Topic: Wish clapton luck tomorrow (Read 4655 times)

Christine (Blip) · « **Reply #31 on:** February 22, 2007, 11:08:22 AM »

Good news Mark and sounds like you'll be able to get a suitable diet for Clapton worked out somehow!

Mark · « **Reply #30 on:** February 22, 2007, 09:18:20 AM »

I'm going to monitor his food carefully. It would be easier if he ate dry but he just won't. I have found a way to make the senior a bit more appetising. I am mixing in a bit of Hi-life turkey & giblet - it was on the low-phos list and it's very smelly so appeals to them. I am going to try mixing it with some r/d later to see it he will eat it. I have also decided not to feed him every couple of hours so there is a better chance of him eating what's put in front of him. He's a lot healthier than before anyway.

Susanne (urbantigers) · « **Reply #29 on:** February 22, 2007, 08:53:47 AM »

Well that sounds promising. Although I would also ask for a copy of the actual results. It's nice to keep those so that you can compare figures yourself over time and ask the vet about anything that seems to have gone up or down. It would also be good to know what "marginal improvement" means. What were the actual numbers last time and what are they this time? How good that is depends on what the numbers are to a certain extent (eg if they were very high before and are only marginally better now they'd still be high) although I agree totally that you should treat the cat and not the numbers. If Clapton's doing well then no need to rock the boat.

I still dont like his suggestion of chicken and fish though! It's fine in moderation but isn't a balanced diet so if there's too much of it his overall diet won't be balanced. Personally I'd feed it as treats and stick with the senior food.

Mark · « **Reply #28 on:** February 22, 2007, 08:32:17 AM »

Got the letter from the vet this morning.

Dear Mr Brennan,

We have the blood results for the sample taken from Clapton this morning which shows a marginal improvement in both the renal parameters we measured.

I think it would be fine to keep him on a mixture of fresh fish or chicken cooked and mixed with senior diet. I suggest we keep Clapton on the Fortekor tablets ad check the bloods again in 6 mnths time.

I enclose a graph of the levels taken in November 2006, and February 20007.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

There is a graph enclosed with a slight dip but there aren't any figures on it. A slight improvement is much better than a slight worsening of the condition

Rosella moggy · « **Reply #27 on:** February 21, 2007, 23:51:47 PM »

Quote from: Mark on February 21, 2007, 14:24:07 PM

I had a chicken club sandwich on the beach, sitting on Peter Cushing's bench, except I picked the chicken out and clappy had it with his fortekor.

Mark, you're a bright and shining star. Clapton, paws crossed fella for tomorrow's results hun

Desley (booktigger) · « **Reply #26 on:** February 21, 2007, 22:23:15 PM »

Ah right

Mark · « **Reply #25 on:** February 21, 2007, 22:18:27 PM »

£43.00 was for renal bloods only

On the form, he ticked

1. Min consultation
2. Blood tests - renal

It took less than 2 minutes.

I will carry on giving hin the senior as the vet advised. I have a few cans of Hills r/d but know its a waste of time trying them - as soon as he smells it, he's off

Desley (booktigger) · « **Reply #24 on:** February 21, 2007, 22:14:54 PM »

Am glad the vet visit went better than expected - out of interest, was the price for full bloods or just kidney function? I would be wary of just feeding chicken and fish too - my vets recommended it when Snowy had liver probs and wouldn't eat the special food, but she ended up having some prescription dry too as chicken didn't fill her enough - she went off chicken after a few months of having it every day though!!

Amanda (mad4moggies) · « **Reply #23 on:** February 21, 2007, 21:50:19 PM »

Glad to hear Clapton`s visit went well and fingers crossed for his results.

I have to say that i also agree with some of the other comments. If you are pleased with your vets advice and how Clapton is progressing then that is good but i`m not sure that just feeding chicken and fish is good due to the fact that it isn`t a complete food so will be lacking in some areas. Also, i`ve always heard very good things about phosphate binders but i guess everyone has different opinions on these things! I thought that ideally the renal diets are best, if this is not possible then normal food with the phosphate binder and if not then just the cats normal food.

Mark · « **Reply #22 on:** February 21, 2007, 20:46:55 PM »

Would be great to be on good terms for more reasons than one. They are a lot cheaper than the vet I use.

