Artie and his Issues

[artiemom]

No the missing/white area is not near the sub-q site. It is on the left side of his back, lower, near the spine, just above the hip-- kind of in the pelvic area.

I do remember when he had one of his enemas, he got some of schmuck on his fur. It kind of dried.. I was trying to wash it off, Artie was squirming, going crazy. I know I pulled out a bit of fur in that area. I wonder if it is related to that, but it seems to enlarging, along his spine.

I am going to ask the cardiologist about it.. I know she is a Cardiologist, but any thoughts would help. 

I also plan to mention it to the N Vet when I call him.

**********************

Got another reply from H&G about that icky stuff. Now they say it could be skin that did not mix well.. that is really what it looks like, now that it is dry.. a piece of skin that is hard.. almost as if when a callous is cut, that is what it looks like.. 

I am not going to sweat it. This company has won a ton of rewards for having excellent quality food. 

I will still call them tomorrow. 

*****************************

I came home from Church, Artie was curled up on his pillow. I gave him his lactulose. He jumped down, did not want me to enjoy breakfast or read the newspaper!! He was after me for a brushing!!! 

I had to give up! I did eat my breakfast, but did not finish my tea. I had to brush him. He ran to his cat tree when I asked him if he wanted to get brushed!! He loved it!

I tried to play with him with DA Mouse.. just a few jumps. Artie is really lazy. He is alert, watches the mouse, lies down on his stomach with front paws out. He will only reach for it, if the mouse is in front of him!!!! LAZY!!

I gave up, trying to play... Instead he got his nails clipped!!!!  HA HA...

He ate 1/3 of a can during the night, and 1/6 of a can this morning. He is sleeping in his tent..

 

[IndyJones]

Sounds like he has spring fever. Kabby has it too luckily Indy has endless energy.

Indy is more like a border collie than a cat. She even herds Kabby!

 

[mrsgreenjeens]

THIS is what I found in a can of Nutro Chunky Chicken one day:

photo (2).jpg

• mrsgreenjeens
• Feb 4, 2016

Was definitely a piece of hard rubber.  Of course I contacted the company, and they sent a postage paid envelope for me to sent it to them so they could investigate it. I sent the can along with it since it had the lot number , etc. on it.  They also reimbursed me for the entire case of food, since I also purchased it online. 

Unfortunately, they were never able to determine HOW this ended up in the food.  Said it could have happened anywhere along the line, from the slaughterhouse to the canning process.  I never found any more, and do continue to feed this food, since it's Tinky's favorite food.

 

[Mamanyt1953]

 
Well, that's 'cause you didn't opt for fresh collards. 

My dad always loved turnip greens.  And mustards.  *NOT ME* 

Fresh collards would only result in multiple caterpillars, although this would negate the necessity of preparing a main course of meat.  I shall look into it!  

 
Early morning update, Sunday March 26

Artie had the zoomies again late yesterday afternoon. That means 3 times in one day! and it was a Sub-q day, which is usually a mellow day.

This morning I am up early for church. Artie was cuddling with me, I turned and he jumped off. He had the moni-zoomies, again!!!!  Artie met me once he heard I was up. Again, with the mini zoomies!! and he wanted to play 'chase' at 5;20AM---not a good idea! I was so tired. 

He did take me into his litter box. Artie pooped a 5 inch CIGAR!!!  (no foods, as requested)...I had to close off the door to the his room, so I could catch him for his meds!! again another mini-zoomie!! 

I wish Artie would eat as much as he is zooming around!!  He looks skinny; and he is losing a patch of fur which is enlarging in a linear line. It is a white area.. almost as if the top coat of fur is missing, with the second coat showing.. weird. Not bothering him though.. 

*******************************************************

I put the foreign material in an old medicine bottle. I looked at it last night. It has dried up and looks like dried skin... It has shrunken down and is really looking like a sliver of skin which has dried and died off. 

Wonder if this was skin that was not ground up. Or some other part of the lamb. H&G advertise using only New Zealand Lamb as their product. 

Since I am seeing the change in the foreign body, I am not getting as anxious about the food, as I was before. 
 

