Come on Charlie sweetie, get well soon
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Charlie needs board magic NOW please
- Thread starter glowbugm
- Start Date
Prayers and hugs on the way from me. Sounds like you are doing all the right things and getting some good advice here. I read the whole thread and could not see how old Charlie is. I'm keeping an eye on this thread because I have a 17 yr old and I'm constantly watching for signs of weight loss, etc.
Hang in there Meowmie. I know how stressful it can be with sick kitties, but you are not alone in this struggle.
Hang in there Meowmie. I know how stressful it can be with sick kitties, but you are not alone in this struggle.
- Thread Starter Thread Starter
- #23
I am so overwhelmed by all of your response and kind wishes. I have been so actively nursing I haven't gotten on the puter. I'll try to answer all questions.
First, the update. good appetite fri night, appetite gone again on saturday. i got food down him saturday using the syringe, mainly, and a little he ate on his own earlier in the day. but then on sunday(today) morning he got onto my chest asking for breakfast--a first in quite awhile and ran into the kitchen--and then,would eat very little, despite trying diff. things. then at noon, as i was making a delicious chicken broth to try that next, and i had stuff out on the counter for the dog and the other cat--he walked in and asked to eat, i wasn't sure what had sparked his interest so i gave him a sample platter and he ate with gusto, and liked everything, very unusual, but didn't eat alot, but enuf! it was wonderful. i'm gonna try some broiled chicken this afternoon, i had to look up how to broil because i don't eat meat. i hope we can keep turning this around. he is looking and acting better but is still very thin and not out of the woods, and i can't guarantee his appetite from one day or meal to the next.
ok, answers: It's not a parasite as far as we know. His age--could be anywhere from 5 to 12 up, vets have different opinions, plus he'd been on the road awhile and that likely aged him. He does not have a fever, it is very mysterious, his blood test indicated everything perfect, no anemia or anything--the only thing was a mild elevation in protein, the meat kind, not the egg kind (not albumin). Unfortunately we moved after we got him and changed vets so they really only had seen him being 12 pounds, despite what we said, but really, he was 15 before that. In september the vet said--well he is a healthy weight and i wouldn't want to see him gain, he was 12 pounds, but last week--11.3. this week--10.6. I would guess he has gained a small amount back since thursday though, we will see at next visit. i have been keeping the house very warm, with heater in his room and heating pad and he also likes to go and sit in the room with the woodstove, and i make sure it is warm all night and that helps too. i will try the rice socks.
I fear that the stress of recently, since november having new additions to the clan affected him, and also am wondering if he thought--well, i am old and they have a new cute little one now and....etc. i know cats are very sensitive to stress and i have seen it affect them physically just like us. I have been reading about anorexia in cats, how at first it is just mistaken for finickiness, and the desc. fits charlie to a tee. not sure if the the lack of eating weakened him and brought on the upper resp inf. or if he couldn't smell his food and that brought the other on. he gets homemade saline nose and eye drops now before every meal and the seems to help quite abit.
so nice to hear Saba was right there!! Music is right here too. music is busy asking for the chicken broth of course. (it isn't done) i must go now and feed him again. thanks again, please keep the prayers coming.
First, the update. good appetite fri night, appetite gone again on saturday. i got food down him saturday using the syringe, mainly, and a little he ate on his own earlier in the day. but then on sunday(today) morning he got onto my chest asking for breakfast--a first in quite awhile and ran into the kitchen--and then,would eat very little, despite trying diff. things. then at noon, as i was making a delicious chicken broth to try that next, and i had stuff out on the counter for the dog and the other cat--he walked in and asked to eat, i wasn't sure what had sparked his interest so i gave him a sample platter and he ate with gusto, and liked everything, very unusual, but didn't eat alot, but enuf! it was wonderful. i'm gonna try some broiled chicken this afternoon, i had to look up how to broil because i don't eat meat. i hope we can keep turning this around. he is looking and acting better but is still very thin and not out of the woods, and i can't guarantee his appetite from one day or meal to the next.
ok, answers: It's not a parasite as far as we know. His age--could be anywhere from 5 to 12 up, vets have different opinions, plus he'd been on the road awhile and that likely aged him. He does not have a fever, it is very mysterious, his blood test indicated everything perfect, no anemia or anything--the only thing was a mild elevation in protein, the meat kind, not the egg kind (not albumin). Unfortunately we moved after we got him and changed vets so they really only had seen him being 12 pounds, despite what we said, but really, he was 15 before that. In september the vet said--well he is a healthy weight and i wouldn't want to see him gain, he was 12 pounds, but last week--11.3. this week--10.6. I would guess he has gained a small amount back since thursday though, we will see at next visit. i have been keeping the house very warm, with heater in his room and heating pad and he also likes to go and sit in the room with the woodstove, and i make sure it is warm all night and that helps too. i will try the rice socks.