Gill (sneakiefeline) · « **Reply #21 on:** February 21, 2007, 18:21:47 PM »

Well done Clapton

Dawn F · « **Reply #20 on:** February 21, 2007, 14:54:00 PM »

good news about next door Mark, it is always easier when you can talk things through

Mark · « **Reply #19 on:** February 21, 2007, 14:24:07 PM »

Thanks everyone - I will post his readings on here tomorrow when the letter comes (no point hassling for them over the phone as he isn't in danger) and hopefully someone (Helen

) will be able to tell me if they are high. I may be able to get a second opinion sooner than I thought as about an hour ago, the vet next door asked if I had 5 mins to spare. He showed me all around the practice and in the kennels in their basement (next to my living room!) and showed me how they plan to soundproof their building. It was so involved, I ended up apologising

He was really friendly so maybe in time I will be able to change back - there has to be SOME kind of benefit living next door to a vet

Anyway, clappy is fast asleep and seems fine - he hasn't started scratching the shaved area yet - there is no graze this time so fingers x'd that it will be OK. I had a chicken club sandwich on the beach, sitting on Peter Cushing's bench, except I picked the chicken out and clappy had it with his fortekor.

don't I ramble!

Dawn F · « **Reply #18 on:** February 21, 2007, 13:35:24 PM »

poor old clapton, I find it hard to be forceful with the vet too Mark, I've always been to scared to ask for prescriptions! I did once get cross with the vet when we lived in London, she wanted to put Bluto under general to stitch his tongue (long story) and I freaked out because he had a heart murmer and didn't want him to have it, anyway the tongue was better in two days without it being stiched

Susanne (urbantigers) · « **Reply #17 on:** February 21, 2007, 12:59:56 PM »

Quote from: Tiggy's Mum - Helen on February 21, 2007, 11:51:20 AM

Have to say I agree with Susanne on a few points there, however there's no point in fighting for something that isn't required at this time,

Couldn't agree more. So long as Clapton is doing well there's absolutely no need to pick battles with your vet. I was just a bit concerned that he would dismiss phosphorus binders out of hand even though you had said he wouldn't eat the prescription food. But definitely wait until you get the blood test results before you decide whether you need to question your vet's advice at all.

Tiggy's Mum · « **Reply #16 on:** February 21, 2007, 11:51:20 AM »

Well done Clapton, glad he hasn't been too traumatised by it all!

Have to say I agree with Susanne on a few points there, however there's no point in fighting for something that isn't required at this time, if Clapton's phosphorous levels are too high (and you will know about it as it will make him feel *c*r*a*p) then that is the time to push your vet to allow binders. If Clapton is doing fine at the minute and is on a low phosphorous food then I personally would be happy with that. The only reason I use a binder for Tiggy is that she won't eat the low phosphorous foods (K/D etc or senior versions), if she did a binder wouldn't be required.

My vet is fairly pro-active and is open to suggestions but after she was diagnosed I did loads of research and asked him about Sub-Q fluids, he dismissed them out of hand saying that they don't really help. I know they do, there is scientific eveidence and reserach that proves they do and it is a commonplace treatment in the US but Tiggy doesn't need them yet and hopefully will never need them so I'm not going to waste my energy arguing for them at this stage, I will save my energy for another battle!

Anyway, Tiggy gives the Applaws the ~~thumbs~~ paws up, I have never seen a bowl licked clean as quickly as when it has been filled with Applaws - chicken and cheese is very popular too!

Tan · « **Reply #15 on:** February 21, 2007, 11:14:18 AM »

Well done Clapton lad

Yes it's always a good idea to get a secind opinion if your not sure, thank god i did or my Rio lad would not be here today.

Mark · « **Reply #14 on:** February 21, 2007, 10:56:28 AM »

I will order some applaws. It's difficult to go against the advice of a vet- If clapton seemed to be going downhill, I wouldn't think twice about getting a second opinion. I know he often goes up to meetings in London regarding the animal welfare bill etc and organises events to raise money for animal welfare. Sharon said he treats her cats for next-to-nothing so I do believe he has the animals interests at heart. I guess it's the equivilent of a GP not knowing everything about all diseases though and you need to get specialist advice sometimes. Here's what it says on his website.

Roger was born in Whitstable, can just remember the 1953 flooding of the town and apart from 6 years at the Royal Veterinary College in London, has spent his entire life in the Whitstable area.

