Topic: Swampy: it is his time now RIP little choc-o-late monster my love (Read 366876 times)

swampmaxmum · « **Reply #2973 on:** October 28, 2009, 14:08:57 PM »

I saw my usual vet today for a chat when I popped in for my gelcaps. He seems eager to please now that he's refreshed and had all his choices second guessed by the Italian locum! I told him Swampy is doing well in some ways (esp off that horrible frusemide) and the main issue now is the snot. He (I think) wants him off marbocyl and back on to synulox - which doesn't work. Anyhow I have booked to take the Swampcat in tomorrow. The vet asked if Swampy had missed him so I said he was storing up another bite, just for him

swampmaxmum · « **Reply #2972 on:** October 27, 2009, 19:00:14 PM »

many thanks Gillian. He's had about 500g less whatever gets lost in the mix (quite a bit I expect) and I do have to give him some lactulose tonight too, so I'll only give 0.5mls I think just in case.
Since he stopped kaminox, he needs lactulose again. I wonder if they have any of the same amino acids in them?
If it is going to work, do you know how long it takes? He's had snottiness since kittenhood so am not expecting too much, just to have less muck going down would be great.

Gillian Harvey · « **Reply #2971 on:** October 27, 2009, 18:45:35 PM »

Quote from: swampmaxmum on October 27, 2009, 16:39:54 PM

I bought Solgar Lysine so let's hope it works.

Thats a good brand, its the one I used to use. I wouldnt give him the full dose straight away - build it up gradually, amino acids like Lysine can cause tummy upsets in some cats (not all) if not slowly introduced.

sarasara · « **Reply #2970 on:** October 27, 2009, 18:38:34 PM »

hang in there Swampy's mum and Swampy, praying for you both.

Sue P (Paddysmum) · « **Reply #2969 on:** October 27, 2009, 18:17:57 PM »

Adding my love to you both, Kate.

sarasara · « **Reply #2968 on:** October 27, 2009, 17:26:15 PM »

Poor Swampmaxmum and poor swampy. Praying for you and thinking of you both.

swampmaxmum · « **Reply #2967 on:** October 27, 2009, 16:39:54 PM »

thank you
just started him on Lysine. Can't do any harm afaik? My vet is hopeless at anything non drug. Swampy's coat is so shiny & he's purring still such a lot so I must do everything I can to keep him like that. At least because of my own health issues, I can be with him almost 24/7.
He sleeps in my arms every night now and purrs himself to sleep. I think his tum feels better with the frequent, small meals (either on his own or assist) and also I give very little kaminox now. I think it irritates CRF tummies. The locum suggested Tumil K potassium powder instead. I have no real idea of the dose, just add a little bit to each meal and mix it well in.

I bought Solgar Lysine so let's hope it works.

sarasara · « **Reply #2966 on:** October 27, 2009, 12:51:48 PM »

Hang in there swammaxmum, praying for you both.

Bazsmum · « **Reply #2965 on:** October 27, 2009, 11:52:16 AM »

Glad to hear he is drinking now of his own accord, odd how he was'nt before as this is a CRF symptom!

Hope the onion trick works! It must be awful having all that mucus, even the word makes me want to

swampmaxmum · « **Reply #2964 on:** October 27, 2009, 10:38:58 AM »

The owner of the CRF 'bible' site emailed me to suggest cutting the sub cuts only if Swampy's heart was affected which we hope and don't think it is. So we can start them again and he'll have to have an X ray now and then to see if fluid is building up. He can't have them every day though, it's too risky. He is drinking more by himself as his CRF worsens. Before he hardly drank anything which was a bit odd.

One of the Americans had a cat with a bad cold too and she used a fresh onion (cut) under her cat's nose, which her vet said was safe if a bit eccentric! It made her cat sneeze so we'll try it before I cook this evening. He let go a bit of snot this morning from his under the duvet saucepan inhalation (saucepan doesn't stay steamy long enough though). I got quite a bit of it, but he swallowed the rest and then vomited it up. It's definitely that making him sick. It's odd as mostly his nose is dry, but then suddenly he starts to snort. Hates having it cleaned!

Bazsmum · « **Reply #2963 on:** October 27, 2009, 00:24:01 AM »

What do they think on that US forum Kate about the dramatic change in his sub cuts?

