Purrs In Our Hearts - Cat Forum UK
Cat Health & Behaviour => Health & Behaviour General => Topic started by: Gillian Harvey on November 02, 2008, 23:04:40 PM
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As some of you know Sam has HCM, diagnosed in August this year, he had to have fluid drained off from around his lungs and since then, with fortekor and diuretics, he's been doing pretty well. The past couple of days he's coughed a couple of times and his breathing looks laboured/fast again - this is how he was before the fluid was drained off. Vet did warn me it may build up again and I think thats whats happening. He didnt want to eat yesterday evening (until I put some Applaws tuna in front of him LOL!) so he did eat that, and he's eaten the same again today, but normally he would tuck into whatever I put in front of him - he's never really been picky about food - so any change to me, is worrying.
He also has CRF so my vet only put him on one diuretic tab every other day - I'm wondering if that was enough now - I mean I know he can't become dehydrated because of his kidneys, but we have to prevent fluid building up around his lungs.
Anyway, just voicing my concerns really, will phone the vet tomorrow.
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Good luck tomorrow :hug:
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Hope everything goes well at the vets xxx
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fingers crossed for you and Sam x
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Heres hoping Sam is just holding out for Applaws and that its nothing too serious :hug:
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FIngers crossed. My dog Pepsi (RIP) had to have diuretics to prevent fluid building up. She didn't have the complication of CRF though and my vet used to tell me to up her dose if I thought she was getting fluid. Best check with your vet in the circumstances of course. Hope Sam will be ok.
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Fingers crossed for him
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Fingers crossed for Sam :hug: Hope the visit goes well today if you need to take him in xx
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How's little Sam today, Gillian?
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KEEPING EVERYTHING CROSSED :hug: :hug: :hug:
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Gillian, have just seen this. I hope so much that Sam will be fine :hug:
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Good luck with Sam, Gillian.
Difficult when the two issues have opposite advice re fluids :(
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hope things turn out well for Sam Gillian
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Positive vibes for little Sam and big :hug: for you Gillian - I hope everything oges okay at the vets today xxx
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thanks all :thanks:
Have made an appointment for Wed morning (its the cats only day) didnt get to speak to the vet, but if he does need a procedure that can be done after the consult on Wed.
He's still very quiet and a little withdrawn, and still holding out for Applaws (think you're right Gwen lol ;D ) - however I didnt have any left this morn (I only had some because my friend brought a few tins over when she brought her cat to be groomed - as her cats didnt like the tuna one) so found a tin of hi-life tuna, the petit pate ones. I put usual food down and once again, he looked at it then look up at me - so put the hi life on another plate and he ate the lot LOL!
I just knew this would happen after spending out so much on my car last week, including my 'safety net' money, that one of the cats would fall ill. :(
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Good luck for Wednesday, will be thinking of you both :hug:
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Good luck for Wednesday hope all goes well :hug:
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Sending lots of cuddles to Sam (I don't believe a cat with such a wonderful name would EVER be so sneaky as to con his mum just to get his Applaws :rofl: ;) )
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Aww sending big head rubs to Sam, hope he feels better soon, and a :hug: to you :)
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all the best for Sam for wed. What a great vet to have a cats only day. They always get ill when your bank balance falls I reckon! good luck :hug: to you and Sam.
