Corkscrew is sick again. Long Overdue Update 8/27

[Uabassoon]

I'm not sure if any of you remember when Corkscrew was really sick two years ago and I spent over a month having to force feed him, but it looks like I'm going to be doing that again. He stopped eating and started vomiting bile on Sunday so we went to the vet yesterday.

I just got off the phone with the vet about his results and his liver enzymes are high which leads the vet to think that he has fatty liver disease again. However when he compared the results to Corkscrew's results last time he noticed that his thyroid levels are high and last time they were normal. Now we are going to have to run addition tests to check for hyper thyroid.

I started the force feeding last night which he doesn't seem to enjoy, and he has kept most of it down I noticed when I got home from work that he did throw up part of his breakfast but he did manage to hold down all of his dinner last night and I'm getting ready to feed him again right now.

Keep us in your thoughts that he gets better and with this next text we can figure out what is really wrong with him. Money is a little tight since I got laid off back in February, thankfully I have a new job but I just don't have the extra money that I used to anymore.

[momcat]

Hi there Corkscrew, what's this I hear that you don't feel good? Many prayers are being prayed that your whitecoat will figure this out and you'll be all better before you know it. Please ask your Meowmie to give you lots of feel better scritchies and lovies from me? And please let us know how you're doing?

[jenluckenbach]

Not my sweetie Corkscrew, sick again! :eek: :( :(

prayers that you regain your appetite so you won't need force feeding.

then more prayers that a cause is found and a cure is quick.

[Laura's Babies]

Aww! Prayer for Corkscrew are going now. May he feel better soon and bounce right back to his old self.. Poor baby!

[carole]

oh i am so sorry to hear about corkscrew, it is so upsetting when our furbabies are sick and so worrying too for us meowmie's, I hope your furbaby, improves soon and takes to the force feeding a little better, good luck and many well wishes for your sweet baby.:love::love:

[katladyd]

The absolute worst times are when one of our babies are sick! My thoughts and prayers are with you and Corkscrew:love:

[Uabassoon]

I feel so bad for him. He takes off and hides the second he sees me reach for the can of cat food. I know that he really hates it so hopefully he will start to eat on his own so I don't have to do this anymore. He held down all of his lunch and I just finished giving him dinner. I remember last time he held down about half of his meals, I remember having to clean up vomit daily. I'm keeping my fingers crossed that he will hold down this meal too.

[Edwina's Secretary]

Porr Corkscrew! Poor Laura!

There is just no way to make them understand it is for their own good.

Good thoughts for a quick recovery!

[krazyaboutkatz]

Laura, I'm sorry to hear that he's sick again.:( Hopefully he'll start eating on his own again. I'll keep him in my thoughts and prayers.

[Karen]

Poor Corkscrew and poor mommy! You'll both be in our prayers.

[Medusa]

Oh goodness, I'm sorry to hear about Corkscrew. I've never had to force feed any of my cats but I know how it is to see them run in the opposite direction when they see me coming because I have to give a subq or meds. It makes you feel so bad, doesn't it? I do hope that things turn around quickly for him. You're in my prayers. :love:

[catmandu]

If theres one thing that saddens Pet Lovers , it when Our Friends are ill, and we are so scared that it could be serious.
You feel so helpless , and you pray that your White Coat can give them more time to love them.:love:
Prayers are coming from All Of Us for Corkscrew , and Our Pet Talker Angels will see if they can temppt him to eat.
Please eat and get better for all of your fans Corkscrew.
PLEASE! :love:

[Cataholic]

I do remember when Corkscrew was sick last time. I am sorry to hear it is again. I hope the thyroid has something to do with it all, as it is easy to treat. Laura- have you explored a holistic approach to this? Some times the holistic vets have ideas not typically seen by the traditional vets. Not good or bad (unless it saves your cat) just different. My mom switched to a more holistic vet and has seen wonders in her cat. Just a thought.

Even though Corkscrew runs...just keep reminding yourself it is for his own good. Hugs to you, and well wishes to Corkscrew.

[Uabassoon]

I woke up this morning and Tibby was very jaundiced so I raced her to the vet. We are all stumped as to why both of my cats are having liver failure. When it was just Corkscrew I figured that it was just a flare up, but now it's also Tibby. For the time being Pocky is fine but I will be keeping a very close eye on her. I have searched the house over to check to see if there is anything that could possibly be making them both ill but I haven't found anything.

