Topic: Evan's CRF and Hyperthyroidism part 2-June 2006 (Read 1795 times)

galensgranny · « **on:** June 22, 2007, 01:27:57 PM »

[copied from old forum]

kb2zct
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Posted: Mon 05 June 08:09 am Post subject: Evan's CRF and Hyperthyroidism part 2

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[continued from thread http://wvcatsforum.forumup.com/viewtopic.php?t=400&mforum=wvcatsforum]

A quick Evan update. I’ve been sick with bronchitis for the past week, so I’m way behind on posting.

We go back to the vet’s on Thursday night for another round of blood tests. This time, I hope the vet is able get enough blood to do all the tests (CBC, thyroid, etc).

Evan is still loosing weight. On Saturday, when I weighed him, he was down to 8 lbs 0 oz. This is down another 4.5 oz in the past two weeks. Right now, the continued weight loss is worrying me more than anything else.

For about a week or so, we were able to get Evan to take the appetite enhancer. It is a real struggle to get the pill into Evan, and for the last few days, we have not been able to do it. He is getting smart and spitting it up. I’m not sure the struggle is worth it. When Evan takes the pill, he ends up vomiting during the night. I guess the pill makes him eat and eat until he simply vomits. That is not doing him any good.

He has stopped eating dry food. On a good day, Evan will eat about one can worth of wet food (5.5 oz). To do that, I have to split the can up into several feedings. However, one can of wet is still not enough to maintain weight.

Evan is still pretty affectionate (except for the times when we administer meds or fluids). On occasion he will come out of his room for some quality lap time. When he has enough, he will head back and I will let him back into his room. He is moving around better than before. The other cats pretty much leave him alone now.

It is getting harder and harder to administer the fluids. Evan will really struggle at times. For example, last night we were only able to give him about 50 ml or so. In the long term, that is not sufficient. He seems to do best at about 150 ml per day, which is a pretty large amount.

I wish I knew how to tell if it is time to help him to the bridge. When is “doing everything you can do” being done for him, or for me?

Mark

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rubygirl1968
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Posted: Mon 05 June 09:08 am Post subject:

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Mark, I'm sorry to hear that Evan has lost more weight and isn't eating too good.

I have access to quite a variety of foods in my area, so if there's a brand you'd like to try for him I'd be happy to pick some up and send them to you. The Solid Gold blended tuna cat food gets mine eating every time, so if you think he'd like it I can pick some up.

I honestly don't know what to tell you about when it's time to let go. I know you love Evan dearly and will do what's best for him, so trust your heart. I will keep Evan and you in my prayers.

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animalangel1
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Posted: Mon 05 June 11:26 am Post subject:

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I'm sorry to hear about Evan losing weight again. Gee....poor kitty boy. Poor you. I hope the bloodwork will be good on Thursday for you both even though that's not going to help Evan's weight issue. Does he like Fancy Feast by any chance? Mine inhale the stuff on the rare occasions that I "treat" them with it. They especially like the Sardines, Shrimp and crab. I could send you some (I have about 6 can's at home) if you'd like to try them and they are not available where you live.

Or, I could send you one can of each of the five different premium foods my cats all like. I have mostly wellness (chicken, turkey and some fish one.....) and I have Merrik's Cowboy Cookout (kind of a beef stew thing). All are "pretty wet" too..... want to try some? Send me you home address and I think I can probably get it in the mail to you tomorrow on my way to school.

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Maria
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Posted: Mon 05 June 11:46 am Post subject:

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Mark,

You are doing everything you possibly can for Evan. I know how much it hurts to see him like this. I will pray that you will be remain peaceful throughout the whole process. I really believe that you will know when the right time is to let Evan go. It is such an incredible struggle when you're on a continual roller coaster. However, when things don't seem to improve, it isn't good for either you or Evan.

I'm sorry about Evan, Mark.

I hope you're feeling better. I've had my share of Bronchitis, and know how it takes all of your energy, not to mention the discomfort and constant coughing.

Take one day at a time, and know that everyone here supports you and will support whatever decision you make.

Maria

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kb2zct
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Posted: Mon 05 June 12:46 pm Post subject:

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Guys:

Thanks for the offer on sending food. Let me go over the things I have tried, and you can give me any other ideas.

Right now, I have the best luck using Friskies Salmon and Wellness Chicken and Herring. I wish Friskies was a better food, since he will usually eat that. He has a harder time eating the Wellness Chicken and Herring since it is thicker. Evan will only lick his food, so anything with chunks does not work.

Evan will not eat any of the Triumph brands, including the Triumph Salmon. He likes the Iams pouches, but will only lick up the gravy. He will not eat the meat chunks.

The same goes for the Friskies Turkey and Cheese. He will lick up the gravy, but will not eat the chunks.

Evan will eat Whiskas with even more gusto than the Friskies Salmon. However, the Whiskas has a consistency of finely ground hamburger, which means that most of it simply gets pushed off the plate. If I could find a way to mash it up more, that might help.

Evan will eat the two Eagle Pack seafood varieties (Ocean Whitefish and Tuna and Shrimp and Crab, I think). Some days he will eat more than others – I just never know if he will eat a lot or just a little bit. He will not eat the Chicken and Lamb or Duck and Barley (none of mine will eat the Duck and Barley).

I have several cans of fancy feast at home to give a try. I have not started to go through these cans yet – I will try that and let folks know.

For dry food, I have tired all three of the Eagle Pack brands (adult lite, adult, holistic select). Evan would not eat Chicken Soup dry. As it is, I’m not sure if he has a mouth problem - he will try to eat a feline greenie, but give up because he can’t break it. I intend to have the vets take a very good look in his mouth to see if he has a problem there.

My concern is A) even when he does eat, he still does not eat enough and B) when I force the appetite enhancer on him, he simply eats until he vomits.

When Evan was diagnosed as hyper thyroid and before the CRF kicked in, he was put on 10 mg of Tapazole per day. After a month we ran a thyroid blood test at that level of medication. The thyroid results were within the “acceptable” range (I don’t have those numbers). When the CRF started, the Tapazole was reduced to 5 mg per day. We also switched from pills to the transdermal jell. His thyroid levels could still be too high. The levels of BUN and CREA levels may still be too high for him to have a good appetite. I don’t know. I hope the blood tests will give me some guidance on these.

The only think I know for certain is that, if it comes to the point where I have to syringe feed him, it’s time to help him to the bridge. As much as I want to do everything possible, in a chronic situation like Evan’s, I think syringe feeding is only prolonging things. If there were hope that he could get better, I would feel differently about this procedure.

Mark

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rubygirl1968
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Posted: Mon 05 June 01:27 pm Post subject:

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Let's see - out of all the foods I've tried the Precise brand is the smoothest and creamiest. If he doesn't like chunks he might like the texture of that one. Mine are in the extremely picky phase now - they're turning their little noses up at anything, so I've got some extra cans of that. Also they make a kitten formula too.

Hmmm - Nutro Natural Choice has a seafood pate that's pretty creamy too, except for some peas that you might have to mash. It's pretty popular with my crew.

I'll just go through and see what I've got at home - I'm sure I've got enough for a box that I could send.

Quote:
The only think I know for certain is that, if it comes to the point where I have to syringe feed him, it’s time to help him to the bridge. As much as I want to do everything possible, in a chronic situation like Evan’s, I think syringe feeding is only prolonging things. If there were hope that he could get better, I would feel differently about this procedure.

I hope the bloodwork brings some good news. ((((((((((mark))))))))

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animalangel1
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Posted: Tue 06 June 10:07 am Post subject:

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Ok Mark - I got your physical address and right now - before I even continue catching up on the forum news, I am going to get a package together to send to you. I will drop it at the Post Office this afternoon as I have to leave early for school anyway to run to PetSmart for a new (additional) hummingbird feeder. The current feeder has 6 feeding stations and we have NINE (that I've seen at one time so far) trying to feed at it.

That package should be dropped off by about 3:00 p.m today (Tuesday). I imagine you will get it by the weekend. Just let me know when it's arrived so I won't worry about it having gotten lost somewhere.

Edited at 11:41 a.m. - ok - the package is ready to go - I've included two cans of Fancy Feast Sardines, Shrimp and Crab - MASH those up. Mine won't eat them unless they are mashed and you said Evan doesn't like chunks either - this particular food is very easy to mash as it is quite soft. The others I've got in the box are all pate style except the Cowboy Cookout but the only chunks in that are the peas and those are easily mashed. It's a pretty "wet" food. I've also included baggies of the dry that my four kitty's eat. Not the best foods but they really like them. The favorite here is Purina One Salmon and Tuna - they fly through that stuff.....then the other two - Nutro Max Roasted Chicken (he may like the chunks broken down a bit more though) and Nutro Lamb. If Evan won't eat them perhaps the other kitty's will, and if not them - well, Missy might like them as a "treat". My dogs do.

Hope Evan will like some of these new foods!!!!!! Good luck!!!!

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kb2zct
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Posted: Tue 06 June 11:00 am Post subject: Evan's meds

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Another Evan update – this will deal mostly with meds and fluids.

My compounding pharmacy is going to give another try at coming up with a delivery mechanism for Evan’s appetite enhancer med. The chicken flavor in an oil based suspension did not work at all. Evan refused to eat anything that I mixed up with the med, even his favorite food (Friskies Salmon). The pharmacist is going to try a different base and use a very strong tuna flavor. He tells me that he has had a good bit of luck with this formulation. This particular pharmacy does quite a but of compounding of kitty meds.

I have re-ordered Evan’s topical Tapazole. I had a bit of a dilemma. It takes the pharmacy at least three days to compound the meds, Evan’s appointment for blood work is Thursday, and I only had enough meds through Saturday. I was concerned that, if the prescription changes, the formulation I was ordering might not be correct anymore. After a bit of discussion with the pharmacist, I learned that I could control the dosage by simply giving more or less of the gel. So, if the Tapazole dosage goes up, I can deal with that with the refill.

The hunt for fluids and related supplies has not been going very well. I have not been able to find a supply of fluids locally. The vet is charging me $10 per 1000ml bag, which last only one week. All of the local pharmacies say a bag of ringers goes for $20-30 (human grade). None of them can order from a vet supply house, so I have not had any luck there. I would really like to find a fluid supply, as fluids is a pretty major cost (on an annual basis).

