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Archive through February 05, 2006

The TVClubHouse: General Discussions ARCHIVES: 2005 Dec. ~ 2006 Feb.: Hairball Haven: Cats (ARCHIVES): Archive through February 05, 2006 users admin

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Mamapors
Member

07-29-2004

Friday, February 03, 2006 - 7:34 am   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Mamapors a private message Print Post    
Thanks for all the advice on my kitty throw-up problem. I have changed her food and she seems better. Now my other kitty is having a problem. She is chewing off the hair on her back. She started at the tail and as gone about half-way up her back. Could she be allergic to something like fleas? I don't see any, but she is completely black. It is like a skin iritation that is moving up her back, and she chews on it. I feel so bad for her.

Lucy
Member

10-08-2002

Friday, February 03, 2006 - 9:19 am   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Lucy a private message Print Post    
(((Cashmere & Happymom)))

Mamapors-sorry to hear that your kitties haven't been feeling well. My Lucy kitty had a skin irritation last year and licked most of the fur off her leg. I just looked up my vet receipt and sure enough I took her in on 2/4/05. The vet (The Cat Hospital-Hamilton Ave.) gave her Prednisolone 5mg and Dermagen/Panalog ointment and it cleared up right away.

I know ear mites and fleas can both be underlying causes of skin irritation in animals. If you have a flea comb you can check for that on your own. Ear mites are also pretty easy to spot..look for brown debris in her ears.

You might want to put a soft Elizabethan collar on her to keep her from licking and biting that area, but she most likely also needs to be treated for the underlying cause.

Good luck!

Happymom
Member

01-20-2003

Friday, February 03, 2006 - 11:05 am   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Happymom a private message Print Post    
Watching, thanks for the words and the hugs. I didn't know for sure if you mixed up the mom names. Maybe Hypermom needed a hug too. Thanks for the hearts too.

Thanks to you too Calamity, tulips are my favorite...and thanks to you too Lucy.

Amazingly, Cashmere is hanging in there. Yesterday, she actually ate a little baby food chicken and some hi protein dry dog food. (It is really great food, it's called Innova Evo. I mix it with Innova Senior for our dog.) When I was putting food in the dog's dish, Cashmere came sniffing around (so glad to see her walking whenever she can), so I figured why not give it a try and she ate some! I also saw her drink quite a bit, dehydration has been a worry with her for years. I always have an iv bag in the house, just in case. (Sub Q only, not iv.)

Maybe she did have a stroke. I actually asked the vet if her leg could be broken and still be walked on. The vet said no way, it's all neurological. She drags her right back leg and keeps standing on her tail.

Watching, we had a similar thing happen with Cashmere last summer. She couldn't move for a few hours. I don't remember all the details. I know she had an accident or two and was just laying in it. I felt sure she was dying. When the vet saw her, she decided Cashmere had had a seizure because she recovered relatively quickly and had no lasting affects.

Since then she has had either seizures at times, or she has blood clots breaking loose perhaps (which is very painful and causes unusual behaviour according to the vet) and causing her to freak out, who knows for sure. We've only witnessed the freak outs three times, but suspect that when we find a puddle in the garage that perhaps she's had a seizure.

I'm going to ask about a stroke when I talk to the vet today. She is keeping daily tabs on Cashmere and has with our other cat and our dog at times like this. Great vet.

If she can make it through this spell (and I actually am slightly very cautiously optimistic now), as long as she's not in pain or having seizures a lot where she's actually dangerous to us and her sister, it's ok if she's a little wobbly and not so clear headed. (My grandma is the same way!)

My husband is out of town with our middle daughter on a school field trip for three days. Her birthday was yesterday. We're celebrating tonight. It really will be great to greet them with news that Cashmere is a little better. I hated having to tell my daughter she might want to say goodbye before they left town. I so hope Cashmere keeps hanging in there.

Mamapors, that is awful about her skin problem! Our dog is allergic to fleas. Also, I've known some dogs having skin problems if they eat lamb. I can't think of cat food having lamb in it though. I sure hope something can clear that up. I'm glad your other cat has stopped throwing up. We have gone through that problem many times over the years.