We are treating Tibby the same as Corkscrew however this time we added a viral test, which we chose not to do on Corkscrew originally as the last time they all came out negative and he is indoor only. We also did a test to check for any toxins. Hopefully we figure this out soon.

[Medusa]

Oh no, I wonder what's going on! I hope that you get to the bottom of it soon. It must really be worrying you. You have my prayers. :love:

[catnapper]

Oh no! I am SO SORRY to hear this. First, I was praying for Corkscrew, but now Tibby too? Many prayers for you and the cats.

[krazyaboutkatz]

Laura, I'm so sorry to hear this.:( I'll continue to keep both of them in my thoughts and prayers.

What kind of food are you feeding them? I don't want to scare you but with all of the recalls lately sometimes it's the food that's been causing animals to become sick.

[GILL]

Laura you and the kids our in our prayers. The CREW and I hope that this can be taken care of soon.

[catmandu]

Oh No not Poor Tibby too!
We are praying that they didnt get a bad batch of Cat food , and taht they are all right ASAP.
Thats got to be so worrying to have both Your Fur Friends with the same symptoms.
We pray your White Coats can help them be well
:love::love::love::love:

[Uabassoon]

I don't think it's the food because they were almost at the bottom of the bag, meaning they have been working on in for over a month. However, just in case I tossed out the rest of the bag and bought them a new bag of Innova. Thankfully Pocky hasn't been showing any signs of being sick. However today I was super excited when Corkscrew ate a few bites on his own which means that I might be able to cut him down to just two force feedings a day.

[momcat]

I'm so sorry to hear about Tibby. Please know that Tibby, Corkscrew, and you will remain in my thoughts and prayers. Wishing for a quick answer and healthy kitties!

Groucho is sending feel better purrs and headbumpies to his pals and their Meowmie too......:love: :love: :love:

[Moesha]

Did you get results from Tibby's tests? Do you have to force feed Tibby as well? I remember doing that for one of my kitties, Olivia. She had hepatitis.

Were you feeding them Innova to start with?

[krazyaboutkatz]

Laura, I'm glad to hear that you've been feeding them Innova because now I don't think that you'll have to worry about this food. This company does extensive tests on all of their products before shipping them out for sale.

I'm glad to hear that Corkscrew is starting to eat a little on his own. Lots more prayers and positive thoughts are being sent their way. Please continue to keep us updated about them.

[ChrisH]

Laura, I was so sorry to read that both Corkscrew & Tibby are ill. Prayers and positive thoughts for a speedy solution to what is wrong and an equally speedy return to full health for the both of them.

[Uabassoon]

I really don't have in me to update too much but I just wanted to let you all know that it's looking like Tibby might not make it. Please keep her in your thoughts and prayers.

[ChrisH]

Oh,no. :( Love and prayers on the way.

[Prairie Purrs]

Oh, Tibby girl! Please pull through.

[jenluckenbach]

NOOOOOOO. Tibby, you have to get better! And Corkscrew too!

[momcat]

The prayer line is currently clogged with prayers for Tibby :( :( and Corkscrew

We understand how you feel right now, prayers are being prayed for you too! :love: :love: :love: :love:

Many [[[[[HUGS]]]]]

[krazyaboutkatz]

Laura, I'm so sorry to hear this.:( Lot's more prayers and positive thoughts are being sent both Tibby and Corkscrew's way. Please take care. (((HUGS)))

[catlover32648]

my prayers go out to you ! i hope everything goes well :love:

[katladyd]

My prayers are with you and your dear Tibby. Once, a vet gave my orange guy, MacGyver, no chance of survival. Three years later, he's still with us, as ornery and wonderful as ever! I'm pulling for Tibby!

[momcat]

How are Corkscrew and Tibby feeling today? My prayers continue.....

[Uabassoon]

They aren't really doing much better, but they don't seem to be any worse. Corkscrew hasn't eaten on his own beyond those few bites he had the other day. However he does seem to be in better spirits, he is sleeping on the bed with me again and being mildly social which is usually a sign of feeling a little better.

