Update on Puddy; she's gone*9/29* see post #421

The Selegilene arrived today and the pharmacy flavored it w/chicken flavor for me. Hopefully, I'll be able to get that into her w/no problem. (Sure, Mar.) This pharmacy is ok in my book. They included a Catdancer w/my order. I opened the box and, for a second, I thought perhaps I had opened someone else's delivery by mistake. They deal w/compounding for animals a lot, I guess, so I called them right away to tell them how much I appreciate their kind gesture. If anyone ever has to use a pharmacy for compounding, Roadrunner in AZ is pretty darned good!

Puddy was up most of the night, crying in the bathtub, the echoes sounded like the Grand Canyon. She got her first dose of the liquid Selegiline yesterday. I don't even know why I'm writing this. I guess maybe just sharing it helps. Sorry.

I reread 5 or 6 scattered pages of your post, trying to refresh myself on Puddy's problems, but I didn't read all of them. I'd bet Puddy's deaf, which would explain why she's so loud. My MamaCat, who's also deaf as the proverbial post, sounds like she's in the same room even when she's downstairs and at the other end of the house! LOL Could she have been objecting to being locked in the bathroom? As for the drip, my tub does it by itself, but I wonder if you could put a piece of aluminum foil or plastic wrap over the tub spout and put a little hole in it, making a drip out of a bigger stream of water? I'd try some stupid ideas like that to make her happy; she needs to drink, and at ancient ages I've been known to do lots of foolish things to make them happy!!

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by critters

I reread 5 or 6 scattered pages of your post, trying to refresh myself on Puddy's problems, but I didn't read all of them. I'd bet Puddy's deaf, which would explain why she's so loud. My MamaCat, who's also deaf as the proverbial post, sounds like she's in the same room even when she's downstairs and at the other end of the house! LOL Could she have been objecting to being locked in the bathroom? As for the drip, my tub does it by itself, but I wonder if you could put a piece of aluminum foil or plastic wrap over the tub spout and put a little hole in it, making a drip out of a bigger stream of water? I'd try some stupid ideas like that to make her happy; she needs to drink, and at ancient ages I've been known to do lots of foolish things to make them happy!!

---

No, Puddy isn't deaf. Her cry is so loud because she's in the tub/shower and it echoes. I also have a deaf cat and, believe me, she's loud. LOL Puddy drinks the water that's pooled at the drain and I give her subQ's so I know she's getting enough fluids. It's the senility that makes her cry and keeps her up at night. Also, she isn't locked in the bathroom. That's where she wants to stay when she isn't under her bed. She can roam freely upstairs all she wants. My vet suggested that I keep her isolated from my other cats because he thinks she's now too confused and fearful to be around them and I agree. I brought her downstairs w/me this morning, took her into the enclosed patio room which used to be her favorite hangout. I held her for a while and we looked out the windows together to bird watch, etc. but as soon as I put her on the floor, she ran out into the hallway and then just stood there as if she didn't know where to go. If this new med doesn't show signs of improvement in her in two weeks, then I guess I'll have to let her go, as insanely sad as that makes me. I just feel that I need to try every option and go down every avenue before I do it. Right now, she clings on to me for dear life when I pick her up. How will I ever be able to tear her away from me should the time come when I have to? It breaks my heart just to say it.

I'm sorry things aren't improving. :( Maybe in a few days, the Selegilene will kick in. And as you said, if she isn't getting better, only worse, it may time to let her go. But I'm praying that this new med will help turn her around. Please let us know if there are any changes. {{{{HUGS}}}}}

I really hope you see some improvement from the new meds. It does sounds likes she very lost and confused. If the meds don't work I can certainly understand letting her go. Since I went through this with Disney I know how heartbreaking it can be but at this point it sounds like quality of life just isn't there.

Mary, Puddy certainly knows who YOU are, who Mom is. And you're right, how could you put her to rest when she clings to you like that?

This maybe was suggested back in the thread - but have you had her read by Brody's Mum, or Nancy?

I don't have any $ for a few days, but I would help you to get a reading from both of them, to maybe give you some perspective.

{{{{hugs}}}}

Come on back, Puddy...come back, little girl :love:

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Catty1

Mary, Puddy certainly knows who YOU are, who Mom is. And you're right, how could you put her to rest when she clings to you like that?

This maybe was suggested back in the thread - but have you had her read by Brody's Mum, or Nancy?

I don't have any $ for a few days, but I would help you to get a reading from both of them, to maybe give you some perspective.

