Chase is very sick :(

[ghostuser]

I don't have a Costco in the area.. but that does bring up the possibility of some of the other pharmacies here having them. I may have to look into that.

Is it a sign of constipation when his belly feels full for awhile? I keep backing off and not feeding him as much as I'd like to because he will feel really "full" after a couple of feedings and stay that way through the day. By the next morning it's gone back to normal, so I'm not sure if he's just slow to digest or if he's having problems and I just don't happen to catch him straining...

And thanks again to everyone that's been wishing Chase well. We both really appreciate your thoughts.

 

[ktlynn]

The price you're paying for fluids isn't terrrible - you can still do better, though. How much are you paying for venosets (lines) and needles? The NJ company I buy from sells BBraun Lactated Ringers 1000mL for about $2.66 per bag, but of course you have to add on shipping charges, which for TN would be $19 for a case (12). That would bring your cost to $4.25 per bag, and the cost of their lines and needles may be lower than your vet's price too. Ordering the fluids also saves you the trip to the vet to pick up the supplies (you'll need a prescription from your vet to order.) You can shop around for other companies - one closer to TN may have lower shipping costs. BTW, how often do you hydrate Chase? How much does he get?

I think you should check with your vet about the "fullness" you feel on Chase's belly after he eats. It could be stool that hasn't passed yet - if he's having digestion problems it could also be gas building up. You'll need to monitor the litter box as best you can - if his poop is very hard and dry he's most likely constipated. Even very soft poop can (ironically) be a sign of constipation. Keeping him hydrated and a little pumpkin should help either way.

How's Chase doing otherwise? Does he seem to have a little more energy? Is he playing at all, or showing interest in his usual activities (ex. watching birds through the window, sitting on your lap, curling up in his favorite spot, etc.)?

If you have questions about Chase's diagnosis, it could be worth it for your peace of mind to go to a specialist, even though it's not the easiest thing to do.

Good thoughts and best wishes to you both - feel better Chase

 

[ghostuser]

I've been using the same line so far.. should I be getting new ones? The vet has just had me transferring the same one over. So far she's been giving me the needles for free along with the bags, and that first line was free. I don't know if she'd charge or not for a new one. He gets 100mL at a time. I've been doing it every other day or so lately since he stays a bit better hydrated being fed more canned food.

Chase went back to the vet today because his eye was looking bad. She said she didn't feel much stool in him, and what was there was soft, so she didn't think there was a problem currently. She seconded feeding the pumpkin just in case. The eye she gave some ointment for.

He doesn't quite do everything he used to, but he does obviously feel better with the food I've been giving him. He walks around the house, he talks to us, he begs for food even though he doesn't eat it. He did eat a small amount of Fancy Feast today when I fed my sister's cat. It was really nice to see him show more interest in it than usual, even if he didn't eat enough to get out of being fed later.

ETA: He ate some of the Wellness food on his own just now when it was time to do his feeding. Not as much as I would have fed him, but enough that I'm comfortable skipping making him eat more. That's the most interest he's shown in food in a long time! I sure hope he'll do it again next time. Even if he doesn't.. I'll take it as a good sign that he's feeling a bit better.

 

[ktlynn]

I've been away for a few days, and was wondering how Chase is doing. In your last post you said he ate some Wellness on his own - that's great!

You can use the same sub-Q line for two 1000mL bags, of course being very careful to keep the spike sterile as you take it out of the empty bag and insert it into the new bag. (I always use a new line with a new bag - I'm just more comfortable with that). After using it for two bags, you should discard the line and use a new one. Make sure to get a line with a port in it so you can do injectable meds if necessary.

I'd also recommend using Terumo 20 gauge thinwall needles. Most vets use 18 gauge because it's a bigger needle so it takes a little less time to do hydration. They'll tell you there isn't much difference between a 20 and an 18. There is to your cat. He'll be much more comfortable with a 20 gauge, and it will only take another couple of minutes at the most. BTW, did the vet tell you to warm the fluid before you give it to Chase?

Please give us an update when you can. Hope Chase has continued to eat better and that his eye has improved too.

 

[ghostuser]

Things have been a little crazy so I never got around to more updates. Today Chase got a feeding tube put in. His sporadic decisions to eat were not nearly enough to keep him from continuing to lose weight, and he was fighting me more and more on assist feeding until I could barely get anything into him. It went well, and he's home now. He fell asleep during his first feeding, even. He's only getting very small amounts to start with, of this liquid stuff called Rebound. She wants to stick to that for a couple of weeks, gradually increasing the amount, before switching over to using cat food.

While he was out she drew the fluid out of his chest, as well. She sent that off to be analyzed. She said she got 3 ounces of milky white fluid out. That sounds like so much with how little he's gotten..

He's mostly been sleeping since we got home. I can't blame him, he's had a stressful day.

 

[ghostuser]

 

[taterbug]

Oh...bless his heart.

 

[ghostuser]

Chase is still sleeping a lot, but he most definitely looks brighter-eyed today. I am hoping as the amount of food gets closer to what he really should be taking in, he'll start getting some of his energy back. She only started him out on 2 ounces a day, tomorrow I should have it up to 3 ounces, and she wants him up to 4 on Sunday if he keeps handling it well. So far he still relaxes right through it, it doesn't seem to bother him at all.

