Purrs In Our Hearts - Cat Forum UK
Cat Health & Behaviour => Health & Behaviour General => Topic started by: scattycat on June 04, 2007, 21:17:39 PM
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I know I'll probably get flamed for what I'm about to type, but hindsight is a lovely thing.
Nearly 2 weeks ago I noticed a runny poop in the one of two litter trays we have. As we have 3 cats it took a few days to work out who it actually was doing the runny poo.
It was Suki, she's 10 years old and female. We thought that maybe it was her diet, so changed brands of food (went from Felix to Whiskas), and also Friday just gone we wormed her (the 3 monthly one) as she was due that then.
Last night she did a really runny poop, so got her in the vets tonight.
The vet has said that she's quite dehydrated, has lost 0.5kg since February (though she did say this was probably due to the dehydration), and that she was concerned at the look of her poop (as we took a sample in with us).
They did a urinary and blood tests down there and we waited for the results - I've never felt so nervous!
Her red blood cells appear to be fine (which was the thing we were dreading the worst), but the results show that something is causing the pancrious (sp!) to have a slightly abnormal result. The vet seems to think that this might be caused due to something (tumor) causing pressure on the pancreous (sp) and liver - we really hope that's not the case.
Anyway, she's in at the vets tonight on a drip and on a course of antibiotics. They're going to do a scan on Tuesday to have a look at the area causing concern, which means a sedation, and also whilst she's under will give her a good groom (as she's semi-long hair) and clip her claws.
Our estimated bill came to £720 - she is insured with Sainsburys and we know that if it were £700 then we'd have to pary around £100 for the excess (being 15% of the final bill) - HOWEVER the bit that is concerning us a bit, is the section of 'death by illness' which apparently we're covered up to £1,000, in that if the cat has to be put to sleep by a vet due to illness they will pay the purchase cost and the cost of the injection ...
HOWEVER ... it states in what they will not pay 'we will not pay any claim when your cat is aged over 8 at the time of your loss' ....
So, does that mean if our vet did all this treatment and they said it's best for her to go to RAinbrow bridge, would the insurance not pay a penny, or would they?
My minds a bit all over the place at the moment, and re-reading the paragraphs is just not making it any clearer.
Woudl appreciate your views.
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I'm sorry that Suki is ill, please don't think that anyone would criticise you, no one is in your shoes at this moment and no matter what the situation is, clearly you have done what you think is right and monitored the behaviour. Suki is long haired so I think that a .5kg weight loss may not be as noticeable in a long haired cat.
I hope that the insurance question never comes a reality however I am not familiar with this type of clause (I haven't read my insurance that closely to be honest) so probably not the best person to answer that bit. I hope it does come out that its treatable.
Thinking of you.
Ruth :hug:
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First of all, I do hope that Suki will be OK, she is in the best place and your vet sounds like he is doing everything possible. If you can go and visit her everyday, that always helps cats and take in a worn shirt so she has your smell to comfort her.
I was with sainsburys when Kocka went to the Bridge and unless they have changed the policy since last year, they will pay out for treatment no matter what age the cat is and the standard excess apllies.
Without seeing the wording of the policy and exactly where the bit is about them not paying, its hard to make a guess but I will...............I am assuming that this bit about not paying comes under the death due to illness, and if so this applies to the amount that they would have paid under this section only ie. the cost of the cat and the cost of the injection. So if the cat was over 8yrs old this part of the policy becomes invalide.
However this does not relate to death and treatment needed to try and save the cat, as this would fall under the normal part of the policy and thats what you have the policy for.
When Kocka died she had seen the emergency vet 2 nights before and also had treatment at the vets for 2 days and they paid out as normal and actually were very nice and helpful. They also cancelled the policy from the day she died as I paid monthly, I had expected that because I was claiming I would have to pay for the rest of the policy but they told me that this was the one instance that they would cancel the policy after paying out.
I hope all of that made sense and if the wording you are worried about appears anywhere else than where I have assumed, it would be a good idea to ring them and ask. However I am sure it will be fine.
I hope everything goes well with Suki and if there is anything found it is non-malignant.
I am thinking of you and Suki and wishing lots of luck :hug: :hug: :hug:
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Hi Gill,
Many thanks for your reply (yours too Ruth), but you've hit the nail on the head, and yes you're right with the part of the insurance I was concerned with 'Death by Illness'.
Sometimes no matter how many times you read these policys it can appear they contradict each sentance, and when you're worried about your pet it's the last thing you need!
