Purrs In Our Hearts - Cat Forum UK

Cat Health & Behaviour => Health & Behaviour General => Topic started by: Desley (booktigger) on April 16, 2017, 14:40:07 PM

Title: Femoral head incision
Post by: Desley (booktigger) on April 16, 2017, 14:40:07 PM: Hi All

Lucy had a femoral head incision on Tue, anyone any experience of this?

So far she seems to be doing well, although she isn't eating well and has lost weight since the operation (although I assume part of that is fur and bone). She has managed to jump on and off something, which I was horrified at. Due to her behavioural issues, it's a bit hard to tell her pain levels, as she is normally a grumpy, hissing cat. I'm struggling uploading pics unfortunately
Title: Re: Femoral head incision
Post by: Gill (sneakiefeline) on April 16, 2017, 17:06:02 PM: SORRY HAVE NEVER HEARD OF THAT BUT HOPW SHE IS DOING WELL
Title: Re: Femoral head incision
Post by: Lyn (Slugsta) on April 16, 2017, 20:47:50 PM: Do you actually mean 'femoral head excision' (removal), rather than 'incision'?

Either way, I do hope that Madam recovers well :hug:
Title: Re: Femoral head incision
Post by: Desley (booktigger) on April 16, 2017, 21:04:07 PM: Probably! She no longer has one anyway. She is on room rest, but as long as I supervise, she can come in the same room,I let her out earlier, she was quite unsettled and took herself back in the kitchen!
Title: Re: Femoral head incision
Post by: Lyn (Slugsta) on April 17, 2017, 20:55:41 PM: Poor little lady, she has had a really tough life!
Title: Re: Femoral head incision
Post by: Desley (booktigger) on April 17, 2017, 21:03:00 PM: She has, bless her. She's still not eating great,and she has been a bit sneezy. I'm very impressed with the scar, and the fact she doesn't need a cone. When she came home, she was more bothered by the bandage keeping the pain patch on than the scar!
Title: Re: Femoral head incision
Post by: Desley (booktigger) on April 19, 2017, 13:51:45 PM: Well, she had a check up this morning, vet is happy with her, although unfortunately she has now put weight on, and weighs more than before the op, so back on the diet!! She wants her walking more, but not jumping, so she will have to stay in the kitchen while I'm at work, and restricted access when I'm home. She did say that the fact she has been jumping on/off things means she feels comfortable, although she'd rather she didn't due to the compression I think she said. She says it's roughly a 12 week recovery process, but is happy not to see her again for 2 weeks.
Title: Re: Femoral head incision
Post by: Dawn F on April 19, 2017, 14:00:35 PM: glad she is going in the right direction, although keeping them quiet is never easy!
Title: Re: Femoral head incision
Post by: Desley (booktigger) on April 19, 2017, 19:09:19 PM: No, it certainly isn't Dawn!
Title: Re: Femoral head incision
Post by: Desley (booktigger) on April 21, 2017, 12:47:02 PM: Lucy is clearly feeling better, she got half way up the stairs yesterday - I caught her on the first one, but she hissed and ran up the stairs to get away from me!! I let her in the front room this morning for the first time, fortunately she was happy to sit on my knee, but there was lots of hissing and growling when I went to put her back!! The upside of this is she has never sat on my knee so much, wonder if that will continue!!
Title: Re: Femoral head incision
Post by: Gill (sneakiefeline) on April 21, 2017, 13:47:15 PM: I THINK THIS IS A SIGN SHE IS DEFINATELY FEELING BETTER....CATS ARE SO AMAZING.

HOPE LUCYS PROGRSS CONTINUE AT THIS INCREDIBLE RATE ;D ;D
Title: Re: Femoral head incision
Post by: Desley (booktigger) on April 21, 2017, 17:32:10 PM: yes, now the fun starts!
Title: Re: Femoral head incision
Post by: Lyn (Slugsta) on April 21, 2017, 21:53:55 PM: I am so glad that Lucy is doing well ;D
Title: Re: Femoral head incision
Post by: Judecat (Paula) on April 24, 2017, 12:32:02 PM: Quote from: Lyn (Slugsta) on April 21, 2017, 21:53:55 PM
I am so glad that Lucy is doing well ;D

So am I, well done Desley. :hug: :hug: :hug:
Title: Re: Femoral head incision
Post by: Desley (booktigger) on April 24, 2017, 13:36:28 PM: Well, I'm hoping she hasn't set herself back by running up the stairs and squeezing herself under the bed on Sat night - she seems to be walking fine though. She's still fussy with food, and refusing her Seraquin
Title: Re: Femoral head incision
Post by: Desley (booktigger) on April 27, 2017, 13:40:07 PM: Lucy was such hard work last night – she enjoyed the treat ball, but then kept fussing around the stairs, so I ended up putting her on the heated bed. Little madam however tried to sneak round the curtain to get off, I caught her but she got a bit nasty. She eventually came on my knee, but after a while started fussing, so I went to pick her up to put her on the floor, and she got a bit nasty again!! Then when it was time to go back in the kitchen, she ramped it up, and there were teeth and claws involved, I nearly dropped her at one point. She also barely ate her tea, so I put her supper biscuits on top, didn’t work, there was just as much in the bowl this morning. I’m really hoping that the vet will say she can go upstairs next week (I’m still going to block off the bedroom so she can’t get under the bed), even if she has to stay in the kitchen during the day, I can at least give her more time out in the evening. It’s only two weeks since the op, we potentially have another 10 weeks to go.
Title: Re: Femoral head incision
Post by: Lyn (Slugsta) on April 27, 2017, 14:19:54 PM: That sounds like very hard work ! :(
Title: Re: Femoral head incision
Post by: Sue P (Paddysmum) on April 27, 2017, 15:04:20 PM: Quote from: Lyn (Slugsta) on April 27, 2017, 14:19:54 PM
That sounds like very hard work ! :(

I was thinking the same thing. Desley, it's a good job you have the patient of a saint. :hug: :hug: Lucky Lucy.
Title: Re: Femoral head incision
Post by: Desley (booktigger) on April 27, 2017, 20:19:25 PM: You need the patience of a saint to deal with Lucy on a good day - this requires a lot more! My neighbour suggested not letting her out of the kitchen, but the vet wants her walking more, plus I think she'd be worse
Title: Re: Femoral head incision
Post by: Desley (booktigger) on May 01, 2017, 17:56:39 PM: This was Lucy on Sat night. She had a proper hissy fit on Sun, I would have put her back in the kitchen except she was so worked up I'd have been left bleeding. I told her to calm down or she would be in the kitchen, and 5 mins later she was fine. It has made me realise that regardless of how hard its been so far, I am lucky, she's used teeth and claws most days but been really gentle, I've had worse from my neighbours cat playing with me.