{{{{hugs}}}}

Come on back, Puddy...come back, little girl :love:

---

Yes, I did have a reading by Nancy. I spoke w/her at length twice and she really didn't tell me anything that I didn't already know. She said that Puddy was "dried up". True. She's in renal failure and needs subQ's. And she said that she's tired. Again true. She's anemic. While she had insight, it is what I already knew. I'm not putting her reading down at all; it just didn't give me any more info that I could use.

OK, I remember now.

Maybe get a second one by Brody's Mum...she might pickl up other things...like, how much does Puddy know about what is going on, as in how aware or out of it is she?

Poor wittle girl. I hope the liquid starts working soon. Give her lots of gentle hugs for me please. :love::love:

I can't take much more. I've always been pretty strong but I've cried more in these last couple of months than I think I've cried my entire life. It seems all I do is cry. My son has been asking me to visit him in L.A. and I've always said "people first" but how can I leave her? If my son was ill, I'd be out there in a heartbeat if he needed me but I can't leave Puddy w/a catsitter or board her. I'm just so torn up inside. My poor little girl is lying under the bed or in the bathtub day after day after day. I'm assuaging my conscience by trying the Selegiline but I feel deep in my heart that it won't work. Who will guard my house when I leave for the day? As I'm walking out the door, I always say "Puddy, watch the house for Mommy". I can't take it! I can't take it!

OH Mary, I'm sitting here at work with tears streaming down my face. :(:( I feel helpless and want to reach out and give you a geat big {{{hug}}}. You know, we all want to do as much as we can for our babies but we also need to take care of ourselves and our mental and physical health. If you are not alright, how can you take care of others??? Listen to me, that's the #1 rule I need to learn but it really is true.

None of us can give you the right answer, only you and dear Puddy can come to the right conclusion. In the meantime I'm sending lots of prayers to you and I'm asking God to wrap His arms around you and give you the strength to get through this, whatever the outcome is.

I've said it before and I'll say it again. You are stronger than I will ever be.

slick :love::love:

How heartbreaking this is. :( Prayers for strength ans peace ar coming your way.

Prayers for you and Puddy are all I can offer. I am so sorry that you are going thru this.

Poor Puddy and poor Mom. Everyday I check in to see how everything is going - I sure wish it was better. Maybe the new meds will kick in and you'll see some improvement - Lord knows you've given her your all. I know how helpless you feel, but you really have to take care of yourself! Sometimes it's easier if our furkids make the decision so we don't have to. I've been thru both scenerios, and even tho neither is "easy", we don't have those self-doubts and what-ifs, since it was taken out of our hands. Whatever happens I'm sure that Puddy knows she has the best Mom a kitty could possibly wish for. Please know that I - along with so many other here - have you and Puddy in my prayers everyday.

Just heading out to spend the day with my Dad and wanted to let you know I'm thinking of you and Puddy. Lots of (((HUGS)))

Aww, Mary. I wish I could just give you a great big hug! (Puddy, too!)

I know that you are sad, and that you only want to do what's best for Puddy. You will know what is right and when.

God Bless you. I will continue to pray for you and Puddy and all of your other furposse.

(((hugs))))

{{{{hugs}}}}...Whatever happens, Mary, know that you have done and are doing everything you can for dear Puddy.

I hope for her sake as well as yours that the med starts working in the next few days. I think you said you were starting the 10 days all over again?

It might take til 12 or 13 before you notice any change...I know it is SO hard to be patient, but Puddy deserves every chance and you are giving her that. :):love:

{{hugs}}

You are always so supportive in your responses. I wish that I had eloquent words to instantly comfort you. Regardless, please know that you are in my thoughts and prayers.

You will do right by Miss Puddy. I know it's a heart break either way but you will do right by your girl. And we will support you in your decision(s).

{{hugs}}

Mary, the one thing we CAN do for our pets, when it is time, is to allow them to leave this world in a rather comfortable state. We cannot do that for humans. If it is her time, and only you and Puddy know that, then allow her to have peace. She doesn't sound happy to me. I could be wrong.

Anyway Mary, we will all support your decision. You have my nod to allow Puddy to be at peace with her illnesses. We are all going to go.... it may be her time.....

(((((((((((((((((Mary)))))))))))))))

I too like the other have nothing to say that will take the pain away. A magic pill that heals them either.
You are so caring and sweet to everyone, I'm so sorry you are going thru this.
You will do what is right for you and Puddy.
you are very strong.
I wish you luck and lots of hugs and love in your decision.