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Lots of cuddles to gorgeous Sam and of course he will hold out for his fav food..........he is a cat
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oh No......................sening huge cuddles for my fave boy - come on Sam , perk up and eat. :'(
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He's still very quiet and still, not moving unless its really necessary - i.e. litter tray and food! His breathing was bad last night and he's open mouth breathing now - this is how it was when he had fluid in his chest before. Mind you he is eating - Applaws or Hi Life fishy ones only - I tried him with Hi life Chicken and he did the 'you expect me to eat this?' look :innocent:
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Good luck to Sam and you tomorrow, hope all goes well. :hug:
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He's still very quiet and still, not moving unless its really necessary - i.e. litter tray and food! His breathing was bad last night and he's open mouth breathing now - this is how it was when he had fluid in his chest before. Mind you he is eating - Applaws or Hi Life fishy ones only - I tried him with Hi life Chicken and he did the 'you expect me to eat this?' look :innocent:
aww, bless that Applaws loving Sam :Luv2:
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Gillian only just seen this, hope your boy will be ok once he's seen the vet :hug:
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Hi Gillian,
Just seen this too, after everything else that has happened. Good luck for tomorrow
:hug:
x she
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all the very very best to you and Sam for tomorrow. Brave little boy, WTG with that Applaws bless him xxx :hug:
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Lots of cuddles to Sam and lots of good wishes for tomorrow :hug:
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Best of luck tomorrow Sam
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Let us know as soon as you hear :hug:
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Hope all goes well tomorrow :hug: xx
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Lots of love and hugs for tomorrow. :hug:
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Thank you :thanks: The appointments not till 11 am and I'm not sure whether he'll have a procedure or not, so can't give him any biscuits at bedtime tonight just in case - which means none of the others can have any either :evillaugh: It also means none of them can have breakfast until I come back from the vets, because I couldnt stand to feed all them and have poor Sammy wondering why he's been left out. So I think the best thing to do, is.....have a nice long lie in and get up just in time to whisk him off to the vets before the others realise that they havent had brekkie :evillaugh:
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Good luck and :hug: :hug: for tomorrow , hope they find its nothing much.
Mine jump on and off me when i go to if they are hungry /or had to go without due to a vet visit - then i am also awake half the night and with worrying about it as well, i have 5 cats jumping on and off me all night :rofl:
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Thinking of you and Sam today xxx :hug:
I hope the vet visit goes okay xxx :hug: :hug:
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hope you got on ok Gillian :hug:
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Hope that Sams visit went OK Gillian :hug:
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Hope it all went Ok for Sammy today xx :hug:
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and from me too xx
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Hope all went well today :hug: xxxx
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I'm cross and confused now >:( - apparently they've scrapped the 'cats only' surgery and also the 'cats only' waiting room (something to do with the new drugs directives or whatever, meaning all drugs gotta be locked in a specific room - dunno why that affects it!) Also had to sign some new form for drugs for lifelong use, had to wait ages as she was running late and even when I did get into see her, she seemed distracted.
She hasnt kept him in, just advised increasing the diurectic dose to once a day for 3 days instead of every other day, she said we could have him in again to see whats going on - and I said well is the fluid building up again, she said she thought so - so why didnt she bring him in then? I didnt ask all that I wanted and felt rushed and not sure about anything, because she then said of course we don't have a definitive diagnosis. Don't we? - she diagnosed him with HCM - but she's saying we can't rule out a tumour.
I really thought he needed fluid drained off because he was so much better when he had that done before, I can't see how 3 days of diuretics will do it.
Oh and also she took his temperature which was fine - but then gave him an antibiotic jab and antbiotic tabs for a weel - in case of a secondary infection......? :-:
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Don't sit wondering Gill, give them a ring and say what you've said here and say you didn't think of everything at the time or that you felt a bit rushed and you just need to know some things. You need a few questions answered - at least as far as they can and put your mind at rest.
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Don't sit wondering Gill, give them a ring and say what you've said here and say you didn't think of everything at the time or that you felt a bit rushed and you just need to know some things. You need a few questions answered - at least as far as they can and put your mind at rest.
Thanks Janey - I've got myself all psyched up for possible procedure and now sitting here in tears coz I'm so confused.
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I'd ring them too Gillian even if they don't get back to you until the end of the day its better than just wondering - I hate it when that happens you always think of so many things you should have said on the way home
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Don't sit wondering Gill, give them a ring and say what you've said here and say you didn't think of everything at the time or that you felt a bit rushed and you just need to know some things. You need a few questions answered - at least as far as they can and put your mind at rest.
Thanks Janey - I've got myself all psyched up for possible procedure and now sitting here in tears coz I'm so confused.