But anyway, by the sounds of it Suki can have all the treatment she needs, and IF the worst thing happens with the vet having to put her to sleep after all of this treatment, then all we would have to pay for (as well as the excess) is the injection (though knowing what our vet is like they'd probably not charge for it) and the rest can be claimed back.
It's a bit of an awful situation when you have to think about 'how much will it cost', but we've always said that quality of life far outweighs treatment costs (unless it got to thousands and thousands!).
My husband and I both hope to hear good news, and that she can come home on Tuesday ... will keep you posted.
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If the worst happened you should be able to claim for the injection too, it was included in my claim.
Butttttttttttt Suki is gonna be OK, :hug: :hug:
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Heres a picture of 'my little girl' as I refer to her, Suki.
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Oh scattycat sorry to hear your little princess is unwell. Im sending positive thoughts and love from me and my 9 fur babies
Head kisses to Suki from all of them and a hug for you too :hug:
xx
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Poor Little Suki, please dont blame yourself for what has happened as Ruth has said 0.5kg is hard to notice in a long hair cat and you did what you thought was right and waited after all some of these things can mean a simple tummy upset nothing more or less ..
Fingers crossed that the gorgeous girl is given the all clear ..Veterinary medicine is so advnace nowadays I am sure that they will be able to do what they can for her.
Prayers and thoughts are with you and Suki xxx
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she is gorgeous ;D
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Fingers crossed for her, I do hope it isn't that bad. You are not a bad mum, it is hard to tell when they have lost weight at times, and harder to tell which cat is having probs when you have more than one of them. With the insurance, that clause is if you had a young cat and lost them through to illness, you would get an 'extra' benefit - they stop this at 8 purely because you are more likely to lose an older cat through illness (although I know this isn't always the case), it doesn't mean you wont be covered for the illness, or the injection, that is an entirely different section. With Pebbles, they paid for the treatment, and the final injection - if I had wanted her cremated, that would have been covered too.
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I'm sorry to hear Suki's unwell - keeping everything crossed for her. As the others have said the wording on the insurance document just means that they won't pay cost of pts or cremation for a cat over 8 years old - they will pay for othe medical costs.
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Keeping everything crossed and sending loads of positive vibes to you and Suki ..... come on you gorgeous little one, get well soon :)
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thinking of you and little Suki today and hoping for the best. There's so much they can do now and 1/2 kg can be put on again quite quickly. Hope she feels much better after her drip and that they work out a good treatment for her. Easier said than done, but try not to worry about the worst case scenario. We're all pulling for you.
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Good luck Scattycat and Suki
I've got everything crossed too. :Luv:
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Have just had a call from my husband, he's heard from the vets and its kinda good news.
The vet's have had a lot of emergencies in today, so cannot do the scan (they could do the x-rays, though it'd mean sedating her twice, which is a. costly for us/insurance claim and b. risky for a 10 year old), so what they're going to do is do the x-rays and scan on Friday now.
The lab results should be back on Thursday, so at least on the Friday they'll at least have a better idea at what they need to look out for depending on the lab results.
Anyway, due to this she's now on 'home relief' and my husband's going to pick her up in 30 minutes time (she'll be taken off the drip in 20 minutes), so she can at least relax and be at home in a place she knows. We've got to take her back to the vets tomora night for an antibiotic injection to keep her meds on the go, plus she's on a tablet medication which they put on her breakfast - which she initially turned her nose up at, but when she realised there was no other food on offer she scoffed the lot.
Also other good news is that since she was admitted last night there has been no sickness or diaorreah, and that she's done one heck of a pee apparently this morning (probably due to being on the drip - my husband said when he was in hospital on a drip he wanted to pee for England!).
So, good news really. The vet said if she was very lethargic and not eating, then she would do the scan/x-rays today, but as shes the opposite it's best to do everything on Friday. She's still got some fight left in her (as apparently they tried to examine her this morning and she went off on one ... she's a cutie :evillaugh:)
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Aw Suki's a babe......Get better soon x
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She's home ... first place she goes to ... the food the boys didnt eat this morning for their breakfast, so clearly the vets dont give large portions (not that we do either mind! :) )
Below's a piccie of her bandaged leg ... she looks even cuter now! The bandage can come off tonight we've been told, but they could have given her a pink one for a girlie ;D
Thanks so much for all your support, just two more appointments for her, tomora night and Friday.
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aww scatty what beautiful markings she has and her cutie little bandage
Lets hope they get to the bottom of her problems bless her, and I agree she is better off at home with her bootiful Mummy and Daddy
xx
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Ha! That cute little kitty bandage is going to come off fast :)
so glad she's home. Hope you have good news soon.