Mary part of loving her is knowing when to let her go in peace and you will know, you really will,i realize how heartbreaking this is for you and i feel your pain, it is around the corner for me too, take comfort in knowing what a wonderful meowmie you have been to puddy and you know you are amongst friends who care for you and understand 100 per cent, giant gentle hugs to you both, and hang in there Puddy girl,if you can.

Mary i just wanted to add something, what helps me with my Ash is knowing that he has had a really good life, i know i have given him the best care, love i possibly can, it does not make it any easier, and when his time comes i will be heartbroken as you are,but it helps me deal with it, i know i am not there yet, but i am preparing myself for the inevitable, don't be so hard on yourself and remember just what a great kitty mum you have been to her and what a great life she has had, that is all any kitty can ever ask for, again i am thinking of you, and sending you hugs and love.,and i hope this can bring you some comfort at a time that is unbearable for you.

Mary it was my mother who made me think this way, sometimes i would discuss with her how i cannot bear the thought of either my mum or dad leaving me on earth, and she would always say to me, remember we are elderly and we have had a good life, keep that thought in your mind when the time comes, so i have adapted that way of thinking with my Ash, i hope you can with Puddy.

Mary, I had planned to post again to offer support and to say that I too hope that you know that we are all here for you if you decide that it is Puddy's time. You will know what is best for her. But I stumbled across something tonight and I want to tell you about it. I've gone through this whole thread and I don't think it's been mentioned but please forgive me if it has.

Tonight I was researching online for ways to help make Jimmy healthier and I ended up on an IBD site that led me to another site with regard to B12 deficiency. I am so interested in this as I think Jimmy may very well be suffering from this but I was even more interested in what I was reading because Puddy popped into my mind instantly.

I will include the link to the sites but will also include some quotes below that I think could be relavent for Puddy.

Quote:

---

What can cause deficiency of Vitamin B12 in cats? Anything that causes excessive drinking and/or urination (diabetes, hyperthyroidism, kidney disease, etc.) can deplete B12 and the other B vitamins as they are “washed out” of the body. Giving sub-q fluids could deplete vitamin B. Chronic diarrhea can also deplete B12 as most B-12 is lost in fecal matter. Cats with an inflamed gastro-intestinal tract (such as cats with IBD) may not absorb B12 properly as it’s absorbed in the intestines. Vitamin B12 deficiency can cause anemia, neuropathy, other neurological issues, etc.

---

Puddy falls into two of these categories with kidney disease causing excess drinking and the sub-q fluids she receives.
And the last sentence about B12 deficiency can cause anemia and neurological issues it seemed like it could fit.

Those quotes above came from this site.

Quote:

---

Cobalamin (Vitamin B12) is a water-soluble, cobalt-containing vitamin with an important role in biochemical processes referred to as single carbon transfers. During these reactions, functional units such as methyl groups (-CH3) are transferred onto or between biologically important compounds. Cobalamin is a co-factor for at least three enzymes that carry out these types of reactions, acting as a transitional carrier of the single carbon group. A typical reaction catalyzed by a cobalamin dependant enzyme, methionine synthase, is illustrated in figure 1. Single carbon biochemistry is an area of great interest in the human population, as deficiencies in the activity of these enzymes may be associated with hyperhomocysteinemia. Hyperhomocysteinemia is a recognized risk factor for cardiovascular disease. Deficiency in cobalamin may also be associated with demyelinating neuropathies, dementia and megaloblastic
anemia (Pernicious Anemia) in human patients.

---

I'm not certain if this last sentence is saying that the dementia is associated in humans or both animals and humans. But since Puddy seems to have this, it was another red flag.

Quote:

---

Cobalamin is non-irritant and may be given subcutaneously or intramuscularly, most clinicians deliver it subcutaneously

---

Quote:

---

Vitamin B12 is stocked by all vets in injection form and is often prescribed to promote appetite, and help with anemia where a deficiency of vitamin B12 is the suspected cause.

---

And from the first site, I read that it is an option to inject the B12 into the bag of Lactated Ringers so a cat can receive it when they get their usual sub-q's. And from what I've read, it's not expensive.

The above quotes came from this site.

It's a bit harder to find symptoms for cats with B12 deficiency than people so I googled just B12 Deficiency symptoms and found these symptoms among many: (p.s. the below info came from this site.)
Nausea, insomnia, depression, dizziness, hallucinations, loss of memory and inflammed tongue! These all make me think of Puddy. She is awake all night, lying on that cool sink countertop, maybe because she is nausceous or dizzy. Her weird behaviour could be dementia or loss of memory and hallucinations. And the inflammed tongue is what really made me interested since she keeps sticking hers out. Maybe she is trying to 'cool it off' by sticking out of her mouth.

