Artie and his Issues

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artiemom

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Artiemom, I would never have referred you to N Vet if I had no confidence in him. Artie is complicated, yes, but N Vet has experience dealing with complicated cases. He's probably had clients even more complciated than Artie in his 20+ years as a vet. What Margret said is true. You need to stop thinking about the S Vet and let all the negative experience with her go.

I
the N Vet.  He really listens to clients and their concerns and works with them to get a sick pet well again. He was such a great vet for my previous cat. He loved the spreadsheet I had with blood glucose numbers because it made it so much easier for him to see trends and approve or adjust my suggested insulin dose changes. He basically let me take the reins on my cat's care and tell him what to do
I still use N Vet for my current two cats. Neither cat needs an IM vet but N Vet really doesn't mind that I'm still bringing my cats to him.

Artie, hang on for 3 more weeks ok? You need to keep eating and pooping for your Mom
I already trust the N Vet completely, without even meeting him...

I was too tired last night to reply on my old iPhone..

Started going through all of Arties' records.. the ones that I have. I have so many! 
 

Mia6

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Artiemom,

I am very sorry to hear about Artie's issues and you as his mother are going through a lot.

I am sending healing thoughts your way.

Mia xxxxxx
 

tallyollyopia

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That's a good thing. It will be easy to for N Vet to see what you have done, what did and didn't work, and and figure out what the next step should be.
 
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artiemom

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Update:

Just before I went to bed last night, after I had given Artie 1 cc of lactulose, he went into the litter box and Pooped!!!  

a Very thick 3 inch piece and it was dry....but he pooped!!!

Artie did not sleep with me last night, nor the night before. I was still a bit concerned about him.. 

I am up early because I got a late phone call from the President of the Humane Society. She was desperate for someone to go in this morning. She could not do so due to a medical issues... so she called me.. 

Of course, I cannot let the poor kitties down.. Since all of this has started, I have not been volunteering.. but I still get the e-mails...

So up early to feed, scoop, clean the kitties...and meet and greet them.. I am not familiar with them.

I got up, Artie came over and gave me a very loud: "Brrrr-RUMP"   I cannot remember the last time he did this!! I missed it...

He took me over to pee. He is getting bad with his meds.. He is putting his paw up and clamping his mouth shut!! He is trying to tell me something....he has had enough..

After his meds, he took me over to his litter box.. He was hesitant,but I coaxed him into pooping.. He pooped out a 4 x 1 inch thick, softer grey piece of poop!!  happiness!!! and it was a lighter grey color... similar to his new food...so the new food is coming out now...

This means he will probably have some diarrhea this week-end from the lactulose, but at least I will have a schedule...and a plan on his poops and meds...sigh

While I was having my breakfast, yogurt and coffee, Artie started batting his yarn ball around!!! I got up and bounced it for him.. he actually jumped up in the air a few times!!! and started pushing it around!!  That is incredible...I cannot remember the last time he jumped up for a bouncing ball...not long but a few times..

He just ate really good... 

I am a bit relieved.. I have a plan now...shoulders are a bit lighter...

((hugs))
 

di and bob

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Good for you! I will keep you both in my thoughts and prayers, you both very definitely deserve a break and get some 'normalcy' back!
 

Mia6

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Oh, such good news! 
Sounds like Artie is a fighter and wants to get better. When I thought my Kirsten was failing, she had 3 more years to go!!

Mia xxxxx
 

neely

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While I was having my breakfast, yogurt and coffee, Artie started batting his yarn ball around!!! I got up and bounced it for him.. he actually jumped up in the air a few times!!! and started pushing it around!!  That is incredible...I cannot remember the last time he jumped up for a bouncing ball...not long but a few times..
Wonderful news, so happy that Artie was in a playful mood. 
  And, I think it's a great idea that you are going in to volunteer.  Not only will it be therapeutic for you but you will be helping all the furry kitties. Remember today is TGIF, hoping you have a good weekend. 
 