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Aww, bless her. Good luck for Fri.
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Hope she enjoyed being back at home last night, and good luck for the next vet visit ;D
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The beautiful one is home......I am so pleased and hope the next vet trip goes well :hug: :hug:
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Suki's certainly loving being back home - she's not been off of her fleece on the sofa much ;D
We had to take her to the vets last night for her antibiotic injection which would last through till Friday, bless her she didnt want to come out of her basket, so we took the lid off of it, and she had it done there. She was very well behaved (bless, the nurse was a bit aprehensive after what she had been like whilst with them, yowling!), but no yowling or hissing, she was praised a lot for that.
Even better news is that our vets are doing a direct claim for us from Sainsburys, so all we will have to pay is the excess (which if she has everything done is just over £100, rather than £700!).
The only thing that is a bit of a downer, is that the vet wanted her to be on the Hills I/D pouches - but she just does not like them at all. We've tried feeding her it, and leaving her in the kitchen for a little bit in the hope that she'll eat it eventually, but she just leaves it and then goes looking for food (where the boys eat their food in the living room).
I know you have to do really do what the vet wants, but we dont want her to lose even more weight (as we've been in the same situation when Sully went on prescription food, he ate it for a bit, but then went off it, and lost a lot of weight), and due to her issues at the moment, we dont feel that even more weight loss would do her any good - so we've put her back on the Senior pouches (which she loves). Having to put the antibiotic tablet (1/4 twice a day) in that food and she eats it - we dont want her to not eat her food and therefore not have her antibiotic either.
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Glad the little one is home. The vet probably wants her to eat and if she's not bringing it up, that has to be good?? If he's really keen on i/d for her, try the 156g can as it's moister and according to my felines much nicer than the 85g can (which is now drier for some reason known only to Hills >:( ) or the pouches which don't go down at all round here either. The bigger cans are very palatable and don't return on the carpet too much. Plus think it puts on weight! Good luck.
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When Kocka was ill and could not be medicated my vet said that its better they have a quality life and if it were my cat I would let her eat what she wants. I did and thinlk she would have died of starvation otherwise.
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You have tried the prescription food, but the majority of cats dont like it, and I think vets accept that. it is much better that she eats soemthing and keeps it down, even if it isn't what they would like her to eat.
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My husband took her into the vets early this morning for her day of stuff to be done.
He mentioned that she just does not like the pouches of I/D and suggested the larger tins - though the vets said that the pouches were more palatable :Crazy: but I think if they've got the larger tins they're going to let us try her on that.
My husband told her that she's still got her marbles, as whenever we have a KFC as a treat, Suki will not eat her food, till we've sat and eaten ours ... just incase we've got something better! ;D
I totally agree that she needs to eat what she likes, quality of life, rather than be unhappy and go scavenging (as she would).
But anyway, our lil girls in today, and being picked up at 4.45pm - just hope she's not too scared today (as it's raining and thundering here in Norwich) - even rang my mum up to ask her if she'd nip over to ours to let one of our cats in (as he'd gone out this morning) as he hates thunder - and he's in now.
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Suki's vet visit was today. Well it's partly good news, but some badish too.
My husband had a call from them this morning saying that even whilst sedated she was still putting up a fight, so had to ask permission to put her on a general anaesthetic, which we agreed to.
The vets rang up later this afternoon, saying that she'd come round, but was a very unhappy cat. When my husband picked her up from the vets, she even took a swipe at him (which is the first time ever!).
The blood and faeces lab results have come back normal - nothing abnormal.
The scan showed that part of her intestine has a slight thickening on it, which our vet said that she thought this would be partly what was causing the diarrhoea.
But the thing that is causing more concern is her spleen. According the vet that did the scan it doesnt look 'right', looks 'odd'.
We've been told that it's totally our decision, but the vet has suggested surgery to open her up and have a look at her spleen. If it looks very bad, they'd take it out, if it looks ok'ish they'd take a biopsy and get it analysed to see if that's causing her problems. My husband asked what the cost of the surgery would cost ... around £1000 (would be around £700 if they saw the spleen was in a bad way and simply removed it, no proper analysis as such) .... so the bill would be around £1700 ... and as the vet is doing a direct claim (thank god!) our excess currently would be around £255 if we were to have the surgery done.