:hug:
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My dog used to have her diuretics increased if fluid started to build up so it may be that they are trying to clear it that way before having to drain. Try not to worry too much :hug:
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Oh dear Gillian - Id would definitley give them a ring - hope that Sam picks up soon with the increased diuretics. :hug:
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I have so much sympathy with you :hug: :hug:
I agree give em a ring and have this thread and your post as your crib sheet.
I have spent a while talking to a vet this morning and it just never seems to come over like I want.
I think they see so many animals they get a bit blase about things
One also tends to get overwelmed by stuff and it goes in one ear and out the other.......or straight through in my case.
Give em a ring and if they dont ring back in an hour , ring em again..........dont leave it till end of surgery cos they just forget and go home!
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Thanks everyone :thanks: - just having a bit of an emotional moment!
I'm going to phone tomorrow when I'm more calm and collected. Sam's had his 'breakfast' with all the others, who were well fed up about waiting so long, and he's followed me upstairs, he's sleepin now. Here he is just a few minutes ago (camera back in action, yay!)
(http://i209.photobucket.com/albums/bb234/scruffyjoe/SAM/SamNov08.jpg)
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Hope they can put your mind at rest when you ring :hug: Headkisses to the gorgeous Sam :care:
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He looks wonderful and pleased your catcam is back ;D
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he looks relaxed enough - probably a good idea to wait until you feel a bit calmer but not if you are going to worry all night :hug: :hug:
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Bout time you got that camera back in action woman :evillaugh:
Lets hope its good news regarding the gorgeous Sam :hug:
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I'm glad about the camera too but for my own selfish reasons :evillaugh:!
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Glad the camersa is back - an that Sam has had some breakfast!! :Luv2:
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:hug: to you and Sam, Gillian. Let us know tomorrow.
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Sam is just gorgeous :Luv:
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Yes he is ;D
:blow kiss:
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Hes an absolute darling! :Luv2:
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He's ma boy :Luv2: He's got such a lovely, gentle way about him.
He's had some tea - tuna Applaws - oh dear, he's got a bit stuck on that, tried mixing some Whiskas in yesday - ate all round it, tried some forthglade with it tonight, ate all round that too, bless him.
He's just drunk loads, was at the bowl for ages, suppose the extra diuretic made him thirsty.
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Yes if he has an extra duritic he will need to drink loads, so thats good ;D
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Yep , eating and drinking is good - :Luv:
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He's open mouth breathing and laboured tonight.
He's been losing weight. 4kg at diagnosis 3 months ago, 3.9kg just over a month ago. 3.6 kg yesterday.
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what did they say about his weght loss ?
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:( poor Sam
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Hope the wonderful handsome Sam picks up soon - sending healing vibes and big :hug: :hug: to him from the gang in Lincoln.
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If he is no better breathing wise today Gill I would get back on to your vet. Hope he has improved x
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Just caught up with this. I hope he has improved today :hug:
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He's not eating at all now. He spent all night lying at the top of the stairs in same position most of the night. He came on my bed first thing this morning, but then stayed there when I got up to feed them. I did encourage him to come downstairs and he actually waited in the kitchen as if he wanted food - but then just looked at his plate when I put it down. He walked away in the end, had a drink and is now in one of the cat scratcher beds.
I took him to the vets the other day because his breathing was bad, he WAS still eating then, although he was only eating certain things, but he was still eating. Since I was told to increase his diuretics and he had the antibiotic injection - he's not eating, this is like Gypsy all over again, she was eating before being bombarded with antibiotics then stopped completely
anyway, I'm waiting for the vet to phone me.
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:hug: Gillian. Am thinking of you.
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Gillian :hug:
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:hug: Gillian.
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Thinking of you both :grouphug:
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Thank you :thanks:
Vets just phoned. She thinks that theres two options, to have him in and x-ray again to see if there is fluid there, if there is, to drain it off again. Its the procedure he had before - but to be honest, that time he was just having an x-ray as far as I knew - when she phoned to tell me they'd found fluid and that it needed to be drained I wasnt so aware (and didnt have time to think as much as now) of the risks. He did so well afterwards, but its just so scarey to think I could actually lose him to the procedure - but then of course the other option is pts now, because either way he can't go on as he is if he's not going to eat. Vet said that if fluid wasnt found, then pts was a consideration anyway.
