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Artie very sick after biopsy / Update!
- Thread starter artiemom
- Start Date
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- #82
Thanks for the information!! I will print it up and keep it.
- Thread Starter Thread Starter
- #83
Yes, I did get the slippery elm bark at The Vitamin Shoppe. It is in a capsule. I was told to start with 1/8 tsp of it. I sprinkle it on his food. I have mixed it in. I plan to do the same with the probiotic.
There is a formula to make for a syrup. You can look it up on line or go on Facebook, IBD Kittes.
I don't blame Peaches for not eating the food with Pepcid in it. Pepcid is a very bitter pill. Better to put it in an empty gel cap. I split it in 1/4, put it in a gel cap and used a pill shooter, followed by a bit of water.
I'm just now catching up with everything. I see there have been improvements in some areas, but setbacks in others. Gosh...poor Artie!
I will say that NV's dry food can be REALLY drying for some kitties and cause constipation. I attribute that to the montmorillonite clay, which is known to help with diarrhea and firm up stools. I would, personally, cut back on that a bit or eliminate it entirely. I know you said Artie started refusing it, so it might be a good time to do that. Of course, it's better that he eat something than nothing at all.
Also, having a kitty (Sebastian) with chronic pancreatitis and IBD (also FHV and FCV), I will say that one "event" can trigger a whole series of events and cause him not to feel well even after the first event is supposedly taken care of. IBD kitties are so sensitive and compromised. It doesn't take much to set them off. Inflammation can creep up at any moment for a variety of reasons and perhaps even move around or spread out (I call it "traveling inflammation"). Stress is a huge trigger for Sebastian, so he practically lives in his own tranquil kitty spa at home.
If you start administering the slippery elm bark, it would be best if you could give it at least three hours away from other supplements and medications as it can interfere with their absorption.
As for feline herpes, all my kitties get l-lysine powder added to their food, and they don't mind it. I use Carlson brand l-lysine powder (comes in loose form, not capsules).
I will say that NV's dry food can be REALLY drying for some kitties and cause constipation. I attribute that to the montmorillonite clay, which is known to help with diarrhea and firm up stools. I would, personally, cut back on that a bit or eliminate it entirely. I know you said Artie started refusing it, so it might be a good time to do that. Of course, it's better that he eat something than nothing at all.
Also, having a kitty (Sebastian) with chronic pancreatitis and IBD (also FHV and FCV), I will say that one "event" can trigger a whole series of events and cause him not to feel well even after the first event is supposedly taken care of. IBD kitties are so sensitive and compromised. It doesn't take much to set them off. Inflammation can creep up at any moment for a variety of reasons and perhaps even move around or spread out (I call it "traveling inflammation"). Stress is a huge trigger for Sebastian, so he practically lives in his own tranquil kitty spa at home.
If you start administering the slippery elm bark, it would be best if you could give it at least three hours away from other supplements and medications as it can interfere with their absorption.
As for feline herpes, all my kitties get l-lysine powder added to their food, and they don't mind it. I use Carlson brand l-lysine powder (comes in loose form, not capsules).
- Thread Starter Thread Starter
- #85
Thanks,
Artie has cut down on the dry food. My original idea was to use that flavor to slowly get him into just rabbit. He has cut down on the dry food himself.
He is eating more of the Pride rabbit.
I do give him the slippery elm bark hours away from his meds.
He gets Pepcid on an empty stomach, the Proviable probiotic is mixed into his morning food. The Steroid is in between. I give him his meds in the morning. I space them out.
The slippery elm bark is given at night.
Can I mix the l-lysine in with the probiotic or the SEB?
Yesterday, he was a little piggy, eating 1 large 5.5 oz can, 2 small cans and about 20 dry....Today, not so much....but he did eat 1/4 can of wet rabbit during the night...
I know stress of any kind can set him off. Even when I am stressed out...he feels my stress or my slight avoidance of him...I mean not as much attention as I alway pay to him...
any change in his routine, can set him off also....