Tibby is not doing nearly as well as Corkscrew she is still very jaundiced and not at all social. She has spent the last few days hiding at the bottom of the cat tree. The only good news I have about Tibby is that she has managed to hold down her last five meals without throwing up which is a good thing. Before that she was vomiting at least half, if not more of every meal that I fed her. We did decide to start giving her sub-q fluids at home so that might be helping her in regards to finally keeping some of her meals down.

So keep fingers and tails crossed that things will get better here. Thankfully Pocky is still as healthy as ever, I don't think I could have managed if all three of them were sick!

[Prairie Purrs]

I'm glad that Corkscrew and Tibby are holding their own. I hope they start eating on their own again very soon and bounce back from this.

Hang in there! Healing thoughts are on their way.

[ChrisH]

Thanks for the update Laura. Prayers continuing.

[phesina]

Prayers for Corkscrew and Tibby. And I just lit a candle: http://www.gratefulness.org/candles/message.cfm?l=eng&cid=8558455

[smokey the elder]

Poor kitties! You need to eat. Have you tried baby food or deli turkey? I've had good luck jump-starting kitties' appetites with those foods.

[krazyaboutkatz]

Laura, thanks for keeping us updated. I'm sorry to hear that they're still not doing well.:( Lots more prayers and positive thoughts are being sent their way.

[Uabassoon]

Things are still pretty much the same over here, no major improvements however neither one of them is doing worse which I will take as a good sign. Tibby has finally left her hiding spot and spent some time looking out the screen door today with Pocky, so I will take that as a good sign. I much prefer it to her spending the entire day hiding.

[moosmom]

Laura,

I'm so sorry to hear about Tibby and Corkscrew. You and the kitties are in my thoughts and prayers. I also lit a candle.

[Uabassoon]

Tibby seems to be doing a little better. Today she spent a half hour in my lap letting me brush her and then I was actually able to get her to eat a few treats! Corkscrew is still the same, he hasn't improved or declined in any way.

[RICHARD]

Tibby seems to be doing a little better. Today she spent a half hour in my lap letting me brush her and then I was actually able to get her to eat a few treats! Corkscrew is still the same, he hasn't improved or declined in any way.

Sending you out some good thoughts for you, the 'kids' and your household.

[shais_mom]

oh dear i hope they continue to get better quickly!

[krazyaboutkatz]

I'm sorry to hear that there's not much improvement.:( Lots more prayers and positive thoughts are being sent their way.

[Kirsten]

I'm so sorry to learn that both Corkscrew and Tibby are seriously ill. I'll keep them in my thoughts and hope they will soon get better.

Any ideas what caused their liver problems? I think it is really strange that both of them have this. :confused:

Kirsten

[phesina]

Continuing prayers for Corkscrew and Tibby..

[momcat]

Continuing prayers for Corkscrew and Tibby..

From here, too :love: :love: :love:

[Medusa]

Many prayers going up for Corkscrew and Tibby and you, too. Keep the faythe. :love:

[momcat]

How are Corkscrew and Tibby doing today?

[Uabassoon]

Corkscrew hasn't really changed at all. He isn't doing better but at least he isn't worse. He's lethargic but he is at least well enough that he wants attention and still spends his nights cuddled up with me in my bed.

Tibby who both the vet and I thought might not make it is really improving. She is still jaundiced so she isn't totally out of the woods yet, but she has been starting to eat food on her own! The last two night I've been able to get her to eat treats and this morning she ate some canned food on her own. She also is way more alert and even has some playful moments. Her eating on her own though is a very good sign so I'm very happy.

[Kirsten]

What a relieve to read that Tibby is doing better! Hope that Corkscrew will also begin to improve!

I'll keep both of them in my thoughts!

Kirsten

[carole]

sending some positive vibes and good thoughts for your kitties to get well , i know where you are at, with having two of mine not too good either, it is very worrying for you, giant hugs and tons and tons of get well wishes for the kitties, take care, thinking of you.:love::love::love::love::love:

[wolf_Q]

I'm very sorry to hear that both Corkscrew and Tibby are sick. :( I hope they'll be feeling better soon, I'll be keeping them in my thoughts.

[krazyaboutkatz]

Laura, thanks for keeping us updated about them. I'm so glad to hear that Tibby is starting to eat on her own and I hope that she'll continue to improve.:) I hope that Corkscrew will start improving and be able to eat on his own very soon. Lots of prayers and positive thoughts are being sent their way.

