Hooray! Mack actually ate something besides Kitten Chow!
Reggie and Lucky have been VERY patient, eating (almost) exclusively their healthy Purina cat food every day, while Mack gets the gourmet liver pate ... and DOESN'T EVEN LIKE IT!
What I mean is ... Reg & Lucky go NUTS when I open a can of Mack's prescription canned food. The aroma brings them to the kitchen from the farthest reaches of the house. Yet Mack has no interest in EATING it. He barely tolerates its smell under his nose if we happen to have a "spill" while we're tube-feeding. The closest he's come to eating it is when he cleans his fur after we've made a mess.
Reg & Lucky, on the other hand, crave the flavor so wildly that they hover while I prepare it for Mack. Once in a while, I'll let them lick the squeegee'd spoon, just for flavor -- but this stuff is so high-calorie and high-fat that it's just not good to let them have much. So I've held them at bay with tiny portions of the Purina Fancy Feast Liver Feast that Mack also rejected. It's lasted quite a long time in the fridge.
Yesterday, at Trader Joe's, I picked up a couple of cans of their Ocean Fish & Salmon flavored canned cat food -- for Reggie & Lucky. I figured it was good for their coat, and a treat they might enjoy by the teaspoonful. I first offered it to them this morning, and just for laughs, I put about half a tablespoonful into a bowl and took it to Mack in his special dining room (aka our bedroom).
Since I had been offering Mack other tidbits in this same way for weeks, I had no expectation that he'd actually EAT it, especially right after I'd finished putting 33cc of prescription food into him about 20 minutes earlier.
Lo and behold -- as soon as I put the food on the floor, Mack started sniffing the air actively ... then got up and stuck his nose right into the bowl ... and ate, or rather DEVOURED most of the treat!
Now -- was it the fish, or was it the 1/2 tablet of appetite stimulant?
Monday, April 30, 2007
Sunday, April 29, 2007
In our 6th week of tube feeding, and no end in sight
I have to admit that it feels like we've been pushing food through a tube into Mack's stomach for EVER. I counted the weeks -- on Thursday, we'll have completed 6 weeks, and he's still not consistently eating enough food on his own to sustain himself.
What is more disturbing is that he doesn't seem to care much.
He doesn't eat MORE food if we push LESS through the tube. He doesn't eat LESS food if we push MORE through the tube. He doesn't eat more if we push more; he doesn't eat less if we push less.
There seems to be absolutely no correlation between the two at all.
He doesn't even eat more if I give him the appetite stimulant than when I leave it out of his diet.
And he isn't interested in ANYthing but Kitten Chow. Not liver pate (Hill's Prescription Diet a/d). Not Fancy Feast Liver Feast (which his brothers would KILL for). Certainly not the everyday Purina urinary health food the other boys are eating.
I don't want to rush him, but ... I'm not sure he is moving ON, if you know what I mean.
I'm also getting a little worried about the condition of the site where the tube goes into his throat. He's been scratching at it more, and it seems a little exposed and crusty. I don't know how long it can be okay to have an open wound like that.
Tomorrow, I'll call the vet.
What is more disturbing is that he doesn't seem to care much.
He doesn't eat MORE food if we push LESS through the tube. He doesn't eat LESS food if we push MORE through the tube. He doesn't eat more if we push more; he doesn't eat less if we push less.
There seems to be absolutely no correlation between the two at all.
He doesn't even eat more if I give him the appetite stimulant than when I leave it out of his diet.
And he isn't interested in ANYthing but Kitten Chow. Not liver pate (Hill's Prescription Diet a/d). Not Fancy Feast Liver Feast (which his brothers would KILL for). Certainly not the everyday Purina urinary health food the other boys are eating.
I don't want to rush him, but ... I'm not sure he is moving ON, if you know what I mean.
I'm also getting a little worried about the condition of the site where the tube goes into his throat. He's been scratching at it more, and it seems a little exposed and crusty. I don't know how long it can be okay to have an open wound like that.
Tomorrow, I'll call the vet.
Tuesday, April 24, 2007
Good Friends, Good Cats
I had one of the most enjoyable weekends I’ve had in memory. Good friends, good cats.
It seems only yesterday that my arms were criss-crossed with tiny little scratch marks from Reggie attacking me to feed him.
They were orphaned at 17 days old when their mother went hunting and never came back (I fear the neighbor, who had no love for cats, was responsible). There was no way I could let the poor little things die, so I began feeding them first kitten formula, then switched to goat milk.
They lived in a tall cardboard box (until they learned to climb) and nestled on a heating pad for warmth.
Feeding time was always chaotic. They were screaming for food, I’d be talking to them as I warmed their milk in the microwave.
I quickly learned that the only way to shut up Reggie was to feed him enough to quiet him, then rotate the bottle between them until they all had full tummies. Reggie would always wrap his tiny paws around the bottle and hold it as I held him when he was fed.
They grew quickly and one of the best days was when they started using their little litterbox on their own! No more wiping little tushies with warm, moist paper towels to simulate their mama’s licking so they would evacuate. THANK GOD.
Now look at them. HUGE boys. Happy boys – even Mack. He purrs when he is being fed and his purr is a roar.
John and Sharon relax with him, petting him, cuddling him, and he so enjoys this. Sharon laughs that he now associates being petted with a full tummy. What a disappointed boy he is going to be when the tube feedings are no longer needed and his tummy doesn’t magically fill with each chin rub and back scratch!
They are 3 of the luckiest cats in the world (especially “The Six Million Dollar Cat”) to have Sharon and John looking after them.
Saturday, April 21, 2007
Who Could Ask for Anything More?
No matter how I try to depict this in a photo, I don't seem to be able to get a picture of Mack that communicates the relaxed contentment he is projecting right now, especially after his belly is full and he's been subjected to 20-30 minutes of continuous belly-rubbing and throat-stroking!
I'm trying again. He is all stretched out, not a tense muscle in his body, except for the one that controls his neck, because he knows I'm there flashing the camera at him. I wish I could have sound effects along with the photo!
The sun is POURING into the living room, and Reggie is also in his "all's right with the world" pose.
And there's Lucky, too -- he always looks a little dazed if he's not asleep. But the paws tell the story ... no tension there, either.
As I said ... who could ask for anything more than sunshine, quiet, and three contented kitties?
Enjoy the weekend, everyone!
Friday, April 20, 2007
Blood Test Results Confirm: Mack is Back!
All Mack's blood values are normal now, except his bilirubin. He's at .6, and the top of the "normal" range is .4.
Hey! That's close enough for me!
It's close enough for the doc, too, it seems. She expects it will drop to within normal range in the next day or so.
Mack got new tape around his neck, and a little bit of neosporin on the place where the tube goes in. Otherwise, the doc says, it's healthy tissue ... so the tube can stay in as long as he needs it (or until he knocks it out).
Sue, Mack's first mom, is spending the weekend with us, so Mack will get extra doses of affection (as will Lucky & Reggie) -- there's nothing better for healing than love!
Life is good.
Hey! That's close enough for me!
It's close enough for the doc, too, it seems. She expects it will drop to within normal range in the next day or so.
Mack got new tape around his neck, and a little bit of neosporin on the place where the tube goes in. Otherwise, the doc says, it's healthy tissue ... so the tube can stay in as long as he needs it (or until he knocks it out).
Sue, Mack's first mom, is spending the weekend with us, so Mack will get extra doses of affection (as will Lucky & Reggie) -- there's nothing better for healing than love!
Life is good.
Wednesday, April 18, 2007
Another visit to the cat doctor
As a well kitty, Mack weighed 11 pounds, 5 ounces.
When we first took him to the cat doctor at the beginning of March, he weighed only 8 pounds 5 ounces. He'd lost about 1/4 of his total body weight!
Even after emergency care, he continued to drop weight, hovering just over 8 pounds. And after two weeks of tube feeding, although his health definitely improved, his weight had dropped to 7 pounds 15 ounces.
He simply was not getting enough nutrition. His liver function was improving, the jaundice was fading, his red blood cells were increasing ... but his weight continued to drop.
At the vet's office today, the vet and her assistant were immediately impressed with how much more healthy Mack looked. The jaundice is completely gone, and his weight today was an encouraging 8 pounds 13.5 ounces!
He's gained almost a pound in just 2 weeks!
Blood test results will tell us, in a couple of days, how his liver function is doing. We'll finish up the liver support supplements in the next two days, and use the appetite stimulant if he seems to cut back on his food consumption. We'll continue with the tube feedings until he is eating enough to sustain himself, for at least a week.
Later, we'll worry about weaning him from the Kitten Chow and gradually replacing it with the regular food he'll need to eat in order to be reintegrated with the rest of the clan at mealtimes.
Right now, we're enjoying a hard-earned optimistic moment, coasting toward full recovery and hoping for no relapse or complications.
If you hear what sounds like a Mack truck idling in the distance, don't worry. It's just us, purring contentedly.
When we first took him to the cat doctor at the beginning of March, he weighed only 8 pounds 5 ounces. He'd lost about 1/4 of his total body weight!
Even after emergency care, he continued to drop weight, hovering just over 8 pounds. And after two weeks of tube feeding, although his health definitely improved, his weight had dropped to 7 pounds 15 ounces.
He simply was not getting enough nutrition. His liver function was improving, the jaundice was fading, his red blood cells were increasing ... but his weight continued to drop.
At the vet's office today, the vet and her assistant were immediately impressed with how much more healthy Mack looked. The jaundice is completely gone, and his weight today was an encouraging 8 pounds 13.5 ounces!
He's gained almost a pound in just 2 weeks!
Blood test results will tell us, in a couple of days, how his liver function is doing. We'll finish up the liver support supplements in the next two days, and use the appetite stimulant if he seems to cut back on his food consumption. We'll continue with the tube feedings until he is eating enough to sustain himself, for at least a week.
Later, we'll worry about weaning him from the Kitten Chow and gradually replacing it with the regular food he'll need to eat in order to be reintegrated with the rest of the clan at mealtimes.
Right now, we're enjoying a hard-earned optimistic moment, coasting toward full recovery and hoping for no relapse or complications.
If you hear what sounds like a Mack truck idling in the distance, don't worry. It's just us, purring contentedly.
Intertwined
As carefully as I sometimes try, it's impossible to keep one thread of my life from becoming intertwined with others.
Early in March, the news of something that happened in Chicago ... kicked me into "action" mode and caused the series of events that saved Mack's life.
It was not a fair exchange. The event was violent and tragic, and every bit as horrific for those affected, as the events on the campus of Virginia Tech this week.
I'm not sure what this intertwining means.
I'm not sure it's useful to try to make meaning where such things are intertwined.
It simply is what it is.
And the single story of all our lives continues.
Early in March, the news of something that happened in Chicago ... kicked me into "action" mode and caused the series of events that saved Mack's life.
It was not a fair exchange. The event was violent and tragic, and every bit as horrific for those affected, as the events on the campus of Virginia Tech this week.
I'm not sure what this intertwining means.
I'm not sure it's useful to try to make meaning where such things are intertwined.
It simply is what it is.
And the single story of all our lives continues.
Monday, April 16, 2007
Getting Better All the Time
Mack continues to eat solid food, and continues to improve in ways that make me smile at things I used to be frustrated over ... like his tendency let us know he wants a door opened by pawing at it (hollow core) for several seconds at a crack. It's almost as bad as fingernails on a chalkboard! But now it means he's feeling well enough to HAVE demands, and that is a GREAT thing!
I will know he's REALLY feeling well when I find his teeth marks in plastic grocery bags and in the lint roller's sticky-tape that has been pulled out of wastebaskets!
His solid food consumption seems to be steadily increasing, which is very encouraging. He's learning that he doesn't need to wait for us to feed him!
Saturday night, while I was sleeping, he parked himself next to my pillow and laid his head on my shoulder for several hours, purring most of the time. Very sweet ... except I believe it was less a gesture of affection, and more an attempt to get the full belly that often results when he purrs next to me.
Unfortunately for him, it didn't fill his belly this time -- which could be why he didn't come near me at all last night. But there was a measurable increase in the amount of dry food missing from the bowl of Kitty Chow in the morning!
Today's selection on the Jukebox in My Head: "Getting Better" from the Beatles' Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band
I will know he's REALLY feeling well when I find his teeth marks in plastic grocery bags and in the lint roller's sticky-tape that has been pulled out of wastebaskets!
His solid food consumption seems to be steadily increasing, which is very encouraging. He's learning that he doesn't need to wait for us to feed him!
Saturday night, while I was sleeping, he parked himself next to my pillow and laid his head on my shoulder for several hours, purring most of the time. Very sweet ... except I believe it was less a gesture of affection, and more an attempt to get the full belly that often results when he purrs next to me.
Unfortunately for him, it didn't fill his belly this time -- which could be why he didn't come near me at all last night. But there was a measurable increase in the amount of dry food missing from the bowl of Kitty Chow in the morning!
Today's selection on the Jukebox in My Head: "Getting Better" from the Beatles' Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band
Saturday, April 14, 2007
Mack Zen Garden
I had a Zen garden once, until the kitties dug in the sand. That was the end of that!
Lately, Mack has been my kittyZen garden. His fur sometimes substitutes for sand, and my fingers are the rake. Luckily, petting Mack is now part of my daily duties -- I must pet him so he's calm when I administer his feedings. He almost never objects to anything when he's purring.
After over 10 years, it had been easy to take for granted the soothing, mindless activity of petting my cats ... until recent weeks. The good news is that petting Mack is a different experience now, compared to even a week ago, when I could feel every bone so sharply beneath his skin, I thought I might cut myself. Running my hands along his back brought to mind a stegosaurus. From the bones at the back of his head to his shoulder blades and ribs, the edges were so sharp -- and he seemed so brittle and stiff -- I was afraid I'd break him if I wasn't careful.
This morning, when I picked him off the floor next to the heat register, he dripped from my hands like warm taffy. I wondered if he was made of plastic -- so pliable and limp when warm, yet so stiff and brittle when he was cold and sick.