I have to say my first/gut reaction when my husband told me was 'I dont think she should have surgery' - and I dont know whether to keep to my first instintive reaction or not. She's what we think is a 10 year old cat, theres a good chance that she is actually older, and I'm rather concerned about how she would deal with surgery at her time of life.
They're keeping her on antibiotic injections for the time being as it's the best way to get them in her, and we've got to take her back on Sunday for another when we can have a chat with the vet.
Has anyone out there been in our situation with their cats having surgery on the spleen, and even had it removed, how they recovered, and especially if they were old at the time of the surgery.
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poor Suki, bless her!! It is a very tricky situation to be in, and at least you have a day to think about this. 10 really isn't that old for a cat, so it really depends how she is in herself, and also what your alternative is if you dont go ahead with the op. I haven't heard much about cats having ops on spleens, but I had a leg amputation done on an 11yo last year with no real issues afterwards, and there was an older cat than her with the same op, think he was 19. One thing in her favour is that the bloods show nothing wrong with her kidney or liver, so in that respect she is fine. Another thing you will need to ask is what would happen if she has her spleen removed, I am sure in humans they then have to be put on meds. Good luck, and feel free to pm me.
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Des is right, 10yrs is not very old for surgery now. There are some very safe anesthetics and probably she should be put on a drip each time but Lynn would be able to tell you that.
However I would want to know, you may already kinow this, if the spleen was removed, what effect would that have on Sukis life for the future......would she need constant medication and what would happen if you couldnt medicate her. Can a cat live without a spleen and how long for. What are consequences of not having spleen removed. Sorry just seen Desley has said some of this .
Has the vert said why he thinks the spleen looks odd and what he thinks maybe the cause of this oddness?
Basically I would want to know as much info as possible before any surgery.
Loads of luck to Suki :hug: :hug:
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When Kocka was ill and could not be medicated my vet said that its better they have a quality life and if it were my cat I would let her eat what she wants. I
I too go along with that train of thought.
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if she has her spleen removed, I am sure in humans they then have to be put on meds.
A friend of mine had her spleen removed and did not need to take medication after.
As you know Badger had his spleen removed due to a burst tomour, sadly in his case it was malignant, had it not been malignant then he could have led a full life without the need for medication.
I have also known cats to have their spleen removed and as far as I know they too have not needed further medication. However very often the reason for its removal has been the same as Badgers.
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Suki's had her Sunday visit to the vet today, she was a good girl and had her injections without yowling - was only when the vet gave her a quick feel she started (and the vet stopped).
Quick update on the I/D food - my husband when he picked her up on Friday mentioned that the pouches werent going down well at all, so we got the 156g tins - which she loves! :wow: even the vet was surprised when we said this today, but she said that it's good as it's a good food for her to be eating at this time.
The vet asked how her stools were and I mentioned that when we had picked her up from the vets, either that night or the next morning she would do a poop, and it would appear normal. However, the following day (after not having to visit the vet) her poops were more loose. This has happened both days after she's been at the vets, and the vet suggested that maybe it could have something to do with stress which is helping her do normal poops - so she has givne her a steriod injection today, and has asked that I keep an eye on and see if this injection has any affect as if it does it could be good news, as it might not necessarily be a spleen issue.
Concerning the spleen, the vet told us that if it was something like a tumour on the spleen it is usually when it's too late (i.e. you cant stop a tumour that's already there), and that it would usually come out. She did tell us (like some of you also have) that if it was removed that she wouldnt have to be on medication due to it comiing out.
However, as Suki appears to be happy (i.e. she's not very lethargic, not eating etc) it doesnt sound like it's a worst case scenario just yet, the vet is happy for us not have the surgery just yet. She's very happy for us to leave it for a little bit, a few weeks/month or so, and after that time have another blood test, and possibly another scan to look at the spleen, to see if things are any better ... or of course they could be worse. Then if it is worse we will probably put her through the surgery - but again we'll decide that if the time comes.
At least our little cat is happy, especially on her fleeces around the house.
So, next vet visit Tuesday night, then Thursday and hopefully that'll then be it for a few weeks.
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Oh, forgot to mention when we were talking about the stress issue and steriods, the vet mentioned that there is a brand new test which could be done ... but the poop would have to be sent off to America ... she said it was expensive, we never asked how much but I'd think it'd cost hundreds at least! ;D
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Interesting that they dont need meds, I must be mistaken at reading that in humans. Fingers crossed the steroids work and that it isnt' something too serious.
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Interesting that they dont need meds, I must be mistaken at reading that in humans.