I did have luck in getting an order in for the Terumo 19 gage thin wall needles. The compounding pharmacy came through for me with these. They will order the needles for me and get the necessary paperwork from the vet practice. I’m looking forward to using a needle that will make a smaller hole in Evan.

So, let’s hope and pray that Evan will take the new tuna flavored meds. If that works, I can also get that tagamet done up the same way, which might even help him more. The little guy needs to have a few breaks go his way now.

Mark

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kb2zct
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Posted: Tue 06 June 11:01 am Post subject:

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Michelle:

Thank you very much. I'll let you know when the items come in and how he reacts to them. There must be something, somewhere, that he will eat!

Mark

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rubygirl1968
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Posted: Tue 06 June 11:39 am Post subject:

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I hope that Evan gets a break soon too and that he'll take this new formulation of meds.

I got partly done with my box yesteray and will mail it today. I put mostly canned - hopefully he'll like it, but if not... maybe the others will.

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galensgranny · « **Reply #1 on:** June 22, 2007, 01:28:28 PM »

kb2zct
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Posted: Tue 06 June 11:48 am Post subject:

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Stephanie:

Again, thank you. I'll look forward to receiving it and will let you know what works.

Mark

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Maria
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Posted: Tue 06 June 01:55 pm Post subject:

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Mark,

I am really hoping and praying that with all that you're doing - and trying out new for Even - that it all works. I think the smaller needles will make a difference. When he isn't feeling well, the smallest pain can be so intensified. I hope that some of the new food will also work.

Thanks for the update.....and I'll keep up the prayers.

Maria

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kb2zct
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Posted: Wed 07 June 08:04 pm Post subject:

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Tomorrow is the big day for the blood work.....

Tonight, I discovered that Evan really likes Fancy Feast Ocean Whitefish and Tuna. For dinner, he ate a 3oz can.

Of course, with that knowledge, I ran down to the local Petsmart and picked up half a case of it. I also got a case of Friskies Salmon, since he tends to eat that better than other foods.

He is having a second helping of Ocean Whitefish and Tuna, this time the regular Friskies. I picked up a few cans of that, too, just to see if he would eat both formulations. It looks as if he likes the regular Friskies too.

Mark

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rubygirl1968
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Posted: Thu 08 June 05:56 am Post subject:

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Yay! I'm glad he liked it - it's so nice to find something they like that's easy to get.

I hope the bloodwork has some good results too!

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Stephanie, mom to

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Galensgranny
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Posted: Thu 08 June 04:26 pm Post subject:

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Mark, I meant to send you some Terumo 20 gauge needles, but I hadn't done it! I'm sending you a few plus a bag of lactated ringers. My vet only charges $5.00 a bag now, after ripping us off by charging $25 a bag. We asked for a prescription to order them online after we discovered the real cost, so he decided to charge us only $5.00 a bag so we would buy from him.

I don't remember if you asked your vet for a prescription so you can order the lactated ringers online.

I hope Evan takes the new flavored meds well.

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kb2zct
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Posted: Thu 08 June 04:53 pm Post subject:

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Margaret:

Thank you very much!

I take Evan into the vet in about an hour. On my list (I have a written list of thing to discuss) is getting a script for Ringers.

The vet is charging me $10 per bag, which is still a 300% markup on some of the prices I found.

One place I looked was $5.65 per bag, shipping included, on for a case of 12 bags. Considering that I go throug a bag a week with the guy, I'm looking for a way to get the fluids at a lower price. I should have some Terumo 19 TW at the pharmacy when I pick up Evan's meds tomorrow.

Between your bag coming, the bag I will get tonight, and the three days or so I have on the current bag, I should be able to order online tomorrow and have the fluids here in time.

Evan really liked the Fancy Feast Ocean Whitefish and Tuna. In fact, he liked it so much he ate too much and had a major vomiting event. Now, this could be the hyper-T, because we cut his tapazole prescription in half when we started the CFR treatment.

The guy really looks good, except for the weight loss. He lost another 1/2 ounce since Tuesday - he is now 7 lbs 15.5 oz. Even Pippin weighs more than Evan now.

Michelle's care package came today. There are several dry foods to try along with some cans of things I have never seen before. Stephanie's package is scheduled to get here tomorrow.

All of this will be a big help, since I know that tonight's vet bill will be in the $150 range, and tomorrow's meds will be in the $70 range. The other guys are getting upset about this, because the number of new cat toys is dropping!

Mark

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kb2zct
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Posted: Thu 08 June 09:52 pm Post subject: Evan's vet visit results - good news.

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OK. We’re back from the vets office, and the news is mostly very good.

Dr Cathy is very pleased on how Evan looks. Everything from his heartbeat to the condition of his coat has really improved from the last time she saw him.

After looking him over, she decided not to do any blood work. There were two basic reasons for this: Evan reacts so poorly to the blood draw, they did not want to put him through all of that stress again. They are very concerned that the stress could cause something very bad, like a respiratory arrest, to happen. Secondly, and more importantly, he looks, sounds and feels so much better that Dr Cathy simply wants me to keep on doing what I am doing now. They could do all of the blood work, but they would simply tell me to keep on doing as I have been. I guess I can not argue with that logic.

I had a two-page list of discussion points, observations and questions for her tonight. It was nice to be prepared, and she took quite a few notes on my comments.

Dr. Cathy was able to get a good examination of Evan’s mouth and teeth. She did not see any problems, and the gingivitis seems to have cleared itself up. I was concerned that he was not eating dry food now because of problems with his teeth or gums. CFR cats are prone to getting ulcers in the mouth, but Evan did not have any.

The only bad thing is his weight. Evan lost 7 oz. since the last official weighing at the vet’s office. Today, Evan was offered some of the special wet CFR cat food at the vet. He was not interested in that at all. He also turned his nose up on the Nutra-Cal. So, I was given some CliniCare Feline liquid diet to try, as well as some Semi-Soft Purina EN Gastroenteric food to try.

I have discovered that Evan really likes the Friskies Ocean Whitefish and Tuna. He ate the better part of a 3ox can of Fancy Feast version this morning, and the better part of a 5.5 oz can of the plain Friskies version of it tonight. I can not argue with that – so he will get as much of this as he wants. Jane is going to pick up a case of the Friskies variety tomorrow for me.

Since Jane drove to the clinic to be there tonight, she took Evan home for me and I was able to go into town and pick up Evan’s prescriptions. The people who own the pharmacy are really nice. They reformulated the appetite enhancer. It is a very strong tuna flavor in a different base medium. If this does not work, they said they would come up with something else, like a cat treat or another flavor. They are not planning on giving up, and they do compounding for several other CFR kitties. They also had the box of the new thin wall 19 gage needles for Evan’s fluids. The price was great, only $5.50 for the box of 100. The difference on the overall outside dimension is really something. I will start using the new needles tomorrow.

I was also go get scripts for the fluids, lines and needles so I can order online. I found one place that would be about $5.65 per bag, including shipping. I think another place in Alabama will be even less, so I will give them a call tomorrow during the day. This particular supply house only does CRF supplies – so the prices are very good ($2.39 per bag, before shipping – which was almost two dollars less than the other place).

Evan did not get any vaccinations. I don’t know if that was an oversight or intentional. I actually forgot to bring that up tonight.

The tapazole prescription has not changed. We still going to do the topical at 5mg per day.

My first care package arrived today – thanks Michelle. The Wellness Turkey bombed. I’ll start running through the other things and see if he will do any of the dry foods. It was suggest that I moisten the dry with a little water. I’ll also give that a try, along with using the salmon flavored gravy supplement. I’ll try the dry foods dry first to see if he “bites” at anything.

That is pretty much the news of the day. It’s about 11:00pm so I should really settle down and eat my dinner now!

Mark

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rubygirl1968
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Posted: Fri 09 June 06:31 am Post subject:

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I'm glad the news was mostly good, but I hate to hear that he lost 7 ounces.

Hopefully he'll keep eating the Fancy Feast and Friskies Whitefish & Tuna and put some weight back on! Thankfully it's easy to find and it was always a hit with Thomas when he was off his feed.

Your package is saying that it's on time and scheduled for delivery today, so maybe he'll like something in there. If not, Pippin, Dusty, Little Bit and Ranger are going to have a feast! lol

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minzismom
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Posted: Fri 09 June 08:28 am Post subject:

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Hi Mark. I have always tried to give my cats the "good" food, but I have discovered that getting them to eat is more important. FB needs to eat a lot of small meals because of his diabeties. So Friskies it is for him!! He will eat that and turn his nose up at all the good brands of food. I do keep the dry food to Chicken Lovers tho. I have found that the Friskies Shredded is the best since it has the most gravy in it. FB loves the flavors with the cheese in them!! I hope Evan is able to gain some of his weight back by eating the FF and Friskies since he won't eat the others.

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Maria
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Posted: Fri 09 June 01:13 pm Post subject:

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Mark,

I'm happy that the outcome at the vet's was mostly good, except for the weight. Hopefully more of the food you've been giving him will bring that up...soon!

It sounds like everything is getting a bit more under control there, at least things are in motion. I think it's a good sign that the vet didn't do the blood work. Obviously if there was a concern there, she wouldn't hesitate to get the blood.

I hope you have some time to relax, Mark. It is a very stressful time for you, too - not just Evan.

I'm still praying for you.....and hoping that Evan will continue to improve, and especially that he will gain some weight.

BTW - check your pm's - I just sent you one.

Maria

galensgranny · « **Reply #2 on:** June 22, 2007, 01:29:30 PM »

kb2zct
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Posted: Fri 09 June 01:55 pm Post subject:

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Maria

Just did - and sent you a reply.

I'm in a little break between two afternoon meeting (and waiting for a call so I can talk to a supplier that has been overcharging us) - so my response to the PM was very brief. Did not want to seem abrupt.

Mark

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animalangel1
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Posted: Fri 09 June 03:53 pm Post subject:

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I'm glad you got my package ok, and sorry that the Wellness Turkey bombed. Did the other kitty's eat it? If not, Missy would probably chow down pretty well on it. It would be a treat. The turkey is a bit testy here too at times - seems they have to be "in the mood" for it. I think you might have better luck with the Fancy Feast and the Wellness fish flavor I sent you. My local grocer (Price Chopper) carries the Fancy Feast flavor I sent you but it is also available at Petfooddirect. That's where I order all the other foods (except the dry - those I get at PetSmart).

