Purrs In Our Hearts - Cat Forum UK
Cat Health & Behaviour => Health & Behaviour General => Topic started by: Christine (Blip) on August 05, 2009, 18:24:39 PM
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I didn't post this last week because there was so much worry and unhappiness on Purrs, but I've taken Blip to the vet today as a precursor to having her hips x-rayed. She's been stumbling occasionally on her right side when she lands from an upward jump, she won't groom that flank and she doesn't like me grooming it for her.
So I took her in for blood tests today to check that we're OK to go ahead with sedation and x-rays early next week.
The vet found on examination that Blip is uncomfortable with having her hips extended even slightly, but her knee caps are not unduly mobile, so it's definitely her hips that are suspect and I'd like to know exactly what we're dealing with.
The three vet nurses were occupied with discharging patients at the time we went, so I had the honour of holding Blip's head for the blood test. I was delighted that both Blip and the vet trusted me to do this properly: Blip was good as gold.
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I hope all her bloods turn out to be ok, she wont need to be out long for x rays ;D
Has she tried metacam yet or is she just having cosequin?
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I hope all her bloods turn out to be ok, she wont need to be out long for x rays ;D
Has she tried metacam yet or is she just having cosequin?
:thanks: MillysMum :thanks:
She is on daily Cosequin, yes, and has been on a low daily dose of Metacam since last Autumn: I suspended this for the summer but we'll be going back onto it asap if her bloods are OK.
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Its very helpful for stiff joints ;D she will be needing a heatpad now you know :evillaugh:
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Positive vibes for Blip's results and I do hope the x rays dont show up anything to problematic! :Luv: :hug: :hug:
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she will be needing a heatpad now you know :evillaugh:
She has a Snugglesafe (I bought it after her diagnosis last year) :Luv:
Positive vibes for Blip's results and I do hope the x rays dont show up anything to problematic! :Luv: :hug: :hug:
:thanks: :hug:
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Hope everything goes well for the beautiful and obviously very well behaved Blip. :hug:
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Hope everything goes well for the beautiful and obviously very well behaved Blip. :hug:
Thank you, Teresa :thanks: :Luv:: she hates going to the vet but she is a brave little angel on the examination table :Luv:
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Hope it all goes well :hug:
I'm sure Alice's "Constant Companions" heated bed helps her a lot. as well as being heated (eco friendly as it only heats the parts where pressure is applied) they are firm but spongy - designed to help arthritic joints. Also it has edges which are the same material. One side has a lower lip which is good for supporting their head. I highly recommend them :) - the small really is small though - ie Willow 2.5kg size :evillaugh: - I ended up buying a medium for Alice as the small was too small for her.
They were available on eBay but I can't seem to find them.
I did see this though - looks very impressive but quite pricey. If it does the job, I would still get one though :Luv2:
http://thepetextraordinarium.co.uk/product.asp?p_id=1292&source=webgains&siteid=47683
(don't they have a referral commission from purrs?)
Edit - much cheaper here http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Infrared-Pet-Bed-Pad-35watts_W0QQitemZ120423352267QQcmdZViewItemQQptZUK_Home_Garden_Hearing_Cooling_Air?hash=item1c09ca87cb&_trksid=p3286.c0.m14
It may be a small one though so worth checking.
They make heat therapy products for humans as well.
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:hug: for Her Royal Blipness :Luv:
What a brave young lady to have sat so well at the vets, especially as she's not a keen patient.
Best of luck for the x-rays.
XX
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Poor Blip, hope everything goes well for her tests, :hug:
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What a brave girl :care: :luck: for the X-rays
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Lots of good wishes to Blip for her xrays :hug:
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Such a brave and clever girl at the vets, well done Blip :Luv2:
Hope all is well :hug:
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Sending lots of good wishes for Blip for her x-ray :hug:
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good luck Blip!
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Sending Blip good vibes. :hug:
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:thanks: everyone for caring about Blip :hug:
I've just had a call from the vet and he says that her blood test results are very encouraging :wow:, so he's asked me to book Blip in for an x-ray next week. There are several vets in the practice, but this one (Simon) operates on Wednesdays, so I think I'll get Blip on his list as he knows her best.
I'll update with news as it comes :shy:
Well done Blip for being otherwise healthy :Luv:
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I am glad her bloods came back fine, they normally only need sedating for x-rays (although Tiger had to prove that one wrong!!)
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Just to say that Blip is going in for her x-rays at 08.45 tomorrow morning. Please wish her luck, everyone :thanks:
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Wishing her the very very best of luck :hug: xx
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what are they hoping to find Christine and is there anything they can do????
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what are they hoping to find Christine and is there anything they can do????
It's my initiative: I want to establish once and for all that it is arthritis Blip has, and if so the extent of it. I am concerned by her occasional stumbling and the fact that she's stopped grooming that side.
Assuming it is arthritis, it's back on the Metacam for Autumn and Winter: she has Cosequin daily too.
