Beau's vet appointment...not good news..Updated again--better news!

[jenluckenbach]

Such a smoochable face. Hope you keep feeling OK, Beau.

I'll be waiting to hear the test results.

[Glacier]

I got Beau's test results today. It's mixed news. The good news is that his kidneys are working...not perfectly, but much better than expected. His kidney values are within normal limits for a cat of his age. The bad news is that his problems are being caused by his liver. Not sure why but his liver values are off the charts, very high! The vet says there are several reasons--feline hepatitis, tumor or toxin exposure. I'm willing to bet on toxin. Beau was a stray before he got here. Who knows how long he wandered or what he got into! Most of the potential causes can only be diagnosed through a biopsy.

I have decided not to proceed with any further tests at this point. Beau is comfortable, happy, content and not in any pain. His appetite is good. He doesn't eat much on his own, but if I stick food under his nose he eats a little every time. I can't see much benefit from putting him through surgery. The vet says that her treatment plan wouldn't change much regardless of the diagnosis. She had no definate prognosis. He could get weeks, months, maybe even a bit longer with good management. So for now at least, I am just going to manage the symptoms. Beau will get sub-q fluids as he needs them, a little milk thistle to help his liver, a low protein diet when he'll eat it and all the loving he can handle.

Oh, and nip! He'll have to get regular doses of nip!

[orangemm]

Please give that sweet boy some scritches from me.

Beau, honey, I will be praying for you. and, keep eating!!

[Queen of Poop]

Oh, Oh, use the milk thistle for sure. When Sebastian (ferret) had awful liver values I put him on it. Next month his liver values were back to acceptable. He's doing fine now as far as his liver goes. Baldness is another story.

Prayers for Beau that he gets better with all the TLC he's getting from his meowmie. I'm sure your sheer will alone will keep him going!!

[jenluckenbach]

It sounds like a perfect plan. We love you Beau and are hoping you keep your appetite up.

[catmandu]

We are praying for Beau to fool everyone, and have many more years of good health.
They told me that when I took Smokey in that he would have six months , tops.
He had almost 7 years.

[Cinder & Smoke]

> smile < Tamara!

There's a lot worse things he could be suffering from!

So for now at least, I am just going to manage the symptoms.
Beau will get sub-q fluids ...
milk thistle to help his liver ...
a low protein diet ...

and all the loving he can handle!



Oh, and nip! He'll have to get regular doses of nip!

I'm sure if you asked Beau, he'd say the Plan is just *FINE* with him!

Beau sez:
Hey MOM!
Ya mentioned "NIP" ... now that ya mention it, a NIP Partee would be
just GREAT rite now! Let's get started wiffa PLAN!"

Feel Better, Beau!!

[Catty1]

That FACE is so KISSABLE! And milk thistle and all that love will do him a world of good.

Oh, and the NIP! YAH!

hugs
Catty1

[G535]

I hope he's happy and healthy for many more years, at least he's in a place where he is loved.

[Soapets]

Beau is so lucky to have you! Your plan for him sounds like the best option. He looks like such a loveable, huggable, kissable, smoochable fellow! Keep up the good work, and keep us posted!

Deb

[Tubby & Peanut's Mom]

I agree, sounds like a perfect plan. As long as he's comfortable.....that and all the loving he can take sounds like a pretty good life to me.

He really does have such a sweet face. Please give him smoochies from me. I will be hoping and praying the fluids, the loving and the milk thistle do the trick and he's with you for many many months to come.

(milk thistle? have to go look that one up)

[Bengalz]

Beau you are the sweetest boy. I hope you have many wonderful times ahead of you because you certainly deserve the best.

Lot of hugs to you Tamara to taking such good care of this little guy.

Betty

[CultureJunky]

Beau, you sure are going to live a long long time in such a happy home. You'll have all the nip you can handle and lots of loving, and this is all you need to keep you going isn't it. You're so so handsome and I just wish I could cuddle you, you're meowmie is so lucky to have a great gentleman in her house.
As long as you're happy that's all that matter, and you know what I think you're probably the happiest you've been in you life aren't you

[catlover4ever]

I'm sorry to hear that Beau is not feeling well but I think with your plan of action he will be very happy.

[Glacier]

My new vet just called again--new in a couple ways--literally she looks like she just graduated from high school and she's just started working for my regular vet(he's away on paternity leave, the proud daddy of a baby girl born last week!). Dr. Lise may be very young, but she seems to know her stuff!

She called me at work this morning and said she'd been thinking about Beau's liver numbers and what would cause them to be so high. She thinks hyperthyroidism is a possiblity. The thought occured to me last night too! Fortunately, she took enough blood last week that Beau doesn't have to go back for another appointment. Part of me hopes that it is hyperthyroidism. At least I can treat that with medication(Radiation therapy isn't available here). Will update again when she gets me the test results.