Artie Dental on Monday

[snugglecat]

I'm so glad to hear Artie is doing better.

I wouldn't worry what others say even though it can hurt when people talk like that. My own family has told me several times that I should have "gotten rid of Peaches a long time ago". I just don't say anything back.

She has had a lot of health problems and because she is not loving towards them, they don't like her.

Your doing a good job with Artie.

 

[DreamerRose]

@foxxycat  - A lot of very  elderly people come from a very different place. People in general didn't take care so much of their pets years ago, and vet medicine wasn't what it is today. In addition, people of that generation are also much less sensitive than we are today. You just have to excuse these people and let it go. Artiemom knows we're behind her 100%, and that's what counts.

 

[foxxycat]

 
@foxxycat  - A lot of very elderly people come from a very different place. People in general didn't take care so much of their pets years ago, and vet medicine wasn't what it is today. In addition, people of that generation are also much less sensitive than we are today. You just have to excuse these people and let it go. Artiemom knows we're behind her 100%, and that's what counts.

Very true. Thank you. forgot about that. Sorry. Yes things are much different now than before.

 

[margd]

I'm glad to hear that Artie is doing better.  I've been thinking of him a lot and hoping to read a good update.  Just wanted to repeat what everyone else has said about not taking your elderly neighbor's advice to heart and not worrying about being a pain on the site.  You most certainly are not a pain at all!  We all love Artie and want to know how he is doing and you are always there to give advice and comfort to others.  I think it's worth keeping the vet appointment as well, just for reassurance, if nothing else.  

Eat, Artie, eat!  

 

[Kat0121]

 
Thank you all for your kind thoughts...

Artie seems to be a lot better....

.   Since Friday, he has been eating between 2 to just over 2 small cans of food a day.

He is chewing..no more grinding of his food.

I think the shots of penicillin and the bupremorphine really helped him. He got them on Wednesday. Early Friday morning, he was starting to chew his food a bit, and even jumped on my bed with me, to cuddle. He had not done that for 2 weeks.

Our reg Vet, Emily, gave us some RC Sensitive Stomach Rabbit food. Surprisingly, he has somewhat taken with it.

I have been giving him a choice of RC rabbit and the Pride Rabbit (which I mash down really well). I add water to that.

Artie has been going back and forth between the 2.   Now I have 4 different kinds of rabbit food for him.  Two he is eating now and the other 2 he is not crazy about, but I have them for options.

He has done a couple of zoomies around the house. Not much, but a bit. 

He has continued to be more of a cuddler....I love that. I can pick him up and he will stay on my lap for a while.

I will contact his regular Vet this morning for an update. I would also like to know if there was an contact with the Dentist at Angell Memorial, (DR R). It would be interesting to see what he had to say...

Artie has an appointment with the IBD Vet on Thursday. I am unsure if I should keep it...

This morning Artie was on top of my legs. I could not move. I had to move him off of me. He then proceeded to try to open the blinds in my bedroom, so he could be in the sun. I had to yell at him a few times because he was sticking his head between the slats...In other words...he was getting fresh..

I think he gained an ounce or 2. He is a wiggle worm again with the scale. 

I was so scared....and then, an elderly neighbor just right out told me  I am spending too much money on him. That I should just let him go....I could not respond to her...I was seriously thinking it was the end of him last week. It seems the extra meds helped him a lot..They took a couple of days to kick in, but he has being improving every day, since Friday. 

I was afraid of posting anything, because of the 'jinx' effect. Also because I am a pain on this site. I feel as if I monopolize it a lot...

Thank you so much for being there for me....

I am exhausted from all of this......

((hugs)) to everyone..

In other words, I am trying to be cautiously optimistic.....Artie is still a day by day type thing.. but there are a lot of good signs...

I'm glad that Artie is doing better. 

that he continues to improve. The fact that he has enough energy to be naughty is a good thing. 

DO NOT listen to that old shrew. Artie is your family and if she can't understand that then too bad for her. I pity anyone who has never experienced what amazing friends, companions and family members cats can be. 

You are not a pain. Post away. We love Artie too. We want to know how he's doing. That sweet boy is part of this family just like all the TCS kitties are. Tell the old bat to put THAT in her pipe and smoke it. It might improve her outlook on life.

