Daily Kitten Chat Forum » General Chat

1. 

   my cat had been throwing up a lot in the past months. I should note he eats grass whenever he can and became more aggressive about getting out to our lawn in the last month. I noticed he was losing weight but I had changed his food about a month ago from Innova Lite dry food to Natural Balance also diet.

   I took him the vet on Saturday because he would not eat anything I offered. The day before he ate some wet food. Blood test revealed slightly high ALT of 122, low lympocytes 798 and slightly elevated neutrophils, 9690.. nothing else remarkable. I was sent home with IV bag of fluids with metocloprnide (sp)..
   after a day of fluids he still was not eating so I went back and got an ultrasound. I was sent home with a/d food and a syringe for feeding as I was worried about kidney damage.. the ultrasound revealed 4 or 5 lymph nodes reported to be 5 cm .. normal according to vet is 1/2 cm. we had an agreement that I do not want to do chemo but since it COULD be IBD I could do prednisolone 10 mg one a day and metronidazole 2 times a day (not sure of mg... ).. so I did no biopsy etc..

   anyhow, I have been doing the drugs and IV subcutaneous for 2 and a half days now.. he eats very little on his own still .. a few bites here and there, not enough to sustain him for sure and doesn't drink at all. I assist feed him a bit of A/D still..

   I am wondering if I need to give up or if the drugs take more time to prove themselves to ensure I am not making a mistake in ruling this cancer. I hoped he would turn around earlier if it was IBD.

   Posted 2 years ago by peeps #

2. 

   Hi Peeps, welcome to TDK Chat. I'm sorry your cat is unwell, this is beyond my cat knowledge, but I'm sure someone can answer your questions and/or share their experiences. TDK can get a little slow over weekends, plus we have a number of members travelling at the moment after a big meet up, so keep this thread bumped up and in view.

   Posted 2 years ago by MadcatwomanintheUK #

3. 

   I'm sorry your baby is sick. Are you comfortable with the vet? If not, a second opinion might be worth while.

   It can take a little time for those drugs to build up in his system. 2.5 days isn't much time. Give him another couple of days then ask the vet to re-evaluate him.

   I sincerely hope that he just has IBD.

   Posted 2 years ago by CheetahBoysmommy #

4. 

   Hi Peeps and sorry you're going through this horrible time. How old is your cat, and what is his name?

   Posted 2 years ago by eleniki #

5. 

   I too really hope it is just IBD. I don't know much about IBD but this is what i could find.

