Artie and his Issues

[maddies momma]

Thanks, I am not a Vet Tech.. I am a "human" tech.. At first I was an RT... Registered Tech in X-ray which, over the years became an Registered Technologist..

I went back to school because I was bored with the field. I became an, "RDMS" ,  Registered Diagnostic Medical Sonographer"  meaning an Ultrasound Tech...

I worked for around 33 years in that field.. and specialized in Peri-natal Ultrasound  ~~ that is of problem pregnancies... very stressful, but oh, so interesting...

No big deal...  I hope I did not come across as being obnoxious or boating...

Good Luck at school.. it is very hard work....((hugs))

Thanks for clarifying! Either way you know the process better than someone not in the field at all. I admire that your able to work with humans. I could only handle furry patients. You did not seem obnoxious at all! I was concerned I might sound obnoxious. Either way my main idea was that vet techs are educated and your boy is in good hands with them. I hope you both can feel better soon!
Thank you for your wishes of good luck for school. It has been a very long demanding process. I'm in my final semester now and then will be out in the field. I must say reading about your struggles with artie is really going to help me to be more compassionate towards owners and what their going through. Us vet people care so deeply for our patients, but we tend to forget there is an owner attached.

 

[IndyJones]

My childhood dream was to be a veterinarian. So far I have a degree in animal sciences.

From what I understand the relationship between vet and patient is a lot like that between doctors and the mentally ill (non verbal) since in both cases someone else must talk on the patient's behalf. It can be tricky in both cases to know what's going on with the patient since they cannot communicate with words.

 

[ralphscats]

Thanks for helping me @mrsgreenjeens
   I just came back from PetCo and PetLife.. got a few cans of different food.. Artie seems not to like any other rabbit product except for the Pride Rabbit. There is something in this food that he loves, and the others do not.. it has spinach?? I have to look at the rest of the ingredients.. He turns his nose up at other rabbit foods...

I am thinking of switching him to a different novel protein, but I need guidance with that.

I am feeling that the 'clay' which is in all the Nature's Variety product line, is great for cats with IBD and Diarrhea and very good for normal cats.. with Artie and his motility issues, I think it is aiding to the constipation. It is like concrete.. I saw a piece of poop which came out when he had his fist enema. I was not poop colored. It looked like dry cream colored clay. If you look up the specific clay that Natures Variety uses, it is the same color...

I also saw a couple of other people on the MegaColon FaceBook Page, have had issues with NV line of food and their IBD cats. Once they switched foods, it was easier to manage the MegaColon. 

I am really afraid of raw... Artie free feeds all day and night. I could never leave it out --it would spoil.. I was told he was a free feeder when I adopted him..so canned or homemade(yikes) is the way I have to go..
I also have a small freezer. I rent my apartment and this is what came with it.. I have no control and really cannot afford to buy a larger refrigerator or an additional small separate freezer. I am really trying to economize, somehow...but it never happens...

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

Just spent 30 minutes talking with the customer service manager from the Vet hospital. They are a big place and part of a huge chain of hospitals around the country... not saying anymore to identify it. 

I was calm, composed, and very nice.. 
I asked her what her understanding of what transpired yesterday was.. she briefly told me some.. I then went into detail.. stopping at certain points to clarify and overstate the impact of what I was saying. She apologized profusely, agreed that I was in the middle of a ton of miscommunication.. wanted to know what they can do to make things better for me and Artie.. also wanted to know what would I do if there was an emergency and the S Vet was not there....
right... they are afraid of losing business and getting a bad rap.....

I told her that I had many years as working in a small Major Boston Hospital Perinatal Center dealing with Problem Pregnancies. If I had done anything as to what transpired with me yesterday, I would be fired on the spot! I told her that I was trying to see both sides, and be fair, but I did not understand the lack of communication and different stories I kept getting throughout the day. I told her that the Techs were acting as 'TRIAGE" for the Vet. When I am told from the techs that the Vet will not speak --that the tech will speak to me instead, or is unavailable.. then I get angry, frustrated and upset.. I said that I could never, ever do that to a human patient, why should animals be different? I also said that the Vet was too busy--overbooked to provide adequate care for any urgent appointments-- that it seemed as if it was delegated to the Techs to handle these things...