 

 

 

[artiemom]

I am not listening to my neighbor. She is very elderly, feels as if everyone needs to cater to her.. She always relies on me for help. She lives alone; sad. but she kind of did it to herself. The world does revolve around her.

She is always calling me. It is always about her..and her aches and pains..

I am not listening to her..just bugs me that she had the nerve to say it.

Artie is very alert. He was being naughty earlier today. 

But, the big thing is; He has refused to eat anything since I got up this morning at 7am..

I have spoken with his Vet--she wants to recheck the inflamed site. He is going in shortly...

I am keeping the IBD appointment on Thursday....

This poor guy is jumping from vet to vet...and my wallet is taking a big beating...sigh...not working does not help...

Poor Artie runs under the bed everytime I put my jacket on...or go to the hall closet.....

I hope he eats something, soon, but he has been napping...sigh...I so wish I could communicate with him....

I really do love all you guys, ......

 

[zed xyzed]

BTW not sure if I said this earlier but, I love the name Artie. It is too cute !

 

[stewball]

Thank you all for your kind thoughts...

Artie seems to be a lot better....:cross: .   Since Friday, he has been eating between 2 to just over 2 small cans of food a day.
He is chewing..no more grinding of his food.
I think the shots of penicillin and the bupremorphine really helped him. He got them on Wednesday. Early Friday morning, he was starting to chew his food a bit, and even jumped on my bed with me, to cuddle. He had not done that for 2 weeks.

Our reg Vet, Emily, gave us some RC Sensitive Stomach Rabbit food. Surprisingly, he has somewhat taken with it.
I have been giving him a choice of RC rabbit and the Pride Rabbit (which I mash down really well). I add water to that.

Artie has been going back and forth between the 2.   Now I have 4 different kinds of rabbit food for him.  Two he is eating now and the other 2 he is not crazy about, but I have them for options.

He has done a couple of zoomies around the house. Not much, but a bit. 
He has continued to be more of a cuddler....I love that. I can pick him up and he will stay on my lap for a while.

I will contact his regular Vet this morning for an update. I would also like to know if there was an contact with the Dentist at Angell Memorial, (DR R). It would be interesting to see what he had to say...

Artie has an appointment with the IBD Vet on Thursday. I am unsure if I should keep it...

This morning Artie was on top of my legs. I could not move. I had to move him off of me. He then proceeded to try to open the blinds in my bedroom, so he could be in the sun. I had to yell at him a few times because he was sticking his head between the slats...In other words...he was getting fresh..

I think he gained an ounce or 2. He is a wiggle worm again with the scale. 

I was so scared....and then, an elderly neighbor just right out told me  I am spending too much money on him. That I should just let him go....I could not respond to her...I was seriously thinking it was the end of him last week. It seems the extra meds helped him a lot..They took a couple of days to kick in, but he has being improving every day, since Friday. 

I was afraid of posting anything, because of the 'jinx' effect. Also because I am a pain on this site. I feel as if I monopolize it a lot...

Thank you so much for being there for me....
I am exhausted from all of this......
((hugs)) to everyone..

In other words, I am trying to be cautiously optimistic.....Artie is still a day by day type thing.. but there are a lot of good signs...

Don't be silly. Your neighbour is a fool.
Of course you'll keep the vet appointment. What kind of talk is that?

 

[artiemom]

 
BTW not sure if I said this earlier but, I love the name Artie. It is too cute !

Artie was his original name. After 8 years, it was foolish to change it... I kind of fell it love with it also..It seems to fit him  

After seeing his Regular Vet; the extraction sites are completely healed. But why is he not eating today? He is now officially at 10 lbs 4 oz..... That is so much better than the 10 lbs that he was a week ago.

I had a long heartfelt talk with the Vet. She told me that I have gone above and beyond what most people would have done with this cat. She told me I have spent so much money on him. And so much emotional care.....She deals with a lot of people who have a lot more money than I do. She also worked at Angell Memorial as a secretary and a Vet Tech before she went to Vet school..That is why she is so good at handling animals.

She said, at his age, she is not planning on doing any more dentals on him, unless he is in really severe, obvious pain from his teeth. 