Bizarrely, today I can see some of her stitches, slightly worrying as they are internal, but the wound itself looks fine and she isn't bothered by it being touched. She has been stretching it a bit today too - she's had two visitors and been lovely with them.
Title: Re: Femoral head incision
Post by: Desley (booktigger) on May 03, 2017, 19:33:21 PM: Back from the vet, she is back down to 4.7kg, so need to tweak her diet. She didn't do the funny standing thing at the vet, but vet thinks it could be inflammation after going under the bed. She's snipped the stitches and isn't concerned by the dandruff. We need to get her doing more, as she is losing a bit of muscle mass, but she still needs another week in the kitchen, then next week she can have the front room, stairs and landing - vet was concerned she'd do too much jumping or running up the stairs
Title: Re: Femoral head incision
Post by: Judecat (Paula) on May 03, 2017, 22:22:36 PM: I am certain that with your TLC she will be fine.

I couldn't find the 'tart' thread, with her picture of her legs akimbo. Just have, so here is Emo being a tart too. Gurl cats, eh?
Title: Re: Femoral head incision
Post by: Gill (sneakiefeline) on May 03, 2017, 22:24:51 PM: DESLEY I THINK IT SOUNDS LIKE SHE IS DOING SO WELL AND LONG MAY IT CONTINUE :hug: :hug: :hug:
Title: Re: Femoral head incision
Post by: Desley (booktigger) on May 04, 2017, 12:31:03 PM: Thanks for the good thoughts. I’m still going to restrict her next week, I’ll give her the front room, but not the upstairs rooms – if I let her in the bedroom, she’ll keep going under the bed (just seeing me is enough to make her want to do that some days – the downside of the amount of vet visits she has!). We are back at the vet in a month. I said to the vet if I'd realised how hard it was going to be I'd have had second thoughts, but the vet said how well she is doing. I got her playing a bit with Da Bird last night, but gave up after 30 mins as all she wanted to do was go up the stairs!
Title: Re: Femoral head incision
Post by: Judecat (Paula) on May 04, 2017, 12:39:36 PM: I am really pleased that she is doing so well. Testament to the care that she is getting. :hug: :hug: :hug:, even if she does want to run before she can walk! ;)
Title: Re: Femoral head incision
Post by: Desley (booktigger) on May 06, 2017, 09:36:33 AM: She was exhausting last night - I was washing up, turned round to find her on the cabinet - could have sworn she was smiling at me! Then when she was in the front room, she was obsessed with the stairs! She keeps getting to a certain point and stopping but then gets a bit aggressive when you stop her. But then she did this and made me laugh - you can't quite see the expression on her face
Title: Re: Femoral head incision
Post by: Desley (booktigger) on May 10, 2017, 20:13:49 PM: Well, Lucy gets more freedom tonight, am dreading it, especially as she now can't tolerate Metacam. Am going to try letting her have front room/landing tonight, then back in the kitchen when I go to work. If she fusses too much,
she'll have to stay in the kitchen overnight
Title: Re: Femoral head incision
Post by: Desley (booktigger) on May 11, 2017, 20:48:21 PM: I've missed this sight! She's had more freedom, seems to be walking fine, although prefers to sit on my knee than play?
Title: Re: Femoral head incision
Post by: Sue P (Paddysmum) on May 11, 2017, 20:53:49 PM: She really has the most beautiful face, Desley. :Luv:
Title: Re: Femoral head incision
Post by: Lyn (Slugsta) on May 11, 2017, 21:27:38 PM: Lovely girl, I am glad she is doing well! ;D
Title: Re: Femoral head incision
Post by: Desley (booktigger) on May 11, 2017, 21:31:52 PM: Quote from: Sue P (Paddysmum) on May 11, 2017, 20:53:49 PM
She really has the most beautiful face, Desley. :Luv:

