Galensgranny
Site Administrator
Joined: 11 Nov 2005
Posts: 2273
Location: West Virginia, previously NYC, MA and AL
Posted: Mon 08 May 05:48 pm Post subject:
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Good to hear Angus gained some weight. That seems to indicate that the Flagyl is helping the problem and that Angus is feeling better, so therefore feels like eating more. I hope there are no more troubles with gas.
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animalangel1
Hostess/Host
Joined: 19 Nov 2005
Posts: 2232
Location: Upstate Eastern New York
Posted: Tue 09 May 07:41 am Post subject:
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I'm glad for Angus (and for you too) that he is doing better and gaining weight. Sounds like he'll be ok, at least, that is the hope.
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valpofan98
Curious Youth
Joined: 31 Dec 2005
Posts: 130
Location: Chicago
Posted: Tue 16 May 01:35 pm Post subject: More challenging news about Angus...
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I am really overwhlemed right now...
Angus took his last dose of Flagy on Monday, 5/14/2006. On Sunday morning, while still on Flagyl, he past a semi-formed wet bowel movement with some blood at the end. He was straining while using the litter box. I emailed the vet Sunday morning, a picture of his bowel movement, as well as an update on him gaining weight.
The vet left me a message on my cell phone saying she was alarmed that he had an abnormal bowel movement near the end of his Flagyl treatment.
The next step is to bring a stool sample from Angus to the vet on Thursday or Friday. They are going to send it to a lab to every test under the sun run on the stool to determine if there are any parasites (etc) to be found. If so, they will start to treat him for the parasite. I am praying for parasites to be found.
If parasites are not found in his stool sample, my vet either wants to start a round of Prednisone and/or have him scoped to see if they can locate any problems in his GI. I am thinking that if the stool sample comes back negative, I will try a course of Prednisone. And, if that does not alleviate the symptoms, I will talk to my vet about changing the prescription diet Angus is on to another prescription diet.
The good news is that Angus has gained back the weight he has lost and has gained more than he weighed before.
After getting off the phone with the vet, I started crying and crying and crying. In the past year and a half, I have spent thousands on my two cats, Clay and Mills, and none of the tests came back with anything definitive. So, even if I put out the money for a scope, there is no guarantee that I will have any answers regarding Angus. And, one of my cats, Mills, had to be put down in December 2005. The pain of losing Mills is still freshed and that is making me feel exhausted right now, thinking of Angus. I am sooo overwhlemed right now. Three sick cats in a row is really wearing especially on my heart because I love these animals so much.
I am terrified of something happening to Angus and my fear of what could happen. He appears healthy...he is eating, drinking and gaining weight. He has some challenges with BMs from time to time but overall, seems to be doing well.
Any support and encouragement would be very deeply appreciated.
Thanks,
Kirsten
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animalangel1
Hostess/Host
Joined: 19 Nov 2005
Posts: 2232
Location: Upstate Eastern New York
Posted: Tue 16 May 04:32 pm Post subject:
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Ok.... I know this is difficult but you have to take it all one day at a time. Do the stool sample thing with Angus on Thursday or Friday and wait for the results before you panic. Maybe there will be a parasite of some type and the treatment for the parasite will be the end of it. If that is not the problem, then go to step 2 and try the prednisone. It will take some time to go through those steps so GIVE YOURSELF THAT TIME to deal with each step as it comes. Don't overwhelm yourself with everything all at once. I'll say some prayers for Angus and for Clay and even some for Mills..... you just take care of yourself too because without you, those cats won't have a chance. You need to be ok too. For them, Ok? Just one step at a time.....
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Galensgranny
Site Administrator
Joined: 11 Nov 2005
Posts: 2273
Location: West Virginia, previously NYC, MA and AL
Posted: Tue 16 May 09:35 pm Post subject:
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Oh Kirsten,
It is a very draining thing, emotionally, physically and financially that you have been going through. Most people only have one cat with medical problems.
Doing the stool sample first would be what I would do. While I don't want a cat to have parasites, that would be a good outcome in this case as then the correct medication can be used, and the problem would be over in not too long a time. Then if no parasites are found, I'd do as you plan- the prednisone first before the scope.
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I am terrified of something happening to Angus and my fear of what could happen. He appears healthy...he is eating, drinking and gaining weight. He has some challenges with BMs from time to time but overall, seems to be doing well.
I understand you feeling terrified that Angus has something very, very bad going on. But, it doesn't sound like it from the above.
I send my most fervent good wishes that Angus will be well soon, with nothing serious going on.
