Artie and his Issues

[margd]

Aw, I'm so sorry to hear this. Will you be taking Artie to the RVet tomorrow?

You aren't back to square one, though. You have NVet on your side now. Hopefully, he'll have some helpful insights on Wednesday.

Sending many vibes that Artie will feel better soon.

And some flowers for you, who deserves the real thing.

 

[katlady-18]

Coming here from my email notification (sometimes I get them, sometimes I don't--sigh) and was going to say glad Artie ate some, then I saw the update about his vomiting. My heart sinks whenever I read about him not doing well. What a long, trying road this has been for you two. Hoping you can get some answers on Wednesday.

I wince and sympathize thinking about your toe. Last year I stubbed mine into the corner of a table and wow--most painful stub ever. It subsided a bit and I was thinking, "Okay, no big deal," then as the hours went by it became more and more painful again, bruised and swollen too. If I tried to wiggle it, it hurt so bad it made me invent a few new curse words; couldn't put any weight on that foot. In the end it wasn't broken after all, but it sure hurt and took me a few days to be able to walk normally.

 

[maggiedemi]

I'm so sorry. Poor Artie. I hope you can find a food that helps him and that he likes. Does he have any urinary/kidney problems?

 

[artiemom]

I came home from the cemetery and getting an ice cream. Artie is still hiding in his tent.

I got out a can of Solid Gold tuna with sea bream. All I had to say was,"Artie, Nummy!!! Want Nummy??" and open up the can. The next thing I heard was a MEOW down at my feet.

Artie ate 1/2 of the can. And then, he started with the heaves...sigh..
He did not vomit.. just a lot of gas/heaves...sigh...

He is back to his tent now.

I am going to delay his mid day dose of cisapride..

I am wondering if the Cerenia is too weak for him. I think he needs a stronger dose. He was getting a stronger dose before. The NVEt cut the dose down.

margd , no, I am not planning on taking Artie to the R Vet.. I have things here for him. The N Vet secretary will be in tomorrow. As far as I know, the N Vet briefed a different Vet about Artie... at least for the enema.. there has to be someone available. All his current records about this episode are at Angell.. I would rather keep it consistent in care. The R Vet does not have any idea what has been happening to Artie over the past couple of weeks.

As far as the toe; it will be ok.. It will heal.. In church I could see the purple subsiding.. just swollen a bit more than normal and a huge red mark where I stubbed it. I just taped it to the 2 toes next to it.. and down to the base of the toes, on the foot. It is for support.

I do not plan on going anywhere tomorrow; may even take a late shower.

 

[tarasgirl06]

Artie is acting sick...still.. Cannot wait for him to be seen on Wednesday.

He did not eat anything this morning. I tried to tempt him with 'our game". He only half heartedly ate 8 pieces.
He immediately went over to the water bowl and drank a lot of water..non stop. Then he proceeded to walk into the great room, and vomited all the water and food up..

I am still thinking this is a food allergy.. and a food aversion...sigh

I weighed him.. 10.3 lbs. He has lost 0.7 lbs in less than a week.. too much.. too fast... He looks so skinny and emaciated. He is not eating much at all. I think I am going to open up a can of kitty tuna for him.

sigh...

Back to square one.. he is also looking 'meat loafed'... he has for the past couple of days.. Sub-q's are warming up.

Oh gosh, poor Artie and poor you! Hope it's not a food allergy as you think, and that he will start eating more and regain that weight. He's been doing so well! Come on, Artie!
Hope your toe heals quickly and doesn't hurt too badly. I envy people who can walk barefoot -- I can't -- but I guess this is one good thing about not being able to -- that I can't stub my toes.
Wishing you both a good day/evening/night!

 

[Mamanyt1953]

Sending all SORTS of good your way. Some for Artie, bless him, and some more for your poor toe. Been there, done that, both a break and a hard jam. They both hurt equally as badly, and you've done all a fully-equipped trauma center could have done...taped it to the other toes.

I'll be so glad when NVet actually gets his "paws" on Artie again!