So glad he has had some sun and food! Im sure he will of had much pleasure from both!

Be well you all! x

swampmaxmum · « **Reply #2962 on:** October 26, 2009, 18:41:32 PM »

Thanks for the suggestions, much appreciated! I think the saucepan under the duvet probably works as well as anything, given that the vaporiser/diffusers are all 'into the room's air' type and not with a mask or funnel. I just can't find any of those on ebay or anywhere else. I don't know the french for what they are called there either.

Swampy went outside for 1/2 an hour in the sun (purr purr) and lay on the bed for 2 hours in the sun this morning (ditto) and had a small plate of k/d by himself this morning. Lots of purrs today. He is becoming less hydrated though, I think the extra hydration made him feel better. I wish I could give him sub cuts every day but it's just too risky. Depending on how he is, the locum vet said every 3rd day, 40mls.

Bazsmum · « **Reply #2961 on:** October 26, 2009, 18:18:20 PM »

Thinking of you all and hoping Swampy is having a good day!

Bazsmum · « **Reply #2960 on:** October 25, 2009, 23:54:38 PM »

I meant this type Kate!

http://health-beauty.shop.ebay.co.uk/Facial-Saunas-/116882/i.html?_armrs=1&_mdo=Health-Beauty&_mspp=&_pcats=11863%2C26395

Have you looked to see if they have the original ones you were looking for on Ebay Kate?

Kay and Penny · « **Reply #2959 on:** October 25, 2009, 20:02:57 PM »

I think the one you mean BL is the one in the Amazon link below - reviewers mention using it for bunged up children so it sounds the right sort of thing

bonnielass · « **Reply #2958 on:** October 25, 2009, 19:54:49 PM »

Kate , Vick does a warm steam room vaporizer that might do the trick its about £30 i think ,try googling it and see what you think, they also do a vapo steam inhaler, both are for rooms not personel use

swampmaxmum · « **Reply #2957 on:** October 25, 2009, 19:34:38 PM »

Hi, facial steamers?! sorry I am clueless - can you tell me more what those are, thanks! I know it has to be a diffuser/vaporiser that isn't letting the steam just go into the room as I have one of those for myself and it's useless for him. I looked on amazon (thanks Trigger x) and see they have a nebuliser which is sort of what I want but don't think it can work like a vaporiser. (nebuliser has a funnel and tube/mask). I may ring the co that makes them to ask if they can work as steam diffusers as that would be perfect.
Our shower doesn't give off enough steam to decongest, even with the door shut, it just makes enough for mould

Swampy's symptoms are sometimes worse, sometimes better so have washed all the bedding v hot today in case dust mites are making him worse. He dries up quite a bit in front of the halogen heater which gives off such dry heat.
thanks

Bazsmum · « **Reply #2956 on:** October 25, 2009, 13:01:00 PM »

What about those facial steamer's?

Hope that you manage to find something as Im sure it would help him out!

Thinking of you all!

Kay and Penny · « **Reply #2955 on:** October 25, 2009, 11:06:49 AM »

it's no longer made, Kate

but I did find this for sale on Amazon http://www.amazon.co.uk/product-reviews/B000LN5FYW

swampmaxmum · « **Reply #2954 on:** October 25, 2009, 10:36:05 AM »

can you give me the name of the cleaner please then I can have a look?

It's so frustrating as the infant vaporiser/nebulisers are in every decent pharmacy in France and italy. We are going into the sun on the bed now I hope for 2 hours until it goes.

Kay and Penny · « **Reply #2953 on:** October 24, 2009, 22:01:39 PM »

would those small hand held steam cleaners delivery enough steam to be of any use, Kate?

mine has a quite narrow nozzle on the end of a hose, which sounds like what you are wanting

Michelle (furbabystar) · « **Reply #2952 on:** October 24, 2009, 19:44:02 PM »

Quote from: swampmaxmum on October 24, 2009, 19:28:16 PM

Quote from: furbabystar (Michelle) on October 24, 2009, 16:27:50 PM
Was she a foreign vet Kate ?
What was her name ?

I only know her first name, Irene, and yes she is Italian. She is working in England before opening her own clinic in Milan. She's a general vet but specialises in eyes. Do you need to find someone in Europe then? I could try to find out more details.

