Purrs In Our Hearts - Cat Forum UK
Cat Health & Behaviour => Health & Behaviour General => Topic started by: cheekee_munkee on August 03, 2007, 17:56:53 PM
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My 17 yr old Black Mogggy Tiffy is unwell.
He has chronic renal failure and has a degree of hypertension which is managed by a beta blocker (amlodipine).
In the last few days he looked worse and he has been off his food. Found a swelling in the lower part of his mouth. Was seen by my vet and was found to be ulcers due to uraemic changes with the renal disease. He has had appetite stimulants, B12 injection and started a course of Synulox (antibiotics)
Had blood tests done and waiting for results to see how bad renal function really is.
I have discussed things with my vet and decided to syringe feed him for a few days while waiting for the blood test results.
I am using his special renal food and making it into a puree for syringe feeding. I am adding IPAKITINE as a phosphate binder to try and reduce his uraemia to help him feel better.
My question is: does anyone have any suggestions for things I can possibly cook myself that I can puree that may be better for tiffy.
I am so worried about him. He has been a special friend for nearly 18 years of my life and I want to do the best for him.
I know this may be all in vein. Part of my heart and my intuition as a senior staff nurse tells me things I don't want to hear but I need to try my best for him. Looking at him right now he is lying in his bed (with electric blanket) and seems a little better than last night although I don't think he has eaten (but I have given him a good diet via syringe today).
Any suggestions would be appreciated. As you all know. Our love for our cats can sometimes cloud our judgement.
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Sorry have only scanned your post (i am wrestling with my delightful daughter :tired: )
has tiffy been on fortekor at all ? also anabolic steroid inj can be useful in these cases. perhaps also some fluids would help perk him up.
As for cooking a meal, i cant think of anything that is nice puree'd but what about chicken & gravy ? (obviously lo salt gravy)
fingers crossed something can be done to make him happier :hug:
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Fortekor is an ACE inhibitor which lowers blood pressure. My vet chose to use amlodipine instead for the same reason.
I did ask her about it at the time but she felt Amlodipine was better.
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I'll ask Elaine to look at your post......she is as close to an expert on CRF as you can get ;)
fingers crossed for him, xxxxxxxxxxx
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So very sorry to hear about Tiffy xxx
Sense of smell can be reduced due to a build up of uraemic toxins, some times it helps to heat food a little to encourage them to eat. There are actually quite a lot of things you may be able to try to encourage Tiffy to eat.
Have you looked at the CRF site? http://www.felinecrf.org/index.htm
Its a very large site but packed full of very usefull info, for the time being though, pick out the bits that are more important to you and Tiffy at this point in time.
You may also want to try some slippery elm bark along with her food, either and hour or so before or after medications. This would help with any mouth ulcers as well as nausea.
Try raising her bowls too so that she doesnt have to lower her head too much whilst eating or drinking, this too may help with any tummy acid problems.
You may also want to add B vitamins to her food and water. B vitamins are water soluble, therefore any excess will be flushed out of her system via urination.
All these things and more are what i used to do for my old boy. He was diagnosed at the age of 18 and a half and went on till he was 21. There were times I thought he was nearing the end but would then bounce back just as quick so please try not to despair too much just yet.
The important thing for Tiffy right now is to get her eating again. Would she be tempted by some smelly fish such as sardines? I know its not on the vets menu for CRF but it may get her eating again.
It may also be worth looking into getting some Iron and B vitamins, I used to buy this in the form of Pet tinic and found it invaluable. It does have to be ordered from the USA but if you would like I could ask around and see if I can get some for you sooner. Infact I think DD has a bottle which she may be able to send you.
I hope some of that helps a little, if I can think of anything else I'll get back to you. There are also others here that have alot of experience of CRF that may be able to help too.
I wish you and Tiffy all the very best and send you both lots of love and well wishes. xxx
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Infact I think DD has a bottle which she may be able to send you.
I'll sort it out and stick it in the post for you if you send me your address, xx
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"It may also be worth looking into getting some Iron and B vitamins, I used to buy this in the form of Pet tinic and found it invaluable. It does have to be ordered from the USA but if you would like I could ask around and see if I can get some for you sooner. Infact I think DD has a bottle which she may be able to send you."