I do have feliway going in the kitchen. I had it in the living area, but I really noticed the smell, and it was bothering my astham. First time I ever smelt it...
Time for pepcid...he was waiting for food when I got up...that is a great sign and many happy dances.....
He sees the Specialist next week.
Thanks
Artie has cut down on the dry food. My original idea was to use that flavor to slowly get him into just rabbit. He has cut down on the dry food himself.
He is eating more of the Pride rabbit.
I do give him the slippery elm bark hours away from his meds.
He gets Pepcid on an empty stomach, the Proviable probiotic is mixed into his morning food. The Steroid is in between. I give him his meds in the morning. I space them out.
The slippery elm bark is given at night.
Can I mix the l-lysine in with the probiotic or the SEB?
Yesterday, he was a little piggy, eating 1 large 5.5 oz can, 2 small cans and about 20 dry....Today, not so much....but he did eat 1/4 can of wet rabbit during the night...
I know stress of any kind can set him off. Even when I am stressed out...he feels my stress or my slight avoidance of him...I mean not as much attention as I alway pay to him...
any change in his routine, can set him off also....
I do have feliway going in the kitchen. I had it in the living area, but I really noticed the smell, and it was bothering my astham. First time I ever smelt it...
Time for pepcid...he was waiting for food when I got up...that is a great sign and many happy dances.....
He sees the Specialist next week.
Thanks
If it were me, I'd probably give the l-lysine with the probiotic in the morning meal, rather than with the SEB at night.
Yes, that is a great sign! It's such a relief when they want to eat!
Yes, that is a great sign! It's such a relief when they want to eat!
- Thread Starter Thread Starter
- #87
tHey All! Artie saw the specialist today for a follow-up. I thought i would give an update.
The Vet was pleasantly surprised with him. She commented that he was so bright, alert, talkative (actually he would not stop), and even gave them a hard time drawing blood and looking at his eye! his fighting means that he is feeling better and stronger!!
The abrasion on his eye is gone. I asked about herpes. She said if he has not had any symptoms, i.e.: sneezing, running nose, tearing, a general blahness, then it was probably a scratch.
As for the IBD:
He has not gained any weight which is surprising. He weighs exactly the same as last month. That is puzzling because both the Vet and myself felt that Artie feels heavier and looks as if he has filled out more--especially in his flanks.
Eating: His appetite has been increasing since he started the probiotics!! She said not to stop them! I agree!
Since Sunday he has been eating either 3 small cans or 1 large can along with a small can in a 24 hour period.
He is a little piggy today!
I gave him a large can (5.5 oz) at midnight. I woke up at 7AM and the 2 dishes were licked clean! and he was looking for more food! By the time we left the house, at 9:30 am, he ate 3/4 of a small can. He fiinished that can when we returned. Then he ate another small can!! AT 5:30pm I gave him a bit more..this was only a few licks....what a pig! But I am not complaing.. This is the most amount of food he has eaten since I adopted him, 3 years ago.
The Vet did say to keep an eye on his weight. I have a scale which is not quite the same weight as hers, but it is a guideline. She said he should not weigh 12 lobs, which I wanted. She said his ideal weight should be around 11.5 lbs. He is weighing in at 11.3 on their scale. He is 11.5 on mine.
I had cut down on the pepcid because it was a battle getting him to take it--even the compounded liquid. He hates the fish and the beef flavors. In other words he just hates pepcid!
I do not think he ever got the entire dose because he keeps spittling it out all over the floor and all over the napkin I use to wipe his mouth. I returned to the 1/4 pill in a gel capsule. He seems to take that better, at this point. The Vet is fine with the decrease.
They drew blood to check his kidneys and liver due to all the meds he has been on. I will get the results tomorrow.
She does not want to see him for 3-4 months, unless I want her to or he does not seem to be doing well. or there is something off with the lab values.
I am to keep him on the same dose of the steroid, call her in a month with an update. If all is well, then we will discuss possibly decreasing the steroid dose.