Now, there is some viscosity, a cushion, and his skin moves smoothly over his bones without threatening to poke through. My mind can wander, through the garden of my gratitude for Mack's continuously improving health, his presence -- and that of his brothers -- in my life ... and on to a wilderness of thoughts and feelings ranging from appreciation for a peaceful, sunny, quiet afternoon at home, to whether my life has made any significant difference in the world, and whether I am content to simply do small things to the best of my ability.
I have spent years wondering, working to discern my true purpose in this world, in order to live mindfully, on purpose, and make whatever difference here that only I am able to make.
I'm almost resigned to the idea that this is it: doing what I can, where I can, as well as I am able ... with enormous gratitude for all the abundance of blessings in my life.
I thought there might be more.
"I had done all She had given me to do," says Morgaine near the end of her life, in The Mists of Avalon. "It was I, in my pride, who thought it should have been more."
Perhaps, this is enough.
Mackdoodle
Our little Mack was playing with daddy poking things under the door Friday morning. He's doing so very well! I am so happy; I'm singing all the time!
Mack ate less than a quarter cup of kitten chow Friday while we were at work, but we're not really worried. I called the vet's office and asked what we should do NEXT. The answer is ... not much, yet. We still haven't gotten a full can per day of the prescription food into him, and the average cat is supposed to get about TWO cans per day ... so we need to continue to get as much food into him as possible for now.
We have an appointment next Wednesday for blood tests and recheck. We'll know more, then.
John's granddaughter will be staying with us overnight ... should be fun. We'll have to keep her and Mack separated ... except that they will both sleep in our room with us. We'll see how that goes.
Mack ate less than a quarter cup of kitten chow Friday while we were at work, but we're not really worried. I called the vet's office and asked what we should do NEXT. The answer is ... not much, yet. We still haven't gotten a full can per day of the prescription food into him, and the average cat is supposed to get about TWO cans per day ... so we need to continue to get as much food into him as possible for now.
We have an appointment next Wednesday for blood tests and recheck. We'll know more, then.
John's granddaughter will be staying with us overnight ... should be fun. We'll have to keep her and Mack separated ... except that they will both sleep in our room with us. We'll see how that goes.
Friday, April 13, 2007
Quick update on Mack
He nibbled on the Kitten Chow several times last night (when I wouldn't get up to feed him ... what was HE thinking!?!?) and this morning ... (drum roll, please) ... HE DRANK WATER FROM THE DISH!
Mack is back ... I opened the door to get into the bedroom after brushing my teeth last night, and he tried to escape. Tee hee. I forgot that was "what Mack does."
(Reggie used to be an outdoor cat, and knows how well-off he is now... Lucky wanders to the door and peeks outside, but isn't sure what to do when the door opens except step aside to make room for whomever is coming through. Have I mentioned Lucky is a little slow?)
I never thought I'd be so glad to have that "keep the kitty from escaping!" reflex revived!
I can't stop smiling!
I took some video this morning of Mack playing. We'll see how it turns out, and whether I can figure out a way to share it.
"Sunny day, chasin' the clouds away ... come and play where the air is sweet ..." Life is good.
Mack is back ... I opened the door to get into the bedroom after brushing my teeth last night, and he tried to escape. Tee hee. I forgot that was "what Mack does."
(Reggie used to be an outdoor cat, and knows how well-off he is now... Lucky wanders to the door and peeks outside, but isn't sure what to do when the door opens except step aside to make room for whomever is coming through. Have I mentioned Lucky is a little slow?)
I never thought I'd be so glad to have that "keep the kitty from escaping!" reflex revived!
I can't stop smiling!
I took some video this morning of Mack playing. We'll see how it turns out, and whether I can figure out a way to share it.
"Sunny day, chasin' the clouds away ... come and play where the air is sweet ..." Life is good.
Thursday, April 12, 2007
Three Weeks of Tube Feeding Pays Off in a Big Way
It is the 3rd weekiversary of when Mack's feeding tube was put in, and we are so grateful ... to The Cat Doctor for saving our dear kitty, and to my colleague's cousin, Trisha, for giving us hope that Mack could be saved ... and to all the wonderful people who have been pulling for him, and reassuring us that we are not crazy for caring so much!
Today we're celebrating more than just the last three weeks of s-l-o-w but steady progress in Mack's health ...
... or maybe not. Maybe today's momentous event is just the next step on the road to recovery, and just another milestone in that same slow, steady progress he's been making.
Either way, EATING is a big deal!
Mack's fan club is clamboring for details ... so here goes: .
After being tube-fed 38cc of prescription cat food this morning (the most at one sitting, ever), Mack was extremely relaxed, splayed out on the bed, purring. I prepared his buffet, not really expecting that he would show any more interest in it today than he had for the last several days. Although I hated to disturb his catnap, I scooped him up before I left for work to show him, once again, where the food and water were located.
I pointed out the big bowl of fresh water, and the small glass dishes of regular cat food, kitty chow, banana yogurt, skim milk, and a dollop of the prescription canned food. He looked at me like I was luney and walked over to the heat register, crouching into the "I hate winter" position. Discouraged, I went back to gathering my things for work.
Suddenly, Mack stood up and gave a looong stretch, front paws reaching far out in front of him, butt in the air, and finished with a big yawn. I stopped to admire the fluidity of his movements, after weeks of helplessly watching him hold himself in a tight little protective ball like a potato bug. He walked toward the buffet.
I tried not to get too excited when he actually walked up to the bowl of water and sniffed, but didn't drink. Next, he sniffed the bowl of regular cat food ... two, then three times. No dice. Then he tentativley sniffed the kitten chow ... two, three, four ... his head bent closer and closer ... and then I heard the tinkle of the kibble against the glass bowl, and the crunch of it breaking against his teeth!! Omygosh, he was ... eating one!
I was ready to jump over there and give him a big kiss! But I held still, afraid to break whatever magical spell had taken over him. I heard, again, the sound of the kibble against the glass, and then again breaking against his teeth. I couldn't believe it! The cat doctor had said that some day he'd just walk over and start eating, and here it was HAPPENING!
I worried a little when he turned away from the kitten chow after only 2 bites. ("Don't stop now! That's not enough!")
Remembering that I'd given him a TON of food just an hour before, I wondered why on earth, on the fullest stomach he's had in a month, he would decide NOW that food was appealing. But I didn't care, really.
Mack turned back to the kitten chow and ate three more pieces. Then he walked away and curled up next to the register again.
That's all. Simple. I had tears in my eyes; Mack looked at me as if a miracle hadn't just happened, and started grooming himself.
I grabbed the bowl and counted. I knew I'd put 24 pieces of kitten chow in the bowl, and I'd counted five crunches while he was eating. Yup. There were 19 pieces left.
I dug in the kitchen drawer for a measuring cup, dipped it into the bag of kitten chow, and dumped a heaping 1/4 cup into the glass bowl. I didn't care how MANY there were anymore. Mack was eating! I didn't want him to run out of food before I came home again!
Finally, a conjecture. I wonder what it was that made him want to eat TODAY. He doesn't know it's the 3rd weekiversary of when the tube was placed. For the last week, he had been taking nearly a full can of the prescription food each day ... could it be that he was gaining the strength he needed to move beyond subsistence level? It seemed unlikely it was actual hunger, since he had just taken more food than he'd had at any one time in the previous month. What was different?
This: yesterday, I had gotten lazy. In the morning, when I should have crushed the 1/2 pill containing appetite stimulant and mixed it with his food, I thought, "It's not helping anyway, and it's a lot of mess for just one pill." So I didn't. In the evening, I had simply forgotten, for the first time, that I needed to crush and add the five medications into one of the evening feedings.
Mack had gone at least 24 hours without a dose of the appetite stimulant. I put all his meds, including the 1/2 pill of appetite stimulant, into the morning feeding. An hour later, he was eating.
Yea!
Mack's total solid food consumption ORALLY today is over 1/4 cup!! I was excited this morning when he ate 5 little kibbles of Kitten Chow -- but that was only the beginning. When I got home, the bowl was almost empty. Since we've been home, he has made little nibble trips to the food bowl at least 5-6 times! I find this a great relief; I guess I was worried that he wouldn't actually KEEP eating.
I am still a little concerned that he seems to be uncomfortable when swallowing. He only eats a few kibbles at a time, and shows no interest in anything else. I haven't even seen him drink from the bowl of water.
I think I'll add some water to some kitten chow tomorrow, and see if that still appeals to him. They may go down a little easier if they're moist.
Tomorrow: a call to the cat doctor to find out how we proceed from here. I'll keep you posted!
Today we're celebrating more than just the last three weeks of s-l-o-w but steady progress in Mack's health ...
... or maybe not. Maybe today's momentous event is just the next step on the road to recovery, and just another milestone in that same slow, steady progress he's been making.
Either way, EATING is a big deal!
Mack's fan club is clamboring for details ... so here goes: .
After being tube-fed 38cc of prescription cat food this morning (the most at one sitting, ever), Mack was extremely relaxed, splayed out on the bed, purring. I prepared his buffet, not really expecting that he would show any more interest in it today than he had for the last several days. Although I hated to disturb his catnap, I scooped him up before I left for work to show him, once again, where the food and water were located.
I pointed out the big bowl of fresh water, and the small glass dishes of regular cat food, kitty chow, banana yogurt, skim milk, and a dollop of the prescription canned food. He looked at me like I was luney and walked over to the heat register, crouching into the "I hate winter" position. Discouraged, I went back to gathering my things for work.
Suddenly, Mack stood up and gave a looong stretch, front paws reaching far out in front of him, butt in the air, and finished with a big yawn. I stopped to admire the fluidity of his movements, after weeks of helplessly watching him hold himself in a tight little protective ball like a potato bug. He walked toward the buffet.
I tried not to get too excited when he actually walked up to the bowl of water and sniffed, but didn't drink. Next, he sniffed the bowl of regular cat food ... two, then three times. No dice. Then he tentativley sniffed the kitten chow ... two, three, four ... his head bent closer and closer ... and then I heard the tinkle of the kibble against the glass bowl, and the crunch of it breaking against his teeth!! Omygosh, he was ... eating one!
I was ready to jump over there and give him a big kiss! But I held still, afraid to break whatever magical spell had taken over him. I heard, again, the sound of the kibble against the glass, and then again breaking against his teeth. I couldn't believe it! The cat doctor had said that some day he'd just walk over and start eating, and here it was HAPPENING!
I worried a little when he turned away from the kitten chow after only 2 bites. ("Don't stop now! That's not enough!")
Remembering that I'd given him a TON of food just an hour before, I wondered why on earth, on the fullest stomach he's had in a month, he would decide NOW that food was appealing. But I didn't care, really.
Mack turned back to the kitten chow and ate three more pieces. Then he walked away and curled up next to the register again.
That's all. Simple. I had tears in my eyes; Mack looked at me as if a miracle hadn't just happened, and started grooming himself.
I grabbed the bowl and counted. I knew I'd put 24 pieces of kitten chow in the bowl, and I'd counted five crunches while he was eating. Yup. There were 19 pieces left.
I dug in the kitchen drawer for a measuring cup, dipped it into the bag of kitten chow, and dumped a heaping 1/4 cup into the glass bowl. I didn't care how MANY there were anymore. Mack was eating! I didn't want him to run out of food before I came home again!
Finally, a conjecture. I wonder what it was that made him want to eat TODAY. He doesn't know it's the 3rd weekiversary of when the tube was placed. For the last week, he had been taking nearly a full can of the prescription food each day ... could it be that he was gaining the strength he needed to move beyond subsistence level? It seemed unlikely it was actual hunger, since he had just taken more food than he'd had at any one time in the previous month. What was different?
This: yesterday, I had gotten lazy. In the morning, when I should have crushed the 1/2 pill containing appetite stimulant and mixed it with his food, I thought, "It's not helping anyway, and it's a lot of mess for just one pill." So I didn't. In the evening, I had simply forgotten, for the first time, that I needed to crush and add the five medications into one of the evening feedings.
Mack had gone at least 24 hours without a dose of the appetite stimulant. I put all his meds, including the 1/2 pill of appetite stimulant, into the morning feeding. An hour later, he was eating.
Yea!
Mack's total solid food consumption ORALLY today is over 1/4 cup!! I was excited this morning when he ate 5 little kibbles of Kitten Chow -- but that was only the beginning. When I got home, the bowl was almost empty. Since we've been home, he has made little nibble trips to the food bowl at least 5-6 times! I find this a great relief; I guess I was worried that he wouldn't actually KEEP eating.
I am still a little concerned that he seems to be uncomfortable when swallowing. He only eats a few kibbles at a time, and shows no interest in anything else. I haven't even seen him drink from the bowl of water.
I think I'll add some water to some kitten chow tomorrow, and see if that still appeals to him. They may go down a little easier if they're moist.
Tomorrow: a call to the cat doctor to find out how we proceed from here. I'll keep you posted!
Purina Kitten Chow!
Mack ate!!! This morning, he ate 5 little kibbles of Purina Kitten Chow!!!
Hooray!
Details will be posted this evening, but I wanted to let you know ... Mack ATE!
Today's theme song: Feelin' Groovy!
Hooray!
Details will be posted this evening, but I wanted to let you know ... Mack ATE!
Today's theme song: Feelin' Groovy!
Wednesday, April 11, 2007
Oh! Almost forgot!
I'm sure the feeling of the tube in his esophagus may be different enough that he's still not used to it, and eating on his own is something that will have to come with time.
I'm kind of hoping that being hungry will help, too, since I'm unable to get him fed within the time frames the vet recommended ... but the best news is that we're very close to getting him a full can of the prescription food, for the last couple of days ... so I'm hoping his strength will build up enough to make him a little more active, which will burn a few more calories than "survival mode," which will (I hope) trigger that urge to snack, or as Pooh would say, to "have a smackeral of something."
What I am NOT excited about is the possibility that his little kitty brain is learning that snuggling and petting = full tummy.
