Artie and his Issues

[Mamanyt1953]

Poop is good, and eating is good. Glad that his appetite picked up a tiny bit. I think that tarasgirl06 is probably right, and that a good bit of Artie's current issues have to do with all of the upheaval, noise, strangers in and out.

 

[tarasgirl06]

Poop is good, and eating is good. Glad that his appetite picked up a tiny bit. I think that tarasgirl06 is probably right, and that a good bit of Artie's current issues have to do with all of the upheaval, noise, strangers in and out.

Yeah, it's really bad to do one without the other

 

[Mamanyt1953]

 

[dustydiamond1]

Artie update;
Something is going on with him. I cannot put my finger on it.. He seems a bit nervous, not eating all that well, and kind of lethargic.. although he had the zoomies for 10 minutes yesterday morning.

He has cut down on his food intake, over the past 6 weeks or so. I weighed him yesterday: 9.9 lbs.. that is down form his usually weight. He has been at 9.9 for a couple weeks.. He is usually at 10.1 - 10.3 lbs

He is sleeping a lot, not cuddling as much.. I know with the time change, and all the renovation noise; it could have effected him..but..the past few days have been quiet...
so I do not know..

I gave him a dose of cyproheptadine yesterday. It took a while to kick in, but he did eat good. He did not poop yesterday, but woke me up early, to do so this morning:
6.5 x 1.. a bit dry.

The cypro had him eat one full can and 1/2 cup of dry. That is what he should be eating.

I cannot tell if his tummy is bothering him or not. He is in a semi-meatloaf position, quite a bit. Artie is only getting in about half of the dose I give him of Lactulose. It ends up on him, on me, on the towel, on the chair, on the floor. He is terrible with it.

I wonder if his lactulose aversion is causing him to not feel well.. he forces himself to vomit, many times when I give him the lactulose; does not swallow it.. it leaks out between his teeth, onto me, him, the towel, the wet paper towels.

He needs the lactulose. His stool is a bit dry. sigh..

After all, Artie will be 14 yrs old in February, and has been sick since I adopted him, 6 years this upcoming March. He could just be getting old.. and his issues finally effecting him.

Of course, I have not been feeling all that well since Thanksgiving. Do not know if I am fighting a cold, overtired, or just regular blahs.. but... not even feeling like putting up Christmas Decorations...
*************************************

My friend gave me a large (for us) gift card to Amazon, for a combo b-day/Xmas gift.
I decided to splurge on myself. I never buy things for myself. I probably should have saved it for things I really need, but I got overwhelmed by Black Friday sales, and kind of feeling down in the dumps, and lethargic. I know I have sleep apnea. I finally gave in and decided that a couple weeks ago.

I did buy an Amazon Echo/Alexa. I am using it mainly for the speakers. I listen to a ton of music and can link it to Pandora and Tune-in Radio. If I feel like playing around, I can hear a joke, play Jeopardy with it, or just as the weather, without pulling out the laptop or phone.

I got the Echo on Sunday. Artie is afraid of it!!! He hears the voice and kind of freaks out because it is female and he cannot find the person associated with the voice.

Also, "Alexa" is very similar to "Artie". He keeps looking up at me when I say, "Alexa".
I may change it's name to 'Echo". Artie thinks I am talking to him. He cannot understand this huge change.

Gotta go, make up for the stuff, I have been putting off. Going to garage for car stuff.

Artie's sub-q's will be late today.. He did eat a bit of breakfast.. late but ate it. The cypro is still in his system.

 

[dustydiamond1]

Artie update: Artie pooped twice yesterday: 7 x 1 inches, and 6.5 x 1/2 inch. Both were hardish/dry.

He just seemed off.. Gave him a Cerenia in the afternoon. He did seem to eat a bit, once it took effect, but not much. I gave him some cypro before I went to bed, leaving him a ton of food. He ate 1/2 can of food--good boy, and a tiny bit of dry.

I am going to repeat the cerenia and cypro today.

He tried to poop, first thing this morning. Had a tuff time. Only 2.5 x 1/2--- very dry and dark. It is because he was fighting the lactulose. I did manage to get 4 cc in him, yesterday. Second dose of it was last night, when he did not expect it..

Poor thing, I was after him about 7 or 8 times yesterday, with meds... sigh

He did come in to cuddle in bed. I guess I was a bit too restless for him, plus the Cypro was working.. He only stayed a few minutes.. that means he was not feeling well.

Artie is looking at the litter box.. I know he needs a MegaPoop today..

I also wonder if the Pepcid is enough for him. It seems he is getting more tummy aches/nausea .....could be from anything with this cat. But it seems more stomach related than bowel related.

Poor baby wanted breakfast, but did not eat.. Not time for the Cerenia, yet... need to wait several more hours for that. I gave it at 2:30 yesterday.

