Calloway's eating!! update 12/2

[jennielynn1970]

Well, I took Calloway into the vet because he was wheezing really badly. With working 2 jobs I didn't really notice it, but being out on sabbatical I've been able to really see what these guys do all day. He sounded horrible!

So, off to Dr. Hess we went. I knew she wasn't going to be happy because of his weight. He's like a bowling ball with legs. :rolleyes: I've tried low cal foods, indoor foods, EVO, California Natural. You name it, I tried it. Nothing has been working, and Cal had managed to GAIN 1 1/2lbs. Not good.

I did notice that he was visiting the litterbox downstairs more often than he should be, and the water dish was being emptied quicker. So, I tell Dr. Hess and she decides to do a glucose test. Not good. 369. Not sure what normal is for a cat, but she was not happy with this number. She did say that with food and weight loss it may be manageable. If it had been higher she would have recommended insulin injections. :( I'm not a needle person, so I hope this does not happen.

So, now I have to go from free feeding 8 cats down to feeding everyone 2xs a day and making sure Calloway only eats his Purina DM food. He does seem to like it, which I'm happy about. Although I've never seen him turn his nose up to any food, which may account for the portly stature he's acquired. ;)

One thing that cracked me up yesterday was when I was driving home. Calloway was crashed out in his carrier, not paying attention to anything. I pull up to McDonalds for a Sweet Tea (I'm addicted to their tea... but ONLY the tea, lol). Calloway perks up immediately! I'm at the window paying for the tea, and he's meowing at the woman and trying to poke through the crate! I'm thinking that where ever he was before I fostered him, and you can tell he was a beat up stray (his ears are so tattered), he definitely made friends with people at fast food windows, lol. The lady was talking to him, and you could tell he just wanted her to hand over a chicken sandwich, lol.

Anyway.. send some good thoughts out for Calloway so that he can get his glucose down, lose some weight (he was about 19 1/2 lbs at the vet :o), and his asthma calms down. I think the asthma is kicking up because the furnace is on now too.

I'll have to get a full length picture of Calloway so you can see all his chubbiness, lol.

[Medusa]

I'll bet that was a sight to see. I can just picture him chowing down on a chicken sandwich. Well, here's hoping that his glucose level goes down as well as his weight. No more sick kitties. We've had enough o' that stuff now. :)

[jennielynn1970]

Pics of my big boy from the past few months

http://i162.photobucket.com/albums/t261/jenn_librarian/Callowaymeatloaf.jpg

http://i162.photobucket.com/albums/t261/jenn_librarian/HPIM0866.jpg

http://i162.photobucket.com/albums/t261/jenn_librarian/Calloway4.jpg


Calloway when he first came to me, and actually fit behind the fridge, lol.
http://i162.photobucket.com/albums/t261/jenn_librarian/calsnoe.jpg

[Medusa]

Gosh, Calloway looks like my RB Peeka. She was a tuxie w/the same marking on her face except that her moustache was black. She had quite the temper and w/the black moustache I sometimes called her Adolph. Not nice, I know. She became a little watermelon on legs, just like Calloway and when she walked, her udders swung back and forth. She never did lose the weight until she suddenly became ill w/acute renal failure. Maybe chubbiness is a tuxie thing. Anyhow, Calloway is a hottie. Is he a snuggler? Peeka would knead my tummy for 30 minutes or more. Keep us posted on this handsome hunk. :love:

[jennielynn1970]

Cal and Zach both are my snugglers, lol. I love them!

[Moesha]

My Morgan was over 19 pounds and his sugar level was over 300 also. He went on insulin shots though. We started at 8 units once a day. Then I think it was 5 twice a day. Progressively we worked our way down unit by unit. He was put on Purina DM also. I've only given him the dry food though. He would get a small teaspoon of canned food, usually Nine Lives Tuna Select because it is very low in carbs with his insulin injection. I am so not a needle person either. But after a time or two, it wasn't a big deal for me or for him. Of course he just wanted the wet food. He would come and tell me when it was time for the insulin. Anyway, the diet worked and he hasn't had to have insulin for 2 years. I just keep strict watch on what he eats. The last time he was at the vet's office, they said he had lost a pound, which was a good thing. Although I am skeptical because they weighed him on a different scale. Everytime they've used this one scale all my animals have lost weight. But whatever. Morgan had been strictly rationed Science Diet Light catfood for years and would gain weight everytime he went in for a checkup. The DM is the only food that he hasn't gained weight while eating. Anyway, the point of my post was to say that I've been where you are plus with insulin injections and it is possible to have diet control the diabetes. My vet doesn't worry if the sugar level is in the mid 100s. He says that the stress of being at the vet causes the sugar levels to be a little on the high side anyway and as long as I don't notice him drinking or urinating excessively not to worry. Feel free to ask any questions you can think of though.