Yesterday, he woke me up at 4:30 a.m., snuggling and purring like a Mack truck (yea!) in my ear. This morning, it was 2:30 a.m.
Yesterday, I responded. This morning ... I'm sorry ... I am NOT the all-night take-out window of Taco Bell! If he is that hungry, he is welcome to the dry food in the kitchen! :-)
I'm kind of hoping that being hungry will help, too, since I'm unable to get him fed within the time frames the vet recommended ... but the best news is that we're very close to getting him a full can of the prescription food, for the last couple of days ... so I'm hoping his strength will build up enough to make him a little more active, which will burn a few more calories than "survival mode," which will (I hope) trigger that urge to snack, or as Pooh would say, to "have a smackeral of something."
What I am NOT excited about is the possibility that his little kitty brain is learning that snuggling and petting = full tummy.
Yesterday, he woke me up at 4:30 a.m., snuggling and purring like a Mack truck (yea!) in my ear. This morning, it was 2:30 a.m.
Yesterday, I responded. This morning ... I'm sorry ... I am NOT the all-night take-out window of Taco Bell! If he is that hungry, he is welcome to the dry food in the kitchen! :-)
Progress Report
My friend, Mary, asked, "I wonder if he is not too keen on eating because he feels the tube in his throat?"
The thought occurred to me that the tube might be uncomfortable, but he sure doesn't seem to have a problem even when I pet him the length of his throat -- you know, when they lift their chins and let you know in no uncertain terms that THERE is where you should pet them? I don't know what kind of material the tube in his esophagus is made of, but the only thing that seems to be bothering him is the tape that holds it all in place. He scratches and scratches on BOTH sides of his neck, sometimes, but if I get him to sit down and start petting him ... kneading his belly and rubbing his face and chin ... he forgets all about it. There's also no redness or indication of inflammation or infection, which I'm keeping an eye open for.
The other thing that makes me think maybe the tube isn't UNcomfortable is that the vet has apparently done this about a million times, and other cats seem to have had no problem eating with the tube in place. I'm sure if I understood the mechanics of it, it would be clear to me how that can be true. I guess I just have to trust that the vet knows what she's talking about. She says she has had patients that have had the tube in place for months. One cat, she said, finally pulled it out himself after several months, and the owners were a little disappointed ... the cat had been eating on his own just fine for quite a while, but the owners were still giving him his medications through the tube, and were disappointed they would have to drop it down his throat again like a "regular" cat!
I really hope it's not months. I really want him to eat soon.
On the other hand, I'm going to keep doing it as long as it takes to get him well enough to want to eat. No question about that.
Last night, Amy was visiting, and I asked her to pet Mack while I got his food ready. "He bit me!" she explained, when I asked why he wasn't still in the ultra-relaxed position I'd left him in, enjoying a belly-rub. "I was just petting him and he bit me!"
I told her it was a good sign ... besides the catnip toy, she's the first thing he's voluntarily put in his mouth in ages!
Another good sign: he's grooming himself again. A while back, he had made a gesture as if he was going to groom himself, and then froze with his leg in the air. That was the end of that, until recently. For the last day or two, he's actually been licking his own fur -- which is really a good thing because an awful lot of liver pate has been spilled on it, and we've clean up as well as we can, but there's nothing like a sandpaper tongue (his) to do the job right!
Mack also walked by and sniffed Amy's glass of milk (which she'd parked on the floor by the couch) last night. The first time, she shooed him away, reflexively, since Lucky had been stalking it for a few minutes. Immediately, she realized the significance and told Mack he was welcome to as much of her glass of milk as he wanted. He returned later, but still didn't drink any. Baby steps ... patience. It will come.
He's locked up with his smörgåsbord again today. We'll see if he nibbles anything!
Good news about me ... I noticed my 2-day headache was gone after I spent about 50 minutes petting Mack last night, through one whole feeding (about 30 minutes) and beyond. He is doing so very well ... it feels so good to see him all relaxed and asking for more.
It's good therapy for both of us!
The thought occurred to me that the tube might be uncomfortable, but he sure doesn't seem to have a problem even when I pet him the length of his throat -- you know, when they lift their chins and let you know in no uncertain terms that THERE is where you should pet them? I don't know what kind of material the tube in his esophagus is made of, but the only thing that seems to be bothering him is the tape that holds it all in place. He scratches and scratches on BOTH sides of his neck, sometimes, but if I get him to sit down and start petting him ... kneading his belly and rubbing his face and chin ... he forgets all about it. There's also no redness or indication of inflammation or infection, which I'm keeping an eye open for.
The other thing that makes me think maybe the tube isn't UNcomfortable is that the vet has apparently done this about a million times, and other cats seem to have had no problem eating with the tube in place. I'm sure if I understood the mechanics of it, it would be clear to me how that can be true. I guess I just have to trust that the vet knows what she's talking about. She says she has had patients that have had the tube in place for months. One cat, she said, finally pulled it out himself after several months, and the owners were a little disappointed ... the cat had been eating on his own just fine for quite a while, but the owners were still giving him his medications through the tube, and were disappointed they would have to drop it down his throat again like a "regular" cat!
I really hope it's not months. I really want him to eat soon.
On the other hand, I'm going to keep doing it as long as it takes to get him well enough to want to eat. No question about that.
Last night, Amy was visiting, and I asked her to pet Mack while I got his food ready. "He bit me!" she explained, when I asked why he wasn't still in the ultra-relaxed position I'd left him in, enjoying a belly-rub. "I was just petting him and he bit me!"
I told her it was a good sign ... besides the catnip toy, she's the first thing he's voluntarily put in his mouth in ages!
Another good sign: he's grooming himself again. A while back, he had made a gesture as if he was going to groom himself, and then froze with his leg in the air. That was the end of that, until recently. For the last day or two, he's actually been licking his own fur -- which is really a good thing because an awful lot of liver pate has been spilled on it, and we've clean up as well as we can, but there's nothing like a sandpaper tongue (his) to do the job right!
Mack also walked by and sniffed Amy's glass of milk (which she'd parked on the floor by the couch) last night. The first time, she shooed him away, reflexively, since Lucky had been stalking it for a few minutes. Immediately, she realized the significance and told Mack he was welcome to as much of her glass of milk as he wanted. He returned later, but still didn't drink any. Baby steps ... patience. It will come.
He's locked up with his smörgåsbord again today. We'll see if he nibbles anything!
Good news about me ... I noticed my 2-day headache was gone after I spent about 50 minutes petting Mack last night, through one whole feeding (about 30 minutes) and beyond. He is doing so very well ... it feels so good to see him all relaxed and asking for more.
It's good therapy for both of us!
Monday, April 09, 2007
Buffet is a Bust
For those who are still wondering how Mack is doing, here's today's report:
I left him in a room with a buffet of food, a litter box, a huge bowl of water, and a bed. The bed and litter box were used in my absence; the rest was left untouched.
What Mack didn't eat: Purina Urinary Health dry food, Purina Kitty Chow; Purina Liver Feast canned food; Yoplait strawberry yogurt.
He actually is looking and acting quite healthy, although he is sitting still less and less willingly for his tube feeding sessions. For the last three days, he has been kneading again -- something he hasn't done in at least a month -- and yesterday I saw for the first time he did one of those looooooong kitty stretches, where the butt goes up in the air and the arms and legs are stretched full length, and the whole thing ends in a yawn. :-) Normal kitty stuff is so exciting to us now!
I left him in a room with a buffet of food, a litter box, a huge bowl of water, and a bed. The bed and litter box were used in my absence; the rest was left untouched.
What Mack didn't eat: Purina Urinary Health dry food, Purina Kitty Chow; Purina Liver Feast canned food; Yoplait strawberry yogurt.
He actually is looking and acting quite healthy, although he is sitting still less and less willingly for his tube feeding sessions. For the last three days, he has been kneading again -- something he hasn't done in at least a month -- and yesterday I saw for the first time he did one of those looooooong kitty stretches, where the butt goes up in the air and the arms and legs are stretched full length, and the whole thing ends in a yawn. :-) Normal kitty stuff is so exciting to us now!
It's been a long day
[from my friend Sue]
I read your blog about the Leptospirosis – are you going to see a doctor? John too? Secondly, do Lucky & Mack need to be tested? Thirdly – is there a chance that Kamira is the source and if so, does Amy need to see a doctor? And for that matter, to prevent re-infections, does Kamira? If nothing else, should Kamira be tested to be SURE she’s not the source to prevent re-infections? I don’t want to stir up a problem as I know the whole Kamira incident is a sore point, but I’m concerned that you two as well as Da Boyz be treated, are well, and there is no chance of a re-infection. Egads.
[my response(s)]
Thank you ... all those questions are spinning in my brain, too.
First thing this morning, I called my doctor to find out when / how I can get tested. I'm not certain anyone else (human) needs to worry, but that would be my next question.
After putting me on hold for 3 minutes, a receptionist came on the line to tell me my physician had retired in January. My message will be cycled to one of the 20 other doctors at the clinic. I don't know when I'll hear from anyone.
My next move is to call the new vet and find out whether they received the fax with the blood test results on March 22. If so, WHY we were not informed. I'm guessing the answer will be something like, "well, we put him on antibiotics, and that should take care of it." IF they got the fax at all.
My next call is to the animal emergency hospital to find out WHY the owners were NOT CALLED with positive test results.
I'm home because I woke up with a raging headache this morning and queasy. I had hoped to take a headache pill, take a shower, get tested, and go to work a little late. Now I'm waiting for any old physician to be unoccupied enough to call me (someone who is NOT their patient, and whom they have no vested interest in taking on) to consult on this problem.
I'm discouraged, to say the least.
[later, to Sue]
God this is a mess.
The staff at our vet's office says there is no fax in Mack's file, and so they have no record of having received the fax from the emergency care facility. The doctors knew the emergency care facility had sent the test out, and that the results were pending, but that's all.
By 10 a.m., I still hadn't heard anything from my doctor's office, so I finally just called the clinic and asked for an appointment today with ANY internal medicine physician who has time available. I get to see someone at 11:15. The receptionist put me on hold when I told her I was concerned about exposure to leptospirosis. I had to spell it for her. When she came back, she said she'd consulted with other people and they'd never heard of it, and is it supposed to be contagious? I told her it was something that cats and dogs can get, that can be passed to humans through contact with an infected animal's urine. "Urine, okay ... so the vet thinks you should be tested?" "No, *I* think I should be tested, since I know I had exposure to the urine of a cat whose test came back positive." "Oh, okay ... YOU think you should be tested ..." Geez.
I left a message for the hospital administrator of the animal emergency center, who hasn't returned my call yet. I called back an hour later to ask someone else which phone number they faxed the test results to. Turns out I was speaking with the very person who actually remembers (!) faxing the test results "by hand" to our vet's office. I asked her to tell me the number she faxed it to, and it's the same number ... so I just don't know what to think.
Meanwhile, a nurse from my clinic called me back and listened to my story. She's never heard of lepto, either. She's going to leave a message for the doc I'll be seeing at 11:15, to see whether he wants me to come in earlier for any kind of tests. Very sweet of her.
So, moving on, I called the regular vet's office again to find out what the implications of a positive lepto test are for the REST of the cats in the household. After consulting with the vet on duty, the receptionist tells me that since this is a test they don't ever run, and have never interpreted the result of before, I'm going to have to ask that question of the vets who DID order the test at the emergency place. Nice loop.
So ... I have a call in to have an emergency vet call me with that information, I'm seeing a people doctor at 11:15, and I need to get in the shower ... OH! And I ought to feed Mack, too, since I'm home.
Please send lots of calming and healing energy. My head is about to explode.
[update about PEOPLE doctor visit]
No one has heard of this as a people disease. The doc I saw (for the first time ever) says he's got a feeling that I'm going to be just fine, but he'd be willing to give me a prophylactic dose of antibiotics that I can take weekly, if it would make me feel better. No ... I want to know if I've got it, and if I do I want the equivalent of a napalm bomb's worth of antibiotics to wipe it out entirely, thank you!
He thinks that if I was going to manifest symptoms, I'd have done it by now because 10 days is a pretty good mean ... even though the symptoms can manifest between 2-25 days after exposure, and some patients are completely asymptomatic. So, pretty much, I'm being treated as if I'm over reacting. He wants to hear from me tomorrow, to find out what I learn from the vets, but recommends using latex gloves to protect ourselves at home. I think it's a little late for that, myself.
I did tell him I'd feel better if I had a blood test. Almost reluctantly, he agreed to order it. It's not something that's in their computer system. It will have to be sent out to another lab. He couldn't tell me when I could expect results. Neither could the technician who drew my blood, until I told her that -- before I leave the clinic -- I really need to know when to expect to hear about results of this blood test ... so she checked with her supervisor. The results should be back from the lab next Monday or Tuesday. Thank you.
[notes from the rest of the day, to present (2:50 p.m.)]
1:20 p.m. - no call yet from either the hospital administrator or a vet at the emergency veterinary facility. Guess I may as well feed Mack.
1:40 - emergency vet called - promises to take my call in 5-10 min if I call back, because I was in the middle of feeding Mack.
1:45 - called back
QUESTIONS:
A.1. IS THE TEST POSITIVE FOR ACTIVE LEPTO DISEASE, OR INDICATIVE THAT MACK WAS ONCE EXPOSED TO IT AT SOME INDETERMINATE TIME IN THE PAST?
The test says that he was exposed to leptospirosis at some point. At the time of the test, he didn't have the active clinical disease. According to the research this vet did in preparation for my call, cats are very resistant to the disease and don't get infected from exposure to it. They may build up antibodies, which are what showed up in the test results, but there's no indication Mack ever had the clinical disease.
She also said they don't ever test cats for lepto, and can't understand why the other vet tested him for this. She is asking the hospital administrator to follow up with the other vet, when he is back on duty next weekend, to find out why ... and if there was no clinical reason for the test, they will credit our account for the cost. I told her I was much less interested in the cost, and had no idea how much THIS test was (she said, in the grand scheme, it was a "drop in the bucket"), but I'm much more interested in the implications of the test results for me, Mack, and the rest of the cats in the household.