Who knows you may have read that, a;l I can comment on is the person I knew who had her spleen out and then was not on medication.
What is also interesting is that years later she had reflexology and one of the first things she was told was oh! you have had your spleen removed. As it was not an everyday occurrence Pam was amazed that the reflexologist could tall by touching her feet.
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Heres a piccie of her belly ... bless her heart ... good job the summer is coming!
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I hope every thing foes well for Suki :hug:
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Well hopefully that was her last vet visit ... well for 2 weeks anyway!
She's had an antibiotic injection and also a steriod injection which will last for 2 weeks - the vet seemed very pleased that since she has been having them that she has perked up in herself.
We've also got some Royal Canin Sensitivity food to try her on (as we think she's getting a bit bored of being on i/d all the while) and the vet said that her stools with the royal canin food should look more normal (as the i/d has virtually no fibre in it, this RC stuff does, so something to look forward to my next visit of the litter tray! ;D )
The other thing the vet is going to try is something to sprinkle over her food which is someting to do with enzymes and the pancreas (as she said she'll try anything she can to try avoid having to do surgery - which was lovely to hear)
So, next vet visit is 2 weeks time for Suki, hopefully we'll have some good news to report to the vet then ;D
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Am glad she is still doing well.
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Great news we hope! ;D
Over the last few days we have noticed an improved Suki - both in how she is and her stools!
She's much more happy (can just tell), and is certainly back to how she was (like sitting right next door to you whilst you're eating your tea on the sofa - eyeing your food up!), and her stools have gone from literally liquidy and very light in colour to normal looking stools (with a good form and a mid/dark brown in colour).
Got to ring the vet up this morning to giver her an update, and I know she'll be pleased. We're going to try the enzymes powder to sprinkle on her food - as the vet seems to think it could be either the pancreas or whether her metabolism has just slowed up very quickly but with the steriods it has kick started it again and is helping ... will give further update when we take her back to the vet next Thursday.
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Aww, am glad to hear things are going well.
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Quick update ...
Spoken to the vet and she had asked the lab to do another test on the original stool we had taken in, thankfully they still had it, to see how much fat was in it, as that would give a good indication of whether the pancreas was an issue or not. She has said that the test results have come back normal, so she is virtually ruling out pancreatic issues for Suki - which then just leaves her metabollsm and the steriod injection.
We're taking her next Thursday to see the vet, but we've got to keep a close eye on her a few days prior, as that is when the injection will start to wear off, and we need to keep an eye out to see if she goes back to being more quiet and her stools returning to runny liquid not nice as they are now - fingers crossed!
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It's very odd that tests for pancreatitis etc have to be sent to America. I got told that too for bloods. Is there really no lab in the UK?! Or even the EU?!
Really hope Suki will feel better and won't need any more intrusive treatment or investigations. Now that you're on the i/d and R/C pouches too - with the i/d cans, have yours got little blue dots in them too (most visible in the bit next to the can's edge) as all mine do, unless I'm seeing blue dots these days! Vet says he thinks nothing to worry about. It really does seem to help the tums.
Not sure if phosphorus is a problem for poor wee Suki, but RC told me that if phosphorus is an issue, their duck sensitivity nosh has quite a bit less of it than their chicken one.
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have yours got little blue dots in them too (most visible in the bit next to the can's edge) as all mine do, unless I'm seeing blue dots these days! Vet says he thinks nothing to worry about. It really does seem to help the tums.
I cant say I've noticed - I have seen that it is sometimes a bit discoloured on the bottom of the tin (could be a blueish ting come to tihink of it) - but not seeing dots yet ;D
We're trying to vary her diet (i/d one day, RC the other) as we had a problem with one of our other cats when they were on prescription and he simply got bored of it and refused to eat it anymore (cant say I blame him, I mean imagine eating Steak and chips for the rest of your life - be nice to start with but I know I'd get bored).
I too hope Suki will be better soon - I'm just really glad that we didnt say to the vet 'yes go ahead and book her in for the surgery to look at her spleen' - as if it appears that has nothing to do with it, I'd really be feeling guilty putting her through an op for nothing.
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So glad for you that things are going well :Luv:
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Your advice ...
It's nearly been 2 weeks since Suki had her 2 week steriod injection (as the vet thinks this may help her not have loose stools somehow), and she's got her appointment on Thursday.
The vet said to keep an eye on her on the days leading up to the appointment, as that would be when the steriod injection woudl start to wear off and to see how she was in herself and her stools.