[Taz_Zoee]

I already told you this, but she looks like my friends RB Groucho with the reverse mustache.

He must be a small framed cat. Because my Tazmo got to 21 1/2lbs and never looked round, fat. He was just BIG, all over. And he never slowed down either. He could still jump onto a window sill, or a counter or table. One vet said I had three cats. I didn't get it at first. But he said the average weight for a cat is 7lbs. I couldn't imagine a 7lbs cat. But I think I'll have one, Paizly.

Well, I hope you can get Cal's glucose under control without injections. Best of luck to you, LOL. :D

[Emeraldgreen]

Calloway is one handsome guy! He looks very huggable. :)
I'm sorry that he has been diagnosed with diabetes. Moesha's post sounds really hopeful and maybe diet will be enough to lower his blood sugar. Do you think the litter dust might be contributing to his asthma? I always wonder about that with Jim. Prednisilone is supposed to be helpful for asthma and thankfully is cheap. At one time I got a puffer for him that the vet prescribed and a baby chamber thing to dispense it to him. They make ones for cats but they are more expensive. I stopped using it though because he got kind of freaked out by the chamber thing.
I hope he starts feeling better soon and that he likes his new diet. :)

[jennielynn1970]

Do you think the litter dust might be contributing to his asthma? I always wonder about that with Jim. Prednisilone is supposed to be helpful for asthma and thankfully is cheap. At one time I got a puffer for him that the vet prescribed and a baby chamber thing to dispense it to him. They make ones for cats but they are more expensive.

I hope he starts feeling better soon and that he likes his new diet. :)

I have been using the crystal type litter for the past 3-4 months, and I think it's less dusty. Maybe not though?? I think everything gets dusty as it breaks down.

The vet said she can't put him on any steriod with the diabetes, so the asthma med is something other than pred. I think it has been helping because I haven't heard him do the coughing/gagging noise since the meds, and when he wheezed, it was time for the next dose. I'll have to find the name of it. It's something with a T, lol.

[columbine]

Well, let me tell you 'bout Calloway the moocher
He was a great big cuddly smoocher
He used to live out on the street
But Calloway could always get goodies to eat.

He hung around at the drive-up window
The fast food servers could not tell him no
A chicken sandwich would make him purr
'Til everyone could pet pretty Calloway's fur.

Purrdy purrdy purrdy purr,
Purrdy purrdy purrdy meow!

He got so good at mooching goodies
He saw no point in slowing down, why would he?
He got so big he started to wheeze
And hauling all that weight was getting hard on the knees.

The whitecoat said, "Put him on a diet."
Jenn had a full house, but she said she'd try it
Now all the cats get fed twice a day
And Calloway is going to spend some more time at play.

Purrdy purrdy purrdy purr,
Purrdy purrdy purrdy meow!

[lvpets2002]

:love: Calloway your such a Bigg Adorable Baby.. How are you doing?? I hope all is getting better with you.. Yup I can just see the abuss your getting with meowmom not feeding you & you not getting extra attention.. Right!!:D

[jennielynn1970]

He sounded so good yesterday, no coughing attacks at all.

Now today, 3 coughing attacks so far this morning. :( He's had one pill for the asthma already, and I don't want to give another till later on today. He was coughing and coughing, and then just laid on his side and is resting.

I have a humidifier I can put on, and put him in my bedroom with it. It's not a warm mist one though, I don't think. I got it last year, and it works nicely, at least it did for me.

Any thoughts??


