Topic: Riley poorly at vets - having seizures (Read 86901 times)

Mymblesdaughter · « **Reply #1009 on:** February 13, 2014, 11:09:27 AM »

So sorry, I was really hoping as we hadn't heard anything he was slowly on the mend.

Gill (sneakiefeline) · « **Reply #1008 on:** February 13, 2014, 10:54:13 AM »

I am so sorry to hear this and know how exhausting it is, and you are so right he doesnt deserve this and was what i felt about napoleon

snarf · « **Reply #1007 on:** February 13, 2014, 10:50:56 AM »

O Helen,

so sorry to hear hes still going through so much

furry headbutts to all of you, must be so hard in uou and lucus too

Dawn F · « **Reply #1006 on:** February 13, 2014, 09:12:31 AM »

am really sorry to hear this helen

Rosella moggy · « **Reply #1005 on:** February 13, 2014, 09:10:19 AM »

I was talking to Carol about the three of you on our trip to Bath Helen. She mentioned that Riley hadn't been well recently

I'm sorry I hadn't got around to PMing you

I truly feel deeply for your situation. I can only send my heartfelt sympathy and sincerely hope Riley gets some respite from these awful seizures. The worry must be utterly exhausting for you

sheilarose · « **Reply #1004 on:** February 12, 2014, 22:48:08 PM »

Oh Helen, this is not the best news, but he's fighting it every step and making you proud. Hoping he can shrug this last batch of bad bouts off. So hard for you after all he's been through.

Tiggy's Mum · « **Reply #1003 on:** February 12, 2014, 21:53:56 PM »

Thanks for thinking of him

Things are not great at the moment, he had quite a bad relapse a few weeks ago (due to an adjustment in meds) but it took a while to regain control - he had 6 seizures in 18 hours at it's worst

I thought he was doing OK but he had one this morning out of the blue so I'm on high alert again. It's just so unfair, he doesn't deserve this

Susanne (urbantigers) · « **Reply #1002 on:** February 12, 2014, 17:02:10 PM »

We've not had an update for a while. How is our lad doing?

Janeyk · « **Reply #1001 on:** December 01, 2013, 16:28:27 PM »

really pleased to hear Riliey is taking his meds ok now. Good idea by your mum

Lyn (Slugsta) · « **Reply #1000 on:** November 25, 2013, 17:50:45 PM »

Thank you for the update, I had been wondering how the handsome chap was doing.

Nicola (RockysMum) · « **Reply #999 on:** November 25, 2013, 15:58:31 PM »

Great news that Riley is taking his meds. How clever of your mum to make you a special towel!
Glad Lu enjoys the catnip drops, so typical that Riley wasn't interested though!
My Bailey hoovers his pills up in them, i live in dread of the day he decides he's gone off them in typical feline fashion. The only problem is he's now so attuned to the rustle of the packet that if we rustle ANYTHING in the kitchen, he's at our heels in seconds looking for a treat

pappilon · « **Reply #998 on:** November 25, 2013, 07:29:12 AM »

Helen so pleased Riley is taking his med, there are also this soft chew snacks from Aldi which are great to hide tab in, they are like webbox but softer my guys love them . Chicken and liver one are better than the other two flavour if you like pm me your address and i send some sample for Riley to try . Lu may like them too

Sending you and the boys

x

Sue P (Paddysmum) · « **Reply #997 on:** November 25, 2013, 06:48:46 AM »

Helen, so please he's not being too difficult about his meds. Still a difficult path for you both however, and sending oodles of hugs for all three of you.

Gill (sneakiefeline) · « **Reply #996 on:** November 24, 2013, 22:35:50 PM »

So pleased that Riley is taking his meds

Tiggy's Mum · « **Reply #995 on:** November 24, 2013, 21:52:50 PM »

all

*touch wood* he's been OK with taking his tablets and is taking them in treats, long may that continue

My wonderful Mum has also made me a towel-wrapper-upper with a section his head goes through then velcro to secure, so that's on standby if needed.