Of course, she told me that my own physician is the only source for answers to my own health questions, which I understand. She can't guarantee that a cat who has been exposed wouldn't at some point "shed the organism," but even so, it would be unlikely to survive in urine, since it needs moisture to survive. (What about a wet towel?!?!)
As for the implications for Mack and the rest of the cats -- she says they're pretty much nil -- because cats don't get the clinical disease. So I can just forget about it? Yup.
A.2. WAS HE TREATED FOR LEPTO? WITH WHAT? FULLY TREATED - I.E., FULL COURSE OF ANTIBIOTICS?
Not that she can see in the records, but the vet that won't be back on duty until next weekend will be a better source of information on this.
B. WHY WERE WE NOT CALLED WITH POSITIVE RESULTS?!?!
Test results come in via fax to the front desk. They fax them directly to the referring veterinarian, and put them into a "call back box." On April 2, the emergency vet I spoke with called our regular vet's office and spoke with a staff person who said Mack had been in, had a feeding tube put in, and was doing well. When the emergency vet asked if she needed to call the owners about test results, she was told our regular vet was in communication with the owners. The emergency vet apologized to me for interpreting that to mean that the fax of Lepto test had been received at the regular vet's office and had been reviewed with the owners.
The explanation for why the test results sat in the "call back box" until April 2: with the emergency schedule they keep, these are not normally high priority. There is no note that she could see in the file about our concern with exposure to the cat's urine, or our urgent request for notification.
Sigh.
I read your blog about the Leptospirosis – are you going to see a doctor? John too? Secondly, do Lucky & Mack need to be tested? Thirdly – is there a chance that Kamira is the source and if so, does Amy need to see a doctor? And for that matter, to prevent re-infections, does Kamira? If nothing else, should Kamira be tested to be SURE she’s not the source to prevent re-infections? I don’t want to stir up a problem as I know the whole Kamira incident is a sore point, but I’m concerned that you two as well as Da Boyz be treated, are well, and there is no chance of a re-infection. Egads.
[my response(s)]
Thank you ... all those questions are spinning in my brain, too.
First thing this morning, I called my doctor to find out when / how I can get tested. I'm not certain anyone else (human) needs to worry, but that would be my next question.
After putting me on hold for 3 minutes, a receptionist came on the line to tell me my physician had retired in January. My message will be cycled to one of the 20 other doctors at the clinic. I don't know when I'll hear from anyone.
My next move is to call the new vet and find out whether they received the fax with the blood test results on March 22. If so, WHY we were not informed. I'm guessing the answer will be something like, "well, we put him on antibiotics, and that should take care of it." IF they got the fax at all.
My next call is to the animal emergency hospital to find out WHY the owners were NOT CALLED with positive test results.
I'm home because I woke up with a raging headache this morning and queasy. I had hoped to take a headache pill, take a shower, get tested, and go to work a little late. Now I'm waiting for any old physician to be unoccupied enough to call me (someone who is NOT their patient, and whom they have no vested interest in taking on) to consult on this problem.
I'm discouraged, to say the least.
[later, to Sue]
God this is a mess.
The staff at our vet's office says there is no fax in Mack's file, and so they have no record of having received the fax from the emergency care facility. The doctors knew the emergency care facility had sent the test out, and that the results were pending, but that's all.
By 10 a.m., I still hadn't heard anything from my doctor's office, so I finally just called the clinic and asked for an appointment today with ANY internal medicine physician who has time available. I get to see someone at 11:15. The receptionist put me on hold when I told her I was concerned about exposure to leptospirosis. I had to spell it for her. When she came back, she said she'd consulted with other people and they'd never heard of it, and is it supposed to be contagious? I told her it was something that cats and dogs can get, that can be passed to humans through contact with an infected animal's urine. "Urine, okay ... so the vet thinks you should be tested?" "No, *I* think I should be tested, since I know I had exposure to the urine of a cat whose test came back positive." "Oh, okay ... YOU think you should be tested ..." Geez.
I left a message for the hospital administrator of the animal emergency center, who hasn't returned my call yet. I called back an hour later to ask someone else which phone number they faxed the test results to. Turns out I was speaking with the very person who actually remembers (!) faxing the test results "by hand" to our vet's office. I asked her to tell me the number she faxed it to, and it's the same number ... so I just don't know what to think.
Meanwhile, a nurse from my clinic called me back and listened to my story. She's never heard of lepto, either. She's going to leave a message for the doc I'll be seeing at 11:15, to see whether he wants me to come in earlier for any kind of tests. Very sweet of her.
So, moving on, I called the regular vet's office again to find out what the implications of a positive lepto test are for the REST of the cats in the household. After consulting with the vet on duty, the receptionist tells me that since this is a test they don't ever run, and have never interpreted the result of before, I'm going to have to ask that question of the vets who DID order the test at the emergency place. Nice loop.
So ... I have a call in to have an emergency vet call me with that information, I'm seeing a people doctor at 11:15, and I need to get in the shower ... OH! And I ought to feed Mack, too, since I'm home.
Please send lots of calming and healing energy. My head is about to explode.
[update about PEOPLE doctor visit]
No one has heard of this as a people disease. The doc I saw (for the first time ever) says he's got a feeling that I'm going to be just fine, but he'd be willing to give me a prophylactic dose of antibiotics that I can take weekly, if it would make me feel better. No ... I want to know if I've got it, and if I do I want the equivalent of a napalm bomb's worth of antibiotics to wipe it out entirely, thank you!
He thinks that if I was going to manifest symptoms, I'd have done it by now because 10 days is a pretty good mean ... even though the symptoms can manifest between 2-25 days after exposure, and some patients are completely asymptomatic. So, pretty much, I'm being treated as if I'm over reacting. He wants to hear from me tomorrow, to find out what I learn from the vets, but recommends using latex gloves to protect ourselves at home. I think it's a little late for that, myself.
I did tell him I'd feel better if I had a blood test. Almost reluctantly, he agreed to order it. It's not something that's in their computer system. It will have to be sent out to another lab. He couldn't tell me when I could expect results. Neither could the technician who drew my blood, until I told her that -- before I leave the clinic -- I really need to know when to expect to hear about results of this blood test ... so she checked with her supervisor. The results should be back from the lab next Monday or Tuesday. Thank you.
[notes from the rest of the day, to present (2:50 p.m.)]
1:20 p.m. - no call yet from either the hospital administrator or a vet at the emergency veterinary facility. Guess I may as well feed Mack.
1:40 - emergency vet called - promises to take my call in 5-10 min if I call back, because I was in the middle of feeding Mack.
1:45 - called back
QUESTIONS:
A.1. IS THE TEST POSITIVE FOR ACTIVE LEPTO DISEASE, OR INDICATIVE THAT MACK WAS ONCE EXPOSED TO IT AT SOME INDETERMINATE TIME IN THE PAST?
The test says that he was exposed to leptospirosis at some point. At the time of the test, he didn't have the active clinical disease. According to the research this vet did in preparation for my call, cats are very resistant to the disease and don't get infected from exposure to it. They may build up antibodies, which are what showed up in the test results, but there's no indication Mack ever had the clinical disease.
She also said they don't ever test cats for lepto, and can't understand why the other vet tested him for this. She is asking the hospital administrator to follow up with the other vet, when he is back on duty next weekend, to find out why ... and if there was no clinical reason for the test, they will credit our account for the cost. I told her I was much less interested in the cost, and had no idea how much THIS test was (she said, in the grand scheme, it was a "drop in the bucket"), but I'm much more interested in the implications of the test results for me, Mack, and the rest of the cats in the household.
Of course, she told me that my own physician is the only source for answers to my own health questions, which I understand. She can't guarantee that a cat who has been exposed wouldn't at some point "shed the organism," but even so, it would be unlikely to survive in urine, since it needs moisture to survive. (What about a wet towel?!?!)
As for the implications for Mack and the rest of the cats -- she says they're pretty much nil -- because cats don't get the clinical disease. So I can just forget about it? Yup.
A.2. WAS HE TREATED FOR LEPTO? WITH WHAT? FULLY TREATED - I.E., FULL COURSE OF ANTIBIOTICS?
Not that she can see in the records, but the vet that won't be back on duty until next weekend will be a better source of information on this.
B. WHY WERE WE NOT CALLED WITH POSITIVE RESULTS?!?!
Test results come in via fax to the front desk. They fax them directly to the referring veterinarian, and put them into a "call back box." On April 2, the emergency vet I spoke with called our regular vet's office and spoke with a staff person who said Mack had been in, had a feeding tube put in, and was doing well. When the emergency vet asked if she needed to call the owners about test results, she was told our regular vet was in communication with the owners. The emergency vet apologized to me for interpreting that to mean that the fax of Lepto test had been received at the regular vet's office and had been reviewed with the owners.
The explanation for why the test results sat in the "call back box" until April 2: with the emergency schedule they keep, these are not normally high priority. There is no note that she could see in the file about our concern with exposure to the cat's urine, or our urgent request for notification.
Sigh.
Sunday, April 08, 2007
It's been tough getting more nutrition into our sickling. He doesn't tolerate the feedings very well unless he's ultra-relaxed (see the new pictures?!?!) and it's difficult to get him to that state when we've had to track him down and hold him down to feed him.
This morning was an exception that I'm hoping will start a new trend. The picture you see is of Mack AFTER being fed! Lately, he's been ready to bolt as soon as our hands are off him. This morning, though -- he couldn't have been more relaxed!
Happy Easter, everyone!
Saturday, April 07, 2007
Leptospirosis
I'm seething, so please bear with me.
Remember, back a couple of weeks, we found out INADVERTENTLY that Mack had been tested for something called leptospirosis? I wrote about it on March 19. Here's an excerpt:
The only other piece of news is this: I didn't know (or didn't remember) that Mack was also tested for something called leptospirosis. The tech that brought him for our visit had latex gloves on and had him wrapped in a towel. I asked if we could hold him, and she asked if we wanted gloves, too. Why? Because they won't know the results of the leptospirosis test for 5-7 days (it was sent out last Friday), and it IS possible for people to get it! Not really a concern unless you've had direct contact with the urine of an infected animal, apparently. So I shouldn't be worried ... except ...
EXCEPT that I had been in direct contact with his urine!
The test results take 5-7 days to come back, and we had Mack out of the hospital long before then. When we left, I made a huge point of asking the emergency hospital to CALL ME with the results. For $2100, you think that call could have been made. But we didn't get a call, and I didn't think much about it, except intermittently, when I thought ... gee ... I guess they'd have called if the results were positive.
Finally, today, I decided to just confirm that the test was negative.
Guess what. No such luck.
I am so angry I could just spit.
I've been told that the results were faxed to the vet on March 22. That's the same day they put the feeding tube in Mack's esophagus. You'd think, if they got that fax, they'd have mentioned it to us on the phone one of the many times we called for status updates on Mack, or when we picked him up afterwards.
With positive results, you'd think that the place in Waukesha would have made a point of calling, not only the vet, but also the OWNER ... you know, the people who PAID the $2100 bill ... the people who HAVE THE CAT AT HOME!
I don't understand whether there are degrees of positive results on this friggin' test. The doc I talked to in Waukesha tonight said the titers were slightly elevated, which indicates exposure to the organism, and that this may be a possible cause for Mack's liver problems.
Again, you'd think someone would think this news was important enough to inform the OWNERS. Especially with three other animals in the household. Especially with implications for HUMAN INFECTION.
If I'm concerned, the Waukesha vet tells me, I can get Mack tested again to see if it's still positive.
It's the policy of the facility, the Waukesha vet tells me, for the owner to be called, as well as for the results to be faxed to the referring vet. I can speak with the hospital administrator on Monday, if I'd like, to find out why we weren't called.
I'll have to contact my own physician, the Waukesha vet tells me, to find out what symptoms I should be looking for in myself, if I am concerned.
IF I'M CONCERNED!?!?!?
I'm so angry right now.
Remember, back a couple of weeks, we found out INADVERTENTLY that Mack had been tested for something called leptospirosis? I wrote about it on March 19. Here's an excerpt:
The only other piece of news is this: I didn't know (or didn't remember) that Mack was also tested for something called leptospirosis. The tech that brought him for our visit had latex gloves on and had him wrapped in a towel. I asked if we could hold him, and she asked if we wanted gloves, too. Why? Because they won't know the results of the leptospirosis test for 5-7 days (it was sent out last Friday), and it IS possible for people to get it! Not really a concern unless you've had direct contact with the urine of an infected animal, apparently. So I shouldn't be worried ... except ...
EXCEPT that I had been in direct contact with his urine!
The test results take 5-7 days to come back, and we had Mack out of the hospital long before then. When we left, I made a huge point of asking the emergency hospital to CALL ME with the results. For $2100, you think that call could have been made. But we didn't get a call, and I didn't think much about it, except intermittently, when I thought ... gee ... I guess they'd have called if the results were positive.
Finally, today, I decided to just confirm that the test was negative.
Guess what. No such luck.
I am so angry I could just spit.
I've been told that the results were faxed to the vet on March 22. That's the same day they put the feeding tube in Mack's esophagus. You'd think, if they got that fax, they'd have mentioned it to us on the phone one of the many times we called for status updates on Mack, or when we picked him up afterwards.
With positive results, you'd think that the place in Waukesha would have made a point of calling, not only the vet, but also the OWNER ... you know, the people who PAID the $2100 bill ... the people who HAVE THE CAT AT HOME!
I don't understand whether there are degrees of positive results on this friggin' test. The doc I talked to in Waukesha tonight said the titers were slightly elevated, which indicates exposure to the organism, and that this may be a possible cause for Mack's liver problems.
Again, you'd think someone would think this news was important enough to inform the OWNERS. Especially with three other animals in the household. Especially with implications for HUMAN INFECTION.
If I'm concerned, the Waukesha vet tells me, I can get Mack tested again to see if it's still positive.