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margd

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I'm so happy to read this post.  Both you and Artie have had problems enough recently for a lifetime.   I love that he's playing again - that is such a good sign!  
 

hbunny

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So thankful to read the update!  I had those "UP" days and tons of "DOWN" days with our Fuzz.  Each day is something to be grateful for, but wow, a day with playing is super-awesome!!
 
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artiemom

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While I was washing up this morning, Artie must have done another poop. I checked his box before I left. To my surprise, there was another 3 inch thick piece of poop!!  So happy!!

He ate a bit more while I was gone; so about 1/4 of a 5.5 oz can of food.. that is ok for me.. I take that to be about 1/2 small can of 3 oz food. 

He is sleeping now. I just got out of the shower.. todays Shelter clothes are washing.. Went to Trader Joe;'s--- man, my eyes are always so much wider than my budget, my pantry, freezer, refrigerator and stomach... sigh

I am wiped out.. 5 kitties there... one is a riot.. a pretty marbled tabby.. young.. named Samson!!

And we also have Batman and Flash... but they are not named appropriately.... Batman is a female and is white with orange spots!!!  Flash is male, black and white!!!  I think whoever named them, did not do any research... and is not a comic book fan.....

Lincoln is scared.. but sweet... 

and there is DaDa (hate that name) who has had a lot of issues, frightened to death, pneumonia, eyelid surgery, fleas--multiple times, eye infection... he is very sweet.. he has been with us a long time. I hope someone takes him soon. I was surprised he did leave his cubby this morning and went to visit Flash in his cubby... good sign..

At one point, I had 4 cats out... and they all got along.. until Samson hissed at DaDa... then Samson had a time out....

I was too exhausted to stay and really play with them.. they did not care much for my laser light.. strange, or perhaps they sensed how tired I am.. they were all over my bag... and they did not want any treats.. 

I am going to throw Artie off the coach and his quilt. I am going to lie down, classic music on softly.. washer going, cover up with a throw, and relax... exhausted..

I am wondering if I should give Artie any more lactulose, or should I wait another day?? he had 4 doses in 2 days.. 0.5 cc twice on Wednesday;  0.5 cc on Thursday morning and 1.0 cc Thursday night.... 

It seems his transit time is about 3.5 - 4 days... and he is getting sub-q's tomorrow. and wonder how much miralax to give... 

If I should give 1/4 tsp twice a day, as usual or up it to 1/4 tsp, three times a day.....

decisions...decisions...decisions.. no wonder I am emotionally and physically drained..

perhaps 0.5 cc of lactulose tonight and keep the miralax at the normal dose... how does that sound?????
 

tarasgirl06

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The shelter cats sound great!

Artie sounds as if he's doing great, too.  I'd go with your last suggestion, because it seems as if he's stable.  Good luck to you both with the Sub-Q tomorrow.

Hope you had a nice rest on the sofa.  *I'd want a cat curled up on me if I did that* 
 

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The change in diet must be helping him feel better. Maybe the other food was making him gassy and unable to play. Good job MoM!
We think the clay in the other food was making the pooping harder.  By making the poop harder, if you see what I mean.  Now that he's on a better food, it's going to be a fine line between enough meds to avoid constipation without being enough to cause diarrhea.

Margret
 

rubysmama

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Sounds like Artie's digestive system is getting back on track.  Vibes for continued good days. 
 

ruthm

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I'm sorry I missed this post earlier, I just want to send my strongest vibes for continued healing and good days for you and Artie. You are in my prayers!
 
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artiemom

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We think the clay in the other food was making the pooping harder.  By making the poop harder, if you see what I mean.  Now that he's on a better food, it's going to be a fine line between enough meds to avoid constipation without being enough to cause diarrhea.

Margret
Yes, that is why I was so adamant about changing his food...and the S Vet told me to go to a nutritionist.....sigh... done and over....