Happymom
Member

01-20-2003

Friday, February 03, 2006 - 2:06 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Happymom a private message Print Post    
I was holding Cashmere about two hours ago and she let out a little yowl. Ever since her last seizure or whatever when she tried to attack me, I am very careful of her...so I put her down on the floor, her right eyebrow area was twitching and she was drooling the cat lax I'd just given her and she had an accident (just urine, she hasn't done anything else in days, I wonder if constipation can just go away). Her rear legs and hips just gave out. After about 30 seconds she laid really still but breathing for about 30 secs. and tried to stand. Slowly she did stand and took a couple of steps. I carefully put a towel over her (after looking in her face and talking for a moment to make sure she wasn't going to attack me) and picked her up. I cleaned her up at both ends. I laid her down outside her igloo in the garage. AFter a few mins., she stood and slowly took a few steps.

She is in the igloo now with her sister sleeping and or resting. Poor girl. I am sad. I am glad tvch is here. Posting about this is helping me.

Ophiliasgrandma
Member

09-04-2001

Friday, February 03, 2006 - 4:07 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Ophiliasgrandma a private message Print Post    
Oh, Happy, I am so sorry your precious kitty is so ill. I know your heart is aching bigtime. If it is Cashmere's time, I'm praying for a quick release to the Rainbow Bridge.

Calamity
Member

10-18-2001

Friday, February 03, 2006 - 4:12 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Calamity a private message Print Post    
Happymom & Cashmere

My heart just aches for you. I hope Cashmere feels better after getting some rest. It's so hard to see our old friends in distress. I'll be praying for her.

Biscottiii
Member

05-29-2004

Friday, February 03, 2006 - 6:42 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Biscottiii a private message Print Post    
{Happymom & Cashmere}
Hugs & healing wishes from the Emerald City are heading your way!

Don't know what to say, it's such a difficult time for you. I still haven't gotten over the passing of my beloved Jezabel 12 yrs ago. And hearing what you are going through reminds me again of why it was so hard. Just want you to know...I wish the best for both of you - that you are both in my thoughts. Bisc

Lucy
Member

10-08-2002

Friday, February 03, 2006 - 6:57 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Lucy a private message Print Post    
Hope Cashmere is resting comfortably tonight.((((Cashmere))))

Jimmer
Member

08-30-2000

Friday, February 03, 2006 - 7:28 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Jimmer a private message Print Post    
My goodness it is hard isn’t it. I wish you all the best and I’m thinking about you.

Halfunit
Moderator

09-02-2001

Friday, February 03, 2006 - 7:45 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Halfunit a private message Print Post    


Mameblanche
Member

08-24-2002

Friday, February 03, 2006 - 8:40 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Mameblanche a private message Print Post    
((((((Happymom & Cashmere))))))

Mamapors
Member

07-29-2004

Friday, February 03, 2006 - 8:45 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Mamapors a private message Print Post    
(((Happymom))) Hope Cashmere is resting peacefully and gaining strength.

Hypermom
Member

08-13-2001

Friday, February 03, 2006 - 10:58 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Hypermom a private message Print Post    
(((((Happymom and Cashmere))))

Seamonkey
Moderator

09-07-2000

Friday, February 03, 2006 - 11:48 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Seamonkey a private message Print Post    
((((((Happymom & Cashmere))))))

Happymom
Member

01-20-2003

Saturday, February 04, 2006 - 11:28 am   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Happymom a private message Print Post    
Thank you all so so much. It means a lot to me.

She is really no different. I am sure she is not in pain though. I am encouraged that she seems to hold her tail some now, she was just letting it drag and standing on it sometimes. But I'm not sure she's eating. With both cats together and dry food available to them all the time, I can't tell. She won't eat baby food or wet cat food that I offered her, although maybe she had eaten dry earlier.

Thank you again.

Calamity
Member

10-18-2001

Saturday, February 04, 2006 - 11:38 am   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Calamity a private message Print Post    
Cashmere

Happymom: Just got online in time to see your post. I'm glad Cashmere seems to be improving, if even just a little. As for her eating, my vet recommended I give my dear Casper some chicken broth because it would help her electrolytes, so you might try some of that. I also gave her malt-flavored hairball remedy when I became concerned because she hadn't passed anything for a couple days. It did seem to help and she was eager to lick it. And she also ate gravy, baby food, and small tender pieces of cooked meat.

Take care. Cashmere and you are in my thoughts and prayers.

Happymom
Member

01-20-2003

Saturday, February 04, 2006 - 4:48 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Happymom a private message Print Post    
Thanks Calamity. I will try chicken broth. She hasn't liked that in the past, I try off and on with that over the years because of her tendency toward dehydration from her kidney failure.