I wish I could look up more stuff but my hubby has kind of put a curfew on my computer time! LOL I feel like I'm 12. But I have been spending alot of time online lately so I promised to be off by 10:30 tonight.

I support you in any decision you make and pray that Puddy will be comfortable soon, in whatever way possible. I don't know if any of this info is of any help but I wanted to pass it along. {{{Hugs}}} :love:

Poor little Puddy, and poor you, Mary!!! :(

Maybe a test for B12-deficiency would really be worth a try?

Keeping the two of you in my thoughts,
Kirsten

I apologize for not posting lately about Puddy. So many of you have been so helpful and encouraging, I don't want you to think for a moment that I'm ungrateful. I know that I've been remiss in extending birthday well wishes and prayers for those who have suffered tragedies and are experiencing pain in their lives and I apologize for that as well. I've just been physically and mentally exhausted, so much so, that I fell down the stairs the other day and got bruised up pretty good. I keep a baby gate at the top of the stairs in order to keep Puddy isolated from the rest of the Fur Posse. I can't put the gate at the bottom of the stairs because there are posts in the hand railing that the cats can squeeze through and go upstairs anyhow. Well, I always lift my legs over the baby gate rather than unlock it and remove it because I felt that was safer to do. I was wrong. I was so exhausted that I was careless; my foot caught on the gate and down I went. Fortunately, I only went half way down because I managed to grab onto the railing but I hit my back and ribs and the baby gate hit me in a very delicate area, if you get my drift. (It got caught between my legs.) It hurts a little to breathe and it's now painful to go to the bathroom, so Puddy and I make quite a pair. Plus I've been dealing w/this painful jaw and my surgeon told me that I can do one more round of antibiotics and, if it doesn't work, then we have to reassess. I know what reassess means: surgery.

I was nearly to the point of having Puddy PTS; I even called my local vet to talk to her about it because, even w/a shortcut to Dr. Lee's, it's a good 45 minute drive which will seem an eternity for such a task as I would be doing and I would probably lose my resolve. When I called to talk to Dr. Lee about it, I was told he's on vacation again and won't be back until Monday, so I talked to my next favorite vet there and he told me something that startled me. He said that the Selegiline usually takes 6-8 weeks before it starts working. I said "What? Dr. Lee said 10 days." He paused and said "Well, I guess he was thinking of the best case scenario and it's possible, I suppose, but really, this is a 'big picture' drug. You have to look at things long term". I was in my car when he told me this and I started crying so hard that I had to pull the car over. If Puddy didn't have chronic renal failure while operating on one kidney, anemia, gingivitis and a growth growing near her spine, I'd say that 6-8 weeks isn't that long. But she does have all those things and 6-8 weeks is terribly long. It isn't like Dr. Lee not to be a straight shooter, so I'm willing to give him the benefit of the doubt. He may be exhausted, too, and I don't begrudge him a vacation. I left a message for him to return my call early Monday morning and I'm going to mention the B-12 shots to him and if I detect anything in his response that doesn't sound right to me, then I'll know that Puddy's time has come.

Having lived alone for 12 years now, I've learned to carry burdens w/out complaint but things are so much easier to bear when you have a partner, even a roommate who can share your sorrow or, in this instance, look at Puddy and say "Yes, Mary, you're making the right decision" or "No, Mary, I'd wait". I'm having to use my best judgment and trust my instincts, which have never failed me before, but then, I've never observed senility in any of my pets before. This is by far the cruelest of conditions because animals can't talk and let us know if our definition of quality of life meets their definition. This is what has caused me so much inner turmoil, wondering whether I should wait just one more week or one more day and agonizing if I'm putting her through misery while waiting.

So. If after talking to Dr. Lee tomorrow I feel worse rather than better, then my decision will have been made. I spoke to my son on the phone yesterday and he said "Mom, I've talked to you 6 times in the last couple of weeks and all 6 times you've cried so hard. You can't keep going like this and neither can Puddy".

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Medusa

I was nearly to the point of having Puddy PTS; I even called my local vet to talk to her about it because, even w/a shortcut to Dr. Lee's, it's a good 45 minute drive which will seem an eternity for such a task as I would be doing and I would probably lose my resolve. .

