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Cat Forum / Cat Anecdotes / December 2004Sabra Scare and Frustration
I'm about at my wit's end here. If you'll recall, Sabra decided he did not want to eat a few weeks ago. A trip to the vet revealed nothing obvious -- blood work was fine, no diabetes, no CRF, no liver problems. Remarkably good for a 15-year-old cat who has been on Prednisone for his asthma for many years. They had some kao-pectin (not the current Kaopectate that contains salicylates, but the "pure" stuff without it), which I gave him. We tried everything imaginable: turkey, chicken broth, Nutrical, etc. Finally, this Monday, he started acting normal, eating normal, and not vomiting. Then last night, he refused to eat and was moping. Even scarier (for me, since our beloved Mojo (RB) did the same thing shortly before he died), he lay down in a clean litterbox and just stayed there for awhile. A few hours later, he suddenly seemed hungry again, and ate. I am at a loss. I have had several phone calls with the vet, and he has recommended an ultrasound. We don't have the funds for one, and even if we did and it *found* something, I'm not sure what we could do. Putting an elderly cat with asthma under anesthesia is very risky. I am just at a loss, and so afraid of watching my beloved Sabra slip away from us. As long as he is eating (most of the time), I guess that is a good thing. But I don't know if he is going to get better or just go downhill. I'm sorry; I know I'm rambling. I'm just so worried and at a loss here as to what to do, or if there is even anything I *can* do. And there may not be. Even *if* I could somehow do an ultrasound, what if it showed a mass? Then what? Exploratory surgery? He would have a hard time making it through that, I'm afraid. I just don't know. Anyway, please keep my tough ol' bird Sabra in your purrs and thoughts. ty, Ginger-lyn > I'm about at my wit's end here. > [quoted text clipped - 40 lines] > > Ginger-lyn Oh, Ginger-lyn I can understand how frustrating and scary this must be. Purrs and tail wags from all of us here!  SignatureMargaret Fine mefine@mindspring.com Purrs for Sabra on the way. I think it was Howard who mentioned that some "people" labs will do ultrasounds on animals if they are finished with their scheduled tests for the day - Howard? Could you ask your vet about this? Let us know if there *is* something the vet could do and if we can help with the bill. I know this is a rough time of year financially for everyone, but just a few dollars each could add up quickly. Hugs, CatNipped >> I'm about at my wit's end here. >> [quoted text clipped - 43 lines] > Oh, Ginger-lyn I can understand how frustrating and scary this must be. > Purrs and tail wags from all of us here! > Purrs for Sabra on the way. I think it was Howard who mentioned that > some [quoted text clipped - 6 lines] > but > just a few dollars each could add up quickly. Purrs to Sabra. My specific reference was to hospital labs in Canada, which have a maximum number of human cases for which they are reimbursed. Since veterinary scans are paid directly, they don't affect the budgeted number of scans. I don't have any immediate thoughts on what to do next with Sabra. > Anyway, please keep my tough ol' bird Sabra in your purrs and thoughts. I don't have any advice to offer, but I will send some good thoughts your way. Signaturemonique, caretaker of Oscar I'll keep Sabra in my thoughts. I totally understand. Lying in a litter box is usually not a good thing. > I'm about at my wit's end here. > [quoted text clipped - 40 lines] > > Ginger-lyn >I'm about at my wit's end here. > [quoted text clipped - 40 lines] > >Ginger-lyn Purrs for your Sabra, and to ease your worried mind. Theresa Stinky Pictures: http://community.webshots.com/album/125591586JWEFwh My Blog: http://www.humanitas.blogspot.com Purrs for Sabra, and for you. I wish I had some advice for you, but all I can offer is sympathy. -- Joy > I'm about at my wit's end here. > [quoted text clipped - 40 lines] > > Ginger-lyn Purrs a'coming. Shmogg wishes you to know that 15 is *not* *old*, just mature. Yowie > I'm about at my wit's end here. > [quoted text clipped - 40 lines] > > Ginger-lyn glsummer@neptunelink.com (Ginger-lyn Summer) had some very interesting things to say about Sabra Scare and Frustration: >Then last night, he refused to eat and was moping. Even scarier (for >me, since our beloved Mojo (RB) did the same thing shortly before he >died), he lay down in a clean litterbox and just stayed there for >awhile. Felix has been known to do that, and he's quite healthy, aside from some sort of skin thing. Signature"The universe is quite robust in design and appears to be doing just fine on its own, incompetent support staff notwithstanding. :-)" - the Dennis formerly known as (evil), MCFL I don't know what the problem is with Sabra, I am not a