this appointment with the N Vet.  I know you will be glad you did!
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That sounds like a good idea, however, I am on a cancellation list for an earlier appointment. 
Tomorrow I am going to call to see if all his records are there. If/when I speak with the secretary, I can ask if there are any cancellations...

Yes, it is an emotional roller coaster.. and I did explain the situation to the N Vets secretary.. She said that if Artie needed to be seen sooner, she would put in with a different Vet, who had an earlier appointment.. so I am playing it by ear..

Artie did eat a bit this afternoon.. that is a positive sign.. and if he continues to poop.. then that is ok.. I was on a worse roller coaster a couple of weeks ago.. I am a lot more relieved now.. I may not write it.. perhaps I write too much.. perhaps I need to cut down on my posting here..I do not know.. 

I come on here because it is kind of therapeutic for me.. and I do get a lot of support from people.. I have made a lot of wonderful friends here.. 

And Artie just POOPED!!!  a 4 1/2 x 1 inch thick soft dry poop...

I know many people do not agree with my decision to continue treat him or to take him to Angell Memorial.. but I feel as if I have to..I owe it to him, and I definitely owe it to myself. 

My neighbor just dropped in, wanting to know an update.. told her.. she does not like Angell.. well, you can say that about every single Human Hospital.. I Know.. and she does  not understand why my own vet will not handle Artie completly without any specialist.. I told her that Artie is just too complicated.. she does not understand that.. She has had cats her entire life.. she has done everything for them, but she feels the bottom line is nothing helps in the end. 

She did say that he looks as if he put on some weight!! something positive!! 

Artie wants me to open up a fresh can of food..but with the only sizes available in 5.5 oz cans, he is not getting it.. sigh...
 
margd

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Artiemom said:
 
That sounds like a good idea, however, I am on a cancellation list for an earlier appointment. 
Tomorrow I am going to call to see if all his records are there. If/when I speak with the secretary, I can ask if there are any cancellations...

Yes, it is an emotional roller coaster.. and I did explain the situation to the N Vets secretary.. She said that if Artie needed to be seen sooner, she would put in with a different Vet, who had an earlier appointment.. so I am playing it by ear..

Artie did eat a bit this afternoon.. that is a positive sign.. and if he continues to poop.. then that is ok.. I was on a worse roller coaster a couple of weeks ago.. I am a lot more relieved now.. I may not write it.. perhaps I write too much.. perhaps I need to cut down on my posting here..I do not know.. 

I come on here because it is kind of therapeutic for me.. and I do get a lot of support from people.. I have made a lot of wonderful friends here.. 

And Artie just POOPED!!!  a 4 1/2 x 1 inch thick soft dry poop...

I know many people do not agree with my decision to continue treat him or to take him to Angell Memorial.. but I feel as if I have to..I owe it to him, and I definitely owe it to myself. 

My neighbor just dropped in, wanting to know an update.. told her.. she does not like Angell.. well, you can say that about every single Human Hospital.. I Know.. and she does  not understand why my own vet will not handle Artie completly without any specialist.. I told her that Artie is just too complicated.. she does not understand that.. She has had cats her entire life.. she has done everything for them, but she feels the bottom line is nothing helps in the end. 

She did say that he looks as if he put on some weight!! something positive!! 

Artie wants me to open up a fresh can of food..but with the only sizes available in 5.5 oz cans, he is not getting it.. sigh...
Click to expand...
If you cut down on your writing here, we would only bug you for updates so you might as well keep writing!  
    You and Artie have touched a lot of hearts.  


Wonderful news about the poop.  
 
angels mommy

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:clap: Yaaay Artie! Good job on the poopy!!
So glad he ate some too! I'd say he's doing well tonight. :nod:
Yes, it is hard posting so much, it's a lot to keep up with, but if it's theraputic for you, then do as you wish. Especially if it helps.
I understand. I did the same when Angel was going through chemo for those last two months. Because it was so much, sometimes I just copy & pasted what I had documented for the day on the Google docs. This is how I kept his "Daily logs."
This was a good way to do it, to avoid having to retype so much, then, I could just add comments on here after. It was also helpful because I gave the link to Angels vet as well, & she could read how each day was going anytime she wanted. She understands, like all of us so here, & would giggle at my " yay for poopies!" Comments :D
 
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