Still feeling wiped out. I dozed off and on. Took Artie a long time until he found a spot to settle.. He ended curled up on my side, with my bad shoulder/arm being in an awkward position.. I did doze off and on...

one of the volunteers at the shelter called me. She had a cat with MegaColon---no specialist at all.. just did it on her own. If the cat did not poor for several days, she just upped the laxatone and miralax, and fluids.. she is telling me not to waste my money and go to a specialist...

I do not feel comfortable with this approach.. she is also telling me to discontinue the cisapride.. she is afraid of the drug.. she also feels that cats cannot handle human drugs.. or many drugs at all..

From all I have read, each cat that has megacolon, goes on cisapride.. I do not have any desire to stop this drug. it helps him poop.. and I have absolutely no intention NOT to go to the N Vet.... ....

but how do I tell her that?  she said I am wasting my money.... I do not feel it is wasting money....

enough of my vent...

still feel horrible. I do not know why I have been feeling so poorly lately.. I really do not know.. The only thing I can think of is stress... and my body is just completely exhausted...sometimes I feel asthmatic, always exhausted, tired... I feel physically feel better when I stay home.. If I get to bed early enough, I am thinking tomorrow will be better....

gotta get back to dieting and healthy eating... It has been too much junk for too long.. but it has been fast junk.. not fast food, just junk....

Artie is going to bet getting 0.5 cc of lactulose.. I will update his logs, tomorrow. I am too tired today...

He ate 1/2 of a 5.5 oz can so far....good boy... he is in his quilt/tent right now..

I made some mushroom ravioli with truffle sauce---from Trader Joes-- for supper.. it was very good.. I have enough for another meal...
 

Mamanyt1953

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Yes, that is why I was so adamant about changing his food...and the S Vet told me to go to a nutritionist.....sigh... done and over....

Still feeling wiped out. I dozed off and on. Took Artie a long time until he found a spot to settle.. He ended curled up on my side, with my bad shoulder/arm being in an awkward position.. I did doze off and on...

one of the volunteers at the shelter called me. She had a cat with MegaColon---no specialist at all.. just did it on her own. If the cat did not poor for several days, she just upped the laxatone and miralax, and fluids.. she is telling me not to waste my money and go to a specialist...

I do not feel comfortable with this approach.. she is also telling me to discontinue the cisapride.. she is afraid of the drug.. she also feels that cats cannot handle human drugs.. or many drugs at all..

From all I have read, each cat that has megacolon, goes on cisapride.. I do not have any desire to stop this drug. it helps him poop.. and I have absolutely no intention NOT to go to the N Vet.... ....

but how do I tell her that?  she said I am wasting my money.... I do not feel it is wasting money....

enough of my vent...

still feel horrible. I do not know why I have been feeling so poorly lately.. I really do not know.. The only thing I can think of is stress... and my body is just completely exhausted...sometimes I feel asthmatic, always exhausted, tired... I feel physically feel better when I stay home.. If I get to bed early enough, I am thinking tomorrow will be better....

gotta get back to dieting and healthy eating... It has been too much junk for too long.. but it has been fast junk.. not fast food, just junk....

Artie is going to bet getting 0.5 cc of lactulose.. I will update his logs, tomorrow. I am too tired today...

He ate 1/2 of a 5.5 oz can so far....good boy... he is in his quilt/tent right now..

I made some mushroom ravioli with truffle sauce---from Trader Joes-- for supper.. it was very good.. I have enough for another meal...
Good for her.  She went it alone.  That was her choice.  And, thankfully, it worked for her.  HOWEVER...now that you have a GOOD N Vet to talk with, I think that your choice is right for YOU!  And he may have some suggestions/new information that will do the trick for Artie.  Why would you ever NOT take advantage of that?  As for how do you tell her?  Don't.  Just say, "Thank you for the information.  I'll consider it."  And you did.  And rejected it as not right for you.  Not her place to preach.  Sorry...I just...well...with all you two have been through, you just deserve the peace of mind that having a partner in his care will bring you.  

You know I am thinking of you and Artie, and saying prayers for you daily!  HUGS!
 
 
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