She does - the first time she went to the vets, they were all admiring her and wondering why she had waited so long for a home
Title: Re: Femoral head incision
Post by: Gill (sneakiefeline) on May 11, 2017, 22:41:39 PM: SOUNDS LIKE SHE IS DOING REALLY WELL AND IS CERTAINLY A BEAUTIFUL CHEEKY LOOKING CAT ;D ;D
Title: Re: Femoral head incision
Post by: Desley (booktigger) on May 12, 2017, 12:40:24 PM: Well, I didn’t hear Lucy at all last night, and she didn’t come up this morning when I was having a shower, so clearly the bedroom door being shut is making the upstairs unappealing. She wasn’t walking great this morning, and did start growling at herself while sitting on my knee this morning, before jumping down and looking a bit uncomfortable.
Title: Re: Femoral head incision
Post by: Sue P (Paddysmum) on May 12, 2017, 13:19:14 PM: Is there any alternative to Metacam that the Vet could suggest, Desley?
Title: Re: Femoral head incision
Post by: Desley (booktigger) on May 12, 2017, 17:38:35 PM: The only one I can think of is Onsior, and I don't fancy tableting her! She seems fine this evening, but I'm going to give her less time out this evening - she does have the heated bed when she is in the front room
Title: Re: Femoral head incision
Post by: Desley (booktigger) on June 02, 2017, 19:25:39 PM: Lucy had a check up today, 7 weeks after her op. She wasn't the most amenable during the visit, but from what the vet could see of her walking, she was pleased. She doesn't think she has gained enough muscle mass back, but the only way she is is by doing normal things, so she is now allowed out, which was quite scary. She has another month of being restricted from the bedroom though, then she thinks her muscles will cope with going under the bed. Still unsure if she will need acupuncture. She has put weight on, which is surprising, she looks thinner.
Title: Re: Femoral head incision
Post by: Sue P (Paddysmum) on June 02, 2017, 19:27:07 PM: That sounds really positive, Desley. Am so pleased. You and Lucy have done well.
Title: Re: Femoral head incision
Post by: Desley (booktigger) on June 02, 2017, 19:35:37 PM: Yeah, one thing I haven't missed is being a human cat flap, forgot how many times she is in and out!! It has been an incredibly hard 7 weeks, but glad she has done so well, and quicker than expected. Think I'm going to do monthly visits for a while to check her weight
Title: Re: Femoral head incision
Post by: Judecat (Paula) on June 02, 2017, 21:07:14 PM: Perhaps, although the vet says that there is more to do re muscle mass, she has lost fat and is building muscle. It does weigh more than fat. Only thing I can think of. I am so glad that Lucy is doing well Desley. :hug: :hug: :hug:
Title: Re: Femoral head incision
Post by: Desley (booktigger) on June 02, 2017, 21:10:21 PM: Maybe. Poor thing is exhausted now.
Title: Re: Femoral head incision
Post by: Desley (booktigger) on June 23, 2017, 12:32:27 PM: Was concerned that Lucy has been sick more recently, so she had bloods done on Wed, vet rang yesterday to say that they have shown an issue, but not the one I expected! Her calcium levels are high, and her liver values are out. Best case scenario is that there is a human error, but given the liver values, and the fact she is drinking more and being sick more makes that unlikely. There are numerous things that can cause high calcium, but with her history, the most likely reason is osteomyletitis, which is basically a bone infection. They are sending what is left to an external lab to test for ionised calcium, but she wants to act like it is that as untreated high calcium can cause issues, so I had to take her to the main branch so she can have fluids, and they are going to try and get a urine sample to test for specific gravity. Other main reason is hyper-parathyroid, which is rare, but this is my cat!! The reason for the fluids is that high calcium can leave deposits around the body, normally the kidneys. They are hoping to get the results tomorrow, but there are numerous reasons for high calcium, none really good. If the vet is right, she'll need strong antibiotics or she could lose the leg. Spoke to the vet this morning, unsurprisingly Lucy wouldn’t allow them to put her on fluids, so the vet did sub-cut instead. She is incredibly grumpy this morning, so they are going to sedate her this morning to put her on fluids, which has the advantage they can x-ray her leg, which will show if it is osteomyelitis or not. She has also spoken to the ortho vet for his thoughts, and he agrees it is the most likely scenario, and possibly the best of the reasons for high calcium levels. She has given me a tip for getting antirobe into her if that is the outcome. The night staff have put a ‘tiger’ note on her cage to warn the day staff!! If she is right, worst case scenario is she could lose her leg. Feel so gutted, we were just getting back to normal after surgery, and now this setback.
Title: Re: Femoral head incision
Post by: Sue P (Paddysmum) on June 23, 2017, 12:59:28 PM: Keeping everything possible crossed for Lucy, Desley, and hope that the prognosis won't be as you fear the worst case scenario. :hug: :hug:
Title: Re: Femoral head incision
Post by: Desley (booktigger) on June 23, 2017, 20:00:24 PM: The vet rang this afternoon, they re-did the bloods, and her calcium is down to 3.2 (was 3.5 yesterday) so pretty much rules out human error. She still has to stay overnight on a drip though, then they will re-do bloods to decide if it has come down enough to be sent home - vet was hopeful, as it came down with sub-cut. She is off tomorrow, but lives close, so has said she could pop in to take bloods if needs be. X-ray shows the operation site has healed well, there is a slight irregularity near the top of her leg, so they are treating it as osteomyelitis - I wished them luck tableting her. Specific gravity is fine, so pretty much rules out kidney disease as being the cause, she has sent off a sample for a urine culture to check for infection. The ionised calcium results aren't back yet, and they have sent off a parathyroid test, which could take a week to come back. She has had a pelvic and chest x-ray, so unless there is something in her front legs or head, cancer is unlikely. unfortunately, a lot of cases are idiopathic.
Title: Re: Femoral head incision
Post by: Lyn (Slugsta) on June 23, 2017, 20:50:16 PM: Desley, I am so sorry Lucy is causing so much concern. I do hope the cause of the problem is soon found and easily treated :hug:
Title: Re: Femoral head incision
Post by: Desley (booktigger) on June 23, 2017, 20:55:54 PM: Thanks Lyn, me too.
Title: Re: Femoral head incision
Post by: Desley (booktigger) on June 25, 2017, 15:11:08 PM: Well, I've been able to visit her yesterday and today. Yesterday I got growled at, but was allowed to feed her chicken, took a good 5 mins before she would tolerate being stroked, but then she was really enjoying it. Got about 12 dreamies in her yesterday. She was much better this morning, she hissed, but wanted to be stroked rather than eating, I then got a slice of chicken into her, before having lovely cuddles and fusses, then got 25 dreamies and about 25 renal biscuits in her, plus a bit of wet food. She has wee'd and poo'd today, which is good. the weekend vet thinks they might just release her tomorrow, but I really hope the normal vet wants to recheck first, I'd rather her stay another 24 hours than be sent home too early. I'll post some pics from my phone. We have 2 outstanding tests, so depends what they show as to what we do next.
Title: Re: Femoral head incision
Post by: Lyn (Slugsta) on June 25, 2017, 19:57:38 PM: :Luv2:
Title: Re: Femoral head incision
Post by: Sue P (Paddysmum) on June 26, 2017, 06:47:27 AM: Sending lots of positive vibes for Lucy, Desley, and hoping you can get to see the vet you want - I agree, I wouldn't want her released too soon. :hug:
Title: Re: Femoral head incision
Post by: Desley (booktigger) on June 26, 2017, 13:31:08 PM: Vet has just rang, her calcium levels have gone up today, they were 3.02 on Sat, and 3.12 today. The vet did wonder if sending her home would help because she isn’t eating much there, but I’ve asked for her to have some diuretics today in the hope that tomorrows test will show an improvement. It was so tempting to say yes to picking her up, but I’d be too worried.
Title: Re: Femoral head incision
Post by: Desley (booktigger) on July 05, 2017, 13:39:57 PM: Her parathyroid tests have come back normal – randomly, that only rules out secondary and tertiary hyper-parathyroidism, not primary. We still can’t rule out idiopathic. The plan at the moment is that if her bloods tonight show calcium levels are staying down, we will reduce the diuretic, then she is going back to the main branch next week to re x-ray and repeat bloods. If her levels are staying down on the reduced diuretic, we will then stop them and re-test after a week to check they are OK with no diuretic. If the x-ray shows the irregularity has gone/reduced, then we would be looking at osteomyelitis – if it shows that there is still an irregularity, it should also indicate that, but then she would need a longer course of a/b’s. If the x-ray is fine, and calcium levels don’t stay down, it would be likely idiopathic, and then it would be long term diuretics, and possibly steroids – neither of which are good with kidney issues.