I am also going to cook some chicken and try that. Maybe she'll like the broth from that better than the canned broth.

The vet gave me cat lax to give to her to help with elimination. She takes it ok. I didn't realize that it's pretty much the same as the hairball remedy that she loves. Since she's been on potassium gel for the past couple of years, she hasn't had a problem with hairballs, she does love it though, like a treat for her. When I'd give the malt hairball remedy to her sister, I'd have to put a little out for her to work on or she'd be almost frantically in the way to get it for herself. Nice memory.

Thanks for the suggestions. I really appreciate it.

Costacat
Member

07-15-2000

Saturday, February 04, 2006 - 5:13 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Costacat a private message Print Post    
I was traveling this past weekend, and my pet sitter turned me on to something new. Costa, as you all know, has hypertrophic cardiomyopathy. He takes three different medicines each day, all at dinner time. One of his pills (Benazopryl) gets ground up; the other two are capsules I dump into a spoonful of canned food. Anyways, two weeks ago while I was traveling for business, she had a bit of a problem getting Costa to eat his dinner with his meds. So last weekend, she brought Pill Pockets. These are little soft pockets made of human grade stuff that you put a pill into, smoosh closed the end, and give to the cat. They come in both salmon and chicken flavor.

I tell you what... Pill Pockets are great! I went out and bought a package (45 pieces for $6-7), and Costa takes that one stupid pill easily now. (The two capsules still get mixed into his spoonful of food.) I cheat... I take out two Pill Pockets, split one in half and give part to Kassie and part to Costa (to "prime" him). Then I give him the real Pill Pocket with his pill in it, and he just scarfs it down.

I really am impressed. If you need to get a pill into your cat and you don't want to pill your cat (using a pill shooter or even just holding him/her and stuffing down his/her throat), consider Pill Pockets.

For more info, check out PetSmart, although I found them online for a couple of bucks cheaper. (I didn't buy online as shipping was almost as much as the package itself; I did find them at a local pet store so didn't have to go to PetSmart.)

Costacat
Member

07-15-2000

Saturday, February 04, 2006 - 5:15 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Costacat a private message Print Post    
P.S. Happy, be sure to get the sodium free/fat free chicken broth. But if you are gonna make your own, you won't need to worry about that.

I hope your baby is doing better! Kitty kisses from Costa and Kassie! >^..^<

Watching2
Member

07-07-2001

Sunday, February 05, 2006 - 12:10 am   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Watching2 a private message Print Post    
Happymom - I'm confused about the potassium gel. When my mom was in kidney failure she had to avoid all foods high in potassium to not worsen her kidney failure. She was looking at probable dialysis, but she proved them all wrong and did well with conservative therapy & watching her diet. Is the gel to help keep potassium levels down? That would make more sense to me than to add it, but maybe cats are different than humans?!!

I hope Cashmere is doing better.

Happymom
Member

01-20-2003

Sunday, February 05, 2006 - 12:26 am   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Happymom a private message Print Post    
She is doing a little better! Her eyes look clearer and she is walking more normally than she has the past few days and her back end isn't giving out as much. She actually had her ears facing forward like normal. Oh I so hope she's getting better. I still keep finding puddles though and that is not a good sign at all. I am afraid she is having seizures. Her sister was also acting strange toward her and that is not a good sign. But I am encouraged that Cashmere looks more normal now than she has in a few days. I did find a strange small growth on her back. It scabbed and the scab was stuck in her fur and a fresh one starting to form. It reminds me of a thing I had years ago on my finger...a tiny cut tried to heal itself outside my body and I had to have the little growth cut off by a laser. At least it doesn't seem painful for her, it wasn't for me either.

Thanks for the wishes Costa and sodium free chicken broth advice. Why fat free too? Anyway, I am so tired I gave her tuna and the tuna water from the can. I have Oreo (her sister) on my lap to give Cashmere time to eat it. I hope she did.

Thanks also for the Pill Pockets tip. I need those! My husband was out of town and I had to take Cashmere to the vet on Thur. just to have them give her her Prednisone. I ended up grinding it up on Wed and dumping two spoonfuls on her tongue and it stressed her out so much and she threw it up almost immediately. I just cannot give the cats pills and they won't eat pills ground up and mixed in food. Poor Oreo gets a tiny dump of powder on her tongue twice a day for her thyroid med. I am definitely going to try those.