No it was only that the lady vet from my practice has just left and she is foreign, dont know where she she gone (they are not allowed to say) so wondered if it was her

swampmaxmum · « **Reply #2951 on:** October 24, 2009, 19:28:16 PM »

Quote from: furbabystar (Michelle) on October 24, 2009, 16:27:50 PM

Was she a foreign vet Kate ?
What was her name ?

I only know her first name, Irene, and yes she is Italian. She is working in England before opening her own clinic in Milan. She's a general vet but specialises in eyes. Do you need to find someone in Europe then? I could try to find out more details.

Yes, Bazsmum, Swampy has an extra large carrier, like a recovery cage. Because it's wire he gets less stressed than if he was "in" something. I think we'd need the steam funnel if we used it. He won't happily go into any smaller carriers. Looks like we'll have to keep on steaming up under the duvet. The problem is that the saucepan water gets cool too fast too.

Michelle (furbabystar) · « **Reply #2950 on:** October 24, 2009, 16:27:50 PM »

Was she a foreign vet Kate ?
What was her name ?

Bazsmum · « **Reply #2949 on:** October 24, 2009, 10:38:34 AM »

Im sure your head must be all over the place with all this chop and change of meds etc!

Not an expert but it did seem weird to go from daily subs to such a significant drop!

Does he go in a cat carrier for his trips Kate? Wonder wether you could get some steam in one with a towel over that?

Thinking of you all and sending more positive healing vibes to the gorgeous man himself (Swampy not your hubby lol!) x

swampmaxmum · « **Reply #2948 on:** October 24, 2009, 09:43:58 AM »

long chat with the vet last night. She leaves today though. She's pleased with Swampy and how strong he is despite his CRF. Only thing is, we need a safe way to make him sneeze. Ideas? In Italy they get nebuliser/vaporisers for decongesting infants - a vaporiser with a tube and mask attached (I've seen them in France too). You put a cat in his carrier and cover it and run the tube of steam into it. Does anyone know if you can get them here as I've had no luck? Right now, our inhalations consist of diving under the duvet with a saucepan of boiling water and Swampy turns his back!

He ate a good brekker this morning by himself but then regurg'd it. She wants him back on sub cuts and no diuretics. My usual vet had said diuretics for life. She said if his heart was dodgy he'd not have had a pleural effusion but (like Max who had a bad heart) odema. She says frusemide saved his life but his weakness was from the fast weight loss and potassium depletion that it causes and his last X ray was totally clear. So he'll be back on 40mls 3x a week. The fluids she gave him on thursday made him feel better.
I want him to sneeze though! She put some saline drops for babies in his nose and he swallowed them instead of sneezing them. She told me not to give up hope (and to try to reduce his steroids).

Btw she also said she is dismayed by the UK vet (and often client) attitude both to treatment of old pets and also sub cuts and hopes that these old attitudes are changing.

swampmaxmum · « **Reply #2947 on:** October 23, 2009, 17:37:42 PM »

thanks, well he had a nice hour on the roof in unexpectedly warm sunshine. Then I brought him in as thought it was too cold, only for the sun to come out again (stupid old mum). He had some fluids yesterday and I think they helped him feel a bit better.
The locum said his X ray was clear but she doesn't show you, the way my usual vet does. I'm trying to get to speak to her before she leaves tomorrow (usual vet back monday and will be frantically busy) but so far no luck. I want to ask her if the X ray is totally clear, or a bit of fluid is around, as if it's totally clear maybe he can have a few more sub cuts than if not. Plus she hates diuretics whereas my usual vet thinks he should be on them and she uses the diuretic spiro-something, whereas he only uses frusemide. It's quite confusing so want to sort out what she thinks (she told me she has 21 cats!) before she is uncontactable again.

Btw does kaminox irritate the tummy of anyone else's CRF cat? I'm sure it does Swampy's.

Bazsmum · « **Reply #2946 on:** October 23, 2009, 17:11:30 PM »

How's Swampy today, less snotty I hope!

Michelle (furbabystar) · « **Reply #2945 on:** October 22, 2009, 12:38:46 PM »

Quote from: swampmaxmum on October 22, 2009, 09:58:35 AM

Swampy's cold is not good. He's making intermittent putt-putt bubbly noises, like a mini motor.