I also said I understand, from my own experiences how it is to be short staffed, have people out, and still have to accommodate urgent patients.. 

Replied that if there were an emergency, I would still go through the proper channels and if my S Vet was not available, I would then take Artie to see whoever was, so that he could get 'proper' care. (yes the schmoosh on my part)

I also told her that there was nothing I could think of that would make yesterday better. I was too brain dead, exhausted from the entire episodes..She offered to refund/credit me the entire cost of yesterday!! I did not jump for joy, I was calm and thanked her.. She then wanted to keep it as a 'credit on my account'.. I asked if it would be possible to just get the refund on my credit card...  they are afraid...of losing a client...HA

So the bottom line is: I got a refund on my credit card (CareCredit) and pretty much an apology...and told to deal with the Mangers if any other problems arise.... so not bad...

a small victory, and Artie is eating.. the new food. We will see what happens..

Artie is so sweet, he just went back over to eat, looked at me.. licked his chops, when I asked if it was 'good".. now he is washing up...sweet, sweet boy... 

He was so good for his sub-q's..he had to poop, yet held it in until I finished...

enough for now.. I need to decompress a bit...

Congrats on getting the refund! Hopefully your experience will prevent others from ever having to go through anything similar with that awful vet practice.
I just wanted to explain some things about raw, in case you aren't aware. Some brands of raw are treated with a process called HPP, high pressure pasteurization. This process eliminates pathogens. Nature's Variety uses it for their raw.
I feed the NV raw bites. I have a cat with FIV, and she eats the raw too. I know some people who feed their FIV cats raw and they don't use the HPP food, and they haven't had any issues.
There's two things that have came to my mind. You said Artie was going after plastic. Does he do this often? Do you think he could have ingested some of it and that may be causing the problem?
Also, NV is a pretty good food. With raw, the poo is definitely smaller, less frequent, and sometimes crumbly. I'm wondering if since you are feeding the NV Pride, if the high quality could be part of why he isn't pooing as much. It's just a thought because I know when I switched to better food, I definitely saw a difference in the litter box.

 

[IndyJones]

R ralphscats

If you have been watching this thread the cat has constipation and is straining to use the toilet. I fed my previous cat raw and know of what you are saying and artie does not match what you are describing. He is constipated not just firm.

 

[Margret]

What gets me is their stated reason for not hydrating -- "We only do that for cats who aren't eating."  Really?!   And what do they think Artie has been doing lately?  Because eating hasn't been very high on his list.

I'm so angry at this vet I'm getting a headache, and I'm half a continent away!

@LTS3, thank you so much for giving @Artiemom some options so she can jettison this loser of a vet.

Margret

 

[Margret]

@Ralphscats

If you have been watching this thread the cat has constipation and is straining to use the toilet. I fed my previous cat raw and know of what you are saying and artie does not match what you are describing. He is constipated not just firm.

Also, @Artiemom doesn't have freezer space and is uncomfortable trying to feed Artie raw.

Margret

 

[Loving Mickey]

Just wanted to let you know I am thinking of you and Artie always.
I know how frustrating it can be dealing with an ill kitty and vets that don't seem to be listening. You and Artie are going through so much. I wish I had some magic words to help comfort you. I truly do , with all my heart. Believe me, I understand what Artie means to you. He is your world and you are also his. He loves you just as much in return, and knows that you are trying everything to help him.
My prayers and thoughts are always with you.
I truly hope you and Artie ate feeling better soon!
With Love and Hugs, Gloria

 

[neely]

Another congrats for the credit/refund from the customer service manager.   I'm sure you will feel more in control and much better once you are able to switch vets.  Fingers crossed you can get the medical records from the S vet expeditiously and an appt. with the vet LTS3 goes to. 

  Enjoy your cocktail, keep listening to classical music, relax and get a good night's sleep.  That massage will be waiting when you are ready.. 

 

[verna davies]

Good on you for getting somewhere with your vets. No doubt they will treat you with more care, at least for a while. I sincerely hope LTS3 vet will be the answer to your prayers.
Take a big breath now and try to relax a little.

 

[artiemom]

Artie came in to cuddle with me in bed, last night.

