Shilo New update 8-23 w/photo [Archive]

jenluckenbach

07-08-2008, 06:03 PM

Dear Shilo, he keeps having more and more problems. :(

First were his gums and stomatitis. All his teeth were pulled.

Next he developed heart problems and a significant heart murmur. He's on 3 meds (1, daily, 1 twice daily and 1 two times a week).

Now he has developed not only a limp, but a lump! (not on the same leg.)

So, first the limp............right front paw. At first I thought it was due to toe nails that were too long. So I trimmed them. He seemed painful about it. I hoped that the limp would resolve itself. It didn't.

Next, the lump.......It is on his left rear leg and it's a good size, about the size of a nickel, only spherical.

OK, vet feels nothing major with the paw with the limp. Possibly some arthritis (even though he is a young cat). I can give him 1/2 a baby aspirin 2 times a week.

The lump(s), yes, where I felt only 1, the vet felt another one in the other leg and a small one in his neck, are most likely swollen lymph nodes. Probable cause: infection or (lymphoma) cancer. I'll be giving him 1 baytril once a day for a week then the vet will feel if the lumps shrank any. (cancer won't shrink.) Biopsy would be the next step if needed.

If we have his age correct, he is only 5-ish. Way to young to have had so much go wrong. :( I feel so badly for him.

kb2yjx

07-08-2008, 06:17 PM

Jen, I am just so sad and sorry to hear about Shilo's medical problems. You are correct, he is way too young to have all this. BUT, he is in excellent hands, and I know you will do the best for Shilo. Will be sending prayers for Shilo......

jenluckenbach

07-08-2008, 06:29 PM

Will be sending prayers for Shilo......

Thanks, Shilo is one of my favorites. :o ssshhhh, dont tell the others

:love::love::love::love:

Moesha

07-08-2008, 08:57 PM

I sure hope the baytril does the trick! As I am sure you and Shiloh do as well. :love:

Catlady711

07-08-2008, 09:58 PM

Sorry to hear about all of Shilo's problems. I hope things settle down soon for both of you.

If your vet thinks Shilo might have some arthritis you might want to ask him about giving him some Cosaquin. It's a glucosamine/chondriton supplement that helps with arthritis. Dusty was on that for years and it helped her quite a bit.

mamaducky

07-08-2008, 10:40 PM

Wow -- poor guy! :(

We'll keep positive thoughts that the lumps go down -- and that the vet can figure out a way to make the pain more manageable!

Of course, we're keeping both of you in our prayers here as well!

Hugs,
Diana

Catty1

07-08-2008, 11:35 PM

Prayers for Shilo - such a young fella, I hope he just has an infection. Maybe that's related to the limp.

HUGS and PRAYERS that the Baytril fixes him up.

Please give him a cuddle for me. :love:

Maya & Inka's mommy

07-09-2008, 04:49 AM

Poor Shilo.....:(. At least he is in a loving and caring family now :):love:

Medusa

07-09-2008, 05:15 AM

Oh my, it seems like the younguns nowadays are the ones w/the most physical problems. Our oldies seem to just keep on keepin' on. Poor Shilo, he's had more than his share of problems. He needs a break and so do you, Jen. We'll send those prayers up immediately that all will turn out to be nothing serious.....:)

Emeraldgreen

07-09-2008, 11:17 AM

I hope the Baytril gets those lumps to shrink and that the limp was due to long nails! The limp might take a day or two to go away if it was due to the nails as the trim might have left him feeling sensitive there. Praying that Shilo will be on the mend ASAP! :)

GILL

07-09-2008, 02:21 PM

As you know the CREW and I are sending our prayers for Shilo and you.

jennielynn1970

07-09-2008, 03:59 PM

Awe... poor boy! I know you adore him! I remember when he was up for adoption and a friend went to meet him, and she said that Shilo only had eyes for you! So sweet!

I hope the lumps go away, and that it is NOT cancer.

Big hugs to you and Shilo! :love:

momtomany

07-09-2008, 08:35 PM

Prayers for both you and Shilo. We all hope the Baytril works.

krazyaboutkatz

07-10-2008, 12:56 AM

Jen, I'm so sorry to hear this.:( I sure hope that the Baytril will work. I'll keep him in my thoughts and prayers.

jazzcat

07-10-2008, 11:01 AM

Poor Shilo!

Prayers and positive thoughts on the way.

slick

07-11-2008, 08:37 PM

No cat should have to go through this and certainly no Meowmie should have to deal with this. How hearbreaking for you and little Shilo.

Sending lots and lots of prayers.

kittykatharine

07-13-2008, 08:45 PM

How is Shilo doing? I know exactly what you are going through and I hope from the bottom of my heart that the Baytril has shrunk the lump. If not, and you need to talk or want to talk about any of the things I had to have done to diagnosis Sydney, please message me. Hopefully, I could help you skip some steps so you could get Shilo on tx faster. You guys are in my prayers and thoughts.... Please keep us updated.

jenluckenbach

07-13-2008, 08:51 PM

I do not believe the lumps are shrinking. He has 1 day of baytril yet and then Tuesday sees the vet again. I am afraid we will be looking at doing the biopsy.