Yes please.....If anyone has this and can send me ASAP I would be so greatful. I can either pay or maybe I can do a cat portrait in return. Please can you find out.
Thanks
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No payment, Elaine kindly sent it to me....it will be payment enough if Tiggy improves, xxxxx
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Sorry I can't offer any more advice other than my cat Clapton is a new cat now he takes Fortekor every day. He had a bad turn and the vet gave him a steroid injection to kick-start his appetite. He won't eat prescription food and just eats Tesco own-brand in jelly (the only one he will eat). He has gained weight and generally seems very well. He is only 8 and had "Moderate CRF" so I guess Tiffy's numbers are no as good.
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Lots of good wishes for Tiffy to improve :hug: :hug:
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"Good luck" Tiffy.....hope you get better soon :hug: :Luv:
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Get well soon Tiffy you sweet boy. I know how much your dad loves you. xxxx
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I'll try and get it in the post before work in the morning, you should get it by Monday then, xx
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Tiffy I love you mate.
Whatever happens I wont let you suffer x
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Sorry I don't know anything about CRF but this website appears to have lots and lots of advice that may be of help to you: http://www.felinecrf.org/treatments.HTM
Bigs :hug: to your and Tiffy.
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Sorry to hear Tiffy is poorly :hug:
I just wanted to second or third the website www.felinecrf.org It really is a fantastic resource, I learnt so much from it and am convinced that Tiggy had many extra months due to me educating myself about CRF and treatments available - mainly from that website. Another really good resource is the feline CRF yahoo group. The majority of members are in the US but there are some extremely knowledgable people on there, it's a very active group so lots of good recent advice. http://pets.groups.yahoo.com/group/Feline-CRF-Support/?yguid=220545606
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I dont know if its any good in regards to the CRF but a/d is really palatable and very easy to syringe feed, you can buy it from your vet.
Gentle tickles to Tiffy and :hug: for you
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I dont know if its any good either but thats what Kocka lived on for the last 3 yrs of her life. I had to feed it to her from my finger cos its the only way she would eat it.
Good or bad it was the only way of getting some decent food into her.
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Thanks everyone.
Got through another day. Overnight I feared the worst at more than one point. I had resigned myself to phoning my vet to make the necessary arrangements when Tiffy came to me and started opening and closing his eyes slowly and managed a little purr.
Syringe feeding continues. Have brought home loads of supplies for me to clean his mouth and try and make it feel better for him and keep the ulceration clean and hopefully help it clear up.
Got home from work tonight to find him looking up at me with a look I haven't seen I'm him for a few days. As you can imagine my heart sang.
Have ordered that bark and has spent a lot of time on that feline CRF site. I know Tiffy has passed urine now so phew...sadly though it was in his bed lol.
Still got to take it day by day, maybe hour by hour.
Thanks for all you're support so far.
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sounds like Tiffy is in very good hands and getting all the attention and care he deserves. Fingers crossed he will perk up again soon :hug:
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I have only just caught up with this and am also sorry to hear that Tiffy is unwell. But you are obviously doing the very best for him.
:hug: to him, please keep us posted.
xC
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:hug: Just caught up with this been on holiday last week, hope Tiffy is feeling better, keep up the good work
big hugs :hug:
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Fingers crossed that you can pull him through this, and his bloods dont show anything too bad
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My vet has agreed to assist me in learning how to give subcutaneous fluids at home.
I guess being a staff nurse has come in real handy right now.
He was lying by the window enjoying the sun when I got home from work bless.
I would say he is a tiny bit better today. I cant say if it will last.
I cried so much over the weekend, but now i'm finding I can enjoy each moment with Tiffy instead of feeling despair.
Really hoping being able to give S/C fluids will make him feel so much better and help remove toxins. I have read that being better hydrated should help with the uraemic ulcers.
Still awaiting blood results. Should be tomorrow.
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:hug: Hope bloods come back ok fingers crossed, keep up the good work, keep well
big hugs and prayers for you both :hug:
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Wasnt there some one else on here that had been giving their CRF cat s/c fluids?