I told the vet my preference would be osteomyelitis, then it can be connected to the op, he was surprised as he didn’t think I’d want the insurance pot reducing. When I told him said pot was £7k, he suggested a CT scan, which would definitively rule out cancer – I’m reluctant for some reason.
Title: Re: Femoral head incision
Post by: Sue P (Paddysmum) on July 05, 2017, 14:07:04 PM: Is your reluctance gut instinct, Desley, or a feeling of not wanting to hear the most unwelcome of diagnoses?

If it's gut instinct, then I'd trust it. :hug:
Title: Re: Femoral head incision
Post by: Desley (booktigger) on July 05, 2017, 15:37:28 PM: I don't know Sue - they were fairly confident it wasn't cancer last week, as the only bit they haven't x-rayed is her front legs and head, although I know some don't show up on x-ray. Will have a chat with the more experienced vet tonight.
Title: Re: Femoral head incision
Post by: Lyn (Slugsta) on July 05, 2017, 16:49:17 PM: Desley, I am so sorry that younhave this uncertainty, it is always easier when we know what we are facing! :hug:
Title: Re: Femoral head incision
Post by: Desley (booktigger) on July 06, 2017, 13:20:04 PM: Well, had a mixed vet visit yesterday – I do like the vet we saw, she specialises in orthopaedics, but my brain is that focused on the calcium side that I wasn’t in the mood for discussing her leg. She did have a feel of her leg, and said that there is a slight click, which needs monitoring, as apparently that bone can re-grow, and if that happens, she would need more surgery, which I wasn’t happy about, as that was never mentioned as a potential issue. She got blood with no issue, then I gave her the antirobe for her to pill her – she was just about to, when she realised that rather than giving her 2 x 25mg, why don’t we give her 1 x 75mg?? Then she said that to reduce the Frusemide, we’d need to give her a ¼ tablet twice a day, which I said would not only be hard to quarter the tablets, but harder to actually administer, which is when she told me it comes in liquid form, but I had to go to one of the other branches for it – unfortunately by the time I got there, I had a bit of a rant at the poor nurse who asked if I was OK, although I did apologise when I left!! Can’t believe she has been on these for 10 days before someone thought of pointing out there was an easier way of doing it!! I asked her about the CT, and she said ‘if your insurance will pay for it, why not? Some cancers don’t show on an x-ray’ – my response was ‘you’ve looked at her x-rays, is there anything on them that makes you think we need to worry about cancer’, she said that no, there isn’t, so let’s see what next week’s x-ray shows and take it from there. I do think that vets are more likely to push things if you are insured, and just because we can doesn’t always mean we should. Last night it just didn’t feel like there was an end in sight, and my neighbour isn’t helping by keep asking if I’m regretting the decision to operate - the irony is that this could be unrelated to the operation, although we wouldn’t have already had to deal with the 8 weeks of recovery. Then there is the fact that I’m having to use treats to medicate her, so her weight is going up, which is a concern with her hip, and the diuretics aren’t good for her already dodgy kidneys, so they are underlying worries that I can’t ignore until this is resolved. My other issue is that I’m going away in 9 weeks, and as this is dragging on and on, I know I won’t want to leave her if we don’t have it resolved by then, and if she is still having tests, I can’t leave her for a week, even if anyone else could catch her and take her, I wouldn’t be able to do it.
Title: Re: Femoral head incision
Post by: Sue P (Paddysmum) on July 06, 2017, 13:31:27 PM: Yes, I can see why your mind is whirling Desley, as there's a lot to take in.

I agree, some vets are inclined to fiddle about more if they know insurance is available, and if it isn't really necessary then there seems little point in the scan. After all, we rely on their professional opinion. if there was some uncertainty, fair enough, but there doesn't appear to be, so I think you're right not to consider it at this stage.

Also understand the frustration about now being told the bone could regrow and cause problems. It would've been useful to know that before the op. Poor Lucy. After all, she's the one at the bottom of the surgery and the treatment. Surely anything that makes it easier (given her background) should've been suggested at the start. :-: I would've been feeling a bit snappy too, I think.

In your shoes, I'd end up thinking about not going away too, and that's a pity because I sense you could do with a break. :hug:
Title: Re: Femoral head incision
Post by: Desley (booktigger) on July 06, 2017, 13:43:00 PM: There is Sue, and it's just a shame it happened around the time of her usual vet leaving, so now I am dealing with vets who I don't know that well, who are now throwing new things in the pot, we've just spent two weeks ruling things out. The other problem with the scan is that to avoid going to a specialist, my vets use a mobile company, which comes around once a month, but of course a CT needs sedation, and next week's x-ray needs sedation, and she has already had 2 this year, and I'm also conscious that that isn't good for her kidneys. It appears I trusted the old vet too much, and didn't ask enough questions, but there is very little online about this kind of operation in cats, so there wasn't anything I could find to question what I was being told, or complications. The irony with the medication is that the nurses were the ones medicating her for the first 4 days (well, apart from the first day when her usual vet popped in on her day off), so you'd have thought they might have questioned if there is an easier option. The only positive I can take is that the first thing she did when we got home last night was rub against my leg, so bless her, she's being so tolerant of all this messing about (she ended up in the carrier for over an hour last night, as I didn't have time to drop her off before going to the other branch), so the operation must have done something, as she's not known for being so placid at things, and she is still sitting on my knee and coming to bed with me at night.