It's the policy of the facility, the Waukesha vet tells me, for the owner to be called, as well as for the results to be faxed to the referring vet. I can speak with the hospital administrator on Monday, if I'd like, to find out why we weren't called.
I'll have to contact my own physician, the Waukesha vet tells me, to find out what symptoms I should be looking for in myself, if I am concerned.
IF I'M CONCERNED!?!?!?
I'm so angry right now.
Da Boyz
Mack has two brothers. They're all from the same litter, and they all live with us ... and we are SO glad they're here.
Lucky and Reggie have been amazingly patient during this whole ordeal with Mack ... although they're a little too interested in the liver pate I prepare every day, which is WAY too rich for either of THEM to eat, but it smells sooo gooood! (Reggie got into it yesterday, and had eaten probably a tablespoon of it before I returned to the kitchen from answering the phone, and shooed him off the counter. About 1/2 hour later, Reggie started tearing around the living room like something was chasing him, for about 2 full minutes, then shot across the room and hopped into the papasan next to me, curled up, and went instantly to sleep. Good thing I hadn't added any of the prescription meds to the batch he got into!)
Here are a couple of pictures I took of Da Boyz last night.
Retrospective
Sometimes, it's good to look back and see how far we've come. I found myself a little peeved this morning, after spilling prescription cat food (which is much like liver pate) on the kitchen counter, cabinets, my slippers, and pajamas again.
Oh, how easy it is to forget that this mess-making is a gift, a privilege, a blessing ... because it is the means by which our beloved Mack will recover from this horrible roller coaster ride of illness.
It was ONLY FOUR WEEKS AGO (March 10) that our struggle to keep Mack alive first began, when we first took him to the vet because he'd lost so much weight. The following Monday, March 12, we got the results of the first blood tests ... and the roller coaster ride began:
Monday, March 12
(Email to Sue, Mack's first mom)
I have some sad news. Our baby, cuddly, nuzzle-under-your-chin lover, Mack, is sick, and I don't know how long he's going to last. I just got off the phone with the vet, who says blood tests point to liver failure, and since we can't stop him from being an alcoholic (which would be an easy way to get him to stop hurting his liver ... if that was the problem), the vet isn't sure what we can do to cause a turnaround. He's doing one more blood test, to see if that, too, points to the liver. But short of ripping the liver out of a healthy cat and doing a transplant, there's probably not much we can do.
I've just made a public spectacle of myself, crying my eyes out in the office, over this news.
I hate this.
(Sue's response)
If it’s any consolation (and I do know, it’s really not), I’m crying too. This is the part of life that sucks so much. Mack has been so fortunate all his life – he’s always been greatly loved and cared for. Every moment is precious with someone you love – I don’t care if they have 2 feet or 4. If the tests confirm the worst, find out how much time he has left to live a comfortable, happy life and give him – and yourselves – that time. As much as I love Virus – she’s my precious baby – I’ve sworn to myself not to let her suffer if her health gives out on her. I love her too much. Just as you love Mack. Man, this sucks. I still love him too. Not like you do, but he’s a part of my heart and it’s breaking.
(My reply to Sue)
We're taking Mack for a 2nd opinion to a clinic in Theinsville this afternoon. I'll let you know what they say. I agree ... I don't want him to suffer. That's why we finally put Cinnamon down in January ... her joints were so bad she just couldn't get around on the hardwood floors without falling several times a day, and when we're at work all day, that's a lot of hours to be stranded, splayed out in 4 directions like Bambi on the ice.
Thank you for your wonderful heart ... I know you haven't seen him in a long time, but Mack is the BEST (next to Lucky?) cat EVER. We're going to do all we can to keep him, healthy, for as long as possible. That's why we're going for the 2nd opinion ... our favorite vet retired about 3 years ago, and his associates (while probably competent) just don't seem to have the same kind of proactive and caring attitude. So we'll see what someone else's vet has to say.
(From Sue)
I’m glad you’re going for a 2nd (and 3rd, if need be) opinion until you find a vet who is going to be proactive and caring for the best cat EVER. He’s certainly a lucky cat. I’m so glad he’s yours.
Tuesday, March 13
(Email to Sue and other concerned friends and family)
The second opinion yesterday said that Mack has a slightly enlarged liver, and ought to have an ultrasound and biopsy to find out exactly what is going on. Our primary vet will have results today from a second blood test which he hopes will also give us more information so we know what we're dealing with.
Yesterday, I thought that if I could just get Mack to eat, we'd at least have a fighting chance. Last night, I got about 2 tsp of prescription cat food down him with a syringe, but he went downstairs about 1/2 hour later and regurgitated it. I also discovered he hadn't kept down the teaspoon of yogurt he licked from my finger. So I'm very worried about what his little body is using for fuel right now.
UPDATE: 11 a.m. CDT Tuesday, March 13
Our regular vet called about 10:30 to talk about the results of the second blood test: Mack's bile acids are mildly elevated (or WERE, on Saturday, when the blood sample was taken). He also had a chance to view the x-ray taken at the other clinic yesterday, and read my note (in which I told him about Mack's seeming inability to keep any food down).
In light of Mack's age (10.5 ... I thought he was born in 1997, but it was 1996! Which, apparently qualifies him in our vet's mind as "an old guy"), the vet thinks it would be best not to put Mack through the trauma of the ultrasound and the invasive procedure necessary to take a biopsy of the liver.
Here's why: there are two groups of problems that COULD be going on with his liver.
One group is ultra-serious, and would be confirmed by the biopsy, but there is really nothing much, short of a liver transplant (evil laugh ... do we have a donor?) that might help him.
The other group of problems is less serious, and MAY be helped by cortisone, which is an anti-inflammatory and could reduce swelling in his liver and allow it to begin functioning again. The cortisone could be administered via injection OR orally. Since Mack isn't keeping anything down, I asked about the injection, and whether I could bring him over, right now, this very minute, to get things started. The vet said YES.
So we're home now. The doctor's nurse who administered the injection (Mack didn't even flinch) says we could hope for some change in his behavior (interest in food or water would be good) within 12 hours, if we're lucky. Otherwise, they would like to hear from us if he seems to get worse, but they'd expect him to be better ... and would like to get an update on Friday, at the latest, in either case. I'm thinking if he doesn't at least DRINK something soon, I don't understand how he'd last until Friday.
Sigh. That's all for now.
Mack and I are going down for a nap.
(From Sue)
I’m praying constantly for a miracle. Old guy? BAH! Tell Mack he’s got a mile of prayers flowing for him. 12 hours will tell a lot. I’ll keep praying, you keep cuddling him.
(From a colleague at work ... who also sent Mack's blood test results to her cousin -- Trisha -- at an LA animal hospital, for an opinion)
Well, that makes two of us on cortisone. The injection is better because the oral can take 3 days to have results. However, even with the injection, be patient – results may take a bit ;)
(To my work colleague)
Oh, thank you for the advice to be patient. That's probably why the vet wants an update on Friday, rather than right away tomorrow.
(From the same colleague)
Trisha said that you can give him an appetite stimulant as well.
(Again, from the same colleague)
Also, try beech nut baby food stage one any meat flavor.
(My response)
Thank you. I'll go get some. I appreciate any info that has me DOING something proactive instead of just watching him shrivel away.
Wednesday, March 14
(From Sue)
How is he? How are you?
(To Sue)
I'm okay, but not encouraged. I waited 11.5 hours after the cortisone shot, and offered him Gerber strained ham. He walked away. This morning, I figured the cortisone had had that many more hours to work, so I opened another jar (turkey, this time) and offered it to him. He walked away. About 11 a.m., Amy (who is now unemployed and living at our house) offered him something ... he ran back into her bedroom.
I put a call in to our vet, asking whether we could try an appetite stimulant and / or something to settle his stomach (like pepcid) ... which was suggested by my colleague's cousin, who has worked at the LA Animal Hospital for 10 years. Still waiting for the vet to call me back with a response to this inquiry.
Not looking good.
I'm at work today, at least. Yesterday, I took off work, thinking I'd be asked to take him in for an ultrasound or biopsy. I think it's the right thing to do, not traumatizing him for some procedure that would only prove he's got something we can't cure him of, anyway.
Sigh.
Thank you for asking!
I'll let you know if anything changes ... or if the doc ever calls me back.
:-|
(To Sue)
Some better news: the vet called about 3:15 this afternoon, looking for an update. I told him Mack had refused all food and we have no evidence he's been drinking, either. The vet says it's a good sign that he doesn't seem to be retching, even though there's no food in his stomach. I didn't realize that was good news, but it makes sense now.
The vet also finally responded about appetite stimulants and tummy-settlers. The cortisone apparently IS an appetite stimulant, and the vet agreed to give Mack a mild anti-nausea injection when we took him in at 4:20 to have subcutaneous fluids injected into him.
He took it very well, although he's not liking the frequent visits to the vet.
He still isn't eating, and runs away from food. But he seems more active, and actually even flipped over on his back, AS IF inviting John to pet his belly, about 1/2 hour ago. (I say "as if" because he really didn't WANT that.)
At least he's feeling better, with several ounces of fluids in him. He seemed surprised he had to go pee.
:-)
I'll let you know when he eats!!!
(From Sue)
Prayers are flowing! Come on Mack, Drink! Eat!! (He apparently has the “Be Merry” part down.) Go Mack Go!!
Thursday, March 15
(To Sue)
I may go out and get some real vanilla ice cream after work and try to entice him with it. The baked potato with butter is tempting, but I'm afraid all that fat wouldn't be processed well by his overtaxed and shut-down system. And when he refused it, anyway, I'd end up eating it myself (which is not a problem with the strained babyfood turkey and ham I've been presenting to him).
Any other ideas? I haven't tried cheese yet, but I'm not sure that would entice him. Reggie, yes. (God, he's obnoxious in the kitchen. Learned that Amy is the fountain of cheese and milk!) But Mack ... John was going to give him a chunk of deli turkey last night, and I presented strained turkey instead. Maybe we'll go with the real turkey.
I told you about Cinnamon's Achille's heel [when our dog stopped eating after a stroke last spring] ... peanut butter. I need to find Mack's .............
(From Sue)
Ice Cream. Go with the Ice Cream. Maybe a pint of low fat and if that doesn’t do it, give him some of the “good” stuff. The boy loves ice cream! (And who can blame him?!) What about Fancy Feast salmon?
Friday, March 16
(From Sue)
How is he (and you) this morning?
(To Sue)
No change. He's lapsing back into his "pre-injection" malaise ... hiding out in the basement most of the time, curled into a tight little upright ball.
I tried the full-fat ice cream (vanilla) last night. Got him interested enough to take 2 licks off my finger, then he seemed to be fighting a gag reflex. Not big, just enough to put him off it. Turned his nose up at the Fancy Feast salmon. :-(
Shannon is babysitting for a 7 or 8 year old girl this week, and brought her over to visit for 1/2 hour or so. She has, in the past, truly enjoyed playing with the cats (she has only a bijon-friese dog at home), and was REALLY mad at Shannon for not letting her say good-bye to Cinnamon before she died. (I love this family ... they LOVE Shannon!)
ANYway, (the short story always becomes longer in the telling!) I thought it would be fun to tease the kitties with a little catnip, for the little girl's amusement ... and it occurred to me that ... they use POT medicinally ... maybe a little medicinal catnip might ignite Mack's appetite!
Alas. While he was moved to lick my fingers of the catnip oil (there's fresh growth in the back yard, just because we had a few warm days! Gotta love weeds!) ... it didn't give him the munchies. He was a little more animated for a while, but not hungry.
Sigh.
I wrote my vet a note and delivered it the clinic this morning; I'm waiting to hear his recommendations for next steps.
Amy is depressed and crying, thinking we're all just too casual in that we can talk about it and be in the same room without becoming a puddle. I told her we're all sad and desperately trying to save him, but we've been living with it for over a week now, and have had time to rant and cry. Now we just need to get practical and do what we can. (If she had been around home more, she would have seen this process, participated in it, and might be where we are, too. Sigh.) Shannon has scar tissue where it hurts, and is very sad, but philosophical about how good a life he has had, so much love he has given, and eager to learn if there is anything we can do to keep him with us.
I just want to cry.
(To my niece)
Hey ... just so you know ... one of our cats seems to be deathly ill ... his liver is failing. We're trying everything we can think of to get him to eat, drink, anything. I've been a little distracted, because of the vet visits and vigil. Here's a picture of him:
http://flickr.com/photos/shrnmc1/397738930/
http://flickr.com/photos/shrnmc1/392373614/
http://flickr.com/photos/shrnmc1/392370671/
http://flickr.com/photos/shrnmc1/392370670/in/photostream/
Next to Lucky, he's the best cat that ever lived. He snuggles up under our chins, likes to be under the covers with us, and trusts that we will never let him come to harm. I feel so awful letting him down in that!
Please send good healing thoughts for Mack!
The rest of the story has been posted on this blog, beginning with the one titled Mack Update. To read them in order, just click on "Newer Post" for the next one.
You'll also find some less practical / more meditative reflections on the situation on my other blog, Thinking Out Loud, in the postings titled Of Love and Money, Serenity-Courage-Wisdom, and Blessings.
Oh, how easy it is to forget that this mess-making is a gift, a privilege, a blessing ... because it is the means by which our beloved Mack will recover from this horrible roller coaster ride of illness.
It was ONLY FOUR WEEKS AGO (March 10) that our struggle to keep Mack alive first began, when we first took him to the vet because he'd lost so much weight. The following Monday, March 12, we got the results of the first blood tests ... and the roller coaster ride began:
Monday, March 12
(Email to Sue, Mack's first mom)
I have some sad news. Our baby, cuddly, nuzzle-under-your-chin lover, Mack, is sick, and I don't know how long he's going to last. I just got off the phone with the vet, who says blood tests point to liver failure, and since we can't stop him from being an alcoholic (which would be an easy way to get him to stop hurting his liver ... if that was the problem), the vet isn't sure what we can do to cause a turnaround. He's doing one more blood test, to see if that, too, points to the liver. But short of ripping the liver out of a healthy cat and doing a transplant, there's probably not much we can do.