Apart from the veterinary practice and the adjoining Cancer Treatment Unit concentrating on cat and dog cancer treatment, Roger is an actively involved in Animal Welfare both within the veterinary profession and on the political scene where he makes clear his belief that animal welfare should be science based and is an expression of the values of our society.

Christine (Blip) · « **Reply #13 on:** February 21, 2007, 10:49:41 AM »

Quote from: Mark on February 21, 2007, 09:27:17 AM

Anyway, Clapton was fine this time, I let him out of the carrier as soon as we got in the front door ad he went straight to his foodbowl.

Good for Clapton! I hope his results are fine tomorrow.

Eve · « **Reply #12 on:** February 21, 2007, 10:46:52 AM »

Glad it went well for Clapton

Susanne (urbantigers) · « **Reply #11 on:** February 21, 2007, 10:36:05 AM »

Well done Clapton for being a good boy for the vet

Have you tried him on applaws chicken? It's basically just chicken, a small amount of rice and chicken broth and is low in phosphorus. It's not a complete food.

Not sure about your vets' advice tbh. Sounds a bit laid back about it all? Sort of just wait and see approach? Which has it's place of course but with CRF I prefer a proactive approach, although may be just me! I don't know a whole lot about it tbh, but the lovely Tiggy seems to be doing well with a phosphate binder (which doesn't of course mean it's suitable for Clapton). The blanket statement that raw chicken is bad for cats doesn't sit too well with me either! But the most important thing is that Clapton's eating well and seems well. I hope the blood test results are good. When you get those back you'll have a better idea of whether what you're doing is working or whether it would be worth changing anything.

Kittybabe (Ruth) · « **Reply #10 on:** February 21, 2007, 09:32:56 AM »

Brilliant news Mark. Well done Clapton for being a good boy. Throw a few sad looks your dad's way to get lots of loves!

Mark · « **Reply #9 on:** February 21, 2007, 09:27:17 AM »

I stayed calm (externally) and talked to him the whole time. We were in the surgery no more than 3 minutes. £43.00 lighter!
I told the vet he won't eat prescription food and he advised a diet of cooked chicken and fish. I asked if it had to be "complete food" and he said that regular chicken and fish was fine but very important that the chicken is cooked as raw chicken is very bad for cats. I asked about phosphate binders and he dismissed them saying that you have to be very careful with them and the natural meat and fish diet is a better alternative. I told him I had clapton on senior food and he said even better - A mixture of senior food, well cooked chicken and coley is perfect! I will have the results tomorrow so fingers crossed. Anyway, Clapton was fine this time, I let him out of the carrier as soon as we got in the front door ad he went straight to his foodbowl.

Susanne (urbantigers) · « **Reply #8 on:** February 21, 2007, 09:16:29 AM »

Fingers crossed it isn't too stressful for poor Clapton! And remember to try and stay calm yourself as cats pick up on our moods!

Desley (booktigger) · « **Reply #7 on:** February 21, 2007, 08:09:30 AM »

Fingers crossed - things are sounding promising though.

Iluvcritters · « **Reply #6 on:** February 21, 2007, 05:54:37 AM »

Paws crossed! hugs and prayers

Gill (sneakiefeline) · « **Reply #5 on:** February 21, 2007, 02:29:16 AM »

Good luck Clapton, hope that things are looking good

Gillian Harvey · « **Reply #4 on:** February 20, 2007, 23:53:00 PM »

Good Luck Clappers! - group hug from my lot! :group:

Mark · « **Reply #3 on:** February 20, 2007, 23:50:11 PM »

Clapton said thanks Tiggy -I can't imagine what delecble treats I'll be offered tomorrow

Thanks Helen

Tiggy's Mum · « **Reply #2 on:** February 20, 2007, 23:43:24 PM »

Clapton *tip from Tiggy, if you sulk when you get home from the vets you usually get lots of attention and/or treats*

Mark · « **Reply #1 on:** February 20, 2007, 23:33:56 PM »

He is on my lap, chewing my fleece with food round his mouth

unaware that tomorrow morning, mean old mark will be whisking him off to the vet for bloods for his CRF. His mouth is better and he is eating for england so hopefully there is some improvement or at least stabilisation.

Please send him some healing hugs

Author Topic: Wish clapton luck tomorrow (Read 4655 times)