Sassy - 17yr Old Cat - Appetite Issue (early Ckd)

jefferd18 · Jul 10, 2019

miguel99nyc said:
Another quick update.

So Sassy did not want to eat dinner about hour and half ago (when she normally eats) though she came out to kitchen, tried giving her food, she just licked juice of can and then walked away.

So now hour and half later, she woke up was moewing at me, then she went out to kitchen again was sitting there waiting for food. I was like great, she wants to eat!! I opened a newer different flavor can, she began licking the juice then after just few seconds she imediately stoped and walked quickly away from kitchen...

So I'm guessing shes sick/nausea because now she just barely licking. She wants food, but she must feel sick to not fully eat.

jefferd18 · Jul 10, 2019

You want my suggestion? Get her to another vet, get a second opinion before her body starts to shut down. There is something medically wrong with a cat who only wants to lick food. There is a reason why she is so nauseated.

miguel99nyc · Jul 10, 2019

jefferd18 said:
You want my suggestion? Get her to another vet, get a second opinion before her body starts to shut down. There is something medically wrong with a cat who only wants to lick food.

Yeah I'm trying to.

The vet emailed me this morning stating the ultrasound should reveal to us whats wrong. She's been vomitting water she drinks right after, not everyday. So the vet believes shes nausea and her vomitting means something is wrong in her stomach or intestinal tract he says. She's eating just fine with the Mirtazapine, but its just making her vocal.

jefferd18 · Jul 10, 2019

miguel99nyc said:
Yeah I'm trying to.

The vet emailed me this morning stating the ultrasound should reveal to us whats wrong. She's been vomitting water she drinks right after, not everyday. So the vet believes shes nausea and her vomitting means something is wrong in her stomach or intestinal tract he says. She's eating just fine with the Mirtazapine, but its just making her vocal.

I thought the last time you posted you said she was just licking her food even though she was hungry. (I may have misread it, I do that sometimes) I am glad that the problem has been more narrowed down though and I hope the vet makes a full discovery regarding her nausea.

miguel99nyc · Jul 12, 2019

Update - 07.12.19 - 11am EDT.

So since giving Sassy her 2nd bout of Mirtzapine on Tuesday at 6am, she been eating fine, her normal amount. But obviously now that 72 hours has passed exactly, this morning she just ate half amount again...so clearly means there's something wrong. She's due for ultrasound next Thursday so we will see what shows up (if anything...).

Though I did notice her stool these past 2 days has not been as brown colored used to. I recall in the past like...wayy past her stool would vary from brown to very dark brown...but now it seemed a bit greyish..? It was like a blend of grey and brown. Was reading up online but seems causes varies greatly....

Plus side is she hasn't thrown up water since taking Mirtazapine on Tuesday...but also has not been drinking a lot of water as she used to though which is strange because she'd always drink large amounts of water every day. So not sure.

FeebysOwner · Jul 12, 2019

Thanks for the update! Don't hold out on the mirtazapine when it is due next. Eating and not throwing up water - with some added vocalization - is better than a quiet cat who isn't eating and/or is throwing up water.

If you are concerned about her water intake, you could always add a bit of tuna water to it just to give it a bit of flavor. I have taken a can of tuna, and as I use the water from it I add more water to pick up flavor from the actual tuna - makes a the tuna water last a little longer. You can even add some tuna to her food...

Could the color of her stool have anything to do with the foods she is eating? Stool color can be affected by food colorings.

miguel99nyc · Jul 12, 2019

FeebysOwner said:
Thanks for the update! Don't hold out on the mirtazapine when it is due next. Eating and not throwing up water - with some added vocalization - is better than a quiet cat who isn't eating and/or is throwing up water.

If you are concerned about her water intake, you could always add a bit of tuna water to it just to give it a bit of flavor. I have taken a can of tuna, and as I use the water from it I add more water to pick up flavor from the actual tuna - makes a the tuna water last a little longer. You can even add some tuna to her food...

Could the color of her stool have anything to do with the foods she is eating? Stool color can be affected by food colorings.

Food colorings? I don't believe so as she's been eating her regular food as in the past? Maybe was the mirtazapine? Not sure but wasn't diarrhea or anything.

And yeah I'm not trying to hold out on mirtazapine...but oddly enough, its been more then 72 hours already since last pill, and I guess if its twice a week, she should have to be on it every....84 hours? THis morning seemed kinda evident that it had worn out as she ate less again...however, when i got home early from work today like...5 hours ago around lunch time. She was asking for food like her old self actually, which seemed great! I gave her dry food which she finished it up just fine AND she drank plenty of water too right after. Now I'll await till later to see if she eats her dinner wet canned food hopefully. Maybe, just maybe shes turning the corner and is feeling better. And so far I haven't given her cerenia nor fomatidine yet.