Got a phone call last night from Super. He will be in very early this morning to shut off my water... where and if the main water, I do not know.. the call was from his wife.. sigh

Gotta make sure I fill up a couple of pans of water---just in case, my dishes are washed, Artie gets his sub-q's... and I shower. I had plans today also... I am so done with this place. How many times have I stayed home to accommodate them.. Since September, it has been a ton of times...

Gotta go

 

[neely]

Poor baby wanted breakfast, but did not eat.. Not time for the Cerenia, yet... need to wait several more hours for that. I gave it at 2:30 yesterday.
Got a phone call last night from Super. He will be in very early this morning to shut off my water... where and if the main water, I do not know.. the call was from his wife.. sigh

I hope today was a better day for Artie as far as eating and pooping. I know he can get stressed out easily when someone is working in your apartment so I pray that went well. Did they turn the water back on? Hopefully you won't be getting anymore calls from the super's wife either.

 

[tarasgirl06]

*Not out the nose, Mamanyt1953 -- that can be so uncomfortable.*
You TELL him, dustydiamond1

 

[artiemom]

We have POOP!!! It took 4 times in the litter box, each time producing just an inch or 2 or 3 dry nuggets, but we finally have Poop!!! Yesterday totaled 10 inches in all..
The last episode, I was wiping his bum, and saw a bit of blood on the baby wipe.. poor Artie.. But he managed to poop!!!

And he was eating!! Yesterday, I gave him a dose of Cerenia. It seemed to do the trick!!
He must have been so nauseous... poor baby.

Very early this morning, around 4AM or so, Artie was insisting on waking me up. He had to poop. He has gotten into the habit of waking me up when he has to go. He is so smart. He understands that I want to be there to watch him, encourage him, and wipe his bummy.

I was so sound asleep, I jumped when he meowed in my ear; yet, I could not get myself up. I did hear him digging in the box.

I got up a bit later. Artie went right back into the litter box to pee. Yes, we have our routines. I encouraged him to "Dig, Dig, Dig, Diggy".. He accommodated me!!!
He did some more poop. In total, this morning, he has produced 9 inches x 1/2 inches of Poop!!! a tiny bit softer, still hard, no bleeding....

He is eating well.. one can of food yesterday-- with the help of Cerenia...

I had to open a new can so he could have enough food during the night.
Artie is upset because he did not get a 'fresh' can of food for breakfast!!! He is boycotting the cold food. Temp does not matter to him. Sometimes he prefers the cold food. I guess just not first thing in the morning!!

But the poop Fairy came!!!

 

[Antonio65]

He has gotten into the habit of waking me up when he has to go. He is so smart. He understands that I want to be there to watch him, encourage him, and wipe his bummy.

I think he also wants you not to worry too much about him, he wants you to see him doing it so that you can have peace of mind.
He knows you're concerned, poor Artie!

 

[neely]

We have POOP!!!

Doing the happy dance for Artie and you.

 

[verna davies]

Artie's army. Artie's poop was...

THIS BIG. Way to go Artie

 

[tarasgirl06]

We have POOP!!! It took 4 times in the litter box, each time producing just an inch or 2 or 3 dry nuggets, but we finally have Poop!!! Yesterday totaled 10 inches in all..
The last episode, I was wiping his bum, and saw a bit of blood on the baby wipe.. poor Artie.. But he managed to poop!!!

And he was eating!! Yesterday, I gave him a dose of Cerenia. It seemed to do the trick!!
He must have been so nauseous... poor baby.

Very early this morning, around 4AM or so, Artie was insisting on waking me up. He had to poop. He has gotten into the habit of waking me up when he has to go. He is so smart. He understands that I want to be there to watch him, encourage him, and wipe his bummy.

I was so sound asleep, I jumped when he meowed in my ear; yet, I could not get myself up. I did hear him digging in the box.

I got up a bit later. Artie went right back into the litter box to pee. Yes, we have our routines. I encouraged him to "Dig, Dig, Dig, Diggy".. He accommodated me!!!
He did some more poop. In total, this morning, he has produced 9 inches x 1/2 inches of Poop!!! a tiny bit softer, still hard, no bleeding....

He is eating well.. one can of food yesterday-- with the help of Cerenia...

I had to open a new can so he could have enough food during the night.
Artie is upset because he did not get a 'fresh' can of food for breakfast!!! He is boycotting the cold food. Temp does not matter to him. Sometimes he prefers the cold food. I guess just not first thing in the morning!!

But the poop Fairy came!!!

Sounds like he was a bit constipated. But so glad we have a "delivery"! and that our man is eating quite well. My guys get 1 cat each per day plus dry free-choice. One can a day is quite good for Artie, isn't it? Yeah, cold food first thing can be a bit...cold. But very glad he is doing well! Wishing you both a wonderful day.

 

[bodisha]

That is so weird, because I've read that cats cannot taste sweets.