She also told me that he has undergone anesthesia a lot in a short period of time. 

She agrees that I am probably at the end financially; She is being realistic. 

She told me his kidneys are fine. He could have the Pancreatic Triad...It could be the IBD completely. She advised not do do any more biopsies....and to question the specialist about his Vit B12 level.

She also suggested that we just go ahead and treat him with some Vit B 12---without doing the $800 Blood Test. 

A near future ultrasound is not out of the realm of treatment. But that is also iffy if looking for Pancreatitis....I get that cuz I am an ultrasound tech...

As long as he does not have to be sedated for the scan--he was the last time they attempted it at the specialist. My vet was shocked at that...

So I guess I have some hard things to ask of the specialist. I hope I can pull off the questions...

Artie will not have any more surgical procedures...none...it is too hard on him...too complicated..

I will ask about the Vit B-12;  an increase in the steroids,  and possible chemo.....

Dam@  Cat-

--when we came home, he ran over to the prescription RC rabbit food and ate it!! 

The Vet cleared him for dry food. I gave him some NV Rabbit--he ate it!!!

I tried to get a bag of RC dry Rabbit...but too expensive: $70 a bag!! 

they did not have any in stock...and would not give me a small baggie of it to try.. so that is on hold...

I am whining...trying to collect my thought...thank you for bearing with me...

PS---I am also having a scotch on the rocks with water.....and going to get another..this cat is too much..he just went over to eat some more.....

 

I will probably give you an update after the specialist on Thursday...

 

[margd]

Thanks for the update.  And you didn't sound like you were whining at all - just letting us know what's happening.  Artie seems to have a knack of figuring out just how far he can push you before he races to the food bowl.  What a rascal.  

 

Enjoy your scotch!  

   You earned it!

 

[DreamerRose]

You've been through the wringer, Artie Mom. 

 Take care of yourself too; you've done so much for Artie. Sounds like the B12 is a good idea and certainly cheaper than the blood test. Do indeed enjoy your scotch and relax for a while.

 

[zed xyzed]

That Artie !!!! good thing he is so cute 

 

[rubysmama]

Thanks for the update.  I've only recently started following Artie's thread, so I'm not familiar with his history.  I think, however, I read that you've only been Artie's Mom for 3 years. How did you end up becoming his Mom?

Hope Artie still has some appetite today. 

And about the new cat food.  Is the RC dry Rabbit you mentioned Royal Canin.  If so, obviously $70 is a lot, but if you can afford to buy it, and he doesn't like it, Royal Canin has a 100% satisfaction guarantee:  https://www.royalcanin.com/about-us/faqs

And if it isn't Royal Canin, you should still check with your vet, as the food might still be refundable if Artie doesn't like it. 

 

[artiemom]

 
Thanks for the update.  I've only recently started following Artie's thread, so I'm not familiar with his history.  I think, however, I read that you've only been Artie's Mom for 3 years. How did you end up becoming his Mom?

Hope Artie still has some appetite today. 

And about the new cat food.  Is the RC dry Rabbit you mentioned Royal Canin.  If so, obviously $70 is a lot, but if you can afford to buy it, and he doesn't like it, Royal Canin has a 100% satisfaction guarantee:  https://www.royalcanin.com/about-us/faqs

And if it isn't Royal Canin, you should still check with your vet, as the food might still be refundable if Artie doesn't like it. 

I adopted Artie 4 years ago. He was 8 years old at the time. After my dad, who lived with me, died, I was lonely and wanted a cat. I wanted one before he passed but with him having a walker, it would not have worked out. I was my dad's caregiver for a long time. I so grateful I was given the opportunity to get to know my dad as a person, and not as just a father...I will always cherish that...

I was gone from the house for 10 hours a day. We only had an aide come in for an hour, 5 days a week, with nursing visits as needed. My dad was in and out of the hospital for years..you name it, he had it...He was a kind, sweet, strong, man. I took care of everything when I came home, laundry, cooking, groceries, cleaning, helping to wash him, etc.. My dad was very independent. 

Three months after his passing, I was lonely, the apartment seemed so empty, so I contacted a humane society. I saw Artie in a foster home at 11 AM. I had him my apartment at 3:30 pm that same day. That night Artie jumped on my chest, started purring and kneading...That was in early March.