I am sure it will help Tiffy feel better. Wishing you both lots of love and best wishes as always xxx
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Good luck with Tiffy's results :)
Glad you have found strength to cope :hug:
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A pic of Tiffy taken today
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Philip, I was running late on Saturday so didn't get chance to post the Pet Tinic, I'd been up all night with the kittens. I have however put it in the post today as a Special Delivery so you'll definitely receive it before 1pm tomorrow. Keeping everything crossed for Tiffy, xxxxx
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No worries Dawn
To be honest I wasnt expecting him to be here after seeing him in the early hours of Saturday morning.
Thanks though. Im going to give it a go.
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I think it's great that your vet is open to subQ fluids, they can make such a huge difference. There are very few vets in the UK that are willing to allow owners to administer them, the owner of the crf site actually keeps a list of UK vets that do so maybe you could email her with your vets details when you get a chance?
Got evrything crossed for Tiffy, hope he continues to improve :hug:
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I dont know if ts something she would allow with everyone.
I was really expecting to be told no. I do wonder how much me being a staff nurse has helped as she knows I practice cannulation and venepuncture on my human patients on a daily basis.
I hope its just because its the right thing to do and that would be for anyone who wished to do this.
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Loads of good thoughts and cuddles for Tiffy :hug: :hug:
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Have to admit though. I had to suggest it. I do feel that maybe if I hadnt suggested it, it probably wouldnt have happened.
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My vet has agreed to assist me in learning how to give subcutaneous fluids at home.
Really hoping being able to give S/C fluids will make him feel so much better and help remove toxins. I have read that being better hydrated should help with the uraemic ulcers.
Its good your vet will let you do fluids, I did them with my Suzie who I lost about a month ago. It gave her 4 really good extra weeks I believe, I just wish I'd started her on them sooner. It definitely made her feel better after giving them, you could really see a difference, and luckily she was a very good patient - most of the time!
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Wishing you all the best for Tiffy. Those websites Helen mentioned (the crf and the yahoo group) are full of info and case histories. The yahoo group one does bombard you with emails a bit if you register, but subQ fluids seems to be the American way of handling things. In the UK it seems the vets are keener on Fortekor.
I hope that you get some nosh down him.
Really good luck with the fluids. How's Tiffy tonight?
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Philip, did you receive the Pet Tinic okay?
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Everything crossed for Tiffy He's a beautiful boy. I wonder if the hot weather lately is effecting his appetite and hydration. ?My two are off their food and seeking out cool places all day and night .
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Hi.
Tiffy's blood results are not changed since the one done a few months ago so thats great news.
He seems better today. He started following me around when i got home from work and attempted to eat a little.
I have been aggressive with the syringe feeding and i think it has payed off.
Have learnt how to give SC fluids and I know that will help loads in the future.
Feel like punching my fist in the air.
Now going to get his bowels back in order as he hasnt been in a few days.
I did get the pet Tinic today thankyou Dawn.
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He's gone back to the food and is eating again.
First time in days.
;D
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Quietly whispering..........sounds good ;D
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Great news - I know its a great feeling when they eat again - lets hope he continues to improve ;D
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Fab news Philip, I'm so pleased :) :)
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Sounds like he is doing well, and it is good his bloods are the same.
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good news! Sounds like he's fighting too, which is always good. All the best to you both.
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Aw i am pleased for you both :)
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Hows the patient doing today Philip? Keeping everything crossed he is continuing to improve :wish:
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Hi.
Hes good today.
Gave 70mls water subcutaneously and he certainly seems better for it.
Got a hello meow. He has jumped up to sit on my lap. Again, something I have not seen in him for about a week.
got an aperient to get his bowels working. The vet felt and agreed with me that his abdomen showed signs he needs a good clearout.
For the first time in days I have had a good sleep hence the late post.
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Good for you and good for Tiffy. Good luck with the purgatives :)
all the best.
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So pleased for you and Tiffy, Philip!
Hope the improvement continues :hug:
Sending more healing hugs and nose rubs,
ems, nina and kiki
xxxxxx
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I'm pleased he is improving - good luck with the treatment.
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:ahh: so pleased for you both
keeping fingers and paws crossed things keep improving :hug:
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Tiffy continues to improve.
He is a totally different cat and you can tell when you look in his eyes how nuch better he feels.