Oh, the feedings are going ok. I just have a few that are not thrilled that they have to eat when I say so. Honey is rebelling and peed on the floor already. ARGH. Not happy with him. He does do the spite peeing. I bought a bag of Royal Canin Special for the others, it's supposed to be good for sensitive digestions, and no one has thrown up from it, thankfully. The last stuff I got was barf city. I don't think Honey is thrilled with this food, but until I get a bag of Indoor from my vet, he's stuck eating it. He's a barfer anyway. So many sensitive stomachs.

[Medusa]

Have you tried Science Diet I/D for the barfers? So far it's worked really well for the Fur Posse and they seem to like it, too.

[jennielynn1970]

He seems to like the Purina DM. Like I said, he doesn't seem fussy about food at all, lol.


The other kitties are eating Royal Canin Special. So far, that seems to be accepted by them, except for Honey. He's not fond of it. He just wants to be fed ALL canned food. He's fussy. He only gets canned 2-3xs a week, and only a small portion, otherwise his poop is all runny. Not fun to clean up when he misses the box.

[Emeraldgreen]

Now today, 3 coughing attacks so far this morning. :( He's had one pill for the asthma already, and I don't want to give another till later on today. He was coughing and coughing, and then just laid on his side and is resting.
I have a humidifier I can put on, and put him in my bedroom with it. It's not a warm mist one though, I don't think. I got it last year, and it works nicely, at least it did for me.
Any thoughts??


You might want to try an air filter to see if it helps Calloway. I bought one for Jimmy and it does help. It is a Honeywell and is about 2 feet tall and 6 inches wide so it doesn't take up too much space. It has three settings on it and clears a room in a few minutes and the air is so fresh. I was really amazed at the difference in a room before and after turning it on. It might help if he is reacting to the furnace. It cost about 80.00 at the hardware store.

Do cats get collapsed tracheas? Out of nowhere our dog Muddy started coughing and it went on all day. They did xrays and diagnosed him with that. He was put on the cough suppressent Torbutrol for weeks and we're slowly weaning him off it. The vet said that each time he coughed, he was irritating his trachea so it wouldn't heal and the irritated trachea is what made him cough. The Torbutrol kept him from coughing for long enough so his trachea could heal. I'm just wondering if cats get this? I'm not sure. :confused:

I hope that your big beautiful guy will be feeling better soon!! Please squeeze him for me.

[jennielynn1970]

Holy cow... I have a brand new (well, a few months old) Honeywell sitting right in the middle of the living room. Turned off. Duh.

Guess I should stop walking around it and turn it on, lol.

There's a filter on the furnace, but that definitely needs to be changed. Another one of those things that I keep forgetting to do. Ugh.

He's been good today. No hacking, no coughing, scampering around on his stubby little legs, lol. He's been a good boy and has been eating all of his DM food!!

Of course Honey is refusing to eat at any prescribed time and is staring at me, beseechingly, as if I'm purposely starving him. :rolleyes:

[Catlady711]

I'm glad Calloway's meds seem to be helping the coughing. Sorry to hear his blood glucose was so high. That is common in overweight pets, but cats are fortunate that sometimes with a strict diet and a gradual weight loss they can avoid insulin or decrease the amount of time they have to be on it. Dogs in contrast tend to have to stay on insulin for life.





One vet said I had three cats. I didn't get it at first. But he said the average weight for a cat is 7lbs. I couldn't imagine a 7lbs cat.

Back in the old days the avg. weight for cats was 7-8 lbs, however it's not uncommon now for some cats to be 15+ lbs and not be a bit overweight and for some to be as small as 5 lbs and not be underweight. I guess cat genetics are getting a wider range. Bear weights 16-17 lbs and he's not really fat. I had him down to 15 at one point but I didn't think he looked good although his vet isn't concerned about his weight as long as he stays between 15-17 lbs.



The vet said she can't put him on any steriod with the diabetes, so the asthma med is something other than pred. I think it has been helping because I haven't heard him do the coughing/gagging noise since the meds, and when he wheezed, it was time for the next dose. I'll have to find the name of it. It's something with a T, lol.

I'm guessing Temeril-P?? Small round gray pill?


Have you tried Science Diet I/D for the barfers?

