Ash update....

[carole]

well like i said Pat, have to take one day at a time, yesterday he ate a little and much the same today, he has only really had one day on the medication that he ate constantly,so i am not sure this is going to work, but i am going to give it a full month and then if there is not more improvement, discuss it with my vet,i guess he is eating somewhat better than he was.

Poor ole guy i look at the pic of him in my siggy of how he used to be, now he is so thin, i have to be very careful and gentle picking him up as he seems so fragile now,i feel like he might break,seriously though i cannot believe it is my once big healthy strong Ash,still i knew it was to be expected.

Thanks for your input, i appreciate the nice comments and encouragement, i am not giving up on that ole boy yet?plenty of life left in him yet i am hoping.

[Catty1]

Medusa used sub q B vitamins on her Puddy, and they made quite a difference. Puddy did pass on, for reasons unrelated to her kidneys - but she was coming around wonderfully.

Dear Carole, I get the feeling that you think this will be a death sentence very soon for Ash. Each cat is different, I know...but many live for a number of good years.

If you don't mind, I am going to cross-post this to Cat Health. There are many PTrs who don't come to this General section. Perhaps you might get more encouragement from people there who have dealt with this.

{{{{hugs}}}}

[Medusa]

Yes, Carole, talk to your vet about injecting a syringe of B vitamins right into the bag of fluids. That way Ash won't feel the sting of the needle. I should've thought of this myself but my brain apparently isn't functioning at full capacity yet. I posted on your other thread in Cat Health. CRF is not a death sentence. Puddy was diagnosed a long time ago, nearly 6 years ago, and was on subQ's for over 3 years. Yes, she finally passed over but she had many other health problems besides CRF. Don't sell Ash short; our kitties are much stronger than we realize. Those B vitamins really helped Puddy get her energy and her personality back. Talk to your vet about it. They're very inexpensive; my local vet told me so and gave them to me twice at no charge. Keep the faythe, Carole.

[carole]

Thanks for your posts everyone, no two cases or cats are the same that is for sure Candace,oh i am very aware Ash can go on for some time yet, and especially with the two medications i am giving him, but he has gone down hill alot since his dental,but no i certainly did not mean to give you all the impression i had given up on him, not even close folks.,if i did sound despondent it was only because i was worried and on a bit of a downer,anyhow on re-reading my posts i did not think that, but again sorry if it seemed that way.

I must stress that my plan for Ash may well not be the same as Mary's or anyone else's,but just know he will be loved and taken well care of until the end, i have taken the advice my vet has given me, and i trust him 100 per cent, so for now i am doing everything he has suggested and am happy with that,on the brighter side Ash has done better today and is enjoying himself baking in the sun outside, his favourite pass time lol.

[jazzcat]

Carole, Ripley is a CRF kitty and was diagnosed I think about 2 1/2 - 3 years ago but blood test showed the problem began as far back as 6 years ago. I've never had a problem with him not eating but of course like you said every case is different. He did have a problem with constant vomiting until my vet recommended I put him on Purina Pro Plan Sensitive Skin and Stomach. Since starting that last year in June he has gained a much needed pound and doesn't throw up much any more which is huge because he was a chronic barfer his whole life.

He doesn't have to take any special meds and we've started giving him sub-q fluids here at home monthly. Before that he only needed fluids about every 4-6 months. At 16 1/2 years I think he's doing pretty good but I know that can change at any moment.

I'm really sorry to hear that Ash hasn't been doing as well. Is it possible the meds might be causing the lack of appetite or are they suppose to help with that? I'm not sure what he is taking. Maybe the B vitamins in the fluids would give him a little extra pep. I take my Dad for a B12 injection once a month and I can see the difference it makes in him energy and appetite wise. Probably would work the same way for cats.

Please give him some extra hugs and scritchies for me.

[Medusa]

he will be loved and taken well care of until the end

I'm sure that no one doubted that for a second.

[carole]

Lori the meds are supposed to help with his appetite, and yes it has improved, he has not lost any more weight this week, so i am pleased, he was loosing like almost 100grms a week.

So far he is doing much better, he has not got an enormous appetite but it is much better thanks, as for throwing up, he used to throw up constantly,but since his dental, the medication, he only throws up maybe once twice a week, so although he is not eating as much, he is keeping it down better, also since the dental he takes ages to eat his food, so i assume he chews it well now, and that was part of the throwing up, scoffing it down,not chewing it or digesting it.

For me it is not about keeping Ash alive as long as possible, it is about keeping his life comfortable and having quality of life, that is my top priority, although giving him the meds, will prolong his life, they will also make him much more comfortable.

However having said that, i also am not keen to add any more medications to the two he is already having, unless gabe convinces me that is is absolutely necessary,i don't want him to be a zombie, again it is about quality of life for him,anyhow that is my stance on this.

[jazzcat]

For me it is not about keeping Ash alive as long as possible, it is about keeping his life comfortable and having quality of life, that is my top priority, although giving him the meds, will prolong his life, they will also make him much more comfortable.

That is the way it should be.

There was a time last year before we switched Ripley's food that I thought the end was near because he was losing weight, throwing up and just seemed miserable. I took him to the vet for fluids and to discuss his condition thinking the worse but she suggested the Pro Plan and what a difference it has made. He's been doing so well. Maybe Ash just needs a little time to get his eating adjusted. I do understand how you feel though, I'm not going to put Ripley through a lot just to extend his life. I want quality for him, not quantity.

[carole]

Thanks for that Lori, i really feel you understand where i am coming from on this one, i may well try that food you suggested,trouble with Ash one day he will love a new food, the next day or even that afternoon he turns his nose up at it,i have so many opened tins and biscuits, it is lucky i have two other kitties who can eat it,although one is getting a tad fatter than she should be, eh ellie-Mae? lol.

[Medusa]

trouble with Ash one day he will love a new food, the next day or even that afternoon he turns his nose up at it,i have so many opened tins and biscuits

Sounds like the Fur Posse. I'll say "I thought you liked this stuff!" and they'll look at me as if to say "That was then, this is now. We're cats! Hello!"

[jazzcat]

If it helps, my gang all love Ripley's food so I feed some of them (the healthy weight ones) his food and the ones that need to watch their weight get Pro Plan Weight Management with a few pieces of Ripley's mixed in.

Now watch them revolt and stop eating it tonight just because I said this. I better go knock on wood.

Also, it has done wonders for their coats and seems to have reduced the dander.

[carole]

I have seen it stocked here in the pet stores, so i know i can get it, i am seriously considering it, i am sure the other two girls will indeed like it anyhow, so worth a try, thanks Lori.

[carole]

I just had to tell you all i am so excited Ash has gained 100grms,this is only since his new medication, he was loosing about that per week and i was really concerned, i did the weigh in for all the kitties today, some of them need to go on a diet lol, but Ash is doing great, i thought he was looking better, so it was indeed a happy household here today.,just had to share, this is really good news, i would have been happy with maintenance but a gain, awesome.

[phesina]

Hooray!!!!! You Go, Ash!!!!!!

[jazzcat]

That is awesome news Carole!!! Way to go Ash!.