 

[artiemom]

I think the canned tuna 'jump started' Artie's appetite a bit.
He was looking for more of the tuna, I put it in the refrigerator. Since he did not get any, he decided to eat a bit of his dry food.

Artie did poop a tiny bit. It was a 4 1/2 x 1/4 inch very soft length of poop.

He ate a bit during the night, and did not cuddle with me.

Artie is still looking for the tuna..

I think all the running around last week, got to me. I slept so well. I did not want to get out of bed this morning. I did get up late.. I am so late with Artie's meds and an update to the NVet.. I have to formulate what I am going to say/write.

Artie heard me getting out of bed, coming over to greet me 'Good Morning". He followed me all over the place. sweet.

Now time to get off my butt, and proceed with the rest of his meds, and my morning routine. I think I am staying in/home today. It will be raining this afternoon. I need some time just to do nothing; even though I will be bored and antsy.

 

[margd]

Artie is such a dear boy. I'm sure he'll be thrilled to have you home for the day. I hope he continues to eat and poop so you don't worry about him. There is something to be said for being bored and antsy when the alternative is having to grab Artie and dash to the RVet!

 

[tarasgirl06]

I think the canned tuna 'jump started' Artie's appetite a bit.
He was looking for more of the tuna, I put it in the refrigerator. Since he did not get any, he decided to eat a bit of his dry food.

Artie did poop a tiny bit. It was a 4 1/2 x 1/4 inch very soft length of poop.

He ate a bit during the night, and did not cuddle with me.

Artie is still looking for the tuna..

I think all the running around last week, got to me. I slept so well. I did not want to get out of bed this morning. I did get up late.. I am so late with Artie's meds and an update to the NVet.. I have to formulate what I am going to say/write.

Artie heard me getting out of bed, coming over to greet me 'Good Morning". He followed me all over the place. sweet.

Now time to get off my butt, and proceed with the rest of his meds, and my morning routine. I think I am staying in/home today. It will be raining this afternoon. I need some time just to do nothing; even though I will be bored and antsy.

Yes, tuna tends to be the treat they can't resist. Sardines, too. Good on Artie! What a sweet boy he is. Good luck with your update, and wishing you both a good relaxing day together.

 

[lavishsqualor]

Cats are so funny. I tried to give both of mine tuna once and they sniffed it and then did the "This-Is-CaCa" scratch on the ground and walked away. Same with sardines.

Sending all the healing vibes I can possibly muster for Mr. Artie.

 

[Mamanyt1953]

SO happy that things are going better today! Takes a load off of my mind. Keep up the good work, Artie!

It's so funny, Hekitty won't touch tuna, but she LOVES the juice from the can. If I say "tuna soup" she is THERE!

 

[artiemom]

This morning, because Artie is completely refusing his food, I mixed the rest of the cat tuna with his dry food.. Darn cat!! He ate a few of the dry and then ate around the dry food!! UGH!

I am going to strangle him!! I put more water in the bowl and placed it in the refrigerator because I did not want it to spoil.

He has been repeatedly going over to his food dish, dry prescription food, sniffing and walking away. Each time I go into the kitchen, he is there, waiting for the tuna.. I created a monster.

I did weigh him this morning. His weight is down.. 10.38 lbs...sigh...
Artie loved being brushed today. I got 2 brushfulls out of him. I usually get only one and then he has had enough.

I explained all this to the NVet's secretary. He is still away, but he called in this morning. He may call in tonight; definitely tomorrow morning. The sec will call me with any ideas he may have.

If he eats the dry, it is only a few pieces, and then walks away...

Maybe I should take the advice someone gave me and just let him be...
no, I cannot do that.. If I did and he got sicker, then I would feel so guilty...

I am about ready to take the bowl of tuna out and let him have it. sigh..

 

[2Cats4everLoved]

Hi Cindy, I'm sorry to read about Artic having a difficult time lately. I hope it's just another phase and he'll bounce back.

