Artie and his Issues

[Kat0121]

 
I have not tried a raw diet.. I am afraid of one.. that is the big issue.. Artie is free fed.. I worry about contamination..and spoilage... and I have a very small apartment refrigerator with the freezer on top.. If I had a free standing freezer, then that would eliminate one issue...

sigh....

He has been better the rest of the day; after this morning..

Only the one diarrhea this morning.. Artie has been sleeping in his tent/quilt all day.. He did come out later this afternoon to eat.. so he is picking up... I will change this to a  "So-So" day, in his calendar...(yes, I am charting his bad days---I need t know and keep a record of them~~ just for me...if anything has to happen in the short future).....I need confirmation that I am doing the right thing..

He did try to cuddle with me while I was dozing on the recliner.. Artie did not care for the position I was in and for the blanket I was using....I hate to disturb him while he is so peaceful.. I do love this little guy so much...

I guess I am putting too much emphasis on Artie.. after all, he is cat~~ a pet... but I think so much more of him.. perhaps I am putting human attributes onto him.. and making myself crazy by doing so....

thanks

No, I do not get offended with all the advice.. I really appreciate all the support and love we have been getting here.. I love the people on this site.. @Anne  needs to know that she has put together and has kept a wonderful forum.. I love the people here.. thank you so much.. and @Anne, You are awesome at keeping this site so friendly, caring and loving.. I feel as if I have a family here...thank you..

love and ((hugs)) to all who read this...

You are not putting too much emphasis on him. He is not a pet. He's your son. We adopt our kitties and they become ours forever- and we are theirs forever. It's clear to anyone that you love him just as much as you would a child. The fact that he has 4 legs and fur does not take anything away from the relationship that the two of you have- he loves you as his mama because you ARE his mama- and an exceptional one at that. The bond that you two share is unbreakable, unshakeable and irreplaceable. It's so obvious from looking at his sweet face in his photos that he loves you just as much as you love him and he is being so good with his meds and treatments because he cherishes every second he spends with you and wants to stay with you as long as possible.

You are doing everything right for him. The only advice I would give you is to please make sure that you take time out for yourself. Take care of yourself. Get enough rest. Eat nourishing meals and STOP beating yourself up if he has a setback. It is NOT your fault.

We will all continue to send lots of love and good vibes out to the both of you. Keep fighting Artie. You are both dearly loved by many.

 

[angels mommy]

You are not putting too much emphasis on him. He is not a pet. He's your son. We adopt our kitties and they become ours forever- and we are theirs forever. It's clear to anyone that you love him just as much as you would a child. The fact that he has 4 legs and fur does not take anything away from the relationship that the two of you have- he loves you as his mama because you ARE his mama- and an exceptional one at that. The bond that you two share is unbreakable, unshakeable and irreplaceable. It's so obvious from looking at his sweet face in his photos that he loves you just as much as you love him and he is being so good with his meds and treatments because he cherishes every second he spends with you and wants to stay with you as long as possible.

You are doing everything right for him. The only advice I would give you is to please make sure that you take time out for yourself. Take care of yourself. Get enough rest. Eat nourishing meals and STOP beating yourself up if he has a setback. It is NOT your fault.

We will all continue to send lots of love and good vibes out to the both of you. Keep fighting Artie. You are both dearly loved by many.

I could not agree more. I felt the same way, & was the same way with Angel. They ARE our babies, no matter what.
I'm also greatful for this site, & all the wonderful friends I've made here!

 

[artiemom]

I do not know what got into Artie last night.. He did not allow me to sleep at all..  The entire night..

It started less than an hour after I went to bed.. He started yowling at me.. and it kept continuing all night.. he was right in my ear! I would ignore him, he would walk all over me and yowl again.. I would turn, he would cuddle and then Yowl...

He has never done that before...He would not stop.. Even when I told him, "NO".. "BE QUIET"... he did not stop.

I finally got up at 5AM.. I had to be in for 7:30 AM mass... As soon as I got up, he stopped yowling... 

He had a bit of diarrhea in the litter box, and his food dish was licked clean.. Was he yowling to tell me that he had diarrhea? or was he hungry??