He is still limping considerably. I am going to ask the vet to look at the paw/foot/leg again on Tuesday. There MUST be some reason for his discomfort.

I'll keep you posted.

kittykatharine

07-13-2008, 08:54 PM

Well, keep your hopes up, and I highly recommend making a list of questions when you go into the vet, I found myself getting emotional once I got there and then forgetting everything I planned to ask. I wouldn't lose hope just yet, if it is a fungal infection the Baytril wouldn't do anything. You don't know yet, so I wouldn't get too upset just yet. I will be watching for your update - again you guys are in my prayers.:D

Catty1

07-13-2008, 09:38 PM

PT Prayers for Shilo!

Whatever he has, it can and will be treated successfully! That is the positive I am putting out to the universe/God today!:D

jennielynn1970

07-13-2008, 11:13 PM

Awe. I hope that there will be something that the vet can test for that will give a better idea about what exactly is wrong. How frustrating when you don't know and see them in pain.

jenluckenbach

07-15-2008, 05:43 PM

Shilo had his 1 week, follow up visit tonight. The "ankle" is more swollen and the lymph nodes have NOT reduced in size. :(

The vet kept him to do an xray, white blood cell count, and possibly a biopsy of any fluid in the ankle.

It is thought that Shilo possibly has a stubborn infection in the ankle and that is causing lymph nodes to swell. If so, he'll hopefully just need a different antibiotic.

Might not know anything until tomorrow. :(

Moesha

07-15-2008, 05:46 PM

Let's hope for a good report of just a stubborn infection that can be treated!

Catty1

07-15-2008, 08:01 PM

PT Prayers for poor Shilo. I hope it's just a stubborn infection, and a powerhouse AB will send it packing!

{{{{hugs}}}}

krazyaboutkatz

07-15-2008, 08:37 PM

Poor Shilo.:( I also hope that it's nothing more than a stubborn infection in his ankle. I'll keep him in my thoughts and prayers.

jazzcat

07-16-2008, 08:29 AM

Poor Shilo.

More prayers on the way.

Thanks for the updates Jen.

jennielynn1970

07-16-2008, 09:07 AM

Poor Shilo. He'll be in my thoughts.

jenluckenbach

07-16-2008, 03:25 PM

I am going to pick up Shilo now.

The report:

No fracture in the ankle and no "OBVIOUS" tumor (via the xray)

Elevated white cell count.

No fluid in the joint to biopsy, only "soft tissue swelling".

We are to give clavamox for 7 days. If improvement seen, continue for 7 more days. If no improvement, we'll need to try another stategy. (not sure what)

gotta go get my boy. :love:

mamaducky

07-16-2008, 05:04 PM

I think it's a really good thing that the x-rays didn't show up anything in the way of an "obvious" tumor -- and a nasty infection, while certainly uncomfortable and unpleasant, wouldn't be so bad if the new antibiotic can knock it out.

Hugs to you and Shilo, and lots of positive energy in your direction!

All the best,
Diana

jenluckenbach

07-16-2008, 05:56 PM

He's home, he's hungry. :)

Oh, and he also has an anit-immflammatory drug. Metacam. For 5 days.

Catty1

07-16-2008, 10:13 PM

Awwww....hungry boy! :)

Give him a hug and cuddle for me, and a kissie on his forehead!:love:

Emeraldgreen

07-16-2008, 10:46 PM

I'm glad to hear that it isn't a fracture and that they didn't see a tumor! I hope he feels better soon. The Metacam is great because it's also a pain reliever in addition to an anti-inflammatory so hopefully he will feel more comfortable soon. :)

krazyaboutkatz

07-17-2008, 12:38 AM

I hope that his meds will do the trick. I'll continue to keep him in my thoughts and prayers.

catmandu

07-18-2008, 09:55 AM

WE ARE SORRY WE MISSED THIS JEN.
WE ARE SENDING PRAYERS TO SHILO, THAT THE CLAVAMOX WORKS AND SHILO IS WELL AGAIN:love::cool::D:)

kittykatharine

07-21-2008, 11:33 PM

That is so great it is not fracture and that their wasn't any tumor seen. Great news! Hopefully this new antibiotic and anti-inflammatory meds will do the trick. Yea for Shilo! :love:

jenluckenbach

07-22-2008, 05:12 AM

Well, today is 1 week of clavamox, so I need to report to the vet. I am unsure how we will continue.

The swelling seems gone and the limp is MUCH better, but the swollen lymph nodes in the rear legs have not reduced in size. So....YES, there was improvement......we shall see.