I'm very happy that Evans vet visit went so well. Too bad about him losing weight though..... hm..... more treats I think. Yes, that's what he needs. More treats. Anything to help him put that weight back on at this point would be good. I'll keep him and you in my prayers. Like Maria said (I think it was Maria) this is a stressful time for you too.

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kb2zct
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Posted: Fri 09 June 09:47 pm Post subject:

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Guys:

Just a short Evan update (yea, like my Evan updates are ever short).

Evan did pretty good eating again today. For the second day in a row, he has polished off two cans of wet cat food. The past two mornings I opened up a 3oz can of Fancy Feast Ocean Whitefish and Tuna. By the time I returned home from work, he had finished off the entire can.

This evening, I split up a 5.5 oz can of Fancy Feast (again, Ocean Whitefish and Tuna). He ate ½ of the can at 5:00PM when I fed him. At about 8:00pm he ate ¼ of the can. I just gave him the rest of it and he is really chowing down.

This is good. The feeding instructions on Fancy Feast are one ounce per pound of body weight. On the regular Friskies it is ¾ to 1 oz per pound body weight. This means that Evan is actually eating enough to maintain his weight. He may be eating enough to gain some weight. Wouldn’t that be nice!

Now, it will be very important for me to monitor Evan’s weight. Given that he is now eating, if his weight goes down, it may indicate that his hyper-T is out of control. I will then have to get more blood work done to check the thyroid levels and may have to up the tapazole. If that is the case, I will regret not having the blood test done yesterday. Changing the meds could throw off his kidney values, etc. There are a lot of moving parts with Evan’s condition.

Jane and her son Mike did the fluids for me tonight. They did it because I was asleep on the couch waiting for them to come and help me. They managed to come in without waking me up. The new needle seemed to do well. Mike did the stick, and, quite honestly, he does better sticks than I.

Stephanie’s care package arrived today. There are lots of good things in it. Thanks ever so much. I will not be able to use the Innova as the protein content is bad for CFR cats (I had some nutritional counseling on what to avoid at the vet's). It is a really good food, but a bit hard on the kidneys.

I’m really intrigued by the Precise brand. The feeding instructions are 1 5 ½ oz can per 8-10 lbs of body weight. This food seems to have a higher calorie content then Friskies or Fancy Feast. I hope I can find a Precise formulation that Evan will like. If he will eat as much Precise as Friskies or Fancy Feast, he may put some weight back on. The ingredients in Precise look to be pretty good, too.

In all of my internet readings here and at the other forum, I never heard of Precise. Stephanie, is it a local brand? Where do you get it?

Jane, on her way over to do the fluids tonight, stopped off in town and picked up a case of the Friskies Ocean Whitefish and Tuna. So, Evan is really set for food right now.

I’ll finish with a quick update on Sammy, the kitty with the broken hip. He had his staples out earlier this week. While he still has a limp, he is running around and doing all the things a kitty should do. His family even took him outside for a little walk. His limp seems to be improving and, in time, so says the vet, it will disappear. The surgery was very expensive, almost $1,400, but well worth it.

Mark

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kb2zct
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Posted: Sat 10 June 08:03 pm Post subject:

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Evan was a little off his feed this morning. He only ate about ½ of the 3-oz can of FF. So, this evening, when I gave him about ¼ can of Friskies, I mixed in the new appetite enhancer formula. Although he did not eat all of the Friskies, he managed to get some of the med in him.

I opened up a can of Precise Seafood. Over the past hour and half or so, Evan has almost finished a whole can. I first set out ½ of the can. An hour later I set out ¼. He finished both, so I gave him the rest of the can. Now, I only hope that he does not vomit all of the food he ate.

If I remember correctly, Evan has to eat 218 calories of food to maintain his weight at 8 lbs (I think that is what the vet told me). I should try to find that information on the internet and compare it to the calories in the various wet and dry foods I have here.

And, after receiving the care packages, I had to rearrange my pantry to fit all the new food on it.

Michelle: None of my kitties would eat the Wellness Turkey. I sent the food home with Jane to see if her cats would eat it. Apparently, her kitties, Shadow (F) and Captain Jack (M) really liked it.

Mark

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Jeninsf
Frisky Feline

Joined: 10 Dec 2005
Posts: 232
Location: San Francisco Bay Area
Posted: Sun 11 June 11:41 am Post subject:

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I'm getting in on this thread very late and have mostly just read the beginning few pages and last two. Mark, I'm really sorry about Evan, and just very glad he has a good daddy who takes such good care of him.

It sounds like the FF and Friskies are going well, but just in case, I don't know if you tried Wellness Chicken yet or Wellness Trout & Salmon. I've tried almost every wet food featured on Franny's forum and these were the only two I could get Chloe, the finicky girl, to touch. Every cat is different though. I think she likes these especially b/c of the way the fat/gravy congeals on the top and around the edges.

Hope he continues to gain weight and things get better.

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kb2zct
Alpha Cat (Moderator)

Joined: 28 Nov 2005
Posts: 1612
Location: Upstate NY
Posted: Sun 11 June 12:34 pm Post subject:

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Jen:

I seem to be having the best luck with seafood flavors for Evan. Evan will sometimes eat the Wellness Chicken and Herring. I have quite a bit of that - when Dusty was fussy, C&H was the only wet she would eat. Now, she eats just about any wet food I put out.

Stephanie:

The Precise beef flavor did not work. None of my guys would eat it (after Evan did not eat it, I gave it to the others, none of them would eat it). I'll give another Precise a try tonight. Yesterday’s version seemed to go very good. However, since I managed to give Evan his prescription last night, it could have been the meds working. I’ll try the rest of the beef tonight, if I can get the med into him.

Michelle:

I could not read the writing on the bags - it wore off. Evan seems to be eating something Salmon and Tuna dry. What is that? I would like to have him eating some dry again, as it makes feeding easier. The bag said something along the most liked dry in your house, unreadable line, and Salmon and Tuna.

Last night Evan vomited again. He did it sometime after 2:00am, when I last checked on him. Tonight, I think I'll give him only 1/2 the dose of Cyproheptadine (app enhancer). If he takes it again, I'll call the pharmacy and have them mix up a batch of Tagamet for him. I don’t know if that will stop the vomiting. Since Evan gets the hic-cups when he eats, he may be getting too much air in his tummy, making him vomit.

Evan was out watching about 45 minutes of World Cup Soccer today. That was the sport I played and refereed when I was young. Eventually he decided it was time to go back and get a snack (the dry mentioned above).

Mark

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sumner
Alpha Cat (Moderator)

Joined: 11 Nov 2005
Posts: 219

Posted: Sun 11 June 09:10 pm Post subject:

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Mark,

I'm glad to hear (read?) that things are going better for Evan and that he is starting to eat better. Pat him on his head for us.

Jim

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rubygirl1968
Alpha Cat (Moderator)

Joined: 22 Nov 2005
Posts: 820
Location: Asheville, NC
Posted: Mon 12 June 06:35 am Post subject:

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I'd never heard of the Precise either, but happened to see it one day at Pet Supplies Plus, then the other store I frequent started carrying it too so I checked out the ingredients and started using it.

Mine like it and so far the favorite flavors are Oceanfish, Simmered Seafare, Chicken and Turkey. None of mine have ever liked beef flavors either, but I figured it was worth a shot. Maybe you could pass the beef along to someone else with kitties.

The only thing I have to watch with mine is that is higher in calories than Wellness or Innova (canned) and I have to be careful of that with Thomas & Sunny.

Petfooddirect carries it, if you need it, or if you can find something Evan likes I could pick up a case for you. http://www.petfooddirect.com/store/dept.asp?dept%5Fid=6&brand%5Fid=16

Sorry about the Innova - I might have read that before, but naturally.... it was in one ear and right out the other!

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kb2zct
Alpha Cat (Moderator)

Joined: 28 Nov 2005
Posts: 1612
Location: Upstate NY
Posted: Mon 12 June 07:32 am Post subject:

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We need a happy dance Icon!!!!

Evan weighs 8 lb 5 oz. He has gained 6 oz in the past week.

Evan is really chowing down on the Friskies and Fancy Feast Ocean Whitefish and Tuna. He ate about 1 1/2 cans of Precise, which makes me very happy, as it has more calories than other wet foods.

And, in two days, he ate 1/4 cup of the tuna and salmon dry that Michelle sent me. As soon as she lets me know what it is, I'm off to the store to get some of it. When I was checking in on Evan one last time before I headed to work, I noticed that his bowl of dry was empty. That was a shock, as I have not seen that for a very long time. As soon as I refilled his bowl this morning, he headed right back to it

Mark

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rubygirl1968
Alpha Cat (Moderator)

Joined: 22 Nov 2005
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Location: Asheville, NC
Posted: Mon 12 June 08:07 am Post subject:

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I'm soooo glad he's found something he likes!! Way to go Evan!!

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galensgranny · « **Reply #3 on:** June 22, 2007, 01:30:06 PM »

Maria
Alpha Cat (Moderator)

Joined: 22 Nov 2005
Posts: 1478
Location: Northern NJ
Posted: Mon 12 June 04:34 pm Post subject:

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Quote:
We need a happy dance Icon!!!!

This isn't exactly a "cat" happy dance, but I think it expresses the mood.

I'm happy for you - and Evan......such good news!

Mark - I'm a bit late - will send your package in the a.m. - you'll receive it by the end of the week.

Maria

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kb2zct
Alpha Cat (Moderator)

Joined: 28 Nov 2005
Posts: 1612
Location: Upstate NY
Posted: Mon 12 June 08:56 pm Post subject:

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Stephanie:

The Precise Feline Foundation Ocean Fish formula is a major hit. Evan likes that as much as he does the Friskies’s Whitefish and Tuna.

I really like the formula because it is very smooth and creamy. It’s almost the consistency of cake frosting. It is very easy for him to eat.