I am so 'cautiously optimistic" . I do not want to let my feelings overflow for fear of jinxing him.
Artie is now much more like the kitty I adopted...in fact a bit better. He is acting so much younger! He is so alert, we talk back and forth constantly, he is starting to re-visit me in bed! We have startd playing a bit of 'chase'. The better part is that he is pooping every day, he is right now eating up a storm, he is not fussing about his food! he is not sleeping as much either...and he is following me around as if he is glued to me! and he is now starting to run out of my apartment into the corridor--pain in the butt for me! but it means he is feeling so much better.
The specialist also said it is ok to keep him on the Pride Rabbit. It is a mixture of rabbit and pork along with kale and other stuff. She said as long as he is doing ok on it, then to stay with it for now. She thinks it is a great idea that I am giving him the Nature's Variety limited ingredient Rabbit dry food as "treats". He is ok with tat, but I do not think he will take it as a regular meal for any extended period of time. Besides, I would rather give him wet food. He hate the NV Rabbit!
That is my update. All in All Artie has eating a large can (5.5 oz), 2 small and 1/3 of another 5.5 oz can since midnight. And it is only 6pm...
I wanted to update anyone who would be interested in his progress. My fingers are crossed for the future!
The Vet was pleasantly surprised with him. She commented that he was so bright, alert, talkative (actually he would not stop), and even gave them a hard time drawing blood and looking at his eye! his fighting means that he is feeling better and stronger!!
The abrasion on his eye is gone. I asked about herpes. She said if he has not had any symptoms, i.e.: sneezing, running nose, tearing, a general blahness, then it was probably a scratch.
As for the IBD:
He has not gained any weight which is surprising. He weighs exactly the same as last month. That is puzzling because both the Vet and myself felt that Artie feels heavier and looks as if he has filled out more--especially in his flanks.
Eating: His appetite has been increasing since he started the probiotics!! She said not to stop them! I agree!
Since Sunday he has been eating either 3 small cans or 1 large can along with a small can in a 24 hour period.
He is a little piggy today!
I gave him a large can (5.5 oz) at midnight. I woke up at 7AM and the 2 dishes were licked clean! and he was looking for more food! By the time we left the house, at 9:30 am, he ate 3/4 of a small can. He fiinished that can when we returned. Then he ate another small can!! AT 5:30pm I gave him a bit more..this was only a few licks....what a pig! But I am not complaing.. This is the most amount of food he has eaten since I adopted him, 3 years ago.
The Vet did say to keep an eye on his weight. I have a scale which is not quite the same weight as hers, but it is a guideline. She said he should not weigh 12 lobs, which I wanted. She said his ideal weight should be around 11.5 lbs. He is weighing in at 11.3 on their scale. He is 11.5 on mine.
I had cut down on the pepcid because it was a battle getting him to take it--even the compounded liquid. He hates the fish and the beef flavors. In other words he just hates pepcid!
I do not think he ever got the entire dose because he keeps spittling it out all over the floor and all over the napkin I use to wipe his mouth. I returned to the 1/4 pill in a gel capsule. He seems to take that better, at this point. The Vet is fine with the decrease.
They drew blood to check his kidneys and liver due to all the meds he has been on. I will get the results tomorrow.
She does not want to see him for 3-4 months, unless I want her to or he does not seem to be doing well. or there is something off with the lab values.
I am to keep him on the same dose of the steroid, call her in a month with an update. If all is well, then we will discuss possibly decreasing the steroid dose.
I am so 'cautiously optimistic" . I do not want to let my feelings overflow for fear of jinxing him.
Artie is now much more like the kitty I adopted...in fact a bit better. He is acting so much younger! He is so alert, we talk back and forth constantly, he is starting to re-visit me in bed! We have startd playing a bit of 'chase'. The better part is that he is pooping every day, he is right now eating up a storm, he is not fussing about his food! he is not sleeping as much either...and he is following me around as if he is glued to me! and he is now starting to run out of my apartment into the corridor--pain in the butt for me! but it means he is feeling so much better.