I gave him the Natural Recipe Beef Buffalo and Venison canned yesterday. The first 1/2 can he gobbled up.. then he refused it.. 

I left out some pork for him also..

Got up, saw that he ate a tiny bit of the pork, and just the juice from the new food.....sigh....

Gave him his first meds. When it was time for him to eat, I went looking for him. He is usually waiting for food.. Artie was hiding under my bed!!!! never does that... I had to get him out. 

I wanted to give him a blander food, so I opened up the lamb for him.. he just licked the juice and walked away.. me thinking he is either nauseous or fussing...

I think I am going to give him a dose of Cerenia... just in case.. He had one yesterday... and I may mix a bit of "his" food, which constipates him immediately, with some of the prescription rabbit...sigh.....

back to square one...

he did poop at midnight.. a nice long soft piece.. but if he is not eating, he is not getting the miralax, unless I syringe it into him.....sigh

He was also fussing with his meds this morning.. His paw came up to push my hand away... that is a first....

He is on his small cat tree.. curled up and sleeping...sigh...

 

[greypaws]

Instead of giving him the food that you know will constipate him, why don't you just give him the appetite stimulant and give him a chance to eat the other foods, that don't have the clay in them? With all he's been thru I image he probably is a bit nauseous, nobody wants to eat when their tummy is rocking  .  somehow you need to get him off this food/blockage/enema marrigoround  Keeping Artie in my prayers.

 

[artiemom]

 
Instead of giving him the food that you know will constipate him, why don't you just give him the appetite stimulant and give him a chance to eat the other foods, that don't have the clay in them? With all he's been thru I image he probably is a bit nauseous, nobody wants to eat when their tummy is rocking  .  somehow you need to get him off this food/blockage/enema marrigoround  Keeping Artie in my prayers.

That is exactly what I have been doing... thanks for the suggestion though....

 

[artiemom]

Have an appointment on the 3rd week of Feb with LTS3's Vet.. he is booked until then; however, If I have to get in sooner, they will work with me to find another specialist who is available and is well versed in Artie's issues.....

Such a relief!!!! OMG... I cannot tell you... OMG....  ((((((((((HUGS)))))))))) to @LTS3  thank you......I felt like the weight of the world has been lifted from my poor aching shoulders....

now the waiting part... 

I am not going to burn bridges yet at the other place. I will wait until early next week until I call for his records... I should be treated a bit differently, now.....after what transpired over the week-end.....

but it always seems my well laid plans backfire.. so we will just take one day at a time..

I hope his R Vet calls me tonight. I want to explain things to her~~ and see if this wait time is ok... and if she can help cover if things turn up.....

I think I may need a nap this afternoon or a call it an early night. I think because I have not been eating well, and not moving around as much, I had a ton of leg cramps all night; both legs... Artie was so good..as sick as he is, he kept following me around the house and I kept crying out, he was right there with me... sweet thing...

Artie was not eating this morning. I gave him a Cerenia..( my decision, no one else) and I gave him the appetite pill...

While I was on the phone with the secretary, he went over to the Hound & Gatos lamb and ate it... wow!!!!  now have to go out tomorrow and buy some more.. I have 3 cans in the house.. enough until tomorrow. If he eats this, then I will order a case from Chewy...

big relief... 

and he pooped twice this morning.. a 6 inch piece of soft and again, while on the phone with the secretary, another 4 inch piece.. nice and soft... 

He is not himself... he must be so exhausted and hurting from the torture he went through on Friday and Saturday... poor, baby... he is next to me.. I am on the rocking chair/recliner and he is on his pillow bed on the coach, next to me...  sweet boy....

He did cuddle with me last night...

 

[IndyJones]

good to hear hes doing better

 

[margd]

 
Have an appointment on the 3rd week of Feb with LTS3's Vet.. he is booked until then; however, If I have to get in sooner, they will work with me to find another specialist who is available and is well versed in Artie's issues.....

Such a relief!!!! OMG... I cannot tell you... OMG....  ((((((((((HUGS)))))))))) to @LTS3  thank you......I felt like the weight of the world has been lifted from my poor aching shoulders....

now the waiting part... 