I could do with a break, but not much point if I can't relax because I'm worrying about Lucy. Luckily I'm staying with my brother, so I won't loose too much if I have to cancel.
Title: Re: Femoral head incision
Post by: Judecat (Paula) on July 06, 2017, 14:26:55 PM: As I said I misunderstood and I agree that there is no point in putting her, and her kidneys through an unnecessary procedure. Poor Lucy is going through enough with necessary stuff and medications. I wouldn't be happy either, I am sure that the nurse understood. :hug: :hug: :hug:

I am pleased that she is being forgiving though. Maybe she realises that it is all for her own good. :Luv:
Title: Re: Femoral head incision
Post by: pandorawarlord on July 06, 2017, 19:04:33 PM: so sorry your having a time and a half, :hug: :hug: :hug:
Title: Re: Femoral head incision
Post by: Desley (booktigger) on July 06, 2017, 21:30:37 PM: Thanks guys. Am worried again, she's been sick tonight :'(
Title: Re: Femoral head incision
Post by: Sue P (Paddysmum) on July 07, 2017, 05:40:19 AM: How is she now, Desley?
Title: Re: Femoral head incision
Post by: Desley (booktigger) on July 07, 2017, 07:43:26 AM: Well, last night was the first time this week lik e lix failed, so she didn't get her ab's. I also had to take her leftover tea to bed so she'd eat it. She's not devouring breakfast either
Title: Re: Femoral head incision
Post by: CarolM (Wendolene) on July 07, 2017, 08:39:17 AM: I wonder if the heat could have something to do with it Desley. It was very hot yesterday (unusual for our neck of the woods).
Title: Re: Femoral head incision
Post by: Sue P (Paddysmum) on July 07, 2017, 08:40:38 AM: Good point Carol. It could be the heat, but I think it might be worth a call to the vet (again). Sorry Desley. You're really going through it with Lucy at the moment. :hug:
Title: Re: Femoral head incision
Post by: Desley (booktigger) on July 07, 2017, 09:08:15 AM: I did wonder if it was the weather, but rang the vet for her test results, and her values have gone back up to 3.55, which is as high as when we first picked it up :Crazy: As they have gone up despite the meds, the vet wants to do a CT scan, they are ringing me back with details, as I've said if it is 2k, I'm going to have to get approval from Petplan first. Depending on when or where they can do a CT scan, depends on whether she goes to the Halifax branch to be on fluids over the weekend.
Title: Re: Femoral head incision
Post by: Sue P (Paddysmum) on July 07, 2017, 09:33:09 AM: Oh Desley. That's really a bit of a low blow for you both. I have my fingers crossed Petplan will approve the scan. Let us know how you get on. :hug:
Title: Re: Femoral head incision
Post by: Lyn (Slugsta) on July 07, 2017, 12:19:31 PM: Oh Desley! That is not what you wanted to hear :( :hug:
Title: Re: Femoral head incision
Post by: Desley (booktigger) on July 07, 2017, 12:44:15 PM: No, it certainly isn't. Still waiting for the scan people, but the vet did ring, and I've suggested that rather than having to sedate her today to put her on fluids, and have an unhappy cat who needs handfeeding, try sub-cut fluids this afternoon. So am finishing early to get her there, but the vet did say she might just be an odd cat. I think that's unlikely as she was sick last night, and hadn't eaten her tea by supper time, so I put her biscuits on it, and she didn't finish eating it till some point overnight. I did do a quick google, and do have a question about her liver values, as they were also initially high.
Title: Re: Femoral head incision
Post by: Sue P (Paddysmum) on July 07, 2017, 12:46:02 PM: You know her better than anyone Desley, and your gut instinct is telling you things are not right. I'd be listening to that, rather than the vet. "An odd cat" - maybe, but she's yours, and you know her like no-one else.
Title: Re: Femoral head incision
Post by: Desley (booktigger) on July 07, 2017, 12:52:18 PM: Yeah, that is a good point, especially as her normal vet has left, so as nice as this one is, she has only just met Lucy. I am worried that we won't be able to get her levels under control though - clearly the frusemide isn't enough.
Title: Re: Femoral head incision
Post by: Sue P (Paddysmum) on July 07, 2017, 12:59:48 PM: The concerns you have are valid concerns, and definitely worth raising again when you go this afternoon. I've never ben above a bit of a "hearty discussion" with a vet when I've felt they weren't listening.
Title: Re: Femoral head incision
Post by: Desley (booktigger) on July 07, 2017, 21:43:54 PM: We've managed to get sub-cut fluids into her and they can do a scan Mon or Tue - we are looking at £1.5k! Petplan have sent a pre-authorisation form, so just need to get the vets to fill it in and see what they say - afraid if they say no, I can't justify it. If she eats tonight and tomorrow we are good, if not I'll ring tomorrow for more advice. We have cancelled the x-ray on Wed though, and will decide on bloods after the scan. The vet is hopeful that its idiopathic as she is overweight, but I think that is unlikely due to the sickness and loss of appetite and she isn't that overweight anymore.