Well, I dont know whether it's good or bad news - as last night she did a softer poo, and this morning when I checked the litter tray there was one which was very soft (only a little form to it) - so my question is :
Is it good news that as the steriod injection is starting to wear off and that her poos are going softer - does that mean that we've found that steriods help?
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sounds like the vet may have been right if her diet is exactly the same??
my vet says i/d is very low in fibre btw but has a special type of fibre in it which makes them still poo although settles their tums. Are you still sticking to that? (oh he thinks the blue dots may be copper or minerals added to the food).
Hope she doesn't start runny tummy again as it's not too good to be too long on steroids, poor Suki. Do you feed her i/d little and often, if possible? that can help, rather than say 2 or 3x a day with a bigger meal.
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We've been feeding her the i/d and also the RC sensitivity food - like you say the i/d's not got much fibre so they'd be softer anyway - though we do have to be careful as with having 3 cats, she's starting to 'wait patiently' next door to another cat and jump in and finish what they eat once they've finished - so she's probably been having a third i/d, third RC and third normal cat food.
We tend to give them little meals when the weathers warm, so they eat all of it and so the flys dont get to it.
Does anyone know if steriods appear to fix her, what the next step would be for her - would it be steriod injections for the rest of her life, or something we put on her food as a medication?
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We've been feeding her the i/d and also the RC sensitivity food -
Does anyone know if steriods appear to fix her, what the next step would be for her - would it be steriod injections for the rest of her life, or something we put on her food as a medication?
What were the enzyme powders you were giving her? are you still using them and did they help do you think?
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Does anyone know if steriods appear to fix her, what the next step would be for her - would it be steriod injections for the rest of her life, or something we put on her food as a medication?
Mycat Clapton virtually stopped eating - he had a steroid injection which the vet said would kick-start his appetite and would last about a month. Touch wood, his appetite is back to normal (6 - 7 pouches a day) despite having CRF.
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What were the enzyme powders you were giving her? are you still using them and did they help do you think?
The vet didnt give that to us in the end. She said that as we'd seen an improvement in herself and her stools, that she didnt think that it was an enzyme/pancreas issue.
However, we may get asked to give her that on Thursday night when she has her vet appointment - as she might try it then.
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Mycat Clapton virtually stopped eating - he had a steroid injection which the vet said would kick-start his appetite and would last about a month. Touch wood, his appetite is back to normal (6 - 7 pouches a day) despite having CRF.
What's CRF?
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Chronic Renal (kidney) Failure :(
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How is she getting on Scattycat :Luv:
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Well she had her vet visit last night - it didnt start off very well as an emergency had been brought in earlier and the vet was running late (which isnt their fault), then there were 2 large dogs in the waiting room which were fine, until another dog came in and 'bark bark bark' - thankfully the owner of the one dog took it out and waited outside - so poor Suki had spent around an hour in the cat carrier and having dogs barking, so she wasnt in a particulary good mood to begin with.
Anyway, we got in the room, and she was hissing and yowling straight away, so we knew it'd be a difficult examine to do. I think Suki got to breaking point and just didnt want to be examined anymore (especially when she examined her back) and she struck out with her paw and my husband got a long scratch on the top of his hand - thankfully the vet decided that was all the examining she needed!
We told the vet that her stools were returning to the softer type, and what she's done is give her another injection (which will last at least 4 weeks hopefully) and we need to take her back for another injection when we notice that the stools go from perfect to softer and squishy. Then the vet wants to do this for a couple of months at least and then leave it for a month - to see if the injections hopefully kick start something off in her to help her stools go to how they should be.
However, it does look like she will have to be on a monthly/6 week injection for the rest of her life it appears - unless something starts working inside her. It's a pity if that is the case, and we can budget to pay for an injection (and then make a claim at the end of a year.
The other thing that has caused concern is that she has lost more weight. When we first took her in she was 3.6kg, then when we took her back the 2nd time she'd dropped to 3.2kg and last night she was weighed and was 2.9kg.
The vet is concerned about her weight loss, though as Suki is very happy in herself (she's by no means being very quiet and wanting to be on her own all the while, quite the opposite to be honest), the vet wants us to feed her normal food now, with some i/d / RC mixed in every few days, see how she goes after a week, and then try to put her on some convelesence food to get the weight on her.
So, it wasnt the best of vet visits but hopefully we can give her however long she has left a happy life. We have said that quality of life is most important to us - had the vet said she had to have an injection every week then we'd have to start seriously thinking about something, as we have been in that position with another cat of ours and he hates going the vet now, and I cant blame him after having to go every night for 10 days.