I do not know..

He had a bit more diarrhea before I left for Church.. do not know what is going on with him...

He ate 1 1/4 can during the night and 3/4 can this morning. I know he will perhaps eat something in about 3 hours. Right now he is curled up sleeping on my bed.. I have a good mind to go over to wake him up~~ just to see how he likes it!!!

No, I will not do that.. but, I did find some smears on a puppy pad and some more on the cover sheet and a towel.. that had to happen yesterday.. the towel was clean yesterday. The sheet was clean yesterday also... the puppy pad was clean also.. I am thinking that some of it happened during the night...

Yes, Artie has gotten in the habit of calling me when he poops.. Yes, seriously..

He will go into the bathroom where his litter box is, start digging and yowl at me.. I go in there, close the door and wipe his bum when he is done.. I think he knows it feels better without all that junk on him. I use an sensitive skin unscented baby wipe...

When I get up, he waits for me to leave my bedroom; then he goes right into the litter box, with me following.. 

One time, I did not take his cue. I was in the kitchen. I heard him yowl. I thought it was TV or someone in the corridor.. then I heard it again. Saying, 'No, it can't be",  I went to see if he could be in the litter box.. sure enough, he was in there, waiting for me!!! 

What a crazy cat....

I did weigh him this morning. He weighs 10.4 lbs.. but he feels really heavy.. 

I am definitely going to take a nap soon... 

Artie on his pillow bed.. from September.. he was in the middle of kneading:

IMG_0477.jpg

• artiemom
• Jan 22, 2017

 

[2Cats4everLoved]

Hello - I've been away for a day and there's so much to catch up on.

I will say from my experience with Simon, when he was constipated, he'd follow me around and try to poop in front of me, to show me how backed up he was, and I'd get up and help him in one way or another.

With Chestnut, her habit was after she'd pee and or poop, after she'd get out of the litter box, she'd lay down, look at me and lift her leg to wipe her bum. LOL  a habit we got into when she was sick. And of course I'd oblige due to her weight she couldn't reach her bum. LOL

It sounds like Artie is getting YOU into a routine. LOL

Artie certainly sounds more active and vocal then he's been in a while.  But I digress, I need to go back and read your previous posts.

Hang in, you're doing a terrific job.  Artie, knows you're there to help him and it sounds as if he's finally accepting being helped.

xoxo Hope

 

[Columbine]

I don't have words right now, but sending you both a ton of and

 

[Mamanyt1953]

I'd say that Artie has learned how concerned you are about his potty habits, and now wants you to know what's going on.  Cats, I believe, are far, far smarter than many professionals would have us believe.   And I'll gladly take a so-so day for him, thinking back on all the horrid ones near the end of last year!

Originally Posted by Artiemom  
 

>snip<

He did try to cuddle with me while I was dozing on the recliner.. Artie did not care for the position I was in and for the blanket I was using....I hate to disturb him while he is so peaceful.. I do love this little guy so much...

I guess I am putting too much emphasis on Artie.. after all, he is cat~~ a pet... but I think so much more of him.. perhaps I am putting human attributes onto him.. and making myself crazy by doing so....

>snip<

Never too much emphasis.  And they are so much more than "a pet."  At least, they are to a good 98% of us here on TCS.  MOST of us think of them as very much our kids.  We love them, and fret over them, and worry over them.  We come here for advice and comfort from others who understand.  THAT IS WHY WE, AND YOU, ARE HERE!  Pardon my outdoor voice, but it bears hearing well.  We worry together, we rejoice together, and when we must, we grieve together.  And by doing so, our grief is halved, and our joy is multiplied ten-fold.  You and Artie bless us in ways that I doubt you can really comprehend.  You will just have to take my word for it.

 

[tarasgirl06]

WOW! 10.4 is a very respectable weight, dont' you agree?  Keep up the very good work, both of you!  

And may you get some uninterrupted sleep tonight.  

A lot of older cats are very vocal in the night time.  Artie isn't "older" yet, but maybe he's just advanced for his age. 

 

[neely]

 
I am definitely going to take a nap soon... 

Hope you got that nap in and get a good night's sleep too.