I've just made a public spectacle of myself, crying my eyes out in the office, over this news.
I hate this.
(Sue's response)
If it’s any consolation (and I do know, it’s really not), I’m crying too. This is the part of life that sucks so much. Mack has been so fortunate all his life – he’s always been greatly loved and cared for. Every moment is precious with someone you love – I don’t care if they have 2 feet or 4. If the tests confirm the worst, find out how much time he has left to live a comfortable, happy life and give him – and yourselves – that time. As much as I love Virus – she’s my precious baby – I’ve sworn to myself not to let her suffer if her health gives out on her. I love her too much. Just as you love Mack. Man, this sucks. I still love him too. Not like you do, but he’s a part of my heart and it’s breaking.
(My reply to Sue)
We're taking Mack for a 2nd opinion to a clinic in Theinsville this afternoon. I'll let you know what they say. I agree ... I don't want him to suffer. That's why we finally put Cinnamon down in January ... her joints were so bad she just couldn't get around on the hardwood floors without falling several times a day, and when we're at work all day, that's a lot of hours to be stranded, splayed out in 4 directions like Bambi on the ice.
Thank you for your wonderful heart ... I know you haven't seen him in a long time, but Mack is the BEST (next to Lucky?) cat EVER. We're going to do all we can to keep him, healthy, for as long as possible. That's why we're going for the 2nd opinion ... our favorite vet retired about 3 years ago, and his associates (while probably competent) just don't seem to have the same kind of proactive and caring attitude. So we'll see what someone else's vet has to say.
(From Sue)
I’m glad you’re going for a 2nd (and 3rd, if need be) opinion until you find a vet who is going to be proactive and caring for the best cat EVER. He’s certainly a lucky cat. I’m so glad he’s yours.
Tuesday, March 13
(Email to Sue and other concerned friends and family)
The second opinion yesterday said that Mack has a slightly enlarged liver, and ought to have an ultrasound and biopsy to find out exactly what is going on. Our primary vet will have results today from a second blood test which he hopes will also give us more information so we know what we're dealing with.
Yesterday, I thought that if I could just get Mack to eat, we'd at least have a fighting chance. Last night, I got about 2 tsp of prescription cat food down him with a syringe, but he went downstairs about 1/2 hour later and regurgitated it. I also discovered he hadn't kept down the teaspoon of yogurt he licked from my finger. So I'm very worried about what his little body is using for fuel right now.
UPDATE: 11 a.m. CDT Tuesday, March 13
Our regular vet called about 10:30 to talk about the results of the second blood test: Mack's bile acids are mildly elevated (or WERE, on Saturday, when the blood sample was taken). He also had a chance to view the x-ray taken at the other clinic yesterday, and read my note (in which I told him about Mack's seeming inability to keep any food down).
In light of Mack's age (10.5 ... I thought he was born in 1997, but it was 1996! Which, apparently qualifies him in our vet's mind as "an old guy"), the vet thinks it would be best not to put Mack through the trauma of the ultrasound and the invasive procedure necessary to take a biopsy of the liver.
Here's why: there are two groups of problems that COULD be going on with his liver.
One group is ultra-serious, and would be confirmed by the biopsy, but there is really nothing much, short of a liver transplant (evil laugh ... do we have a donor?) that might help him.
The other group of problems is less serious, and MAY be helped by cortisone, which is an anti-inflammatory and could reduce swelling in his liver and allow it to begin functioning again. The cortisone could be administered via injection OR orally. Since Mack isn't keeping anything down, I asked about the injection, and whether I could bring him over, right now, this very minute, to get things started. The vet said YES.
So we're home now. The doctor's nurse who administered the injection (Mack didn't even flinch) says we could hope for some change in his behavior (interest in food or water would be good) within 12 hours, if we're lucky. Otherwise, they would like to hear from us if he seems to get worse, but they'd expect him to be better ... and would like to get an update on Friday, at the latest, in either case. I'm thinking if he doesn't at least DRINK something soon, I don't understand how he'd last until Friday.
Sigh. That's all for now.
Mack and I are going down for a nap.
(From Sue)
I’m praying constantly for a miracle. Old guy? BAH! Tell Mack he’s got a mile of prayers flowing for him. 12 hours will tell a lot. I’ll keep praying, you keep cuddling him.
(From a colleague at work ... who also sent Mack's blood test results to her cousin -- Trisha -- at an LA animal hospital, for an opinion)
Well, that makes two of us on cortisone. The injection is better because the oral can take 3 days to have results. However, even with the injection, be patient – results may take a bit ;)
(To my work colleague)
Oh, thank you for the advice to be patient. That's probably why the vet wants an update on Friday, rather than right away tomorrow.
(From the same colleague)
Trisha said that you can give him an appetite stimulant as well.
(Again, from the same colleague)
Also, try beech nut baby food stage one any meat flavor.
(My response)
Thank you. I'll go get some. I appreciate any info that has me DOING something proactive instead of just watching him shrivel away.
Wednesday, March 14
(From Sue)
How is he? How are you?
(To Sue)
I'm okay, but not encouraged. I waited 11.5 hours after the cortisone shot, and offered him Gerber strained ham. He walked away. This morning, I figured the cortisone had had that many more hours to work, so I opened another jar (turkey, this time) and offered it to him. He walked away. About 11 a.m., Amy (who is now unemployed and living at our house) offered him something ... he ran back into her bedroom.
I put a call in to our vet, asking whether we could try an appetite stimulant and / or something to settle his stomach (like pepcid) ... which was suggested by my colleague's cousin, who has worked at the LA Animal Hospital for 10 years. Still waiting for the vet to call me back with a response to this inquiry.
Not looking good.
I'm at work today, at least. Yesterday, I took off work, thinking I'd be asked to take him in for an ultrasound or biopsy. I think it's the right thing to do, not traumatizing him for some procedure that would only prove he's got something we can't cure him of, anyway.
Sigh.
Thank you for asking!
I'll let you know if anything changes ... or if the doc ever calls me back.
:-|
(To Sue)
Some better news: the vet called about 3:15 this afternoon, looking for an update. I told him Mack had refused all food and we have no evidence he's been drinking, either. The vet says it's a good sign that he doesn't seem to be retching, even though there's no food in his stomach. I didn't realize that was good news, but it makes sense now.
The vet also finally responded about appetite stimulants and tummy-settlers. The cortisone apparently IS an appetite stimulant, and the vet agreed to give Mack a mild anti-nausea injection when we took him in at 4:20 to have subcutaneous fluids injected into him.
He took it very well, although he's not liking the frequent visits to the vet.
He still isn't eating, and runs away from food. But he seems more active, and actually even flipped over on his back, AS IF inviting John to pet his belly, about 1/2 hour ago. (I say "as if" because he really didn't WANT that.)
At least he's feeling better, with several ounces of fluids in him. He seemed surprised he had to go pee.
:-)
I'll let you know when he eats!!!
(From Sue)
Prayers are flowing! Come on Mack, Drink! Eat!! (He apparently has the “Be Merry” part down.) Go Mack Go!!
Thursday, March 15
(To Sue)
I may go out and get some real vanilla ice cream after work and try to entice him with it. The baked potato with butter is tempting, but I'm afraid all that fat wouldn't be processed well by his overtaxed and shut-down system. And when he refused it, anyway, I'd end up eating it myself (which is not a problem with the strained babyfood turkey and ham I've been presenting to him).
Any other ideas? I haven't tried cheese yet, but I'm not sure that would entice him. Reggie, yes. (God, he's obnoxious in the kitchen. Learned that Amy is the fountain of cheese and milk!) But Mack ... John was going to give him a chunk of deli turkey last night, and I presented strained turkey instead. Maybe we'll go with the real turkey.
I told you about Cinnamon's Achille's heel [when our dog stopped eating after a stroke last spring] ... peanut butter. I need to find Mack's .............
(From Sue)
Ice Cream. Go with the Ice Cream. Maybe a pint of low fat and if that doesn’t do it, give him some of the “good” stuff. The boy loves ice cream! (And who can blame him?!) What about Fancy Feast salmon?
Friday, March 16
(From Sue)
How is he (and you) this morning?
(To Sue)
No change. He's lapsing back into his "pre-injection" malaise ... hiding out in the basement most of the time, curled into a tight little upright ball.
I tried the full-fat ice cream (vanilla) last night. Got him interested enough to take 2 licks off my finger, then he seemed to be fighting a gag reflex. Not big, just enough to put him off it. Turned his nose up at the Fancy Feast salmon. :-(
Shannon is babysitting for a 7 or 8 year old girl this week, and brought her over to visit for 1/2 hour or so. She has, in the past, truly enjoyed playing with the cats (she has only a bijon-friese dog at home), and was REALLY mad at Shannon for not letting her say good-bye to Cinnamon before she died. (I love this family ... they LOVE Shannon!)
ANYway, (the short story always becomes longer in the telling!) I thought it would be fun to tease the kitties with a little catnip, for the little girl's amusement ... and it occurred to me that ... they use POT medicinally ... maybe a little medicinal catnip might ignite Mack's appetite!
Alas. While he was moved to lick my fingers of the catnip oil (there's fresh growth in the back yard, just because we had a few warm days! Gotta love weeds!) ... it didn't give him the munchies. He was a little more animated for a while, but not hungry.
Sigh.
I wrote my vet a note and delivered it the clinic this morning; I'm waiting to hear his recommendations for next steps.
Amy is depressed and crying, thinking we're all just too casual in that we can talk about it and be in the same room without becoming a puddle. I told her we're all sad and desperately trying to save him, but we've been living with it for over a week now, and have had time to rant and cry. Now we just need to get practical and do what we can. (If she had been around home more, she would have seen this process, participated in it, and might be where we are, too. Sigh.) Shannon has scar tissue where it hurts, and is very sad, but philosophical about how good a life he has had, so much love he has given, and eager to learn if there is anything we can do to keep him with us.
I just want to cry.
(To my niece)
Hey ... just so you know ... one of our cats seems to be deathly ill ... his liver is failing. We're trying everything we can think of to get him to eat, drink, anything. I've been a little distracted, because of the vet visits and vigil. Here's a picture of him:
http://flickr.com/photos/shrnmc1/397738930/
http://flickr.com/photos/shrnmc1/392373614/
http://flickr.com/photos/shrnmc1/392370671/
http://flickr.com/photos/shrnmc1/392370670/in/photostream/
Next to Lucky, he's the best cat that ever lived. He snuggles up under our chins, likes to be under the covers with us, and trusts that we will never let him come to harm. I feel so awful letting him down in that!
Please send good healing thoughts for Mack!
The rest of the story has been posted on this blog, beginning with the one titled Mack Update. To read them in order, just click on "Newer Post" for the next one.
You'll also find some less practical / more meditative reflections on the situation on my other blog, Thinking Out Loud, in the postings titled Of Love and Money, Serenity-Courage-Wisdom, and Blessings.
THANK YOU to everyone who has been contributing their good thoughts and wishes toward Mack's recovery! I know the positive energy he's been bombarded with, from people he has never even met, has done him a world of good!
Our boy still has a long road to travel to complete health, so please keep those good thoughts coming our way, and I'll keep you posted on his progress.
Meanwhile, later today, I'll be uploading just a couple of photos I took last night of Mack and his brothers. Da Boyz are looking good!
Hugs to all!
Our boy still has a long road to travel to complete health, so please keep those good thoughts coming our way, and I'll keep you posted on his progress.
Meanwhile, later today, I'll be uploading just a couple of photos I took last night of Mack and his brothers. Da Boyz are looking good!
Hugs to all!
What does it all mean?
I had to go digging into my old posts to find the "normal" ranges for these blood tests.
Bilirubins need to be between 0 and .5 to be normal. He was at 2.7 this week.
Normal readings, according to the website I found, would be between 10-130 for the ALT (he's at 105 now!) , and 20-220 for the ALKP (he's at 177 now!).
Again, for anyone interested in knowing more, I found a website that could help you understand a bit about how to read lab tests.
Woo hoo! With this perspective, I see why the vet just wants to see him again in 2 weeks to check on his progress!
We're not home free yet ... he's still fussy when we're feeding him (and I can finally think, "well, just EAT, then!" in a loving and caring tone, of course) and isn't really quite himself (for many good reasons).
But it sure feels like we're on our way to coasting to the smooth end of the roller coaster ride. We just need to be sure not to get complacent before the car comes to a complete stop, and be sure to watch our step as we exit the ride.
Bilirubins need to be between 0 and .5 to be normal. He was at 2.7 this week.
Normal readings, according to the website I found, would be between 10-130 for the ALT (he's at 105 now!) , and 20-220 for the ALKP (he's at 177 now!).
Again, for anyone interested in knowing more, I found a website that could help you understand a bit about how to read lab tests.
Woo hoo! With this perspective, I see why the vet just wants to see him again in 2 weeks to check on his progress!
We're not home free yet ... he's still fussy when we're feeding him (and I can finally think, "well, just EAT, then!" in a loving and caring tone, of course) and isn't really quite himself (for many good reasons).
But it sure feels like we're on our way to coasting to the smooth end of the roller coaster ride. We just need to be sure not to get complacent before the car comes to a complete stop, and be sure to watch our step as we exit the ride.
Friday, April 06, 2007
We finally heard from the vet! (I know she's busy ... I was just anxious!)
Here's what she said about Mack's blood tests:
1. His red blood cell count is up 3%. That's a good sign, because he was anemic when they last ran this test on March 24, but he's much better now!
2. His total bilirubins are down, from 7.2 two weeks ago, to 2.7. (For comparison, this value was 6.8 when Mack was admitted to the emergency care facility, and went down to 4.3 after 2 and a half days of IV fluids, nutrition, antibiotics, etc.)
3. His ALT is down, too ... from 211 two weeks ago, to 105. (Mack's ALT values on admission to the hospital were 362, and were down slightly to 346 when tested two days later.)