Will keep you updated. Becky
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all the best Becky. What a nightmare visit - if she does have to go in for regular injections, maybe they can fit her in at a quieter time? Or is there somewhere you could take her (through the back?) where there aren't any dogs. I think you're so right to go for quality of life and feed her what she likes. i/d is quite a good nosh for building them up but there are others which are more fattening (like a/d I think for convalescing cats). The Renal foods I've found to be less calorific. If you feed her 'junk' food though, you *may* find that she has more runny tums??
You mention insurance claim at the end of the year (did I read that right?). I think with most cos you'd have to let them know now so it's a claim now with subsequent continuing claims.
My friend's cat was on cortisone for a long time, which helped her live an extra year. The vets didn't recommend it, but it helped her to feel better. That's what it's all about.
purrs to Suki.
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all the best Becky. What a nightmare visit - if she does have to go in for regular injections, maybe they can fit her in at a quieter time? Or is there somewhere you could take her (through the back?) where there aren't any dogs.
Unfortunately theres not anywhere else that you can wait seperately - but think if it is a case that she's simply going in for an injection, I 'think' that the qualified nurses can do that, doesnt have to be a vet, so we may be able to get her in either first thing or last appointment. My husband's going for job interviews as he's desperately trying to get another job (one where he actually feels appreciated for a change!), so that may impact on when we take her anyway - might end up being a Saturday appointment.
I think you're so right to go for quality of life and feed her what she likes. i/d is quite a good nosh for building them up but there are others which are more fattening (like a/d I think for convalescing cats). The Renal foods I've found to be less calorific. If you feed her 'junk' food though, you *may* find that she has more runny tums??.
I think the a/d was one of the foods the vet recommended, but she wanted us to not do that quite yet, as I think she wanted to make sure that the injection has the same affect as it did previous, then we'll put her on that food. And yes, I agree we're going to not feed her junk as that would cause her more issues than resolve them. Her favourite meat is turkey, so when I go shopping tonight will buy a nice piece and cook it for her - she loves turkey! :wow:
You mention insurance claim at the end of the year (did I read that right?). I think with most cos you'd have to let them know now so it's a claim now with subsequent continuing claims.My friend's cat was on cortisone for a long time, which helped her live an extra year. The vets didn't recommend it, but it helped her to feel better. That's what it's all about.purrs to Suki.
That's a very good point, and thanks for bringing it up. I think after the next injection and then the break, I think it'd be then the point whereby we would know for definete that she'd be on injections, so we'll ask the vet how we do monthly/6 week injections and still claim for them. I know that the vet has made an initial claim, and did mention that the next claim would be a continuational claim (though it's not going in just yet anyway).
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Good news - Suki's done a normal poop so it looks like the injections do help for sure.
I went shopping last night and bought Suki some turkey which we'll cook for her tea tonight as we've got to bulk her up - she loves turkey :wow:
I'll never forget one Christmas we gave them some turkey each - the boys didnt really eat much of theirs but Suki ate hers, then Sullys, then Jaspers!
She then slept for ages with a very big belly ... but the grin on her face is one I'll never forget ;D
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gobble gobble :) (sorry!) good news. i/d's made from bits of turkey so no wonder she likes that one too.
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We're a bit concerned about her now.
Yesterday she got into a bag of food which I chucked out (as it was virtually at its best before date) - and I found a pile of beef which she'd clearly had a nibble on.
From lunchtime today we noticed she was rather quiet and was sleeping a lot, then whilst we were downstairs with her she got up and was sick.
We really dont know what to do as we could call the emergecny vet as it could be something going on with her current situation - or it could just be that whatever she ate from the bag of food hasnt agreed with her and she's been sick coz of that.
She certainly wasnt herself before she was sick, and even now she is wandering around the house, though she doesnt 'look' right - kind of has a glazed look to her if that makes sense.
What would you guys do - we dont want to make any rash decisions, but we dont want her to be suffering :(
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Well we called the emergency vet to be on the safe side.
Unfortunately the vets on call is not our one, but up the road, so they dont have access to Suki's records etc so they're a bit limited as to what they can do anyway.
But we explained that it looks like she might be deteriorating and that we were concerned.
We've been told to keep her indoors, keep her wam, and for her tea give her a teaspoon of cooked tukey, if she keeps that down to give her some more an hour or so later.
The vet on call said that it doesnt sound very serious at this stage as she's clearly not in pain nor is she being violently sick - if she is violently sick then we can get her in to have an injection to stop the sickness, but she said to keep a close eye on her, and if things get worse to call back.