I came home from work at lunch today because something I ate earlier really did not agree with me. While I was home, the door to Evan’s room was open. He came out to visit four to five times, and took a nap on the couch. This was the first time in months that he has come out and napped on something other than my lap. He also seems to be moving and climbing around much better than before, which I attribute to the lower weight. Now, if I can only get him stabilized at around 9 lbs., I would be very happy

He looks good, and it is getting a bit harder to get fluids into him. His skin is nice and taunt, a sign that he is well hydrated. Of course, I could tell that from his litter box, or should I say his mud box. I’m glad that his urine does not smell like a regular cat’s would!

All in all, things look much better this week than they did last week!

Mark

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rubygirl1968
Alpha Cat (Moderator)

Joined: 22 Nov 2005
Posts: 820
Location: Asheville, NC
Posted: Tue 13 June 05:59 am Post subject:

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Good, I'm glad he liked it. That and the simmered seafare are the top picks at my house too.

They'll grudgingly eat the chicken and turkey but naturally the fish flavors are their favorite. I figure it's a trade-off - fish flavored wet or any dry and with Thomas' past urinary problems I'd rather go with the moisture.

I'm so glad that Evan felt good enough to come out and nap on the couch. And that he's well hydrated and getting around better! Wonderful!!!!!!!

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animalangel1
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Joined: 19 Nov 2005
Posts: 2232
Location: Upstate Eastern New York
Posted: Tue 13 June 07:28 am Post subject:

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Mark - I'm sorry it's taken me so long to get back to you - my husband has been hogging the computer with his computer games again.....

Anyway - that Salmon and Tuna dry is - believe it or not - Purina One. It's a bluish bag with a salmon colored box where the writing says "Salmon and tuna". It's not the greatest food but it is the best "store brand food" you can buy I believe. I think I got that from Margaret like a year ago or something. It is by far the most liked dry food here. I can hardly keep the bowl filled!!! You can pick that up just about anywhere - grocery stores, Wal-Mart, Petsmart, etc. I believe you can also buy it on line at Petfood direct. If Evan likes it, it would be good to leave it out 24/7 like I do here for mine. That way he can access it anytime he wants and may tend to start gaining if he likes it that much.

The second liked food here is the Nutro Max Roasted Chicken flavor - it is found in an orange bag at Petsmart. They seem to like that "in spurts". Some days it goes, some days it doesn't.

I hope you get this message before you head home tonight so Evan will have some asap!!! I'm glad he likes it.

Did you try the FF Sardines, shrimp and crab yet? I'm curious to know if he'll like that.

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Michelle

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kb2zct
Alpha Cat (Moderator)

Joined: 28 Nov 2005
Posts: 1612
Location: Upstate NY
Posted: Tue 13 June 07:39 am Post subject:

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Hi Michelle:

Thanks for the info. I will stop off at the store tonight on my way home (that is actually nice to say, a real grocery store opened up in the little town where I work, which will save me a 20 mile trip to the "big city").

I am finding it a bit difficult to keep a full bowl of the Purina One in Evan’s room. That too, is a very nice thing to say. Little Bit liked it so much he ripped open the bag trying to get to it. In fact, he worked harder to get the Purina One than he does to get catnip!

Evan liked the flavor of the Fancy Feast Sardines, Shrimp and Crab. However, it is a very chunky food. Evan does not do well with chunky soft food; he only seems to be able to eat the very soft and creamy wet foods. The rest of the little ones really liked it.

I will have to order a case of the Precise that Stephanie sent me to try. That is working very well and it is a higher quality than Friskies. However, my new saying is “The very best cat food in the whole wide world is the food that Evan is eating.” So, be it Friskies, Fancy Feast, Purina, Precise or Eagle Pack. If he eats it, it is very good.

Mark

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animalangel1
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Joined: 19 Nov 2005
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Location: Upstate Eastern New York
Posted: Tue 13 June 08:15 am Post subject:

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Yes, I know how they try to tear open the bag of the Purina One - Peaches is at it in the middle of the night here if the bowl is empty. Must be some good stuff!!!!!

About the FF Sardines, shrimp and crab - you have to mash it. Then it's like pate. Then he might eat it. I have to mash it for mine. They don't like any food that isn't pate style. I think they just don't know how to eat it. If I don't mash the FF sardines, shrimp and crab, mine won't eat it either no matter how much they like it. Mashed, it gets inhaled.

I am interested in that Precise food too.....I might order some of that next time I need to get food and try it here. It sounds like maybe something mine might like as well. I think I saw it on Petfooddirect.

I'm really glad that Evan likes the Purina One..... that's great news.

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Michelle

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rubygirl1968
Alpha Cat (Moderator)

Joined: 22 Nov 2005
Posts: 820
Location: Asheville, NC
Posted: Tue 13 June 09:25 am Post subject:

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Quote:
“The very best cat food in the whole wide world is the food that Evan is eating.”

Absolutely! I used to feel terrible about feeding mine Fancy Feast, but sometimes they just won't eat anything but that. (mainly when they're sick)

The best food in the world isn't doing them much good just sitting on the counter.
Quote:

I am interested in that Precise food too.....

Michelle before you order a whole case I could send you a can of each flavor to see what they like. Just let me know - I don't mind.

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Stephanie, mom to

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kb2zct
Alpha Cat (Moderator)

Joined: 28 Nov 2005
Posts: 1612
Location: Upstate NY
Posted: Tue 13 June 11:08 am Post subject:

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I just did Evan’s first ever on-line prescription order.

I think I did pretty well. I ordered from Vet Supplys in Alabama.

Total cost, including shipping, for 12 bags of fluid, a box of 100 Terimo 19 tw needles and 3 IV lines was only $78. Shipping, even only regular UPS ground, was $28 – the same as the cost of the fluids.

So, over a twelve-week period, I’ll save more than $40. The vet was charging me $10 per bag of fluid, $5 per line and something really outrageous for the needles (which were really nasty).

Now, we’ll see how long it takes the fluids to actually get here.

Mark

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animalangel1
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Joined: 19 Nov 2005
Posts: 2232
Location: Upstate Eastern New York
Posted: Tue 13 June 02:27 pm Post subject:

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Quote:
Michelle before you order a whole case I could send you a can of each flavor to see what they like. Just let me know - I don't mind.

Oh gee Stephanie I never would have thought of that!!!!! I just placed an order for 24 cans of the turkey flavor (since the Wellness Turkey isn't the biggest hit here though it does get eaten....) I would like to try the other flavors if you don't mind. I will private message you my address..... thank you SO MUCH!!!!!!!

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kb2zct
Alpha Cat (Moderator)

Joined: 28 Nov 2005
Posts: 1612
Location: Upstate NY
Posted: Fri 16 June 09:17 am Post subject: Evan's weight continues to increase

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Last night I weighed Evan again. He gained another 2 oz since the beginning of the week. He is now at 8 lb 7 oz. He has gained ½ lb since his vet visit last week!

I hope I can get him up to the 9-10 lb level. That would be great. Evan really likes the Precise fish flavors and the Purina One dry. Master Pippin, AKA the little Stinker, also likes these foods and is now trying to sneak into Evan’s room to eat Evan’s meals. Needless to say, he has put on a little bit of weight in the past week, too.

For the last four days, we have only given Evan 100 ml of fluid. As soon as we hit that level, he really starts to complain. He seems to be doing fine, with it, but I’m watching him very carefully to see how he reacts in the long run.

With the new foods, I really have not had to give Evan the appetite enhancer medicine. I should drive into town tonight and get his liquid tagamet. I’ll also see if the local pet food store is interested in carrying Precise. I’ll most likely order a case of two of the fish flavors shortly.

Evan has not vomited since last weekend. He may not need the tagamet, but I will give it to him for a few days to see how he reacts to it.

One observation about fluids – Evan makes very large urine deposits in his litter box. I stopped using Swheat Scoop because it could not adsorb all of the fluid. Arm and Hammer multi cat litter is also having the same problem – Evan’s box looks like mud much of the time. Does anyone have any suggestions on a super absorbent litter I can use in his box?

Mark

galensgranny · « **Reply #4 on:** June 22, 2007, 01:30:49 PM »

animalangel1
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Joined: 19 Nov 2005
Posts: 2232
Location: Upstate Eastern New York
Posted: Fri 16 June 01:52 pm Post subject:

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Well Mark - sounds like Evan is improving by leaps and bounds!!! I'm so glad that he found some food he likes and that you don't need the appetite enhancer!

As for the litter box issue - can't help you there. I have no idea what you can use that might be more absorbent than what you are already using. Perhaps the vet would have a suggestion???

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Michelle

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sumner
Alpha Cat (Moderator)

Joined: 11 Nov 2005
Posts: 219

Posted: Fri 16 June 08:55 pm Post subject:

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Mark,
We use Tidy Cat's Small Spaces. The name is a misnomer because it works really well and can be used in large spaces. It works great on odor control and handles Simon's very large urine discharges. I think his bladder is almost as big as mine sometimes.

Jim

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kb2zct
Alpha Cat (Moderator)

Joined: 28 Nov 2005
Posts: 1612
Location: Upstate NY
Posted: Sat 17 June 07:53 pm Post subject:

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A few items of good news for Evan….

The first shipment of fluids has arrived. I ordered it on June 13th, and it arrived today, only four days later. For regular UPS ground shipping, that is pretty good. The price was right – 12 bags of fluid, a box of needles and three lines for only $78.

The local pet food store is going to check about carrying the Precise brand of cat food. They are going to order a case of the ocean fish that Evan really likes.

And, I’ve finally have the Tagamet in the flavor that Evan likes. I gave him some this evening.

Mark

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Jeninsf
Frisky Feline

Joined: 10 Dec 2005
Posts: 232
Location: San Francisco Bay Area
Posted: Sun 18 June 07:01 pm Post subject:

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Glad to hear Evan has gained more weight!

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-Jen & cats Chloe & Eggers

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rubygirl1968
Alpha Cat (Moderator)

Joined: 22 Nov 2005
Posts: 820
Location: Asheville, NC
Posted: Mon 19 June 06:55 am Post subject:

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I'm glad Evan's gained weight and isn't throwing up! yay!!!