What kinda blows and maybe its just policies in some vets, since I arranged the appointment for the ultrasound next thursday, they have a technician come in on thursdays only. I had to leave 50% deposit to reserve that day, and then pay the rest after its completed. But the thing is that is non-refundable...non-cancellable. I wondered if Sassy was doing much better which she might, I wouldn't be able to cancel nor get my money back...but I guess it still wouldn't hurt to do the ultrasound regardless right?

FeebysOwner · Jul 12, 2019

I am glad she seems to be eating better again! I would still do the ultrasound, as you really have not found an actual diagnosis yet. I know it's money that may or may not be well spent, but if nothing is found to the negative, some of the worries you have in the back of your mind will be lessened.

The big thing is to keep her eating and drinking. That will make her tolerate something like the ultrasound much better. The better she is feeling the better she will handle it.

Edited: For me personally, I think it is a good thing you haven't yet had to add back in the other meds. Just watch her closely, as I know you are already doing!!

miguel99nyc · Jul 13, 2019

FeebysOwner said:
I am glad she seems to be eating better again! I would still do the ultrasound, as you really have not found an actual diagnosis yet. I know it's money that may or may not be well spent, but if nothing is found to the negative, some of the worries you have in the back of your mind will be lessened.

The big thing is to keep her eating and drinking. That will make her tolerate something like the ultrasound much better. The better she is feeling the better she will handle it.

Edited: For me personally, I think it is a good thing you haven't yet had to add back in the other meds. Just watch her closely, as I know you are already doing!!

As another update, I was surprised that she ate quite well last night and drank water, and this mornign ate well again and drank more water on her own. She seems much more active now rather then sleeping all the time. Shes walking around, now at the window getting some sun. Still havent given her mirtazapine since Tuesday since she been eating well and asking for food on her own! What a difference. Still not finishing her food as she was with mirtazapine but shes getting much closer. Still no throw up of water either.

FeebysOwner · Jul 13, 2019

That's all good!!! Just don't push your luck with the mirtazapine (IMO). Or, are you thinking/hoping these symptoms will now dissipate like they did after January's events?

miguel99nyc · Jul 14, 2019

FeebysOwner said:
That's all good!!! Just don't push your luck with the mirtazapine (IMO). Or, are you thinking/hoping these symptoms will now dissipate like they did after January's events?

Hi there!

Well, so far she's still on a roll eating and drinking. She ate very well last night, Id say 95% close to she was before, and this morning as well. Plus she's still drinking plenty of water too. No throw ups at all. It's confusing bit how she's getting better...but in similar fashion as in January though she had the injections of famotidine and cerenia in her... I still wonder what might have bothered her?

Plus she seems much more alert, as soonwe walk into room or I get back from outside, she wakes up and starts strecthing out and moewing at me for attention and such as she used to before. Not just sleep nearly all day.

FeebysOwner · Jul 14, 2019

It is confusing - but good nonetheless!!!

miguel99nyc · Jul 14, 2019

FeebysOwner said:
It is confusing - but good nonetheless!!!

Yes it is. She didn't eat as much for dinner...but when i combined with dry food she began eating hher wet food more. i think she's on the right path.

However, as she was sleeping this evening, I noticed just now some dark red mark near her lip under chin. Was not sure what this could be? I'm certain she didn't have this in days prior.

FeebysOwner · Jul 15, 2019

miguel99nyc said:
I noticed just now some dark red mark near her lip under chin. Was not sure what this could be? I'm certain she didn't have this in days prior.

That could be something as simple as she scratched herself. Keep an eye on it. You can also take a chamomile tea bag (grocery store variety - German, not English - non additives), brew it, cool the liquid, and dab it on with a cotton ball a few times a day. The tea has both soothing and healing properties. See if it goes away in a couple of days, and check her nails to see if they should be trimmed.

She isn't prone to acne, is she? That would be the only other thing that comes to mind. If you changed her bowls at all, that could contribute to her rubbing her chin on the bowl, or perhaps the bowl is made of plastic - which sometimes can irritate a cat's skin due to bacteria build up in the plastic.

Maybe other members will have some ideas??

miguel99nyc · Jul 15, 2019

FeebysOwner said:
That could be something as simple as she scratched herself. Keep an eye on it. You can also take a chamomile tea bag (grocery store variety - German, not English - non additives), brew it, cool the liquid, and dab it on with a cotton ball a few times a day. The tea has both soothing and healing properties. See if it goes away in a couple of days, and check her nails to see if they should be trimmed.

She isn't prone to acne, is she? That would be the only other thing that comes to mind. If you changed her bowls at all, that could contribute to her rubbing her chin on the bowl, or perhaps the bowl is made of plastic - which sometimes can irritate a cat's skin due to bacteria build up in the plastic.

Maybe other members will have some ideas??

Come to think of it, I think she used to still have like little brown spots under her chin years ago and vet said she had acne so maybe its that? But also, yeah her nails is quite long and maybe she scratched it too much. And no I clean her bowl every day and they are porcelain. Plus her chin I don't believe makes contact with bowl as its low (outer rim edge).