The specialist also said it is ok to keep him on the Pride Rabbit. It is a mixture of rabbit and pork along with kale and other stuff. She said as long as he is doing ok on it, then to stay with it for now. She thinks it is a great idea that I am giving him the Nature's Variety limited ingredient Rabbit dry food as "treats". He is ok with tat, but I do not think he will take it as a regular meal for any extended period of time. Besides, I would rather give him wet food. He hate the NV Rabbit!
That is my update. All in All Artie has eating a large can (5.5 oz), 2 small and 1/3 of another 5.5 oz can since midnight. And it is only 6pm...
I wanted to update anyone who would be interested in his progress. My fingers are crossed for the future!
Wow, this is just great!
(need I say more?
)
- Thread Starter Thread Starter
- #90
thank you mrsgreenjeans and mphscat! Yes, it has been a long road. I am trying to be realistic because I know how horrible IBD is. So my fingers are crossed for now.
Since I took chicken out of his diet, he has not vomited! Although the work-up and treatment for IBD coincided with that.
What is most amazing to me is that he is sticking with just one food! He was always turning his nose up at food. I absolutely had to give him a variety in order to get him to eat. Then he got used to the variety. So now that he is stuck with one food, he is surprising me by sticking with it!
Thank you guys!!
Since I took chicken out of his diet, he has not vomited! Although the work-up and treatment for IBD coincided with that.
What is most amazing to me is that he is sticking with just one food! He was always turning his nose up at food. I absolutely had to give him a variety in order to get him to eat. Then he got used to the variety. So now that he is stuck with one food, he is surprising me by sticking with it!
Thank you guys!!
Great update! So glad Artie is feeling good right now.
- Thread Starter Thread Starter
- #92
ok--here is another update: I had a voice mail which stated that the IMVet reviewed the results of all his blood tests and said that Artie is doing Great! She re-interated that the next follow-up will be in 3-4 months....
I will call them for a copy of the lab tests.
Artie has not eaten anywhere near what he did yesterday!! I think he overate!! He ate 2/3 of a large can during the night, almost a full can of the Pride Rockstar Rabbit ~ (he loves the gravy and leaves a bit of the morsels) and 1/2 small can of the Pride Ritzy Rabbit. That one seems to have more gravy. It is the same recipe but this one is labeled as 'morsels".
I have been giving him The Rockstar Rabbit which is labeled as flakes. It is really smal rectangles of meat in a gravy. I use the fork to mash it up. The Rockstar is always at Petco. I decided to try a case of the Ritzy rabbit. I have a shoulder injury and sometimes it is hard for me to mash the food. I ordered it from Chewy. Artie loves the Ritzy Rabbit!! He seems to eat more of it! I still mash it a bit, but it mooshes in better. Chewy is the only place I seem to be able to order it from. It seems to have more gravy to it. Artie is a gravy lover.. I do add water to his food also.
He also did not poop as of yet. He usually goes in the morning. So it is more miralax today. I gave it to him this afternoon. That mean s 3 days in a row. I hope he does not get diarrhea from all of it.
I had a very stressful morning and Artie was so good for me. When I hung up the phone, crying, I went to my bedroom, where he was lying on my bed. As soon as he saw me, he gave me the "I Love You' sign..He looked at me,greeting me with 2 slow blinks!! I really started crying then. He allowed me to cuddle with him, getting his fur wet.
It has to be the "I Love You" blink because I was on the side of the bed, opposite the windows, so the the sun was not in his eyes....
I just love this little guy....
thank you for understanding..
I will call them for a copy of the lab tests.
Artie has not eaten anywhere near what he did yesterday!! I think he overate!! He ate 2/3 of a large can during the night, almost a full can of the Pride Rockstar Rabbit ~ (he loves the gravy and leaves a bit of the morsels) and 1/2 small can of the Pride Ritzy Rabbit. That one seems to have more gravy. It is the same recipe but this one is labeled as 'morsels".