---

Wow - pretty intense reading first thing in the morning........:(
I hadn't wanted to mention this before, but WHEN/IF you do decide to let Puddy go, would your vet come to your house? Maybe it's not an option and maybe you wouldn't want it that way, but it could be less stressful for both of you. I am fortunate to have a vet that does just this if the situation allows and it's not an emergency situation.
But of course we are all hoping you don't have to make this decision and she'll start showing improvement.
And please take care of yourself - and be CAREFUL!! All the posse needs you and you can't take care of any of them with a broken hip - or more!

Please next time open the gate. We use one between the TV room and kitchen and it is so easy to get caught on them. Let alone at the top of stairs.
The Crew is still praying and pulling for Puddy and you.

Prayers for the best outcome for you and Puddy; I so hope she shows some improvement, as at least you would feel relieved.

Give her a kiss on the forehead for me.

{{{{hugs}}}}

Mary, it's easy to see how hard this is for you, and I totally understand! (((HUGS)))

I'm so sorry to read that you fell, and that you're in pain now. I hope you'll feel better soon.

You're in my thoughts. Please give Puddy some lovies from me if she wants to.

I'm sure you'll know in your heart when it's time. You can see it in their eyes when they're ready...

Kirsten

I talked to my local vet about B12 after reading Emeraldgreen's post and she feels that Puddy would benefit from all the B vitamins and not just B12. So I stopped by and she gave me a syringe free of charge to inject directly into the Ringer's lactate bag for Puddy's subQ's. Otherwise, it burns upon injection and I don't want to cause her any more pain. She said it should also help w/her appetite, which is virtually nonexistent. She hardly touches her Purina cat chow, which she always loved and she won't eat Fancy Feast at all now. She likes tiny pieces of Buddig turkey meat and she slurps on a fudgesicle, that's it.

Here's what really upsets me, though: Dr. Lee told me it would be at least 10 days before I probably would see results from the Selegiline. (It'll be two weeks tomorrow.) The other vet said 6-8 weeks. The compounding pharmacy said 4 weeks and my local pharmacist said 2 weeks. My local vet said that she's only known cases of dogs being on it and she's never seen success w/it. So what am I doing then? How are we supposed to make an informed decision when there is such a difference of opinion about the efficacy of this drug? I'll have a real heart to heart w/Dr. Lee on Monday and, as I said before, if I don't get the answers that I want, then I'm going to release Puddy from this hell that I think I may be putting her through, even though I think she isn't in any pain. If I'm right, then Puddy and I will have been vindicated. If I'm wrong, God forgive me.

She has been on it two weeks? When did you start the liquid form?

I wonder if the different time lines you have been told come from people who have actually USED it on an animal and seen results (aside from the person who used it on dogs and saw no difference, which doesn't mean it doesn't work at all - just not on some dogs she saw).

I hope the B vitamins perk her up.

I pray that Puddy turns the corner soon, and can enjoy her life a little more.

When I checked her cat chow dish this morning, I could see that she had eaten, not a lot, but given that she hasn't been eating any of it at all, I'm somewhat encouraged. She still uses the tub as her litterbox, though. She spends a lot of time in that tub, even sleeping there. I have to clean her up a lot because she has litter caked to her bottom and she leaves a trail wherever she walks. Yesterday morning I heard her walking from her room to the bathroom, then she stopped and walked into my room. She used to hop into bed w/me in the morning and let me know that it was time to get up but this time she just walked in and stopped. I thought "She doesn't know where she is" so I called her name and said "Come on in bed w/Mommy" but she just turned around and went into the bathroom.

I feel so bad about her self imposed confinement, so I wrapped her in a towel and took her downstairs to the enclosed patio thinking that we'd do a little bird watching. Well, there must have been a hawk nearby because there wasn't a bird to be seen or even heard. So I took her w/me to the outdoor patio and sat down in a chair w/her still wrapped in the towel. She didn't seem anxious at all; she looked around a little but only for a minute. Then I could tell that she wanted down and there was no way I was going to put her on the ground, so we went back inside and I took her to the safety of her bathroom.

It's when she has the lucid moments such as described above that makes me have hope but when she's out of it, she's really out of it. Anyhow, just thought I'd fill you in on the latest.

Mary...just maybe the med is starting to have an effect...and the B vitamins too.

Wishing you and Puddy increasing good moments!:love:

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Catty1

Mary...just maybe the med is starting to have an effect...and the B vitamins too.