I fear that the stress of recently, since november having new additions to the clan affected him, and also am wondering if he thought--well, i am old and they have a new cute little one now and....etc. i know cats are very sensitive to stress and i have seen it affect them physically just like us. I have been reading about anorexia in cats, how at first it is just mistaken for finickiness, and the desc. fits charlie to a tee. not sure if the the lack of eating weakened him and brought on the upper resp inf. or if he couldn't smell his food and that brought the other on. he gets homemade saline nose and eye drops now before every meal and the seems to help quite abit.
so nice to hear Saba was right there!! Music is right here too. music is busy asking for the chicken broth of course. (it isn't done) i must go now and feed him again. thanks again, please keep the prayers coming.
Mayree <whew> - we were up on Whidbey Island most of today and I was thinking about you guys a lot. It's good news, cautious news, and yes, Saba knows, I told her. I have not read up on anorexia in cats, as in a control issue over stress factors, amazing. In the future, after Charlie is better, I sure would like you to post a link. He's with such a great mom, any ailing kitty would be better in your stead. Prayers & hugs from us all.
Awwww he's eating something!, thats brilliant!!
Come on Charlie sweetie keep eating for your mum!
Come on Charlie sweetie keep eating for your mum!
We're all wishing Charlie well
Get better sweet boy!
- Thread Starter Thread Starter
- #28
Hi guys, thanks again for all your good wishes. He ate 5 meals on Sunday, smallish but good, two with assistance, then woke me up way early Monday morning to eat and then had "second breakfast" and now we will have elevensies (or rather, lunch, but that was for you Lord of the Rings fans). The great thing is, we have a routine now where he is asking to eat, and that is fabulous. I only hope it won't wear off once the corticosteroid wears off. Also i found i have to put his food arranged just so in little balls in a cirlce on his plate, he doesn't want to dip his head into a bowl (fear of icky whiskers? hard on his stuffed nose?) The chicken broth was a flop, he only ate a bit. I have been reading more about anorexia.
Is it possible he could have something like pancreatitis which is not apparent in tests? Does anyone have experience with this? He also slept on the bed the last two nights the whole night thru, unusual for him, I'm glad of it though, I like having him close. Of course, we had a nice heater going in the room.
We are fighting this tooth and nail, charlie and me, and together we will win. At least this time.
Elizabeth, do you mean a link with his picture? I have one in the signature line? What kind of link?
thank you SO MUCH again for all your good wishes, i know it is helping.
Is it possible he could have something like pancreatitis which is not apparent in tests? Does anyone have experience with this? He also slept on the bed the last two nights the whole night thru, unusual for him, I'm glad of it though, I like having him close. Of course, we had a nice heater going in the room.
We are fighting this tooth and nail, charlie and me, and together we will win. At least this time.
Elizabeth, do you mean a link with his picture? I have one in the signature line? What kind of link?
thank you SO MUCH again for all your good wishes, i know it is helping.
- Thread Starter Thread Starter
- #29
Good progress but we will continue the vibes for a while yet!
...no just a link you feel is good information on the anorexia perhaps.
I'm glad he's eating more.
- Thread Starter Thread Starter
- #32
I tried to post last night and today but lost them. Charlie has been eating better, even had some chicken broth today which he asked for cold. Didn't want it heated. He was perkier yesterday midday even going to Music's door to supervise her for just a moment (door was closed) and chasing after a bathrobe tie, just a little. Then last night not as good, a little more under the weather. Just a little more lethargic and not as perky.