:)
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:yayyy: :yayyy: :yayyy:
So glad to hear this :)
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Wonderful ;D
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Thats great. You must be sooo relieved.
:Luv:
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Wonderful news.
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Hi all.
Hope everyone is enjoying the weekend.
Tiffy is good still. He wants to say thanks for all the good wishes for his recovery.
He was a little overwhelmed at the amount of love and thoughts he recieved.
Anyway hope he hasnt noticed that a bag of fluid is sitting there warming up for a little top of of fluids later lol.
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Oh Philip I am so pleased that everything is going well for you and Tiffy. Long may it continue xxxx All my love and best wishes to you both xxx
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Go Tiffy!! Go Tiffy!! Go Tiffy :cheer: :cheer: :cheer:
Excellent news :)
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Hi everyone.
He continues to improve still and is eating well.
I think I can feel some returning muscle mass as he doesn't feel so bony.
This whole situation has shown me that sometimes it can be very worthwhile fighting and trying to treat things that are sometimes viewed as untreatable. I feel that if I had left it that weekend and had not had the knowledge I have and the resolve to stay up all night and syringe feed and at least try, That Tiffy would no longer be here. It was that close. Some other people may have made the decision to PTS then. I know I nearly did.
I see him now and how contented he looks and it makes the whole thing worthwhile. He hates the syringe feeding and just about tolerates the subcutaneous fluids but they take up such a small part of his day in relation to the rest of it.
As a staff nurse with humans I always get a great feeling when I do something that saves life or helps. I have to say the feeling I got knowing I helped saved Tiffy's life is in a different league. I feel its one of the best things I have ever done. He is so special to me.
Its almost like he knows I helped him get better. Our bond has never been so close.
I don't know how long we have left together. In a way I'm not thinking about that now. I know I have the tools and knowledge to help him as long as I am able to.
To finish a quick joke: I went to see my psychiatrist because I kept dreaming about turning into an Indian teepee and a marquee. Apparently I was becoming too tense (2 tents).
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I am so very pleased that everything is going well and that Tiffy still has a lust for life xxx
You and Tiffy make a great team xxx
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I am thrilled to hear that Tiffy is doing so well and I understand what you mean about your bond growing stronger when you have been through something like this together.
:Luv:
PS having read your joke though, please stick to the day job :rofl:
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How's Tiffy doing now Philip?
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Hope Tiffy is well today, hope you stick at nursing 'cause thats a terrible joke, a comedian you ain't :rofl: keep up the good work (nursing) :hug:
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Tiffy is great at the moment.
I give him sugcutaneous fluids every 2 - 3 days. He eats 2 meals a day and manages to finish most of it.
He loves jumping up onto my lap and looks happy.
I think he is gaining weight.
I really thought he was going to die. I cant believe how good things have turned out right now.
Thankyou for asking.
I will stick to the day job. Nurses have friends but many enemas.
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Excellent... I think we need some news pics of the wonderful Tiffy ;)
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Its almost like he knows I helped him get better. Our bond has never been so close.
Yes, I know about that bond, thats how I felt with Suzie, we got so close those last few months. Glad to hear Tiffy is doing well.
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I will stick to the day job. Nurses have friends but many enemas.
There should be a health warning on your jokes :rofl:
Briiliant news about Tiffy :hug:
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:rofl: :rofl:Your jokes trully are terrible :rofl: :rofl:
So very pleased that Tiffy is still doing well. As always lots of love and best wishes to you both. xxx
Oh and some piccies of the darling boy please xxx
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problem is, I like your humour - comes of working in a hospital methinks. Perhaps one has to work in that environment to appreciate the subtleties and double entendre ...
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Ok Here he is. Took these just now x
The cable you see in the last 2 pics is for his personal mini electric blanket ;D
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I have good jokes but sadly they are way too :censored: for this forum. :evillaugh:
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Why are there no painkillers in the jungle ?
Because the parrots eat em all.
:rofl:
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Got a nice face close up.
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Demonstration of chin rub technique
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:Luv: :Luv: :Luv: :Luv: Ahhhh what a lovely boy. Thanks for the new pics Philip, Tiffy is gorgeous :)