I don't know what to do - I have made the appointment tomorrow to have the x-ray (and fluid drained if found) - but I'm still not certain its the right thing to do, I don't know what to do
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oh Gillian hun it doesn't sound like you have any choice, I can't believe this has all happened so quickly, we are having an awful couple of weeks on purrs :hug: :hug:
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Oh Gillian Im so so sorry. :'(
As you know Ive been there and I know exactly how you feel , with Oscar drainage wasnt an option so we did the only thing we could.
Please give Sam and extra big cuddle for me , I truly hope that drainage and meds can help xx :hug:
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Sorry to hear this Gillian, I don't know what to say :hug:
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I really hope he picks up and starts to eat - don''t really know what else to say- sending big :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: to you all and healing vibes to Sam.
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My thoughts are with you and Sam :hug:
I also am wondering about AB being the reason for Franta not eating.
I do hope the vet can help Sam and as you said he cant carry on like this...............why is life so bloomin hard :(
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I would do what you're doing, Gillian, based on what you've said :hug:. I hope that the procedure goes well tomorrow.
Will be thinking of you both tomorrow.
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I would do what you're doing, Gillian, based on what you've said . I hope that the procedure goes well tomorrow.
Will be thinking of you both tomorrow. :hug:
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So sorry Gillian that you are having to go through this , thinking of you and Sam xxx :hug:
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Thank you :thanks: The appointment's for 11 am tomorrow, at least I can talk to the vet some more then, before we make the decision, based on, I suppose, how is this evening, if he eats etc.
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I will be thinking of you tomorrow and Sam :hug:
I hope it all goes well.
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Will be looking for update tomorrow on the gorgeous Sam - really hope he starts eating and picks up.
Will be thinking of you and sending healing vibes from us all here. :hug: :hug:
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He's eaten :yayyy: :yayyy: - not much, about a quarter of the large tins of Applaws the 99p ones, but something anyway.
The vet did say that the diurectics make them feel a bit yuk, so maybe thats what it was as he didnt have one today (finished his 3 days on) and now back to every other day. Still undecided about the surgery.
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What a horrible thing. I hope all goes well with the vet tomorrow and it is something that can be dealt with. I will be thinking of you both. Big :hug:
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Yay glad he's had some dinner , thats a good sign. xx
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I am so pleased that he has eaten ;D ;D
However you need to decide about the sugery and discuss this with your vet.....is there any choice really? :hug: :hug:
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glad he has had some of his favourite food and loads of luck tomorrow :hug:. It sounds like the right decision to me too Gill and hope things turn out well x
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He's had a little walk up the garden (with me following behind in the pitch dark!) he wanted to go outside because he likes to drink from the bowl of water out there - he has to walk past two bowls of water indoors to get to the one outside LOL! but he was determined. He's much more alert than he was yesterday evening and I do belive his breathing isnt quite as bad - his colour is definitely better, much pinker gums etc. Maybe it IS the diuretics are doing their stuff and dispersing the fluid - someone on the heart group did say it can take a while for them to work on fluid build up.
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That sounds very promising I think Gillian ;D
I understand cos Franta was desperate to go out once he could walk again after the GA and I was outside at 0500 with him, following him up the garden to the big bucket where he likes to drink!
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I understand cos Franta was desperate to go out once he could walk again after the GA and I was outside at 0500 with him, following him up the garden to the big bucket where he likes to drink!
LOL! :rofl:
Bet you are emotionally drained like me - please, no more crisies (no, that doesnt look right, how do you do the plural of crisis?!!)
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I hope everything goes ok tomorrow, Gillian :hug:
I'm glad he's eating a bit better and has felt up to a little walk up the garden ;D
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You are right I am drained!
its crises...................that dosnt looke right either.....sigh
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I really feel for both Gills on here and no how upsetting and worrying it is with our cats being ill.