While on the phone, I discovered that the insurance claim lady has already put a claim in for her treatment, despite me not asking them to!! She has put it in as hypercalcemia which means it's been treated as a new condition so I've paid yet another excess (ironically, what the vets owed me!) - if they decide it's osteomyelitis, will be interesting to see if they would be happy to refund me that!! Told the receptionist and he couldn't see why I was unhappy - but the initial bloods that picked this up had been claimed as hip dysplasia, so by doing things before being asked, it's a bit of a mess. They have paid £1725 in vet fees though, which doesn't include the acupuncture!!
Title: Re: Femoral head incision
Post by: Sue P (Paddysmum) on July 08, 2017, 06:59:15 AM: Oh Hell, Desley. What an absolute and utter mess. And not looking at all good for Lucy. I do hope the Insurance will cover the cost for the scan. :(
Title: Re: Femoral head incision
Post by: Desley (booktigger) on July 08, 2017, 07:27:38 AM: Yeah, it did end up getting to me last night, she was very grumpy, we got growled at just for talking to her. She spent most of the night on the bed with Me, and is currently on my knee, I'm so proud (and relieved) that she isn't avoiding me
Title: Re: Femoral head incision
Post by: Desley (booktigger) on July 14, 2017, 20:46:46 PM: Scan is arranged for Tue, I may get results then, or we may have to wait for a report. Had to speak to a different vet tonight for blood test results, calcium is down, everything else is within normal limits, which is good as her liver values weren't and it means her kidneys are coping with the diuretics. She feels with the other test results that the CT scan will come back fine and then we are looking at idiopathic. It is the hardest to deal with, as you can only treat the symptoms and not the cause, but better than some of the options.
Title: Re: Femoral head incision
Post by: Sue P (Paddysmum) on July 15, 2017, 06:53:48 AM: It sounds like cause for cautious optimism, Desley. Hope the scan results are back sooner, rather than later. :hug:
Title: Re: Femoral head incision
Post by: Desley (booktigger) on July 15, 2017, 08:58:21 AM: Yes, it does Sue, just a shame it's hard to treat
Title: Re: Femoral head incision
Post by: Sue P (Paddysmum) on July 15, 2017, 14:02:53 PM: I know. :hug: None of yours have ever been "easy" if I recall, Desley.
Title: Re: Femoral head incision
Post by: Desley (booktigger) on July 15, 2017, 18:49:53 PM: Well, Molly and Ginger were rarely at the vets, but think they are the only 2 out of 13! Although Molly did end up getting misdiagnosed with cancer and my old doom and gloom vet suggested possible cancer when she developed a mouth abscess!
Title: Re: Femoral head incision
Post by: Desley (booktigger) on July 17, 2017, 12:47:50 PM: Did a quick google search last night, looks like they think that certain ingredients in dry food that help with alkaline levels contribute to idiopathic hypercalcemia (IHC), which is quite interesting as she was changed to renal food in March, and it is also used for urinary issues. Since her operation she has been shunning wet food in favour of dry, which no-one can explain. Unfortunately, the way to manage it is to cut out dry food completely, but she doesn’t like wet food enough to only eat that. There is also a link between calcium levels and renal issues, they don’t know whether the calcium affects the kidneys or vice versa. I am going to ask if this could just be a weird reaction to the hip removal, and her body adjusting, in which case it might not be permanent.
Title: Re: Femoral head incision
Post by: Desley (booktigger) on July 18, 2017, 13:50:19 PM: The scan doesn’t show anything immediately obvious, but she is sending images off to be reviewed, hopefully we will get those by the time I pick her up tonight. She did say if it comes back idiopathic, she is likely to have it for life, but there is a treatment that just requires one tablet a week. She also brought up diet, and that renal diets aren’t always great for hypercalcemia – the worry there is that her kidney values have reduced since being on said diet, so helping one may make another worse. Plus, with all diets, it’s what they will tolerate, she won’t eat a purely wet diet, and she’s fussy with what wet she will eat.
Title: Re: Femoral head incision
Post by: Judecat (Paula) on July 18, 2017, 22:24:51 PM: I know that it sounds horrible but if it's idiopathic and one tablet a week that may not be a bad thing, at least Lucy won't be being taken to the vets all the time. :hug: :hug: :hug:
Title: Re: Femoral head incision
Post by: Sue P (Paddysmum) on July 19, 2017, 06:40:07 AM: In terms of diet, I think you can only try to give her what she "should" have. If she won't eat it, then no doubt you'll end up giving her what she will eat. Quality of life is always the key with cats, I think.
Title: Re: Femoral head incision
Post by: Desley (booktigger) on July 19, 2017, 13:49:07 PM: After sleeping on it, while I’m upset for Lucy that she has yet another condition for life that needs treatment, and one that could impact on one of her other conditions, it could have been a lot worse. I’m just going to try the medication first, as if we do both medication and food, we won’t know how effective the medication is. Plus, I don’t want to compromise her kidneys to treat her calcium levels, hopefully we can balance it by treating her calcium with medication and her kidneys with diet. I also woke up to find one of her toys on the landing, she hasn’t done that since before her op, so think she is feeling happier, and bless her, despite hating the medication, as soon as I’d done it this morning, she was more bothered by a fuss than the Dreamie she gets to take the taste away. She has been spending a lot of time sleeping on the bathroom floor since coming home though, which is odd. Hopefully it won’t take long to get the medication dosage right. She has put weight on again since last week, so we need to worry about that next.
Title: Re: Femoral head incision
Post by: Dawn F on July 19, 2017, 13:51:43 PM: she is very lucky to have come to someone who will go the extra mile, although I'm sorry you have to :hug:
Title: Re: Femoral head incision
Post by: Judecat (Paula) on July 19, 2017, 16:47:33 PM: Quote from: Dawn F on July 19, 2017, 13:51:43 PM
she is very lucky to have come to someone who will go the extra mile, although I'm sorry you have to :hug:

I agree with Dawn on both counts. :Luv: Maybe it is warmer there? That is why my cats vie for the bathroom, especially in Winter as the hot water pipes keep the floor warm. That or the top landing for the same reason.
Title: Re: Femoral head incision
Post by: Desley (booktigger) on July 19, 2017, 19:04:37 PM: Thanks - an ironic statement as I drove over 100 miles yesterday alone, not to mention the rest of the trips! My bathroom is, warm, I thought she would be favouring the kitchen as its cooler, but she is still sleeping on the heated bed! She his behind the curtain from me tonight, I used the stronger Frusol so it was an easier dose
Title: Re: Femoral head incision
Post by: Judecat (Paula) on July 19, 2017, 20:29:04 PM: I am pleased for you both, easier is good. ;D
Title: Re: Femoral head incision
Post by: Cloveart on July 19, 2017, 21:08:54 PM: Quote from: Dawn F on July 19, 2017, 13:51:43 PM
she is very lucky to have come to someone who will go the extra mile, although I'm sorry you have to :hug:

(https://thumbs.dreamstime.com/z/hit-nail-head-illustration-59477897.jpg)
Title: Re: Femoral head incision
Post by: Desley (booktigger) on July 19, 2017, 21:15:07 PM: Aww, thanks. I can't imagine doing anything different though
Title: Re: Femoral head incision
Post by: Desley (booktigger) on August 16, 2017, 14:59:45 PM: We went for a repeat blood test yesterday, vet has rang back today to say that all her levels are within normal values - her calcium levels appear to be only just in normal levels, but they don't want to increase the dose, in case they reduce too much. She is still 5.13kg despite the reduction in her food. I spoke to the vet about diet, she agreed that renal food isn't ideal for hypercalcaemia, however renal failure is more likely to kill her than high calcium levels, so we are going to keep her on the renal food, and monitor via bloods. She has 10 other cats with IHC, only 4 are on the high fibre diet - while she agrees diet plays a big part, as no one can decide what, she thinks that as lack of appetite is a big part of the condition, eating something is ultimately better, and Lucy enjoys renal food. I am trying to get her back to eating 2 meals of wet and one dry, ironically she likes renal wet!!

