Thursday, December 5, 2013

Vet Visit (Purr and Prayers Needed)

Mom Sierra here.  We made our way to the vet yesterday, and things are not good for Jewel or Carmine, which I did not anticipate at all.

As most of you know, Carmine has chronic anal gland issues, and he has to get them expressed every three months at the v-e-t to prevent some serious health problems.  I didn't anticipate another potential medical issue for my little orange baby.

The vet weighed him, and he's now down to 8 pounds 15 ounces.  That's 4 ounces down from three months ago.  That's not good. In my opinion, he was too thin as it was.  The vet said if he maintains this as his new "normal weight," it will be okay.  However, we don't know what's causing the weight loss, and that scares me.

The vet said she will weigh him again next time, and if he's lost any more weight, we'll have to do a special test to see if he's losing protein.  She said this can happen sometimes with chronic urinary tract or chronic anal gland issues - both of which he has.

The other possibility she mentioned was a food allergy.  If this is the case, it's going to be difficult to treat because we can't change his diet much; he must eat urinary tract food.  We might be able to try another prescription brand (Royal Canin versus Hill's, for instance) but beyond that, we don't have a lot of wiggle room with his diet due to his FLUTD.  I feel very bad for my orange baby!  He is already dealing with many more health issues than any cat should ever have to deal with.  I just hope that his weight stabilizes, and if something is wrong, it won't affect his quality of life.  He's such a lively, active, happy boy!



Then it was Jewel's turn.  I told her about how Jewel had diarrhea all of last week and that it seems to have improved.  I also mentioned that Jewel vomited all of her food for an entire day.  She thought maybe Jewel is allergic to whatever we fed her that day, which is possible.  We don't feed her that particular kind too often so we'll stay away from that kind in the future.

Then it was time for her to get weighed.  Her last weight was 8 pounds 11.5 ounces.  Her new weight is 8 pounds 4 ounces!! She lost eight ounces in the span of two months!! :(

The vet was also concerned about Jewel drinking more, laying by the fountain on the floor sometimes, and her not eating well lately.  Though finances are extremely tight for me right now, I was able to use the last of the funds you all so kindly gave me with some of my own green papers to get her kidney values tested today.  Thank you all so much, again, for your generosity!

The vet and I both felt it was important to see how her kidneys are doing in light of all the recent changes.  Unfortunately, we found out that her creatinine level went back up.  Her last level was 2.6.  Her new level is 3.1, indicating her kidneys are, in fact, worse. :(

I've been instructed to give Jewel her subcutaneous fluids every other day now.

I am very upset about this.  I know it's part of the journey of kidney disease, but she was doing SO WELL a mere two months ago!!  I am very sad and worried and upset about this decline.  I am NOT ready for her to go, and I feel like this is the beginning of the end.  I hope with everything I have that I'm wrong.

The vet also said it's time to put Jewel on Reglan - an anti-emetic.  She also wants me to get Jewel's electrolyte levels tested as soon as I can afford it, which probably won't be until January.

I'm just trying to hold it together for my babies' sake.  I know they know when I'm upset, and I want them to be happy.  I just want them to be okay.  I'm sure all of you can relate.

Purrs and prayers, hugs, love, good vibes, etc would be very much appreciated!

Ann from Zoolatry made us these beautiful purrs and prayers badges.  You can display them on your blog sidebars or posts if you would like.



Thank you, Ann, for the badges!  We appreciate all that you do so much.

58 comments:

  1. We are sending HUGE purrs for your precious babies!! We know how worrying this is for you.
    Purrs Georgia and Julie,
    Treasure,Tiger and JJ

    Thank you for the purrs and hugs when our Tillie crossed the Bridge.
    We miss her SO much.

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  2. Purrs and purrayers from us too, to you all. (((Hugs)))

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  3. Oh, to have a double shot of bad news! :-( I'm so sorry. We are sending hugs and good thoughts.

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  4. We are so sorry to learn of your bad news at the vets and you must be so upset. We are sending virtual hugs and our purrs to you.
    Luv Hannah and Lucy xx xx

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  5. Oh dear. Weight loss is trouble. We're going through it here with Rocky right now. Have you asked your vet about supplementing with Goat's milk for fluids between meals? Or even at home fluid administration? Perhaps it could help. Purrs and purrs and purrs. - Crepes.

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  6. Wow, that was a lot to take in one day. We hope both pick up and have many good days with you. Hugs

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  7. Sending purrs and healing thoughts your way

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  8. We are all sending our very best purrs and prayers.

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  9. We are definitely sending abundant purrs and prayers!

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  10. :-( I am sending LOTS of purrs to Jewel and Carmine... and to you too.

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  11. Sorry you had such a rough visit at the v-e-t! Dave and I will definitely be praying for you and your furbabies. Cinco and Manna are sending purrs. We have had a chronically ill furbaby before and it was really hard. Don't give up hope. I believe that healing is possible. Sometimes these things happen to us so that we learn to treasure every day we are given and not take anything for granted. Any time you need to talk, just write, call, text, send smoke signals or whatever works best for you :) I'm here.

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  12. Oh we're so very sorry to hear abour Jewel and Carmine. We're sending you our very best healing purrs and will be keeping you guys in our thoughts. Our Ryker had anal gland issues, so we know how that can be. Purrs to you!

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  13. (((hugs))) and purrs from me to you.
    And prayers from Mommy.

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  14. we bee trooly sorree guys de mews was knot good N we will bee mor N happee ta ask R way awesum pal St Francis ta send manee manee manee blessings yur way...pleez ta ask yur vet if iz oh kay if ewe BOTH can take this supplement

    Ultra Mega High Calorie Booster for All Cats - Chicken Flavor...itz available at GNC & petsmart; N works on de same principle az Nutri Cal...

    noe it is knot a appetite stimulant ore foods replacement....but it does add much needed calories to de diet when weight loss becomes an issue

    XXXXXXX

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  15. Such a hard journey. purrs and prayers from all of us.

