Ellie -Mae still not well....

[carole]

I am really concerned about my Ellie, even after finishing her steriods, i can tell things are not right with her mouth, since her dental over two months ago we have been battling with this, she has had so much medication, antibiotics, sterioids, injections and pills, you name it we have tried it.

I am going to have to take her back to see Gabe, but someone here mentioned chronic gingivitis, after reading that article i am sure that is what we are dealing with, it say's it is often hard to treat, and unfortunately it seems the case with my Ellie, i feel so sorry for her having a painful mouth all the time.

She has been eating reasonably well, but i mash all her soft food up and sometimes i have to encourage her to eat,i am sure it hurts at times,it breaks my heart to know that,and i am sure the steroids helped her appetite along some what.

I feel very stressed, wondering what we can do for her,gosh that previous owner has a lot to answer for who neglected this wee girl for so long,makes my blood boil.

Please keep her in your thoughts, and any ideas much appreciated.

[Taz_Zoee]

Oh, I am so sorry to hear about Ellie-Mae. It is so difficult when they are not feeling well. And when there's not much you can do, it's even worse.

I will keep you and Ellie-Mae in my thoughts.

[kb2yjx]

I am sorry to read about Ellie-Mae. We had a cat, Raven, whose mouth was so neglected by her previous owner. In the first year that Raven lived with us, ALL her teeth were removed. Raven did really well after all the bad teeth were gone!!! When she was mad at me, she would gum my arm!!!! We sure miss our Princess.....Good luch with Ellie-Mae!!!

[carole]

Thank you everyone, yes i am not certain if total teeth removal is the answer here, but will discuss with my vet, she has picked up some today and eaten well, not sure whether to just keep an eye on her this weekend and maybe go a bit later, she is does not appear to be in discomfort as such, but i strongly suspect things are not normal in the mouth.

Oh yes i find it quite stressful dealing with two sick cats,not my idea of joy, i can tell you, but i can only do my best for them, and that i am.

Fingers and paws crossed we can get Ellie back to normal and this problem sorted once and for all, but from what i read, it is ongoing and chronic, so i am not holding my breath for such a positive outcome, but you never know eh?

[Medusa]

My RB Puddy had gingivitis and Dr. Lee gave me a bottle of Chlorhexadine to squirt on her gums and it seemed to help. Maybe talk to your vet about it.

[carole]

i will mention it to him , thanks Mary, i also read you can put on an antiseptic gel, for cats who one finds too hard to brush their teeth, i dare not even go near her mouth,she does not particularly like that i can tell you, not that i blame her, will discuss all the possible treatments other than steroids, maybe they will give her another injection,i really don't know , she is eating really well today, so i might go early next week, rather than tomorrow, depends on how she is tomorrow, hopefully they might be able to sneak me in.

[slick]

Awww, poor little girl. My RB Speckles has a mild case just a few months before she passed. I didn't do anything for it because she ate well and didn't appear to be in any discomfort. She even ate dry food.

Prayers on the way Carole. I hope she can find some relief soon.

[carole]

Thanks Slick, i did not go in the weekend to the vet, as she seemed ok and was eating like a horse, so i am keeping a very close eye on her, and may just take her in wed night for a check up anyhow.,fingers and all paws crossed she is improving.

[mrspunkysmom]

I feel very stressed, wondering what we can do for her,gosh that previous owner has a lot to answer for who neglected this wee girl for so long,makes my blood boil.

Please keep her in your thoughts, and any ideas much appreciated.

Do you give him tap water or bottled water?

Sam has the same trouble, so I took him for a dental, then had to go back three months later for more meds. A friend suggested I try bottled water. Sam hasn't had to go back since. There have been some minor flares with stinky breath but nothing that stopped him from eating and he eats mainly dry-food.

I rinse the bowl with filtered tap water and then dry it before putting more water in.

Good luck and don't forget to check the source of the water on the bottle.

[Catty1]

I hope dear Ellie is still eating like a champ!

Re: water - I use a pitcher with a filter in it, and my cats get that water. Might be worth a try.

I started doing that when, years ago, I had a cat and my roommate had two- and my cat ALWAYS went to the other cats' water dish, which was filtered. Apparently it tastes more like rainwater, cause there is no chemicals in it. I guess cats have really sensitive noses, because I never noticed it. But my cat zeroed in on that filtered water!

[Medusa]

I hope dear Ellie is still eating like a champ!

Re: water - I use a pitcher with a filter in it, and my cats get that water. Might be worth a try.

I started doing that when, years ago, I had a cat and my roommate had two- and my cat ALWAYS went to the other cats' water dish, which was filtered. Apparently it tastes more like rainwater, cause there is no chemicals in it. I guess cats have really sensitive noses, because I never noticed it. But my cat zeroed in on that filtered water!

My Fur Posse will choose filtered water over tap water every time so that's what I put in their fountains.

[carole]

well i don't know about the filtered water theory, i don't even drink filtered water myself,not really an affordable commodity for me, or the kitties, but thanks for the suggestions, i will still keep it in mind, she is eating really well again today, i still notice some redness in her gums though, but for now she is holding her own, will just keep very close eye on her for any signs of discomfort and whip her in to the vet if need be,keeping a positive mind about it all and hoping for the best.

[Medusa]

well i don't know about the filtered water theory, i don't even drink filtered water myself,not really an affordable commodity for me, or the kitties, but thanks for the suggestions, i will still keep it in mind, she is eating really well again today, i still notice some redness in her gums though, but for now she is holding her own, will just keep very close eye on her for any signs of discomfort and whip her in to the vet if need be,keeping a positive mind about it all and hoping for the best.

A Brita water pitcher is very inexpensive, Carole. I can't recall what I paid for mine but it was really affordable. You put tap water in it and it filters the water, so you don't have to fuss w/water filters on your tap, etc.

[carole]

Yes Mary I have often wanted one for ourselves, not sure our budget will allow it, and really not sure it will make a difference, i am not dismissing the idea, but will think upon it,i guess i have to be able to justify an expenditure,by knowing it will make a difference, as we are on a pretty tight budget.

However i do really appreciate everyone's ideas, advice and concern, be sure of that.

[carole]

just thought i would give you all an update, Ellie is doing much better now, she is very hungry on those steroids, but rather fussy all the same, but much improved eating today and her gums look pink rather than bright red, so i guess all the treatment is doing something, she will be on steroids permanently though i expect, which i am not too happy about,however if it is the only way we can keep her mouth from being sore, it is what we have to do, there is another drug but it is just way too expensive, and there is no guarantee it is any better, it is like over 4 dollars a day, where as the steroids are only 13.80 per 3mths.

Anyhow progress has been made, so let us all hope it she continues to get better.,fingers and all paws crossed.