4. His AlkPhos number was down, from 450 two weeks ago to 177 yesterday! (By comparison, this value went UP, between admission and two days later, from 549 to 656.)
None of these values is normal yet, but she says these are very good signs!
She didn't recommend any more drugs or supplements, no ultrasound or biopsy ... just wants to see him again in 10-14 days, to check his blood levels and the status of the feeding tube, as well as to hear whether he's started eating yet.
This is fantastic news! It means we're doing all the right things, and just need to be patient!
Hooray!
Here's what she said about Mack's blood tests:
1. His red blood cell count is up 3%. That's a good sign, because he was anemic when they last ran this test on March 24, but he's much better now!
2. His total bilirubins are down, from 7.2 two weeks ago, to 2.7. (For comparison, this value was 6.8 when Mack was admitted to the emergency care facility, and went down to 4.3 after 2 and a half days of IV fluids, nutrition, antibiotics, etc.)
3. His ALT is down, too ... from 211 two weeks ago, to 105. (Mack's ALT values on admission to the hospital were 362, and were down slightly to 346 when tested two days later.)
4. His AlkPhos number was down, from 450 two weeks ago to 177 yesterday! (By comparison, this value went UP, between admission and two days later, from 549 to 656.)
None of these values is normal yet, but she says these are very good signs!
She didn't recommend any more drugs or supplements, no ultrasound or biopsy ... just wants to see him again in 10-14 days, to check his blood levels and the status of the feeding tube, as well as to hear whether he's started eating yet.
This is fantastic news! It means we're doing all the right things, and just need to be patient!
Hooray!
Waiting for the results of the blood test
I'm trying not to worry too much about the blood test results. We will do what we have to, to find out what is wrong. I'm not sure if we'll go the $300-400 biopsy route right away. The vet mentioned some disorder that responds well to Prednisone ... if the blood values indicate that's a possibility, we might try him on that to see if things get better. We just can't "afford" another $2100 hospital stay, though.
Brushing that off (because I HAVE to at this point!) ... I'm not too worried yet. Mack is definitely feeling better, and he's processing the food he's getting ... even if it's not being processed with optimal efficiency and he's not yet getting enough calories to sustain himself. We're addressing that with the extra feedings, as well as putting less water into the food he IS getting. We'll supplement with water between feedings, so he doesn't get stopped up again.
The vet will be calling our home phone during the day, so we have the message to listen to as many times as it takes for us to understand it. I'll be checking for it, at reasonable intervals, and will let you know as soon as I can ....
Brushing that off (because I HAVE to at this point!) ... I'm not too worried yet. Mack is definitely feeling better, and he's processing the food he's getting ... even if it's not being processed with optimal efficiency and he's not yet getting enough calories to sustain himself. We're addressing that with the extra feedings, as well as putting less water into the food he IS getting. We'll supplement with water between feedings, so he doesn't get stopped up again.
The vet will be calling our home phone during the day, so we have the message to listen to as many times as it takes for us to understand it. I'll be checking for it, at reasonable intervals, and will let you know as soon as I can ....
Thursday, April 05, 2007
Antsy - but not in a bad way
Mack is definitely more active than he's been in weeks!
He's jumping up into the cat nest, and out again. Scratching at the tape around his neck, sniffing my shoe, popping up next to me, then back into the nest, then sitting as still as if he's stalking a mouse. Then, off again. Feisty!
It's good to see! But I've become so accustomed to tuning into every nuance of his behavior to interpret how he's feeling, that I'm making myself crazy trying to figure out if it means anything.
I think it means he's better.
The cat doctor took some blood, and will be calling with the results tomorrow. Mack isn't as jaundiced as he was 2 weeks ago when she first saw him, but he's still a bit yellow. The blood test will tell us whether his liver function is improving. If not, she will recommend an ultrasound and biopsy (sound familiar?) to find out whether it's hepatitis or WHAT? If the liver function IS improving, it's probably just fatty liver syndrome, and we're well on our way to recovery.
He's off the antibiotic, having finished the entire prescription, and got a new supply of appetite stimulant (for all the good it's doing us!). The lysine seems to have done its job curing the runny nose and sneezing, but won't hurt if we continue 500mg/day (cutting dosage in half) now. Supplements for his gall bladder and liver support continue. Add another $200 to the running total on this episode of Mack's life. Lost track? Me, too. I figure it's better that way, until we get to smooth sailing. Especially when I hear "ultrasound and biopsy" being bandied about again. Argh.
I was a bit worried about his scratching at the tape that holds the tube in place, but the doc says there's no infection, no problems, and the tube is still quite securely in place. It will be fine to leave in place for weeks, if it takes that long for him to decide to eat on his own.
He's not getting enough food. Period. He needs at least a full can of this high-protein, high fat diet each day, to sustain himself. He's getting only about 1/2 to 2/3 can. (Which, don't get me wrong, is a great improvement over not eating at all!)
The doc suggested giving him less at each feeding, and feeding more often. Hmmm. I don't know how that can happen. We DO need to work, if only to support our Mack habit!
He's been averaging 97, 112, 108 cc per day. Today, he's already at 102 (at 10:30 p.m.). If he lets me feed him again, that means he could get as much as 130 or so.
So ... if I get up at 5, I can give him 20 cc by 5:30, then give him 30-35cc by 7:30 when I leave for work. I can usually leave work by 11:30 to get him 30-35cc by 12:30 and get back to work by about 1:00. I really ought to work 8 hours, so leaving at 5:30, I could get him 20cc by 6:30. If we go by the 10cc/hour guideline set by the vet, I could give him more at 8:30. Decision time. Do I give him 20cc and hope I last until 10:30 to give him 30-35cc more? Okay, so say I DID last until 10:30, and gave him 35cc before bed. Drum roll: that would mean he'd get between 150-165cc in a day.
That's still not a full can of food in a day.
I don't know what else to do.
The cat doctor says some day, when he's hungry, he'll just decide to eat. I hope that day comes soon.
Brat
I'm glad we're seeing the vet today. I want to know whether Mack's blood tests show his liver is functioning again. I want to know whether his biology has caught up with his behavior.
And he is being a brat, lately. Wouldn't sit still for his whole feeding last night, and wouldn't allow me to feed him again before bed.
He actually jumped down from the papasan AFTER I'd taken the plug out of the feeding tube (so I had him calm enough, I THOUGHT, to proceed!). There is nothing quite like having little drops of watery liver pate left in a trail all over the living room and into the kitchen.
We caught him, plugged up the tube again, and waited for him to visit the litter box, or WHATEVER was so important at that moment.
Absolutely eluded me after the litter box visit, too.
I tried sitting with him to see if I could feed him, again, just before I turned in ... long after I would normally have gone to bed. No dice.
BUT -- guess who woke me up this morning, pawing my closed bedroom door? Yup. Guess he was hungry!
But he still wouldn't sit down and let me feed him. So I went about my business.
Finally, he came back to the bedroom and climbed into bed with John. They both like to hide under the covers.
Now I'm wondering whether Mack has learned that the grumbling in his tummy means he needs to be cuddled. NOT "I need to put my mouth around some food," but "where is someone to pet me? The grumbly tumbly always goes away then!"
Argh.
Probably worrying about nothing.
Lunchtime feeding went well, after I caught him and calmed him down again.
Good news: the water therapy is working. Things are still moving ALL THE WAY through his system, and coming out much easier on the other end.
Now we just need to get the front end working again!
And he is being a brat, lately. Wouldn't sit still for his whole feeding last night, and wouldn't allow me to feed him again before bed.
He actually jumped down from the papasan AFTER I'd taken the plug out of the feeding tube (so I had him calm enough, I THOUGHT, to proceed!). There is nothing quite like having little drops of watery liver pate left in a trail all over the living room and into the kitchen.
We caught him, plugged up the tube again, and waited for him to visit the litter box, or WHATEVER was so important at that moment.
Absolutely eluded me after the litter box visit, too.
I tried sitting with him to see if I could feed him, again, just before I turned in ... long after I would normally have gone to bed. No dice.
BUT -- guess who woke me up this morning, pawing my closed bedroom door? Yup. Guess he was hungry!
But he still wouldn't sit down and let me feed him. So I went about my business.
Finally, he came back to the bedroom and climbed into bed with John. They both like to hide under the covers.
Now I'm wondering whether Mack has learned that the grumbling in his tummy means he needs to be cuddled. NOT "I need to put my mouth around some food," but "where is someone to pet me? The grumbly tumbly always goes away then!"
Argh.
Probably worrying about nothing.
Lunchtime feeding went well, after I caught him and calmed him down again.
Good news: the water therapy is working. Things are still moving ALL THE WAY through his system, and coming out much easier on the other end.
Now we just need to get the front end working again!
Mack's Fan Club
I've just learned that Mack has developed a fan club! Thank you, to all who read my blog to find out how my dear kitty is faring! (Please feel free to leave comments, if you wish. You don't need an account to do so!)
I mentioned to a friend that I wasn't sure anyone was actually reading my posts ... I started blogging to let my far-flung kids know how their kitty is doing.
It turns out my kids read about Mack's progress less often than his fans do!!
Quoting one friend:
"Yes, every morning I check your blog to get my "Mack fix". : - ) I do worry - kitties can't help themselves for things like this and taking good care of them is the least we can do for all of the love they give us. : - )"
Mack's original mom, Sue, was pleased, but not really surprised about the fan club:
"The world is full of true cat-aholics such as you and moi and therefore, Mack could indeed become an Internet Celebrity. Better him than Britney or Paris ANY DAY. The world would be a better place if we were celebrating a sick kitty pooping than some bimbo flashing her[self] at photographers or the other one making home porno films for mass distribution – not once, but at least TWICE. Money does not cure stupid. So let us celebrate Mack. Let us revel in his little signs of progress, such as peeing and pooping. Because when a kitty is that sick, these are indeed causes to celebrate – his body is beginning to function properly again. GO MACK GO!!!"
I agree ... Go, Mack, go!
I mentioned to a friend that I wasn't sure anyone was actually reading my posts ... I started blogging to let my far-flung kids know how their kitty is doing.
It turns out my kids read about Mack's progress less often than his fans do!!
Quoting one friend:
"Yes, every morning I check your blog to get my "Mack fix". : - ) I do worry - kitties can't help themselves for things like this and taking good care of them is the least we can do for all of the love they give us. : - )"
Mack's original mom, Sue, was pleased, but not really surprised about the fan club:
"The world is full of true cat-aholics such as you and moi and therefore, Mack could indeed become an Internet Celebrity. Better him than Britney or Paris ANY DAY. The world would be a better place if we were celebrating a sick kitty pooping than some bimbo flashing her[self] at photographers or the other one making home porno films for mass distribution – not once, but at least TWICE. Money does not cure stupid. So let us celebrate Mack. Let us revel in his little signs of progress, such as peeing and pooping. Because when a kitty is that sick, these are indeed causes to celebrate – his body is beginning to function properly again. GO MACK GO!!!"
I agree ... Go, Mack, go!
Wednesday, April 04, 2007
Lunch Report - Wednesday, April 4
Mack was resting comfortably on the papasan when I arrived for lunch.
He remained in good spirits: 38cc food and 20 cc water received while purring on the papasan.
Tomorrow evening, Mack goes to the cat doctor to get a blood test, which should show us whether his liver is still failing.
Cross your fingers!
He remained in good spirits: 38cc food and 20 cc water received while purring on the papasan.
Tomorrow evening, Mack goes to the cat doctor to get a blood test, which should show us whether his liver is still failing.
Cross your fingers!
What will get Mack to eat again?
All I know, thus far, is what has NOT enticed him to eat:
- regular dry cat food (Purina Urinary Tract Health formula)
- Purina Kitty Chow
- Prescription Diet a/d formula
- Jenni-O oven roasted turkey
- plain yogurt (completely ignored by all the cats in the house)
- tuna water (immediately gobbled up by all the other cats in the house!)
What didn't work BEFORE he got the feeding tube:
- Gerber strained baby foods: veal, beef, turkey, ham
- Fancy Feast - Savory Salmon Feast
- plain vanilla ice cream
- plain vanilla ice cream infused with catnip juices
What enticed him to TRY eating, but didn't stay down, long before the tube:
- Trader Joe's kitty tuna
- strawberry yogurt
He DID lick my fingers when I crushed fresh catnip leaves, even when he was most sick. And he does continue to seek out the catnip toy.
Maybe if I rub the edge of the dish with catnip, and put a little dab of yogurt or ice cream in the middle ....
This boy has GOT to EAT. Or at least drink water. I'd settle for him drinking water ....
- regular dry cat food (Purina Urinary Tract Health formula)
- Purina Kitty Chow
- Prescription Diet a/d formula
- Jenni-O oven roasted turkey
- plain yogurt (completely ignored by all the cats in the house)
- tuna water (immediately gobbled up by all the other cats in the house!)
What didn't work BEFORE he got the feeding tube:
- Gerber strained baby foods: veal, beef, turkey, ham
- Fancy Feast - Savory Salmon Feast
- plain vanilla ice cream
- plain vanilla ice cream infused with catnip juices
What enticed him to TRY eating, but didn't stay down, long before the tube:
- Trader Joe's kitty tuna
- strawberry yogurt
He DID lick my fingers when I crushed fresh catnip leaves, even when he was most sick. And he does continue to seek out the catnip toy.
Maybe if I rub the edge of the dish with catnip, and put a little dab of yogurt or ice cream in the middle ....
This boy has GOT to EAT. Or at least drink water. I'd settle for him drinking water ....
Water, water, everywhere ...
By now, Mack should be getting about a can of the prescription canned food per day, and we're still just hovering around 1/2 to 3/4 can. I haven't been terribly concerned because he's making good, steady progress.
Yesterday, though -- due to the episode described in the previous posting -- Mack got only about 1/2 the nutrition he had been getting for several previous days, because we cut his last two feedings with plenty of water, which he seems to need right now. I hope it helps.