I have been giving him The Rockstar Rabbit which is labeled as flakes. It is really smal rectangles of meat in a gravy. I use the fork to mash it up. The Rockstar is always at Petco. I decided to try a case of the Ritzy rabbit. I have a shoulder injury and sometimes it is hard for me to mash the food. I ordered it from Chewy. Artie loves the Ritzy Rabbit!! He seems to eat more of it! I still mash it a bit, but it mooshes in better. Chewy is the only place I seem to be able to order it from. It seems to have more gravy to it. Artie is a gravy lover.. I do add water to his food also.
He also did not poop as of yet. He usually goes in the morning. So it is more miralax today. I gave it to him this afternoon. That mean s 3 days in a row. I hope he does not get diarrhea from all of it.
I had a very stressful morning and Artie was so good for me. When I hung up the phone, crying, I went to my bedroom, where he was lying on my bed. As soon as he saw me, he gave me the "I Love You' sign..He looked at me,greeting me with 2 slow blinks!! I really started crying then. He allowed me to cuddle with him, getting his fur wet.
It has to be the "I Love You" blink because I was on the side of the bed, opposite the windows, so the the sun was not in his eyes....
I just love this little guy....
thank you for understanding..
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- Thread Starter Thread Starter
- #95
Thank You!
Yes, Artie has been 'fascinating"--LOL!! I am glad I have my hair colored regularly because he keeps giving me more grey hairs!
It is a really long thread. I just re-read it...wow, do I write a lot! Once I start, I do not stop. Sometimes I sound like a real 'basket case"....lol!
I really do appreciate the people on this forum.
BTW, I do not know if I mentioned it before, but Artie is now back to talking and having conversations with me! I never knew how much I enjoyed it, until he stopped talking.
He is still very clingy. I wonder if he understands that I am trying to help him feel better. I bet cats do understand a lot more than what people give them credit for.
And he stares at me, watching me so much more than before. If I move into a room, he is right there with me. If I go back and forth to put things away, he follows me. And we do talk to each other.
He also re-started jumping on my bed at around 3:30AM to cuddle. He has not done that in months.
it is getting really late, a very trying day. I was very upset. But writing about him and the things he does, and seeing the improvement in him, has made me feel better. it has gotten my mind off things.
Now to see how he reacts to me when I return from the dermatologist. I have an area of basal cell which is located in the corner of my nose. I thing I will have a biopsy of it today. At least I hope so. I need it to be take care of. And I have a few other areas I am concerned about. My dad had a lot of it on his face., so I know what it looks like. I could not take care of this earlier because I was my dad's caregiver. After he passed, I broke my dominant arm at work, and developed shoulder issues. That was exactly 3 years ago, Thursday. So I have had this thing for a while. I am nervous about going to see the doctor. I she never been to a dermatologist before.
Sorry I am venting and giving too much info..
Moderators, please edit...
I am just wiped out--dead tired and on my way to sleep for a few hours...
thanks
Hope you were able to get some restful sleep, and some more cuddles from Artie. I think they understand a lot. I think they are very in tune with our emotions, too.
You have a very trying past few years...I hope you are able to get things taken care of today, and get some good news. I will be thinking of you
You have a very trying past few years...I hope you are able to get things taken care of today, and get some good news. I will be thinking of you
- Thread Starter Thread Starter
- #97
Thanks Crimmie! Yes, Artie has been very good. I do get snuggles in the morning. And he is very patient when I take time for myself and ignore him a bit.Hope you were able to get some restful sleep, and some more cuddles from Artie. I think they understand a lot. I think they are very in tune with our emotions, too.
You have a very trying past few years...I hope you are able to get things taken care of today, and get some good news. I will be thinking of you
It has been a very stressful month.
The dermatologist is very nice. A small biopsy was taken. It is in a hard place to keep a bandaid; corner of my nose. I am keeping Artie away from my face, although I just want to keep picking him up and cuddling him, giving him tons of kisses.