Wishing you and Puddy increasing good moments!:love:

---

That's what I'm hoping, Candace. When I cleaned litter boxes this morning, there was a pee clump in her litter box BUT Creamsicle, the little sneak, got into Puddy's room this morning. I heard her crunching on cat chow and thought it might be Puddy but it was Cgirl. So I can't say for sure if the pee clump was Puddy's or Cgirl's except that it was at the very edge of the box which is where Puddy likes to pee for some reason. I'll tell ya, for a CH baby, Cgirl sure manages to get around, undetected, too.

Mary my vet has just put Ash on Anaplex, it is a steriod and vitamin D pill, this is to boost his appetite, like your puddy, he eats enough to feed a mouse, however this has only gotten really bad in the last few days, so far not a great improvement, but it is early days yet.

I can well understand where you are coming from with Puddy, i am almost in the same place with my Ash, i wish you both all the best and know i am always here for you, HUGS.

I found a name for the inflammed tongue regarding a B12 deficiency and it is called 'Burning Mouth Syndrome'. If this is what she has, it makes so much sense that she adores those fudgesicles because not only are they yummy but they are wonderfully cold!! And I was thinking about the tub faucet. When I turn my tub faucet on cold, it is sooooo much colder than the sink and develops this condensation on the metal and frost even. I wonder if Puddy is preferring the tub faucet because it may be colder. Maybe she would like some icecubes to lick or a shallow bowl of icewater or since she doesn't 'do' bowls ;) maybe you could put the plug in your sink and put some water in there with a few ice cubes and see if she goes for it.
p.s. and if she is seeking out colder things, she might eat chilled Fancy Feast or other things.

Wow, Lara, I don't know why I don't think to look these things up myself. My brain is so fried that it didn't even occur to me. I did try the ice cubes but, as you said, she won't drink out of a bowl. She no longer goes onto the sink countertop now; it's strictly the bathtub. She's too short to reach the tub faucet, so she drinks the water that pools near the drain, poor little girl. Maybe now that I started her on these B vitamins she'll discontinue that behavior. Thank you so much for telling me this.

P.S. I love PT! Where else can I find such wonderful friends who would take time out of their busy days to look up info like this for me?

I decided to put ice cubes in a bowl in the bathtub and I guess that was the combination I had missed. I'd tried ice cubes in her water bowl, ice cubes in her fountain, her fountain in the bathtub but I'd never tried ice cubes in a bowl in the bathtub. (Getting all this?) You should've seen her drink! So I can see it now: I'll be doing ice cube runs in the middle of the night as they melt. That's ok. Anything's better than seeing her drink the pooled tub water. I wonder if all this has to do w/giving her the B vitamins. I don't know how quickly they work but it sure seems like that's the ticket. Lara, I don't know how to thank you. Maybe it's a fluke and she won't want to drink out of the bowl again but it sure did my heart a world of good. This time the tears are tears of joy. Bless you!

Mary, I've been reading this thread but I haven't had the time to post anything lately. I'm so happy to hear that the vitamin B12 seems to be helping Puddy.:)

As you know my Starr has colitis and IBD and he's received many vitamin B12 shots as well as acupuncture treatments with vitamin B12. It's really helped him and has given him his energy level back. I hope that it'll do the same for Puddy. She continues to remain in my thoughts and prayers. Please take care. (((HUGS)))

As far as how quickly the vitamin B12 works, I noticed it almost immediately in Starr. He was running and playing the very next day and seemed to have endless energy.

Oh, Mary...eyes stinging just a bit here...:) How wonderful to see Puddy drink and drink - which is really good for her, of course, with the kidney problem. And maybe some of her yelling is from the 'burning mouth' - who knows?

Lara, you are a GENIUS!

Hmmm....try the cold smooth wet food, maybe? Cold baby food?

I think there's some better news ahead....:D :love:

I was just nodding off in bed when I heard "tap tap tap" on the floor and I thought "Ok, here we go. Another night of yowling or maybe I've got to do an ice cube run". But no! Puddy came scampering in my bedroom, up the little ramp that I made for her and into bed w/me! She only stayed a few seconds and then went into the bathroom and drank out of the ice cube bowl but this is the most encouraged I've been in a week or more. I don't know if the Selegiline is working or the B vitamins or both but whatever it is, I'm so thankful. I AM SO THANKFUL! Lara, again, thank you for taking over where my fried brain left off. Ok, so I'm off to get another round of ice cubes and I'm putting some Fancy Feast in the fridge to chill for tomorrow's breakfast for Puddy. :D<<< Never thought I'd be posting one of these smilies in this thread.

P.S. It just dawned on me that she hasn't yowled at all today!