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rubygirl1968
Alpha Cat (Moderator)
Joined: 22 Nov 2005
Posts: 820
Location: Asheville, NC
Posted: Wed 17 May 06:12 am Post subject:
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((((((Kirsten))))))
I remember feeling completely overwhelmed when I thought Thomas had FIP - I'd hold him in my lap and just bawl like a baby. None of his test results were 100% conclusive either, but after many rounds of antiobiotics he finally started acting better and now he's healthy and happy.
I can only imagine how hard it must be to have had three sick babies so close together.
I'm glad he's eating, drinking and gaining weight - those are all great signs and he and you will be in my thoughts and prayers.
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Maria
Alpha Cat (Moderator)
Joined: 22 Nov 2005
Posts: 1478
Location: Northern NJ
Posted: Wed 17 May 07:38 am Post subject:
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Kirsten,
I just caught up with your recent posts and am so sorry about Angus, and all that you're going through. It's almost time by now to get the stool sample, and hopefully it will be something simple.
I was thinking about your situation, and if it isn't a definitive diagnosis at the outset, and it looks like many more tests might be involved, I was wondering if you might consider getting a 2nd opinion from another vet before you continue with the tests. From my experience every vet has his/her own way of doing things. I've had 2 or 3 experiences with getting 2nd opinions and with all of them, believe it or not, the 2nd opinion was different, simpler and cost much less money.
I'm certainly not saying that your vet is doing anything wrong, but sometimes in my humble opinion, it helps to get another opinion when the situation is serious.
Just a thought.
In the meantime I will pray for you and Angus, especially for a good outcome for this situation. Please know that we all support you - and care for you and your family.
Maria
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valpofan98
Curious Youth
Joined: 31 Dec 2005
Posts: 130
Location: Chicago
Posted: Thu 18 May 04:43 pm Post subject:
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Thanks everyone for your thoughts and prayers. It was good hearing from each and everyone of you.
Angus since being off Flagyl since Monday in the AM seems to be doing well...he is eating ,drinking and his energy level is good.
I have been sitting vigil near the litter box since I got off work but it appears that little Angus is not going to be cooperative tonight. Oh, vell.
Once I know the results, I will let you all know.
Peace,
Kirsten
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Galensgranny
Site Administrator
Joined: 11 Nov 2005
Posts: 2273
Location: West Virginia, previously NYC, MA and AL
Posted: Fri 19 May 02:59 am Post subject:
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I am glad Agnus is eating and drinking well, with a good energy level.
I look forward to hearing what the vet says.
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valpofan98
Curious Youth
Joined: 31 Dec 2005
Posts: 130
Location: Chicago
Posted: Sat 20 May 11:41 am Post subject: Stool Sample to Vet...
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Today, I was finally able to get a stool sample from Angus. Whenever I went out or went to sleep, he used the litter box. I finally caught him in the act today.
The vet says she is doing a fecal culture & toxin test on the sample. From what I have been able to read, toxins are a by-product of specific bacteria & viruses, so they if present they should shed some light on Angus' condition. Most of the bacteria and/or viral material should grow within 3 days but some can take as long as 2 weeks. If bacteria or vrisu is found, they can run a sensitivity test on them to determine which medication will work best to clear it. So, I should have some preliminary results back hopefully by next Thursday or Friday.
I just pray that something shows up in the culture. It would be nice to get a definitive diagnosis from a test! =)
Angus seems to be doing well...I have been weighing Angus and his average weight appears around 10 pounds, 14.5 ounces or above. His weigh at the lowest was 10 pounds, 6 ounces on 5/1/2006. Righ now, he has got his weight back on him and actually weighs on his average at 10 pounds, 15 ounces.
He loooooves wet food..So, I have been feeding him more wet than dry...he devours it...I have heard from some other cat owners who have felines with IBD that weight food appears more friendly to the GI tract than dry food. He is drinking just fine. And, his energy level is definitely high.
I have noticed that he does appear to "whine" a bit when he jumps from a high spot and lands on the floor. So, I think he may have some discomfort...or, maybe that is normal for a cat?
His BMs are still somewhat soft...they are formed together but not like a tootsie roll. At this point, I am concerned but not overly concerned since his weight is steady and doing well.
Once I hear about the fecal culture results, I will let you all know. Anyone else had fecal cultures done on their cats...what did they look for? what could they tell ya?
Kirsten
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Topic: Cat with Colitis- Valpofan98, March 2006 (Read 1275 times)