 

[ktlynn]

Glad to hear that Chase is tolerating his new feeding tube and seems to be perking up a bit.

Did your vet tell you to keep offering food to Chase even though he's got the tube now? My vet advised me to do that with my little guy when he got his tube. After just a few meals with the tube he began eating small amounts of food on his own.

Thanks for posting the picture of handsome Chase - he's a trooper!
Keep feeling better Chase

 

[ghostuser]

Ironically, he ate a good meal as soon as he came home from the vet after getting the tube put in. He hasn't repeated that since then, though. He ate a few kibbles of dry at random today, and I keep offering him wet every time I feed my sister's cat. Hopefully he'll show some interest in it soon.

He seems to be continuing to feel better. Today he slept less and was up and around the house more. His coat also looks less ruffled. I've got him up to 30 mL per feeding with no problems. He seems quite content with his feedings, settling happily in my lap and going off to steal the dog bed and nap afterward.

 

[ktlynn]

How are you and Chase doing? Hope you had a good holiday.

Just wondering if you got back the fluid analysis results from the vet. Are you still doing B-12 - if so, were you able to get a bottle from the vet so you could do it at home?

Hope your handsome boy is continuing to improve.

Please update when you can.

 

[ghostuser]

I forgot all about asking about the fluid today when he went in for his check-up.. I'll have to call or ask next week when he goes back. Chase lost more weight, but just a little, and I'm not really surprised when he started out on only 2 ounces/day. He's supposed to get 5 ounces/day this week, then next week switch to a cat food blend. He's been up and around a little more, and stole some chicken from dinner tonight before settling into my lap for awhile. It's really nice to see him seeming happier.

He got another shot of prednisone and B-12 today. He hasn't been getting his sub-Qs since he's been on this liquid diet and is staying well-hydrated because of it, so I didn't think to ask about getting a bottle anymore. I guess I should have asked anyway, giving the shots myself wouldn't be much different than giving the sub-Qs since they're given under the skin too.. I just get nervous and don't think of these things while I'm there.

 

[ktlynn]

I know what you mean about forgetting to ask all of the questions you have for the vet - that's why I finally started writing them down and taking the list with me!

The fluid analysis results may not have come back yet, otherwise your vet would probably have spoken to you about it already. I think continuing the B-12 injections could be helpful - it can stimulate appetite and is also beneficial for IBD if Chase happens to have that.

How often do you have to bring him to the vet? I understand that the feeding tube needs to be checked about once per week. If that's the case, you can weigh Chase while he's there. Otherwise, you might want to get your own scale to monitor his weight. Since that's pretty important to keep tabs on right now, especially because of the feeding tube, you might want to weigh him more frequently.

I was happy to read that Chase "stole some chicken from dinner"! That's a very good sign - hope you rewarded him with some more! I'm really glad that he seems happier - the feeding tube is making a big difference for him, I think.

Fingers crossed that Chase continues to keep feeling better!

 

[ghostuser]

Right now he is going back once a week, and he does get weighed every time. I've looked a couple of places at scales anyway, but none of the places I've thought to look at while there had anything that seemed right for the job. I'm not really sure where the best place to look is. The ones I've seen online seem to be $70+, I was hoping I could find something a bit cheaper..

He got a little plate of chicken that night that he happily gobbled up.

Most of the time, though, he still doesn't want to eat on his own. He does act hungry in between feedings now that he's down to 3 times a day, and I keep offering him things hoping he'll eat on his own. He'll start watching me and following me around the house if it's been awhile since I fed him, and he settles in seeming so content when I get ready to feed him.

 

[jennyr]

I am following Chase's story and I just wanted to say what a great job I think you are doing with him. He is so lucky to have you and also what sounds like a great vet.

 

[marianjela]

Originally Posted by jennyranson

I am following Chase's story and I just wanted to say what a great job I think you are doing with him. He is so lucky to have you and also what sounds like a great vet.

Chase is so lucky to have you! You are a perfect meowmy! Vibes for a swift recovery.

 

[ghostuser]

Thanks everyone.

Chase has started purring while he gets fed, it's so cute. He doesn't do it every time, but he's done it four times now. Tonight he was getting quite loud with his purrs.

It makes me happy to see how much better it makes him feel.

 

[ktlynn]

Originally Posted by wishiwas

Thanks everyone.

Chase has started purring while he gets fed, it's so cute. He doesn't do it every time, but he's done it four times now. Tonight he was getting quite loud with his purrs.

It makes me happy to see how much better it makes him feel.

That's wonderful!!!

I'm so happy Chase is feeling better - good for you little guy! Keep those purrs coming!

 

[marianjela]

Oh, I'm happy to hear that! Keep up the good work!!!

 

[ghostuser]

Just wanted to toss in another update. Chase gained 2 ounces at his last check-up. As of Wednesday we've started using cat food instead of the Rebound liquid for his feedings. This will up his calorie intake even sticking to the same amount at each feeding, so I am hopeful that we can get him gaining a bit more.

I am currently using Wellness Grain-Free Turkey since I had a few cans already. I'll probably stick to the Chicken and Turkey cans.