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I didn't even know you could see arthritis - you really do learn a lot here! good luck!
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Beautiful Blip I know you will be the purr fect patient tomorrow and I know your mummy will worry about you,so am sending lots of :hug: and good vibes to you both.
Christine remember this is a case of gaining knowledge which will be invaluable to you and Blip :hug:
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Glad that the bloods were good and tons of luck for tomorrow's X-rays :hug:
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I didn't even know you could see arthritis - you really do learn a lot here! good luck!
I would think that the joints would show wear and tear
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Best of luck C for Blip having her x rays done in the morning~~~~~~ :Luv: :hug: :hug:
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:luck: for tomorrow Blip, will be thinking of your Mum :hug:
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All fingers and paws crossed here for you and Blip tomorrow :hug:
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Good luck for tomorrow.
How do you view acupuncture C? I saw a dog before and after and the difference was impressive, it went from being pretty immobile with little quality of life to running after a ball ;D
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Thank you everyone for your good wishes :thanks: I want this done for Blip's welfare, so it is illogical for me to worry about it (it says here ;)).
How do you view acupuncture C? I saw a dog before and after and the difference was impressive, it went from being pretty immobile with little quality of life to running after a ball ;D
I haven't ever considered acupuncture, Millysmum, so don't know what the peer-reviewed experimental evidence is. I'll check it out now though :thanks:
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Good luck for today - when Pebbles had her leg amputated, the arthritis showed up as a white mass round her bone (which I assume is the inflammation).
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Well, I've dropped Blip off :scared:
The nurse told me that as Blip's urea is slightly raised (15.8, should be between 6.0 and 10.0) they are going to do the x-rays under GA instead of under sedation. So I can't collect her until 17.00 this afternoon.
I know of course that modern anaesthesia is extremely safe - indeed, frequently reassure others to that effect, on here and elsewhere - but I won't feel easy until I get the phone call saying she's recovering :scared:
*edited for spelling - I must be tense...
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Thinking of you both :hug:
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its always tense when you leave them, you just can't help it - not sure what the raised urea is about???
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I can't remember what the Urea rating was, I know it came up on Max's blood panels, but I was more focused on creatinine, I'll see if I can find my original notes on this.
Hope Blip gets on just fine today xxx
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Hope all goes well today Christine, I'm sure Blip will be fine :hug:
eta: Pep's urea was raised on his notes - it was 18.8 normal values = 2.8 - 9.8
His fosterer said her vet said that could have been because he had eaten beforehand. My vet said it could be down to his raised thyroid levels.
(Neither seemed overly concerned, maybe my vet will wait and see what next bloods show)
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I've just taken a call from the vet and Blip is recovering well in the recovery room :).
Anyway, Blip's hips are in perfect nick: it's her spine near the base of her tail that's the problem. Blip has spondylitis. This is obviously why she can't groom her right flank and rear end properly and why she hates me helping with a comb and a flannel respectively :(
Blip will go onto daily Metacam and have quarterly blood tests to monitor the effects on her organs. I'll ask whether Cosequin will help this condition or not: I presume not.
Because of the raised urea, the vet also took a urine sample while Blip was under and her urine is nicely concentrated, so her kidneys are in perfect working order :).
Blip's anal glands were congested again :( so they've been expressed. The vet detected a certain amount of hardened faecal matter so is going to put Blip onto Lactulose as well. She opines that this is all connected to the spondylitis. I can certainly say that, very recently, I've noticed Blip sort of flops down as she sits, so she obviously finds squatting uncomfortable. :(
Poor little Blip but thank goodness for modern veterinary medicine which will enable me to make her comfortable again. I can't bear to think of her suffering in silence, as all our cats try to do.
I have a discharge appointment later this afternoon with a nurse (the vet herself has an acute knee problem and is now going home!) and can pop in any time to view and discuss the x-rays, which I shall certainly do in order to pinpoint the exact area of spondylitis.
Oh, and the team groomed out all Blip's flank while she was under, so she'll be a lot more comfortable all round :Luv:
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ooh poor little blip! isn't it a good thing you noticed the small changes in her - I'm so glad a plan has been put in place and any pain can be managed - give her a head rub from me
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Poor Blip :hug: but so good to hear that you now know what the problem is so you can put a plan in place. It is indeed distressing to think of puds suffering in silence Christine but Metacam is fabulous stuff and great to know her kidneys are in good working order.
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Pleased that Blip is recovering well and that the cause of her discomfort has been found. Remember Buster he led a very active life for a further 12years after being diagnosed aged 10 years :hug:
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Glad her x rays are over and she is recovering! I have (so doc says) spondylitis at the top of my spine, its a pretty sore condition but with the right treatment it is managed well!