I will see how it progress in next few days.

miguel99nyc · Jul 17, 2019

Another Update: - 07/17/19

Well some good news and bad news.

Bad news is that I got pretty much into verbal argument with Sassy's vet place because although I had scheduled the ultrasound for this coming Thursday last week, they required to pay deposit (which seemed fishy). $200. But Sassy been doing great since last pill of MIrtazapine last Monday. I know by now its worn off but shes eating on her own now just fine. So I called vet place to cancel it...yet they told me it couldn't be cancelled nor refunded. I was prepared to fight anyway if they were going to give me a hard time which they did. Long story short, they said the deposit was for the ultrasonogropher to come to vet office..and that if they canceleld and refunded me, the office gets charged. Im like, GTFO. There WILL be at least 4-5 patients getting ultrasounds (since they do just once a week), and every other Thursday has ALWAYS been booked. Lady on phone been telling me that i was the ONLY one schedule for Thursday, I told them to basically Shut the hell up. They lie and trying to scam in or force me to bring Sassy in to get $400. No freaking way. Not when shes doing a lot better. Though, I understand she may still need it ...because there was no confirmed diagnosis? But for them to verbally fought me for this cancelling issue, I'm now officially done with them and going to search for another vet. You would think after these 17 years I came to them, since Sassy was a kitten, plus had 2 more cats join along, they'd treat me right? No way! They just after the money, always wants tests after tests after tests. In the past, if there was no confirmed diagnosis on my cats, they sometimes got medications (Like for Sassy now) and they evnetually got better. To me the vet is in it for the money, and this argument has just proven that 100% which sucks. They have left a REALLY bad taste in my mouth...that I don't even want to see them. Even the vet chimed into the call and said "Sassy needs the ultrasound". Im said, doc, Im 100% certain the ultrasound will come back normal like every other stupid tests hes done, and would be just money wasted. I rather go to another vet that explains it better and has more knowldege (which I though this vet had...)

But the good news Sassy still carrying on drinking (with no throwing up) and eating ok. Still eats bit less at times...but much more then weeks ago when she wasnt baerly eating. So I think shes ok. Of course, if she goes back to not eating, I will find another vet asap.

FeebysOwner · Jul 17, 2019

Sorry you had such a bad time with the vet. Don't forget to get a copy of all Sassy's records so you can provide them to a new vet. It is essential that any new vet have all of her records - and, it will help reduce costs/tests that a new vet would want to run without a past history. Hopefully the old vet will cooperate.

If I were you, I would not wait until something else happens before you do your research and find a new vet. You don't want to be in a bind should something happen unexpectedly, nor do you want to be selecting a new vet under pressure. And, you will want to ensure a new vet has her records in advance of any situation that might crop up.

I am glad to hear she is doing well so far with her food/water. I hope it continues, and continues, and continues!!

Kflowers · Jul 17, 2019

Be sure and find your new vet before you run out of mirtazapine. You don't want to have to go to the ER vet.

miguel99nyc · Jul 19, 2019

So another update - 07-19-19.

Unfortunately she might be turning back again to her lack of eating.

Yesterday morning she didnt really finish her food but ate somewhat, last night ate ok, this morning barely anything. She licked her food again and just walked quickly away as if she didnt want no part in it. She ate dry food well around lunch time and drank plenty water today as well. Tonight though she ate...somewhat but did not finish all her food but def seemed more interested in eating then say this morning.

Just one thing to note since i got out of work half day today, When i got home, i noticed two little spots of spit throw up very tiny dots, then one area of a lot of hairball? Now the only part of this is that I'm not sure which cat did this. Sassy...BARELY if any, throws up hairball, but she licks herself a lot, I wonder where all that loose hair goes? She was never really known to throw up hairball. But she is a grey colored cat which kinda matches the hair chunks in picture? But then my other cat Charlie who's mostly long hair white haired, he throws up hairball like twice a week. But I can't tell if this was Charlie or Sassy. It would only make sense its Sassy beacuse color of mess is similar to her hair? But then again somehow Charlie would throw up similar color hair chunk too despite him being white?

ANd I wonder if its just a lot of hair stuck inside of Sassy that's causing her to not eat at times? I don't know but Now Im still in search for another vet

And I'm going away on vacation next Friday.

miguel99nyc · Jul 19, 2019

She was literally fine since she been off the mirtazapine - last 1mg dosage was on july 8th. Per our old vet, he said she should be on least amount of mirtazapine possile. So I let it run its course, and she began eating just fine after I guess it wore off. Just this past day or so been acting up again. It's just so hard to figure out what it could be that comes and goes...

But have found few places potentially to take her...just got to call them and schedule an appointment.

Sassy - 17yr Old Cat - Appetite Issue (early Ckd)

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