No more seizures since the dose was put back up to the 'too high' dose, his legs are still bad and although he's not bothered by them and tolerates me wiping them with the wipes he really doesn't like me wiping in between his toes - I'm not going to stress him out by trying to look too closely in between them as there's no more that can be done and he has an appt back at the specialists with both the dermatologist and the neurologist in December so we'll see what they say then. He's also going to the normal vets for a blood test next week to see where the drug levels are at.

Nicola - Lu wants to say thanks for the tip about goodgirl catnip drops, I hadn't tried those so hunted some down and although Riley won't touch them Lu is rather partial to them

Janeyk · « **Reply #994 on:** November 24, 2013, 17:47:37 PM »

Helen, so sorry to read Riley's still not right. Regarding the pill giving it's ok if they'll take the in food but what I found best for Sooty was straight down the hatch. I had to be really clever though, not being used to this I asked my vet and looked on you tube etc initially, but the main thing is to be brave and not think about it too much and it worked a treat. You do have to have confidence though and not be anxious yourself (which I was at first until it became a doddle), and to be fair Sooty was an elderly, small cat - although she did a good job of escaping if she knew I was approaching her! So best time was when she was curled up asleep and I'd go behind her, open her jaw, still sort of behind/to the side of her, and push the pill to the back of the throat, then hold her jaw closed a few seconds and tickle under her chin to encourage her to swallow, watch for that swallow. If they're half asleep it's over before they know it. Also give lots of praise and fuss when you've done that, I think that helps too so they see it not such a bad thing. I hope you manage to get them down Riley, hugs to you all

Susanne (urbantigers) · « **Reply #993 on:** November 13, 2013, 10:35:36 AM »

oh no - sorry to hear you've had a few setbacks

I pill the same as Sam but so far I haven't had to do it too often. I find it's not the actual pilling that is the problem - it's the catching them to do it once they have caught on to what you are up to. I hope he continues to take his meds in treats as that at least sorts one problem.

Sam (Fussy_Furball) · « **Reply #992 on:** November 12, 2013, 21:03:44 PM »

Oh hun

I understand about cats that are hard to medicate ... zephyr is big and strong and smart. I have found the best way to do it is not to pick him up but to sit down on the floor with your kness tucked under you. Move cat between your knees with their back tucked into your chest. Put your hand straight over the head, open the mouth and push the pill in before he's realised what's happened.

With zephyr I really only get one chance each time but if I do it quickly he gives me about 10 secs before he resists and spits! lol

Good luck hun my heart is with you

Mymblesdaughter · « **Reply #991 on:** November 12, 2013, 17:54:48 PM »

So sorry to hear about all your troubles must be so worrying and depressing for you. It's awful having to give them medication too as it's just so stressful when they won't take it. I wish they could understand we are just trying to help them.

Gill (sneakiefeline) · « **Reply #990 on:** November 12, 2013, 17:47:27 PM »

I am so sorry about all the problems and I couldnt medicate any of mine............Lupin could not be pilled by Gareth last week, Sasa obviously is a no no and Misa is just too big for me to hold.

Napoleon had a seizure after being wrapped in a towel by a baby vet and think its the stress that causes them.

I hope they can help his skin and that he stays co-operative with his meds.

Lyn (Slugsta) · « **Reply #989 on:** November 12, 2013, 17:37:24 PM »

Helen and Riley

Nicola (RockysMum) · « **Reply #988 on:** November 12, 2013, 14:54:47 PM »

Oh Helen, I’ve just read through your thread. What a terrible rollercoaster you’ve been on with your lovely Riley.
I hope they can get to the bottom of the skin issues and sort it out. You’ve both been through so much already!
Glad to hear he’s co-operating with his meds again, I know how stressful that can be.
After a near nervous breakdown and a lot of tears trying to get pills into my Jake, I finally succeeded with Good Girl catnip drops. You may have already tried them, but all my boys loved them and they’re easy to mould round tablets because they’re so soft.