Artie is never far away from me. Follows me so closely around here.
Today I am not doing a thing. I am emotionally drained. I am sitting on the coach; Artie is curled up in the hidey-hole in his cat tree, which is next to me. Each time I get up or move, I can see his eyes opening up and him watch me.
I am so glad that Artie and you are there for each other. Going through what you've gone through alone would have been a thousand times more difficult.
I, too, have been a caregiver to one or both of my parents for 15 years. My father is now 93. I am lucky that I am able to have people in the house with him to look after him but I have all the responsibility of the house maintenance, house repairs, financial responsibility, medical responsibility. My cats somehow know when I'm tired emotionally or physically and need an extra cuddle, more so than my boyfriend.
Rube is still vomiting occasionally but nothing like it was before....but still more than 2 a month. The vet had suggested another drug which helps with nausea and intestina motility so I may look in to that. In the meantime, the herbs I am giving him every day and the 1/4 Pepcid each night before bed have helped a LOT.
All my best for your biopsy outcome. We are Artie will be hear to support you.
I, too, have been a caregiver to one or both of my parents for 15 years. My father is now 93. I am lucky that I am able to have people in the house with him to look after him but I have all the responsibility of the house maintenance, house repairs, financial responsibility, medical responsibility. My cats somehow know when I'm tired emotionally or physically and need an extra cuddle, more so than my boyfriend.
Rube is still vomiting occasionally but nothing like it was before....but still more than 2 a month. The vet had suggested another drug which helps with nausea and intestina motility so I may look in to that. In the meantime, the herbs I am giving him every day and the 1/4 Pepcid each night before bed have helped a LOT.
All my best for your biopsy outcome. We are Artie will be hear to support you.
- Thread Starter Thread Starter
- #99
Thank you so much. I did nothing today, but either sprawl on the coach or sleep on the coach. I was emotionally exhausted. Artie stayed with me all day! He was at the end of the coach by my legs...sweet boy. It is really had to believe that he stayed with me all day! and in the same spot on the coach. I woke up from a nap, at 11PM and Artie is in his 'play' mode!! zooming around the apartment, chasing the soft rubber balls around, and now sitting next to me--but on the floor ( I am on the recliner)...he is really a sweet boy....And I slept so much that he did not get as much wet food to eat today. I did leave out some of the dry NV ltd ingredient Rabbit for him--he did not starve at all. I knew I was going to have a bad day, so I left extra food out...
I did not adopt Artie until after my dad passed. I was lonely and really wanted a cat. In fact, my dad and I discussed it, during his last year. He would have agreed to one, but he did bring up a good point. What if the cat started going in and out of his legs as he was walking? or zoomed past him (he had a walker and have really bad knees) or threw up during the day, etc....
I can't believe I slept so much. I have not slept much this month due to all the stuff going on..and I had a couple episodes of the colitis this week. Once Thursday--big stress day, and then again today. I guess my body is telling me to take care of myself...
I am glad Rube has cut down on the vomiting. It is so heartbreaking to see them still sick, when you are trying your best to get them better.
Re: biopsy
Thank you for your support. I do know and the dermatolgists agrees that is is basal cell . Now I just have to wait for the insurance company to authorized the procedure. The doctor said that the surgeon doing the surgery will perform plastic surgery at the same time. According to this gy , the surgeon is one of th goes in the country...but don't they always say that!! LOL
I think i hijacked this thread!!!! It is supposed to be about Artie and not me!!!
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Well we have to take care of ourselves to take care of them! Rube is asleep on the couch next to me and Layla on the other side on the arm. This time is our time. They're nth resting peacefully so it makes me peaceful too. I will have to disturb Rube to give him his Pepcid but he'll go right back to sleep.
All my best wishes for a quick resolution to your health issues. Let us know how you and Artie are doing.
All my best wishes for a quick resolution to your health issues. Let us know how you and Artie are doing.