Sending :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: to both of you and hope all cats are getting better and going to be fine.
Also , don''t think there is a plural for crisis think thats just the one word !?
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What's the news today, Gillian?
And yes, the plural of crisis is crises (pronounced cry-sees).
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I hope everything went well today, Gillian :hug:
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Yes me too and I hate silence cos always think its bad news.
Hope Sam is just fine, Gillian :hug:
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Just checking in to see how Sam is but no update today yet,please let us know as soon as you can please :hug:
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Hope everything went well xx
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Hope Sam is okay -been checking this thread on and off all day .
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Hope everything went well.
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Hoping so much everything went well toay for you and Sam xxx
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Any news Gillian? Thinking of you :hug:
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Hope Sam is ok - bit worried as not heard anything .
I fell for Sam as soon as i saw his pic when i first joined here. :Luv2:
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My goodness I am worried ...hope all is well Gillian :hug:
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Hoping everything is OK :hug:
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Hope there is some good news
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I'm chewing my fingernails to the quick....
Hope everythings ok :scared:
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So hoping no news is good news.
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Thank you so much for your messages :thanks:
He's still with me. I'm sorry I didnt post yesterday - I'd spent all night Friday having conversations with myself (LOL!) about what to do, and was shattered yesteray. He'd perked up so much Friday evening and had eaten well, his breathing seemed better. Still, Saturday morning I wanted to see how he was before deciding on the procedure - and again, he was still bright in the morning and looked keen to eat - so at that moment I decided to cancel the appointment, and he did indeed eat well in the morning. It was his day for a diurectic so he had that with his food.
He ate fairly well Sat evening, but he's always a bit 'down' when he has diurectic, so appetite wasnt as good as previously. This morning his appetite not as good and he's not as 'upbeat' as he was yesterday.
I honestly don't think I want to put him through having sedative to be x-rayed - to determine if there is fluid or not (although I think the diurectics have worked somewhat) . I know it could all go well and he'll probably be fine for a few months or longer, but obviously its more risky the weaker he is and I don't feel he's strong enough to survive it - I cannot face losing him through the op. It gives me more time with him, but its not necessarily right for him, its not a cure and will only be temporary.
I believe that the diurectics have probably worsened his kidneys, treatment for one thing, deterimental to another. I don't feel anything needs to be done urgently now, he's sleeping peacefully at the moment, so will see how he goes over the next few days, and when the time comes I'll have the vet come here.
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I think you are being very very brave - as you say anything you can do will only be temporary and may not be best for Sam. :'(We made the same desicion for Oscar and heartbreaking though it was I know in my heart it was the right one as he had tuned from the sweetie he had been all his life into a scared , and sometimes aggressive boy and had even started to turn on Beavis.
I hope that Sam continues to respond to his meds and you have some more quality time with him xxx :hug:
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You know your cat best and from what you've said your decision sounds right to me xx
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Lots of love and thoughts to you and Sam :hug: :hug: :hug:
I think you have considered this very carefully and weighed up all the options and that you know what is best for Sam. I hope that you both have some quality time together and each day is a precious added bonus :hug:
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Lots of love and thoughts to you and Sam :hug: :hug: :hug:
I think you have considered this very carefully and weighed up all the options and that you know what is best for Sam. I hope that you both have some quality time together and each day is a precious added bonus :hug:
That says it for me, too :hug:
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Gillian I can only agree with what the others have said,you are the one who knows Sam and how he's most likley to react to all the treatment :hug:
But do one thing for us also please if you would,lookafter yourself also,we know what its like to worry about a sick furry one and we let our health etc slip,please lookafter yourself hun :hug:
Please give Sam a chin rub from all of us here :hug:
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I can add no more than has been said already, but wanted to add a few more :hug: :hug: :hug: xx
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I can add no more than has been said already, but wanted to add a few more :hug: :hug: :hug: xx
Same here :hug: :hug: I can't add to what others have said. You've obviously thought about what is best for Sam :hug:
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Yes, can''t add anything different - but sending Sam big :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: and furry kisses from my bunch here and healing vibes too .