Jiji · « **Reply #987 on:** November 12, 2013, 14:38:25 PM »

Oh Helen, so sorry this

Sue P (Paddysmum) · « **Reply #986 on:** November 12, 2013, 14:12:32 PM »

Am also really sorry to hear this Helen. So appreciate where you're coming from. I know how stressful it was trying to medicate Paddy.

Dawn F · « **Reply #985 on:** November 12, 2013, 14:04:54 PM »

sorry to hear you've had a set back helen

Liz · « **Reply #984 on:** November 12, 2013, 13:59:57 PM »

Oh bless that boy

Not sure if he does human foods but have found that M & S Fish variety pates are wonderful for our Max who has 2 tablets a day he is now sitting on the table waiting for human to dispense tablets having tried every method and then some resorted to the pill popper and the open mouth at your own peril claws routine

have to say have also given some of my very untrusting ferals their worming tablets that way with great success we will keep all paws crossed here for Mater riley and his Mum not forgetting the gorgeous Lou xx

Tiggy's Mum · « **Reply #983 on:** November 12, 2013, 11:34:13 AM »

Quote from: Sam (Fussy_Furball) on November 10, 2013, 12:34:38 PM

How's the little trooper doing?

Up and down really

He had a blood test which showed the seizure medication levels were too high so tried to reduce the dosage slightly and he had 4 seizures in 4 days

He then started refusing his tablets in every treat/food imaginable and he is very hard to medicate so I was very upset and started thinking about whether I might have to let him go if I can't manage to give him the medication

When I was trying to force it down him it was taking numerous attempts and 15 minutes each time, he was getting so stressed and upset - as was I. To put him through that four times a day would just be awful

I asked for a 'lesson' in tablet giving at my normal vets and the lovely nurse showed me how to open his mouth (which I was doing wrong) but it's the restraining him that's the problem, I didn't want to resort to wrapping him a towel as that prolongs the ordeal so first tried without... foolishly whilst wearing only a dressing gown! I have cuts on my legs, arms, his tooth caught the edge of my thumb/nail causing an outpouring of blood then at the next attempt his claw caught the other edge.. more blood

His dose has been put back up and *touch wood* no more seizures but then there's the worry that the levels are too high again

Thankfully he's started co-operating with his tablets again and is having them in treats.

We're no further forward with the skin issues, they've definitely got worse and he has seen the dermatologist at the specialists twice now and various tests have drawn a blank. Her words... whatever it is it's very rare and pretty strange!

Sam (Fussy_Furball) · « **Reply #982 on:** November 10, 2013, 12:34:38 PM »

How's the little trooper doing?

Liz · « **Reply #981 on:** October 28, 2013, 13:05:11 PM »

Helen, hoping things are a bit better

I can recommend the comfy collar - Billie Jo had one on for nearly 5 weeks when she had her eye removed they come in fabric and washable fake leather we of course have both I like to think of them as an investment with my mob but no nasty cone of shame and they can jump with out fear as they can see just can't get to the itchy bits to scratch

Link for you

http://www.amazon.co.uk/comfy-collar/s?ie=UTF8&keywords=comfy%20collar&page=1&rh=i%3Aaps%2Ck%3Acomfy%20collar

JenGeorgieBob · « **Reply #980 on:** October 28, 2013, 11:17:02 AM »

I hope you get to the bottom of the sores on his skin, although glad he has been seizure free. A bit of a silly suggestion but reptiles don't heal very well or very quickly, so Manuka honey is often used to aid in healing any wounds or sores and it also prevents them becoming infected. Would it be worth looking into that to help him as it wouldn't interfere with his current medication?
Hope he improves and starts getting back to himself again.

Susanne (urbantigers) · « **Reply #979 on:** October 28, 2013, 07:55:01 AM »

Aww poor Riley. I'm glad he remains seizure free but hope you can get to the bottom of the sore patches.

Sue P (Paddysmum) · « **Reply #978 on:** October 28, 2013, 07:21:33 AM »

Oh Helen. Poor Riley.

It's so unfair. He's the loveliest of cats, and your precious baby boy.