I don't know about other cats but mine gets crazy whenever I'm eating anything chocolate... If I'm eating anything else he'll sit just there and just watch me eat, and won't really bug me, but if I'm eating chocolate he DESPERATELY tries to get at it. I'm his 3rd owner, and I won't give him any, but I suspect someone fed him some chocolate somewhere before me and the lil fur ball loves it

 

[Mamanyt1953]

and a

 

[dustydiamond1]

 

[artiemom]

Yup, just need to work on food today... another day, another issue!! The world goes round n' round.....

He did try to poop a second time this morning. He must have had a ton of gas and cramps. Once he finally felt like going, he expelled a huge bit of gas along with just a few 'squiggles".

Gave him his lactulose in 2 smaller doses... works better..
also gave him a dose of Cerenia (for nausea) just in case....and a dose of Cypro (appetite) because he only ate about 1/4 can today.

tarasgirl06 I would be so happy if Artie ate one can per day. He was doing that a few months ago, but cut back to 2/3 or less. And I do have the dry out also..
He would eat either 2/3 of a can and 1/3 cup of dry... or 1 can and a bit of dry...

He is pouting now, b because I gave him his lactulose and the cypro at the same time.. Actually, he is waiting for a new can to be opened.. no way... It is good food, and I am not wasting a 6 oz can.. The cypro will kick in, in about an hour or so....

 

[dustydiamond1]

Yup, just need to work on food today... another day, another issue!! The world goes round n' round.....

He did try to poop a second time this morning. He must have had a ton of gas and cramps. Once he finally felt like going, he expelled a huge bit of gas along with just a few 'squiggles".

Gave him his lactulose in 2 smaller doses... works better..
also gave him a dose of Cerenia (for nausea) just in case....and a dose of Cypro (appetite) because he only ate about 1/4 can today.

tarasgirl06 I would be so happy if Artie ate one can per day. He was doing that a few months ago, but cut back to 2/3 or less. And I do have the dry out also..
He would eat either 2/3 of a can and 1/3 cup of dry... or 1 can and a bit of dry...

He is pouting now, b because I gave him his lactulose and the cypro at the same time.. Actually, he is waiting for a new can to be opened.. no way... It is good food, and I am not wasting a 6 oz can.. The cypro will kick in, in about an hour or so....

eat, eat, eat,

 

[tarasgirl06]

Yup, just need to work on food today... another day, another issue!! The world goes round n' round.....

He did try to poop a second time this morning. He must have had a ton of gas and cramps. Once he finally felt like going, he expelled a huge bit of gas along with just a few 'squiggles".

Gave him his lactulose in 2 smaller doses... works better..
also gave him a dose of Cerenia (for nausea) just in case....and a dose of Cypro (appetite) because he only ate about 1/4 can today.

tarasgirl06 I would be so happy if Artie ate one can per day. He was doing that a few months ago, but cut back to 2/3 or less. And I do have the dry out also..
He would eat either 2/3 of a can and 1/3 cup of dry... or 1 can and a bit of dry...

He is pouting now, b because I gave him his lactulose and the cypro at the same time.. Actually, he is waiting for a new can to be opened.. no way... It is good food, and I am not wasting a 6 oz can.. The cypro will kick in, in about an hour or so....

Yes, I know how you feel. It's a daily challenge! Come ON, Artie man, you can handle a can, man! Yes, you can can!

Take a cue from Elvis, here, who never, ever, lets ANYTHING get in the way of his food/eating.

 

[inkysmom]

Glad he's doing relatively well and hanging in there. I still think you'd have a much easier time with a subcutaneous form of a medication like the lactulose, or something similar since you have so much trouble consistently getting it into him and he fights so much. The drooling is called stress drooling according to the specialists who treated my beloved Inky and now my other cat with allergies that both drool crazily at any meds going near their mouths. I couldn't get the correct dose into inky at all of anything and now I can't with this other cat. Cats that stress drool can't help it it's a biological reaction to whatever they're anticipating. For Artie it may be the larger dose of lactulose or something about that med if he's fine with all his other meds.
I just give this allergic kitty everything subcutaneous if possible just like I did with inky. Inky I could get pills into but never liquids. Why fight with them when they're stressed? The medication can't have any benefit to them if they're not getting the dose they're prescribed. I even learned to give im (intramuscular) shots because Benadryl only comes in liquid or im and not subcutaneous, and that helps with itching and allergies.
Since you already can give subcutaneous fluids, the meds are easy, much easier than fighting over the liquid lactulose and getting it everywhere and making Artie vomit and stressing both of you out more.
Hope both of you keep having good and better days and you'll think about it, since a few people have suggested it besides just me.

 

[Antonio65]

but if I'm eating chocolate he DESPERATELY tries to get at it.

Just for a joke I use to lure Pallina with a bit of chocolate, I would never give it to her, but I just want to see her reaction, and she just turns her head away at the smell of the chocolate.
Good girl