Don't give up , he'll come around. If you just let him be, it would drive you nuts just to observe.

You're doing a great job taking care of him.

I'm gonna read and catch up. Xoxohope

 

[lavishsqualor]

You're doing a great job taking care of him.

Truer words have never been spoken. Artie is one lucky cat.

 

[2Cats4everLoved]

Hello,

How's Sweet Artie doing today. Again, I can't stress enough, please take care of yourself, it's important for Artie that his mommy is in good condition. xoxohope

 

[artiemom]

Thanks guys... it just seems as if it is not enough; but I cannot do anymore.. sigh...

last night I caved in and gave him the rest of the tuna which had the dry prescription food soaking in it. He gobbled it up...dam cat

During the night I left some dry food mixed with water out for him, in addition to the plain dry food.

Darn cat ate all the moistened dry food.

This morning, Artie came running over for food. I gave him some more of the water/dry prescription food mix.. turned his nose up at it!!
Refused the plain dry also..

He wants tuna!!! I created a monster!!

As I was going through my morning chores, Artie was begging me for tuna. I also noticed that he was drooling a ton. It seemed everywhere he went, he was leaving a wet spot, and a trail....too much drool.

Initially, I thought it was because I gave him some meds with water, and he was nauseous; but no, he was just drooling.. strange..

I decided to look at his teeth..OMG>>> He has a tooth that needs to be pulled!! A back molar... OMG... we knew that tooth had gingivitis on it, but not this bad.. The gum is raw red, and it has bloody tartar in the center of the tooth.. it is a back molar.. This cat has had 3 dentals!!

My mind is spinning.. Is Artie strong enough to go through with another dental? is it 'time'... omg..

I am so glad we have the appointment tomorrow with the NVet. I want and need his thoughts -- his honest thoughts on this.. sigh..

I do not know what to do... all the places for financial aid are for cats during emergencies. Not for what this would be concerned as routine care. I do not qualify for assistance.. damn..

What am I going to do?? What else is going to happen to this cat???

After looking at his tooth, now I know why he is acting the way he is. I caved in and gave him some more tuna, mixed with the prescription food. He is so smart.. he is eating around the prescription food... damn cat..

It is always something else popping up with him.. no wonder why the cerenia, and cyproheptadine did not help.. and he was drinking so much water yesterday and the day before.. toothache..

Prior to this episode: I did not think cats chew their food, but I could hear Artie crunching his...

I am just banging my head against the wall, now....

 

[foxxycat]

Can you call the vet to ask about pain meds? this would explain not eating-a sore tooth definitely affects him as you know... maybe consider taking them out? Are there more bad teeth? Or just that one? Poor Artie...at this point-let him eat the tuna. If it makes him eat-so be it! My girls don't like white tuna-they like light tuna (dark). It's got a fishier smell to it.

They like the green can one the best-comes 4 cans sealed-I get it at hannafords for $3.59 for the 4-pack. I can't remember the brand-Market basket doesn't carry that particular one. They used to like Diamond but now they stick nose up in air.

 

[2Cats4everLoved]

Considering Artie's medical conditions, can this dental issue be considered an emergency since he's has permanent ailments?

Just thinking...

 

[IndyJones]

Maybe you could start a fundraiser if you need help getting money.

 

[artiemom]

foxxycat If Artie did not have his constipation and megacolon issues, I would definitely give him nothing but tuna. He has to eat the dry food because of the extra fiber in it. It has a good mix of psylium, chicory root, an fish oil in it. If he does not eat it, then he will have to have constant enemas.

I am going to see what the NVet has to say. I can always ask to be on a cancellation list, if the dentist has one. I am not going to go to my R Vet for this. Artie has so many complications. I feel a specialist Animal Dentist is the way to go.. and it will be in Boston.

Right now, he is expecting nothing but Tuna. He is refusing the tuna with the added dry food.. sigh...

I wish I could lose my appetite as easily as Artie does.. sigh.. I go the opposite way...

Stubbed my broken toe again at the grocery store.. icing it now.