I had always thought I/D was only for hospitalized animals or ones with severe digestive disorders for short term use only. I just looked it up on Hills website and it doesn't say anything about that it was the A/D I was thinking of. Hmmm. Learn something new every day. LOL;)


Do cats get collapsed tracheas? I'm just wondering if cats get this? I'm not sure. :confused:

I could be wrong on this, but as far as I know, cats can get that, but it's more common in dogs. I'll have to ask the boss on Monday on that one, because now I'm curious.

[jennielynn1970]

The med for the asthma is Theophylline (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Theophylline) 100mg.

[Catlady711]

The med for the asthma is Theophylline (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Theophylline) 100mg.


Ah ok I know that one, just can never pronounce it correctly. LOL When you said he was coughing the first thing I thought of was the Temeril-P.

[krazyaboutkatz]

Jenn, I'm sorry to hear about Calloway.:( Hopefully the new diet will make him lose the weight that he needs so that his diabetes can be controlled by diet.

When I first stopped free feeding, my cats weren't too thrilled either but they soon learned that they had to eat when I fed them. After about 1 week your cats should learn the routine and do better. I know that if I continued free feeding that Sky, Starr, and Ziggy Stardust would be extemely over weight by now. Good luck.:)

[jennielynn1970]

I'm actually happily relieved that no one has really decided to have a "mewtiny" (had to steal Medusa's word, lol). Honey is not happy, and so I've been feeding him separately some canned food and yoghurt. He's older, and grumpy, and I hate to see him looking so miserable. He loves yoghurt and sour cream, and laps it up happily. Of course it doesn't mean I get any extra loves from him, I'm just his servant... :rolleyes:

I was up at my mom and dad's yesterday, left my house around 1:00pm, got back home around 9:30pm. WOW!!! I had some very vocal kitties on my hands! They were fed around 8am, so it was a little over 12hrs that they weren't fed. Even with that, they were well behaved, no one gorged, and I can happily say, no one has thrown up on this new food (Royal Canin), and Calloway really enjoys his Purina DM. I really don't think there is much he would turn down, lol.

I have totally cut back on treats too. I feel bad, but oh well. I know that their having treats every night (and a decent amount as well :o) isn't good for them. I'll be giving them treats every few days, and just a few per kitty. It's also a help for the pocketbook. If I have to cut back, it might as well be the treats.

I'll have to schedule Cal for a check up next week or the week after. I hope it will be an improvement. I want to check his weight myself, before that. I do have a baby scale that I used for when my RB Bear was so sick, so I'll pull that back out (great steal on eBay back then!). Wish Calloway luck, and also me, because I do not want to do shots!

[Lizzie]

Jenn - Could the silica in the crystal cat litter be irritating his lungs?

I know that sooner or later I"m going to end up with a cat with diabetes and I must admit that I dread dealing with it. Good job that Calloway isn't on insulin and diet may really work for him.

I know what you mean about having one cat that's a bowling ball with legs, that describes my Taranis very well. A few years ago, when she'd only been with me for a year, and after trying low-cal diets and restricted feedings, I resorted to chasing her all over the house in an effort to make her lose weight. However, cats don't move if they don't want to, even if they have someone stomping their feet at their rear and yelling "Run, dammit, run".

[jennielynn1970]

Well, tomorrow at 11:15, Calloway and I have an appointment at the vet to see how well his diet is working, and if his glucose has come down at all. I'm hoping things have been working in his favor. I do think he's lost weight. He looks less round to me, lol. The scheduled feedings have been working really well, surprisingly, and the only ones having issues with wanting snacks in between feeding times are Zachariah and Furbee.

Keep Calloway in your thoughts please, and hope that his glucose has come down and that he won't need insulin!

[Moesha]

Morgan and I are hoping for good numbers for him in the morning. Can he eat before the checkup? When they were checking Morgan's sugar levels he could never eat or have insulin in the morning before the test. Now they tell me he can eat, but I always try to get him there first thing without having food.

[jennielynn1970]

They never said not to eat, but I can give him just a little really early.. like 6am. He won't be happy about it, lol, but if it's better for his numbers, we'll definitely do that.

[Reachoutrescue]

I really hope it is good news for Calloway tomorrow! He is a handsome cat. I hope his wheezing stops too...poor guy. Please give him a head scratchie for me!!