  

 

[artiemom]

My cable is out.. I am piggy backing from my phones internet...

very Windy out side...

Artie did try to wake me several times during the night.. I swooshed him away and ignored him this morning.. I guess that was a mistake.. more diarrhea on my cover sheet...sigh... that is in the dryer right now.. I also found 2 small spots on my bedroom rug....Natures Miracle and a mess where he sits to eat... sigh--lysol wipes and water... 

When is this ever going to get to some semblance of normal?  either he has diarrhea or he has hard poops and is on the verge of constipation... this is getting ridiculous at this point.. 

do not want to use up too much of the phone network... so I will be off...

just wanted to touch base... 

thanks...

 

[verna davies]

Just a thought...and it may be a rubbish one ...but what about cat nappies. I would imagine Artie wont be too pleased but it would make life a lot easier for you. They have them on Amazon

 

[artiemom]

Just a thought...and it may be a rubbish one ...but what about cat nappies. I would imagine Artie wont be too pleased but it would make life a lot easier for you. They have them on Amazon

I am back on line...Comcast is working now.. very windy... 

I looked up the cat nappies... they are for urine.. the problem is the poop does come out.. You have to realize that if the tail is out, then the poops will come out also.. and I think it would stress Artie out too much....I can just imagine how it would be to put them on him, get him used to it, and then to clean him off from all the poop...no... way too much stress...

These are for urinary incontinence... not poop....

 

[DreamerRose]

Why don't you cut his Miralax in half again? He needs some, but this is too much. He needs just enough to keep his stools from getting hard, but not enough to cause diarrhea.

 

[artiemom]

i honestly do not know what to do anymore.. 
 

Artie just spent 45 minutes yowling.. I did not know what was going on... he did go to the litter box, passed a lot of gas and just a tiny splotch of diarrhea.. tons of gas.. 

I tried to rub his belly a bit.. he seemed painful.. To me, his belly seemed hard.. but what do I know?? I could not even feel the constipation...sigh..

The weird thing is that he started to bat his ball around!! He has not done that in a long time.. When I tried to play with him, he stopped. He wanted to do it on his own.. I went back to the computer, and he started yowling again.. again to the ball. 

He did eat a bit in-between.. he kept yowling.. 

Finally, he settled down in his quilt tent...

Wondering if I should just cut out one dose of the cyproheptadine.. He is taking it twice a day for his appetite.. Perhaps if I just give it to him during the day....he always ate a lot during the nighttime.. sigh....

The specialist is not in today.. Will not be in until Wednesday...sigh.....and I do not know if I should call the regular Vet...

man...

Perhaps I should just keep him on the one food for a while, instead of trying to switch him over.. maybe that is causing a reaction...I know the Natures Variety does not have carrageen or guar gum.....wonder if the Royal Canin prescription food contains that...--just looked it up.. it has peas, fish oil and carrageen...wonder if that is doing it????

The Pride rabbit has pork and peas and some pumpkin... 

I am going crazy.. just want a peaceful night.. 

 

[2Cats4everLoved]

Morning

When you say yowling, is it, a happy yowl, annoyed, needy, hurting?  

I again state that I have no experience with the meds he's on except  the miralax which had an adverse effect on my girl, but consistency is key.

Also not sure about the foods, but he's interested in eating and knows what he wants, so to me that's still a great sign.

I wish too that I was closer to help you out, if even just to pour you a glass of wine.  Even though I had my husband here, it was me who took care of the cats, he played with them, and I know how mentally and physically exhausted this all is, as do most of the members here.

You are doing a terrific job, please don't forget that.  

I really believe in my heart that Artie is coming along in accepting his new way of life.

Always wishing you the best, xoxoHope

 

[mazie]

My guess is the yowling is a sign that he is in pain.  I do not know the nature of the disease he has, but is he on any type of pain medication? 

 

[artiemom]

The Yowling seems to be a "Calling" Cry... as if he needed me for something.. When I go over, he stops. It is almost as if he wants my attention... 

I know he Yowls to let me know that he has to poop. He is in the litter box when he does that.. 

During the night, he yowls to wake me up.. 