Happymom
Member

01-20-2003

Sunday, February 05, 2006 - 12:57 am   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Happymom a private message Print Post    
Well, she ate little if any of the tuna, but did lap up all the tuna water. Oreo is pleased to get a double helping. I'll try chicken in the morning.

Watching, I am going to ask the vet about this potassium gel, why she's on it. Oreo is now on it too once it was discovered by lab work a few mos. ago that Oreo is also in slight kidney failure. I believe the vet did put Cashmere on the pot. gel when she did lab work and discovered kidney failure. This was a few yr. ago and I cannot remember for sure. Her kidneys are no worse as of a few mos. ago. She also has not shown signs of advanced kidney failure. The only symptom she ever showed was the excessive drinking (which leads to excessive peeing). So, I think the pot. gel is related to the kidney failure. It says on the tube "For use as a supplement in potassium deficient states in dogs and cats." So, it's definitely not to keep pot. levels down. I am going to ask about this.

Has anyone ever had their cat on Phenobarbitol? If so, why were they on it and did it work? Were there side effects. How old was your cat on this med? Thanks in advance to anyone who can answer this. Cashmere was on it for a few days because of the seizures and one causing her to be violent and aggressive. I wondered if the med. was building up in her and causing her to be sick, the vet said unlikely that she was sure all this is neurological problems. She took her off the pheno and aspirin (baby aspirin, adult aspirin is toxic to cats, I've heard) and increased the Prednisone to every day and some med. in syrup form to help stop the vomiting. I am really afraid that once she stops taking the syrup the vomiting is going to start again. We'll see. We still have a few more days of it.

I really am not in denial if it is her time to go. I would never prolong suffering if she was suffering especially at her old age of 19. It's just that I was so sure she was going to die last summer and she got better. I was so sure Oreo was going to die last fall and she got better. All Oreo needed was some extra med. for a few days and she was back to normal. Even the vet thought she might die then. I just can't give up for them at the first sign of something wrong...especially when they start showing signs of getting better. Thanks for reading this.

Redstar
Member

07-08-2005

Sunday, February 05, 2006 - 6:24 am   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Redstar a private message Print Post    
Happymom, there is nothing wrong with waiting to see if Cashmere improves - you'll know when enough is enough. My Phoebe had two really bad spells with her CRF and recovered. The third time I waited until that internal voice told me that enough was enough and it was time to let her go. Even then I waited a couple more days until I could accept that it was true.

{{{Happymom & Cashmere}}}

Prisonerno6
Member

08-31-2002

Sunday, February 05, 2006 - 8:09 am   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Prisonerno6 a private message Print Post    
{{{Happymom & Cashmere}}}

I knew it was time to say good-bye to my little Spats when she wouldn't even eat vanilla ice cream. You'll know in your heart when it's time to say good-bye to Cashmere, and I hope it isn't any time soon.

Seamonkey
Moderator

09-07-2000

Sunday, February 05, 2006 - 8:40 am   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Seamonkey a private message Print Post    
Happymom, I have exactly the same attitude you do.. I don't ever want to prolong a situation beyond dignity or some quality, but I'll do what can be done if there is a chance.

I remember when I brought Kizzy (my last dog) in and there was a new vet that I saw and I was quite forceful in telling him that he could tell from our records that I wouldn's try to scrimp on care but that I would not tolerate some aggressive treatment that would cause pain without an awfully good reason to believe that it would bring better times for my girl. In her case they wanted to try steroids to see if they "kicked in" a desired response. They didn't but we gave it a chance.

My beloved Critter kitty coming up on age 17 this spring, well I just enjoy every moment but I do worry.. however, had I done the "right thing" according to a (former) vet, I would have returned her to the pound after two days because she got so sick.. and it was chancy, expensive, stressful and scary as hell but she came through and the rewards have been great for both of us (though since I adopted Angelina, Critter is questioning SOME of those rewards )

Costa, those pockets sound amazing and I could see giving them as a rare treat for both girls so that they have a good feeling about them if and when I need to pill them.. I well remember the difficulty of pilling Critter in that first illness (heck she didn't know me at all at that point) and I carry a couple of scars to this day..

Anyway, I'll be hoping that Cashmere can pull off some more good time, Happymom!