It'll be wonderful if your pet store starts carrying the Precise - it sure beats paying for shipping! Another one that mine like is the Avoderm Oceanfish, but the store that carried it always runs out, so I wasn't able to send you any. They haven't carried it in a long time now. I keep asking them to order it, but so far they haven't.

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animalangel1
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Joined: 19 Nov 2005
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Location: Upstate Eastern New York
Posted: Tue 20 June 10:34 am Post subject:

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It's good that the stuff you ordered came in so fast....never expected that. I'm still waiting on food I ordered last week Thursday..... but it's not like I'm out or anything. I only ordered early due to the discount that was available.

Is Evan still eating the Purina One Mark? My kitty's can't seem to get enough of it. Wonder what's in it that they like so much?

Also, what flavor did you end up getting in the Tagamet? (In case I need it for future reference, of course.)

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kb2zct
Alpha Cat (Moderator)

Joined: 28 Nov 2005
Posts: 1612
Location: Upstate NY
Posted: Tue 20 June 12:22 pm Post subject:

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Hi Michelle:

Yes, Evan is still eating the Purina One Salmon and Tuna. He really likes it, because he is eating more than 1/2 cup of it a day. And, this is in addition to eating about 3/4 or so of a can of wet food. He is finally getting enough nutrition.

I am finding that, as he eats more of the Purina Dry, he is eating less of the Friskies wet Ocean Whitefish and Tuna.

I’ll be perfectly honest here – I never would have even considered using Friskies, Fancy Feast and / or Purina One. Too many people have spoken so harshly against these foods, because of their corn and / or “by-product” content. I’m so glad that you and Stephanie sent these to me because I never would have tried them myself. The two of you are real lifesavers.

Evan surprised me by eating some Wellness Chicken last night. The other three boys like it, but Dusty would not eat any of it. Thinking it would not hurt, I brought the plate into Evan’s room and placed it right next to his plate of Friskies. Evan ended up eating ½ of his Friskies and then ½ of the Wellness Chicken.

I have not tried the Fancy Feast chunky shrimp, something and something else again. I think you sent me three cans of it, so I will have to try to mash it up and see how Evan does with it. Since Evan only licks up his food, he ends up spilling much of it over the edge of the plate. I’ve tried the little kitty bowls, but he does not want to eat from them.

He can be a very stubborn little SOK (son of a kitty).

The compounding pharmacy has tried two formulations for Evan’s liquid medicines (tagamet and appetite enhancer). The second version, a strong tuna flavor in a water base is working much better that the first formulation (chicken flavor in an oil base). The tuna flavor mixes in really well with the wet food.

If you would like, I will give the pharmacy a call and try to get better info to pass on to you.

There are two drawbacks with the tuna in water formulation. It has a short (30 day) shelf life. The oil based formula lasts longer. The water formula also requires refrigeration.

Mark

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animalangel1
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Joined: 19 Nov 2005
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Location: Upstate Eastern New York
Posted: Tue 20 June 12:40 pm Post subject:

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Thanks Mark, but no, you don't need to request more info from the pharmacy for me on the formulations.... I was just curious. Thank the Lord all my kitty's are well and happy and I am slowly paying off the mega money I owe to Care Credit for all their previous care..... I could use the "breather". I was only asking so that "down the road" if anything comes up I will have a better idea of what to ask for.

I'm so glad that Evan is still eating the Purina One. I beleive it was Margaret who told me (way, way back eons ago) that of all the "store brand" foods, Purina One was the best. It absolutely kills me to see people buying stuff like "Ole Roy" dog food and crap like that when Purina One would be much better if they can't afford really good stuff.... Poor dogs (and cats).

Anyway, I buy the Purina One for my outside feral boy, Sam. Well, I started out that way..... Peaches was always tearing the bag open during the night to get to it so that's when I started free feeding it with the other two dry foods. It was the old "If you can't beat'em" thing and they've been inhaling it ever since.

The Fancy Feast I believe was also one of the "better store brand" foods that Margaret mentioned. When you open that can of Sardines, Shrimp and crab, you will see they are actual fillets - not something fake. I'm glad you remember you'll have to mash it though - mine won't eat the fillets but they inhale it mashed. I think Evan might like it.

Anyway, thanks for the update. I'm very happy to hear that Evan is eating and that his weight has improved.

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kb2zct
Alpha Cat (Moderator)

Joined: 28 Nov 2005
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Location: Upstate NY
Posted: Tue 20 June 01:01 pm Post subject:

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Is there any update on Sam?

Might be for another thread, but hope all is good....

Mark

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animalangel1
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Joined: 19 Nov 2005
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Posted: Tue 20 June 01:11 pm Post subject:

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Actually there's not enough info on Sam to start a new thread.....

I haven't SEEN him in quite a while now (several weeks) because with the sun being up so late and him not coming until well after dark, I'm already in bed when he comes to eat. I just keep fresh water, dry food and wet food in his box and in the morning it's gone. That way I know he's ok. He missed two nights in a row about a week ago and I was starting to worry but then he came back again so I guess he's ok. I just can't stay up late enough to get a look for him.

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Michelle

galensgranny · « **Reply #5 on:** June 22, 2007, 01:32:13 PM »

kb2zct
Alpha Cat (Moderator)

Joined: 28 Nov 2005
Posts: 1612
Location: Upstate NY
Posted: Wed 21 June 08:11 am Post subject:

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Not good news – Evan has lost most of the weight he put.

When I picked him up last night, Evan appeared to have lost some weight. I took him to the scales and he weighted 8 lb 1.5 oz. While this is still up from the low point of 7 lb 15 oz two weeks ago, this is down from the 8 lb 7 oz he was last week.

One very strange thing.: when Evan was only 7 lb 15 oz, his back was very bony. When he went up in weight, he felt much less bony. Now, at the 8 lb 1.5 oz, he is not all that bony.

I do not understand the vast changes in weight (almost 4%, which would be 8 lbs for a 200 lb person. I always weigh him before fluids. This prevents the fluids from giving me a misleading weight.

I have noticed that, over the past few very hot and sticky days, Evan food intake has gone down. He is still eating, but just not as much as he was last week. So, this morning I put the appetite enhancer in his morning wet food. Since he ate all of it, I put in more cold wet food (that is, directly from the refrigerator and not warmed up in the microwave, to help it keep longer) as well as filled up his bowl of dry. I will have to start that up again. I will also have to see check with the pet food store and see how they are coming with the order for the Precise Ocean Whitefish.

But, other than the weight loss, Evan is doing quite nicely. Jane and Mike were over most of yesterday at my house, and Evan came out to be with them. Occasionally, they had to put Pippin in a different room so he would not bother Evan.

Evan put up quite a fight last night with his fluids. He actually nipped at Mike, who was holding. That earned him a wrap for the rest of the fluid run (after a second stick).

Mark

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Maria
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Joined: 22 Nov 2005
Posts: 1478
Location: Northern NJ
Posted: Wed 21 June 08:21 am Post subject:

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Mark,

I think maybe Evan's weight fluxuation might have something to do with the humidity and heat. Even with A/C the body tends to retain fluids, especially all that Evan is getting. Even just drinking water can make a person/cat gain weight. Then a few days later, he/she loses it. I wouldn't "sweat" (excuse the pun) too much over this since it isn't a huge amount - and Evan doesn't feel bony anymore. I think you can expect this all summer.

Even myself, I can gain 3-4 lbs. a day when it is humid, and I might not lose it for another 3-4 days, depending on the weather.

I think it might have something to do with his appetite also. Jeremy and Molly aren't eating a lot, and they are both lying around more - well, I should say "Molly" is lying around. This is Jeremy's full time occupation "couch potato."

It may also be responsible for his irritability. I don't want to blame everything on the weather, but I think it is a BIG factor.

Just my take.

Maria

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animalangel1
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Location: Upstate Eastern New York
Posted: Wed 21 June 04:39 pm Post subject:

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I just wanted to say that I second everything Maria said. My weight is bouncing around with the humidity, the cats are not eating as much.....the whole nine yards. As long as Evan isn't feeling "bony" I wouldn't worry too awful much. I'd just keep an eye on him as you are already doing.

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animalangel1
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Posted: Wed 21 June 04:40 pm Post subject:

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I just wanted to say that I second everything Maria said. My weight is bouncing around with the humidity, the cats are not eating as much.....the whole nine yards. As long as Evan isn't feeling "bony" I wouldn't worry too awful much. I'd just keep an eye on him as you are already doing.

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kb2zct
Alpha Cat (Moderator)

Joined: 28 Nov 2005
Posts: 1612
Location: Upstate NY
Posted: Thu 22 June 09:36 am Post subject:

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I though I would pass on another quick Evan update. The news is pretty good.

First, after talking with my neighbors and their 11 year old daughter, the daughter is going to come over every day to help me with the fluids. This is a big help because Jane will not have to come over every night after her work is finished. This will save her about 20-25 miles of extra driving as well as the extra time. This arrangement really will not start until late July (except for this week) as she (the girl) is going off to Europe for a month for an exchange (the girl raised all the money to do this herself, which is really impressive).

Evan wants to spend more time out in the main room these days. Last night he was out most of the evening – which is good. He still has some issues with Pippin and Little Bit. Both want to play with him, but he is not all that interested. Last night, he spend the time on my lap, on my computer desk or under the desk. He did manage to give me a claw cut climbing up on my lap when I was not looking.

There appears to be another can of Wellness that Evan likes. I think it is sardine, shrimp and crab. He ate about ½ a can last night and I gave him a quarter can this morning. I don’t remember if he ate the Salmon and Trout. I must write this stuff down.

Also, tonight I am going to place exactly 1 cup of the Purina One in his dish. After 24 hours I will measure the remainder. This way, I will get an idea on how much of that he is eating. Every time the other cats have come near his food, I have chased them away with very loud noises, so I think they are beginning to avoid going near his food bowl.

Also, last night was the first night in a while that I was able to get 150 ml of fluid back into him. The last two bags from the vet were hard to use – very difficult to read the numbers correctly. The vet supply house sent Abbot Labs RLS. These bags are much easier to use and to read.

I wonder how much of the weight loss was due to lower fluids and a general lower hydration level. Let me see….per the internet site I just referenced, 50 ml is equal to 1.69 oz. One ounce of water weighs one ounce, so that could not account for all of the weight loss.