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  16. I am sorry that the news was not good and send purrs for Jewel and Carmine.

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  17. So sorry that you didn't get good news from the vet. :( We are sending purrs, prayers, and hugs to all of you. xx

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  18. Lots of purrs for both Jewel and Carmine. You sure have your hands full right now. We'll keep purring for both of them, and for you, too.

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  19. We're sorry you didn't get better news at the vet. We'll be purring for Carmine and Jewel.

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  20. Sending healing purrz to Jewel and Carmine.

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  21. We are sending tons of healing purrs for Jewel and Carmine, and comforting purrs to you. Hugs

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  22. Oh, you poor thing! That's just too much to deal with all at once :(

    Purrs and prayers to you and your babies. {{{hugs}}}

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  23. Loads of purrs and prayers on the way.

    The Florida Furkids

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  24. I hate hearing that kitties lose weight. Very scary. If we can help just ask. Paw pats, Savannah

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  25. Lots of purrrrrrrsssssss and prayers and {{{{hugs}}}} from all of us here at Grace & Company. We know how distressing these diagnoses and weight losses are. We'll pray for complete recovery for both your little jewels.

    Love,
    Us

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  26. We sure do send tons and tons of purrs and prayers that both kitties can get all better. Maybe changing the food for the kitty with the diarrhea might help. We have all our paws crossed for you too.

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  27. Oh, I'm so, so sorry to hear this. We are sending our very best purrs and prayers to both of your furbabies.
    And lots of hugs to you.
    xo
    Glogirly

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  28. I am so so sorry dear Jewel and Carmine. xxxooo I hope it was a. fluke this time.

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  29. I am so sorry that Carmine and Jewel are having problems. We are all purring for them big time and Mom sends hugs 'cause she sort of know what you are going through.

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  30. We are sending tons of purrs and purrayers to Carmine and Jewel. Many hugs to you as well.

    Luf, Us and Maw

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  31. Thinking of you and hoping they both improve,

    JC and The Purr and Fur Gang

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  32. We are sending all of our best and strongest purrs to both Jewel and Carmine!
    XOXO
    Maggie May and The Creek Cats

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  33. Sending tons of purrs and prayers for your precious babies!!!

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  34. I'm purring so hard here for both Jewel and Carmine. M has your furbabies iin her thoughts and prayers too. She also sends big HUGS for mom for what she is going through.

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  35. We are so sorry that you are all going through this, it's hard.

    We are sending you lots of love and many rumbly purrs and hope that things turn around for Jewel and Carmine.

    Your kitty darlings appreciate all you do for them, they love you for it.

    Mungo & The Ape xx

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  36. purring hard for your sweet babies.

    Squirt, Miracle and Mom Toni

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  37. We are sending our best and strongest purrs and prayers too for Jewel and Carmine.

    Hope they are on the mend very soon.


    Mindy
    Moe
    Cookie
    Mike

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  38. Sierra we feel awful. This is just too much for you and the kitties and it is sooo unfair.
    We are purring and praying with all of our might that there is a turn around. ((((hugs)))) and much love

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  39. So sorry that your fur babies are having problems. It's especially hard when trying to deal with two sick cats at the same time. We're battling CRF here and the subQ fluids really do work. This site has a lot of helpful information- http://felinecrf.org/index.htm
    Sympathy and purrs,
    Maggie

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  40. All of us from the House of the Mostly Black Cats are sending our best purrs and purrayers for Jewel and Carmine. PURRRRRRRRRRS

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  41. We are sending our very best hugs and comforting purrs in hopes that they help. PURRS....

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  42. Cat O Cat your little furs are really having a rough time of it.
    We will be purring up a storm for Carmine and Jewel.
    Timmy and Family

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  43. We're so sorry to hear this. We send our best and loudest purrs to Jewel and Carmine and to you too.

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  44. So sorry you and your kitties are going through tough times and have health issues. I will send many healing purrs and prayers. =^..^=

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  45. Oh nos, hope the kitties recover soonest. Charlotte will be revving up her healing purrs for them.

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  46. Oh, we are so sorry to read about all your kitties's problems. We hope the vet can help stabilize them both soon. We are purring for them both, and you as well. Our beloved Lumpy had to have sub Q fluids, and its easy to do, but a little intimidating at first, we hope it helps. Hugs & purrs.

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  47. Daddy Kiril & I send purrs and purrayers your way for you beautiful kitties!

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  48. We're sending tons of healing purrs for you ! Purrrrrrs

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  49. Stopping by with prayers that both of your kitties will be feeling much better soon!! xo Chloe and LadyBug

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  50. Sending huge purrs and prayers to Carmine and Jewel and to you.

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  51. We are sending lots of love, hugs, and purrs and will continue to keep you in our best thoughts. Jobi and Fisher

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  52. Sending lots and lots of purrs for your sweet babies.
    ((Hugs))

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  53. I really hope Jewel improves. I know how hard it is when those darn kidneys act up.

    As for Carmine you might want your vet to call one of the food companies for advice on his diet. My own Sky had been eating CD for years because of FLUTD but then developed colitis. We learned that if he could eat DD Venison it should help to control both conditions. And it did. I hope this helps Carmine too.

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  54. Oh dear! Sending endless purrs, prayers, and healing love! Me-Ommmmmm

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  55. I am purring with all my might that you two will perk up with the vet's help. Please do as your mom and vet says to. You are in my thougths the whole day long.

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  56. currently purring for you guys. *big hugs*

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