[Catty1]

Calloway, praying here for good news and that you are on the right track! :love::love: Give him a cuddle for me!:D

[Moesha]

All I know is that eating makes sugar go up. They always Morgan to eat when he got the insulin shots. I think that was supposed to help prevent a sudden drop. I ask them about it now and they said that it didn't matter if he's eaten or not really. They said that if it is going to be high it will be high any time of day. I don't quite understand the reasoning behind that, so I try to go before he has eaten. Maybe if he eats several hours before the tests it won't make much difference.

[Emeraldgreen]

I hope Calloway's appointment goes really well and that his weight and his glucose are both down! Please let us know how it turns out. :)

[jenluckenbach]

I was wondering about Cal. Hope things are improving for him.

[Medusa]

We'll definitely keep fingers and paws crossed here for Calloway that he doesn't need insulin, Jenn. :)

[Taz_Zoee]

Any news on Mr Cal yet??

[jennielynn1970]

Back from the vet with some not so happy news for Calloway. His fasting glucose this AM was 412. Higher than it was last time. :( Dr. Hess is doing more bloodwork, to check everything on him to make sure there isn't anything else going on.

He has been more lethargic and not eating much at all the past few days. I was actually taking his little bowl of crunchies up to my bed for him because he was sleeping there most of the time. This is NOT typical Calloway behavior.

While he lost 2lbs, it's too much, too quickly. :( :( I was doing the scheduled feedings gradually with him, because they said they didn't want him to loose too much too fast, but it seems he did any way.

So, tomorrow we go back to the vet. He gets dropped off in the AM, and I pick him up after 7pm. He is going to be started on insulin, and I have to learn how to administer it.

Let's just say that I'm not good with needles. I told my parents before, I would never be a drug addict that injects because I'd pass out before I did anything and another druggie would steal my stash, lol. I'm a wimp when it comes to needles and blood. Ugh.

I will learn to do this for Calloway, because he is just a wonderful boy, and has just stolen my heart in the time he has been here.

Please say some prayers for my special guy, in hopes that we can get his diabetes under control and then maybe he won't have to stay on the insulin. I can always hope, can't I?

[lvpets2002]

:love: Oh No Jenn & Calloway.. Now lets think really positive.. However I am like you Jen = is I cant handle needles && trying to give shots.. Hey if thats what we need to do then I know you can do it for Calloway.. Calloway we are all sending lots of Positive Vibes & Prayers that we get this diabetes under control with insulin.. Also sending lots of Whisker Kissess & Huggss..

[krazyaboutkatz]

Jenn, I'm sorry to hear that Calloway's glucose level was so high and that he hasn't been eating well lately.:( I hope that the insulin will be able to get his diabetes under control. I'll keep him in my thoughts and prayers.

[Medusa]

Oh darn it anyhow! I was hoping for better news but we'll deal w/what is. You'll learn how to do the injections w/out a hitch, Jen. If you can handle school kids, you can handle a silly needle. (I wouldn't be able to handle the school kids.) I never thought I'd be able to administer subQ treatments to Puddy either but after a while it became second nature to me. If it's any consolation, my mother was on insulin and later was able to go off the injections entirely. I don't know if the same thing can apply to cats but, as you say, we can hope, can't we? Hang in there and know that you and Calloway are never far from my thoughts and are always in my prayers. Keep the faythe. :love:

[Moesha]

When Morgan was diagnosed with diabetes I thought my heart would stop, especially since this came only a couple of months after losing my dear Simone to congestive heart failure. Diabetes is a very treatable condition though. The insulin shots are not bad at all! I promise and I hate needles too. And there is NO BLOOD! The needles are so small that neither cat I've given shots to has acted like they even cared they got the shot. It is just given in the back of the neck. You don't have to find a vein or anything difficult like that. It is really not bad at all. It sounds much worse than it is. I think Morgan's highest reading was 380something when he was started on the insulin and diet change. It took awhile but the numbers slowly came down. I hope all turns out well for Calloway.

[GILL]

Well it's not hard to give the insulin. I am deathly afriad of needles, but giving a shot to someone else NO PROBLEM. The love of my life PATCHES had to have her shot every morning my wife or I did this for almost 16 years. Right now I am trying to control myself with diet, so I don't need the shots.
So I hope it all works out for you & Calloway.

