Lucas does not get better.

[jenluckenbach]

Lucas has had liquid diarrhea (it firmed a bit twice but returned to liquid) for about 3 weeks now. We are on his 4th medicine and even a new food. Well now his appetite is slipping. When he did not finish a meal 2 days ago I thought I would just give him his old food to see if it was caused by a dislike for this new food. But for 4 meals now he leaves leftovers and each time he leaves more in his dish than the time before. This cat never leaves leftovers, he usually tries to eat any one else's leftovers.

He is going in for blood work this evening. I wonder how long I will need to wait for results. :confused:

I am here to tell you I am starting to imagine the worse. :(

[kittycats_delight]

Oh Jen I am sooo sorry. I know it seems bleak but please try not to imagine the worse. Maybe it's the new medicine that is decreasing his appetite? We are pulling for Lucas 150%. Lilith, Vixen and I have all crossable parts crossed that he starts to improve and that the blood work will finally show what it wrong. We are seening out healing vibes and lots and lots of love to both you and Lucas. Keep your thoughts positive. I am also going to send my Rb angel Mytsi to be with Lucas and encourage him to get better. She is will stay with him until he is all better and she is a very good kitty nurse. She promises she will do everything in her power to return your Lucas to 100% again and she also promises not to leave his side for a single second until she has succeeded at doing that.

Come on Lucas sweetheart. Get well. Your meowmie is sooo worried about you.

(((((((JEN))))))))

lots of whisker kisses and headbumpies from the girls too

[furrykidsmother]

Keeping positive thoughts and prayers for you and Lucas! Michelle made a good suggestion, maybe the new medicine is putting him off his food. I hope that is all it is. Please let us know the results of his bloodwork as soon as you are able.

C'mon Lucas, get better!

[jenluckenbach]

Maybe it's the new medicine that is decreasing his appetite?

I wish I could think that, but his one medicine is a steroid. If anything, he should have an INCREASED appetite. :(

Thank you for your thoughts and prayers.

[kittycats_delight]

http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b74/PTCRAZY/lucasgetwell.jpg


Try to be positve Jen.
(((HUGS)))
Michelle and the girls

[jenluckenbach]

Thank you, what a lovely card.

[Craftlady]

Will keep good thoughts. Usually blood work takes 24 hrs. Hopefully they will rush the results for you. I'm thinking they wont get the blood to the lab until Saturday with the weekend you are looking at results on Monday. :(
Most labs dont work on Sundays. We had blood work done for RB Butterscotch on Saturday a.m. and got results Monday a.m.
I would not expect results much before Monday.

With his symptoms etc, I would have him retested tonight for feline leukemia etc (you will get results in 10-15 mins) before they go doing a full CBC (complete blood count) on him. You'll save him the experience of blood draw and you the cost of CBC. Thats my advise.

[catmandu]

MY SENIOR ANGELS ME SCRAPPY,AND POUNCER,WILL BE WITH THOSE ANGELS,JEN,AND WE ARE PRAYING VERY HARD,FOR ONE,OF THE MOST LOVE CATS,ON PET TALK,LUCAS.
GET WELL SOON,LUCAS,AND MAKE YOUR MEOWMIE FEEL BETTER.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v621/catmandu/catphotos827.jpg

[rosethecopycat]

What 4 meds have you tried, Jen?

Albon would be one to try, in case of coccidia.

I just bought Feline Rebound Liquid Diet RX it can be given long term.

Keep him hydrated and you will get some answers on his bloodwork soon.

Pulling for Lucas!

[Tubby & Peanut's Mom]

Jen, my vet can do his own testing right there and I can have results within 10-15 minutes. Of course I think this costs more than having them send it to the lab, but ask your vet if they have that capability.

[jenluckenbach]

What 4 meds have you tried, Jen?
Albon (which for those of you who do not know this is for MORE than just coccidia)
Centrine
Flagyl
Prednisone

he also had a stool sample...neg.

change in his food to rule out allergy.

The vet is now testing for thyroid problems. The results will be in tomorrow, but my vet won't be in until Monday. I can get the results from the vet on call, or wait.