I mean, if it was really a piece of plastic, it would not dry up and shrivel like this. 

******************************************

I did get a reply from the company---via e-mail. It was a poor reply. I have dealt with this person before. She is a 'twit'.. 

all I got from her was "return it to the store--full refund"...   D"UH.... I knew that.. 

The other guy in Customer Service, Jacob, is much better... 

I was a bit upset with that comment, so I sent a reply of;

 " That is not an option since I ordered it one line and have a case of it. I wanted you to investigate and/or advise me what to do or what it could be.  Not a good answer"

I will call them on Monday and see if I get a different response.  

I can honestly say this is the first time I have ever found a foreign body in food. I mean it. I guess I am very lucky.. 

The closest I got to it was opening up a package of meat, a small roast, which smelt bad to me. I just chucked it out. I was not about to save it, contaminate my refrigerator... I never bought a roast from this store again. It was a Sunday dinner and I was not about to hit the grocery store.  I was working then, and my dad was alive. Now I buy my meat from a local butcher. 

Gotta get going.. getting late for me...I will return!!

If you get the same twit when you call, ask for a supervisor, although the chances of the same person working both phones and emails is very slim.  Heck, if you just don't like the answer, ask for a supervisor.  Or do it to begin with, and tell them that the twit's reply was unacceptable, and VERY poor customer service.  Jes' sayin'.

 

[tarasgirl06]

Well, it seems to be organic, which is probably better and more of a relief than if it was part of a gasket, yes?  I hope they do analyze it and find it to be what you think.  They should send you a return label at no charge plus a new case of food or whatever your preference may be, even though it may be a harmless organic bit. 

Artie seems to be doing and feeling very well!  So glad!  It will be interesting to see what comes of the exam of his patchy fur.  I know my big yellow guy had a very dense white undercoat and around this time of year, he'd shed brushfuls!  No matter how much he'd get brushed, he'd leave huge clumps of that white fur around the house, like little clouds. It was just his seasonal "molt".

And in our home, the policy has always been *Cats first, humans second*.  I don't even punch the "on" button on the coffee maker until they have their fresh water and food.  I know better. 

 

[artiemom]

I am thinking it may be from the steroid? I just read that pred can cause some fur loss.. but why now?? He has been on it since 2015....

Artie has been sleeping all afternoon! Out like a Light!!!  I am going to have to wake him up, so he can have some supper. 

This is the 'thing' :

yesterday

IMG_0712.jpg

• artiemom
• Mar 26, 2017

and today:

IMG_0717.JPG

• artiemom
• Mar 26, 2017

 

IMG_0719.JPG

• artiemom
• Mar 26, 2017

aa big difference in appearance. The pieces are so hard, harder than beef jerky...

 

[tarasgirl06]

Then whatever it is had substantial moisture that is now gone.  Dessicated. So probably organic.  

 

[neely]

 
And in our home, the policy has always been *Cats first, humans second*.  I don't even punch the "on" button on the coffee maker until they have their fresh water and food.  I know better. 

Ditto, this sounds like our house too!  Our cats have us trained well. 

And Artie knows exactly what he wants from mom especially when it comes to being brushed. How dare you finish your tea after breakfast, lol. 

 

[Mamanyt1953]

 
Ditto, this sounds like our house too!  Our cats have us trained well. 

And Artie knows exactly what he wants from mom especially when it comes to being brushed. How dare you finish your tea after breakfast, lol. 

Here, too.  Hekitty gets me out of bed when she is ready for breakfast, and that changes from day to day.  God help me if I try to do ANYTHING before she is fed!  Not even a potty break is allowed, which has led to very desperate feeding, with the kibble dish being slung across the floor!

 

[artiemom]

Monday update;

Artie is sleepy today. It has been a raw, dark rainy day. He has slept most of it. 

Artie spent over an hour, trying to get me out of bed! I fell back to sleep! Imagine that!!! He kept waking me up. I do not know why?

He ate fairly good during the night ~~ almost 1/2 of a can. 

No zoomies today. I think he is all zoomed out from yesterday, although he did try first thing this morning. i and to sit the other door because he needed his morning meds, and I was not in a mood to play chase. I am so bad.  He did try though. Instead of the room, he jumped on top of his cat tree!!

