ozzy and his rutin...

[ozzlou]

hi all,
i just got back from the vet. ozzy got tapped for another 220cc's. so he needs to start taking the rutin again. its only been 5 days since he got tapped.
he's still not coughing- but his respirations were over 50/minute.
my vet is going to call other vet hospitals for any suggestions on what to try next.
until then- i hardly take my eyes off him- and i think i've counted his respiratory rate 4 times since we got home 20 minutes ago.

please save some prayers for ozzy!!
thanks everyone.
tara

[K & L]

My thoughts are with both of you during this stressful time. Good luck!

[Prairie Purrs]

Poor guy! :( I hope he changes his mind about fighting the meds, and that your vet comes up with some good treatment options.

[slick]

Oh Dear here we go again. Prayers coming your way from all of us. Please keep us updated.

[ChrisH]

Prayers on their way for Ozzy.

[krazyaboutkatz]

Prayers and positive thoughts are on the way for Ozzy. Please keep us updated. Take care.

[Barbara]

Dear Ozzy, we send all our best thoughts and cross our paws for you! We hate meds too but it has to be sometimes!
Tigris and Filou

[ozzlou]

hi all,
thanks for the prayers- they really mean a lot!
today i picked up some rutin tablets, to crush in ozzy'z canned food. so far- he took the first dose- but i know ozzy well enough not to get my hopes up...he falls for a lot of things- once.
even still- i have more to work with now...if i need to, i can get one of those weird pill shooter things and try that.

i'm hopeful, but i'm not foolin myself either.
...such a stubborn boy...:rolleyes:

thanks again everyone!:D
tara

[slick]

I tried those pill-shooters but I'm not coordinated enough to hold kitty and open mouth with one hand and shoot pill with another. (I live alone and don't have a second pair of hands to help) I just grab, hold and shove it down with finger.

Be a good boy Ozzy and take your meds......

[ozzlou]

i'm alone here too, slick- my greyhound refuses to help me...
i have problems with opening the mouth, holding his squirmy chunky butt, and getting the syringe in his mouth as his head thrashes...i have liquid rutin all over my RENTED bathroom walls (rutin is very yellow:eek: )
so i'm hoping a tablet might be a lil easier now...i'm asking god for one more favor- and that's to not let ozzy know that its in his food so i won't have to worry about sitting on him and shoving it down his throat.

ozzy's brothers just eat whatever i give them...why OH why can't he just do that too...:confused:

take care
tara

[Cataholic]

Ozzy, please take your medicene!!!!! If it comes in pill form, can you crush it and mix it with tuna?

[ozzlou]

would you believe that my freak of a kitty does NOT like tuna!!!!!:eek:
he won't eat the sea food flavors of fancy feast either.
he digs the beef and gravy ones...chicken too...
what can i say...he is a strange boy:rolleyes:

he fits well with the family:D

tara

[Steffi N]

Maybe just get a whole bunch of different varieties, so there is enough time between varieties and he doesn't get familiar with the medicine taste in any one. I am sad for both of you and hope Ozzy improves.

[ozzlou]

hey, that's a good thought, steffi...
i've been giving him a variety- because i didn't want him getting bored with one flavor- but you're right- maybe he won't notice the medicine flavor that way either!

so far- he's been taking it- he likes the flavors with a lot of gravy, which is good for hiding meds...this is good- i hope it lasts!

thanks for thinking of us...you all are such a huge help!!!
tara

[kimlovescats]

Just wanted to let you know my thoughts and prayers are with your sweet Ozzy!!!! ;)

[K & L]

Originally posted by ozzlou
would you believe that my freak of a kitty does NOT like tuna!!!!!:eek:
he won't eat the sea food flavors of fancy feast either.
he digs the beef and gravy ones...chicken too...
what can i say...he is a strange boy:rolleyes:

he fits well with the family:D

tara

Catsnclay got their cat to take pills by putting them in baby food. May be worth a try?

[ozzlou]

i left work this a.m. to take mr. ozzy to the vet...he was breathing too fast last night, and he spent most of the day under the bed, so i went to work- long enough to pass meds and leave...
the vet tapped 90 cc's- which isn't horrible- in fact it decreased cuz tues it was 220. so its a good sign that the rutin is working.
so far keeping a variety of foods on hand is working. oh- i tried baby food before- he ate it once, but that was it.

so hopefully he won't need to be tapped again for a good while- pray! pray! pray!
take care-
tara

[slick]

How is Ozzy????

[ozzlou]

hi slick,
ozzy is still being very stubborn. i literally have every flavor of fancy feast-(excluding any sea food flavors). if i dare to give him the same flavor 2 times in a row- he won't eat it.
but for now, he is taking the rutin- and there is a definate improvement.
he hasn't been tapped in almost a whole week, and his breathing is slower and steady- for now.
so long as i stay a step ahead of him- which isn't easy- he's ok for now.
since this all started he's lost about 8 lbs- which the vet said is totally ok- since he started out at about 20lbs!:eek:
i'm sure losing a few is better for his breathing too.

i keep praying, i try my best to stay hopeful, and i give him lotsa love.

i appreciate everyone's support!!
tara

[slick]

Thanks for the update. We do get worried around here. Sounds like things are working out **fingers and toes crossed**. Have you got the Chicken & Liver flavour of FF?? My cats will wolf it down like they haven't eaten for weeks... haha Of course, they don't get it anymore since their are one low protein diets now.