Poor little man

Bazsmum · « **Reply #2944 on:** October 22, 2009, 11:02:50 AM »

Finger's crossed he manages to keep the food down Kate and the new abs help the snottiness go!

I feel like the "undead" at the mo! My sleeping pattern is very odd, but I am a worrier so anything bother's me....I stay awake!

Love to you all!

Leanne · « **Reply #2943 on:** October 22, 2009, 10:35:48 AM »

Awww bless swampy he knows a vet when he senses one

more vibes and hugs for you

swampmaxmum · « **Reply #2942 on:** October 22, 2009, 09:58:35 AM »

She's not nasty, just reminds me of the french vets my boys had who for the most part were very distant and cool. And if they clock off at 6.30 then they punch the clock exactly on cue. But I am sick of it and wish that there was another really good vet in the area as then I would go there instead. The only other good one is away himself until november.
It is just so stressful that all messages have to be relayed via the nurse. I think she only finds time to call people with blood test results. She is fine when you go in for an appointment, but there are no follow ups.
Swampy's history is complicated and I'm tired and not an easy client as I have questions almost daily. I am going to email. She won't read it but the nurse will (hopefully).
Would never join a 1 man band practice again I don't think. Having said that, the others in this area are so dire......don't think any great vets choose to live around here basically.

Swampy's cold is not good. He's making intermittent putt-putt bubbly noises, like a mini motor. He's had some food this morning so am hoping he will keep it down.

thanks - Bazsmum are you always up at such horrible hours? I thought it was just me!

Bazsmum · « **Reply #2941 on:** October 22, 2009, 02:08:40 AM »

Hoping the new abs will have some significant effect on him!

Good on you Swamp's for trying to bite that nasty vet, your mum should of taken over from you methinks!

bunglycat · « **Reply #2940 on:** October 21, 2009, 22:13:56 PM »

I like the sound of your vets as much as Swamy does - they do sound horrible i must say .
Hope Swampy keeps his food down and gets stronger

swampmaxmum · « **Reply #2939 on:** October 21, 2009, 20:11:19 PM »

no he eats on his own but not enough, so gets syringe fed. If he throws up, it's usually 1/2 hour to 1 hour afterwards, then if I refeed it stays down. I do do it slowly but now I am giving only 10mls, I hope it will go better. Before I was doing 20mls which is maybe too much.
The locum wasn't nice to him today and he did something he's never done. He tried to bite her. I've never been so proud of him! Plus it shows he still has fight in him. He loathes her just as much as his first vet when he was a kitten. He's now on marbocyl so let's hope it works.

Michelle (furbabystar) · « **Reply #2938 on:** October 21, 2009, 16:08:22 PM »

Quote from: Bazsmum on October 21, 2009, 16:05:52 PM

Quote from: furbabystar (Michelle) on October 21, 2009, 15:36:04 PM
Is Swampy being tube feed now ? (sorry if i have missed something )

Sorry my error!

No worries BM

Bazsmum · « **Reply #2937 on:** October 21, 2009, 16:05:52 PM »

Quote from: furbabystar (Michelle) on October 21, 2009, 15:36:04 PM

Is Swampy being tube feed now ? (sorry if i have missed something )

Sorry my error!

Millys Mum · « **Reply #2936 on:** October 21, 2009, 15:44:38 PM »

Quote from: furbabystar (Michelle) on October 21, 2009, 15:36:04 PM

Is Swampy being tube feed now ? (sorry if i have missed something )

Syringed i think.

Is he throwing up soon after hes fed or later on, small feeds or bigger ones? Before milly got her peg tube she had some syringed meals as she wasnt eating enough, she kept hers down but wasnt swallowing snot with them.
I fed her to the side of her mouth, towards her cheek slowly allowing her to swallow each lot.

Michelle (furbabystar) · « **Reply #2935 on:** October 21, 2009, 15:36:04 PM »

Is Swampy being tube feed now ?

(sorry if i have missed something )

Bazsmum · « **Reply #2934 on:** October 21, 2009, 15:27:28 PM »

Was the abs in inj form? Otherwise it may just be coincidence as in tablet form they kick in much slower!

Could you make the tube feeding any slower maybe? I dont know but hope that new group will give you some more info!

Author Topic: Swampy: it is his time now RIP little choc-o-late monster my love (Read 366876 times)