I did wake him up earlier this afternoon, in order for him to eat. He has been losing weight again... sigh...

I weighed him last night and he was 10.1 lbs.., not good....

He was 10.5 lbs a month ago.

sigh

Arie has his echo tomorrow morning. I will wait until Thursday or even Wednesday, and then call his N Vet with an update. 

I weighed him last night because he looked really skinny to me. I could feel his spine and ribs.. not good. 

His fur is so soft and silky. 

I have a bag packed for tomorrow.. goodness, I sound as if I am taking a trip!!

I put a couple puppy pads, some baby wipes, just in case.. I am also taking a copy of his last echocardiogram, a current medication list, and my notebook which has a daily log. 

I do not think I need anything else....oh, a bottle of water for me! 

I do not think I need to take anything else. The N Vet has a file on him, so Artie is in the main computer. 

I had to stop.. Artie is making a high pitched SNORE!!! He snores so loud, that he woke himself up!!! 

I am planning on getting up early tomorrow, so I can medicate him and give him plenty of time to eat, get brushed, ? play, medicate, and possibly use the litter box. It should be a poop day. 

I am not worried about the echo, just a bit anxious; not much though. I am sure it will be ok. Credit Cards are ready!! 

gotta go, my chicken breast is cooked.. oven timer just went off!

 

[IndyJones]

Each cat is different but as a general rule you should be able to feel your cats ribs but not see them.

A year ago or so Kabby lost a lot of weight and became anemic turns out he was being underfed. Looking back at his pictures he looked at bit like a jersey cow in his hind legs.

 

[nevroth]

Good luck with the echo Artie!! Please eat more!! I want you nice and plump!!

@Artiemom  you are doing an amazing job. I'm always inspired and impressed when I come back to check on how you and Artie are doing. I've been MIA because of my ballet recital, but that was on Saturday so I have a bit more free time now. 

 

[artiemom]

 
Good luck with the echo Artie!! Please eat more!! I want you nice and plump!!

@Artiemom  you are doing an amazing job. I'm always inspired and impressed when I come back to check on how you and Artie are doing. I've been MIA because of my ballet recital, but that was on Saturday so I have a bit more free time now. 

I saw your thread about the recital.. good job, great costume!

I love your charts! I wish I knew how to do that. I cannot organize my log. It is just hand written notes, actually a mess. I use calendars at home. I am old fashioned. 

thanks for the good wishes, and the kind thoughts. Yes, Artie and I have a really strong bond. I never realized how strong a bond can be between a cat or any animal and a person. It is amazing. I guess you could say that Artie is my 'soul' kitty. One of a kind.. once in a lifetime.. and my first cat, all to myself.. and on my own, at my old age...I have been very fortunate to find Artie.

 

[tarasgirl06]

*PRAYERS* and good thoughts for Artie (and you) tomorrow!  and hopefully after his visit, he'll be in a hungry mood again.  

There have been some champion snorers in this furmily -- for some reason, I love cat snores, but don't feel the same way about human snores...my dad and my ex used to snore like freight trains coming through the room.  Not cute at all!

 

[nevroth]

You two were mean't to be together!!

I would be more than happy to help you (read: do for you hehehe) charts if you'd like and think it'll help. I'll admit it was a little overwhelming for me at first because I also had hand written notes and I had to dig thru them and vet summaries to find the weights. But once I started my date/weight file it's easy enough to maintain. 

You are very lucky indeed, you and Artie are a purrrfect pair 

 

[neely]

 
Arie has his echo tomorrow morning. I will wait until Thursday or even Wednesday, and then call his N Vet with an update. 

I'll be thinking of Artie and you tomorrow morning - all fingers and toes will be crossed. 

 

  Please let us know how the appointment goes as soon as you can, we'll be waiting. 

 

 

[verna davies]

Good luck with the echo. Hope it all goes well.

 

[margd]

I hope everything goes well today!  I'll be thinking of you two.

 

[Kat0121]

I hope everything went well. Always thinking of you and our little sweetheart. 

 

[IndyJones]

How was Sir Artie's trip?