I’ll try not to worry about the weight loss – too much – yet – kinda of sorta of, maybe

Mark

By the way, why is it that every time I weight Evan and he looses weight, I get a very bad case of heartburn?

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rubygirl1968
Alpha Cat (Moderator)

Joined: 22 Nov 2005
Posts: 820
Location: Asheville, NC
Posted: Thu 22 June 12:47 pm Post subject:

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Well, I'm glad you found another flavor of Wellness that he'll eat. Amazingly, mine don't like the seafood flavors of Wellness at all! They like the turkey & salmon and the chicken & herring, but not the other two. They just sniff, scratch and flounce off!

I'm glad he feels like staying out more now - at least you know he's feeling a little better.

PS - I understand about the heartburn - it's funny how that ebbs and flows with our kitties wellbeing.

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Stephanie, mom to

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kb2zct
Alpha Cat (Moderator)

Joined: 28 Nov 2005
Posts: 1612
Location: Upstate NY
Posted: Thu 22 June 01:16 pm Post subject:

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Evan was a little funny yesterday....

When I brought out his third serving of wet food (to get him to eat more, I feed wet 3-4 times a day), he ate a bit of it and then tried to bury it.

The only problem was that he was on top of a bed at the time, and his claws were pulling on the bedspread (a very old and ratty one, I keep it on the bed in his room so I can feed him there, etc).

Pippin has done the "bury my food" routine several times, but this was the first time for Evan.

Mark

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Maria
Alpha Cat (Moderator)

Joined: 22 Nov 2005
Posts: 1478
Location: Northern NJ
Posted: Thu 22 June 02:11 pm Post subject:

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Hi Mark,

I had to laugh at the burying food thing. Jeremy and Molly "bury" their food after eating 90% of it - even if there is only one last morsel. Jeremy buries his sometimes for 5 minutes or more. If I'm trying to concentrate, I try to gently tell him "Jeremy, please, it's all buried. Jeremy please. Jeremy please." He just looks at me and keeps burying.

Maria

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animalangel1
Hostess/Host

Joined: 19 Nov 2005
Posts: 2232
Location: Upstate Eastern New York
Posted: Thu 22 June 02:40 pm Post subject:

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Milo and Muffin also bury their food "for later". Milo, of course, feels the need to paw at the plate glass window to bury the food about 2 feet away on the table. I don't know what that's all about. I only know I have kitty paw prints on my front picture window. (I feed them on the table - my husband and I eat on the couch. Yah, we're not kitty whipped slaves at all...)

Mark - you did it again. I couldn't help but laugh out loud at this:

Quote:
Every time the other cats have come near his food, I have chased them away with very loud noises, so I think they are beginning to avoid going near his food bowl.

I have NO IDEA what you look like yet I can picture a full grown adult man running at cats, waving his arms over his head, and screaming like a banshi - just to get them away from the food bowl.

Oh Mark...you really crack me up.

By the way - write this down - it's Wellness, Sardines, Shrimp and Crab, and it has a turquoise-blueish label. That's for your shopping list. It's a favorite of my cats' as well.

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Michelle

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kb2zct
Alpha Cat (Moderator)

Joined: 28 Nov 2005
Posts: 1612
Location: Upstate NY
Posted: Thu 22 June 09:58 pm Post subject:

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It has been a crazy night!

I've been out most of the evening helping Jane get some Dept of Motor Vehicle stuff straightened out, which required a 100 mile round trip, several hours, etc.

When I get home at 10:30 or so, I go to check up on Evan. He gave me a present - a hairball. I have not seen that from him in a long time. That could explain why he was a little off his feed the past few days.

But, it does mean that he is grooming himself.

I think I'll put the rest of the craziness in a misc. topic post.

Mark

galensgranny · « **Reply #6 on:** June 22, 2007, 01:33:41 PM »

kb2zct
Alpha Cat (Moderator)

Joined: 28 Nov 2005
Posts: 1612
Location: Upstate NY
Posted: Fri 23 June 12:19 pm Post subject:

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Evan must have been quite hungry after getting rid of yesterday's hairball.

Last night, he ate 2/3 of a can of Friskies. This morning he polished off the remaining 1/3 can.

He also ate 5/12 of a cup of Purina One. Last night I measured out 2/3 of a cup and put it out for him. This morning there was only about 1/2 of a cup of it in the bowl.

So, unless Evan is sneaking in other kitties for a bit of late night partying, he did pretty well last night.

I wonder if it was the hairball or the medicine that caused him to eat so much?

Mark

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rubygirl1968
Alpha Cat (Moderator)

Joined: 22 Nov 2005
Posts: 820
Location: Asheville, NC
Posted: Fri 23 June 12:35 pm Post subject:

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Hmmmmm.. maybe it was a combo of the medicine and getting rid of the hairball. I'm glad he's eating good though, that's wonderful!!!!!!!!!!

Quote:
So, unless Evan is sneaking in other kitties for a bit of late night partying, he did pretty well last night.

Snickers & Jellybean didn't have much of an appetite this morning, so maybe they've been pestering, I mean visiting Evan.

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Stephanie, mom to

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animalangel1
Hostess/Host

Joined: 19 Nov 2005
Posts: 2232
Location: Upstate Eastern New York
Posted: Fri 23 June 01:09 pm Post subject:

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Well, I'll bet that hairball gave poor Evan quite the tummy ache and that would certainly affect his appetite. I'm glad he got it out and that he's eating again.

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Michelle

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kb2zct
Alpha Cat (Moderator)

Joined: 28 Nov 2005
Posts: 1612
Location: Upstate NY
Posted: Fri 23 June 01:40 pm Post subject:

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Mmmmmm.

Must talk to Pippin, re

Why is the gas tank empty and lots of extra miles on the jeep?

Why is there multi-colored confetti all around the house?

Why is the garbage full of empty tuna cans?

Where is the catnip?

Oh, Stephanie, are your kitties very sleepy today?

Michele - do you know where Sparky was last night?

Mark

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animalangel1
Hostess/Host

Joined: 19 Nov 2005
Posts: 2232
Location: Upstate Eastern New York
Posted: Fri 23 June 07:15 pm Post subject:

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Hm....well. Sparky WAS on the sleeping bag on the "kitty box" in the living room when I went to bed but it WAS awfully, unusually quiet all night long...... I normally have to get up several times during the course of the night to go break up whatever trouble he is causing and there wasn't any last night......

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Michelle

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kb2zct
Alpha Cat (Moderator)

Joined: 28 Nov 2005
Posts: 1612
Location: Upstate NY
Posted: Fri 23 June 09:38 pm Post subject: Evan's Guardian Angle

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Evan has a new guardian angle – Missy!

It’s Friday night, and Evan has spent most of the evening since came home from work. He is doing normal kitty stuff: sleeping on the couch, grooming himself, snacking and sleeping on daddy’s lap (3 times).

Pippin, because he wants to add “the Bad” to his name, like his hero Sparky, has been trying to cause trouble. Every now and then he tries to get near Evan to bop Evan on the head.

I’ve been keeping a pretty close eye on the situation, and every time Pippin gets too close to Evan, I shout out Pippin’s name.

Missy, being the very smart older sister, immediately runs to Pippin and distracts him. She just knows that he is up to no good, and is eager to do the big sister thing and stop him!

Little Bit was welcoming Evan back to the big room. Before Evan became ill, he and Little Bit occasionally had some disagreements. Tonight, Little Bit walked up to Evan. Evan tensed up, expecting some type of confrontation. All Little Bit wanted to do was to groom the top of Evan’s head. Unfortunately Pippin then jumped in to bop Evan on the head – which, I am sure, will not do much for Evan’s relationship with Little Bit.

I gave Pippin a piece of my mind for the bopping incident, and he hissed at me. That earned him some more lecture time – I simply do not let the little ones back talk to me.

Anyway, now that it is getting close to bed, Evan is back in his room. I’m going to put out some more food for him. He ate some of the Eagle Pack Adult Lite I had out for free feeding for the other guys. And, when I weighed Evan tonight, he was back up to 8 lb. 7 oz. His weight loss may have been due to his hairball and the lack of food in his digestive system it may have caused. He has been eating up a storm the past two days.

Mark

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Jeninsf
Frisky Feline

Joined: 10 Dec 2005
Posts: 232
Location: San Francisco Bay Area
Posted: Sat 24 June 11:05 am Post subject:

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Quote:
had to laugh at the burying food thing. Jeremy and Molly "bury" their food after eating 90% of it - even if there is only one last morsel. Jeremy buries his sometimes for 5 minutes or more. If I'm trying to concentrate, I try to gently tell him "Jeremy, please, it's all buried. Jeremy please. Jeremy please." He just looks at me and keeps burying

Same with Chloe. She drives me nuts burying everything. Food, "things" in the litterbox. She's completely OCD about it--sometimes I find that she's pulled the rug entirely into the litterbox. Ick.

Quote:
Missy, being the very smart older sister, immediately runs to Pippin and distracts him. She just knows that he is up to no good, and is eager to do the big sister thing and stop him! .....

. All Little Bit wanted to do was to groom the top of Evan’s head.

Aww. I'm glad Evan is getting some good support from his siblings. That's so cute that Missy is being protective.

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-Jen & cats Chloe & Eggers

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kb2zct
Alpha Cat (Moderator)

Joined: 28 Nov 2005
Posts: 1612
Location: Upstate NY
Posted: Mon 26 June 09:52 am Post subject:

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Stephanie:

Have you tried Precise’s “Natural Fish Flavor” dry food? Just wondering, as I think I may order a small bag of it to see if Evan will eat it.

Bad news about finding Precise locally – my local pet food store called Precise to inquire about a local distributor. The closest distributor is in Pennsylvania, which is over 300 miles away from me. She would have to have a minimum order of over 1,000 lbs (something to do with the common carrier, since there are no local distribution routes). That is a big order for a new product. She apologized and suggested I try to get it online

So, during lunch today, I will get on line and order a case of the wet food and also try a bag of the Natural Fish flavor and see how that works out.

Mark

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kb2zct
Alpha Cat (Moderator)

Joined: 28 Nov 2005
Posts: 1612
Location: Upstate NY
Posted: Mon 26 June 10:12 am Post subject:

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Guys: Only good news today!