[Medusa]

Yes, that's right; I forgot to mention that the needles are of such thin gauge that Calloway probably won't even notice. They're not at all like the heavy gauge needles that I had to use for Puddy's subQ's. We're w/ya, Jenn. :love:

[Reachoutrescue]

Oh, Jenn, I am so sorry to hear this. You and Calloway will be in our prayers. Get better fellow...we are all pulling for you.

[Catlady711]

Sorry to hear Calloway's glucose went up. Hopefully they'll get the dose of insulin he needs narrowed down quickly and he'll be feeling better soon.

It's not that hard to give insulin shots. We've had MANY a client come in terrified of needles or giving shots, and a week or two later and they're old pro's at it and say it's not as big of a deal as they thought. You'll get the hang of it quickly, and get over your nervousness after a few times. Usually the vet will have you come in and give the shot there a couple times to make sure you can do it correctly and help if you have any questions.

[Emeraldgreen]

Oh gosh Jenn, I'm sorry to hear about Calloway's glucose level still being so high. Barney got the same results with his blood test today and was started on insulin too. :( The vet gave him his first dose in front of me and I swear, he didn't even blink. The needle is so short and skinny. She showed me how to tent the skin between his shoulders and then gently slide the needle in. I'm not a needle person either but we can do this! LOL

I'm hoping that Calloway and maybe even Barney can be weaned off the insulin as Moesha's cat was. That gives me hope. :)

I hope he starts eating more soon. Maybe he will once his blood sugar evens out? Prayers and hugs for big beautiful Calloway. :love:

[gini]

Jenn, all I can add is that I will say prayers for you and Calloway. I am just so sorry that you are going through this with all that you do for your fur family.

[Catty1]

Jenn - I may be incorrect with this, but I THINK Moesha's Morgan either had his insulin reduced or is off it due to diet.

Calloway may yet improve as he continues to slim down...and if he gets some more energy, he'll move around a bit more.

From what folks say here, the needles are tiny...and Calloway may not always need the insulin.

Prayers for that lovely boy!:love: And for you! :)

[Moesha]

You are correct Catty1. Morgan's insulin went from 5 units twice a day and was gradually reduced over a period of time to where his diabetes is controlled by diet, Purina DM. The vet told me that some cats do get to come off of the insulin. It has been a couple years now so I don't remember the exact percentage that he told me, but I think it was around 30% give or take a little.

[jennielynn1970]

He's been at the vet all day getting the baseline established. He refused to eat for me this AM, but when I called and checked on him this afternoon, they said he's doing great, loving on the techs (not surprised, lol), and had eaten for them.

I get to pick him up and get training on administering the insulin at 7:30pm tonight.


Oh, I was picking up food for the rest of my cats today (Royal Canin Special 33), and the place had Fromm's canned food on sale 50% off. It was only .87 for a large cat food can! I almost fell over!! I bought a bunch of them, thinking they'll be nice as a treat for them (I bought all the cans of the "pate" that they had sitting out). I'm wondering if they are low on the glycemic index since they are mostly meat, high protein.

I know Lara said Merrick is low in the glycemic index, and I have to find a shop that carries that brand around here to try that for Calloway. He LOVES canned food, although they only ever get it about 2-3xs a week. Any more than that and I have kitties with runny poop. Not fun!

[jennielynn1970]

Geez, i'm telling you, when it rains, it pours!!

I go back to pick up Calloway, and am told that his blood work came in that they drew yesterday. Sigh.

There's an infection somewhere, so Calloway is on amoxicillan and Cipro. He's got something going on with his liver enzymes (they are over 700, and should be under 100). He's not jaundiced, but he could go into liver failure if he doesn't eat.

Doesn't eat. This is the cat that was told to lose weight. :eek: :(

So, I have to make sure he eats, and eats anything (he got a can of Fromm's pate tonight, and was eating away when I last checked). The vet said it doesn't matter what he eats, as long as he eats. She wants to make sure he makes it through whatever he's going through so that he can handle the insulin. She's not sure if it's from him being diabetic or if it's isolated from that.

His thyroid is also low.