I am an only child. no siblings, no kids of my own. The rest of my family is pretty much to themselves, so I do not have much contact with them. 

At the end of July, I tripped at work, breaking my dominant upper arm. This resulted in multiple shoulder problems. It is also my work arm. I never went back to work full time. Two weeks before I was scheduled to have arthroscopic surgery, I was terminated from my job. The injury turned out to be a career ending injury. I had been in this profession for over 30 years...

All of That has all become resolved.....

When I say that Artie has been sent to me for a reason..that is because he, although sick from the beginning, was my one constant. 

The times I cried, was in pain, was out of it because of pain meds, he was always with me. Artie never left my side. He makes me laugh...

The little **** ate half the RC wet food I left out and 1/2 of the NV dry food.

Thanks for the suggestion about returning the RC dry, if it does not work out. 

My Vet told me about that...it is just the $70 up front that is costly.

Just for tow of Artie's meds, the cost is $120...plus he takes pepcid and Proviable probiotic daily. The specialist Vet visits are $60, at least. 

I did have insurance on him, for a while, until they came to the conclusion that IBD was a pre-existing condition...so this is all out of pocket, with me being on a limited income now.

so that is my long winded story.. perhaps TMI for some, but that is it..

 

[rubysmama]

Thanks for sharing your story of caring for your Dad.  He was very lucky to have you to care for him. And you were lucky to, that you had the chance to get to know him as a friend and not just a Dad.  

And obviously when you met Artie you knew he was the cat for you.  When you find the right cat, you know it.  That is what happened with me and Ruby. Even though she wasn't the cuddly, flop in my arms type of cat I thought I wanted, once I saw her at the shelter, and she started purring and head-bumping me,  I knew she belonged with me.   She still hates being picked up, but would spend her entire life sleeping in my lap if she could. 

About the food, I agree that's a lot up front, especially with all the other expenses you've had lately. Does it come in a smaller bag they could order for you?

Glad to see your little "sweetie" ate some more food.  Sending vibes that he continues to have a good appetite and gets back to his normal self soon.

 

[edit to add]  Just wanted to add how sad it was that your 30-year career ended with an injury and eventual termination.  No coincidence, right. 

  Where the accident happened at work, I hope you were eligible for workman's compensation. 

 

[foxxycat]

Sending vibes to Artie. Hoping things get better. Thank you for sharing your story with us. we all seem to come into owning a cat for whatever reason then they claw their way into our hearts. I love everyone's story!

 

[Margret]

Ah, cattitude. Now I know Artie will be okay! Jasmine is the same way. "What, you want me to eat? Now?! No, thanks. I know I said I was hungry, but not so much." Five minutes later: "Well, I suppose I could manage a few bites. Just for you. But I hope you know what a sacrifice I'm making." :lol3:

It sounds like your elderly neighbor is a very unhappy person.

Margret

 

[artiemom]

 
[edit to add]  Just wanted to add how sad it was that your 30-year career ended with an injury and eventual termination.  No coincidence, right. 

  Where the accident happened at work, I hope you were eligible for workman's compensation. 

Yes, I was eligible for workman's comp. I was employed at that job for 17 years.

It seems that it does not matter where you are working. Once you file for a workman's comp case; the employee eventually gets fired. The employer will find some way to get rid of the injured worker; they are considered a liability...

As of January, that is all behind me now....

 

[foxxycat]

 
Yes, I was eligible for workman's comp. I was employed at that job for 17 years.

It seems that it does not matter where you are working. Once you file for a workman's comp case; the employee eventually gets fired. The employer will find some way to get rid of the injured worker; they are considered a liability...

As of January, that is all behind me now....

Im so sorry. I thought it was against the law for them to fire because of worker comp? How upsetting after being there for all those years. Thats WRONG! 

 

[rubysmama]

 
Yes, I was eligible for workman's comp. I was employed at that job for 17 years.

It seems that it does not matter where you are working. Once you file for a workman's comp case; the employee eventually gets fired. The employer will find some way to get rid of the injured worker; they are considered a liability...

As of January, that is all behind me now....

Glad it's all behind you now.  But it's sad that after 17 years at the same job you had to leave under unpleasant circumstances.