I am not going to burn bridges yet at the other place. I will wait until early next week until I call for his records... I should be treated a bit differently, now.....after what transpired over the week-end.....

but it always seems my well laid plans backfire.. so we will just take one day at a time..

I hope his R Vet calls me tonight. I want to explain things to her~~ and see if this wait time is ok... and if she can help cover if things turn up.....

I think I may need a nap this afternoon or a call it an early night. I think because I have not been eating well, and not moving around as much, I had a ton of leg cramps all night; both legs... Artie was so good..as sick as he is, he kept following me around the house and I kept crying out, he was right there with me... sweet thing...

Artie was not eating this morning. I gave him a Cerenia..( my decision, no one else) and I gave him the appetite pill...

While I was on the phone with the secretary, he went over to the Hound & Gatos lamb and ate it... wow!!!!  now have to go out tomorrow and buy some more.. I have 3 cans in the house.. enough until tomorrow. If he eats this, then I will order a case from Chewy...

big relief... 

and he pooped twice this morning.. a 6 inch piece of soft and again, while on the phone with the secretary, another 4 inch piece.. nice and soft... 

He is not himself... he must be so exhausted and hurting from the torture he went through on Friday and Saturday... poor, baby... he is next to me.. I am on the rocking chair/recliner and he is on his pillow bed on the coach, next to me...  sweet boy....

He did cuddle with me last night...

I'm so glad you are feeling better about everything.  Worrying about Artie is more than enough stress. Throw in an unacceptable vet and it is enough to flatten the strongest of us.  You're making it through, though - you really are much stronger than you give yourself credit for.    And I'm so glad to hear that Artie is eating and pooping!  

 

[tarasgirl06]

Excellent news all the way around!  So glad to know sweet boy Artie is eating well and eliminating well.

IDK if you know -- you probably do -- but I have read, heard, etc., that leg cramps can be caused by calcium defiiciency.  Since I get them and I don't consume dairy products, I try to get lots of greens, which are calcium-rich, and sometimes I do take calcium supplement tablets.

Oh, I hope a really good, understanding and caring vet can be found for Artie! 

 

[greypaws]

 
 and I may mix a bit of "his" food, which constipates him immediately, with some of the prescription rabbit...sigh.....

back to square one...

This comment on your post is the only reason why I wrote what I did. Giving him something he'll eat, that you know ahead of time will block him is really not much different than a diabetic eating a whole pie with a side of half gallon of ice cream and then wondering why their sugar levels are out of range and having to fix that, after the fact. I understand you are struggling to get him to eat but offering him foods that " you know" will block him, just doesn't make much sense. He ate a little on his own, maybe not full ration but he was interested. Surely that is step in the right direction?

 

[foxxycat]

Great news all along!! SO Glad for you guys!! AND that vet was full of ....!!!!

Report them even though they refunded you. That was absolute BS!!\

On my way out=will type more soon.

 

[Mamanyt1953]

 
I was about to do that last night.. I really did.. but I did not want to be a blubbering idiot...

 
Thanks, I am not a Vet Tech.. I am a "human" tech.. At first I was an RT... Registered Tech in X-ray which, over the years became an Registered Technologist..

I went back to school because I was bored with the field. I became an, "RDMS" ,  Re   (somehow I erased part of this quote!  OOPS!)

First things first...You have that number for those occasions when you NEED to be a blubbering idiot!  Now, if you won't call me when you need me, how on earth can I call you when I need YOU?  So, from here on out, know that you may call with or without blubbering.  Either is JUST FINE!!!  HUGS!

Good heavens, there are a lot of medical folks here!  I was a RRT (registered Respiratory Therapist) and a Certified Hyperbaric Technician for years, got tired of being on a death watch (back then, there was almost NO rehab work in respiratory therapy for those of you who aren't familiar), and later on worked for Lab Corps of America doing medical testing, and after THAT was a psychiatric technician for the State of Tennessee!

 

[neely]

I am on the rocking chair/recliner and he is on his pillow bed on the coach, next to me...  sweet boy....

He did cuddle with me last night...

This is music to my ears. 

  So thrilled you got an appt. with the vet referral from LTS3.  Maybe you will sleep better tonight since that's a big relief.  Glad to check in and find out you are headed in the right direction, there's hope!