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I'm so sorry to hear this latest sad news.:( I really don't have any advice for you except for what Catty1 has already posted. You also must ask yourself how much you're willing to put Panther through and it also sounds like you're becoming tapped out financially. I wish there was a simple answer here but unfortunately there really isn't.:( I hope that something will be able to help Panther and I'm sending many prayers and positive thoughts his way. Please take care.
PM Craftlady and ask her if her Reiki person knows someone in your area.
HUGS
PS does taking him off all his stuff help? Sometimes the cure makes one almost sicker than the treatment.
At this point I can't really tell what is working and what is helping. I am trying to keep him hydrated and fed. He threw up again this morning. It seems like even the simplest things like baby food don't agree with him right now. :( I keep hoping for some miracle.
Oh my, what sad news. :( I am so sorry that you and Panther are going through this.
and YES,
We have all wished we had taken a different path at one time or other. :( But know in your heart that you are trying to the best of your ability. Sometimes "things" cannot be fixed. :(Quote:
Do you ever second guess yourself wondering if you should have done things differently??
Losing Panther (some day) will be hard, but it will be so much more guilt-ridden if you prolong a painful experience.
So do your best, and let God do the rest. My prayers are with you.
{{{{{{{{HUGS}}}}}}}
Is Panther happy? Like, still enjoying life? Is he his normal self, except for the tummy trouble?
He will have small bursts of energy but certainly not like his usual activity level. I know he doesn't feel well but I don't think he is in any pain, aside from his tummy. After my inital experience with taking him to the emergency vet in the middle of the night he hasn't made those blood curdling meows again. Thank goodness!
He has not vomited since this morning. I was able to give him some baby food and Pedialyte this afternoon. I have my fingers crossed that he will be able to keep it down.
Craftlady gave some helpful links to vets who practice holistic medicine and reiki. I am going to call one of them and see what they can do. I will probably have to bring Panther back to my vet again tomorrow for some more fluids.
I am just having a very difficult time with this situation. My poor fur baby was able to overcome his cancerous tumor but is failing miserably with his intestinal trouble. Emotionally I feel like I am falling apart. I know I am going to have to deal with the very real possibility that I might have to put Panther to sleep but it hurts like hell just thinking about it.
I'm so sorry your going through this! :( I've been dealing with vomiting, possible IBS/food allergy with Nakita. I feel like we're trying everything but getting no where. :( I do know that *if* it's IBS - Slippery Elm is helpful to coat the intestinal track and aid in calming irritation.
It can't hurt to talk with a holistic vet in the meantime. You can find one here: Holistic Vet Locator But I do agree with Jen - you have to balance possible treatments with quality of life.
((Hugs to you and Panther))
HUGS HUGS HUGS
Call one of those Reiki people...they might be able to start some healing on him, and buy you some time.
I hope he keeps his food down too.
I know this is really really hard to do - but he is so close to you, he is pcking up your vibes. Just my opinion, of course. But try and be inwardly calmer when you talk to him and cuddle him. Give him good vibes!
It ain't over yet, kid! :)
I took Panther to a vet yesterday that specializes in holistic healing. She gave him acupuncture with injections of B12 and some kind of natural anti-inflammatory herb. She also gave me these drops to put in his food that is supposed to help clear out any bacterial growth in his intestines and stomach. So far I don't think any of it is helping. :(
He still continues to vomit about 2 hours or so after I feed him. I am even feeding much smaller meals several times a day. I am at my wit's end here. I am going to take him back to the specialty vet Monday and see what they can do. I just wish these places would offer more flexible payment terms.
poor panther! I wish i knew something that would help :( I'll be praying...
I hope the natural stuff kicks in and begins to work...I think those things take a little longer because they are not a 'drug'.
As far as payment plans...there is that credit plan thing that was posted way earlier in this thread. No interest for 3 months...
hugs
I applied for that Care Credit but still have not heard back from them. I received a recorded message saying that my request is being processed and it may take up to 10 days. :o I can't wait that long.
Prayers for Panther.
I'm so sorry to hear that Panther is still very sick.:( I'm still keeping him in my thoughts and prayers.
The latest update....
I took him back to the specialty vet today and they did another ultrasound. Things are looking a little better! His small intestine is not as inflamed as it was before and looks almost normal. The segmental thickening is also gone.
The vet thinks Panther has a severe case of IBD. She also thinks surgery is not necessary at this time. :D She gave him more fluids and another shot of Prednisone. She also wants me to try to give him subcutaneous fluids myself. I felt like passing out when the tech showed me the needles and bag. That is going to be a challenge. I don't like needles! She wants to put him on the Pred. for awhile too.
Overall he is making progress. I don't know if it was the holistic accupuncture or vitamins or maybe the pred. but he is getting a little stronger. I need to get more food into him. He has lost almost 3 lbs. since this whole stomach trouble began. I have to fatten my baby back up. The vet recommended Eukanuba low residue formula so I will see if he likes that food. I have a whole collection of various cat foods growing in my pantry ranging from pescription diet formulas to holistic formulas. I'm probably going to donate them to the local cat shelter. Anyway, things are finally starting to look a up just a bit.
I love a good update. Come on Panther, everyone gains weight at the holidays. ;)
Thanks. He is still vomiting but it is with less frequency. I guess 1 step at a time.
I'm so glad to hear that he's doing much better and hopefully he'll be able to gain some weight back.:) Giving sub-q fluids is fairly easy and I'm sure you'll get the hang of it. You might want to try doing this in the bathroom so he won't try to run away from you. Also remember to put the needle all the way through his skin to prevent it from leaking. Good luck.:)
Im glad to hear things are going better. I hope all is back to normal soon enough. As for the fluids, I had to do it on a 3wk old puppy, off and on for several weeks... Once you do it a few times, its pretty easy. Im sure a kitty would be harder than a pup though.
Oh Fragrancehound I have been so busy working and I have just caught up reading this thread - you and Panther have been through a TERRIBLE time! :(
I'm so sorry for you, but I'm glad to see things seem to be picking up now.
I think you need to get some reiki and herbs or something yourself, even just some Bach Flowers Rescue Remedy (for all of you!) it is calming and soothing.
You know how on the plane they always tell the mothers to put the oxygen mask on themselves first before the children when everything inside you wants to say - no! first my baby, then me! - well , it's so we stay alive and able to help them stay alive - so get something good for yourself as well!
I see on another thread you're doing the fluids now. I see everyone has their preferred way so you have many ideas to try. I won't add more, except to say it works best for me on a bench in the laundry with the door closed so Cleo can't jump down or run away easily. It doesn't hurt them, as someone said, they seem to know you are helping them. Cleo is as good as gold, sits still.
Good luck, soon it will become second nature. Medusa will tell you how scared I was and she helped me get confidence. I did it with my vet's supervision a few times first.
Do something nice for you, too, even if it's a simple footbath with some lavender oil and restful music -very soothing! ;) You sound really wound up.
I really hope and pray things improve for Panther and you soon, you've both been through so much.