But today he has enuf energy that he was very naughty. He wanted to go outside, which I am thrilled he thinks he is up to it, but i do not think so yet. He is still fairly sneezy and temp affects him quite a bit. And still thin though not emaciated. So--ever very very smart, he waited till I opened a cupboard which I didn't know had a HOLE in it at the back which leads under the house, a place he had clearly never been judging by his exploration of it. And it is cold and dark and there are spiders and it is too small for me to crawl in plus i have a shoulder problem today and couldn't crawl even if i fit, and mommy about had a heart attack. But as he correctly ascertained and i discovered, you can then from there exit to the outside except that all the openings have screens. And naturally i was waiting by the big screen calling him and he did not come to me, which normailly he does come when i call, correctly guessing that i would catch him. so i gave my most pitiful meows and he did come and i did take him back inside and he really complained. you see, i promised him once he started eating and feeling better he could sit in the sun and look at the birds all summer (he is not allowed out at night but he is an offroad rescue so that is our deal, daytime ok, and he is always very good about coming in at night esp cause i explain there are scary coyotes). So I feel a little bad, he may think i am breaking my promise but it's just too soon. And in the process, some bug bit me on my back as i was leaning in, but fortunately i think his fur protected him and he was ok. We have hobo spiders here, poisonous but more of a risk to people cause animals fur protects them. But still it was cold and damp under there!! No where he should be right now!! Still I am glad he has the energy to be naughty.
I can't see a picie of saba, is there one in the last post? I'm bummed if there is and i can't see it. She batted at him a few times when behind the safety of a door.
she started it! spunky! she does have a way of looking at you very long and seriously without blinking or saying anything that i am not sure i have ever seen another kitty do. and it's so cute when she does it up at you from her little tiny height.
thanks again very much to all of you for all your good wishes. they have helped.
But today he has enuf energy that he was very naughty. He wanted to go outside, which I am thrilled he thinks he is up to it, but i do not think so yet. He is still fairly sneezy and temp affects him quite a bit. And still thin though not emaciated. So--ever very very smart, he waited till I opened a cupboard which I didn't know had a HOLE in it at the back which leads under the house, a place he had clearly never been judging by his exploration of it. And it is cold and dark and there are spiders and it is too small for me to crawl in plus i have a shoulder problem today and couldn't crawl even if i fit, and mommy about had a heart attack. But as he correctly ascertained and i discovered, you can then from there exit to the outside except that all the openings have screens. And naturally i was waiting by the big screen calling him and he did not come to me, which normailly he does come when i call, correctly guessing that i would catch him. so i gave my most pitiful meows and he did come and i did take him back inside and he really complained. you see, i promised him once he started eating and feeling better he could sit in the sun and look at the birds all summer (he is not allowed out at night but he is an offroad rescue so that is our deal, daytime ok, and he is always very good about coming in at night esp cause i explain there are scary coyotes). So I feel a little bad, he may think i am breaking my promise but it's just too soon. And in the process, some bug bit me on my back as i was leaning in, but fortunately i think his fur protected him and he was ok. We have hobo spiders here, poisonous but more of a risk to people cause animals fur protects them. But still it was cold and damp under there!! No where he should be right now!! Still I am glad he has the energy to be naughty.
I can't see a picie of saba, is there one in the last post? I'm bummed if there is and i can't see it. She batted at him a few times when behind the safety of a door.
thanks again very much to all of you for all your good wishes. they have helped.
- Thread Starter Thread Starter
- #33
some of my sources have been books including Dr. Pitcairn's discussion of anorexia but here is a website, i think it has been posted on the catsite before
http://www.vin.com/VINDBPub/SearchPB...00/PR00168.htm
http://www.vin.com/VINDBPub/SearchPB...00/PR00168.htm
I'm so glad to hear that Charlie is doing so much better!! Naughty boy...sneaking out right under Mommy's nose.
Well, just explain to him why he had to come back inside today and that you will still keep your promise of laying in the sun and watching the birds.
I'm glad Charlie is doing better.
- Thread Starter Thread Starter
- #36
Thankyou so much to all of you, I think Charlie is out of the woods, or at least near the edge. He still has a respiratory thing and we go in tomorrow, but he is eating regulary and has gained weight. I'll know tomorrow for sure how much. Yesterday he jumped over my head in bed asking for breakfast--something he hasn't done in quite awhile, and then sat on me and i was so grateful to be uncomfortably squished in the tummy again by his heavier self!!! He is still a thin boy, but not emaciated and we are working on it!!! I am extremely grateful for all your prayers and good wishes
How great for this update. We just got in from being in Vancouver B.C. all day, and I will tell Saba! The fact that he jumped on you and then sat on you is really quite "the message"
Fantastic news! Go Charlie!!
Oh wonderful update! Charlie is still in my thoughts!
I am glad the news is better. Get well soon Charlie!