   ~~~~~~Highly digestible food yields more available nutrients for passive or active transport in intestinal absorption. Undigested residue (carbohydrates) alters pH and increases the liquidity of the chyme which means decreased stool quality and diarrhea. This condition may eventually lead to inflammatory bowel disease (" IBD"). The severity of the disorder depends on the amount of carbohydrates escaping digestion in the small intestine. Small amounts of sugars or decomposed starch, for example, can have more dramatic effects than large amounts of raw starch of low digestibility. Pet food manufacturers cook and process the carbohydrates they use in their foods in order to increase digestibility. Because of all the carbohydrates, cats consuming dry food are prone to IBD. Most cats exhibiting IBD symptoms (diarrhea and vomiting) experience a complete reversal of symptoms when switched to a grain-free diet. The best results are seen when the cat is put on a grain and carbohydrate-free raw meat diet.~~~~~~~~http://fnes.org/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=5:carnivore-digestion-and-inflamatory-bowel-disease&catid=2:diet-and-disease&Itemid=4

   A/D is one of the Scicnce Diets products that is supposed to be higher in calories right?

   I think but i am not sure that Wellness Chicken Wet food is higher in calories and has better ingrediants. I'll try check later if my computer starts working better. It isn't loading that well right now.

   Posted 2 years ago by furryfriends50 #

6. 

   Hi, thanks everyone for your responses... my cat goes by Peeps but his given name is Meep (http://www.catster.com/cats/78406). My email is Peeps.. everything is Peeps. He is a big part of my world and I my heart is breaking over this. I thought he would be around for another 6 or more years.

   He is seeking my attention still, grooming himself and his brother, enjoying lying on the window sill looking out, etc. Wednesday he started his first 1/2 day of treatment so today is starting day 3 1/2.
   I am still forcing foods though I wonder if I should if it is really cancer he is not going to eat. I really hope it is possible the meds just need a bit more time to kick in for him to get his appetite. I am scared to let him not eat though if he does really just have IBD because he might have kidney or liver failure as a result.

   The vet did say she was fairly confident it was lymphoma but there was an off chance not.. again, she is only going by the lymph node size of about 5cm ... I read 5-15 cm for lymphoma is average. she thought the size was too big for it to be IBD. We didn't do the biopsy as I would not treat cancer because I don't want to eek out life from my cat just to keep him around for me.. so now it is just a wait and see if he turns around. every day I get a bit sadder that he is not wanting to eat and more clear he is ready to go . I will give it a few more days though.. I may do the biopsy to be sure I am doing the right thing if I put him down unless it is going to stress or hurt him too much. any opinions? (it would settle my mind to know)

   good sign he wanted to eat very early this morning @ 3am .. I was up for a thunder and lightening storm because my dog was going nuts and he requested food but only ate for a minute or two.

   thanks again,

   Peeps

   Posted 2 years ago by peeps #

7. 

   furryfriends.. thanks for checking on the Wellness food. I am going to our neighborhood pet store later to check on alternatives. I personally don't like Science foods.. I stopped them @ 97 due to Ethoxyquin and BHT usage. I chose Innova for its promise of high ingredient quality. I don't think wets have these.. I do think that though they took the two chemicals off their dry food ingredients in the late 90's they are working a loop hole whereby they don't have to list ingredients they don't put in.. rendered meats from a supplier fit nicely into this scheme. I might be wrong about this but I read it in a few places

   Posted 2 years ago by peeps #

8. 

   My cat had Inflammatory bowel disease. It was a roller coaster ride with her I would go to bed in tears because I couldn't get her to eat and the next morning she would wake me up to feed her. She took prednisone but it took a little while to kick in. She later developed diabetes and eventually all her problems were too much for her poor little body. She had quality of life until a couple of days before she passed and she did let me know when it was time. You are doing the right thing to not do chemo from what I read it would only extend his life for a very short time and why put him through it. When Tessie first got sick that was one of the worries. Also with lymphoma the disease moves fast so you will know that is what it is

   Posted 2 years ago by Cat talk rules #

9. 

   Cat talk rules: thanks for the response. Sorry to hear about your struggle with IBD and the other complications your cat had to endure. It is really hard. HOw long until the prednisone kicked in and then going downhill? what duration was the quality of life for your cat before diabetes?

   the vet's office phoned to schedule a 5 day follow-up. feeling bleak about it since the cat isn't really eating on his own accord. ... (he just showed interest in food and ate about 3 TBS of tuna- not much but something.. but now he wants his wheat grass- this is the only thing he really wants ALL the time probably due to his gastro upset) I do also have him on 2.5 mg pepcid A/C daily.

   thanks and best to all of you.. I appreciate all the feedback even if it is just support.

   Peeps' mom aka Susannah

   Posted 2 years ago by peeps #

10. 

    Hi Susannah...I haven't had any experience with either of the conditions you're suspecting but want you to know that you and your dear Peeps are in my thoughts and prayers. I'd guess that only a couple of days on Prednisone wouldn't be enough to see a great turn around but pray that it's what is needed regardless of the size of the lymph nodes. Headbonks 'n' Sandpaper Kisses to Peeps. =(

    Posted 2 years ago by Karenopa #

11. 

    She had to have sub Q fluids and nausea shots for several days before she ate. I had to force feed her during this time. She was on a high calorie vet prescribed food at the time. I think it was 2 weeks before she started eating on her own. The whole time she was being treated it was a three steps forward, two steps back kind of ordeal. She made progress but slowly. Looking back, I think she was sick for about 6 months before I realized it. It was 8 months after diagnose that she developed diabetes. And she lived 6 weeks after that. I gave her insulin shots during that time and really had to make sure she ate. She did become a tyrant over food. She was always happy and contented acting except for when the disease was really flared up. She would lay in the sun, play with her favorite toy, cuddle with her sister kitty, terrorize the dog, and smile while doing it. She was like this until two days before she died, then she lost interest in everything, cuddled by the heater or did some hiding behaver and generally looked miserable

    Posted 2 years ago by Cat talk rules #

12. 

    3 oz chicken wellness canned. 120 kcal per can.