What a picky little guy he is!! Do you have any pictures him??

[ozzlou]

lol...
we definately have the chicken liver flavor of fancy feast...i do believe it is a favorite of his too! i always keep a jar of beef gravy also,to add to any flavors that lack that something yummy...to make sure he gets most of the doses.
i truly don't know how he got so picky...but man alive- is it ever frustrating!!!!!:mad:

the only pics i have of him that are on the computer are the ones i posted already..."i finally figured it out, here are ozzy, louie and loki"
i have a roll in my camera now- but i have to get them put on a cd...i'm not all that computer savvy:o
i'll prolly get to post them next week...after the roll is done (i got a great one of my dog with his tounge hanging out...i dunno why i find that so hilarious!):D

thank you so much for caring...
tara

[Steffi N]

I am glad that Ozzy is taking his rutin and is doing better. With a devoted purrent like you I'm sure he will be okay. :)

[ozzlou]

well,
i got home last night to find that ozzy was breathing too fast again...so of all things we had to go to the er vet. it had to be done, and i'm thankful they exist- its just so incredibly expensive, and they insist on making their own diagnosis, so it costs even more!!!
luckily, my begging and pleading helped- i asked for them to not xray ozzy- i know what the problem is, he's got this- here are all my receipts, here's his medicine, see! his armpits are bare from being tapped so much...the vet was very nice and went right ahead and tapped him.
here is why i'm so sad...they only got 160 cc's. i'm no vet, but that says to me, that there is more scar tissue forming, making it even harder to breathe- which is why he can't tolerate that much fluid anymore. his respirations were 84/min when i got the the hosp- they shouldn't be more than 40. scar tissue never heals- even if he were to be cured. from what i've read, scar tissue is what ends up hurting the cat the most. (the fluid causes scar tissue). it just makes me sad...thinking of the worst...i guess its inevitable though.
sorry for the depressing update,
tara:(

[Nomilynn]

When Bassett had her surgery the vet said there was a lot of scar tissue, and although scar tissue doesn't heal, if the cat is cured, the lungs can find a way to "work around it" so to speak. So, don't give up all hope yet! I'm still praying for you and Ozzy

[HayleyRosie]

Tara, you and Ozzy are in my thoughts and prayers.

[slick]

Ozzlou: I'm so sorry you are having such a tough time of it. You are in my continued prayers. Please give little Ozzy kisses from me.

[krazyaboutkatz]

Prayers and positive thoughts are on the way. Please take care.

[ozzlou]

ozzy just isn't doing well at all.
i'm afraid i'm going to have to make a very difficult decision soon.
the illness is not resolving, and his breathing is becoming worse. if he were cured this minute- he may be able to deal with the scar tissue he already has, but the fact is- he continues to accumulate fluid- which builds more scar tissue.
its not fair to him. poor hunny just wants to be able to take a nice refreshing deep breath...but he can't.
he was tapped again tues, he'll be tapped again tomorrow.
he still doesn't look sick- but he's not playing, and sleeps under the bed a lot.
that's not ozzy.
my latest prayer, is that he'll just fall asleep- but that never happens. i just hope the answer will be clear to me, at the right time.
tara

[Steffi N]

Poor dear Ozzy. Tara, my heart goes out to both of you. I don't have any advice, but you know your friends at Pet Talk are here for you.

[HayleyRosie]

Tara, I'm so sorry to hear that Ozzy is still not well. When the time comes you will know the right thing to do. You are both in my thoughts and prayers.

[Tubby & Peanut's Mom]

I'm so sorry to hear Ozzy is not doing well. :( I hope and pray you will know when it's time, and will make the right decision for poor Ozzy. :(

[slick]

Oh Tara, I'm crying for you. I really hoped and prayed that it would have to come to this. Would you consider having the same type of operation that Bassett had?? Expensive, I know but at least maybe speak to the vet about it???? Hugs to you and kisses to Ozzy......

[ozzlou]

ozzy was just tapped for 360cc's.
he's feeling a bit better for now. i'm keeping a close eye on him, and praying a whole lot.
i wouldn't mind a miracle right now...
tara

[PayItForward]

Sorry, to hear how poorly Ozzy is. :(

Sending prayers and hugs to both of you.

Get well soon honey

[ozzlou]

well...
since ozzy was tapped friday, for that 360cc's...he seems a lot better, that spring in his step is back. he's just such a cool cat- he's got the best personality...so laid back, and cool...

i can't believe how close i was to making THAT decision...
deep down, i know it will eventually come to that- and when it does i will be devastated. this roller coaster ride is exausting though...not that i'm not very thankful he's feeling better, but- i'm just worn out.

i keep praying, and i guess its working for now!

thanks to everyone for all of your well-wishes and prayers! it always helps to get support from other animal lovers!!

tara

[Steffi N]

Glad to hear that Ozzy is better after being tapped. I hope he will be all right for a while. He sounds like a really sweet kitty.
Just take it one day at a time and cherish the good ones.