I just today heard about the Rebound. I'd like to know where to get that. (one by one's director said her vet was backordered for this stuff when she tried to get some)

[rosethecopycat]

I just today heard about the Rebound. I'd like to know where to get that. (one by one's director said her vet was backordered for this stuff when she tried to get some) [/B][/QUOTE]

It is RX, so you have to ask your vet to get it for you.
Here's a page, showing the distributors and their phone numbers, so you can give the number to your vet, and say: Here, get me some of this. (6 boxes= $43) :eek:
I asked for it yesterday and it was at my vet today!
You can tube feed, syringe or free feed it. Long term too. Electrolytes and added calories!

http://www.reboundanimalhealth.com/distributors.html

[krazyaboutkatz]

Jen, I'm so sorry to hear that Lucas is still sick.:( I hope that you'll be able to get the blood test results quickly and that they'll tell you something. Hopefully it's treatable and that he'll make a speedy and full recovery. Lots of prayers and positive thoughts are being sent your way. Please take care. ((((HUGS))))

[sasha the cat]

Mmmmew, we're all pulling for Lucas! KatMa, Paw-Paw and I, Sasha the Queen Calico wish Lucas a speedy recovery.

[jazzcat]

Oh Jen I'm so sorry. I can sense the worry in your post. I pray that Lucas will be fine.

Please give him some gentle hugs and kisses from me.

Lots of ((((HUGS)))) for you!

[Barbara]

Sending healing thoughts to Lucas. It is so worrying if you don't have an idea what it is.:(

[jenluckenbach]

I found diarrhea again this morning (and of course, on the carpet).

You know, it is funny, 16 cats that could be having the diarrhea, but even when I don't see Lucas do it, I just KNOW it is him. Mother's intuition, I guess.

[TopCat3]

Get well soon, Lucas, we are thinking of you down here. Hope your results come through soon and it's nothing too bad, something that can be fixed for you with minimal discomfort. Stay positive!:)

[ChrisH]

Poor Lucas. :( Prayers and good thoughts continuing for your lovely boy, and you too.
{{hugs}}

Chris

[jenluckenbach]

Lucas does not have a thyroid problem, so we ruled that out.

He is now on pancreatic enzyme. Not sure, but his appetite is now normal and no poops on the carpet. Might be heading in the right direction.

[furrykidsmother]

Great news!! I hope he continues in the right direction.

[Killearn Kitties]

Oh I hope so, Jen! I'll keep my fingers crossed for sweet Lucas!

[krazyaboutkatz]

I sure hope that this new medicine is helping Lucas and will continue to do so. Please get well soon Lucas.

[TopCat3]

Sounds like you might have homed in on the cause. Here's hoping this is the path to full recovery. Get well soon, Lucas, prayers for you and your Mummy. (And the carpet;) ):)

[Maya & Inka's mommy]

How is Lucas now, Jen? You must be so worried....

[sasha the cat]

Meeew, we're happy to read Lucas is improving. Hopefully the problem has been correctly diagnosed and treatment will return him to good health.

We are thinking of you...xoxo and purrrrs

[slick]

Oh Jen, you must be so weary being on Poop Patrol all the time. I'm so glad to hear that Lucas is getting better.

{{{hugs}}}
slick xoxo

[jenluckenbach]

Better? HA! I am starting to find poops on the carpet again. I can only assume Lucas as I have not witnessed.

Am I completely bald yet from pulling my hair out?

[Randi]

Poor Lucas. :( I hope he'll get better soon! Will keep all paws and fingers crossed for him.

[jazzcat]

Oh Jen I'm sorry. I was hoping to find a great update. Poor Lucas and poor you.

[jenluckenbach]

Just so you all know, Lucas is ACTING fine. Eating well. And I have not actually caught him in the act of these new poops on the carpet. But I assume him because he has the reputation.

I separated him the other day and he didn;t poop at all. :rolleyes: So I will need to do it again and this time don't give in. He must stay seperate until I see the consistancy of his poop.

Now for the gross part of the update, this last poop was actually mostly HAIR!. Maybe he has been trying to pass hairbass and couldn't?

[Craftlady]

ewwwww on the hairy poop.

[Killearn Kitties]

More cuddles to Lucas! Poor baby!

[jenluckenbach]

Last night I kept Lucas in a room by himself. I needed to know if those poops were from him. This morning there were no poops on the floor in the whole house, But YES, there were 2 poops on the floor in Lucas' room. They were soft but firm. Not liquid or gel. So the consistance is getting much better, but the habit of doing it on the floor is not. I can't help but wonder if he still feels bad enough to not wish to use the box.

Heavy sigh!

[furrykidsmother]

Lucas is still in our prayers and we are hoping that things will improve soon!

[kittycats_delight]

Poor Lucas !!!! I am glad those poops are getting firmer. And maybe it has now become a habit and when he needs to go he just goes where he is cause he figures he isn't gonna make it to the box anyway. Continuing to hold you and Lucas in my thoughts and lots of healing vibes and well wishes.