vet. But all I can offer is prayers. Prayers work sometimes. I will be praying and keeping your Sabra in my thoughts. yepp ---------------------<snip>---------------------- >Anyway, please keep my tough ol' bird Sabra in your purrs and >thoughts. Awww! Poor kitty. And poor meowmie too. Don't you wish they could tell us what's wrong? Six sets of the best purrs coming at both of you. Regards and Purrs, O J Tons of purrs and prayers for Sabra. We hope it's nothing and that he starts feeling better. Jazz & his mama SignatureIrulan from the stars we come to the stars we return from now until the end of time > I'm about at my wit's end here. > [quoted text clipped - 40 lines] > > Ginger-lyn >I'm about at my wit's end here. Purrs for your frustration and for Sabra to stabilize in his condition and behaviour. Many hugs as well. -- CATherine > I'm sorry; I know I'm rambling. I'm just so worried and at a loss > here as to what to do, or if there is even anything I *can* do. And [quoted text clipped - 4 lines] > Anyway, please keep my tough ol' bird Sabra in your purrs and > thoughts. We certainly will, Ginger-lyn. Harri and I have a meditation planned for tonight, so we'll be sure to work Sabra in. Dan > Anyway, please keep my tough ol' bird Sabra in your purrs and > thoughts. We'll be purring both for Sabra and for you. SignatureMarina, Frank and Nikki marina (dot) kurten (at) pp (dot) inet (dot) fi Pics at http://uk.pg.photos.yahoo.com/ph/frankiennikki/ and http://community.webshots.com/user/frankiennikki > I'm about at my wit's end here. > [quoted text clipped - 40 lines] > > Ginger-lyn Awww, poor Sabra. We're sending big rumbly purrs that he feels better pronto, and stops scaring his meowmy. ------ Krista > Anyway, please keep my tough ol' bird Sabra in your purrs and > thoughts. Purrs and good thoughts for Sabra. Wish I had some useful advice to offer. Many purrs for Sabra -- I hope you can figure out what's going on. Christine > I'm about at my wit's end here. > [quoted text clipped - 40 lines] > > Ginger-lyn > I'm about at my wit's end here. > [quoted text clipped - 5 lines] > do. Putting an elderly cat with asthma under anesthesia is very > risky. [gentle snip for length] > I'm sorry; I know I'm rambling. I'm just so worried and at a loss > here as to what to do, or if there is even anything I *can* do. And > there may not be. Even *if* I could somehow do an ultrasound, what if > it showed a mass? Then what? Exploratory surgery? He would have a > hard time making it through that, I'm afraid. I just don't know. Somehow, the older your pets become, the more precious - or they are to me - and that makes you worry a lot about them, realising they are in the evenings of their lives. I don't know a great deal about cats yet, but I *do* know quite a lot about dogs. I have nursed some very elderly and ill dogs in my time. So, FWIW. If any of mine had been on antibiotics, I always used to give them some live yoghurt for a few days after the course was finished. Just a few spoonsful on their food, it puts back the friendly bacteria in the gut that antibiotics can kill off. You could try that. Another thing is, now the vet has suggested an ultrasound, you are immediately thinking "tumour" aren't you? Please remember that ultrasound scans can rule things *out* as well as *in.* I don't know how much they cost in USA, but it's already been suggested that a few dollars each from members might be raised. However, that's up to you whether you even *want* to have it done. I've had a few ultrasound scans done on my dogs, with both good and bad news as a result. One of the good news was a firm diagnosis of a sudden collapse (ruptured spleen) and she was able to be saved. Only you can decide what to do. Many purrs, prayers and hugs for Sabra and yourself. Tweed > Anyway, please keep my tough ol' bird Sabra in your purrs and > thoughts. > > ty, > > Ginger-lyn Thank you, everyone, for all your good thoughts/purrs/prayers. I am so worried about this guy, and it helps to know you guys care and are out there thinking of him. He ate well yesterday; we'll see what today brings. It seems to be an up-and-down thing, and I wish I knew what was going on. I will keep you posted. >Somehow, the older your pets become, the more precious - or they are to me - >and that makes you worry a lot about them, realising they are in the >evenings of their lives. Very true. >I don't know a great deal about cats yet, but I *do* know quite a lot about >dogs. I have nursed some very elderly and ill dogs in my time. So, FWIW. >If any of mine had been on antibiotics, I always used to give them some live >yoghurt for a few days after the course was finished. Just a few spoonsful >on their food, it puts back the friendly bacteria in the gut that >antibiotics can kill off. You could try that. He hasn't been on antibiotics, but that is a good idea when they have been. He's been on kaolin-pectin (what used to be Kaopectate, until they changed the formula -- this is the pure form without the salicylates). >Another thing is, now the vet has suggested an ultrasound, you are >immediately thinking "tumour" aren't you? Yep. Terrified of the worst. Please remember that ultrasound >scans can rule things *out* as well as *in.