[HayleyRosie]

So gald to hear that Ozzy is feeling better. Prayers are still on the way for both of you.

[slick]

So glad to hear that Ozzy is doing better. Please keep us posted. Thanks for the PM, Tara. I completely understand.

[Nomilynn]

It's been a while.. how is Ozzy doing? :)

[Steffi N]

Yes, please let us know. Our hearts are with you.

[ozzlou]

hi you guys,

so far- he's doing well.
this passed friday, my vet office got their own ultrasound machine- and asked to borrow ozzy for them to learn on...since they know his problem he's good to learn from, and its the least we could do...not to mention it was a free ultrasound!
they found some fluid near his heart, so they went ahead and tapped him for about 150cc's. cool thing is- that he wasn't really breathing badly, so that's encouraging.
his spirits are definately up compared to a couple weeks ago! (so are mine;) )
he looks so slim now...he's about 12.7 lbs...when this all started he was pushing 20! so that probably helps too...
thanks for thinking of us,
tara

[Tubby & Peanut's Mom]

That's great that they got their own ultra-sound - and Ozzy got a free test out of it! :)

It's so good to hear he's doing well. Hope it continues, and with the help of the new ultra-sound, hopefully they'll be able to keep tabs on the fluid better for you.

Smoochies to Ozzy for being such a good boy through all this - except when he refuses to take his medicine that is. ;) :D

[Steffi N]

Thank you Tara for the good news about Ozzy. I hope he continue to do well. I am happy for both of you.

[Nomilynn]

Sounds like things are going ok for now :) Please keep us posted. :)

[slick]

Tara, thanks for the update. All fingers and paws crossed there that everything continues to go well.

[ozzlou]

http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid72/p6cf23a80965a1c3f6e7cb6b48a6a1ce9/fb8577bc.jpg

http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid72/p4f5a43f68505a1ed4c74ce20b7ff5ac9/fb8577bf.jpg

http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid72/p8ca42ba950ba23a401f0f734cf2442c4/fb8577c4.jpg

hi everyone,
i thought i'd post a few pics of ozzy.(and louie)
he's refusing his meds again...i've decided not to fight him. we went through a period where he wouldn't let me pet him- i can't handle that. so, whatever happens, happens. maybe in a few days he'll take them...
take care all,
tara

[slick]

Ozzy, what's going on with you?? Don't you know that those meds are to make you healty??? You shouldn't treat your Meowmie that way. She loves you (as we all do) and wants you to get better. Please please be good....

Tara I'm so sorry you've been going through such a tough time. I can't image how stressful it must be for you. Praying that you find some peace in all this.....

BTW Ozzy, you are one handsome dude! And Louie, I see that you are taking care of your brother. How sweet.

[Steffi N]

Tara, I am sorry that Ozzie is not taking his medicines again. Hopefully he will start taking them again. This is sad, I know you are doing all you can for him.
Please tell Ozzie and Louie how handsome they are for me.

[ozzlou]

thanks AGAIN for everyones prayers and encouragement...
ozzy started taking his meds this am. the lil snot just likes to keep me on my toes- but i'm glad to play, as long as he stays well!
just thought i'd let you all know...screwy louie is taking good care of his lil brother, ozzy.:D
take care,
tara

[Steffi N]

Ozzy, you GOOD BOY. :) :) Thank you Tara for the good news.

[HayleyRosie]

Ozzy is still in my thoughts and prayers. I'm glad to hear he started taking his medication again. Keep us posted.

[Tubby & Peanut's Mom]

That's great news! Not only that he's taking his meds again, but that he's still doing well.

And I love how you call him a little snot. We call Peanut that all the time because...well...because she's such a little snotty girl! ;) :D

Keep taking your meds Ozzy - you little snot! ;) :D :D

[slick]

Tara: How is ozzy doing??

[ozzlou]

thank you for asking!
no news is good news- ozzy hasn't been tapped in about 3 weeks- he's still happy and running around with his brother.

he has some days where he doesn't take his meds- but i ignore it, and he takes it all the next time.

we continue to count our blessings! and we pray everyday that he stays as well as he's been!!:)

thanks again for caring,
tara

[Steffi N]

I am very happy to hear that Ozzy is doing well. I hope the good times continue. Pets for you, Ozzy.

[Tubby & Peanut's Mom]

It's so great to hear that Ozzy is doing so well!

[slick]

Great news!!! I pray that it keep up!

[Winkley]

Where can you find liquid rutin? I've searched all over the web and had a hard enough time just finding rutin without calcium or magnesium in a pill form. I could not find any in a liquid form.

Thanks,

Darren


i have liquid rutin all over my RENTED bathroom walls (rutin is very yellow:eek: )

take care
tara