((((((((((((JEN & LUCAS))))))))))))))))

Michelle & the girls

[Medusa]

My prayers to you and Lucas, as a matter of fact, for all my fur friends that aren't up to snuff tonight. My heart swells right now, I'm so happy that my Puddy is home. I want everyone to have the relief in their hearts like I do.

Blessings,
M

[AvaJoy]

I hope your vet can determine the GI problem with poor Lucas soon. Sending thoughts and prayers for a dianosis and recovery soon, Jen. [[[HUGS]]]

[sasha the cat]

Your Meowmie wrote:
I am here to tell you I am starting to imagine the worse.

Mew, Lucas -- please get better!

[jenluckenbach]

We had a good day today. No poops on the carpet. Usually we find them first thing in the morning, but here it is 6:30 PM and still clean. To me this means Lucas did not feel so bad that he needed to poop on the floor.

Right now he is on Pancreatic enzyme. If his stool firms up I am to slowly wean him off this med. If the stool becomes diarrhea again then we have our answer and he will stay on this med for life. If he either a) does not firm up or b) does not loosen up after stopping the med then the problem lies elsewhere.

The vet said there IS a test that could be run for $120 and a 2 week wait for results, but if the pills work we saved ourselves the time and money.

Let's just see what tomorrow brings. On Wed night I will be separating him again to monitor the firmness of his poop. (no use doing this EVERY day!)

Slow but steady wins the race, right?

[sasha the cat]

Slow but steady wins the race, right?

Lucas, you and I are both counting on that! Delighted to read you feel better today. The Great Cat Goddess Bastet must be listening to your prayers. May this good day go on into become at least 5475 continuous good days for you.

purrrrs from Sasha

[Tubby & Peanut's Mom]

Originally posted by jenluckenbach
Slow but steady wins the race, right?

That's right, Jen. :) My vet told me once the "balance" is upset, it can take months of this Pancreatic enzyme to get it back in balance. It "usually" doesn't take that long, but it can. So here's hoping slow and steady works for Lucas! :)

[slick]

Jen, I'm so glad to hear that Lucas is making slow and steady progress. One day at a time, my dear!

{{{hugs}}}
xo

[furrykidsmother]

Glad to hear that Lucas is making progress. I hope that you will be able to wean him of the enzyme. Good thoughts and prayers continue!!

[TopCat3]

I tried not to look but I just had to. I'm SO glad things seem to be better for Lucas. Reading this forum is like going to a scarey movie and peeking through your fingers. (Well for me,anyway):(
I had a thought, Jen, if the on-carpet pooping continues, could you try spreading some paper around the floor with cat litter on it so at least Lucas gets the idea that the correct place is somehow associated with cat litter? Something about bringing the mountain to Mohammed springs to mind here!
Either way I hope he continues to make good progress to a full recovery or at least comfortable management for you both. Best wishes.

I'm logging off now, I can't read any more tonight, it makes me feel wretched. Goodnight everyone.:cool:

[Barbara]

Sounds as if your vet is a practical one- which I think is good. Good to hear the meds work for Lucas. The last thing you need is daily carpet cleaning:)

[jenluckenbach]

Originally posted by furrykidsmother
I hope that you will be able to wean him of the enzyme.
Let me see if I can make this a little clearer.....


If I take him off the meds and the diarrhea comes back, that is a GOOD thing. It means we found the problem. He'll need to keep taking meds, but that is OK.

If I take him off the meds and the poop stays firm then we still don't have an answer (But we DO have a firm poop, which I guess is a good thing by itself)

Any way.....tonight I will separate him to get a look at his poops tomorrow morning (I can never catch him in the act). If they are firm I start weaning him off the meds to see if diarrhea returns.

I actually hope it does (but not on the carpet)

:rolleyes:

[furrykidsmother]

I think I've got it now. He is going to have to be weaned off the enzyme, that is not an option. If he returns to having diarrhea after being taken off then he will have to go back on it to stay.

Good luck tonight! I am hoping for firm poop so you can take the next step in determining what the answer is.

[kimlovescats]

Just now catching up on all of this Jen. Hope you have your answer very soon!

Good luck, and huggies to Lucas!

Kim;)

[sasha the cat]

How is Lucas doing? We hope to hear good news from you.

[jenluckenbach]

Lucas is good and our "test" begins. I will NOT give him his medicine (which is pancreatic enzyme) and if the diarrhea returns then we know that his pancreas is not producing this enzyme and he will need to remain on this medicine.

[jenluckenbach]

new thread....update (http://petoftheday.com/talk/showthread.php?s=&threadid=86580)