The Mackerel Update Thread. :3

[otto]

Originally Posted by Jalindal

I've done some research, we use crystals.. so what I've done is to change the litter so it's very clean and every time she goes to eat it I'm distracting her with food and other things.

That sounds like a good plan. Remember to keep your spirits up when you are with her. I know it can be difficult sometimes but cats are emotional barometers and if you are sad she will be sad too.

Continued love and vibes for you both

 

[jalindal]

Thanks Otto. I think we're doing pretty well at keeping cheerful. Lots of love and cuddles and delishus noms. :-3

 

[farleyv]

Oh dear, no. I didn't expect to be reading this.

I am just so sorry. You two have certainly fought the good fight. I am just shocked. And all I can do is send hugs and prayers.

You two are a good team. Enjoy her as much as you can now. Sorry, I can't see to type anymore.

God bless.

 

[erinroro]

I am so sorry to hear this news. Mackerel is such a sweetheart. She will hear you when you talk to her and tell how much you love her. I am sending lots of warm thoughts, hugs and

your way.

 

[libby74]

I really don't have anything to add except that the healing/miracle are still coming to you and Miss Mackerel. Don't give up, Sophie; prayers are answered every day.

 

[jazzmin_flower]

This is from IVillage:

Cats are well-known for being fussy eaters, always demanding the freshest, tastiest foods. But occasionally a cat will go to the other extreme and begin snacking in the most unappetizing of places, the litter box.

Eating litter isn't necessarily dangerous, although cats that take more than a small nibble may get obstructions in their intestinal tracts. The real problem isn't the litter lunch itself but the underlying condition that is causing them to take up the habit.

"A cat that suddenly starts eating litter is almost always sick," says Jane Brunt, D.V.M., a veterinarian in private practice in Towson, Maryland. For example, cats with anemia, a condition in which the body doesn't have enough red blood cells, will sometimes eat litter. Vets aren't sure why they do it, but it may be nature's way of getting more iron into their systems. Cats with kidney disease or feline leukemia will also eat litter on occasion, she says.

"Cats with poor diets, especially those given vegetarian diets, may crave nutrients," adds Carol A. Tice, D.V.M., a veterinarian in private practice in Cary, North Carolina. The clay used to make litter is rich in minerals and may act as a natural supplement. Cats that keep eating litter, however, may actually lose nutrients because the clay will leach out more minerals like iron, zinc, and potassium than it puts back in.

My cat Jabberwocky was doing this very thing: eating kitty litter. He was just getting over a persistent fever, although he did not lose his appetite, but unfortunately had a serious respiratory problem. From what I could figure out, he felt he was needing an essential mineral from the litter.

My veterinarian agreed and although he doesn't always tell me what he gives the kitties, he took Jabberwocky into intensive care and made sure he got all the supplements he needed.

Jabberwocky has recovered fully and no longer craves kitty litter.

Also of note, my old tuxedo kitty, Spooky, who was recently having circulatory system difficulties and my veterinarian said he clearly has anemia, didn't crave litter at all. I was giving him kitty vitamins every other day for two weeks while he had been ill only one month. He had better days and then down days. His temp was too low, under 100 degrees! He is with the veterinarian now and has been for 2 weeks, sleeping on an electric heated throw blanket all the time. His anemia is almost gone, taking a prescription medication and Hawthorn herb, along with his daily vitamins and minerals. He also has a different diet.

 

[calvin&i]

Mackerel is such a sweetheart and so so lucky to have you.

I really hope the vets are wrong in this case

Tons of vibes to Mackerel sweetie and you.
I have been intently following Mackerel's progress and showed DH her pics and we are both her fans now. She is such a special kitty - you must be very proud of her. And she knows how much she is loved!

 

[catbehaviors]

Sending tons of vibes and prayers you and Mackerel's way! Hopefully this is just another bump in the road, and a miracle will happen.

 

[feralvr]

Not sure about the why of the litter eating now. A quick call to the vet and they might give you some information and if this has something to do with Mack's condition. Again, sending mega

to you and Mackerel..... You two are quite a team at the moment, fighting this together

 

[ldg]

To everyone but Jalindal, they already know Mack is anemic.

Jalindal, I expect that why she's eating the litter.

I think your plan is a good one. We didn't change the litter we use when Tuxie was eating it, we did just what you're doing.

And of course more for your beautiful baby girl!

 

[ldg]

Originally Posted by Jazzmin_Flower

My cat Jabberwocky was doing this very thing: eating kitty litter. He was just getting over a persistent fever, although he did not lose his appetite, but unfortunately had a serious respiratory problem. From what I could figure out, he felt he was needing an essential mineral from the litter.

My veterinarian agreed....

I don't really understand the "from what I could figure out" comment... since anemia is the primary cause of cats eating litter (according to the feline specialist that treated our Tuxie), running a CBC to determine if anemia is the source of the problem is a pretty simple thing.

 

[jalindal]

Thanks for the vibes, guys. Like LDG said, we already know about the anemia, and I don't want or need to put her in the car for three hours to go and confirm that it's getting worse, really.

I figured it was time for another photo of Mack:



She's doing fairly well today.

Still eating and drinking and weeing and in high spirits. She's enjoying her morsels of lamb and mince and purring when we cuddle.

We're doing really well with her meds, as well! We have the system down pat now.

 

[ldg]

Aw, thanks for the picture! She really looks better than she did!

It's so nice to hear she's in good spirits! You really can see it in her eyes!

Continued

 

[bluerexbear]

Mackerel looks so much better in the above picture.

Please take heart that you are making the right decision...and Mack will tell you when it is time. I promise, she will.

Everyone told me the same thing ("You will just...know when it is time) after I brought Sissy home with her cancer diagnosis. She lived a month after that and the minute things started to change from "okay" for her, she did let me know. She slowed down. She stopped jumping on the couch or over the gate to get to the litter box. In the last day before I let her go, she refused food - even tuna. She was panting and she lay down in front of the shower and just looked at me with her huge green eyes. I knew...right then, I knew and she was telling me, "Please, let me go now." It was a Sunday, but I took her to the ER vet and let her go that day. I knew that NOT making her wait until Monday was the very last act of love I could show her.

Huge hugs to you as you go through this. Keep loving her and I promise, when the time comes, you won't even have to question the decision.

 

[feralvr]

AW that is the most beautiful photo of a cat I have ever seen. Really, the look in her eyes says it all. She is so loved and cared for and she knows it and is so content and happy looking in that photo. Just precious....

to you and your little trooper

 

[jalindal]

Thanks guys.

I should point out that she was looking out the window at a flock of birds that were hanging out in the bushes outside the window. Hence the entranced expression. XD

 

[aprilyim]

She looks lovely!

 

[calvin&i]

She is such a darling.

Lots of to Mack and you

 

[angier106]

What a sweet girl!
Sending you more vibes

 

[booktigger]

I seem to have missed the new thread. I am so sorry that her kidneys arm looking worse and that her anaemia isn't good. Am surprised at the vet thinking wet fip, in my experience it is a lot quicker. I wonder if it is worth trying renal food again, one of my bridge babes ate her liver food when she was feeling worse. If not, just give her plenty of love and i hope she can continue to fight and prove the vet wrong. I think you are doing the right thing keeping her at home and she will let you know when she has had enough. I always have a chat with mine and tell them that when they have had enough they just have to tell me and i will let them go.