Evan’s weight on Sunday afternoon was 8 lb 5.5 oz. So, after the hairball incident, he has gained a few ounces of weight. He is eating decently again, but I am giving him the appetite enhancer once a day – just to make sure.

I do not know if the weight loss and subsequent weight gain was caused by the hairball or the change in fluid volumes. Evan was really fussing when the fluid levels reached 100 ml, so I was stopping at that point. For the past 4-5 days I went back to the 150 ml level.

Evan spent most of the weekend (other than at night) out of his room. That is really encouraging, because he feels well enough to come out. He even ate a little wet on Sunday evening out in the kitchen with everyone else. It was not much, but it was really heartening to see him standing in line waiting for his food with the rest of the kitties. Eventually, I put him back into his room to finish his food; I think the stress of eating with the other cats was causing a bit of a problem.

Evan’s coat is the softest and cleanest I have seen it in over 6 months. It is almost as if his fur is two shades lighter than it was before. He is shedding a good deal, and I am trying to help him with it. He does not like the slicker brush and the comb I use for Ranger does not seem to work well with him. Simply petting him with my hand seems to be the best way to remove the shedding hair.

He is now doing something that he has never done before – giving me head buts (on my arm or hand). He also really wants to scent me, because my hand is also getting cheek rubs.

I think tonight I will try the chunky FF that Michelle sent me. I give it a good mash with a fork (Michelle, is that how you do it) and see how it goes. I also have a Crab, Shrimp and something Wellness (I think) to try shortly. I really want to have him eat a variety of foods, not just Friskies Ocean Whitefish and Tuna. – just in case he suddenly decides that he does not like that flavor any more.

I figure that, with all the food you guys sent, I could feed Evan something new for the better part of a month! You guys are just too much!

Although I don’t want to jinks myself, because every day because every day with a kitty that has Evan’s medical conditions is a gift, we may have finally turned the corner.

Mark

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Maria
Alpha Cat (Moderator)

Joined: 22 Nov 2005
Posts: 1478
Location: Northern NJ
Posted: Mon 26 June 11:37 am Post subject:

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Mark,

You made a "bad news day" a really nice day! I'm thrilled for you and Evan - and all the rest of your family. It's so good that Evan gained weight, that he is eating and seems better all the way around.

I really believe that they know when you're helping them even when the process is painful. Jeremy always licked my hand and eventually started to let me pill him when he got sick.

Congratulations! I hope it is all good news from now on - although if not, that he won't take too many steps back - but keep going forward.

Maria

galensgranny · « **Reply #7 on:** June 22, 2007, 01:34:45 PM »

kb2zct
Alpha Cat (Moderator)

Joined: 28 Nov 2005
Posts: 1612
Location: Upstate NY
Posted: Mon 26 June 03:29 pm Post subject:

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Dear Margaret:

Your package just made it to me at my office. Thanks very much.

I would NOT want to mess with the kitty on the address label!

I think there was a delay because of a zipcode problem.

Mark

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rubygirl1968
Alpha Cat (Moderator)

Joined: 22 Nov 2005
Posts: 820
Location: Asheville, NC
Posted: Tue 27 June 05:56 am Post subject:

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Quote:
Have you tried Precise’s “Natural Fish Flavor” dry food? Just wondering, as I think I may order a small bag of it to see if Evan will eat it.

I don't believe I have. Thomas is somewhat sensitive to dry, as in he throws up quite often, so that along with his previous bout with crystals makes me keep them on mostly canned. They get 1/8th cup of Chicken Soup lite for a snack - I don't know if it has corn or not, but that doesn't seem to bother him.

I hope Evan likes the dry variety - and what a bummer about getting it locally!

At least PFD has sales quite often.

What's his favorite flavor so far? The oceanfish and simmered seafare are both big hits at my house, but sometimes they'd rather eat the Wellness chicken and turkey. Sometimes it seems that whatever I have is the exact opposite of what they'd like! lol

Quote:
Evan’s coat is the softest and cleanest I have seen it in over 6 months. It is almost as if his fur is two shades lighter than it was before. He is shedding a good deal, and I am trying to help him with it. He does not like the slicker brush and the comb I use for Ranger does not seem to work well with him. Simply petting him with my hand seems to be the best way to remove the shedding hair.

Yay!!!! It's so good to see them not only doing well, but looking good too.

I used the shedding comb on Thomas last night and my gosh! I had enough fur on the floor for at least two more kittens.
I usually just use that one on Sunny, but apparently Thomas needs it too. If you ever see one, try it. It sure does work on mine! lol

Mark I'm really glad that Evan is doing well. I know that his health problems still exist, but it sounds encouraging.

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Stephanie, mom to

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kb2zct
Alpha Cat (Moderator)

Joined: 28 Nov 2005
Posts: 1612
Location: Upstate NY
Posted: Tue 27 June 07:57 am Post subject:

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Stephanie:

I ordered the items last night.

For the wet, I ordered the ocean fish. Evan likes that flavor better than the simmered seafood.

I really wish the local store could carry it - as I could mix up the flavors a bit better. The total price, after shipping, was not all that bad. I ended up ordering 12 13oz cans rather than 24 5.5 cans. The deal was a little better that way.

Evan has eaten Ocean Whitefish and the simmered seafood. No one in the house would eat the beef (but Jane's kitties did). I think Evan ate some of the chicken (must check my records at home to be sure). I could, however, have the chicken mixed up with Wellness (Evan is ageing me before my time!).

I do see that I have to run to PetSmart and get some Friskies OW&T (Ocean Whitefish and Tuna). I should also stock up on litter while I am out. Looks like a shopping trip tonight.

Mark

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animalangel1
Hostess/Host

Joined: 19 Nov 2005
Posts: 2232
Location: Upstate Eastern New York
Posted: Tue 27 June 08:10 am Post subject:

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Sorry to have gotten back to you so late Mark, but, yes, I use a fork to mash the FF for the cats. It's mashes really easy and they prefer it that way. You've probably already given it to Evan - (last night) - did he like it?

I'm so glad he's turning around so well...this is very encouraging.

Stephanie - So far I've tried two of your Precise foods - the Simmerd Seafare was a HUGE hit so I will be ordering some of that. I've started a list for my next order. The beef was not that great a hit but they did eventually eat a good portion of it. I don't think I'll buy that one though - it didn't go over as well as the simmered. Thanks for sending them. I still have all the others to try in the rotation and just haven't gotten to them yet.

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Michelle

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kb2zct
Alpha Cat (Moderator)

Joined: 28 Nov 2005
Posts: 1612
Location: Upstate NY
Posted: Tue 27 June 08:32 am Post subject:

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Michelle:

I had an "I'm getting older" moment last night, and ended up opening up another Friskies can for Evan.

Strange, how getting my new pair of glasses, with the increased magnification causes one to forget stuff (mostly because one can not see worth anything right now).

Mark

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animalangel1
Hostess/Host

Joined: 19 Nov 2005
Posts: 2232
Location: Upstate Eastern New York
Posted: Tue 27 June 12:08 pm Post subject:

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Ah, so you have joined Maria and me with our "senior moments" now. Welcome to the club! I too also had to get stronger (bifocals) glasses this time around. I can't see a darn thing without squinting my eyes without them on and then I get a headache. Oh well..... so it goes.

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Michelle

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rubygirl1968
Alpha Cat (Moderator)

Joined: 22 Nov 2005
Posts: 820
Location: Asheville, NC
Posted: Wed 28 June 06:01 am Post subject:

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Michelle, I'm amazed that they even ate the beef! Mine sniffed it and vigorously started burying it. lol

Your package hasn't gotten here yet, but I can't wait to try a new food on them and see if they like it. I'm going by the post office tonight to see if it got here today.

Mark, I hope you had a successful shopping trip. Lately it takes at least two trips for me to get everything I need. Without fail I forget something on the first one that I really needed and wind up having to go back. *sigh*

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Stephanie, mom to

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kb2zct
Alpha Cat (Moderator)

Joined: 28 Nov 2005
Posts: 1612
Location: Upstate NY
Posted: Wed 28 June 07:31 am Post subject:

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Quote:
Mark, I hope you had a successful shopping trip. Lately it takes at least two trips for me to get everything I need. Without fail I forget something on the first one that I really needed and wind up having to go back. *sigh*

Stephanie:

I did not have time for the trip last night. Jane was over for the weekly race called "clean the house before the cats and dog can mess it up again". By the time we were done it was almost 9:00 pm and we had not even made dinner (but we did cook up an excellent corn crusted meat "pie" and corn bread - but we ended up finishing dinner at 10:30!)

I will have to so some serious shopping soon: In just over a week I head out to spend two weeks at the lovely and popular vacation resort called the Bangor Air National Guard Base. I have a two week camp session with 50 or so Civil Air Patrol cadets. To be ready, I have to get the necessary supplies for the kitties, Evan's meds, and food for the house sitter.

After my two weeks in the resort is finished, I'm back for a week and then I head off to chaperone another group of Cadets on a two week visit to Scotland. I will see how the accommodations of Her Majesty’s Armed Forces compare to the US military.

Then, I'll come home, sleep for a day, and go back to work!

Mark

PS: I will be off net for the two weeks in Bangor. I'm pretty sure I will be off net while in Scotland.

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rubygirl1968
Alpha Cat (Moderator)

Joined: 22 Nov 2005
Posts: 820
Location: Asheville, NC
Posted: Wed 28 June 09:32 am Post subject:

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Quote:
Jane was over for the weekly race called "clean the house before the cats and dog can mess it up again".

Would you and Jane be interested in making a road trip to NC for another marathon cleaning day? lol

I've got to tackle mine today and move the kittens out of the bedroom so I can vacuum their room. Lordy, they fling the litter worse than any I've had in there.

Quote:
I'm back for a week and then I head off to chaperone another group of Cadets on a two week visit to Scotland.

Oooh, I'm envious! Not chaperoning, but Scotland.

Take lots and lots of pictures and have fun!

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Stephanie, mom to

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kb2zct
Alpha Cat (Moderator)

Joined: 28 Nov 2005
Posts: 1612
Location: Upstate NY
Posted: Wed 28 June 09:48 am Post subject:

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Stephanie:

I don't know about Jane, but....