* >I don't know how much they cost in USA, but it's already been suggested that >a few dollars each from members might be raised. However, that's up to you >whether you even *want* to have it done. Do they have to put them under for an ultrasound? That's one of my big worries, along with the cost ($350-400 American). At his age, with his asthma, any anesthesia could be deadly :-( It is the vet's recommendation to do it, but I am hoping against hope that he will just come out of this, that maybe he ate something he shouldn't that will pass, and all will be well. Maybe I'm being unrealistic, but that was actually the vet's first suggestion, too. >I've had a few ultrasound scans done on my dogs, with both good and bad news >as a result. >One of the good news was a firm diagnosis of a sudden collapse (ruptured >spleen) and she was able to be saved. I'm so glad that one worked out. >Only you can decide what to do. Many purrs, prayers and hugs for Sabra and >yourself. > >Tweed Thank you, Tweed, and everyone. Ginger-lyn ->>Another thing is, now the vet has suggested an ultrasound, you are >>immediately thinking "tumour" aren't you? > [quoted text clipped - 9 lines] > > Do they have to put them under for an ultrasound? It depends how quiet they are, and whether they will lay still on their side without an anaesthetic. My Pearl was so ill and near death with her ruptured spleen that she didn't need either an anaesthetic or sedative. A sedative would be used if they are *reasonable* in their behaviour i.e. not freaking out. If they freak, a sedative is usually tried at first, and if they still aren't calm, then they are very lightly anaesthetised. It only needs to be light, not like they were going to undergo an operation. It's usually very safe. >That's one of my > big worries, along with the cost ($350-400 American). Blimey, that's a lot of money. IIRC it's less than half that here, around ?80 when I last had it done. > At his age, with his asthma, any anesthesia could be deadly :-( It's much safer than it used to be, they know more now. It is the vet's > recommendation to do it, but I am hoping against hope that he will > just come out of this, that maybe he ate something he shouldn't that > will pass, and all will be well. Maybe I'm being unrealistic, but > that was actually the vet's first suggestion, too. So wait and see. Maybe he will be quite okay in a few days. They like to scare you like this. If he isn't, then you'll have to think again. > Thank you, Tweed, and everyone. You're welcome. It's not often I can say anything about cats that's any use! Twee > Do they have to put them under for an ultrasound? Not usually. Clifford (RB) needed two different types, one for his bladder and one for his heart. I assisted, but also since I could make sense of what was being seen on the scan. For the abdominal, thay laid him on his back in a V-shaped padded trough. I suppose it depends on the cat and how still he will stay. All that one feels from this sort of ultrasound is the pressure of the probe on the skin. Interestingly, while human ultrasound tends to be fairly gloppy with a jelly to improve conduction, they simply wet his fur with some alcohol and it went fine. renewing the purrs for him to get (and keep) his appetite back and gt back to normal >I'm about at my wit's end here. > [quoted text clipped - 40 lines] > >Ginger-lyn SignatureSteve Touchstone, faithful servant of Sammy, Little Bit and Rocky (RB) stouchst@JUNKsirinet.net [remove Junk for email] Home Page: http://www.sirinet.net/~stouchst/index.html Cat Pix: http://www.sirinet.net/~stouchst/animals.html Lots of purrs and best wishes for Sabra to start eating again and stop scaring his understandably worried meowmie, SignaturePolonca & Soncek > I'm about at my wit's end here. > > If you'll recall, Sabra decided he did not want to eat a few weeks > ago. A trip to the vet revealed nothing obvious <snip On Fri 03 Dec 2004 03:00:06p, Ginger-lyn Summer wrote in rec.pets.cats.anecdotes (news:41b0c3ff.4462850 @news.east.earthlink.net): > Anyway, please keep my tough ol' bird Sabra in your purrs and > thoughts. Start-eating-purrs for Sabra. I know how scary that is, and I hope it is nothing. SignatureCheryl > I'm about at my wit's end here. <snip> I can certainly understand your frustration. I wish I could think of something. All I can do is send purrs for Sabra and you, and hope he stays happy. SignatureAdrian (Owned by Snoopy & Bagheera) A house is not a home, without a cat. |
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