Arthritis

[Furballsmom]

Hi, did they do an enema?

 

[Ron454]

Hi, yes. But i think we are on a slippery slope as this has been on/off for a bit, this being the worse as to why he is having this issue also, i myself [just guessing] think it might be some kind of gastroenterology thing going on too.

 

[Furballsmom]

I'm sorry

 

[catlove615]

Regarding constipation, I use Lactulose daily for my cat (not expensive at all). It has completely resolved the problem, but she must be given it every day or the problem will return. As for arthritis, the medication of choice now is definitely Solensia. My arthritic cat received her first monthly injection a week ago, and is already doing little sprints and is playing with toys for the first time in at least a year. From what I've been reading, some cats respond within a few days. Officially, results are expected after the second monthly injection. Some arthritic cats start behaving like kittens. It is not cheap. I'm paying 84 per monthly injection. Considering that this breaks down to a little less than $3/day, I can easily compensate by drinking fewer sodas and ordering slightly less expensive lunches or dinners if I go out. I haven't had any luck with Adequan but Solensia is making a big difference already. The idea that my cat is experiencing much less pain already is my motivation for continuing this medication for her.

 

[Ron454]

Thank you, this Solensia sounds like a real good thing.

 

[catlove615]

For a couple of days after the initial playing, I didn't see a lot, but this evening she has played for the last half hour like a 3-month old kitten. She also has been playing with my other cat for the first time in a long time. She's a senior cat and I had accepted her slowness as just aging, but it the Solensia is working, then I'll continue. She seems so happy, just like when I first adopted her three years ago. My vet seems to think it is working.

 

[catlove615]

I forgot to mention that at the vet where I go, they've only tried Solensia with three cats, with mine being the third. So there's not much data to go by at this vet. I need to find out how the other two are doing. From what I've read, there are some cats where improvement is not seen, but others where it is very significant. I'm hoping my kitty is in the latter category and that the playing continues. I'll keep you all up to date. If anyone else tries it, please let us know how things go.

 

[Ron454]

Thank you all for the support on the solensia, just got back from the vet yesterday and it seems slim has more problems than i thought, his bloodwork showed some issues. He also noticed a little muscle wasting on his back. We did x rays again and it shows fluid in his abdomen lining and may have a secondary problem as there is also fluid around his heart, you can barely see it thru the cloud of fluid. At this point he is thinking lymphoma but not diagnosed yet. Tuesday a specialist is coming in and will look at x rays and do an ultra sound. He is still eating so that is good he is on antibiotics now. I have had slim so long so this is all hard to hear, I just dont know what to do.

 

[Furballsmom]

Tuesday a specialist is coming in and will look at x rays and do an ultra sound.

Hang in there with all this, and love on him lots

 

[Ron454]

Thank you,we will .

 

[catlove615]

Please let us know how Slim is doing. So glad he is eating.

 

[Ron454]

Thank you we will, just gave him a good load of tuna and a heating pad he seems to like. I know we have not got a diagnosis yet so maybe tues, with the ultra sound we will get better news. We want to have as much time with him as possible,but I also dont want him to suffer with pain or not eating. We just hope for the best news as possible tues. when the specialist comes.

 

[Furballsmom]

 

[Ron454]

Thank you all for the hope, I think this is a great site with caring people and know by reading past post many have been down this hard road too.

 

[Ron454]

Hi, I forgot to ask the vet, Does anyone know if i do the ultrasound can it pick up lymphoma? what type if it is i.e large or small cell my guess he would need a biopsy performed for that. I looked at my paperwork from the shelter on slim from when i got him, it was 2008 and he was already 3 yrs 3 weeks old, so he is up there in the cat years.

 

[Mac and Cats]

Hi, I forgot to ask the vet, Does anyone know if i do the ultrasound can it pick up lymphoma? what type if it is i.e large or small cell my guess he would need a biopsy performed for that. I looked at my paperwork from the shelter on slim from when i got him, it was 2008 and he was already 3 yrs 3 weeks old, so he is up there in the cat years.

With an ultrasound, they would be able to tell that there is some thickening in the intestines. Depending on which lymphoma, they may be able to give you a "good idea" of what it is, but they could not tell you for 100% unless you did a biopsy or a fine needle aspiration (if that's an option).

 

[Ron454]

ooh, o,k thank you that sounds like a little more info. on that type of procedure than the x rays gave us.

 

[FeebysOwner]

Agree with the above. In terms of the fine needle aspiration (FNA) cytology, if there is tissue that can be collected this way through the ultrasound, it is non-invasive and really no more bothersome to the cat than the ultrasound itself. They are just drawing out tissue/cells through a needle. You can ask to have a PARR Assay done on that same tissue if the FNA were to come back inconclusive. It is a more in-depth analysis than the FNA cytology. That is how Feeby's lymphoma was found, when the FNA was inconclusive. I did all of this to avoid an invasive biopsy.

 

[Mac and Cats]

ooh, o,k thank you that sounds like a little more info. on that type of procedure than the x rays gave us.

They should be able to tell a little bit more detail with the ultrasound than they could tell with the x-ray. I just went back and read your update comment. I'm sorry you're going through this with Slim. I know how difficult it is to go through this especially when you've loved and cared for each other for so many years. Me and my kitties will be keeping you both in our thoughts. Please keep us updated, if you're able.

 

[Ron454]

Thanks, this will be good to discuss with them on Tuesday.