Worried about Taz, another useless update #28.

[Moesha]

The excess drinking and huge pee clumps were my clue to take Morgan in to be checked. That's when they diagnosed him with diabetes. With diabetic cats they need the protein and not the carbs like kidney cats do. That could be the problem. When they checked Morgan first, they did a small blood test and just checked the sugar level. When it was high, then they did the full blood panel for a more accurate reading. I don't know what each of those kinds of tests are called, but I'm sure they have a name that someone else knows.

[kb2yjx]

Since I am a bit late in reading this thread, I have to agree with the thoughts on thyroid and diabetes...Will light a candle for your boy....

[Moesha]

Any update on Taz?

[Taz_Zoee]

Taz's vet visit was tonight and the vet thinks it could be his thyroid. She took blood and I'll have the results tomorrow.
I'm so stressed. It's going to be so hard (on him and me) to give him a pill twice a day, for the rest of his life.

Moesha, thank you for asking about my "old man". I will definitely up date this tomorrow when I hear from the vet.

And thank you for the candle kb2yjx. I really appreciate every prayer and good thought for my guy. He is everything to me....ugh, I must go wash my face now.

[Catty1]

Cindy - IF Taz needs tapazole, can it be compounded and rubbed on his ear? Much easier that way.

Or, there's Pill Pockets (can't remember if Taz has used them).

HUGS and best wishes for you and Taz - hopefully the tests will turn up an answer.

[Taz_Zoee]

Cindy - IF Taz needs tapazole, can it be compounded and rubbed on his ear? Much easier that way.

Or, there's Pill Pockets (can't remember if Taz has used them).

HUGS and best wishes for you and Taz - hopefully the tests will turn up an answer.

Yeah, I was thinking about asking for alternatives. But my vet doesn't seem to be open to things like that. But I shall see. I'd love to do a rub on his ears. I always rub his ears so that wouldn't be a difficult task.
I have not used Pill Pockets with Taz, I used them for the dogs. That's another option. Thanks Candace!!

[krazyaboutkatz]

I was also going to suggest pill pockets. These have helped me so much. I buy the chicken flavor and then cut them into 4 pieces and roll them up into balls. Then I just wrap them around the pills. Starr takes 2 pills every morning and now he begs me for his pills because he loves the pill pockets so much. I hope that you'll finally be able to find out what's wrong with Taz and hopefully it can be easily treated. Good luck.

[Taz_Zoee]

Well, I got tired of waiting and called the vet to find out the results. His thyroid is fine. His kidney level is fine (or hasn't escalated at least).
So now they are going to test his liver and sugars. I will have those results tomorrow.

I have a feeling those will come back fine too and I still won't know whats wrong with him. Just like when he was sick 3 or 4 years ago. He is my little mystery man.

[Medusa]

It's just so frustrating when we can't figure out what's wrong w/our furkids. I know that it's causing you anguish and it would me, too. Hang in there and know that we're continuing prayers that Mystery Man will give up the ghost and that your vet will be able to figure this all out.

[Catty1]

Heavens...what a puzzle. Would you consider getting a reading done on him?

Brody's_Mum on PT does them, as does Nancy Efrusy. [email protected]

It might provide some answers and solutions.

[Taz_Zoee]

Thank you Mary, I really appreciate it.

Candace, I actually have thought of getting a reading done on him. But I'm also afraid of what I might hear. And I could never tell anyone but fellow PTers what I did, because people would think I was crazy. They just don't understand.

I'll see what happens next and then figure out what I'm going to do. Thanks for the suggestion though.

[Moesha]

Well, look at it this way, you've ruled out two big things...kidneys and thyroid. If his kidney levels are good, see about taking him off of the kidney related food even though he isn't on the k/d right now. If his sugar is high, he needs more protein and less carbs the exact opposite of what the kidney kitties need. Hopefully tomorrow will bring some answers. I won't be online until late evening, but this will be the first place I'll check. I like that Taz kitty for some reason.

[Taz_Zoee]

LOL, thanks Moesha.

Well, the vet called and could find nothing to explain his weight loss in the last tests (liver and sugar). She said if his weight keeps dropping the next thing would be to do a full body xray to see if anything is going on.

Bruce seems to think it's just because he's old. I keep telling him he's not that old. He could have another good 5 years or so left in him. Especially if the vet is not finding anything wrong with him.

Oh, and his kidney numbers are not "good" they just aren't increasing at a very fast rate, which is good. So I think his diet is what is keeping them from increasing quickly. I am not strict with his diet by any means. He has access to eat Paizly's food and I give him Greenies treats.

So here we are, right back where I started.

I'm going to try to get some new pictures of the kids this weekend and will post them later.

[krazyaboutkatz]

Cindy, I'm sorry to hear that his weight loss is still mystery. At least you've ruled a lot of things out. It very well could be his diet. Have you ever thought of trying a holistic vet? If so I have a very good one that I'd be happy to refer you to.

Taz is only 12-13 years old right? If so that's not very old. My Storm is 13 and he's doing great and he still acts like a big kitten from time to time. Taz remains in my thoughts and prayers. Please take care. (((HUGS)))

[Taz_Zoee]

Thank you Tracey. Yes, Taz will be 14 this summer.
If your vet isn't too far away from me, or too expensive, I'd love to give them a try.