Catty1

07-22-2008, 10:01 AM

Jen, I hope that the swollen lymph nodes are still swollen as they clean out the infection - as you know, that's the job of the lymph system.

When I was in my teens, I was prone to a lot of throat infections. When I was about 14, my mom noticed a worrisome lump on the back of my neck. My dad made a preliminary inquiry with the doc at his job - the doc asked if I had just had an illness, and I had had another throat infection. It had been gone for several days. The doc said it was likely a lymph node/gland cleaning up the dregs, and to watch it...it should disappear in a week.

I hope this is Shilo's situation - it was a stubborn infection, so might be taking a long time for the lymph "bouncers" to throw all the garbage out!

Prayers for you and Shilo.:)

kittykatharine

07-22-2008, 12:28 PM

That is great news that the the swelling and everything looks better! I agree with Catty1, that hopefully it is the lymph nodes just cleaning out all the yucky stuff from the system. I am still thinking about you and sweet Shilo! :D

Catty1

07-22-2008, 08:36 PM

Any news, Jen? You changed the title of the thread to add "Getting better.", so I hope that tells the story, and your vet is not too worried.

HUGS to Shilo - keep getting better, sweetheart!:love:

Hugs and prayers to you, Jen.:)

jenluckenbach

07-23-2008, 05:16 AM

Shilo will be getting the 2nd week of clavamox. Then we will see if his lymph nodes' swelling goes down.

He appears to still have a slight limp, but the ankle is definitely not swollen any longer.

kittykatharine

07-25-2008, 03:47 PM

Hang in there Shilo! Well, I am hoping that Shilo is doing better and that the lymph node swelling is gone. I am rooting for the little guy. Please keep us updated on how Shilo is doing! :love::love::love:

jenluckenbach

07-30-2008, 05:21 AM

the clavamox is done and the lymph nodes are still big. On to the next step......prednisone.........and report back to the vet in a week.

catmandu

07-30-2008, 09:39 AM

Y.LEE :love:D THE PET ANGELS VISITORS :love::love:SQUAD :love:ARE COMING TO COMFORT SHILO AND HELP HIM FEEL BETTER.
THEY WILL BRING SNACKS AND WARM SAND FROM SANTO DOMINGO, AND JOIN IN OUR PRAYERS THAT SHILO WILL BE BETTER SOON!!:love::love::love:

Emeraldgreen

07-30-2008, 12:08 PM

Prayers going out to Shilo that they get to the bottom of the swollen lymph nodes. I hope the prednisone will help. :)

kittykatharine

07-30-2008, 06:38 PM

Shilo is still in my thoughts and prayers! How is he doing? Hopefully the prednisone is helping in shrinking those lymph nodes. Prednisone is a great drug in making helping decrease swelling and increasing appetite. Hopefully it will make Shilo feel better! :love::love::love:

krazyaboutkatz

07-30-2008, 08:19 PM

Jen, I'm sorry to hear that Shilo's lymph nodes are still swollen.:( I sure hope that the pred will help him. Lots of prayers and positive thoughts are being sent his way.

jenluckenbach

08-12-2008, 08:29 PM

OK< Shilo saw the vet again tonight. His ankle swelling is almost gone and the limp is minimal. And even though I can't feel a reduction in the lymph nodes (in his legs) the vet feels they are smaller. This is good news because as he said, "Cancer doesn't get smaller."

On the other side of the coin, his mouth is causing some pain again . :( The few tiny teeth he has left are leaving his gums red and sore. So he got a depo shot tonight. For previous experience, this will help him.

krazyaboutkatz

08-12-2008, 09:10 PM

Thanks for the update. I'm glad to hear that his ankle swelling has gone down and that he can walk much better.:) Hopefully the lymph nodes will become even smaller.

I also hope that his mouth won't cause him too much pain. Maybe he'll need to have the rest of his teeth extracted. I'll keep him in my thoughts and prayers.

Catty1

08-12-2008, 11:05 PM

Glad the lymph nodes are smaller...that must be one heck of an infection they are cleaning out of him!

I hope his gums feel better soon...maybe the dep might help the nodes also?

Hugs and scritchies for that boy! :love:

jenluckenbach

08-13-2008, 05:22 AM

Glad the lymph nodes are smaller...that must be one heck of an infection they are cleaning out of him!

I forgot to add that the vet says that it is all together possible that he simply has larger nodes than average.

...maybe the dep might help the nodes also?

I did not think of this........maybe! :) :) :)

Emeraldgreen

08-13-2008, 12:12 PM

jenluckenbach

08-13-2008, 02:31 PM

Good news that Shilo's ankle swelling is down and the limp is reduced as well. I hope the depo shot helps reduce the inflammation in his gums so he is more comfy. Does it seem that these remaining teeth are infected?
No infection, just inflamation and reddening of the gums. The teeth that are left are the tiny ones up front and maybe 1 small one way in the back.
Shilo has had to put up with flare ups for quite a while, he'll be fine (mouth wise).