I can tell he's already feeling better. Last night, he greeted me at the door when I came home, and even took a tumble with the catnip toy.
He greeted me this morning, presenting himself to be petted while I brushed my teeth. Awkward, but how could I resist?
I decided we're not around enough to feed him more frequently, to make up for cutting the food significantly with water -- so I gave him 38cc of the standard slushy liver pate ... because he NEEDS the nutrition, too! But I also gave him 10cc of water afterward, which I was nervous about, but he didn't seem disturbed or uncomfortable with the extra volume in his tummy, at all.
In fact, he curled up on the papasan and was quite relaxed after the feeding. He also purred through the administration of another 15cc of water before I left for work.
We're determined to hydrate this kitty, one way or another!
Yesterday, though -- due to the episode described in the previous posting -- Mack got only about 1/2 the nutrition he had been getting for several previous days, because we cut his last two feedings with plenty of water, which he seems to need right now. I hope it helps.
I can tell he's already feeling better. Last night, he greeted me at the door when I came home, and even took a tumble with the catnip toy.
He greeted me this morning, presenting himself to be petted while I brushed my teeth. Awkward, but how could I resist?
I decided we're not around enough to feed him more frequently, to make up for cutting the food significantly with water -- so I gave him 38cc of the standard slushy liver pate ... because he NEEDS the nutrition, too! But I also gave him 10cc of water afterward, which I was nervous about, but he didn't seem disturbed or uncomfortable with the extra volume in his tummy, at all.
In fact, he curled up on the papasan and was quite relaxed after the feeding. He also purred through the administration of another 15cc of water before I left for work.
We're determined to hydrate this kitty, one way or another!
HOW IS MACK?
The title of this post comes directly from an email I received yesterday from Mack's original mom, Sue. When she asks this question, she really does want all the details. Not everyone out there does ... so I have to caution you ... you're going to find some dirty words in today's post about Mack's status yesterday.
Read on, if you dare.
Quoting my response to Sue, from yesterday:
----------------------------------------------------
Mack is ... good, I think.
For his last two meals yesterday, he was edgy while John was feeding him. I wasn't sure why. Yes, we had gotten new feeding syringes ... 35cc capacity rather than 60cc, but we're only supposed to be giving him about 30cc at a crack, anyway. But the tube is 1/2 the size, lighter, and works more smoothly than the ones we had been using.
I wondered (out loud ... poor John) whether, due to the lighter load in the syringe, and the easier flow, perhaps John was holding it at a different angle ... perhaps an angle that made the tube in Mack's esophagus uncomfortable for him. John had been careful to present Mack with the opportunity to empty his bladder prior to starting to feed him, after my Friday noon experience. I just didn't know what to think about why he would suddenly not want to sit still during a feeding, and not particularly want to be cuddled or touched, before and after.
I cut off his morning feeding at 19cc, with no water "chaser," because he just wasn't "right."
At lunch, I prepared everything to feed him after cuddling and holding him a while. Everything seemed okay, but before I can get my stuff together to feed him, he jumps down and walks purposefully toward the kitchen. He does not want to be caught, so I think, "okay, I'll wait while you go potty."
Instead, he sits by the kitchen sink and meows that meow that says something is wrong. I go get paper toweling, and lay a square in front of him to catch the few drops he heaves out of his stomach. (Aren't you glad you asked how Mack is?)
Then he goes downstairs. I follow, and when he doesn't go to the litter boxes, I pick him up and put him in one. Indignant, he climbs right back out again.
I decide to wait as he walks toward the back of the basement (NOT back upstairs).
I figure I may was well clean them while I'm here, thinking the sound of me digging in the sand might be kind of like running the water in the bathroom sink to get a 2-year-old to go potty.
After I clean out one of the two litter boxes, Mack climbs into the SECOND litter box ("so THERE!"). He digs. This is a good sign, I think. He digs more. He strains. He strains. He covers something up VERY fastidiously and walks away.
I'm right there, scoop in hand, so I decide to clean it up right away. All I can find is a pea-sized something. I keep digging ... but there's nothing else.
While I'm finishing up MY rooting around in the sand, Mack comes back and digs in the other litter box. He strains, covers something, and gets out. I go digging and find a little tiny turd. (I'm sorry. You ASKED how's Mack.)
I'm ecstatic. He's pooped! It's the first time I'm aware he's done this in I-don't-know-how-long! Yea!
But it's not very big, and I press on it to see its consistency. VERY hard, very much like a tootsie roll, really.
While I'm doing my scientific inquiry, I see Mack is scooting across the floor on his butt. The entire width of the house, on his butt. Hmmmm... then he goes up the stairs. I follow.
I can't find him anywhere, but I find the center of a Tootsie Pop (no candy coating, no mess) in the hallway by the bedroom doors. I'm very glad the bedroom doors are all closed.
I go back out and check all the hiding places. Still can't find him. So I go back downstairs, thinking he might have sneaked past me when I was making my salad for lunch.
Sure enough, he's in the litter box (the one apparently marked clearly, "poop here!" The other one's for pee?), straining. Straining. Straining. Covering something up. Walking away a little stiff-legged.
There's more poop, a pretty good amount, the same consistency of the others. Mack is huddled on the floor, way at the back of the basement. I go to scoop him up, and he eludes me. I follow. He does not want to be caught, again. Finally, I scoop him up and fold his tail under him, and carry him upstairs. He purrs. I sit on the papasan, and he scrambles away. I lift his tail and wipe it with the paper towel I had handy to catch drips when I fed him. It's messy. Poor baby. He jumps down. I leave him alone and wash my hands and eat a salad.
Before I left, I gave him just about 3-4cc of plain water. That's all he would tolerate. Poor baby is constipated (BUT the good news is that everything is working!!) and uncomfortable. I'm going to cut his food with a LOT more water from now on!
Sorry for the graphic detail ... I just don't know how to say all this without using words like POOP ... and after all ... you asked!
Read on, if you dare.
Quoting my response to Sue, from yesterday:
----------------------------------------------------
Mack is ... good, I think.
For his last two meals yesterday, he was edgy while John was feeding him. I wasn't sure why. Yes, we had gotten new feeding syringes ... 35cc capacity rather than 60cc, but we're only supposed to be giving him about 30cc at a crack, anyway. But the tube is 1/2 the size, lighter, and works more smoothly than the ones we had been using.
I wondered (out loud ... poor John) whether, due to the lighter load in the syringe, and the easier flow, perhaps John was holding it at a different angle ... perhaps an angle that made the tube in Mack's esophagus uncomfortable for him. John had been careful to present Mack with the opportunity to empty his bladder prior to starting to feed him, after my Friday noon experience. I just didn't know what to think about why he would suddenly not want to sit still during a feeding, and not particularly want to be cuddled or touched, before and after.
I cut off his morning feeding at 19cc, with no water "chaser," because he just wasn't "right."
At lunch, I prepared everything to feed him after cuddling and holding him a while. Everything seemed okay, but before I can get my stuff together to feed him, he jumps down and walks purposefully toward the kitchen. He does not want to be caught, so I think, "okay, I'll wait while you go potty."
Instead, he sits by the kitchen sink and meows that meow that says something is wrong. I go get paper toweling, and lay a square in front of him to catch the few drops he heaves out of his stomach. (Aren't you glad you asked how Mack is?)
Then he goes downstairs. I follow, and when he doesn't go to the litter boxes, I pick him up and put him in one. Indignant, he climbs right back out again.
I decide to wait as he walks toward the back of the basement (NOT back upstairs).
I figure I may was well clean them while I'm here, thinking the sound of me digging in the sand might be kind of like running the water in the bathroom sink to get a 2-year-old to go potty.
After I clean out one of the two litter boxes, Mack climbs into the SECOND litter box ("so THERE!"). He digs. This is a good sign, I think. He digs more. He strains. He strains. He covers something up VERY fastidiously and walks away.
I'm right there, scoop in hand, so I decide to clean it up right away. All I can find is a pea-sized something. I keep digging ... but there's nothing else.
While I'm finishing up MY rooting around in the sand, Mack comes back and digs in the other litter box. He strains, covers something, and gets out. I go digging and find a little tiny turd. (I'm sorry. You ASKED how's Mack.)
I'm ecstatic. He's pooped! It's the first time I'm aware he's done this in I-don't-know-how-long! Yea!
But it's not very big, and I press on it to see its consistency. VERY hard, very much like a tootsie roll, really.
While I'm doing my scientific inquiry, I see Mack is scooting across the floor on his butt. The entire width of the house, on his butt. Hmmmm... then he goes up the stairs. I follow.
I can't find him anywhere, but I find the center of a Tootsie Pop (no candy coating, no mess) in the hallway by the bedroom doors. I'm very glad the bedroom doors are all closed.
I go back out and check all the hiding places. Still can't find him. So I go back downstairs, thinking he might have sneaked past me when I was making my salad for lunch.
Sure enough, he's in the litter box (the one apparently marked clearly, "poop here!" The other one's for pee?), straining. Straining. Straining. Covering something up. Walking away a little stiff-legged.
There's more poop, a pretty good amount, the same consistency of the others. Mack is huddled on the floor, way at the back of the basement. I go to scoop him up, and he eludes me. I follow. He does not want to be caught, again. Finally, I scoop him up and fold his tail under him, and carry him upstairs. He purrs. I sit on the papasan, and he scrambles away. I lift his tail and wipe it with the paper towel I had handy to catch drips when I fed him. It's messy. Poor baby. He jumps down. I leave him alone and wash my hands and eat a salad.
Before I left, I gave him just about 3-4cc of plain water. That's all he would tolerate. Poor baby is constipated (BUT the good news is that everything is working!!) and uncomfortable. I'm going to cut his food with a LOT more water from now on!
Sorry for the graphic detail ... I just don't know how to say all this without using words like POOP ... and after all ... you asked!
Monday, April 02, 2007
How's Mack Doing?
Mack is actually doing very well, although he had a couple more episodes of NOT keeping down a couple of "meals." I think the real problem with both those episodes was "operator error."
Friday afternoon, I was in a hurry to feed him and rush off to an appointment, so I probably rushed the process. After I fed him, he promptly jumped down from where he was and emptied his stomach again. The next meal was no problem, so I'm sure it was ME, not him.
The second incident was Saturday night, when John decided he'd just empty the feeding syringe instead of stopping at 30cc (which is as much as the vet recommended at any one feeding). Admittedly, we had pushed it up to 36cc prior to this a couple of times ... but we have both now agreed that 30 is as far as we're going to go at one sitting -- because, really, I'm guessing that's all a kitty's stomach comfortably holds, ANYway. When my cats wolf down their dry food, and then spill their cookies shortly thereafter (when it has swelled from drinking water or whatever), I think it's just because they've overindulged. I think Mack is having the same kind of response, and in this situation it's OUR responsibility to stop at a reasonable point.
Mack showed NO interest in the plain yogurt. Neither did his brothers. Surprised me. (I don't like plain yogurt, either. Does ANYone?)
Before each feeding, I offer Mack a tiny bit of some kind of food, to see if he will at least lick it. No positive response thus far to liver pate (the prescription diet), familiar dry cat food, kitty chow (leftover from Amy's cat living here), or plain yogurt. I think I'll try a morsel of oven-roasted Jenni-O turkey tonight.
I'm not worried about the fact that he's not eating yet. The vet says it can take weeks. He seems to be gaining weight, he's DEFINITELY healthier, and his activity level has increased. He's hopping up on favorite places that he hasn't been for several weeks, like the top of the snake cage (warming light is the big attraction), and he even visited me as I was getting ready for work this morning, like he used to do before he got sick. He laid himself out in a sun spot over the weekend, and has revisited the catnip toy on at least a few occasions.
I do look forward to him eating again. My kitchen ceiling, floor, window, curtain, cabinets, and the African violet on the window sill have all been splattered liberal amounts with liver pate in the last week or so, and the scent of savory seasonings mingled with bleach-based kitchen cleaner greet us as we enter the house. But so does he, so it's all worth it.
Friday afternoon, I was in a hurry to feed him and rush off to an appointment, so I probably rushed the process. After I fed him, he promptly jumped down from where he was and emptied his stomach again. The next meal was no problem, so I'm sure it was ME, not him.
The second incident was Saturday night, when John decided he'd just empty the feeding syringe instead of stopping at 30cc (which is as much as the vet recommended at any one feeding). Admittedly, we had pushed it up to 36cc prior to this a couple of times ... but we have both now agreed that 30 is as far as we're going to go at one sitting -- because, really, I'm guessing that's all a kitty's stomach comfortably holds, ANYway. When my cats wolf down their dry food, and then spill their cookies shortly thereafter (when it has swelled from drinking water or whatever), I think it's just because they've overindulged. I think Mack is having the same kind of response, and in this situation it's OUR responsibility to stop at a reasonable point.
Mack showed NO interest in the plain yogurt. Neither did his brothers. Surprised me. (I don't like plain yogurt, either. Does ANYone?)
Before each feeding, I offer Mack a tiny bit of some kind of food, to see if he will at least lick it. No positive response thus far to liver pate (the prescription diet), familiar dry cat food, kitty chow (leftover from Amy's cat living here), or plain yogurt. I think I'll try a morsel of oven-roasted Jenni-O turkey tonight.
I'm not worried about the fact that he's not eating yet. The vet says it can take weeks. He seems to be gaining weight, he's DEFINITELY healthier, and his activity level has increased. He's hopping up on favorite places that he hasn't been for several weeks, like the top of the snake cage (warming light is the big attraction), and he even visited me as I was getting ready for work this morning, like he used to do before he got sick. He laid himself out in a sun spot over the weekend, and has revisited the catnip toy on at least a few occasions.
I do look forward to him eating again. My kitchen ceiling, floor, window, curtain, cabinets, and the African violet on the window sill have all been splattered liberal amounts with liver pate in the last week or so, and the scent of savory seasonings mingled with bleach-based kitchen cleaner greet us as we enter the house. But so does he, so it's all worth it.
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