Keeping Dylan in my thoughts, and happy for you that you have found this new vet.....it's bad enough when your cat isn't feeling well, who needs
on top of it all?
Good news...Two things I would caution you about though:Originally Posted by sbbeatnik
Well, last night Dylan crawled up by my pillow to sleep, purring softly all night...(rather than curling up quietly at the foot of the bed as he has done in recent weeks) it was nice to have him showing that he felt a little bit better, if even for a little while.
I just took Dylan to the Hospital and checked him in for the day. I managed to get him to eat about a quarter of a can of food before we left...but don't feel as bad about that, because he finished off the other plate I put out for him in the middle of the night...and made me oh so happy to find it empty this morning!
Poor little boy was such a nervous wreck in the car going back to the doctor. I know he is much more upset when he stops meowing...than when he is talking at his loudest.
When I told the vet how well the subcutaneous fluids had worked for him last night, she decided to go ahead and add that to the list of his treatments today, and give him another round of that too since he responded so well.
By tonight I will know what the ultrasound shows, and will know the reuslts of several in house blood tests and the urinalysis....but won't know everything until tomorrow--as there will be several tests that have to be sent out to another lab.
But, I will atleast know difinitively if he actually does have Hepatic Lipidosis (which, again, is what the other vet told me after nothing but a blood test! And was treating him for with a high protein diet.)
So, the good thing in all of this is that once I know what is wrong, I can better take care of him...and so can the vetrinarians.
Ask your vet about a "Pill Popper", it's a slender, long syringe looking device. You put the pill in one end, and it is made of soft rubber that won't hurt the kitty...and you take it, and stick it into his mouth quickly, while pushing the back of it, and it basically "pops" the pill behind his tongue, and he will most likely swallow it before he can do anything else.Originally Posted by sbbeatnik
The pills Dylan is taking is the next trick to conquer! But have already gotten some good advice in another thread on subject.
Pills he is taking are 10mg Famotidine given twice a day 1/4 of pill. He hates it and fights me all the way! ARRRRgh.
I'm working on it though. Just a small hurdle, once I figure out the trick.
(towel trick only helps, but still tough.)
I'm sorryOriginally Posted by sbbeatnik
This morning Dylan hid from me under the couch and wouldn't come out.
In frustration, and sheer determination to make sure he ate...I gave in to him and put his food bowl under there with him...bonito flakes and all, and crouched down with flash light to watch and make sure he was eating. (he was)
But, he hid, I am certain, to avoid me giving him his morning pill. <snip>
Poor little guy has taken to hiding to avoid the stress of meds. Arrrgh. Makes me feel so horrible. (but won't stop me from giving him the medication he needs nonetheless.) <snip>
LOL...Originally Posted by Pat & Alix
[SNIP]I think Spotz suggestion re the pill gun was spot-on (sorry! couldn't resist...too hot here, warping my sense of humor) [SNIP]
Depending on the kitty, it can be a bit of a ballet to learn! I cradle my cats on their backs in my arms, have the pill gun already loaded and next to me where I can quickly pick it up. Getting used to holding it will helpOriginally Posted by sbbeatnik
I bought the pill gun yesterday, but haven't yet gotten the hang of it. It seems almost as complicated as just holding him down and forcing pill in his mouth.
Advice on how to use it, anyone??
Vet told me the steps, but it just doesn't seem as easy since he thrashes about the way he does.