So, for now we're doing the amoxicillan and cipro, he is getting 2 units of insulin in the AM and 1unit in the PM. He goes back on Monday for a glucose check and we'll check to see that what his other levels are in about 10 to 15 days. If he's not eating, she wants him on a liver medicine and an appetite stimulant.

I also have to call every day and let them know if he's eating or not.

I did a get a copy of his bloodwork so that I can look at it, and also see what else is going on (love the bold to tell you what's high/low), and so that I can tell the shelter what is going on.

Keep Calloway in your prayers please. He's going to need them!

[jenluckenbach]

Dear Calloway, I am so sorry this is happening to you. :( :(

While I can't even speculate what the infection might be, let's hope the liver enzymes are bad because of his NOT eating.

Oh, and actually, the cipro IS an appetite stimulant.

Prayers for you, dear boy.

[Emeraldgreen]

Wow, Calloway has ALOT going on! :( I hope that he continues to eat the way he has been today. The Merrick food comes in regular and in low glycemic and the cans look identical except for a small yellow star on the bottom right that says 'low glycemic'. I accidentally bought a couple last time that were regular and had to return them. It comes in at least a half dozen flavours and Barney goes mental for them. His absolute favourite is Cowboy Cookout. Yesterday I was dishing some up and my husband said "are you giving him some Blazing Saddles?" LOL Anyway, I hope that Calloway will like the flavours if you can find some. I did show a can to the vet yesterday and she looked at all the ingredients. She said it was pretty good but she wished there weren't pototaoes included because I guess starches aren't good. But she said all in all it was fairly good. And, it's alot cheaper than the Purina DM canned.


I wonder if his previous weight gain was due to the Hypo thyroidism. I'm pretty sure that is one of the symptoms.

Lots of prayers being sent for tuxie Calloway. :love:

[Medusa]

Oh goodness, Jenn, what next? Calloway, you're scaring everybody. Well, we'll just pump up the volume on the prayers and move you to the top of the list since everyone else seems to be holding their own. You and Barney and Gary, the 3 amigos are all sharing top billing. C'mon now, no more surprises unless they're good ones! :love:

[Taz_Zoee]

OH Calloway, I am hoping you get better soon.

Jennie, how are you doing with giving him his shots?

Hugs to you and Calloway!!

[jennielynn1970]

Well, he seemed good all night. slept with me and was a cuddle bug as usual.

This morning... he's not wanting to eat too much. He seems to prefer the juice from the canned food, although he at a bit of the Fromm's canned. I opened a can of tuna and put the juice and some of the mushy tuna in a bowl for him. He was sipping on that a little bit. No dry food this AM though. I'll have to go out a little later on after the kids in the area are all in school and the rush hour traffic dies down. Will see what kind of canned food i can find to tempt him. Dr. Hess mentioned boiled chicken as well. I'll see if I can find any cold cuts for him too, cause he always like smoked turkey from my hoagies.

Wish me luck, I gotta get him to eat this weekend. I've never done forced feedings, and I am so freaked out I'm going to upset him and then he'll just hate me and not eat anything at all. He's getting pissy with me because I have to give him so many meds. Between the asthma/wheezing med, the cipro, and amoxi, then the injections... poor boy must think I'm just here to torture him. :(

[Medusa]

I remember how Puddy was when it was med time. She'd let out this cry that sounded like "Nooooo!" I felt awful but she always forgave me in short order. Let's hope that Calloway is just as forgiving. You'll get over this hump soon, Jen, once he gets used to med time plus he won't need to be on all of them forever, maybe not even the insulin at some point. How's he doing today? And how are you?

[jennielynn1970]

He's being Mr. Fussy Pants. Never ever was he a fussy eater, but NOW he decides that he wants to be fussy. Does he want to eat the $$$ canned Fromms? No, just the juice please, says Calloway. I put the cipro in the juice, mixed in a little of the pate, what does he do??? Walks the other way! Ok. Let's try some more tuna. Ummmm... no thanks says Calloway.

What does he end up munching on? Friskies/Purina Favorites (it's in that purple bag... I have it for the stray outside :rolleyes:). Well, the vet did say as long as he eats, she doesn't care what. Okie dokie! He went to town on that stuff.