It is as if he is talking.. We have had several yowling conversations last week.. while I was getting his breakfast ready..

I have picked him up, he stops.. I try to touch his belly, he growls...

Also.. the last couple of days, Artie has not been very good with his meds.. His paw comes up to push my hand away.. very strange... He has been so good about them.. I noticed this on Saturday.

Before this entire horrible episode in his life began; the only time he yowled was when he had to really vomit.. but he is a talkative cat.. We always had conversations... 

What is strange, is that he does not want to go into my closet anymore. He used to love to go in there. I even set up a little corner for him with an old sweatshirt of mine.. now, he refuses to go in it...

 

[2Cats4everLoved]

 
The Yowling seems to be a "Calling" Cry... as if he needed me for something.. When I go over, he stops. It is almost as if he wants my attention... 

I know he Yowls to let me know that he has to poop. He is in the litter box when he does that.. 

During the night, he yowls to wake me up.. 

It is as if he is talking.. We have had several yowling conversations last week.. while I was getting his breakfast ready..

I have picked him up, he stops.. I try to touch his belly, he growls...

Also.. the last couple of days, Artie has not been very good with his meds.. His paw comes up to push my hand away.. very strange... He has been so good about them.. I noticed this on Saturday.

Before this entire horrible episode in his life began; the only time he yowled was when he had to really vomit.. but he is a talkative cat.. We always had conversations... 

What is strange, is that he does not want to go into my closet anymore. He used to love to go in there. I even set up a little corner for him with an old sweatshirt of mine.. now, he refuses to go in it...

Okay, so the yowling is for you attention.  

Perhaps he's had enough of the meds.  Can you call your vet and ask about possibly cutting down?

Artie is definitely trying to tell you something.  I wouldn't worry or be too concerned about his not wanting the closet anymore.  Before Chestnut got sick this time last year, she was more interested in hanging out with my husband, but after she was sick and I was taking care of her, she became glued to my side and never really went back to sitting with my husband on his chair rather she'd rather be by my feet on the sofa. Although, at night, she still nestled her chubby body under my hubby's armpit. LOL

I love the fact that he's kicking the ball around.

Any ailment that has to do with the abdomen is painful for any species.  

In the diary I kept for Simon & Chestnut, I did notice patterns after a month of logging all activities, are you noticing anything which could help you in the days moving forward?

On another note, it's getting really windy here now.  Just picked up a few candles and food for a day or two so I can hunker down.  I hope you have some items in your fridge.

Always thinking about you and Artie.  xoxoHope

 

[2Cats4everLoved]

 
My guess is the yowling is a sign that he is in pain.  I do not know the nature of the disease he has, but is he on any type of pain medication? 

One more thing.  Is there some pain med he can go on, it may relieve the pain from constipation?  Although, not sure if it's overload.

xoxo

 

[artiemom]

Well, I just got off the phone, leaving a voice mail message for the S Vet... Yes, by chance, she is in today!! she is never in on Mondays!!!    I also left a message with the Techs to tell her that she has a message from me.. They say she is one of the few vets who diligently check her voice mail.. she also has some patients who refuse to go through the techs.. so I guess that says something..

Artie is eating excellently.. last night 1 1/2 cans and today another 1 1/4 cans .. that is awesome for him.. He yowled several times again, while I was on hold.. they tried paging the Vet.. she is busy.. He went into the box, tried digging and nothing came out.. but he does have a ton of gas... 

hoping he is not constipated and the diarrhea is the liquid poop moving past the stone blockage.. sigh.....

this poor cat....

I am going to ask her if the yowling is from the cyproheptadine....

I hope I do not have to take him up there tonight.. ..we are going to be getting a NorthEaster Storm.. sigh... always my luck..

I wonder if we can ever get this under control.... or if it a wasted thing to try?? and causing Artie a lot of pain in the interim...

but he tried to play!! that is something...unless the drugs are doing that to him????

But the gas!! man.. I feel bad for him...

I know any and all pain meds have constipating side effects..even for humans....

 

[Columbine]

Mega for Artie answer that the S vet can help you tweak meds to get him more comfortable.