Needing good vibes.

[BellaBlue82]

Hi all,
I didn't think I'd be on again so quickly after Nico passed last month, but here we are.

Casper started to seem sick about two weeks after Nico passed away, and I thought he simply took it s little hard. This happened before 6 years ago when he lost his brother Sonny - he has feline herpes and stress flare ups give him a kitty cold.

We had a vet visit today, and the suspect is some type of liver disease. He is a little jaundice, with lack of appetite and tiredness. We did CBC with some other panels today, but at 18 I'm questioning how far we go. If it's cirrhosis or liver cancer, which are both untreatable, then it's hospice care until it's time.

For right now we're treating as inflammatory liver disease, with fluids steroids and antibiotics. I'll be looking into SAMe and UDCA to begin soon as well.

Hopefully he responds to the treatment plan we have in effect, but it's still tough so soon after losing his mate.

 

[FeebysOwner]

 

[tabbytom]

didn't think I'd be on again so quickly after Nico passed last month, but here we are.

Casper started to seem sick about two weeks after Nico passed away, and I thought he simply took it s little hard. This happened before 6 years ago when he lost his brother Sonny - he has feline herpes and stress flare ups give him a kitty cold.

Do Cats Mourn? – TheCatSite Articles

Sending vibes

 

[mrsgreenjeens]

Hoping the new meds do the trick. Did he also get an appetite stimulant? That might be needed as well.

 

[BellaBlue82]

Hoping the new meds do the trick. Did he also get an appetite stimulant? That might be needed as well.

Ugh, well unfortunately the mirtazapine made his jaundice worse for two days afterwards. So sadly, we have to be careful with what additional medicine we give.
But that's ok, I'm supplementing his daily food intake with assisted feeding. He does so well for me, eats it right up and no mess! My cute little old man, he sits with his bib (towel lol) as I feed him.

 

[marshmallow2013]

You being such a great Mom, gives Casper a lot of comfort. Hope his medicines make him feel better soon. Sending love

 

[BellaBlue82]

Update:
Blood work returned today, some values are up. The thing that has both me and vet puzzled is his increased SDMA. All other kidney values are on the lower side of normal range. SDMA is 27 (should be under 14.)
His ALP is 211, when it should be around 30-40. Obviously bilirubin is high as well. Potassium is low, and he is slightly anemic. Reticulocyte production is still normal though, so at least he's regenerative. Also his monocytes are high.

We're treating as cholangeohepatitis right now. Our thoughts are all these values are tied; if bilirubin is being released into the blood stream, that could lead to hemolysis which in turn could be effecting the kidneys. We'll have a recheck in two weeks after treatment with sub-q, steroids, antibiotics, SAMe, and potassium supplement.

 

[JamesCalifornia]

We're treating as cholangeohepatitis right now. Our thoughts are all these values are tied; if bilirubin is being released into the blood stream, that could lead to hemolysis which in turn could be effecting the kidneys. We'll have a recheck in two weeks after treatment with sub-q, steroids, antibiotics, SAMe, and potassium supplement.

~ Don't forget to ask for home supplies to do subcutaneous hydration with Ringers lactate

​

 

[di and bob]

If he is susceptible to feline herpes, get him some DMG, an immune system supplement. Since my cats have been on it they have not had kitty colds which they used to have all the time.

 

[BellaBlue82]

~ Don't forget to ask for home supplies to do subcutaneous hydration with Ringers lactate

​

We're stocked up! Thankfully my vet knows I'm capable of fluids and injections and such. I have three bags of fluids, a bottle of B12, and she ordered me ondesetron, and potassium to help his appetite and potassium deficiency. So I'll be able to give shots which is easier for me.

Hopefully we'll see some improvement in two weeks.

 

[neely]

Hopefully we'll see some improvement in two weeks.

Fingers crossed for Casper. I hope the cocktail of fluids and injections help to comfort him and he shows some improvement too.

 

[iPappy]

He does so well for me, eats it right up and no mess! My cute little old man, he sits with his bib (towel lol) as I feed him.

I'm sorry the medicine made his jaundice worse, but the visual of him and his little bib is just so sweet.

 

[BellaBlue82]

I'm sorry the medicine made his jaundice worse, but the visual of him and his little bib is just so sweet.

Lol if I get a chance I'll try to take a picture of him in his bib.
SAMe came today, and I'll be picking up potassium supplement and ondansetron injection stuff later today. He's not worse, but not much better just yet. It's not even been a week though and I am reading that this can take a while for the liver to heal. Hopefully we will start to see some minor improvements with the new meds/supplements over the weekend.

 

[BellaBlue82]

Here's the little old man in his bib. This was after lunch, you can see he does really well and isn't a messy man! Lol

 

[marshmallow2013]

He’s so adorable! Beautiful picture. Hope he’s feeling better

 

[BellaBlue82]

He’s so adorable! Beautiful picture. Hope he’s feeling better

Thanks! He's such a sweet kitty, I'm blessed.
Still not feeling very well. Not worse, but not better yet. But I'm staying the course. I've read recovery can take weeks and it's only been 4 days since we've started treatment. Fingers crossed.

 

[neely]

I'm guessing different cats respond to the treatment at a different rate. I'm glad that your being consistent and staying the course. Not only fingers crossed but paws too! Casper looks so neat and dapper in his bib.

 

[iPappy]

Here's the little old man in his bib. This was after lunch, you can see he does really well and isn't a messy man! LolView attachment 443397

O.M.G I love him! You're such an excellent caretaker for him!!!

 

[iPappy]

Thanks! He's such a sweet kitty, I'm blessed.
Still not feeling very well. Not worse, but not better yet. But I'm staying the course. I've read recovery can take weeks and it's only been 4 days since we've started treatment. Fingers crossed.

Remember, he's 18, and if they're like us the older we get the harder it is to bounce back from being sick. He has one of the sweetest little expressions I have ever seen in my life.

 

[BellaBlue82]

Remember, he's 18, and if they're like us the older we get the harder it is to bounce back from being sick. He has one of the sweetest little expressions I have ever seen in my life.

Aw, lol I always say if he we're a human I'd picture him in a 1940's suit, vest, and bowler hat. That's just his kind of personality!

And I agree, I think he's just having a bit of a rough time due to his age. But he's still fighting the good fight, and I'm happy to help him with that.