Downside is that she can also feel the bone that was left behind, she still isn't up to full muscle mass (it was 18 weeks yesterday when she had the op), and when we were playing yesterday, she started elevating her paw in the air with her leg behind her - showed the vet a couple of pics, and she thinks that her stance is that bone is bothering her, so when I get back from holiday, I have to book her in for another operation :'(
Title: Re: Femoral head incision
Post by: Dawn F on August 16, 2017, 15:05:34 PM: oh poor lucy, glad that things are going in the right direction but shame about the operation :(
Title: Re: Femoral head incision
Post by: Desley (booktigger) on August 16, 2017, 15:07:41 PM: Yes, it is a shame - at least she is allowed unsupervised access to the bedroom, so she is sleeping on the bed while I am lying on the sofa waiting for the Zooplus delivery!! :Crazy:
Title: Re: Femoral head incision
Post by: Lyn (Slugsta) on August 16, 2017, 15:40:18 PM: Awww, poor Lucy. Bet your bank balance will suffer somewhat too! :hug:
Title: Re: Femoral head incision
Post by: Judecat (Paula) on August 16, 2017, 15:44:21 PM: Quote from: Lyn (Slugsta) on August 16, 2017, 15:40:18 PM
Awww, poor Lucy. Bet your bank balance will suffer somewhat too! :hug:
Will the insurance cover this Desley or will it come under pre-existing condition now? Poor Lucy indeed. :cat rub: :cat rub: :cat rub:
Title: Re: Femoral head incision
Post by: Desley (booktigger) on August 16, 2017, 15:52:35 PM: Should still be covered by Petplan, vets aren't charging full price although it will be done by an ortho vet this time
Title: Re: Femoral head incision
Post by: Sue P (Paddysmum) on August 17, 2017, 05:50:39 AM: Oh Desley. I can just imagine how really disappointing that is for you both. :( Lucy is a brave gal tho. Sending gentle (respectful) snoozles for her x
Title: Re: Femoral head incision
Post by: Desley (booktigger) on August 17, 2017, 11:37:40 AM: Very disappointing, and especially because the vet who operated had done all her check ups and never once mentioned it. The specialist didn't think it would need operating on, but she just saw it on x-ray, she hadn't seen how she stands, and the aggression she still has with that hip. At least we are getting all the expense done in this policy year. I have said that if she develops any new health issues, I'd really have to think about what more I could put her through - especially as the 4 (if you include her weight) all work against each other at the moment
Title: Re: Femoral head incision
Post by: tab on August 18, 2017, 16:51:47 PM: I'm sorry she has to go through another surgery. I didn't really understand why they didn't remove that bit of bone at the same time but they must have had a reason.
I'm glad she's more settled though
Title: Re: Femoral head incision
Post by: Desley (booktigger) on August 18, 2017, 20:28:35 PM: No, the vet on Tue couldn't explain it, and obviously the vet who did the surgery has now left.
Title: Re: Femoral head incision
Post by: Judecat (Paula) on August 18, 2017, 23:39:32 PM: Bloomin typical. >:(
Title: Re: Femoral head incision
Post by: Desley (booktigger) on September 09, 2017, 19:27:11 PM: Lucy has been sick the last two weeks after having her calcium meds, she has been given ranitidine to try and stop her being sick, but I've not been very good on remembering to do it before feeding her, and am on hol, my neighbour didn't relish the thought of medicating her once, so thought asking to syringe her twice a day as well was a bit much. Fingers crossed she keeps it down tomorrow, as she was a bit loose yesterday, and in hindsight, that was the first symptom, weeks before the rest. Not sure how this will affect her op
Title: Re: Femoral head incision
Post by: Desley (booktigger) on September 24, 2017, 10:26:49 AM: Could do with some opinions please, not 100% sure I've made the right decision. I'm rather reluctant to put her through another operation, partly because she has already had 3 sedations since her CKD diagnosis, and partly due to the fact that it took nearly 4 months for her to be 'normal' enough after the first one for me to think that I'd done the right thing. I know part of that was the set back we had with the hypercalcaemia. She seems happy in herself, the only thing she can't do that she could pre-op is jump on my kitchen worktops, which I'm quite enjoying, I don't have to hide food like I used to!! :evillaugh: She obviously does have a limp, but that is always going to be the case as we've effectively shortened her leg, although it seems a lot less than it was. The vet thinks her funny stand is that the hip bothers her, and it does crunch on manipulation, so they do still feel she would benefit from surgery, but equally appreciate that she isn't an easy patient, so at the moment we are just going to keep with the acupuncture and monitor it, and if she shows signs of getting worse, we can re-evaluate. She does sometimes seem uncomfortable though and my main concern with waiting is that if her kidney values have then got worse and she can't tolerate either the anaesthetic, or the metacam after. Any thoughts?
Title: Re: Femoral head incision
Post by: Sue P (Paddysmum) on September 24, 2017, 10:37:03 AM: It's a tough one, Desley and understand why you feel hesitant as to what to do.

My own feeling is that I'd leave her be, and see how matters progress. Knowing how she is, and knowing how much she's already undergone, I think the quality of her life is the key thing, and there's no telling that the surgery would be hugely beneficial and worth the additional time being incapacitated again from Lucy's point of view.

That said, if you decided you'd rather chance the surgery now, while her kidney function is still relatively good, then it would be understandable. :hug:
Title: Re: Femoral head incision
Post by: Rosella moggy on September 24, 2017, 10:58:22 AM: If only we had cystal balls Desley :hug: Can understand your decision either way.

Surgery is always a risk that has to be balanced with likliehood of a sufficiently improved outcome esp where kidneys are not so good. I really don't feel either decision is any better than the other. Am sure you and your vet are best placed to decide. Leaving things for a few more months to see how she is seems perfectly reasonable.
Title: Re: Femoral head incision
Post by: Desley (booktigger) on September 24, 2017, 11:54:32 AM: Thanks for the opinions, Sue, your comment about the surgery being beneficial is my neighbours viewpoint. I have to say, I certainly wasn't looking forward to being bit and scratched every day during recovery or the stress of it again - I'm not sure I'd have put her through the initial one if the vet had been honest.
Title: Re: Femoral head incision
Post by: Lyn (Slugsta) on September 25, 2017, 15:35:54 PM: Hi Desley,

What a dilemma this is for you! :( I completely understand your reluctance to put Lucy through more treatment but we are always worried that maybe we have not made the correct decision - we wouldn't be such devoted cat slaves otherwise! :hug:

I would say, take your time over making this decision and go with your gut. Whatever decision you make will be based on love :hug:
Title: Re: Femoral head incision
Post by: pandorawarlord on September 25, 2017, 21:03:03 PM: you can never be right or wrong so go with what your heart tells you :hug: :hug: :hug:
Title: Re: Femoral head incision
Post by: Desley (booktigger) on November 06, 2017, 10:58:28 AM: Had a bad weekend with Lucy, she was sick at 6.30 am on Sat - she isn't normally sick till the afternoon, so I give her Ranatadine about lunch time to make sure she isn't sick. I gave her some when I got up, gave it an hour and offered her some food, but she growled at me, which panicked me. She did eventually eat about 12.15, ate her tea, but not interested in supper, so had to give her another dose of Ranatidine, and got her to eat a small amount of biscuits 2 hours later. Gave her her calcium meds yesterday and she has been fine since, but I'm worried in case this means either the meds aren't working well enough, or that the renal food is affecting them. Will see what she is like next weekend before deciding whether to bring her blood test forward (currently booked for 30th)
Title: Re: Femoral head incision
Post by: Judecat (Paula) on November 07, 2017, 18:18:16 PM: Poor Lucy. :'(
Title: Re: Femoral head incision
Post by: Desley (booktigger) on November 08, 2017, 12:18:39 PM: I know, we've had such a bad year - when we first got her ckd diagnosis, as it was described as early stage, I hoped we'd be able to get 5 years, but this IHC diagnosis has thrown everything, I just hope that last weekend was a one off, we had only said on Thu that while she just needs two lots of meds a week it's fine, but more and it will impact on her quality of life. She's so intolerant of being messed with and her safe place is somewhere I can't get to her
Title: Re: Femoral head incision
Post by: Sue P (Paddysmum) on November 08, 2017, 12:29:54 PM: Insofar as Lucy can have a decent life Desley, you're giving her that already.

I suspect that's something she recognises - whilst you may feel like an unloved and inadequate care-giver when Lucy is side-swiping or biting, I suspect you hold a better place in Lucy's life than you realise. :hug:
Title: Re: Femoral head incision
Post by: Desley (booktigger) on November 08, 2017, 12:52:49 PM: Yes, even the vet agreed at the moment we have the balance right and she is happy, but if we keep having weekends like last one, we have some tough decisions (in hindsight Fri was bad too) and I just want her to have years of love after such a rubbish start.

I do know she loves me, if she is feeling insecure she gets that close she stands on my feet, at the vet she even managed to get her paws on my leg!
Title: Re: Femoral head incision
Post by: Judecat (Paula) on November 08, 2017, 15:11:38 PM: For whatever time she has left, she will be very well loved with you Desley. :hug: :hug: :hug:
Title: Re: Femoral head incision
Post by: Desley (booktigger) on November 08, 2017, 15:33:48 PM: Yes she Will, and for her that is all that matters
Title: Re: Femoral head incision
Post by: Desley (booktigger) on November 12, 2017, 10:20:42 AM: Well, we haven't had a repeat of last week - at first I thought it might be the increase in renal food, but then realised that she hadn't eaten the third lot of it, and in hindsight, she was off her food on Fri, so I am wondering if it is connected to the cake she pinched out of my bag - although she often eats human food that she really shouldn't. I had cut out renal food this week, so will try it again next week and see if last week was just a one off or if that is the reason
Title: Re: Femoral head incision
Post by: Desley (booktigger) on December 14, 2017, 13:28:56 PM: Just done her 3 monthly bloods, her calcium levels are up to 3.09 (think the top end of normal is 2.9), the worrying thing is I expected them to come back normal, she is full of energy, and apart from a fur ball last week, she hasn’t been sick for over 2 weeks, although that could be why she is extra grumpy with the foster cats. So looks like I was right to be concerned, although yet again, I’m concerned about her kidneys and it’s really her calcium levels, although her calcium could have made the SDMA go up (was 13, now 16, top end of normal is 14) – I did mention my concern about calcified kidneys to the vet, and we are going to do SDMA every 3 months with her calcium levels. She is hopefully going for an ionized calcium test next Tue. I was concerned as I knew her behaviour meant something, but as it’s the opposite of last time (and the opposite of all the textbook symptoms), calcium didn’t come into my head, I had her T4 tested!! Being asymptomatic/opposite this time is a worry, I am going to be in the same position as Buster where we will have to do 3 monthly bloods to monitor things. It just feels never ending at the moment.
Title: Re: Femoral head incision
Post by: Desley (booktigger) on December 20, 2017, 13:32:36 PM: Well, the first thing the vet said to me was ‘what did you do to your cat this morning, she was vile?’. I figured Lucy must have been bad as I was sent to get her out of the cage, normally I’m not allowed to do that – says something when the vet thinks Lucy is worse than her highly strung Bengal!! We have a new vet nurse, who hasn’t met Lucy yet, and clearly my comment that Lucy is difficult wasn’t the right words to use, they wound her up that much to get blood out of her, that the vet ended up having to give her a slight sedation – after she drew blood!! Last week she was good as gold, but she was really grumpy when I put her in the carrier, and obviously I wasn’t there to calm her down (not that that always stops her!!). Ionized calcium was 1.34 and the top end is 1.32, so practically normal, and she is obviously showing no symptoms, so we are wondering if the increase in renal food has skewed her calcium/phosphorus ratio. I’m going to reduce her back to 2 pouches of renal wet, and we are re-testing ionized calcium in a month – unfortunately that means she will be going twice next month too, I didn’t want to put her acupuncture back by a fortnight, we are already having to put it back a week as the vet is on holiday. Vet thinks her increased energy is just her feeling well, and wonders if the aggression towards the fosters is that after nearly 2 years, she is showing her true personality, we have always known she has issues with other cats. She has been quite affectionate since coming home, but as soon as I put my coat and shoes on this morning she raced up the stairs. :(
Title: Re: Femoral head incision
Post by: Desley (booktigger) on January 21, 2018, 11:05:29 AM: This weekend, Lucy has finally worked out how to jump on the worktops, for the first time since her op last March. Downside is that I've been able to leave things on there, so the first time she had her head in the bag of dreamies, the second time she took the closed bag of dreamies on the floor to chew through, and last night tried to rip through a paper bag containing a pasty for me!