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please if you would,lookafter yourself also,we know what its like to worry about a sick furry one and we let our health etc slip,please lookafter yourself hun :hug:
Is it alright if I have beans on toast again tonight Gwen? LOL! ;D
Thanks again everyone :thanks:
I feel a huge weight lifted after making that decision about not putting him through the op. He's been a lot brighter this evening - even came upstairs to find me at around normal teatime to give me a little reminder to get his food ready! Glimpses of the old Sammy every now and then, so lovely to see :Luv2: He did eat, not enough in my opnion, but at least something.
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I too think you have made the right decision Gillian, I could never put any of mine through an op that didn't have a good chance of survival, I would rather have less time with them and be with them at the end, than put them through something that might mean they go alone on the table. I hope you both have a lot more quality time together.
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please if you would,lookafter yourself also,we know what its like to worry about a sick furry one and we let our health etc slip,please lookafter yourself hun :hug:
Is it alright if I have beans on toast again tonight Gwen? LOL! ;D
Thanks again everyone :thanks:
I feel a huge weight lifted after making that decision about not putting him through the op. He's been a lot brighter this evening - even came upstairs to find me at around normal teatime to give me a little reminder to get his food ready! Glimpses of the old Sammy every now and then, so lovely to see :Luv2: He did eat, not enough in my opnion, but at least something.
I'm sending Charlies Army round for some gasmasks for your cats,I think they will need it by the sounds of it :evillaugh:
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Glad to hear some news at last! Hope Sam continues to feel well. I don't understand why your vet can't hear the fluid mine used to with Pepsi (RIP) my dog. Anyway whatever my thoughts are with you
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Glad to hear some news at last! Hope Sam continues to feel well. I don't understand why your vet can't hear the fluid mine used to with Pepsi (RIP) my dog. Anyway whatever my thoughts are with you
Thank you :thanks:
My vet said x-ray is the only way to see how much fluid is there. Sam had chylous fluid in his chest which vet drew off last time, but it can't be completely drawn off apparently because it can cause a sudden drop in blood pressure, so an x-ray would have had to be done first anyway.
What meds was Pepsi on? Did you ever try Cardio Strength? My vet has ok'd me trying him on that - its not a drug, its a supplement type thing for cats and dogs.
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Am so glad that he's perked up and is insisting on drinking water from the best places ;D
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Hope the handsome Sam continues to improve every day and the meds and supplements help him- he is soooooooooooo gorgeous.
Been waiting to see how he was.
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Pepsi was on Fortekor and Vedmedin to help her heart and frusemide for the fluid.
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hugs to you Gillian I'm glad Sam is picking up a bit
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Well I'm not sure whats going on here - but Sam has been really upbeat today. He hopped off the bed this morning to follow me downstairs for breakfast, not something he's done recently - I mean he's just not seemed as keen to eat, only eating reluctantly. He ate a half tray of Natures Harvest this morning, which is more than he's eaten in a while, then, instead of just jumping back into the bed on the cat scratcher to have a sleep, he's followed me around - even dashing upstairs ahead of me! He seems so alert and bright. He at a half of the big tin of Applaws for tea, again coming into the kitchen, rubbing all round my legs - really keen for food.
Is it just coincidence that he's not had the diurectics for 2 days (my vet said that after the 3 days on, he could have them every 3 days, instead of every other day as he was before)? - I don't think so, the difference in him is amazing. Vet did say that the diurectics make them feel awful - I guess they would. I'm going to talk to her again about him taking them, because I don't think its quality of life if it makes them feel rubbish.
Anyway, whatever it is, just hoping it continues ;D
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Amazing and great news, so pleased cos he sounds pretty normal :hug: :hug:
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Really glad Sam is picking up and getting back to his self.
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Wonderful news, it could be that the increased diuretics have shifted the fluid?
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Glad he is seeming his usual self
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that's good news and I think you're right telling this to your vet.