Does your vet know what may have caused this?

[Uabassoon]

The vet isn't really sure what caused this. With Corkscrew his thyroid levels here high so there is a possibility that might be the cause. Corkscrew also gets stressed really easily. For almost all of May I had various house guests, one with a very loud dog. So it is also possible that he was so stressed out he stopped eating which caused his liver to stop working.

With Tibby we are clueless as to why she is sick. We ran more tests on her then we did Corkscrew but everything came back negative. Our only other option is to run more expensive tests however I don't have any more money so it really isn't an option for me. Thankfully Tibby is starting to get better and is acting more like her normal self.

[krazyaboutkatz]

The vet isn't really sure what caused this. With Corkscrew his thyroid levels here high so there is a possibility that might be the cause. Corkscrew also gets stressed really easily. For almost all of May I had various house guests, one with a very loud dog. So it is also possible that he was so stressed out he stopped eating which caused his liver to stop working.

With Tibby we are clueless as to why she is sick. We ran more tests on her then we did Corkscrew but everything came back negative. Our only other option is to run more expensive tests however I don't have any more money so it really isn't an option for me. Thankfully Tibby is starting to get better and is acting more like her normal self.

I've found that stress can be a big factor too. I'm also dealing with a cat that won't eat. My baby girl Ziggy went to the vet on Sun. for her annual exam and as of last night she's not eating or eating very little.:( She's also lethargic and just not her normal active or hungry self. Her nickname is "Ziggy The Piggy" because she loves food so much. She becomes very stressed out at the vets so I'm thinking that this must have caused her to become ill. If she doesn't improve by tomorrow morning, I'm taking her back to the vet for another check up.

I hope that Corkscrew's thyroid levels become normal again and aren't the cause for his illness. It sure would help if our furkids could just tell us what's wrong.Take care. (((HUGS)))

[Uabassoon]

I know that this update is long overdue, but better late than never! I had been forcefeeding and giving Corkscrew sub-q fluids for two months and I was starting to think that he was never going to get better. I finally had to give myself a cut off date, I told myself that if he wasn't eating on his own by the end of the first week of August I was going to have to put his down. Just like the last time, the death threat worked! A day before I had planned to put him down he started eating on his own :) It's been a couple weeks now and he is finally back to his old self again!

It is still very exciting for me when I see him fighting with Tibby or biting at my toes demanding that I top off his bowl with fresh food. I just wanted to thank everyone who prayed and sent caring thoughts my way :)

[jenluckenbach]

OMG! I am so happy to read this update!! Was any reason ever found for his lack of appetite??
I force fed a cat (Mr meow) for 3 weeks straight, once, but never for as long as CorkScrew. Thank heavens for your persistance.

[Uabassoon]

Nope, we never figured out what caused both him and Tibby to get sick. Tibby recovered very quickly, after just a couple of weeks. All my friends were shocked at how long I kept it up with Corkscrew. It was rough, but well worth it. He is my heart kitty and my baby and I didn't want to give up hope on him.

[Catty1]

What great news!

Every so often there seems to be a cat on PT that is sick with "something" that can't be diagnosed - and it goes away on its own (and often in its own time ;) ).

Give both kitties lovies for me, please?

[katladyd]

Your post made my day! A few years ago, one of my boys came down with "mystery illness". He stopped eating and drinking completely. I took him to both my vet and a specialist, no one could really figure it out. I took him home and force fed him and also gave him fluids. Two days later he started recovering. Funny how love can keep them going, isn't it?:love::love:

[krazyaboutkatz]

Thanks for the wonderful update Laura.:) I'm so glad to hear that both of your cats are now doing well. Hopefully they'll both remain happy and healthy for many more years to come.:)

[Medusa]

Oh happy day! What a great update! Way to go, Corkscrew! :love:

[Barbara]

Hey- this is wonderful news:) Corkscrew Baby- keep up the good work:)

[smokey the elder]

This sort of thing happened with Smokey the Elder 12 years ago. They found squat on any of the diagnostics. She ended up living another 2.5 years before passing from cancer.

[phesina]

That's wonderful news. Well done, Corkscrew!