I'm still going to go grab some more canned food. Will try the market selects, since those seem to be popular with sick kitties. I'll wait till the shopping rush is over (I hate shopping when it's crowded), and go later in the afternoon when it's died own. Gotta get the coupons in order too.

I just want him to eat. He ate treats too. Not many, just like 4-5 of the Pounce chicken drumsticks. The insulin went ok this AM. He didn't make a peep. I rubbed him, and have him the treats afterward, so I'm hoping he felt better with that, lol.

Honey is now eating the Fromm''s left overs. He loves his canned food. I doubt the Cipro will harm him, he can eat all he needs to as well. He gets fussy at times and only wants canned. My old guy. Gotta make sure he's well too. He loves the market selects, lol.

[Moesha]

The insulin will help no matter what Calloway is eating. I cat sit for a diabetic kitty. His "mom", who is in her 80s and is like talking to a brick wall sometimes, won't regulate his food or change it from Nine Lives so something higher in protein. He's doing well on his 4 units twice a day. Even though it makes me so mad, I am happy that she will at least buy him the insulin. Also, with the shots, the more nervous you are, the more Calloway will be nervous. So I like what you said you did about just rubbing him when giving him the insulin. Just make it an enjoyable experience and he won't notice. After a few more days, you won't notice either! Glad that there is something Calloway will eat!

[Emeraldgreen]

Yay, he's eating! It might not be the ideal diet but at least he's finally getting something in him and hopefully it will help get him back on track. And maybe like Moesha wrote, it might not be as important (what kind of food) once they are on the insulin? That would be great.
Sounds like you've got the shots down pretty good. I'm still working on my technique. lol Yesterday was a disaster but today went much better.
I hope that the insulin starts to kick in and that Calloway shows improvement soon. Please give him a squeeze for me. :love:

[jennielynn1970]

What a trooper this boy is! He's been eating really well, and is SOOOOO good about letting me give him his insulin. He's gotten the routine down and knows that after he gets an injection, if he jumps up onto the window seat in the kitchen, he gets some Temptations, lol. Not a ton, just a few. I just think it makes him think of the injections as he's getting something good out of them. I've had to stop him from rolling over on to his back for belly rubs during the injections, lol. :rolleyes: He's such a goofball!

He's had much more energy as well, and has been running around the house again, and being so much more alert and happy looking. I'm hoping that this keeps up.

I do have to get him back for a glucose check. Hopefully the dose he is at will be good.

[Medusa]

Now that's the kind of update that I like to read! Atta boy, Calloway! And you seem much calmer now, Jenn. Getting used to the regimen, eh? I knew you would. :)

[Emeraldgreen]

What an awesome update! :D You sound like a pro with those injections! And I'm so glad to hear that he is being such a good patient. It must be so rewarding to see him running around and having more energy. Please let us know how his glucose tests go when you bring him in.
Do you use the 30 unit BD syringes? I just discovered them at the pharmacy and the needle is alot shorter than the ones the vet gave me.

[jennielynn1970]

I think they're 40 unit syringes, Lara. We can't buy syringes at the pharmacy here unless we have a script. The 40 unit one is small though, so I'm happy about that. I still don't think I'd want to inject myself though, lol. I'm such a wuss.

[jennielynn1970]

Now that's the kind of update that I like to read! Atta boy, Calloway! And you seem much calmer now, Jenn. Getting used to the regimen, eh? I knew you would. :)

I do feel calmer, but I think that's a combination of things, lol.

[jenluckenbach]

OH, I am so glad he is eating and doing better. He really had us scared.

[krazyaboutkatz]

Jenn, this is wonderful news!!!:) I hope that his glucose levels are now down and that he'll continue to do well from now on.:)

[kittykatharine]

I hope Calloway is still donig well! Keep eating little guy! He is in my thoughts!:love::love::love:

[jennielynn1970]

Calloway has had much more energy and is eating like a champ, lol! He has maintained his weight at 17lbs, although his insulin level had to go up. We're still trying to regulate it. All in all, he's doing really well.

[kittykatharine]

That is great news Jen! I am so happy to hear he is doing well!!!

[Medusa]

Excellent news! Atta boy, Calloway!