We do have an appointment on Monday for another of our cats for his annual booster, and she recommended that if Suki's still not herself to swop cats and take Suki in instead.
Poor little girl - I know its not nice being sick :(
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Aww, fingers crossed it was just the richer food not agreeing with her, and that she is fine.
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If anyone's out there I'd really appreciate your help ...
Eversince we've got Suki back from the vets shes been under the bed.
We put some turkey (her favourite) in a dish under the bed with her, but she only had a couple of bits. We've just put some seniior food under the bed and she's not touched it - but she's drinking an awful lot, almost excessivly.
We have eventually got her out from under the bed and we've put her very first bed in the bathroom, which she's curled up in. We've put a litter tray, some food and water in the bathroom with her, so that she doenst have to go downstairs.
We dont know whether or not it's coz she's just shutting down or whether or not she's actually constipated at this minute in time - as we've read that the steriod injection she's had causing cats to be put off their food, very lethargic and sometimes sick.
When we got her from under the bed she had actually done some small hard poos under the bed - which is why we think she might be constipated. The vet earlier said that her intestines felt quite full.
We just dont know what to do - if she is shutting down we would prefer it if she went peacefully at home - but on the other hand we dont want her to suffer :(
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Its hard for a none vet to advise but you know Suki the best and if you feel she is not in pain and does not seem distressed I would just let her sleep and eat if she wants and leave her plenty of water.
Its very hard to know what is best but you can only go by your best instincts and watch over her :hug: :hug: :hug:
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Hi Gill,
Thanks for your kind words.
Have just spoken to the vet on the phone and she's not sure that it is constipation, but has recommended that when a pet shop is open to giver her a liquid parafin based de-hairball remedy - as she said that wouldnt casue her any other issues (which olive oil or lactelous would - as in upset stomach and if she has developed diabeties).
The vet did say that if she's like this for 48 hours in total then the kind thing to do woudl be to say goodbye to her as it would like look shes not going to get better - but we'll have to cross that bridge when we come to it.
Anyway, she's still curled up in her comfy bed, hopefully a good nights sleep will help her - now my husband and I have got to try to wind down and get to bed to sleep - I dont think I've ever cried so much in an evening (first time I've seen my husband cry like that too).
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I do hope that a good nights sleep will help her and that maybe tomorrow she will be a bit better.
My thoughts are with you all tonight, give her a gentle stroke from me when you can :hug: :hug:
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It looks like we've got to make that decision now.
She had a good sleep, and had a pee in the make shift litter tray we'd put in the bathroom for her, but she's just not eating anything - she hasnt eaten a proper meal since Friday breakfast time.
We were awake at 6 this morning and opened a tin of the tescos finest chicken - she had some licks of the sauce, but then got off the bed and is now currently underneth it again. :(
We feel that now is probably the time for her to go whilst she's got some dignity about her, it's the hardest decision my husband and I have had to do ever, we dont want to see her suffering (as she's just not the same cat she was only last week), as she's more unsteady when she's walking about now, and the last thing we'd want to find out is if she got out that she couldnt get out of the way of a path of a car for example, as we'd be ridden with guilt so much.
So I think it's time for Suki to go to Rainbow Bridge and be with the other cats but be doing the things she loved the most whilst she was better ... eating lots of food (moving from one dish to another), sitting in her outside house having a snooze whilst keeping an eye out on the garden, sleeping on her faviourite bit of fleece, and having cuddles with her mummy and daddy up there.
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Sorry to hear Suki is poorly :'( It's such a difficult time when we, as their carers, have to make a decision that is agony for us but ultimately the best thing for our little ones. I truly hope that this is not Suki's time but you know her best and hopefully you will know inside whether it is time to let her go.
I just wanted to mention something about the steroids she had - do you know if it was an anabolic-steroid or a cortico-steroid? When Tiggy had was poorly (started off as chronic diaorrhea) she was given an anabolic steroid which did nothing to help her really, we tried other things and then the vet gave her an injectable corticosteroid. Looking back now at her symptoms the corticosteroid should not really have helped her but the change in her was amazing and her appetite went through the roof. Just thought it was worth mentioning :hug:
Whatever decision you come to we are all here for you and your OH :hug: :hug:
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Little Suki is at Rainbow Bridge now - have got another thread going on this subject.
Sweet dreams my little lady :RIP:
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So sorry :hug:
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Oh no, so sorry :'( :hug:
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So sorry R I P Suki :'(