Sending lots of love for him.

mad_lilli · « **Reply #977 on:** October 27, 2013, 21:39:48 PM »

Poor Riley, he doesn't have his sorrows to seek at the minute.

for Riley, Lu & mum. Xx

Lyn (Slugsta) · « **Reply #976 on:** October 27, 2013, 17:10:17 PM »

Poor lad, it sounds as if it is one thing after another! I'm so glad that he is seizure-free now but sorry that his problems continue

Gill (sneakiefeline) · « **Reply #975 on:** October 27, 2013, 15:26:35 PM »

Sending loads of good wishes and hope ythey can find out what these patches have appeared and how to clear them up asap

maryas · « **Reply #974 on:** October 27, 2013, 15:18:12 PM »

Helen I don't know if this will help but the skin problem that Bonnie had when I got her 6 years ago took 2 years to heal up. She had steroid injections, anti-biotics, cream and frontline. Not sure what worked in the end to be honest.

She was problem free up until a few months back and it appeared again. The vet gave her a few injections, 4 weeks in between and didn't work. Put her a posh vest on and as soon as it was off she was licking at it again and it flared up. Eventually she told me to give her Advocate instead of Frontline and I was amazed how quickly it cleared up.

Kirsty told me that Advocate is brill for cats with sensitive skin and it's worked wonders.

Mary

Rosella moggy · « **Reply #973 on:** October 27, 2013, 14:47:37 PM »

Oh poor lad and poor you Helen

Obviously delighted to hear that he has been seizure free for so long but so sorry to hear of the skin problem and that he startles easily

I haven't any experience to share re steroids preventing healing but imagine you have googled and found what I just did i.e. long term use can have the effect of "poor wound healing ability". Have you looked on NOAH fact sheets for side effects the meds Riley is taking?

I assume it is the specialist vet that would be the one to advise on possible reduction in anti seizure meds following results of blood test?

Every good wish Helen

Tiggy's Mum · « **Reply #972 on:** October 27, 2013, 13:50:38 PM »

Well it's been 15 weeks since he had his last seizure so from that perspective it's obviously good news and beyond what I'd hoped for, long may that continue!

About a month ago I noticed pink, sore looking patches on his front legs - nothing drastic just the skin was pinker than normal and was showing through the white fur. I took him back to my vets a couple of times and they both said it didn't look typical of a drug reaction (which was the worry as a very rare side effect of the main seizure drug is skin lesions). The patches didn't improve so I ended up taking him to the dermatologist at the specialists, she did various tests and also thought that a drug reaction was unlikely, although she couldn't rule it out. One of the tests showed that he hadn't been self-mutilating as the hairs were still tapered so they've definitely been caused by 'something'.

The poor boy has had to wear a buster collar for the last month as if he was allowed 24/7 access to teh patches then repeated grooming could make them worse. It started off as a plastic one but that irritated his head and he scratched little bald patches and had hair loss on his ears when I took it off to let him wash so it's a fabric version which is a bit kinder for him. Unfortunately, despite the fact he's been wearing the collar the skin now looks much sorer and inflamed so he's back off to the vets tomorrow, the dermatologist is on leave so will be taking him back to my normal vets as he's due the blood test to check his medication levels are still as they should be.

I'm wondering if the steroids he's on are preventing the patches healing normally so that's one of the questions to ask tomorrow.

He still seems quite affected by the medications he's on, although he seems much 'sturdier' now, he still doesn't play with his toys, cuddle up to Lu or sleep on the bed with me (or in any bed come to that). When he is asleep it's almost like he's never fully relaxed as he doesn't look comfy and startles easily

Rosella moggy · « **Reply #971 on:** October 27, 2013, 11:37:36 AM »

Great minds ML. I was just thinking of his gorgeousness too

Hope all continues to improve with our handsome lad............

Have you seen pic of young Myshka Helen?

http://www.purrsinourhearts.co.uk/index.php/topic,43911.new.html#new

mad_lilli · « **Reply #970 on:** October 27, 2013, 11:34:47 AM »

How is Riley doing now????

Author Topic: Riley poorly at vets - having seizures (Read 86901 times)