Ever few years I go to a conference in Asheville. It is for the multi-company organization called the National Telephone Cooperative Association (NTCA). NTCA is the organization that has our company's pension plan.

It is usually held at the hotel complex at the top of the hill - I can't remember the name off the top of my head right now, the place with the really big fireplaces.

If I ever end up going there again (and that is a big if, since we usually send non-managers there and I am a manager), I'll let you know.

Mark

PS: There was a really nice little tea store in town, last time I was there. Because my flight out was on a Sunday, on Saturday I walked into town and had lunch. It was pretty nice.

galensgranny · « **Reply #8 on:** June 22, 2007, 01:36:08 PM »

rubygirl1968
Alpha Cat (Moderator)

Joined: 22 Nov 2005
Posts: 820
Location: Asheville, NC
Posted: Wed 28 June 10:27 am Post subject:

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Grove Park Inn ?

It's got the biggest fireplaces I can think of right now. It's wonderful in fall and winter - I like looking at the halls filled with Christmas trees and gingerbread houses. And they have pretty good hot cocoa.

Ooh yes, if you ever have to go again let me know! It would be great to meet a fellow kitty lover.

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Stephanie, mom to

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Jeninsf
Frisky Feline

Joined: 10 Dec 2005
Posts: 232
Location: San Francisco Bay Area
Posted: Fri 30 June 08:11 pm Post subject:

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Quote:
: There was a really nice little tea store in town, last time I was there. Because my flight out was on a Sunday, on Saturday I walked into town and had lunch. It was pretty nice.

I hope I'm not being too forward here, but I have to say that Jane is a lucky woman. Not too many guys who are so good with animals and kids and like tea places! I could spend my weekends at tea places, but it's hard to find a nice tea-lover of the male gender. Do you have a brother?

Anyway, I know what you mean about the cleaning thing. It's hard to keep up.

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-Jen & cats Chloe & Eggers

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kb2zct
Alpha Cat (Moderator)

Joined: 28 Nov 2005
Posts: 1612
Location: Upstate NY
Posted: Fri 30 June 08:15 pm Post subject:

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Stephanie:

Yes, it was the Grove Park Inn. It is a really nice place.

But, alas, that was way back in '97!

Mark

kb2zct
Alpha Cat (Moderator)

Joined: 28 Nov 2005
Posts: 1612
Location: Upstate NY
Posted: Fri 30 June 08:20 pm Post subject:

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Jen:

She is a saint for putting up with me

Mark

galensgranny · « **Reply #9 on:** June 22, 2007, 02:07:43 PM »

kb2zct
Alpha Cat (Moderator)

Joined: 28 Nov 2005
Posts: 1612
Location: Upstate NY
Posted: Sun 02 July 03:59 pm Post subject:

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Just a very short Evan update.

He continues to do well and craves to be with the rest of the family. He has spent the past three nights out of his safe room.

While he was very ill, I made up a safe room for Evan in one of the spare bedrooms. I would keep Evan in the safe room when I was not home or when I was asleep.

He is mixing with the family much better, and he is not hiding. So, as long as his behavior indicates he feels well, I am going to let him out of his room.

Mark

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sumner
Alpha Cat (Moderator)

Joined: 11 Nov 2005
Posts: 219

Posted: Sun 02 July 08:30 pm Post subject:

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Mark,

Glad to hear the great news about Evan! He must be feeling better. Hope all continues to go well at your place with all the kitties.

Jim

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kb2zct
Alpha Cat (Moderator)

Joined: 28 Nov 2005
Posts: 1612
Location: Upstate NY
Posted: Mon 03 July 03:04 pm Post subject:

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I really like Evan’s pharmacy!

Due to my two impending trips (CAP in Bangor Air National Guard Base and CAP to Scotland Trip), I was facing some serious problems. The regular 30 day prescriptions would not last through all of the trips. Simply getting two prescription orders in would not work – because of the limited shelf life of the prescriptions (the liquids have a 30 day shelf life, and require refrigeration).

I just spent 10-15 minutes talking with the pharmacist. They are going to take care of things by giving me a 2 ½ week supply on Friday. This will get Evan through the first trip and get me a few days home to recover before I have to drive into town to get refills. I can then get the regular 30 day refills that will cover the second trip.

And, in the event that something happens to the meds (spoilage, spillage, while I am gone), all the pet sitter has to do is to call them and they will make up a new batch for Evan and I can pay when I return.

One less worry for the summer trips! Now, if I could only finish the training schedule for the summer camp!

Mark

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animalangel1
Hostess/Host

Joined: 19 Nov 2005
Posts: 2232
Location: Upstate Eastern New York
Posted: Mon 03 July 06:35 pm Post subject:

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Geez Mark, you don't have those training schedules done yet?????? What's the holdup???? Time is running out, you know!!!

Actually, I don't mean to pick on you....I just needed an excuse to throw out some smileys cause I haven't been using any lately.

Sounds to me like you have a great pharmacy too! Is it one of the chains or a little mom and pop place?

I'm glad you are going to be letting Evan out of his safe room more often now.... he must have gotten quite lonely in there. I'm glad he's feeling better.

_________________
Michelle

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kb2zct
Alpha Cat (Moderator)

Joined: 28 Nov 2005
Posts: 1612
Location: Upstate NY
Posted: Thu 06 July 08:20 am Post subject:

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.....flash....flash.....flash....flash News on the Food Front.....

We interrupt your program with this late breaking news story……

The Precise cat food finally arrived late yesterday afternoon.

I already knew that Evan would eat the Precise wet (ocean whitefish). I think he also likes the Precise dry.

The dry food comes in cute fish shaped kibble. Cute, but I wonder how much that adds to the cost of the food? Anyway, I put a bowl of the Precise out next to the bowl of Purina One. It looks as if Mr Evan ate more of the Precise than the Purina One. I’ll do a scientific study tonight and report back in the morning.

I also found another Friskies flavor he will eat – Mariner’s Catch.

We now return you to your regularly scheduled program

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animalangel1
Hostess/Host

Joined: 19 Nov 2005
Posts: 2232
Location: Upstate Eastern New York
Posted: Thu 06 July 08:39 am Post subject:

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Isn't that interesting? I thought nothing could top the desire for the Purina One..... I'll have to check PetSmart for this Precise Dry (though I don't recall seeing it anywhere) to try on my crew. Is there a particular flavor you are speaking of or is does it only come in one flavor?

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Michelle

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kb2zct
Alpha Cat (Moderator)

Joined: 28 Nov 2005
Posts: 1612
Location: Upstate NY
Posted: Thu 06 July 09:26 am Post subject: Precise and Pippin's deliquency

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Michelle:

Precise has a website.

http://www.precisepet.com/

There is a link to a retailer location. I saw a store in the Albany area and another one in Balston Spa. I ordered mine from Pet Food Direct (I think). I'll have to check it back at home later tonight.

The food I got was "Natural Fish Flavor". Since Evan will only reliably eat fish flavors (unless I give him his appetite enhancer medicine), I went for the fish flavored food. The ingredient list looks very good. There are several other "flavors", chicken based.

I liked the wet because it has a higher calorie to weight ratio than Friskies or Fancy Feast. One can of Precise is good for an 8-10 lb cat, while it would take 1 1/2 cans of Friskies (5.5 ounce) or almost 3 cans of Fancy Feast. Evan simply will not eat that much food. The Precise is also very smooth - which makes it easier for Evan to eat it.

They dry food looks as if it is also pretty high calorie. The recommended feeding for a 5-10 lb cat is ¼ to ½ cup. So, if Evan eats about ½ can or more of the wet and ¼ cup of the dry, he is getting enough calories. Right now Evan is eating about 2/3 of a can of wet and a guess about ¼ (or more) of a cup of dry per day. I will have to weigh him tonight, but my non-scientific measurement (picking him up) tells me that he has not lost any weight.

Having dry available for him at night or during the day is helping Evan keep his weight up. He will nibble on the dry during the night. The Purina One was a major turning point - that is when his weight finally started to stabilize - when you found the dry food that he would eat.

I always want to have several options, just in case Evan somehow associates something "bad" with a particular flavor of food.

And, um, Michelle, I want you to know that you are contributing to Pippin’s delinquency. He spends all of his time loitering at the door to Evan’s room. All I have to do is to open the door a crack and he zooms in to flitch Evan’s food (Purina One Salmon and Tuna). It’s bad enough that he tries to bully Evan when I am not watching, but now he is becoming a thief.

Mark

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animalangel1
Hostess/Host

Joined: 19 Nov 2005
Posts: 2232
Location: Upstate Eastern New York
Posted: Thu 06 July 02:26 pm Post subject:

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No, no, Mark, I don't think it's ME contributing to his delinquency - it truly must be Sparky. He's a sneaky one. He's probably on the computer all night long giving Pippin tips because he's the ONLY animal of six in this house that I cannot account for in the master bedroom at night. THE ONLY ONE. I may have supplied the food that Pippin wants to pilfer, however it was Sparky who gave explicit directions (I beleive to Snickers and Jellybean) on how to quickly pass through an opened doorway before we humans can stop them. I can not be held accountable for the Sparky Monster, AKA Sparky the Bad's, training programs.

Thank you, by the way, for the information on the Precise Dry. I will have to see if I can find some.

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Michelle

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kb2zct
Alpha Cat (Moderator)

Joined: 28 Nov 2005
Posts: 1612
Location: Upstate NY
Posted: Thu 20 July 09:10 am Post subject:

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Michelle:

At camp, my internet access is very limited. I have only had one update on Evan. For the first few days he was not eating all that much and ended up losing some weight. I was not told how much.

The family taking care of the little ones called the vet to arrange an appointment, but the vets did not want to see him. I think they have given up, more or less. Their comment was, as long as he is eating and drinking, there is nothing more to do.

We upped his appitite enhancer to 2x per day (from once per day) and switched back to 100% Friskies. Once these changes started, he went back to eating his meals (3x per day wet, free feeding dry).

I was told that I would be called again if there were any problems. I have not received any calls.

Mark

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Author Topic: Evan's CRF and Hyperthyroidism part 2-June 2006 (Read 1795 times)

galensgranny

Evan's CRF and Hyperthyroidism part 2-June 2006

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