    i can't find the SD calorie count but i do believe that wellness has a higher calorie one than science diet and it is much healthier.

    maybe try look on wellness's website: http://www.wellnesspetfood.com/cat_wellness_can_index.html i don't have much time before going to work and have to start getting ready. Just look at the amount of calories. Actually i'll post in a few minutes because i just thought of a site that might have stuff.

    Posted 2 years ago by furryfriends50 #

13. 

    okay it is the EVO canned and Wellness Grain Free that have the highest calories. I think it would have the info on the cans.

    Posted 2 years ago by furryfriends50 #

14. 

    Hi Furryfriends50.. thanks for the information. I went to the store before I got your response but I did get some EVO wet without grain...95% duck 217 calories a can
    natural balance duck and green pea, grain free
    tiki cat ahi tuna
    instinct grain free rabbit...
    I am going for calories as well as anything that will peak his interest.

    he ate about four bites of the tiki cat ahi and stopped. he started with gusto and then just started licking the food very weakly..it seems like something is also going on orally.. I don't know just seems like he is having trouble with swollowing or that it hurts him. He does need his teeth cleaned but they aren't horrible or preventing eating according to the vet.

    if a can of food for every 8 pounds is required he is getting nowhere near his required intake. I am getting more and more reluctant to force him with the syringe. I have only done 2 syringes of 30ccs of A/D today..

    argh I just administered his 150ccs of lactated ringer and he ran off and hid in the recesses of the laundry room.. I hate that he is running from me. he had been hanging on the couch before.

    Vet's office said I should bring him in tomorrow for evaluation. I dred the worst since he is not turning around appetite wise. I feel sick
    .. very sick to my stomach and depressed.

    Thanks again..
    Susannah

    Posted 2 years ago by peeps #

15. 

    I spent the night on the futon with Meep..I have been living on the futon downstairs with him. glued to it except to go to the pet store.
    anyhow, he is eating small amounts (seems like a lot of chewing for not much volume going down) in short intervals with my coaxing. he had 4 or so feedings through the night and 2 this morning so far. It seems if I let him have his wheat grass, he eats. I was reluctant to let him have the grass as I was afraid he would throw up what little he got down but he is keeping it all down. I am not getting overly optimistic but I am so happy to see him eat. he loves the Tiki Ahi Tuna and the EVO duck so far.

    was going to take him to the vet today but I think if he keeps eating this morning I will wait ... it is day 4 and recheck was 5-7, earlier if not doing well.

    Posted 2 years ago by peeps #

16. 

    Oh Peeps, I feel for you, I really do. This is very hard for you and for poor meep. Sending you and him healing white light, and wishing hard that everything comes out right. At least he has some nourishment in him, poor baby.

    Posted 2 years ago by eleniki #

17. 

    Hi everyone...
    looks like I am going to have to work on letting Meep go soon. On discussing everything with the vet, I am confident in her diagnosis but am going to keep him on the course of treatment for IBD.. tomorrow he stops the metronidazole. I pray, pray this will give him back his appetite but am not feeling too optimistic. from there I'll do fluids and prednisolone only while he is still comfortable.

    thanks for all your caring words and feedback during this intensely hard time for both of us

    Susannah and Meep

    Posted 2 years ago by peeps #

18. 

    I'm so sorry Susannah,prayers for Meep to recover his appetite for a while and have a decent quality of life,as you probably already know Meep will let you know when it is time. [[[[[Susannah and Meep]]]]]
    Thanks for taking such wonderful care of him.

    Posted 2 years ago by Buttercup #

19. 

    he had the energy to chase a squirrel up the neighbors roof but now he is hunkering and I was feeling a bit helpless but have been reading how awfully metronidazole can affect a cat's appetite.. I am hoping getting him off the metronidazole will make a difference in his appetite. I don't know how much longer he can go and I don't want to see him suffer..

    thanks for caring..

    Posted 2 years ago by peeps #

20. 

    (((huggs Peeps)))... I know that's a tough battle!... best of luck to you, along with prayers and white lights!

    Posted 2 years ago by AV #

21. 

    Good luck with Meeps. I'm so sorry that he is not feeling well. He knows how much you love him which will ease his way if you have to let him to. Sending healing white light your way. {{{hugs}}}

    Posted 2 years ago by Kitten Whisperer #

22. 

    I'm so sorry, Peeps, this is so hard. Many {{{Hugs}}} to you and Meep, and sending you both loads and loads of the TDK healing energy.

    Posted 2 years ago by jcat #

23. 

    Sending Healing Energy for Meeps to get his appetite back.

    Posted 2 years ago by Moonshadow_NZ #

24. 

    Oh, this is so sad. I'm so sorry. The last thing you want is for Meep to be in distress, but he may just rally..

    Posted 2 years ago by eleniki #

25. 

    Hi ... I know it has been a while since I have written. My poor baby boy died at home on Sept 23rd. I had a vet come to the house to help him pass in peace out in the sunshine on our lawn. He had started to have difficulty breathing the night before as the lymphoma had either moved to his lungs or he had developed pneumonia. He is deeply missed and ever loved.

    thank you for your support and caring

    Susannah

    Posted 2 years ago by peeps #

26. 

    I'm so sorry to hear this Peeps. He fought the good fight, as did you. Now he is enjoying the bridge.

    Posted 2 years ago by paulajeanne #

27. 

    thanks Paulajeannie

    I loved that cat so much. I couldn't bear to see him the way he was that last day. It was the right thing to do but so so hard. I keep thinking he is here and feel that catch in my chest .. I am crying less but still very, very sad.
    my other cat has been screaming through the nights and very clingly. I feel awful for him. they were together from 3 months to 11 years the entire time. it must be so confusing and sad for my other cat. in time a kitten might be a good addition for my grieving cat.

    take care and thanks

    Posted 2 years ago by peeps #

28. 

    I always feel so bad for the sibling kitties, because they don't understand. Gentle hugs for you and Meeps' bro. I'm giving my Molly extra cuddles tonight in their honor.

    Posted 2 years ago by paulajeanne #

29. 

    I'm so sorry, Susannah. That is very sad news but I am so glad your baby died peacefully at home, in the sunshine, surrounded by love. Your poor other cat, it is so hard when they don't understand and you can't explain it to them. Hugs to both of you.

    Posted 2 years ago by jcat #

30. 

    Oh, I'm sorry I missed this thread earlier, and I'm so, so sorry about Meeps. He was such a beauty.

    Posted 2 years ago by Kilroy #

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