Im sure once her new meds for this condition kick in she will be noticeably different for the better! :Luv: :hug: :hug:
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So pleased the Blip is in recovery now after her ordeals of the morning, and that you now know what you are dealilng with so you can medicate her effectively :hug: I'm going to google this condition as I've never heard of it before :shy:
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Really pleased that Blip's tests done now and that you can go ahead and help her :hug:
You're vets sound on the ball Christine and that makes such a difference too.
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Oh, poor Blip - Im glad though that you have a diagnosis and hope medication will help her :)
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Only just read this - pleased Blip's doing well. :)
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Assuming she's home now, how's she doing Christine?
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Thank you everyone for your messages :thanks: They mean so much to me :hug:
I collected Blip just before 17.00 and was told that she hadn't eaten the food she'd been offered and had been a bit grumpy (that's my girl!). So I wasn't surprised when she polished off a sachet of Miamor Ragout Royale plus some dried, followed just under a couple of hours later by her late supper (brought forward ;)). What is good is that she not only ate the Metacam in her early supper, she also ate the Lactulose in her not-so-late supper ;D Now, this may be simply because she was so hungry but I have my fingers crossed that she'll take the Lactulose this way regularly and save us both stress :crossed:
We've spent an hour sitting in the garden cuddling and she seems quite relaxed and content now.
I have to pop back with the insurance form and to see the x-ray.
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I am really pleased to hear the news, Christine.
Once Blip is up for more cuddles please dispense one from me to her. I hope that she takes the medication well. I found with Lexy that she would lap up the Metacam on her dry food without any fuss whatsoever.
I bought some Primula today to help with pill taking, Lexy hears from Blip that it's ok.. for cheese.
So here goes, from Lexy and I :cuddle:
R x
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It gives you a warm feeling when they play up at the vet and are as good as gold with you doesn't it? ;) Our Gandi was like that. Billy just the opposite of course :-[
Anyway, just so thrilled that Blip is all relaxed and ate well when she came home :) :) :)
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So glad to hear Blip is home and settled :hug:
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Glad she is home and settled, I find Molly takes Lactulose no problems, and she is very fussy with things added to her food.
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Hope her treatment all goes smoothly, i found this link for you
http://www.abva.co.uk/conditions2.asp?cid=2 (http://www.abva.co.uk/conditions2.asp?cid=2)
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Just caught up with this and pleased that Blip has been diagnosed and can be treated ;D
Hope she is still eating the meds and is feeling more comfortable :hug:
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Just wanted to say I hope Blip's feeling more like herself again, and that there's been plenty more of the cuddling. It's very good for getting better, that. ;) Sending a very gentle snuzzle for this beautiful lady. :hug:
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I'm so pleased that Blip has got a diagnosis and is getting the right treatment now. I hope she's still being a good girl and taking it :hug:
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Blip report: she was groggy and, understandably, perhaps a bit irritable for 24 hours or so but by yesterday morning she was alert and energetic again ;D. By the evening she was back to her normal self, except that the medication is obviously helping as she is moving very well :Luv: I also think the Lactulose may be helping already as her bottom has been completely clean - the good news is that she is happily taking this in her food ;D
Oh, and at no point has Blip been off her food - she really is a trencherpud :rofl:
Sue, there's always lots of Blip cuddling in our establishment :) Our cat sitter always remarks that Blip is obviously more used to cuddles than any of her other charges ;)
:thanks: everyone for caring about Blip :thanks:
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that's good news! glad she is has taken to the meds
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So glad that the meds are helping her already.... Im sure that she will be much happier now! :Luv: :hug:
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Excellent news Christine, I bet Blip is glad you were alert and on the ball and got her checked out when you did :)
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Excellent news Christine, I bet Blip is glad you were alert and on the ball and got her checked out when you did :)
I'm upset that I didn't ask for x-rays much sooner, Helen :'(
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Excellent news Christine, I bet Blip is glad you were alert and on the ball and got her checked out when you did :)
I'm upset that I didn't ask for x-rays much sooner, Helen :'(
C you know that guilt is a negative and very unnecessary feeling, I forbid you to feel upset.... Past is past etc... ;) :Luv: :hug: :hug:
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Excellent news Christine, I bet Blip is glad you were alert and on the ball and got her checked out when you did :)
I'm upset that I didn't ask for x-rays much sooner, Helen :'(
C you know that guilt is a negative and very unnecessary feeling, I forbid you to feel upset.... Past is past etc... ;) :Luv: :hug: :hug:
What a good way of putting it BM :) I think if there were any need for an X-ray then it should have been your vet suggesting it, not you so I stand by what I said :hug:
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Christine - silly butter! :hug: :hug:
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Glad she is feeling better :hug:
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Glad that Blip is doing well :)
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Pleased to hear the news :hug:
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I'll keep sending those vibes x
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I am glad that Blip is feeling better, and you have nothing to feel guilty about - she was seen regularly by the vet, and they were happy to think it was arthritic hips and nothign more - and the treatment she was on was what she needed regardless, so she wasn't left in pain cos the diagnosis was wrong, and that is the most important thing.